Last Updated on: 15th September 2025, 12:50 pm
Is your club an England Football Accredited club? If not, you could be missing out on some great benefits. England Football accreditation is more than just a badge. It’s a symbol that you offer a safe and inclusive environment for all. Not sure what’s involved? Read our guide to find out everything you need to know.
What is England Football Accredited?
England Football Accredited is a national scheme, which the FA coordinates under its England Football branding. It’s the new framework for league and club accreditation, having replaced the FA Charter Standard. The scheme recognises non-professional clubs and leagues that have met and maintained certain standards.
Why does accreditation matter?
The scheme aims to create more chances for everyone to have fun, learn, and grow. It wants to ensure football is accessible, sustainable, and safe. So, leagues and clubs must show that they stand for inclusivity, diversity, and respect. Having England Football Accreditation shows that you are:
- Welcoming and inclusive – you’re meeting FA equality, Respect, welfare, and safeguarding standards.
- Compliant and accountable – you have qualified coaches, welfare officers, DBS checks, and administrative policies in place.
- Sustainable and resilient – you’ve got a strong plan for the future.
Furthermore, it can help clubs and leagues attract players, coaches, and volunteers. Additionally, it provides additional benefits for clubs. For example, support and access to resources.
Who is England Football Accredited for?
It’s not just for big clubs with plenty of teams. It’s available for all non-professional leagues and clubs. This includes grassroots clubs, those playing in the National League System steps 1-6, or clubs in the Women’s Pyramid Tier 3 and below.
Criteria For Clubs
To succeed, you’ll need to meet certain criteria, both on and off the pitch. To start, your club must be affiliated to your local County FA. This means you’ll meet the following criteria:
- Offer at least one male, female, or disability team (any age group) playing in an FA-sanctioned competition.
- Have an in-date FA Enhanced DBS check for all relevant officials.
- Have a Welfare Officer for youth clubs.
- Club committee members having completed safeguarding courses.
Then you’ll provide evidence to show you’ve met the other relevant criteria. You’ll also need to meet specific on and off-pitch criteria. See below for details.
On-Pitch
- Adult teams to have a named individual who has completed the Introduction to First Aid in Football (IFAIF). If they’re a player, you’ll require an additional person.
- Youth teams to have at least one coach or manager with the Introduction to Coaching Football (I2CF) per team. They should also have an in-date Introduction to First Aid in Football (IFAIF) and Safeguarding Children Course (SCC). A qualified coach or manager must be present at training and fixtures.
- Have a coach: player ratio of 1:16 or less.
Off-Pitch
- Complete the relevant club development plan. This supports club development and sustainability.
- Confirm club meetings that take place and make sure they’re recorded.
- Demonstrate that decisions made by the club are informed by, and communicated to its members.
If you need any of the qualification criteria listed above, you can find out more on the England Football website here.
Star Ratings
England Football Accredited ratings are based on a star system. So, your club will get a rating of 1, 2, or 3 stars. These signify the football provisions you offer on the pitch and how they’re structured.
- 1 star – Focuses on offering more opportunities for more people. You’ll need a strong season plan in place.
- 2 stars – Offers a more complete provision of player pathways for male, female, or disability football. This is supported by a Club Development Plan.
- 3 stars – Shows a full commitment to providing football for everyone. These clubs meet the most thorough criteria for inclusivity and development. It’s also supported by a Club Development Plan.
To gain one of the star ratings, you’ll need to prove that you meet all of the necessary criteria and have a plan in place.
What do I need to become a one-star Accredited Club?
You need to offer at least one affiliate male, female, or disability team, at any age group, playing within an FA-sanctioned league competition.
For more information on what it takes, view this video.
What do I need to become a two-star Accredited Club?
You must offer a complete accredited player pathway for either male, female, or disability football, all playing within FA-sanctioned league competitions. You also need to offer at least one team from a different pathway.
For more information on what it takes, view this video.
What do I need to become a three-star Accredited Club?
You must offer the complete accredited player pathway for both male and female football. You also need to offer at least one disability team in any age group. All teams must play within FA-sanctioned league competitions.
For more information on what it takes, view this video.
How to check your England Football Accredited status
The process is handled online, which means it’s easy to check your status. Follow these steps to see if you’re club has accreditation:
- Log in to the FA Club Portal.
- Go to the “My Club” tab.
- Select the “Accreditation” tab.
- Use the Accreditation Checklist to view your status and identify any criteria that are incomplete.
How to Apply for England Football Accreditation
It’s easy to apply, and new clubs can do it at any time. Follow these steps:
- Log in to the FA Clubs Portal.
- Click on the “My Club” tab on the left-hand side.
- Select the “Accreditation” tab.
- Review the Accreditation Checklist.
- Go through each tab and ensure you meet all criteria.
- Submit your application.
Once the checklist is complete, the “Apply for Accreditation” button will appear. Click this button to submit your application to your County FA for approval. They might contact you for further information.
Renewing your England Football Accreditation
Your status only lasts for one season, so you’ll need to renew it annually. You’ll need to prove that your club meets all the current criteria. Failure to renew will result in the removal of your club’s accreditation. Meaning your club will miss out on the additional benefits.
When can I renew?
The renewal window usually runs between November and March.
How to renew
You can renew through the Club Portal. Just follow these steps:
- Log in to the Club Portal and navigate to the “My Club” section.
- Find the Accreditation tab.
- Review and complete the accreditation checklist.
- Submit the completed checklist.
What are you waiting for?
If you aren’t already an England Football Accredited club, now is the perfect time to look into it. The process is simple, and you get plenty of benefits. Including:
- Access to the official asset pack.
- Certificates, promotional material, and access to online resources.
- Improved access to possible funding for facility improvements.
- Invites to events, webinars, and conferences focused on club development.
- Opportunities to get support from consultants, mentors, and ambassadors.
- The chance to run FA-led programmes like Wildcats, Squad Girls, and Comets.
So, take a look today. Your club won’t regret it.
Pendle Kit
Once you become an England Football Accredited club, you’ll be able to use the official branding. We’ve made it as easy as possible to include this on your football kits and training wear. Go through our kit builder and add the badge
