As the summer transfer window unfolds, hundreds of professional footballers find themselves without a club, navigating the uncertainty and anxiety of free agency. For these out-of-contract players, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) pre-season programme has become a vital lifeline, offering a structured, supportive environment to maintain fitness, showcase talent, and secure new deals. Now in its second year, the 10-week residential camp, running from June 30 to September 4, 2025, has already helped over 100 players find new clubs last season and is poised to do the same in 2025, easing the mental and physical toll of being unattached. With high-profile attendees like John Swift, Paul Dummett, and Dwight Gayle, the programme is proving to be a game-changer for free agents across the Premier League, EFL, and WSL.A Structured Solution
The @PFA’s pre-season squad of current free agents
— The Lower Tiers (@LowerTiers) July 7, 2025
Who would you take at your club? 👇 pic.twitter.com/fl6HLbctgx
A Structured Solution to Free Agency
The PFA pre-season camp, fully funded by the players’ union, is designed to replicate the intensity and structure of a professional club’s pre-season. Open to all PFA members who held a professional contract in the 2024-25 season, the programme offers a 10-week schedule of high-intensity on-pitch training, strength and conditioning sessions, and recovery facilities, led by UEFA-qualified coaches. Held in Leicestershire, the camp provides a team-like environment where players can stay match-fit and mentally sharp, addressing the isolation and uncertainty that often accompany free agency.
Last year, over 120 players participated, with more than 100 securing new contracts, including goalkeeper Michael Kelly, who signed with MK Dons and reached the League Two play-offs, and Omar Bogle, who joined Crewe Alexandra after praising the camp’s “unbelievable” setup. The 2025 edition has expanded to accommodate 40 players per week, responding to last year’s overwhelming demand, and includes a schedule of pre-season friendlies against EFL clubs like Worksop Town and Cambridge United, giving players a platform to impress scouts.
Combating the Mental and Physical Toll
Free agency can be a daunting period for players, particularly those lower down the football pyramid where long-term security is scarce. As Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe noted, “It can be a really tough time for players if they’ve been released or are looking for a new club… You’ve got a lot to think about in terms of where you’re living, your kids being in school, all these things.” The PFA camp counters this by fostering a sense of camaraderie and purpose. Players like former West Brom midfielder John Swift, who joined the programme after his contract expired in 2025, emphasized the value of a team environment: “There’s nothing worse than just being sat at home, waiting for your agent to call… I’d rather come here as you can’t replicate what you do on the pitch in the gym.”
The programme’s daily schedule mirrors a professional club’s pre-season, starting with a warm-up and pre-activation period, followed by two-hour training sessions, lunch, well-being and personal development blocks, and recovery in gym studios and spas. Players receive a “performance passport” with weekly physical data, which they can share with potential clubs to demonstrate their readiness. PFA CEO Maheta Molango highlighted the camp’s dual purpose: “It’s a shop window for players and clubs, but it’s also about keeping players physically and mentally fit, staying connected, and being ready for the next opportunity.”
A Platform for All Levels
The camp’s inclusivity is one of its strengths, catering to a diverse range of players, from seasoned veterans to young prospects. In 2024, attendees included former Premier League stars like Dwight Gayle (ex-Newcastle) and Ciaran Clark (ex-Aston Villa), both 34, alongside 20-year-old Saleem Akanbi, a former Cambridge United youth player recovering from injury. This year’s programme has seen players like Paul Dummett, who struggled to find a club after leaving Newcastle, and John Swift, who described the camp as a lifeline after a five-month spell without a club.
The PFA’s initiative also addresses the mental health challenges of free agency. Akanbi, who has ventured into broadcasting and event planning, credited the camp’s personal development sessions for supporting his off-field ambitions, including his work with BBC Cambridge Sport. The PFA’s business school, led by 75 lecturers from football and media, equips players for second careers, while one-on-one well-being support helps them navigate the emotional strain of uncertainty. As Akanbi noted, “You are only valuable when you can be used… If you have an injury at the wrong time or a change of manager, you can get caught out.”
Showcasing Talent to Scouts
A key feature of the programme is its emphasis on visibility. The PFA organizes friendlies, such as a 2025 match against Worksop Town streamed live on X and YouTube, allowing scouts from Premier League and EFL clubs to assess players in competitive 11v11 settings. Last year’s fixtures, including a game against Manchester United’s Under-21s, led to signings for players like Offrande Zanzala and Aiden O’Brien. The 2025 schedule includes six confirmed friendlies, with ongoing interest from top-tier clubs, and even offers officiating opportunities for PFA members on the “Player to Match Official” programme.
The camp’s success is evident in its track record. PFA chief Molango praised the “application and commitment” of last year’s participants, noting that the programme’s professional setup made it “feel like a genuine club pre-season.” For players like former Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson, who attended after a stint in Australia, the camp provided a critical opportunity to stay fit and visible: “Training on your own is difficult… If a club wants to sign an out-of-contract player, that player has to be ready to make an impact immediately.”
Looking Ahead
As the 2025 programme progresses, the PFA aims to build on last year’s success, with Molango urging clubs to attend and scout talent. For players facing uncertain futures, the camp offers a structured path to stay competitive. With the transfer window open and clubs seeking cost-effective signings, the PFA’s initiative is proving invaluable, offering free agents a chance to turn uncertainty into opportunity.
By providing a professional environment, mental health support, and exposure to scouts, the PFA pre-season programme is reshaping the narrative around free agency. As Dwight Gayle noted in a PFA video on X, “It feels like I’m at a team already.” For the 40 players attending each week, the camp is not just a training ground—it’s a beacon of hope in a challenging industry.
