Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The Merseyside Youth Football League stands as one of the premier youth football organizations in the Liverpool area, offering structured competition for young players from Under 7 through to Under 16 age groups. Affiliated with the Liverpool County FA, the league provides both development and competitive football opportunities, creating pathways for young talent across Merseyside.
The league operates with a flexible format that includes traditional home and away fixtures alongside matches at central 3G venues, giving teams varied playing experiences throughout the season. This approach helps young players adapt to different environments while building their skills and understanding of the game.
The MYFL has become an integral part of grassroots football development in the region, fostering not just athletic ability but also important values like teamwork, respect, and fair play. With thousands of young players participating each season, the league continues to be a cornerstone of youth football development across Merseyside.
History
The Merseyside Youth Football League has established itself as one of the largest junior football leagues in the Merseyside region. Founded to nurture young football talent, the league has grown significantly over the years.
The league provides competitive opportunities for young players aged between 7 and 18 years old. It covers a wide geographical area including Liverpool and surrounding districts, creating a comprehensive network for youth football development.
While specific founding dates aren't detailed in the available information, the league has built a strong reputation for youth development throughout its existence. The organization maintains close ties with Liverpool County FA, which provides governance and support.
The league's structure accommodates various age groups from Under 7s to Under 17s. This progressive system allows young players to develop their skills as they move through different age categories.
Some notable achievements in Merseyside youth football include success at the ESFA National level. Merseyside youth teams have claimed several national titles, including U19 Boys championships in 1981, 1986, and 1992.
The U18 Boys team also achieved national success, winning ESFA National titles in 2005 (shared) and 2006. Additionally, the U16 Boys category has seen achievements at the national level.
Throughout its history, the league has maintained its focus on grassroots football development, providing thousands of young players with their first taste of organized competition.
Age Groups and Divisions
The Merseyside Youth Football League provides organized football opportunities for young players across multiple age groups, spanning from Under 7 (U7) through to Under 17 (U17). This comprehensive range allows for age-appropriate development as players progress through their football journey.
The league is structured with different divisions within each age bracket to accommodate varying skill levels and competitive preferences. Specifically, search results indicate age groups including U7, U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, and U16.
Within certain age categories, the league offers color-coded divisions to ensure fair competition. For example, the U10 age group features both BLUE and GREEN divisions, while U15s compete in RED and BLUE divisions.
The league provides two distinct football formats: Development and Competitive. This dual approach ensures that younger or less experienced players can focus on skills and enjoyment, while more advanced players can experience a more competitive environment.
Teams compete in either home-and-away formats or at centralized 3G venues depending on the age group and division. This flexible structure accommodates the different needs of teams and players across Merseyside.
Affiliated with the Liverpool County FA, the league maintains proper governance and follows established standards for youth football in the region. This official affiliation ensures quality control and proper administrative oversight.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The Merseyside Youth Football League is managed by a dedicated committee responsible for overseeing all operations of the league. This group handles essential functions including player registrations and day-to-day management tasks.
For general league inquiries, Stacey Savage serves as a primary contact. She can be reached via email at staceyleaguesec@gmail.com.
The league headquarters is based in St Helens, providing administrative support for the numerous youth football teams competing across Merseyside.
The official league website, https://merseysideleague.co.uk/, offers additional contact options and information about the organization. Visitors can use the site's messaging feature to communicate with league officials.
The league maintains active communication channels to support teams, players, referees, and parents involved in youth football throughout the region. Their contact system ensures proper governance of matches and competitions.
As one of Liverpool FA's affiliated leagues, the Merseyside Youth Football League works closely with regional football authorities to maintain standards and implement best practices in youth development.
Teams
The Merseyside Youth Football League features numerous clubs across various age groups from Under 7s through to Under 16s. Teams participate in both development and competitive football formats.
Some notable clubs registered for the 2024/2025 season include AFC Bull, AFC Knowsley, Apollo Sports JFC, ASC, Berkley FC, Cables AFC, and Fazakerley Rangers.
Teams are organized with creative naming conventions, often adopting names of professional clubs. For example, Berkley Junior fields teams like U12 Madrid and U12 Real, while other clubs follow similar patterns.
The league structure includes Saturday fixtures with teams playing both home and away matches. Additionally, some matches take place at 3G central venues, providing consistent playing surfaces.
Age-specific teams include:
Under 10s:
- FGS U10 Lazio
- FGS U10 Leverkusen
- FPA U10 FPA Real Sociedad
- Halewood Apollo U10 Apollo Madrid
- Mini Huyton Soccer U10 Bayern
Under 12s:
- Berkley Junior U12 Madrid
- Berkley Junior U12 Real
- CAE JFC U12 Milan
- Halewood Town JSA U12 Juniors
- Inny Boys U12 Rangers
- Pex Hill U12 Santos
The league is affiliated with the Liverpool County FA, ensuring proper governance and standardization across all participating teams.
Players
The Merseyside Youth Football League provides opportunities for young footballers across multiple age groups, ranging from Under 7s to Under 16s. These players develop their skills while competing in both development and competitive formats.
Players in the league benefit from structured competition that follows Liverpool County FA affiliation guidelines. The league organizes matches at both home and away venues, as well as at centralized 3G facilities to ensure consistent playing conditions.
Young athletes progress through age-appropriate divisions, with special attention given to developmental stages. For younger players (U7-U9), the focus typically remains on skill development and enjoyment rather than competitive outcomes.
The league accommodates thousands of youth players across Merseyside, representing various registered clubs. Each weekend, these young footballers participate in matches designed to enhance their technical abilities and tactical understanding.
Players often join the league through local clubs that register teams in various age groups. The pathway allows continuous progression from early development stages at U7 through to the more competitive U16 division.
Talent development remains a core focus, with many former league players progressing to academy systems at professional clubs across the region. The grassroots structure provides essential foundations for those with potential to advance in the sport.
