Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The Leicestershire Youth League stands as a vibrant hub for grassroots football in the region, catering specifically to teams in the U16 to U18 age brackets. With over 115 teams participating, the league accommodates players of all skill levels from a wide geographical area. The league's inclusive approach ensures that young footballers have opportunities to develop their skills in a structured competitive environment regardless of their ability.
For clubs interested in joining this thriving community, the league actively welcomes new members and provides clear pathways for registration through their secretary. The 2024/2025 playing season is already organized with registered clubs, demonstrating the league's established presence in local youth sports. The competition structure includes various divisions and cup competitions, offering diverse competitive experiences for participating teams.
Beyond match organization, the Leicestershire Youth League actively seeks community engagement through sponsorship opportunities. Packages begin at just £50 for division and cup competition sponsorships, making it accessible for local businesses to support youth sports development. This collaborative approach between sports and community represents the league's commitment to sustaining grassroots football in Leicestershire.
History
The Leicestershire Youth League stands as a prominent junior football competition in the East Midlands region of England. Established to provide organized football opportunities for young players, the league has grown substantially over the years.
Currently, the league boasts over 115 teams across various age groups, primarily focusing on the U16 to U18 divisions. This impressive growth demonstrates the league's success in creating accessible football opportunities for youth across Leicestershire and surrounding areas.
The league operates within the broader context of Leicestershire's rich football tradition. While the Leicestershire Senior League was founded in 1896, the Youth League represents a more recent development in the county's football infrastructure.
Teams from diverse geographical areas participate in the competition, ensuring broad representation across the region. This inclusivity has been a cornerstone of the league's philosophy since its inception.
The Under 18 Division One serves as the premier competition within the league structure. This division showcases the highest level of talent among the participating youth teams.
The league has become an integral part of the grassroots football development pathway in Leicestershire. It provides a valuable platform for young players to develop their skills before potentially progressing to senior football.
Age Groups and Divisions
The Leicestershire Youth League provides organized football competitions for teams in various age categories. The league primarily focuses on the U16 to U18 age groups, creating appropriate divisions for different skill levels.
For the 2024/2025 playing season, the league structure includes Under 18 divisions split into three tiers: Division One, Division Two, and Division Three. Some documentation also references an Under 18 Premier Division sponsored by TS Trophies.
The Under 17 category features two divisions: Division One and Division Two. This arrangement allows for competitive balance between teams of similar abilities.
Under 16 teams compete in their own structure, with references to a Premier Division. The league organization ensures young players can participate at appropriate competitive levels as they develop their skills.
With over 115 teams participating across these age groups, the Leicestershire Youth League accommodates players of varying abilities from a wide geographic area. This inclusive approach helps maximize participation in youth football throughout the region.
Teams interested in joining the Leicestershire Youth League can contact the League Secretary for more information about registration for upcoming seasons.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The Leicestershire Youth League is managed by a dedicated Committee responsible for all day-to-day operations of the football league. This group oversees various functions essential to maintaining organized youth football competitions across the region.
For the 2024/25 season, the Committee continues to provide leadership and management for league activities. Contact information for current Committee members is available through official league channels.
Emma serves as a key staff member, having joined the County FA in 2021. She functions as the primary contact for Youth League and Club Welfare Officers, ensuring that policies and best practices are properly implemented.
For referee-related matters, Kim Baker handles amendments and changes to official referee contact details. This ensures that teams have access to current information about match officials who regularly officiate in the Leicestershire Youth League.
The Committee structure supports various youth football age groups from U16 to U18 in grassroots competitions. Their oversight helps maintain the quality and organization of youth football throughout Leicestershire.
Contact information for the Committee and relevant staff members can be obtained through official Leicestershire Youth League publications and communications channels.
Teams
The Leicestershire Youth League hosts a diverse array of youth football teams across various age groups. According to the search results, the league currently features over 115 teams, providing opportunities for young players of all ages and abilities.
For the U18 category, some prominent teams include Quorn FC U18 Foxes, Harborough Town Juniors U18 HTFC 2012, Sileby Juniors U18, and Croft Juniors 2013 U18 Diamonds. These teams actively compete in league tables and tournaments throughout the season.
The U17 division includes teams such as AFC Andrews U17 Foxes, Blaby & Whetstone Boys Club U17, Fleckney Athletic Junior U17 Foxes, Harborough Town Juniors U17, and Loughborough Dynamo Junior U17 2006.
Teams in the league come from a wide geographical area, making it truly representative of the Leicestershire region. This diversity helps foster competitive matches and community engagement across the county.
The league also features younger age groups, with information about the Under 15 League Division C from 2023 showing competitive play at this level as well. Teams participate in regular fixtures, with statistics tracking wins, losses, and other match outcomes.
The inclusive nature of the league means teams of varying skill levels can find appropriate competition, supporting player development regardless of ability. This structure helps nurture talent from grassroots to more advanced levels of youth football.
Players
The Leicestershire Youth League features talented young footballers primarily in the U16 to U18 age categories. Each team typically carries a squad of 14-18 players, allowing for rotation and development opportunities throughout the season.
Players in the league come from diverse backgrounds across Leicestershire and surrounding areas. Many participants begin their football journey in younger age groups before progressing to the more competitive U16-U18 divisions.
The league serves as an important developmental platform for aspiring footballers. Some standout performers have gone on to join academy systems at professional clubs in the Midlands region.
Teams in the league include Asfordby U18, Borough Alliance Junior U17 Eagles, Glen Villa Juniors U17, Hinckley Borough FC U17 Juniors, Kirby Muxloe FC U17 88, and Leicester Bharat U17. These squads represent various communities throughout the county.
Player Registration Requirements:
- Valid ID documentation
- Parental consent (for players under 18)
- League registration fee
- Club membership
The Leicestershire & Rutland County FA also operates representative squads at the U18 level, selecting the most promising players from across the youth league. This representative team competes in the Midland Counties Youth League and has achieved notable success, winning the league in the 2016/17 season.
