Could you be the next Phil Croker or Jayden Carbon?

After a summer of unprecedented success in youth development, Oxford City FC are delighted to announce a collaboration with Ignite Training to create two exciting opportunities for talented young footballers to join our club.

This summer, both Phil Croker and Jayden Carbon have used the opportunity of first team football as a springboard into the EFL. Now, we’re on the lookout for the next star who may have slipped through the net.

In our Women’s First team, Emily Harris, Billie Bough-French and Millie Hume have all burst onto the scene via our youth set-up.

So, we’re doubling down on our commitment to our ethos of development. We are excited to announce that we will be re-investing to find the next generation of talent.

Two new paid roles will be created at Oxford City FC, giving young footballers a unique opportunity to train and work at the club via the Velocity Football education programme.

The roles will encompass both training and playing football with the Velocity Football programme, and education via an apprenticeship qualification.

Both Phil & Jayden (and others before them) all progressed through this pathway during their time at the club, could you be our next success story?

Oxford City FC owner Justin Merritt said: “As a football club, development of people is at our core and not just as footballers.

“After the success of this summer, we don’t want to stand still, and we’re proud to put our energy into finding two new talented players to join our club.

“By combining both training and education, we believe we’ve created an environment for young footballers to thrive, and we’re excited to see who our next success story will be.”

How it’ll work

We are looking for one male and one female player to join our club.

Successful candidates will be invited into the club to train and play on the weekend of the 16th and 17th August 2025. You may also be asked to provide some highlights of you playing in advance.

After this there will be a shortlist of players who will go through a final interview stage that may include meetings, training and references.

Then an offer will be made.

Our two apprenticeships combine education and training. If successful, you will be able to select a qualification for the education side of this opportunity.

Then, you’ll both train and work at Oxford City FC and have the opportunity to develop both on and off the pitch with us.

If you have any other questions - please email club@oxcityfc.co.uk

T’s & C’s

The opportunity is open to anyone who has a UK Passport or has been a resident in the UK for three years.

The player must be born between 01/09/2004 and 31/08/2007.

If selected to attend the training you will be required to share proof of eligibility (eg passport) in advance and in person.

The opportunity is to be a registered player as part of the Velocity Football Programme and complete an apprenticeship at Oxford City FC.

This opportunity does not guarantee any game time for any of the squads.

This is not a contract offer to be part of the men's/women's 1st Team squads, but training opportunities and future opportunities will be possible.

There is no accommodation or travel provided as part of this opportunity.

The deadline for applications will be on Sunday 3rd August at 11:59pm.

The term of this opportunity is for up to one year. - The qualification will either be a Level 4 Sports Coach (male and female players), a Level 3 Content Creator (male and female players), or, Level 3 Sporting Excellence Professional (male players only) depending on suitability and eligibility.

The successful person will receive £226.50 per week for the duration of their qualification (subject to annual changes in line with Minimum Wage)

If considered for the opportunity, we will require contact details for two references, due to our safer recruitment policies when working in an Education setting, one must be your most recent employer.

These terms and conditions are not in full and for more information please email club@oxcityfc.co.uk.

You provide permission for us to film the games and training sessions that you are a part of, take photos and content and provide consent for us to use that footage and your images for club purposes.

These terms and conditions maybe updated or amended and your continued use and involvement in the process will constitute acceptance of the updated terms.

Sign up  HERE.