Anyway, it is not complex really. If you bounce a football in any pitch across Nigeria, young people will gather to play and if you tell them you want to form or start a football club, most of them will be excited to join. It is that easy, most boys clubs in Nigeria started that way.
Then the organiser becomes the owner, the team manager and the coach. If he is that buoyant, he can be the sole financier of the club. Otherwise, he will get the boys to join with a fee and make periodical financial contributions to run the activities of the club. It is more of a thing of passion than a venture with clear goals and objectives. This is the easiest way, but perhaps, not the formal or the right way to start a football club.
How to Start A Football Club in Nigeria - The Formal Way
To start a club formally is to have it registered by the relevant authorities and of course, have a clear goal and objectives for starting the club.
Some of the goals and objectives that can drive someone to start a club are:
1. To help nurture or expose the avalanche of football talents you found in your locality.
2. To draw attention and attract goodwill for your future political ambition
3. Start as a business venture that can earn you sustainable profit over a period of time.
4. Start as a thing of class to invest and nurture a football club as a rare asset.
It is worthy to note that the football industry is indeed a multi-billion dollar space only to those who have realized how to successfully run a club and position it in a state where it can be reckoned as a regional, national, continental or a global brand.
Why you should Register your Football Club Formally
1. If you didn't register your football club the way it is stated in the Constitution, you may get into trouble with the authorities and that may not be funny at all.
2. Your club will not be recognized by FIFA and NFF, in case your player get transfered to another club abroad, your club will not be entitled to a transfer fee or training compensation as the case may be.
You have to know that football business is serious business. Therefore, you must state clearly your objectives of wanting to venture into football club business i.e what you want to achieve and how you intend to achieve it without bowing out when challenges show up.
Nigerians love football and there are abundance of talents in the nation. Getting the talents for your club is not the problem. It is often times how to manage the team as a well run club. How you manage your club and team(s) will decide your success.
Here are few necessary details that will guide you on how to start your own football club formally:
Choosing a Name
Just like anyone who intends to start a business, you are required to determine the name you want your club to bear. This is very important especially you want to run it as a serious business.
The name you give to your club, the branding, choice of colour and identity speaks volume about your brand how you would be perceived by potential talents, fans and future partners.
Coaching Staff/Administrative or Account Team
Here you make critical decisions on who would be the best fit based on the philosophy or idea on the kind of football you want to play. This is because you do not want just anybody but someone or people who have achieved some level of results in their past or present endeavours.
As they say ”football no be mouth.” The individuals must be competent in managements and must have undergone certain training such as the National Institute for Sports where sports administration is being taught. The admin team must be schooled on how to manage accounts to a certain degree as well as work within your given budget.
Set Your Own Rules
When there are no set standards or principles, individuals tend to be unguided in their acts and decisions. You want your team to behave in certain ways, then draft a constitution and set enforceable penalties bearing in mind your location, customs and values. Discipline is key to run a successful football club.
Registration
There are state football associations saddled with the responsibility of regulating and managing the game within their locality. Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA) in Ondo state, Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) etc.
Their requirements are not really stifling, you can afford it just so you avoid unnecessary penalties in critical times. Why this important is just so your team can participate in recognized competitions or scouting programs and enjoy certain privileges e.g the FA Cup.
Recruiting Players
The Coaching Staff is responsible for scouting of talents who can best fit and execute the philosophy of the club. This is why some clubs go for players that express certain skills and ability. If you select players based on favouritism, time shall tell if the team will achieve expected results.
Contract and Agreement
The importance of this part of the deal cannot be overemphasized. Here, you draw a document on how your remuneration or reward system will be which must be signed and agreed by both the team management and players. It is important to engage a lawyer in this regard to have legal documents. State explicitly what the terms are if your player must be engaged by other clubs, and list payments if necessary.
Insurance & Training Ground
Insurance is usually not taken serious in our clime, but when life happens, what do you do? Many players have been rendered disabled while playing and got nothing from Insurance. It is necessary to have a plan, consult medical and insurance for necessary advice.
Training Ground
And finally, plan to lease or own a pitch easily accessible for the players to train, entertain invited teams for matches and put in place other basic amenities that can make training and relaxation time enjoyable for your team.
