Does Sheffield United run academy trials?
Academy at Shirecliffe · Sheffield · Checked 5 October 2026
Yes. Sheffield United says it holds open trials from time to time for particular players or age groups. Dates are announced on its website or official social accounts. Its scouts also identify players from the Under-6 to Under-8 pre-academy through to older groups. Players may first join a development programme before staff decide whether to offer an eight-week academy trial.
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
Development programmes help staff decide whether to offer an eight-week academy trial. Open events are announced separately.
- 01Watch for an official open trial announcement
The academy says open trials happen from time to time and may be age specific. Check the club’s own announcements for dates and eligibility. We did not find a current bookable date on the academy page.
Official page ↗ - 02Scouting and development programmes
Scouts work locally and nationally. Players can be invited to pre-academy centres, a player engagement centre or an Emerging Talent programme before an academy trial is considered.
Official page ↗ - 03Send a playing CV and fixtures
The academy page gives steveholmes@sufc.co.uk for requests. Include playing history, position and fixtures with kick-off times and venues. Footage or physical data can also be included. A reply is not guaranteed.
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.
Which ball size? See our size guide.
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By age group
- Local and national scouting.
- The academy page states a 60-minute radius for Under-9 to Under-12 and 90 minutes for Under-13 to Under-16. Ask the club to confirm the rule for your child.
- Check the announced age group before applying.
- Ask whether the invitation is for a development programme or an eight-week academy trial.
- Ask the club to confirm the travel rule for your child.
Sheffield United girls academy trials 2026/27
Girls' academies are licensed by the FA, not the Premier League. How the girls' pathway works.
Sheffield United is listed in the FA's Professional Game Academy directory. Use the academy contact in the FA directory to ask about girls' age groups and recruitment. A current open trial date was not confirmed in the sources checked. Girls' information checked 5 October 2026.
Use the FA's Professional Game Academy directory to contact this club. Ask which age groups it currently recruits and whether it is accepting trial enquiries. A directory listing does not mean trials are open.
Official page ↗What to check before you agree
- Sheffield United, academy recruitment questions, trial process, travel rules and squads (checked 5 October 2026) ↗
- EFL, current Championship clubs, 2026/27 (checked 5 October 2026) ↗
- Girls' pathway: official programme or FA directory, checked 5 October 2026 ↗
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.