Season Planning & Team Essentials

What’s Provided by the Club

• Training and matchday footballs
• Kit bag (includes first aid kit, cones, and bibs)
• Each player receives a full training kit
• Players selected for matchday squads will be provided with a matchday kit
• Each coach/manager will receive a club-branded top and coat

How to Order New Kit or Equipment

All equipment can be ordered through the club’s website by following these simple steps:

1. Go to https://www.cottinghamrangers.co.uk/
2. Log in using your personal username and password
3. Navigate to the Club Shop
4. Select the items you need
5. Proceed to checkout
6. For team-related items (e.g. replacement training balls), choose Cash on Delivery
7. For all other purchases, please pay using a credit or debit card

Kit Return

It is the manager’s responsibility to ensure that any training or matchday kit is returned to the club if a player leaves or outgrows their current kit. In the event that a team folds, all club-issued equipment — including the kit bag, first aid kit, cones, bibs, and training or match balls — must be returned in full to the club.

Training sessions are essential for building skills, teamwork, fitness, and confidence. Managers should work with coaches to ensure that sessions are well-planned, inclusive, and aligned with the club’s player development philosophy.

Planning and Structure

• Each session should have a clear objective and be tailored to the age and ability of the group.
• Include warm-ups, skill development, small-sided games, and cool downs.
• More resources can be found here: https://learn.englandfootball.com/articles-and-resources/coaching/

Attendance and Communication

• Use 360Player App to track availability and communicate training times and changes.
• Record attendance to help player monitoring and safeguarding.

Equipment and Safety

• Arrive early to set up safely. Check the playing area for hazards.
• Ensure all players wear shin pads and are dressed appropriately for the weather. Players must remove jewellery, such as, ear rings, before taking part in any training session.
• Carry a first aid kit at all sessions
• Cones, bibs, and footballs should be counted in and out of every session.
• Heading is allowed in training for players aged 12 and over.

Player Inclusion and Development

• Involve every player equally, regardless of ability and experience.
• Rotate positions and roles to aid all-round development.
• Make training fun and engaging, with plenty of ball contact and active participation.

Dealing with Absences

• Encourage consistent attendance, but be understanding of other commitments.
• If a player is regularly missing training without notice, follow up with parents in a supportive manner.

Competitive fixtures are an exciting part of grassroots football, providing players with opportunities to learn, grow, and test themselves. As a manager, your role is to ensure that fixtures are organised efficiently, players are prepared, and matchdays run smoothly.

Fixture Management

• Fixtures are scheduled by the league, but managers may need to liaise with opposition teams to confirm kick-off times, venues, and referee arrangements.
• Use FA Full-Time, your league contacts, and the 360Player App to manage and communicate fixture information with players and parents.
• Always double-check pitch availability and weather conditions in advance.
• For home games, contact the opposition manager and the referee by Tuesday or Wednesday in the week before the match.

Match Day Duties

• Arrive early to inspect the pitch and prepare your team
• Ensure players have the correct kit and are wearing shin pads.
• Bring the team kit bag, first aid kit, match balls, and team sheet (if required).
• Greet the opposition and referee with respect and ensure both teams observe the Respect handshake.
• Promote positive behaviour from the touchline and remind parents of their role as supporters, not coaches.
• Ensure the referee is paid the agreed fee promptly, either before or immediately after the match.

Reporting Results

• Submit results, scorers, and any disciplinary notes promptly via your league’s reporting system.
•  On matchday, the FA will send a text message requesting the final score.
• Ensure matchday records are up to date, especially in leagues where appearances are tracked.
• Please ensure all matchday statistics are accurately recorded using the Matchday app and Full-Time system for the girls and the Papionne game card for the boys.

Cup Games and Friendlies

• Cup fixtures often have different rules—always check competition guidelines.
• Managers can arrange friendlies during free weekends or off-season
• All friendlies must be sanctioned by both the home and away team.

Managers are reminded of the following procedures for registering new players during the season:

• Boys’ League: New player registrations must be submitted to the league no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday.
• Girls’ League: New player registrations must be submitted to the league no later than 1:30 p.m. on Friday.

To ensure timely approval—particularly if you intend for the player to participate in the upcoming weekend fixture—please aim to complete all required actions by close of play on Thursday. Providing as much notice as possible is appreciated, as registrations must be processed alongside other commitments.

If a player is transferring from another club, the current manager must be contacted, and they must email the league confirming their consent for the transfer to proceed.

• Girls’ League transfers: A transfer form must also be submitted.  It is advisable to obtain a screenshot of the consent email as a safeguard should the original message fail to reach the league.

