For all
Frequently asked questions
Team managers and coaches now have the ability to request match fees on their smartphones through the Matchday app, and receive payments directly into a Club PayPal account.
Players can now pay for match fees quickly and securely using PayPal in the FA Matchday app - no more remembering to bring cash to the pitch!
It’s free for Players to pay for Match fees in The FA Matchday app, unless paying in a foreign currency.
All payments received from Players in The FA Matchday app will be subject to a PayPal transaction fee. It’s free for Players to pay for Match fees in The FA Matchday app, unless paying in a foreign currency.
As an FA affiliated club, you are be eligible for a low transaction fee rate of 1.4% + 20p per transaction.
For more information on PayPal transaction fees, please follow the link below:
For team managers
Your Club Secretary will need to link a PayPal business account in Whole Game System, and set your Club’s match fee amounts for regular, substitutes and any concessions. Once they have done this, Team managers will be able to access Payments in the Matchday app.
For each match played, as a Team Manager or Coach you simply need to submit your final match return or even submit just your team sheet in the Matchday app to trigger a request for payments from all players after the game.
Speak to your Club Secretary about getting enabling payments now!
When setting up and enabling payments, your Club Secretary will need to ensure they have added a match fee suitable for each team in your club, and added any necessary discounts they need to e.g. for students.
The Matchday app works on a basic format of full game fees or half game fees. Full game fees are charged for anyone who isn’t a substitute. If you have come on as a substitute, you will automatically be charged the half game fee.
To ensure your team is charged the right amount, please make sure you submit your final team sheets with the correct players, either as, full game players or substitutes.
For more information, follow the link below to watch our 'how to guides' section:
Watch how to guidesBecause amounts are calculated either by full game or half game, we recommend doing it once you’ve submitted your final match return. If your team all pays the same amount and you have no subs you can simply tap the ‘get team to pay’ button in the payments section.
Yes - and you’ll still be able to record in the Matchday app players who have paid with cash.
For players, parents or guardians
Once your club has enabled Matchday payments you’ll be able to make payments easily and more securely through the Matchday app using PayPal. All you need is a PayPal account (or a valid debit or credit card) and you are good to go.
Don’t have a PayPal account? It’s free to open one, follow the link below:
Create a PayPal accountYour club will need to enable payments in Matchday for your Club before you can make payments in the Matchday app.
After the game, your manager will enter who needs to pay what amounts, and you will see the amount owed by logging into The FA Matchday app. You’ll then be able to pay quickly and easily using PayPal.
You need to be at least 18 years or older to have a PayPal account.
If you are between the ages of 16 and 17 years old, you can pay for your match fees using your debit card in The FA Matchday app. Just tap on the card icons at the checkout.
For players under the age of 16, payment will need to be made by a parent, carer or guardian.
To make payments in the app you need to be 16 years old or older, and you need to be at least 18 years or older to have a PayPal account.
If you are between the ages of 16 and 17 years old, you can pay for your match fees using your debit card in The FA Matchday app. Just tap on the card icons at the checkout.
For players under the age of 16, payment will need to be made by a parent, carer or guardian.
For clubs
You will need to have one of the following roles in Whole Game System to be able to set this up:
- Club Secretary
- Temp Club Secretary
- Chairperson
- Treasurer
- Assistant Club Secretary
- Assistant Treasurer
To enable payments on Matchday you can do this by going to Whole Game System (WGS) - clicking on ‘finances’ tab and creating and linking a PayPal business account to your actual club.
Once you’ve linked a PayPal account and set up payments in Whole Game System you will be given further access to set up all Club payments using the ‘Payments Portal’ in WGS.
PayPal is the fast, simple and more secure way to send and receive money.
It’s free to sign up to PayPal, which can be used for payments online, on mobile and in person.
PayPal is one of the most trusted digital payment companies in the UK, with over 24 million PayPal accounts in regular use here.
For too long, clubs around the country have had to rely on unreliable ways to manage their finances. Many clubs depend on cash, long-winded bank transfers, and even cheques to take subs and other payments. Keeping track of who, what and when payments are made can be a real hassle.
The FA has joined forces with PayPal to address these problems, and help grassroots football thrive in the digital age.
In 2019, we will announce new features in The FA Matchday app that will allow you to spend less time managing your club finances and more time on your team.
