Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The Cheltenham Youth Football League stands as a cornerstone of youth football development in the Gloucestershire area, providing competitive opportunities for young players across multiple age groups. With thousands of matches played each season, the league offers structured competition that helps develop both technical skills and sportsmanship. The league currently manages competitions for various age categories up to U18, creating pathways for young footballers to progress through different levels of the game.
Teams from across Cheltenham and surrounding areas participate in weekly fixtures, with comprehensive results, tables and statistics available through the league's online platform. The organization maintains a strong focus on respect and proper conduct, prominently featuring these values in their communication channels.
Beyond just organizing matches, the Cheltenham Youth Football League serves as a community hub where young players, coaches, referees and parents come together to celebrate the beautiful game. With over 6 million visits to their website, the league clearly plays a significant role in the local sporting landscape while providing valuable competitive experiences for youth footballers.
History
The Cheltenham Youth Football League has been a cornerstone for young footballers in the Cheltenham area for many decades. While specific founding dates aren't mentioned in the search results, the league has established itself as an important part of local football culture.
Historical records of the league date back to at least the early 1980s, as evidenced by official handbooks and fixture lists from 1983-1993 that are preserved in archives.
The league has traditionally organized competitions for various youth age groups, helping develop young talent in the region. Over the years, it has expanded to include different divisions and age categories.
More recently, the league has incorporated floodlit matches for older youth players, with a specific U18 Floodlit-N division mentioned in the search results.
The league operates within the broader context of Cheltenham's football history, which dates back to 1887 when Cheltenham Town F.C. was founded. While the youth league is separate from the professional club, both contribute to the area's rich football heritage.
Today, the Cheltenham Youth Football League continues to serve young players across multiple age groups, including U9 divisions featuring teams like FC Lakeside Reds, Hucclecote Harriers, Leckhampton Rovers All Stars, and Southside Star.
Age Groups and Divisions
The Cheltenham Youth Football League offers organized football competitions across multiple age groups ranging from Under-8 (U8) to Under-18 (U18). These include U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17, and U18 categories.
Each age group is structured with various divisions to accommodate different skill levels and developmental stages. For example, the U8 category features several divisions including Development, 2nd Finals (Blue), and 3rd Finals (numbered 1 through 4).
The U18 division incorporates the CYFL Gloucestershire Floodlit competition, providing older youth players with matches under floodlights to enhance their playing experience and preparation for adult football.
The league maintains distinct formats for different age ranges. Mini Soccer formats apply to younger age groups, while Youth Football structures are implemented for older players, reflecting age-appropriate field sizes, match durations, and rule adaptations.
At the conclusion of each season, champion clubs and runners-up in each age group receive recognition. Mini Soccer champions receive 14 mementoes, while Youth Football winners are presented with 16 mementoes by the league.
The competition structure promotes player development while maintaining appropriate competitive balance across all age categories, ensuring young footballers in the Cheltenham area have suitable pathways from entry-level play through to pre-adult competition.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The Cheltenham Youth Football League is managed by a dedicated committee that oversees various aspects of youth football in the region. The current chairperson is Stuart Evans, who also handles referee appointments for both Saturday and Sunday matches.
Stuart Evans can be contacted via email at cyflrefsec22@gmail.com or by telephone at 07738-678115. His dual role ensures consistent management of both administrative matters and referee assignments.
For the Floodlit division, which includes U18 competitions, there are specific contacts to handle related inquiries. Team secretaries like Neil Spiller (Tuffley Rovers FC) manage team-specific matters for the floodlit competitions.
The league structure includes various committee members who handle different responsibilities including fixtures, registration, discipline, and general administration. This ensures smooth operation of matches throughout the season.
For clubs seeking to join the league or existing teams needing assistance, the committee provides support through its established communication channels. Prospective members should contact the appropriate committee representative based on their specific needs.
The league maintains organized communication structures to facilitate efficient management of youth football activities across the Cheltenham area.
Teams
The Cheltenham Youth Football League comprises numerous teams across different age groups. Based on the available information, the league includes teams from a variety of clubs in the Cheltenham area and surrounding regions.
Several prominent clubs participate in the league, including Longlevens Youth, Hereford Pegasus Youth, Ledbury, and Cheltenham Saracens Youth at the U18 level. These teams compete regularly in organized fixtures throughout the season.
At the U15 level, teams such as Badsey Rangers, Forest Green Rovers Youth, Beeches, and Cheltenham Saracens are active participants. These clubs develop young talent while focusing on competitive play.
The league's club directory reveals a diverse selection of participating organizations. Notable clubs include:
- Abbeymead Rovers
- Barnwood United
- Bishops Cleeve
- Bishops Cleeve Colts
- Bourton Rovers
- Bredon Colts
- Broadwell Amateurs
- Brockworth Albion
Cirencester Town FC also fields youth teams in the league, specifically Under 17 and Under 16 Gladiators teams. The club emphasizes high-standard coaching for player development.
For the 2024-25 season, the league maintains an official handbook detailing team information, fixtures, and regulations. Teams generally compete from late summer through spring, with some participating in summer tournaments planned for 2025.
Players
The Cheltenham Youth Football League serves as a developmental platform for young footballers in Gloucestershire. Players typically range from under-7s to under-18s, participating in age-appropriate divisions throughout the season.
Registration for players usually opens before the season begins, with clubs managing their team rosters through the league's official systems. Each player must be properly registered with both the league and their respective club to be eligible for match participation.
The league emphasizes player development and sportsmanship above competitive results. This philosophy helps create an environment where young talents can flourish while learning the fundamentals of the sport.
Many players who start in the Cheltenham Youth Football League progress to adult football in the region, with some exceptional talents moving on to academy systems at professional clubs. This progression pathway demonstrates the league's effectiveness at nurturing young players.
Players are expected to adhere to the league's respect policies during matches. These guidelines encourage positive behavior on the pitch and support a healthy competitive atmosphere among participants.
The league occasionally recognizes outstanding player achievements through various awards and honors. These celebrations acknowledge both individual talent and the importance of team contributions throughout the season.
