Youth / Academy Style Custom Trading Cards
Give every young footballer their own personalised card, complete with photo, name, position and stats, printed large and cut to shape from A5 to A0.
A5 to A0 · from £18.00
Six sizes, A5 to A0
Drawn to scale against a one-metre line. Every size is made to order.
Youth / Academy Style Custom Trading Cards
Youth and academy football deserves the same spotlight as the professional game. A CardStar youth football card puts a young player centre s
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Youth and academy football deserves the same spotlight as the professional game. A CardStar youth football card puts a young player centre stage with a photo, their name, their position and up to six stats that reflect the season they have had. Parents can add their child's photo through a secure link, you choose the design that fits the moment, and you preview everything on screen before you order. Cards are printed to order and cut to the card's outline, so the finished result looks and feels genuinely special. Choose any size from A5 to A0 to suit a bedroom wall, a trophy cabinet or a gift box. Whether you are creating a single card as an end-of-season gift or ordering for an entire squad, CardStar makes it straightforward.
Why a personalised card means so much at youth level
At grassroots and academy level, recognition matters enormously. Young players train through cold mornings, travel across the country for fixtures and put their heart into every session. A personalised football card is a tangible reward that says their effort has been seen and remembered. It is the kind of keepsake that ends up pinned above a bedroom desk, and it still means something years after the season ends.
Unlike a generic trophy or a certificate that looks the same for everyone, a CardStar card is built around one specific player. Their face, their name, their stats. The design reflects the academy or youth football aesthetic without needing to be formally affiliated with any club or league, so parents and coaches can create something that feels genuinely professional and personal at the same time.
End-of-season presentations, player-of-the-match moments, birthday gifts and squad bonding events are all natural occasions for a card like this. The fact that you can order a single card or a full squad set from the same tool makes it practical for volunteer coaches and busy parents alike.
Choose a design that fits the youth football look
CardStar offers 127 designs you can use for a youth football card. The layouts are built for football: a strong photo panel, a clear name and position label, and a stats block that shows up to six attributes. Some designs lean into a bold, modern aesthetic with vivid colours and clean lines. Others have a more classic feel that suits a formal end-of-season presentation. You can browse the full range before committing to anything.
If you are creating cards for a whole squad, picking one design creates a matching set where every player has the same look but their own photo and stats. That consistency gives the collection a polished, professional quality. For a standout player award or a birthday gift, you might prefer a more eye-catching design that sets that card apart.
The gold card style and icon style templates are popular choices for youth football because they echo the premium look of professional cards without any need for a licence or affiliation.
Add the photo, name and stats
The card editor is straightforward. You upload a photo, enter the player's name, pick their position and fill in up to six stats. The stats can be anything that makes sense for youth football: pace, shooting, passing, dribbling, defending and physical are the classic six, but you can label them however you like. Some coaches prefer to use stats that reflect the season, such as goals scored, assists, clean sheets or minutes played. The card is yours to shape.
Parents who are creating a card for their child can add the photo themselves. For squad orders, CardStar's team orders tool generates a shared link so each family can upload their player's photo securely. You review every photo before printing, so nothing goes to print without your approval.
As you make changes in the editor, the card updates on screen in real time. You see exactly what will be printed before you confirm your order. Background removal is handled automatically, so even a photo taken on a muddy pitch with a busy background will produce a clean result on the finished card.
Pick the right size for the occasion
Six sizes from A5 to A0 give you a lot of flexibility depending on how the card will be used. Smaller sizes are well suited to gift bags, desk display or a spot in a frame on a shelf. Mid-range sizes work nicely on a bedroom wall or as part of a noticeboard display at the club. The largest sizes are bold enough to make a statement at an end-of-season awards evening, displayed alongside a trophy or framed on the clubhouse wall.
Prices start from £18.00, and the preview you see in the editor is consistent across all sizes, so you can finalise the size last once you are happy with how the design looks. Every card is printed to order and cut to the card's outline, which means the edges are clean and the finished card is ready to display straight away without any trimming needed.
Cards are delivered worldwide, so families who have moved or players who have gone abroad for an academy placement can still receive their card.
Ordering for a whole squad or team group
Creating individual cards for every player in a squad used to mean a lot of back-and-forth. CardStar's team orders tool is built to remove that friction. You set up the order, choose a design and generate a shared link. Parents can then add their child's photo through that link without needing an account or seeing anyone else's submission. You review all the photos together before anything goes to print.
This approach works well for end-of-season presentations, tournament squads, school football teams and academy groups at any age group. You can add a card for the coach or manager too, with their own photo and stats. Some teams include a card for the coaching staff as a gift at the end of the year, which makes a thoughtful and personal alternative to a voucher or a mug.
If you are organising a sports banquet or awards evening, a personalised card for each player makes a memorable addition to the programme alongside the trophy presentations. See the sports banquet gift ideas guide linked below for more inspiration on making these evenings feel special.
Occasions beyond the final whistle
A youth football card is not just for the end of the season. A birthday is a natural moment, especially for a young player who talks about nothing but the game. The card can show their current team and the stats from this term, or it can be a fun tribute to their favourite position: the keeper who lives for penalty saves, the winger who never stops running.
Christmas is another popular time, particularly for families who want a gift that feels personal rather than off-the-shelf. A card with the player's photo and their season so far captures a specific moment in their football journey that a generic present cannot match.
Cup final weekends, a tournament trophy, a move up an age group or a farewell for a player changing clubs are all moments where a card fits. For a bedroom, A3 is a good wall size; A5 suits a shelf or desk. You can order a single card in minutes, or batch a whole squad with one shared link.
Questions, answered
Can parents add their child's photo themselves?
Yes. For squad orders, you generate a shared link through the team orders tool and parents can upload their child's photo through that link. You review every photo before anything goes to print, so you stay in control of the final result throughout.
What stats should I use for youth football?
You can use any stats that are meaningful for your team or player. Classic football stats like pace, shooting, passing, dribbling, defending and physical are popular choices. Some coaches prefer season totals such as goals, assists or clean sheets. The six stat fields are fully editable, so you decide what goes in them.
Do the cards look professional even for grassroots teams?
Yes. The designs are built to give a premium, professional finish. Background removal is applied to the photo automatically, and every card is printed to order and cut to the card's outline. The result looks clean and polished regardless of whether the player is at grassroots or academy level.
What sizes are available and which is best for a gift?
There are six sizes from A5 to A0. For a gift, a mid-range size is popular because it frames well on a bedroom wall and feels substantial without being overwhelming. Larger sizes suit display at a clubhouse or awards evening. The preview in the editor looks the same across all sizes, so you can decide on size last.
Can I create cards for a coaching staff as well as players?
Yes. You can create a card for anyone involved with the squad, including coaches and managers. Just add their photo, name, role and any stats you want to include. These make a thoughtful end-of-season gift that is personal rather than generic.
Can I send a card to a player who lives abroad?
Yes. Every card is printed to order and delivered worldwide, so families and players based outside the UK can receive their card wherever they are.