How to Make Your Own Football Club

Playing in pick-up games at the park or poorly organized recreational leagues can be fun, but eventually many soccer players want to join a better-run, more established organization. While some may be able to join an already-existing club, others will need to establish their own organization, with a board of directors, president and even official charters and other binding documents. However, setting up such an organization, while taking some leg work, can be done by even the most novice of entrepreneurs.

Things You'll Need

• Start-up capital
• Access to the Internet

Instructions

Creating a Football Club

1. Search for players to fill out your roster. A football club is, in the end, a collection of players. Finding those players sounds like a tough task, but there are places to find them everywhere. Check out Craig's List, look for pick-up games in local parks or even get in touch with area colleges about recruiting from the school's intramural teams.

2. Form a corporate entity and protect yourself from legal liability as president of the club. Forming under an LLC will help the club become professional and allow it to apply for permits and petition the national federation, while giving the founder certain legal protections from lawsuits. A club-wide insurance policy will be helpful in case of injury. The club will need a charter and by-laws, as well. Essentially, treat the paperwork as you would when forming any corporation.

3. Register with your country's national federation. Falling under the umbrella of an organization such as the Football Association (England) or the United States Soccer Federation will give your club the chance to work with other teams and participate in regional and national tournaments.

4. Reach out to other local clubs and leagues. It's important to set up relationships with clubs in the area, both in order to set up matches and to share tips and, in some cases, resources.

5. Canvas your local area to find a field that can be established as your "home field." Nothing can help a club come together like a common ground to call home. It gives you a place to center your operations while also giving your future fans one place to go to see the club in action.

References

• U.S. Soccer Federation: Membership
• CalSouth: Advice on Insurance