Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The Lincolnshire Co-op Mid Lincs County Youth Football League stands as one of the premier youth football competitions in Lincolnshire, offering structured competitive opportunities for young players throughout the region. The league provides comprehensive resources including fixtures, results, tables, and statistics that help teams, players, and parents stay informed about upcoming matches and track performance throughout the season. With a dedicated website that has recorded over 17 million hits, this youth football organization clearly serves as a vital hub for community sports in the county.
Beyond organizing matches, the league promotes the values of respect and sportsmanship among participants, creating an environment where young athletes can develop both their football skills and character. As part of the broader Lincolnshire Football Association framework, the Mid Lincs Youth League contributes significantly to the grassroots development of football talent across the county, building pathways for young players with ambitions in the sport.
History
The Lincolnshire Co-op Mid Lincs County Youth Football League was founded in 1972, establishing itself as a significant platform for youth football in the Lincolnshire region. The league has grown substantially since its inception, now hosting over 100 competing teams across various age groups.
Originally known as the Mid Lincolnshire Youth League, the organization underwent a name change to reflect its partnership with Lincolnshire Co-op. This sponsorship has helped strengthen the league's position within the local football community.
The league is properly affiliated with the Football Association (FA), ensuring it operates under official guidelines and standards. This affiliation provides legitimacy and structure to the competitions organized under its banner.
Over the decades, the league has expanded its reach across the county, providing organized football opportunities for thousands of young players. Its longevity demonstrates the successful management and ongoing relevance of the competition to youth football development in Lincolnshire.
The league continues to uphold its tradition of fostering youth talent while adapting to modern football requirements. Its extensive history has established it as one of the cornerstone youth football organizations in the county.
Age Groups and Divisions
The Lincolnshire Co-op Mid Lincs County Youth Football League offers competitive opportunities across multiple age groups, spanning from Under-7 (U7) to Under-18 (U18). This comprehensive range allows young players to develop their skills throughout their childhood and teenage years.
For the younger participants, the league provides mini-soccer formats appropriate for their developmental stage. These typically include U7, U8, U9, and U10 age groups, with modified rules and pitch sizes to enhance their learning experience.
The intermediate age groups include U11, U12, U13, and U14 divisions, where children continue to develop technical skills while learning more tactical aspects of the game.
The older youth sections encompass U15, U16, and U17/U18 categories, offering more advanced competition as players approach adult football. These divisions often feature full-sized pitches and standard rules.
The league also organizes cup competitions alongside regular league matches. For example, the U10 Bryan Smith Cup is divided into Group A and Group B to ensure competitive balance among participating teams.
With over 100 teams participating across these various age groups, the league maintains a strong structure that has been in place since its founding in 1972. This organization ensures appropriate competition levels for all participants.
Each age group may contain multiple divisions based on skill level and geographical considerations, allowing teams to compete against others of similar ability within reasonable travel distances.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The Lincolnshire Co-op Mid Lincs County Youth Football League is managed by a dedicated committee of volunteers who oversee its operations. These individuals work tirelessly to ensure the smooth running of youth football across Lincolnshire.
The league maintains an active contact system for clubs, referees, and parents. Committee members handle different responsibilities including fixtures, discipline, referee appointments, and safeguarding.
Key positions within the committee typically include:
- Chairperson: Oversees league governance and chairs meetings
- Secretary: Handles administrative duties and correspondence
- Treasurer: Manages league finances
- Fixtures Secretary: Coordinates match schedules
- Referees Secretary: Appoints and supports match officials
- Welfare Officer: Ensures safeguarding protocols are followed
Contact information for the league is available through their official website. This includes email addresses and phone numbers for relevant committee members.
The league encourages open communication between clubs, officials, and the committee. Regular meetings are held throughout the season to address any concerns and plan future developments.
For specific queries, the league recommends contacting the appropriate committee member rather than general inquiries. This ensures faster and more accurate responses to issues that may arise during the season.
Teams
The Lincolnshire Co-op Mid Lincs County Youth Football League hosts over 100 teams across multiple age groups. These teams compete in divisions ranging from Under-7 to Under-18, providing opportunities for youth players throughout Lincolnshire.
Teams participate in regular league fixtures, with matches typically played on weekends during the football season. The league structure allows for appropriate competition levels based on team abilities and player development needs.
RHP Colts FC is one of the notable clubs with representation in the league. Their Under-15 team exemplifies the grassroots nature of the competition, which focuses on player development and enjoyment of the sport.
The league maintains comprehensive statistics for all participating teams, tracking results, fixtures, and tables throughout the season. This information is readily accessible to players, coaches, and parents through the league's official website.
All participating teams must be members of the league and adhere to its established rules and regulations. These guidelines ensure fair play and maintain the integrity of competitions across all age groups.
The league's wide geographical coverage encompasses teams from throughout mid-Lincolnshire, creating diverse competitive opportunities for young players in the region.
Players
The Lincolnshire Co-op Mid Lincs County Youth Football League provides opportunities for young players throughout Lincolnshire to develop their skills in a competitive environment. Players range from mini-soccer age groups up through older youth divisions.
Each season, hundreds of talented youngsters participate in the league structure, representing various clubs across the county. The league follows FA guidelines regarding player development and emphasizes skills acquisition alongside competitive play.
Players in the league benefit from structured fixtures throughout the football season. The league maintains statistics and results for teams, allowing players to track their progress and development.
The emphasis on respect is evident in the league's approach to player development. Young footballers are encouraged to demonstrate good sportsmanship and fair play in all matches.
For players looking to join teams in the area, parent networks exist to help connect young talent with clubs. Social media groups like the East Midlands Youth League players Facebook group assist in this process.
The league provides a pathway for player progression within the Lincolnshire football structure. As one of the 25 affiliated leagues recognized by the Lincolnshire FA, it offers a legitimate competitive platform for youth development.
Registration requirements ensure all players meet eligibility criteria before participating in league fixtures. This helps maintain the integrity of competitions across all age groups.
