Last updated : Tuesday, 02 July 2024
Introduction
The ELE League is an amateur football league for children and young people in East London and Essex. It was founded in 1998 by Joe Long and former QPR player Peter Hucker. The league currently operates leagues from Under 7s through to Under 16/17s, and is based at Wanstead Flats and Ford Sports Club, Newbury Park.
The ELE League is known for its "league with a difference" concept, where all league and cup fixtures are played from the same venue each week of the football season. This makes it easy for players, parents, and coaches to get involved, and helps to reduce the hassle of traveling to different venues.
The ELE League is also committed to providing high-quality football for all players. The league uses qualified referees, and all coaches are required to have a minimum level of coaching qualification. The league also offers a variety of development opportunities for players, including training camps and tournaments.
History
The ELE League was founded in 1998 by Joe Long and former QPR player Peter Hucker. The league was originally a 7-a-side league, but it moved to 11-a-side games in 2000. The ELE League has grown steadily since its inception, and it now has over 200 teams participating.
In 2018, the ELE League was endorsed by former England international Rio Ferdinand. Ferdinand is a passionate supporter of grassroots football, and he was impressed by the ELE League's commitment to providing high-quality football for all players.
League Structure
The ELE League is divided into two divisions: the Premier Division and the Championship Division. The Premier Division is the top division, and it is made up of the best teams in the league. The Championship Division is the second division, and it is made up of the teams that did not qualify for the Premier Division.
The league season runs from September to May, and each team plays each other team twice, once at home and once away. The top two teams in the Premier Division at the end of the season are promoted to the Premier League, and the bottom two teams are relegated to the Championship Division. The top two teams in the Championship Division are promoted to the Premier Division, and the bottom two teams are relegated to the Regional Leagues.
Sources
- About Us (ELE League website)
- ELE League on Facebook
- ELE League on the Essex FA website