Erasmus+ Player Placement Programme

Introduction

League Football Education (LFE) secures Erasmus+ funding to send footballers on a Player Placement Programme to football clubs in Europe.

The programme is approved by the European Commission on an annual basis.

Theaim is to provide former Apprentices and 1stYear Professionals (18-19 year olds) released from clubs within the Premier League, Championship, League One, League Two and the Conference National with an opportunity to continue their football career in a different country.

This is a unique opportunity for European clubs to recruit and accommodate fully funded players.

Please take some time to read through the information in this pack to ensure you are comfortable with what is required from a participating club.

Kind regards,

League Football Education.

Aims and Objective of the Placement

The below aims and objectives have been agreed with the funding body and where possible should be achievedduring the placement period.

  • To achieve both quantitative and qualitative improvements in the development of the participants as footballers
  • To improve the participants knowledge and understanding of Lifelong Learning principles
  • To improve the participants knowledge and understanding of the European opportunities in football and other careers
  • To deliver a high quality social and cultural programme including the use of the host language to an intermediary level
  • To achieve a professional football contract at a European Club and/or as an employee/trainee in Europe in an alternative career

From an employability perspective we would also envisage time to be set aside for a discussion forum on career development, career aspirations and the participant’s future at home or abroad. This could be facilitated through either formal or informal sessions.

It is also expected that a programme of social and cultural integration will be undertaken so that the participant can familiarise themselves with the wider town and country.

Club Contract

Player Placement – Letter of Commitment

We, (insert club)..……………………………………………………………….., fully commit to a 13 weekplacement running from (insert date)…………………………. to(insert date) …….…………………. inclusive.

During this time we will provide a full football, social and cultural development programme for the player, providing support and guidance where appropriate and as detailed in the “Expectations of the Host Club” section of the information pack.

Apart from in the event of an emergency or other extenuating circumstances we confirm that we will host the participant for the duration of the programme.

Finally, should we not undertake any of the above in the appropriate manner we understand that LFE reserve the right to withhold payment or remove the player(s) in our care and return them back to the UK.

Furthermore we understand that should the situation of removal arise we will be responsible for the full cost of the placement programme.

SIGNATURE: ______

NAME: ______

TITLE:______

DATE:______

LFE Responsibilities

Funding

LFE provides funding to cover the cost of the participants:

  • Accommodation
  • Food
  • Travel Costs

LFE will provide details of set dates when clubs will receive payments, invoices will need to be sent directly to LFE at the start of these weeks for payment to be made.

Support

LFE are here to support you for the duration of the programme, therefore it is vital that we establish good lines of communications.

In the event of any issues/problems arising with the placement or within the Club please report these immediately so we can ensure a swift response and the problem can be resolved in the interest of all parties.

Contact Details

Contact Details
Office Hours (8.30am - 5pm)
Name / Organisation / Number / Email
Simon Williams / LFE / +44 870 4589250
+44 758 1313694 /
Sarah Stonehouse / LFE / +44 870 4589250
+44 775 3343394 /
Out of Office Hours – EMERGENCY ONLY (5pm - 8.30am)
Emergency contact
Dan Jolley / LFE / +44 7876 500350 /

Expectations of the Host Club

The following list of expectations outlines the commitment that you as a host Club make to the programme. Please bear in mind these responsibilities when making your decision to enter the programme.

Budget

Costs will vary and LFE will confirm these upon receipt of a signed letter of commitment.

This funding is to contribute/cover the cost of the following:

  • Accommodation
  • Food
  • Flights
  • Internet access
  • Language course

*Up to the amount provided by LFE, any costs incurred outside of this will be the responsibility of the Club.

The Club is also responsible for providing:

  • Player’s weekly allowances (the equivalent of 75-80 Euros)
  • Travel costs to and from matches
  • Training kit
  • Gym access

Through the Erasmus+ funding and with the backing of our Board, consisting of the Football League and the Professional Football Association, LFE is in a position to guarantee fulfilling all financial contractual agreements.

LFE will ensure that all costs mentioned in the above paragraph up to a total of €3900 per player is paid in full to the club, upon receipt of appropriate invoices/receipts.

