Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The Garforth Junior Football League stands as one of the largest youth football organizations in the Leeds area, offering competitive opportunities for both boys and girls across multiple age divisions. Affiliated with the West Riding FA, the league provides structured competition throughout the Garforth and greater Leeds region, creating valuable sporting experiences for young players.
The league features numerous divisions organized by age groups, including Under 9 and Under 18 sections, allowing for appropriate skill-level matching and development opportunities. With the 2024/2025 playing season currently underway, teams from across the region gather weekly for matches that foster sportsmanship, skill development, and community connections.
Clubs interested in joining the Garforth Junior Football League can contact the League Secretary directly, providing a pathway for more youth teams to participate in this established competition. The organization's commitment to youth development through football continues to make it a cornerstone of junior sports in the region.
History
The Garforth Junior Football League has established itself as one of the largest junior football organizations in the Leeds region. Affiliated with the West Riding Football Association, the league has provided competitive opportunities for young players for many years.
The league serves both boys and girls, offering a structured environment for youth development through football. Its connection to the West Riding FA has helped maintain standards and ensure proper governance throughout its existence.
Expansion has been a key feature of the league's development, with divisions now covering various age groups from Under 9s through to Under 18s. This growth reflects the league's popularity and commitment to youth football in the Garforth area.
The league maintains a structured promotion and relegation system. According to league documentation, new teams typically don't start in the bottom division unless it's deemed appropriate for that particular squad, showing the organization's focus on competitive balance.
St. George's Park has played a role in the league's story, providing facilities and resources that have benefited member clubs. This connection has helped strengthen the league's position within the wider football community.
Over time, the Garforth Junior Football League has become a cornerstone of youth football in the region, helping thousands of young players develop their skills and love for the game.
Age Groups and Divisions
The Garforth Junior Football League (GJFL) offers structured football opportunities across multiple age categories, ranging from Under 7 to Under 18. This comprehensive range allows for appropriate developmental progression as young players grow and enhance their skills.
For the 2024/2025 playing season, the league is organized into clearly defined age groups: U7, U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17, and U18. Each age group provides suitable competition levels for players at different stages of development.
Many age brackets feature multiple divisions to accommodate varying skill levels. For example, the Under 17 category includes both Division 1 and Division 2, allowing teams to compete against others of similar abilities.
The Under 16 age group similarly follows a multi-division structure. This tiered approach ensures competitive matches while providing appropriate challenges for developing players.
The league emphasizes both developmental and competitive football across all age groups. This balanced approach helps children enjoy the sport while building skills and forming friendships.
Clubs interested in joining the Garforth Junior Football League can contact the League Secretary directly. The league welcomes new participation for the current and upcoming seasons.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The Garforth Junior Football League is managed by a dedicated committee responsible for day-to-day operations. This team works diligently to facilitate football activities for children in and around the Garforth area.
Roger Byrne serves as the Chairman of the league, providing leadership to the organization. While no email address is listed for the Chairman, other communication channels are available.
Nick Britcliffe holds dual roles as both Secretary and Treasurer. He can be contacted directly at secretary@garforthleague.org for matters relating to either position.
When contacting the committee, it's advisable to direct questions to the specific member responsible for the relevant age group. This ensures your inquiry reaches the appropriate person who can address your concerns effectively.
The committee members are accessible to handle various queries related to league operations. They focus on creating positive football experiences for young players while managing the administrative aspects of the organization.
For the most current contact information or specific questions about the league, reaching out to the Secretary via the provided email address is recommended.
Teams
The Garforth Junior Football League features numerous registered clubs for the 2024/2025 playing season. Among the participating teams are Ackworth Juniors FC, Airedale FC, Allerton Bywater Miners FC, and Allerton FC.
Altofts Juniors also competes in the league, which is one of the largest junior football organizations in the region. The league covers the Garforth Leeds area and is affiliated with the West Riding FA.
For the under-18 category, several teams stand out in the league standings:
- Durkar Devils J.F.C. U18
- Wigton Moor United U18
- Ackworth Juniors FC U18 Yellows
- Ebor Gardens Junior U18
Younger age groups are also well-represented in the league. The U9 division includes:
- Durkar Devils J.F.C. U9
- Farsley Celtic FC U9 Boys
- Leeds Maccabi U9
- North East Leeds JFC U9s Jaguars
- Ossett Albion Juniors U9
- Pudsey Juniors U9 Whites
The league provides structured competition for both boys and girls teams across various age groups. Each team participates in regular fixtures throughout the season, contributing to the development of youth football in the Leeds area.
Players
The Garforth Junior Football League provides opportunities for young footballers of various age groups throughout the Leeds area. Players typically range from under-7s to under-18s, with separate divisions organized by age and skill level.
Registration for players usually takes place before each season commences. All participants must be properly registered with their respective clubs and the league to be eligible for matches.
The league accommodates both boys and girls teams, reflecting its inclusive approach to youth football development. This commitment to inclusivity has helped make it one of the largest junior football leagues in the region.
Teams like Colton Juniors, Horsforth St. Margarets FC, North East Leeds JFC, and Whitkirk Wanderers represent just a few of the clubs where players develop their skills. These clubs provide structured environments for young players to learn and grow.
Player development remains a core focus of the league, with an emphasis on skill acquisition, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Many players progress through different age groups within the same club.
The league adheres to FA guidelines regarding playing time, safeguarding, and age-appropriate competition. This ensures players can enjoy the game in a safe, supportive environment.
Local tournaments and cup competitions provide additional opportunities for players to test their abilities against different opposition throughout the season.
