How do players get into the Derby County academy?

Register interest in Talent Identification: Talent Identification means watching and developing players who may be suitable for the club. The current programme is for Under-8s to Under-12s and runs in 12-week blocks. Use its register-interest link to ask about a place. Check which centre fits your child: Derby lists centres in Derby, Leicester, Tamworth, Sheffield and Nottingham. Sheffield currently covers Under-8 to Under-11; the other centres list groups through Under-12. Confirm a place before travelling.

What should parents do if a Derby County scout makes contact?

Use the official club contact to confirm who sent the invitation. Ask for the programme, age group, venue and dates in writing. Ask when feedback will be given and how training fits around school.

Category ChampionshipU8 programme to U21

Does Derby County run academy trials?

Academy training venue: confirm with the club · Derby · Checked 5 October 2026

NoTrial information

We found no current open academy trial date in the official pages checked. Derby offers a Talent Identification programme for Under-8s to Under-12s. It runs in 12-week blocks at five centres. Parents can register interest through the programme page. This is a development programme alongside the academy. The club’s academy page also links to Under-18 and Under-21 squads.

Got a trial or a scout’s invitation? How to prepare your child →

Practise decisions before the trial: free Look First game →

Programme agesUnder-8 to Under-12

Programme length12 weeks

CentresFive

Older academy squadsUnder-18 and Under-21

Recruitment and training programmes

How recruitment works

The Talent Identification programme runs in 12-week blocks. The pages checked do not state a separate academy trial length.

01
Club programme
Register interest in Talent Identification
Talent Identification means watching and developing players who may be suitable for the club. The current programme is for Under-8s to Under-12s and runs in 12-week blocks. Use its register-interest link to ask about a place.
Official page ↗
02
Club programme
Check which centre fits your child
Derby lists centres in Derby, Leicester, Tamworth, Sheffield and Nottingham. Sheffield currently covers Under-8 to Under-11; the other centres list groups through Under-12. Confirm a place before travelling.
Official page ↗

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.

Bootsadidas F50 Club kids bootsMost trials are on grass or 3G. These grip on both, so your child can turn and stop without slipping.See price on Amazon Shin padsMitre Aircell shin padsMost clubs will not let a child train without shin pads. The ankle sock keeps them in place.See price on Amazon BallMitre Impel footballA few touches before the session helps nerves. Size 4 for most 8–11s, size 5 from about 12.See price on Amazon

Which ball size? See our size guide.

We have not tested these products. Check size, price and delivery on Amazon before you buy.

By age group

Under-8 to Under-12The Talent Identification programme covers these ages. Under-8 means the under-eight age group for that season. Sheffield currently lists groups only through Under-11.

Under-18 and Under-21The club publishes these academy squads. The youngest age for full academy registration was not confirmed in the pages checked.

Where scouts watch

The academy says it seeks players from its local region and beyond.
Talent Identification centres: Derby, Leicester, Tamworth, Sheffield and Nottingham. These are programme venues, not a published academy catchment.

If a scout calls

Use the official club contact to confirm who sent the invitation.
Ask for the programme, age group, venue and dates in writing.
Ask when feedback will be given and how training fits around school.

Watch out

What to check before you agree

A Talent Identification programme place is not an academy registration. Ask how players are considered for the academy.

Older job adverts describe different ages and centre plans. Use the current centre and programme pages.

Sources

Compare every club: football trials UK 2026, by club, age and region.

Updated 17 October 2026. Last verified 5 October 2026. Spotted a change? Tell us so we can check the page.

Nearby

Other nearby academies

Category 2

AFC Bournemouth

Canford Magna, near Wimborne, Dorset · U9 to U21

No open trials

Read the club guide →

Category 3

AFC Wimbledon

Wimbledon, south-west London · U9 to U18

No open trials

Read the club guide →

Category 1

Arsenal

Walthamstow, north-east London · U9 to U21

No open trials

Read the club guide →

How recruitment works

What to bring to an academy trial

By age group

What to check before you agree

Other nearby academies

AFC Bournemouth

AFC Wimbledon

Arsenal

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