To take advantage of the new features, you will need to open a PayPal business account. It’s free to open a PayPal business account, and you can do it quickly and easily within the Finance tab on Whole Game System.
Once you’ve created a PayPal business account and set up Payments in Whole Game System, you’ll be ready to receive match fees in from your players in The FA Matchday app.
You’ll also need to ensure your all players’ details are registered and up to date in Whole Game System, so they can log into the FA Matchday app and be affiliated with your team.
Once your Club has set up Matchday payments, your players will be able to easily pay their match fees using PayPal from their mobile. These payments will be sent straight to the club’s PayPal account, less PayPal transaction fees.
The FA and PayPal have teamed up to help club managers and secretaries collect payments for match fees and other services through the Matchday app - no need to handle cash, take card details, arrange bank transfers or wait for cheques to arrive.
As PayPal are processing payments within the Matchday app, your clubs will need a PayPal account to collect payments from Players.
If your club has an existing PayPal business account you can use this and simply link your account during the account creation process. You will not be able to use a personal PayPal business account or a personal PayPal account.
After creating/linking your PayPal account to the Whole Game System, you must upload the following documents to finalise your PayPal account to avoid any service disruptions. Please watch our how to guides below:
Clubs with 8 teams or less
You will need to upload:
- Proof of ID (Passport, Driver License, or Official Government-Issued Photo ID)
- Proof of Address (Bank Statement within the last 12 months)
Clubs with 9 teams or more
You will need to upload:
- Proof of ID (Passport, Driver License, or Official Government-Issued Photo ID)
- Proof of Address (Bank Statement within the last 12 months)
- Proof of Chairperson Identity (Passport and Address Details)
- Non-for-Profit (NFP) Declaration Form – download below
- Club’s Company Registration Number – if you don’t have one, enter six 0’s (000000)
If you are an FA/CFA-affiliated football club, you are eligible for PayPal’s low transaction fee rate of 1.4% + 20p per transaction.
Once your club’s PayPal business account has been successfully set up and verified by PayPal as an FA-affiliated football club, your pricing will be applied to your account within 7-10 working days.
In return for these transaction costs you’ll receive PayPal’s quick and secure payments processing, helping you spend less time chasing payments, and more time on your team’s performance.
Follow the link below to find out more about PayPal fees:
View PayPal feesIf you need help with your PayPal business account, please follow the link below to PayPal’s help section:
View PayPal help sectionFor help managing your PayPal account details, follow the link below to contact PayPal:
Contact PayPalAll money collected will be transferred to your Club’s PayPal account balance, less any associated transaction fees.
You may then transfer money from your PayPal balance into your Club’s bank account by logging in to your PayPal account:
Sign in to PayPalYou can also keep the money as balance in your PayPal account and use it to purchase other expenses relating to your football club by using PayPal online at checkout. To find out more, follow the link below:
How do I withdraw money from my account?Once you’ve linked your PayPal account, you will have access to the payments portal from Whole Game System.This is where you can set up all your match fees up to 24 hours before the game.
Watch the video below on how to set up match fees:
The payments portal has full reporting functionality to help you view the payment records for all teams and players in your club.
Your team managers will also be able to track all payments for their team’s players in the Matchday app. Watch our helpful video guide below:
You can make changes to your match fees up to 24 hours before a game.
Any changes to match fees settings you make for any of your teams will take up to 24 hours to be applied in the Matchday app. It’s important that you’ve set this up at least the day before to avoid players being charged incorrect amounts.
You are able to exempt or discount single players from within the Payments Portal on Whole Game System.
Watch our helpful video guide below:
You need to set up and apply a match fee or annual fee to your club or teams (in the payment portal) first. Follow the link below:
How to get started?
To start giving & accepting payments on The FA Matchday App your club needs to create a PayPal business account for your club. Club officials download our guides below to see the easy steps to setup & visit the Whole Game System finance tab to get started.
PayPal guide for 8 clubs or fewer
PayPal guide for 9 teams or more
PayPal guide for Charter Standard clubs
Once your club is set up Players can set up a PayPal account through the app and Managers can begin to collect match fees from all your players at a touch of a button.
Still not sure? Watch our how to set up video here or see our FAQs here. Otherwise you can get in touch with us below:
Contact us