Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The Lancashire Sunday Football League continues to showcase exciting football action across its various divisions in 2025. As of mid-February, Bamber Bridge United has joined AFC Preston at the top of the table with both teams sitting on 28 points, setting up an intriguing battle for the championship as the season progresses.
The league features a comprehensive structure with multiple divisions including Premier, Divisions 1-4, and several Youth Divisions (Purple, Orange, and Green), providing competitive opportunities for teams of different skill levels across Lancashire. This organized system allows for proper player development and competitive matches suitable for various age groups and abilities.
For those interested in getting involved, the Lancashire Sunday Football League welcomes volunteers and new teams. The league maintains detailed records of fixtures, results, and player statistics, making it easy for participants and fans to follow their favorite teams throughout the season.
History
The Lancashire Sunday Football League operates within the governance of the Lancashire Football Association, which was established on Sunday, September 28, 1878, during a meeting at the Volunteer Inn in Bromley Cross.
The Lancashire FA serves as the governing body for football within the historical county boundaries of Lancashire, providing structure for various competitions including Sunday league football.
While specific details about the Lancashire Sunday Football League's founding date aren't mentioned in the search results, it exists as part of Lancashire's rich football tradition that spans well over a century.
The current league table shows active teams including Bamber Bridge Utd (S), AFC Preston, Whinney Hill, and Ribbleton competing in the competition.
Sunday football in Lancashire has historical significance, as evidenced by competitions like the LFA Sunday Trophy. This tournament once featured a notable first when Wellington from Blackburn defeated Golden Eagle from Blackpool 1-0 in what was the competition's first-ever replay to decide a winner.
Lancashire has a strong tradition of league football, with the second Lancashire League being formed in 1939. Initially, this competition primarily featured 'A' teams and has continued in some form to the present day.
Age Groups and Divisions
The Lancashire Sunday Football League offers competition across multiple age groups, primarily focusing on Open Age (adult) teams and Under-18 youth divisions. This structure ensures players of different ages and skill levels can participate in appropriate competitive environments.
The Open Age section is organized into several tiers, with the Premier Division sitting at the top of the hierarchy. Below this are Divisions 1, 2, 3, and 4, creating a comprehensive pyramid structure for adult teams.
For younger players, the league operates several youth divisions, which according to recent information include Purple, Orange, and Green divisions for U18 teams. Some sources also reference Blue and Red youth divisions.
As of February 2025, the league is quite active, with regular updates on matches and competitions. On February 9, 2025, for instance, there was limited Premier Division action as several teams were participating in cup competitions.
The league has grown significantly over time and currently features approximately 87 teams spread across its various divisions - 5 adult divisions and 3 youth divisions. This robust structure allows for competitive balance and appropriate development opportunities.
For youth age groups, the league typically maintains a manageable size of about 16 teams per age group, divided into 2 divisions each. This ensures quality competition while keeping logistics manageable.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The Lancashire Sunday Football League has a dedicated committee managing its operations. For general inquiries, the league can be contacted via email at info@lancssundayleague.co.uk.
The league's postal address is LSFL, 19 Greenacres, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire PR2 7DA.
John Gillgrass serves as a key contact for the league and can be reached by telephone at 07825 211208 or via email at john.gillgrass@icloud.com.
Peter is another notable figure within the organization, having started his playing career with Mellor youth team in 1969 before becoming involved with the league administration.
For matters related to the broader football community in Lancashire, the Lancashire FA can be contacted at their County Ground location in Leyland (PR25 2LF), by phone at 01772 624000 during business hours Monday through Friday, or via email at info@lancashirefa.com.
The Sunday League operates within the larger framework of Lancashire football organizations, which includes the West Lancashire Football League and the Lancashire and Cheshire Amateur Football League, each with their own management committees and contact structures.
Teams
The Lancashire Sunday Football League features a diverse range of teams competing across multiple divisions. Based on the search results, several established clubs participate regularly in the league structure.
Some notable teams include Charnock Richard, Euxton Villa, and Fishwick Rangers YFC, which have developed strong reputations within the local football community.
Fleetwood Town Juniors, Garstang, New Longton Rovers (U18), Squires Gate, and West Coast Sports also form part of the competitive landscape in this well-regarded league.
AFC Preston is another active club in the league, having played matches throughout the 2024 season against teams like Bamber Bridge United and Astley & Buckshaw United (Blues).
The league structure accommodates approximately 87 teams playing across five adult divisions and three youth divisions. This extensive organization allows for appropriate competitive levels for teams of various abilities and age groups.
Teams compete not only in league fixtures but also in cup competitions such as the Syndicate Trust Challenge Cup, with the most recent quarter-finals taking place in February 2025.
This robust team participation helped the Lancashire Sunday Football League earn recognition as FA League of the Year in 2014, highlighting the quality and organization of the participating clubs.
Players
The Lancashire Sunday Football League features a diverse range of players from various backgrounds and skill levels. The league provides opportunities for amateur footballers throughout Lancashire to showcase their talents every Sunday.
Players like Byron Andrew, Amir Bagas, Bakary Bah, Khubaib Batan, and Mohammed Butt represent AFC Preston in the league. These individuals exemplify the community aspect of Sunday league football, bringing their unique skills to the pitch each week.
Registration is an essential part of player participation in the Lancashire Sunday Football League. Each player must be properly registered with their respective team to be eligible for matches.
The league structure accommodates different age groups and divisions. Youth divisions, such as the Youth Division Blue, provide development opportunities for younger players looking to improve their skills in a competitive environment.
Teams must submit official team sheets before matches listing all participating players. These documents are available in PDF format for consistent record-keeping across the league.
Player transfers between teams in the league follow specific procedures to maintain competitive balance. The management committee oversees these transfers to ensure fairness throughout the season.
Many players have built long-standing connections with their Sunday league teams, creating a strong community spirit within the Lancashire football scene.
