Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The Cambridge & District Colts League stands as one of the premier youth football organizations in Cambridgeshire, providing competitive opportunities for young players across multiple age groups. The league currently features strong competition in its U18 division, with Huntingdon Town Colts leading the table with an impressive record of 9 wins, 2 draws, and 0 losses for a total of 29 points. The league operates under specific rules that allow five rolling substitutes in matches across all age divisions, giving more players the chance to participate in games.
This community-focused league maintains strong connections with local football authorities, including an affiliation with the Cambridgeshire Football Association. For teams and players looking to join, the league actively facilitates connections, with notices about clubs seeking players for the current season regularly posted on their communication channels.
History
The Cambridge & District Colts League has established itself as a significant youth football organization in the Cambridgeshire region. While specific founding details aren't clearly documented in the available sources, the league has grown to include numerous teams from Cambridge and surrounding communities.
The league currently features multiple divisions across different age groups, primarily focused on youth football development. Teams like Huntingdon Town Colts, Waterbeach Colts, Elsenham Green, and Fulbourn Institute Colts compete in one division, while St Ives Town White, Oakington Vikings Youth, Haverhill Rovers WHITE, and Cottenham United Colts RED participate in another division.
Local football in the Cambridge area has a rich history dating back to the early 1900s. For instance, Trumpington had its original football club (Trumpington Football Club/Trumpington Rovers) operating from the early 1900s to the 1990s.
Youth football in the region saw further development with clubs like Trumpington Tornadoes, which was active from 1973 to 2012. These historical clubs have contributed to the football culture that supports leagues like the Cambridge & District Colts League today.
The league continues to serve as an important platform for youth player development in the Cambridge area, maintaining statistics and organized competition structures for participating teams.
Age Groups and Divisions
The Cambridge & District Colts League organizes youth football for children aged 12 to 18 in the Cambridge area. The league has been operating since its founding in 1968 and currently features over 100 teams competing across 11 divisions.
Age groups are carefully structured to ensure fair competition among players of similar physical development. The league follows specific guidelines regarding which football formats are permitted for each age group, ensuring appropriate field sizes and game durations.
The league currently accommodates both boys and girls teams across various age categories. Teams are distributed across divisions based on their age group, with each division following the standard rules that govern the league.
All matches across every age group and division follow the "5 Rolling Subs" rule. This allows teams to make up to five substitutions during any match, providing coaches with flexibility in managing playing time.
For families interested in joining, clubs frequently post listings of teams seeking players organized by age group. Interested players should contact clubs directly rather than approaching the league administration.
The league ensures that all teams are aware of the specific rules governing their age group and division. Regular updates about rule changes are communicated to teams, with recent examples including the application of the five substitutes rule across all divisions.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The Cambridge & District Colts League is managed by a dedicated committee of volunteers who oversee operations and ensure smooth running of youth football in the region. The Management Committee holds regular meetings either online or at Cambridgeshire FA Headquarters.
Julie Gee currently serves as the League Secretary and can be contacted via email at cdclsecretary@gmail.com for inquiries about league operations or administration.
The league is actively seeking new Management Committee Members to join their team. If you have spare time and are interested in contributing to youth football in the Cambridge area, this represents an excellent opportunity to get involved.
Committee members play essential roles in organizing fixtures, managing league rules, handling disciplinary matters, and promoting youth football development across Cambridge and its surrounding districts.
For those interested in coaching positions, all coaches in youth football leagues are typically required to complete appropriate certification to ensure they can teach proper techniques in a safe and effective manner.
To express interest in joining the committee or to request further information about the league's administration, contacting the League Secretary is the recommended first step.
Teams
The Cambridge & District Colts League hosts numerous youth football teams across various age groups and divisions. Based on current league standings, some top-performing teams include Huntingdon Town Colts, Waterbeach Colts, Elsenham Green, and Fulbourn Institute Colts.
In another division, St Ives Town White, Oakington Vikings Youth, Haverhill Rovers WHITE, and Cottenham United Colts RED are leading competitors. All these teams have played 18 matches in their respective division.
The league encompasses approximately 470 teams in total, showcasing the widespread participation and popularity of youth football in the Cambridge and District area.
Some other notable teams participating in the league include:
- Burwell Tigers
- Cambourne Town
- Cherry Hinton Lions Blue
- Chesterton Eagles
- Comberton Crusaders
- Cottenham United Colts U17
- Eynesbury Rovers
- Linton Granta
Teams compete within their respective age groups and divisions throughout the season. The league structure allows for competitive matches between teams of similar skill levels.
The league maintains official communications through social media, keeping teams, players, and supporters updated on fixtures, results, and standings. This community-focused approach helps foster youth development and sporting excellence across the Cambridge region.
Players
The Cambridge & District Colts League offers numerous opportunities for young footballers looking to join local teams. Throughout the season, clubs actively recruit players across various age groups to strengthen their squads.
For the 2022/2023 season, multiple clubs within the league advertised openings for new players. Interested individuals were advised to contact teams directly rather than going through league administration.
This approach continues a tradition from previous seasons, as evidenced by the 2021/2022 recruitment listings that organized available positions by age group. The direct club-to-player communication streamlines the recruitment process.
The league currently supports 471 teams competing across 44 divisions, creating substantial opportunities for youth players of different skill levels and age categories. This extensive structure ensures that most young players can find an appropriate competitive environment.
Parents and guardians of prospective players should monitor club announcements or contact desired teams directly for tryout information. Most recruitment activities typically intensify before the start of a new season but can continue throughout the year as needs arise.
Clubs affiliated with the Cambridge & District Colts League maintain varying requirements and expectations for new players, with some focusing on developmental opportunities while others may be more competition-oriented.
