Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Languages
Accomplishments
Hobbies and Interests
Timeline
Generic

Isaac Appleton

Wigan,Greater Manchester

Summary

Dynamic and adaptable football professional with a genuine passion for learning and continued personal development. A proven track record across recruitment operations, scouting, and academy operations within City Football Group. Progressed from the CFG Graduate Programme to a key role within the Recruitment Operations team, supporting end-to-end player acquisition from U6 to U21. Skilled in managing domestic and international recruitment logistics, leading on visit and medical days, and implementing process improvements to drive operational efficiency. Provide direct scouting support across U9–U21 age groups, producing reports, gathering market intelligence, and leading CPD events to enhance scouting standards and workflows. Experienced in working cross-functionally within an elite category 1 multi-disciplinary team to achieving common goals and facilitate best practice. A growing appreciation of football data systems, compliance frameworks, and talent ID strategies, and a strong ability to quickly learn and drive their effective utilisation within a team to enhance recruitment processes and decision-making. Committed to continuous learning, with self-initiated projects in football transactions and data insights, and a strong ability to operate effectively in new cultural and operational environments.

Overview

3
3
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education

Work history

U6-U21 Recruitment Operations Executive

Manchester City Football Club
Manchester, Greater Manchester
02.2024 - Current
  • Manage and coordinate end-to-end invitation process for 10's of new players joining the Junior Academy each month, ensuring clear and professional communication between families and internal stakeholders to support smooth onboarding experience.
  • Managed and supported recruitment and onboarding process for 45+ trialists transitioning from other professional clubs, ensuring full compliance with EPPP and PLYD regulations. Deliver clear, high-quality communication and information to players and their families to support professional and seamless experience.
  • Lead and support visit and medical days for target acquisitions across U9–U21 age groups, delivering world-class experience that meets the needs of players and their families, and positions the club competitively in recruitment process. Coordinate end-to-end logistics and manage multidisciplinary teams to ensure seamless execution and alignment across departments.
  • Support and drive data insight processes within Junior Academy and National Recruitment talent identification, including monitoring market movements, tracking external scouting activity, and introducing Tableau to visualise key trends and inform strategic decision-making.
  • Experience in squad planning, depth charting and succession planning processes and considerations using domestic and international regulations and football transaction principles to support decision making process.
  • Experience in scout report writing across video and live fixtures, using appropriate software and reporting systems (Wyscout, CityScoutHub) and making recommendations when appropriate
  • Previous experience in leading and coordinating weekly and monthly departmental and project meetings, ensuring accurate minute-taking, timely distribution, and clear assignment of actions to drive progress and accountability.
  • Proven ability to refine and adapt existing scouting processes, driving increased efficiency and effectiveness across scouting operations and team workflows.

Graduate Academy Operations Executive

City Football Group
Manchester, Greater Manchester
07.2023 - 02.2024
  • Project managed new initiative- Manchester City Coaching Masterclass Programme from initial brainstorming and attendee recruitment through to operational delivery and alumni management for up to 20 coaches nationwide.
  • Project lead in development of Manchester City Academy EDI Strategy for 2023-24 season, working with multi-disciplinary team to ensure purpose of strategy supports the overall ambitions and purpose of Academy.
  • Responsible for planning and operational delivery of 10+ domestic and international football tours in 5 countries for Manchester City Academy teams within Foundation, Youth Development and Professional Development phases. Communicating with parents, schools, players and MDT staff.
  • Academy team Liaison for visiting opposition to support operations managers with delivery of domestic and international footballing events.
  • Responsible for ideation, planning and delivery of academy player appearance days with Manchester City FC 1st Team players.
  • Co-lead Premier League education enrichment project for U12 age group working collaboratively with external stakeholders.

Graduate Business Development Executive

City Football Group Football Education
Manchester, Greater Manchester
12.2022 - 06.2023
  • Project managed the development of a new content repository. Responsible for working with multiple stakeholders to develop a system capable of housing all of the data, marketing material and footballing content for the department whilst utilising a complex search function to accurately find specific documents within the repository.
  • Working with industry leaders to create content and write articles for CoachingHub platform. A subscription service for grassroots coaches to access world-leading knowledge within elite sport.
  • Key stakeholder in the creative design and on-set running of CityPlay marketing material. Responsible for idea development, planning and shoot delivery during player appearance windows.
  • Supported the Senior Manager of Business Development by leading the operational delivery of matchday fan zone stations for the CityPlay product. Responsible for running the station, building a positive rapport with the public and promoting CityPlay equipment.

Education

Master of Business Administration - Digital Business, Management and Innovation

Lancaster University
Lancaster
10.2021 - 06.2022

Talent ID Level 2 - Scouting and Recruitment

Football Association
England

Bachelor of Science - Sports and Exercise Science

Lancaster University
Lancaster
10.2018 - 06.2021

Skills

  • Effective communicator
  • Working under pressure
  • Building and maintaining relationships
  • Operational mindset
  • Strong adaptability skills when working within fast-paced environment
  • Confident working as part of team and independently as required
  • Prioritise workloads effectively
  • Stakeholder management
  • Quick learner
  • Innovative thinker

Languages

English
Native
Spanish
Elementary

Accomplishments

  • One of six selected to be on the CFG Graduate Programme. Initial pool of 1200+ applicants.
  • Created and Delivered the Manchester City Coaching Masterclass Programme. A first of its kind project designed to discover top coaching talent whilst supporting and monitoring their development.
  • Achieved a Bachelors and Masters degree in two separate disciplines: Science and Business.

Hobbies and Interests

  • Exercise and well-being
  • Golf
  • Football
  • Reading for self development
  • Travelling to new countries

Timeline

U6-U21 Recruitment Operations Executive

Manchester City Football Club
02.2024 - Current

Graduate Academy Operations Executive

City Football Group
07.2023 - 02.2024

Graduate Business Development Executive

City Football Group Football Education
12.2022 - 06.2023

Master of Business Administration - Digital Business, Management and Innovation

Lancaster University
10.2021 - 06.2022

Bachelor of Science - Sports and Exercise Science

Lancaster University
10.2018 - 06.2021

Talent ID Level 2 - Scouting and Recruitment

Football Association

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Isaac Appleton