Does Brentford run academy trials?
Brentford FC Academy, Jersey Road · Osterley, west London · Checked 5 September 2026
No open trials, and the youngest academy in the Premier League. Brentford closed its Category 2 academy in 2016 to run a B team instead, reopened as Category 4 in 2022 when league rules changed, and by 2026 had become the first club to climb to Category 1 that fast. It recruited over 100 players in that rebuild and hired more than 50 full-time staff. The club says it wants players to keep playing grassroots football alongside the academy, which is unusual.
Got a trial or a scout’s invitation? How to prepare your child →Practise decisions before the trial: free Look First game →
How recruitment works
Invitation after observation. Small groups, roughly five players per coach at younger ages, so the club can watch closely.
- 01Scouted at grassroots football in west London
A new academy building a full U9 to B-team pipeline recruits actively. Scouts cover west London and the surrounding counties, and the club has said it recruited 114 players during the rebuild.
Official page ↗ - 02Coach referral
Grassroots coaches can put players forward to the academy recruitment team. Expect a scout at a normal fixture before any approach.
- 03B team for 17 to 21
Brentford B remains the bridge to the first team and signs older players from other clubs' academies and non-league. Relevant for released scholars, not for under-16s.
What to bring to an academy trial
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Boots for the surface (grass = FG, firm ground; 3G or astro = AG, artificial grass), shin pads, a ball, a named water bottle and plain kit (no rival club shirts). Check the club’s trial email first.
Which ball size? See our size guide.
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Brentford development centre
Historically the club's stated feeder for local talent when it ran the B-team-only model. Paid community coaching across west London. Check the Trust's current listings for tiers and venues.
- West London
- Hounslow, Ealing, Richmond
- Surrey and Middlesex borders
- EPPP limit: 1 hour travel U9 to U11, 90 minutes U12 to U16
- Ask about the grassroots policy in writing. Brentford has said it wants players to keep their grassroots club, which changes the family calendar.
- Check the travel rule to Osterley. One hour at U9 to U11.
- Ask how the academy and B team connect for your child's age group. The B team is for 17 and over.
- New academies churn squads as they climb categories. Ask what retention looked like last spring.
What to check before you agree
- BBC Sport, Why Bees revamped academy, May 2025 ↗
- BBC Sport, David Rainford on Category 1 and the B team, May 2026 ↗
- Brentford FC, Brentford to open Academy, Jul 2022 ↗
- Premier League Youth Development Rules (travel limits, registration) ↗
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Updated 17 October 2026. Last verified 5 September 2026. Spotted a change? Tell us so we can check the page.