Mastering the Social Media Pitch: A Guide for Football Clubs

Written by
Caitlin Martin
2
min read
Marketing
Growth

Navigating Social Media Trends for Football Clubs

Running a kids’ football club is a rewarding but demanding job.

Between organising training sessions, managing teams, and handling registrations, fitting in social media can often find you wishing for extra-time.  

Trying to keep up with social media trends can feel like climbing Everest, especially when you know that social media is a powerful tool for attracting new players, engaging parents, and building a thriving community around your club.

The good news? You don’t need to be a marketing expert to hit the back of the net!

When it comes to social media marketing for small business, it can feel like stepping onto a pitch without a game plan. But once you understand how to use social media for small business marketing, it becomes much easier to create content that connects and converts.

You just need a strategy to break it down and score big with your audience.

Here are your tactics to use social media for growing businesses, such as your football club.

Pick Your Playing Field

When it comes to social media, it’s tempting to want to showup everywhere—from TikTok to X, Facebook to YouTube. But as a small business owner, your time and resources are limited. Instead of stretching yourself thin trying to keep up with every platform, focus on the one or two where your audience is already spending their time. Remember that a parent’s favourite platform might not be the same as yours!

Platforms like Facebook are likely to be more effective for community updates and local events, and Instagram for sharing match-day photos and highlights. Want to engage the players themselves? Consider platforms like TikTok for fun challenges, behind-the-scenes content, or short, engaging video clips. For more educational or long-form content like training drills or coaching tips, YouTube is a great go-to.

The key is to match your content strategy to your audience’s behaviour, not just what’s trending in general.

By focusing on one or two platforms that align with both your content and your customer base, you’ll save time, create stronger engagement, and build a more consistent presence. Think quality over quantity—it’s better to do a great job on one platform than to post mediocre content across five.

Define Your Game Plan

Before you dive into posting reels or crafting clever captions, take a step back and ask yourself: What are we actually trying to achieve here? Without clear goals, your social media efforts can end up feeling scattered and ineffective.

Start by identifying your primary objectives. Are you trying to attract new players to your club or program? Do you want to keep parents in the loop about schedules, events, and updates? Or maybe your focus is on celebrating team achievements and building a sense of community? Each of these goals requires a slightly different approach.

Once your goals are clear, your strategy starts to take shape naturally. For example, if your top priority is attracting new players, your content should focus on reaching new audiences and showcasing what makes your team or club special—think highlight reels, player testimonials, and community engagement posts that get shared beyond your current followers. This is about visibility and first impressions.

On the other hand, if your goal is to keep parents informed, then consistency and clarity are key. Use your platform to post timely updates, schedules, and reminders—Facebook groups or stories work great for this.

By defining your game plan early, you give your content direction and purpose. You also set yourself up to track progress more effectively, because you’ll know what success looks like—whether that’s more sign-ups, better parent engagement, or increased reach.

 

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Social Media for Football Clubs - FAQs

How often should I post on social media for my football club?

Consistency matters more than frequency. Aim for a manageable routine you can actually stick to, even 2 or 3 quality posts a week can go a long way. Focus on valuable updates, matchday highlights, and behind-the-scenes moments rather than posting every day for the sake of it. It’s like training: regular practice beats random sprints.

What type of content gets the most engagement for football clubs?

Clubs that show their personality win every time. Share player spotlights, quick skill challenges, and community stories that make people smile or feel part of something bigger. Matchday photos and short clips of great goals or team spirit moments always perform well because parents love seeing their kids shine.

Should I pay for ads or stick to organic posts?

Start with organic content first and see what resonates. Once you’ve found what your audience enjoys, you can boost your best-performing posts with a small budget to reach more local families. Think of paid ads as adding an extra striker up front, useful but only if the rest of your team (your organic content) is already playing well together.

What if I’m not confident using social media or don’t have time?

You don’t need to be a marketing pro. Delegate tasks among coaches, parents, or even older players who enjoy creating content. A quick photo, a fun video, or a short post celebrating your team’s effort can go a long way. You can also use free scheduling tools to plan posts in advance so social media doesn’t steal your weekend.

How do I measure if my social media is actually helping my club grow?

Keep an eye on the numbers that matter, not just likes or followers but enquiries, sign-ups, and engagement from parents. If more people are asking about joining, attending your sessions, or sharing your posts, you’re already winning. Remember, the goal isn’t just to go viral, it’s to build a loyal community around your club.

Caitlin Martin

Cait is our in-house social media manager and digital content writer. When she isn’t brainstorming puns or chasing participants for TikToks, she can be found outside running, playing her fiddle in Scottish pubs, travelling on the Avanti West Coast train line to visit her family (read, dog), or nestled up on the sofa with a good book or movie.