Before signing
Never feel rushed. Keep a copy, understand pay, bonuses, accommodation, education, injury arrangements and what happens if the agreement ends.
Moving Away
Support is here 24/7
For young players · Under 18 to 21
A new club.
A new city.
You’re not on your own.
Practical, confidential support for young players moving away from Northern Ireland to pursue football—on and off the pitch.
01 · Football, contracts & safeguarding
Know where you stand.
Agents
Check that an agent is properly licensed. Understand any representation agreement, its length, fees and how it can be ended before signing.
Injury or release
Ask for medical information in writing and contact the PFA independently. A setback deserves both practical and emotional support.
Safeguarding
If behaviour from a coach, agent, teammate or anyone else makes you feel unsafe, tell a trusted adult or safeguarding lead. In immediate danger, call 999.
PFA Youth Advisoryyouthadvisory@thepfa.com
The PFA · England & Wales0330 236 8850
PFA Scotland0141 353 0199
Need to speak to someone?
You do not need to have the right words.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E.
02 · Your wellbeing
Look after the person, not only the player.
Moving away can feel exciting and lonely at the same time. A dip in form, injury, selection worries or missing home can affect sleep, appetite, confidence and motivation. That is not weakness—it is a sign to connect.
Speak early
Talk to someone you trust before a difficult week becomes a difficult month: family, player care, your club doctor, PFA NI or the players’ association where you are based.
Keep your basics steady
Regular sleep, proper meals, daylight, recovery and contact with people you care about protect both wellbeing and performance.
Separate self from selection
Not starting, being injured or being released is something that happened—it is not your identity or your future.
Notice change
If you are withdrawing, constantly anxious, losing interest or using alcohol, gambling or gaming to escape, reach out.
Private support
Players’ association wellbeing services are designed to be confidential. PFA NI can help connect you with the appropriate support wherever you are playing.
03 · Academy life & nutrition
Build habits that support the player and the person.
Academy football asks you to balance training, education, recovery and life in unfamiliar surroundings. You do not have to master it all immediately—steady routines make the biggest difference.
Moving away can be exciting and difficult at the same time. A new club, home, school, accent and group of teammates may take time to feel normal. Feeling unsettled at first does not mean the move is failing.
Your everyday performance plan
Food is part of training—not something to think about after it.
Fuel
Regular meals and carbohydrate-rich foods help provide energy for training, matches and concentration.
Recover
Protein, fluids and a suitable meal or snack after training help your body repair and prepare again.
Grow
A varied, balanced diet supports your health and development as a young person—not only your football.
Give your week structure
Plan training, study, meals, shopping, laundry, calls home, sleep and time away from football.
Keep the basics steady
Eat regularly, carry water and avoid leaving food decisions until you are exhausted or extremely hungry.
Learn simple meals
Build confidence with a few affordable options such as porridge, eggs on toast, pasta, rice dishes, wraps and baked potatoes.
Plan for busy days
Shop with a list, prepare food in advance and take a snack when travel may delay your next meal.
Stay connected
Agree regular contact with home while allowing yourself time to form new relationships and routines.
Speak up early
Tell someone if homesickness, pressure or low mood begins to affect your appetite, sleep or ability to cope.
!
Check before using supplements
Do not take powders, tablets, drinks or performance products simply because someone recommends them. Speak to qualified club medical or nutrition staff first.
04 · Life away from training
Give your spare time some shape.
Hours away from the training ground can be the hardest part of moving. A simple routine helps a new place start to feel like home.
Create a weekly rhythm
Plan training, recovery, cooking, calls home and two enjoyable activities. Empty time feels easier when it has shape.
Find your people
Say yes to a coffee, team meal or club activity. Join a gym class, faith group, course or local five-a-side away from your club bubble.
Learn the area
Find your nearest supermarket, GP, pharmacy, station and safe route home. Feeling orientated reduces stress.
Keep home close
Agree regular call times with family, but also give yourself permission to build a new routine. Both can be true.
Use the opportunity
Start a qualification, learn to drive, improve cooking or build a career interest. Football careers can change quickly.
Watch the warning signs
Withdrawing, sleeping all day, drinking more, gambling or gaming through the night can mean you need connection and support.
05 · Gambling support
Boredom and pressure can make gambling feel like an escape.
Football can normalise betting conversations, but FA rules restrict players and other participants from betting on football. Gambling harm can affect money, mood, sleep, relationships and performance.
Signs to act on
- Betting to fill time or change your mood
- Chasing losses or increasing stakes
- Hiding transactions, borrowing or missing bills
- Checking bets during training or late at night
- Feeling restless, low or angry when you cannot bet
Do this today
- Tell one person you trust.
- Remove betting apps and marketing.
- Ask your bank about a gambling block.
- Use self-exclusion and blocking tools.
- Contact confidential support.
Your moving checklist
Eight things to sort before—or soon after—you arrive.
1
Save PFA NI and the relevant players’ association contacts in your phone
2
Know your club safeguarding and player-care contacts
3
Keep a copy of your contract and agent agreement
4
Register with a local GP and dentist
5
Set a realistic weekly budget and emergency fund
6
Agree check-in times with family or someone you trust
7
Plan meals, travel, recovery and two non-football activities
8
Ask who to contact if you are injured, released or struggling
Players’ associations & wellbeing support
Your football support team.
Tap to call or email. Save the contacts before you need them. PFA NI can help connect you with the appropriate association wherever you play.
PFA Northern Ireland
Support from home before, during and after your move.
07912 612 390info@pfani.comVisit PFA NI →PFA
The PFA · England & Wales
Union, youth advisory, contracts and player wellbeing support for players based in England and Wales.
0330 236 8850info@thepfa.comVisit The PFA →PFAS
PFA Scotland
Independent player support for professional footballers in Scotland, including legal, personal-development and confidential wellbeing pathways. Members can access 24/7 Sporting Chance support through PFA Scotland.
0141 353 0199info@pfascotland.co.ukPFA Scotland wellbeing →Confidential support form →24/7
PFA Wellbeing
Confidential support for anything affecting you on or off the pitch.
07500 000 777wellbeing@thepfa.comAbout the service →Wherever football takes you
PFA NI is still in your corner.
Whether you move to Scotland, England, Wales, the Republic of Ireland or further afield, PFA NI can continue to support you and help connect you with the relevant players’ association and wellbeing services.