First team

The first team is the colloquial name given to the most senior team fielded by a football club.

Definition

Within the playing structure of the club, there is no higher level than the first team. If the club fields other teams, those teams will compete in less senior leagues and comprise those players who are not deemed to merit a place in the first team, due to fitness, age or talent.

Within the professional game, the level below the first team is usually known as the reserve team, or, colloquially, the "second string" or the "stiffs". Players may be dropped to the reserve team from the first team if they perform poorly or are working their way back to full fitness from an injury. Conversely, younger players coming up the ranks can be promoted to the first team.