Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The Crowborough & District Junior Football League serves as a vital sporting organization for young players across Sussex, offering competitive and developmental opportunities for children from under-7s through to under-18s. With separate divisions for both boys and girls, the league has created an inclusive environment where thousands of young footballers can develop their skills and passion for the beautiful game every weekend. The CDJFL is actively expanding its Saturday Girls Development League for the upcoming 2024/25 season, demonstrating its commitment to growing female participation in football.
Founded with the mission of fostering youth development through sport, the league coordinates fixtures, results, and standings for teams from numerous clubs in the Crowborough area and beyond. Parents, coaches, and players can easily access match information through the league's online platforms, making it a well-organized system for youth football in the region. The CDJFL maintains active communication channels through social media, where they regularly share updates about matches, achievements, and opportunities.
History
Crowborough Athletic FC, which later influenced the development of youth football in the area, was formed in 1894. The club participated in various leagues around the Crowborough area for many years, establishing a foundation for football in the region.
Details about the club's early history prior to 1904/05 are limited, with sparse records available about their competitive achievements during this period. This early era remains somewhat mysterious in local football documentation.
The modern Crowborough & District Junior Football League evolved from these historical roots to become a significant platform for youth development in the region. The league now provides football opportunities for children from 7 up to 18 years of age.
The CDJFL has demonstrated commitment to inclusivity by actively encouraging and supporting both boys and girls teams throughout its history. This approach has helped foster grassroots football development across the Crowborough district.
For the 2024/25 season, the league is expanding its Saturday Girls Development League, highlighting their ongoing commitment to growing opportunities for female players in the area. This expansion represents the league's continued evolution and adaptation to the changing landscape of youth football.
Age Groups and Divisions
The Crowborough & District Junior Football League organizes football competitions across multiple age groups, accommodating young players from U7 through U18. This structure allows for age-appropriate play and development throughout childhood and adolescence.
The league features age groups including U7, U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, and U18. Each age group is designed to provide competitive opportunities suitable for players at that developmental stage.
Within certain age groups, the league operates multiple divisions. For example, the U18 category includes several divisions such as U18A, U18 Shield North Group A, U18 Shield North Group B, and U18 Shield South Group A, as well as U18C.
For younger players in the U7 to U10 age groups, matches can be structured in either quarters or halves, with the league primarily using halves format. This flexibility accommodates the attention spans and physical capabilities of younger children.
Squad size regulations ensure fair play across all divisions. Teams must not have a match day squad greater than double the size of the team in their respective age group, which helps maintain balanced competition and appropriate playing time for all participants.
The organization of multiple divisions within age groups allows for appropriate competition levels, ensuring teams compete against others of similar ability and development stages.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The Crowborough & District Junior Football League (CDJFL) has a dedicated team managing its operations and ensuring the smooth running of youth football activities in the region.
Andy Coker serves as the League Welfare Officer, who can be reached at 07753 604612 or via email at lwo.cdjfl@gmail.com. His role is crucial in safeguarding young players and promoting a positive environment.
Matt Miller holds the position of Referees Secretary, contactable at 07956 905654 or crowboroughreferees@outlook.com. He oversees the coordination of match officials across the league's fixtures.
The CDJFL maintains several communication channels for different aspects of league management, including specific contacts for mini soccer, rules clarification, and team administration.
For teams looking to participate in the growing Saturday Girls Development League planned for the 2024/25 season, dedicated contact information is available through the league's official channels.
The league committee works together to organize the football calendar, manage competitions, and support the development of youth football in the Crowborough district.
Teams
The Crowborough & District Junior Football League (CDJFL) features numerous teams across different age groups, providing competitive football opportunities for youth players in the region. The league accommodates players from age 7 up to 18, supporting both boys and girls teams.
Some of the notable teams in the league include Kings Hill FC U18, Langton Green CSA U18 Lasers, and Langton Green CSA U17 Rangers. These teams currently hold the top positions in their respective age divisions.
In the U12 category, teams such as Crowborough Athletic U12 Rooks, Langton Green CSA U12 Chargers, Nutley U12 Rams, Otford United U12 Leopards, Sevenoaks Town FC U12 Arrows, and Tonbridge Invicta participate in regular competitions.
The league is actively working to expand its Saturday Girls Development League for the 2024/25 season. This initiative demonstrates the CDJFL's commitment to growing girls' football in the district.
Teams compete in organized fixtures throughout the season, with league tables tracking their progress. The competitive structure helps young players develop their skills while experiencing the rewards of team sports.
Local clubs from Crowborough, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, and surrounding areas make up the majority of participating teams, creating a strong community football network.
Players
The Crowborough & District Junior Football League provides a competitive environment for young footballers to develop their skills. Players typically range from under-7s through to under-18s, participating in various age-appropriate divisions.
Registration is essential for all players wishing to participate in the league. Each team must ensure their players are properly registered before the season commences to ensure eligibility for matches.
Player development is a key focus of the CDJFL, with emphasis placed on skill acquisition, teamwork, and sportsmanship rather than just winning. This approach helps nurture well-rounded young athletes.
For the 2024/25 season, the league is actively expanding its Saturday Girls Development League, creating more opportunities for female players to participate in organized football.
Teams like Langton Green CSA U9 Leopards showcase the league's dedication to youth development, with detailed player statistics and performance tracking available for teams.
Player safety is paramount within the league, with rules and regulations designed to create an environment where young footballers can enjoy the game without unnecessary risk.
The league follows standard FA guidelines regarding playtime, ensuring all registered players receive fair opportunity to participate in matches regardless of ability level.