For any payments made that are LFE’s responsibility invoices are to be collected by the club from the external suppliers e.g. accommodation, food and travel. It is then the clubs responsibility to send these invoices to LFE at:

League Football Education

Edward VII Quay

Navigation Way

Preston

PR2 2YF

LFE commit to make payments within 10 working days after receipt of the invoice. Please include the following information your invoices:

  • Full name and address of the bank
  • Account number
  • Swift number
  • IBAN number

If you are unsure who is responsible for a particular cost please confirm this with LFE before making the purchase.

Mentor

You will be responsible for providing a ‘mentor’ for the participant who will act as a day to day point of contact within the Club and will be there to support the participant for the duration of their stay. It will be the mentor’s responsibility to orientate the participant upon their arrival, showing them round the area and introducing them to their new Club.

Travel

Should it be necessary for any additional travel arrangements to be made for the participant please support the participant in terms of appropriate methods of travel, timing, directions and any other queries they may have. It will also be the Clubs responsibility to ensure the participant is collected and returned to the airport safely.

Accommodation

Participants need to be provided with suitable accommodation for the duration of their stay, this could be either self catering accommodation or permanent accommodation in a hotel. It is possible that it can be shared but each individual must have their own sleeping space. This accommodation needs to include access to/budget for:

Food – 3 meals per day, either in the hotel restaurant or within 5 minutes walking distance of the accommodation, or a food allowance provided for self catering facilities.

Laundry – Laundry facilities need to be available, again in the hotel or within close proximity.

Internet – Access to the internet must be easy and reliable and of zero cost to allow the player to keep in contact with family/friends and LFE.

*Please ensure that if any problems arise with the accommodation i.e. additional costs, damaged items, that LFE are informed at the point this occurs.*

Full details of participant’s accommodation/food and laundry facilitiesincluding address information must be provided to LFE before commencement of the placement.

Player’s Allowance

Each participant should be paid a weekly allowance of a minimum €75 per week. This is to be paid directly to the participant in cash by the host Club on every Friday of the placement.

Activities

Schedule

In order to enhance the players experience the club must provide a detailed itinerary for the player for the full period (excluding public holidays). This should include:

  • Any club training
  • Scheduled matches
  • Additional training
  • Social activities
  • Language course
  • Coaching opportunities

The training programme needs to include/detail the following:

  1. Training programme with the Club
  2. Additional supplementary training (i.e. to ensure full time training if not already undertaken by the Club)
  3. Training venue
  4. Training dates and times

Gym – Provision should also be made for the player to access a Gym/Swimming facility to undertake additional conditioning/weight training

Social and Cultural Programme

Language course – Where possible a language course needs to be arranged for this can be an evening class or school programme or any other suitable alternative.

Insurance

LFE will purchase the appropriate travel insurance and also ensure that the player has acquired the European Health Insurance Card. The necessary football/medical insurance must be put in place by the host Club.

The Spirit of the Programme

It is expected that both the Club and Player enter into the spirit of the programme by fully committing to all elements of the programme and its duration.This spirit is one of development and growth for both Player and Club alike. It is also expected that both parties respect the fact that the European Funding programme has made this opportunity possible and have to respect the funding protocols in place.

What you will get out of the programme

  • The opportunity to diversify your squad with Players who have been trained by Clubs from the English football League.
  • Create a partnership with LFE to continue your involvement in this scheme.
  • Create links with English Football Players/Clubs for future player migration

Making your player decision

We have already establish a list of player who have expressed an interest in this opportunity, this will formulate the basis of you decision. However if you have a particular request i.e. a particular position that you need filling advise an LFE member of staff and we will endeavour to find an appropriate player.

Replay Analysis

LFE have developed a partnership with Replay Analysis, Replay Analysis deliver an exciting and innovative video analysis service for our apprentices, collecting footage from players throughout the season which is then made available using their online facility.

The Replay Analysis service is very straightforward to use, simply log in online at

Username:
Password: lfetrials

Player/Club Contractual agreements

Whilst on programme clubs must be prepared to allow players the opportunity to trial or train with clubs in higher divisions and must make every effort to accommodate this into the players schedule, however should a clash in schedules occur the player must attend the training session of his original club.

What happens after the programme?

Once the programme is complete, players and clubs are entitled to negotiate a formal playing contract providing there is mutual interest in prolonging the contract. Please be aware that once the agreed placement has been finished LFE will no longer be in a position to offer any financial support.