ABSTRACT
Precisely because professional football operates in such an insular world, it seems that the case for ‘insider’ accounts that critically examine the social structures and processes of working life within English professional football is compelling. Although carrying out a role that remains largely under-researched, professional football scouts are key stakeholders in the recruitment of players and, as such, were chosen for scrutiny as part of the research project. Therefore, this chapter focuses on the scouting process and the centrality of scouting to the organizational structure of football clubs (Monk and Russell 2000). Particular attention is given to the scouting and recruitment of young players with data drawn from interviews conducted with scouts, Academy and Centre of Excellence managers, parents, junior football officials and players. I am also able to draw upon my experiences as a scout for a professional football club. It is a role that I have undertaken on a part-time basis since the 2000/2001 season. My responsibilities lie predominantly in preparing match reports and player assessments for the first team squad although I have occasionally been asked by the Academy Recruitment Manager to report on under-18 FA Academy and FA Youth Cup matches.
