Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The East Lancashire Football Alliance stands as one of the premier youth football leagues in the region, providing organized competition for various age groups including Under 9s and Under 14s. The league structures its competitions into multiple divisions, offering appropriate competitive environments for teams of different skill levels across East Lancashire.
From the excitement of young U9 Blues kicking off their season to the competitive nature of the U14 divisions, the Alliance creates valuable sporting opportunities for youth players throughout the area. The league maintains comprehensive fixtures, results, and tables to track team performances throughout the season.
Players, coaches, and parents alike engage with this well-established football community that fosters development and enjoyment of the beautiful game for young athletes. The organization's structured approach to youth football continues to serve as an important pathway for player development in East Lancashire.
History
The East Lancashire Football Alliance was formed in the early years as a football competition for clubs based in northern England. Drawing inspiration from the established Lancashire Football Association, which was founded on September 28, 1878, the Alliance developed its own identity in the region.
The Alliance has made significant contributions to local football, particularly in youth development. According to search results, it hosts youth competitions including an under-18 Cup Final featuring teams like Burnley Belvedere FC.
While specific formation details of the East Lancashire Football Alliance are not extensively documented in the search results, it operates within the rich football heritage of Lancashire. The region has a strong football tradition dating back to the late 19th century.
The Alliance appears to be distinct from the East Lancashire League, which was formed in 1981 and operates with two divisions as of the 2020-21 season. The East Lancashire League has crowned various champions since its inception, with Altham being the first champion in the 1981-82 season.
The organization maintains fixtures, results, tables, and statistics for its member clubs. This administrative structure helps facilitate organized competition among participating teams in the East Lancashire region.
Recent developments indicate growth in the Alliance's operations, with history being made in club activities, particularly regarding the transition beyond girls' teams in certain contexts.
Age Groups and Divisions
The East Lancashire Football Alliance offers football competitions across multiple age groups from Under 7 through to Under 18. This structured approach provides appropriate development opportunities for young players at every stage of their football journey.
For younger players, the alliance supports teams in the U7, U8, U9, U10, and U11 categories. The U9 division includes a Silver tier as seen in the competition structure.
The intermediate age brackets include U12, U13, and U14 teams. The U12 category is particularly comprehensive with five divisions (Div 1 through Div 5), allowing for competitive matches between teams of similar abilities.
Older youth players compete in the U15, U16, and U18 divisions. The U16 division includes at least a Division 4 tier, providing appropriate competitive opportunities for teams at this age level.
The alliance also supports girls' football, with dedicated divisions such as Under 13 Girls Division 1 and Division 2. This demonstrates the organization's commitment to developing football for all young people in East Lancashire.
Each age group follows appropriate rules and formats as established by The FA guidelines. These ensure that games are suitable for players' developmental stages.
The tiered division structure (Gold, White, Silver, and numbered divisions) helps match teams of similar skill levels, creating more balanced and enjoyable competitions for all participants.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The East Lancashire Football Alliance is managed by a dedicated team of officials who ensure the smooth operation of the league. Based on available information, key contacts include several important positions.
Derek G. Courtney serves as the President of the league and can be reached at 01200 428060. This foundational leadership role provides guidance for the organization's overall direction.
Ken Inckle holds the position of Chair and can be contacted at either 01282 455534 or 07989 765103. The Chair typically oversees the general administration and represents the league at various functions.
The critical role of Fixtures and Results Secretary is filled by Ken Barker-Graham, who can be reached at 07834 693191. This position coordinates match schedules and maintains records of game outcomes.
The league also relies on qualified match officials to ensure fair play in all competitions:
| Official Name | Contact Number |
|---|---|
| Paul Jackson | 07723 484340 |
| Andrew Lavery | 07837 693191 |
| Stephen Lee | 07813 208192 |
| Jon Leeson | 07540 814828 |
The league maintains a social media presence with over 1,000 followers on Facebook, where they regularly post updates and announcements regarding fixtures and results.
Teams
The East Lancashire Football Alliance features numerous youth teams across different age groups. Based on the search results, several clubs participate in the U13, U14, and U15 divisions.
In the U14 category, participating teams include ASC FACE, Barnoldswick Town Juniors, C.M.B. Sports Club, Clitheroe Wolves, Darwen Rangers JFC, and Globe Bullough Park.
The U15 division showcases teams such as Clitheroe Wolves Green, Rossendale Valley Junior Stags, Bacup Borough, and Rossendale United Juniors White. These teams appear to be in competitive standings within their league table.
For the U13 age group, the alliance includes AFC Clarets, AFC Darwen JFC Colts, AFC Ossy Sunday, Barnoldswick Town Juniors, Blackburn Eagles JFC Red, Burnley Belvedere, and Feniscowles.
The alliance also supports senior football through its parent organization. The East Lancashire Football League Division 1 features teams like:
- Prairie United
- Feniscowles & Pleasington
- Enfield
- Langho Reserves
- Peel Park
The alliance provides structured competition for youth development in the East Lancashire region. Teams typically play regular fixtures throughout the season, fostering skill development and competitive play for young footballers.
Many clubs in the alliance field multiple teams across different age groups, creating pathways for player development from junior to senior levels.
Players
The East Lancashire Football Alliance provides opportunities for young players across various age groups to develop their football skills in a competitive environment. Players ranging from Under 9s to Under 14s participate in the alliance's league structure.
Teams in the alliance include Blackburn Eagles JFC Blacks, Blackburn United, Clitheroe Wolves White, Colne Juniors Black, Darwen FC Juniors, Darwen Rangers JFC Yellow, and FACE Panthers. These clubs offer young talent a platform to showcase their abilities while learning the fundamentals of the game.
The Under 9 Blues represent one of the newest additions to the league, having recently begun their season. Their participation highlights the alliance's commitment to youth development from an early age.
Players in the alliance benefit from the structured league setup with regularly scheduled fixtures and official standings. This competitive environment helps young athletes develop both technical skills and sportsmanship.
The alliance works in conjunction with County FA regulations to ensure proper player registration and adherence to youth football guidelines. This provides a safe and regulated environment for young players to enjoy the sport.