Please note that a player must not participate in any fixture until confirmation of registration or transfer approval has been received from the league or from the club registration officer. A parent signing an ID card or completing the FA consent email does not complete the registration process.

The end of the season is an important time to reflect, celebrate, and begin preparations for the next campaign. As a manager, your role is to ensure that all administrative, equipment, and player-related matters are finalised in a smooth and organised way.

Presentation and Celebration

• Collaborate with the club and parents to organise a team presentation or celebration event. The club will make a financial contribution per player towards end-of-season costs and will provide funding for up to three awards per team. The exact contribution amount will be confirmed and communicated to managers closer to the time. Any additional awards or rewards will be at the team’s own expense.
• Recognise each player’s contribution, improvement, or attitude—not just top performers.

Suggested awards include:

• Player of the season
• Most Improved Player
• Players’ Player 
• Manager’s Award

Ensure awards reflect the club’s values of inclusion, effort, and development.

Kit and Equipment Return

• Collect all matchday and training kits from players who
• Leaving the club
• Moving up to a new age group (if kits will be replaced)
• Check the condition of items and report anything damaged or missing.

Feedback and Player Development

• Provide feedback to players and parents on progress and areas to work on.
• Encourage players to stay active during the off-season.
• Identify players who may benefit from additional support, or changes in playing level.

Transition to New Age Groups

• Work with the club’s age group coordinators to manage any transitions:
• Players moving up to new formats (e.g. 5v5 to 7v7)
• Changes in pitch size, ball size, or rules
• Ensure all players are prepared for the new challenges and expectations.

Collaborate with the club and parents to organise a team Christmas / End of Season celebration event. The club will provide a financial contribution per player to support the event. This can be claimed through the club's website through the online form.

From June 1st, once the season ends, all players are no longer affiliated with the league and may join other teams without a formal transfer request. This section outlines the process for re-registering both the team and its players for the new season. Managers are expected to:

• Support the club’s player registration process.
• Confirm which players are continuing.
• Ensure contact and medical details are up to date.
•  Handle with new player recruitment if needed.

360 Player

• Register all new players on 360Player as per the instructions in this guide, and notify the club once complete.
• Inform the club if a player moves between the match squad and training-only status so their subscription can be adjusted accordingly.
• Ensure all player photographs are kept up to date and reflect their current appearance.
• If a player leaves, remove them from your team list on 360Player and inform the club.
• Monitor any overdue subscriptions and follow up promptly. Failure to resolve outstanding payments will delay the player’s registration process and may result in them not being registered in time for the new season.

The FA Club Portal

• All players must be added or updated on the FA’s Club Portal. This process will be managed by the club.
• Players who are new to football must create a FAN number (FA Number) via the FA website before they can be registered.

Pappione

• Once all players are listed on the FA Club Portal and player registration is open, add them to Papionne using the information from the FA Club Portal team list.
• Update each player’s profile with their photograph — note that the image must be identical to the one uploaded on the FA Club Portal.
• When all details are complete for a player, send a signature request. This will generate an email to the parent/guardian for their electronic signature.
• Once signed, the information is automatically returned to the FA for verification.

Invoice

• Registering a player incurs a fee. The club covers the initial registration cost, including insurance, and invoices this amount to parents via 360Player. Payment will be requested on either 1st August or 15th August, depending on the bill payer’s chosen date.

End-of-Season (May – June)

• Submit reports of any damaged or missing equipment.
• Hold end-of-season presentation (club provides contribution + 3 awards).
• Provide constructive feedback to players and parents.
• Confirm returning players for next season.
• Thank parents, volunteers, and club officials.

Transition (June - July)

• Player affiliation ends on June 1st – players are free to move without transfers.
• Keep parents updated about re-registration and next season’s plans.
• Identify and welcome new players (share joining info).
• Update player photographs for registrations.
• Support age group transitions (e.g. 5v5 → 7v7, 7v7 → 9v9).
• Encourage players to remain active over the summer.

Pre-Season (July - August)

• Register players on FA Club Portal and Pappione (with signed parent forms).
• Add/update players on 360Player.
• Confirm subscription payments are set up via 360Player.
• Check DBS, safeguarding, and first aid are valid for all staff/volunteers.
• Confirm training pitch allocation with Facilities Manager.
• Arrange pre-season friendlies (opposition, pitch, referee).
• Distribute kits and confirm sizes.
• Hold a parent/player meeting to set expectations and share season plans.
• Launch pre-season training programme.

👉 Tip for Managers: Keeping this cycle in mind ensures nothing gets missed, and sets the team up for a smooth start each season.