Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The Mid Lancashire Football League is an English Football Accredited league serving clubs in the Lancashire region. Established as a competitive platform for local teams, the league features multiple divisions including a Premier League and reserve competitions. The 2024/25 season is currently underway with exciting cup competitions progressing, including the Guildhall Cup which has reached its semi-final stage.
The league provides organized football for numerous clubs including Bickerstaffe, Broughton Amateurs A.F.C., Burscough Dynamo, and Preston Wanderers among others. Teams compete in various competitions throughout the season, with the Guildhall Cup and Lancastrian Brigade Cup being prominent tournaments that add excitement beyond regular league fixtures.
Football in Lancashire has deep historical roots, and the Mid Lancashire Football League continues this tradition by fostering competitive play and community spirit. The league maintains comprehensive fixture lists and results, allowing fans and teams to stay updated with all the action happening across its divisions.
History
The Mid Lancashire League has roots dating back to 1891 when it was established as the Preston & District League. This regional football competition served teams in Lancashire for well over a century before adopting its current name in 2012.
The league represents part of Lancashire's rich football heritage. Lancashire itself played a significant role in the formation of organized football in England, with several clubs from the county among the 12 founding members of the English Football League in 1888.
Notable clubs from the region that participated in early organized football included Accrington Stanley, which contributed to Lancashire's football prominence. The Mid Lancashire League developed as part of this regional football structure.
The Premier Division represents the top tier of the Mid Lancashire League competition. Recent seasons have featured competitive battles for the championship, with clubs like Standish St Wilfrids and Bolton United demonstrating strong performances.
In the 2018-19 season, both Standish St Wilfrids and Bolton United finished with identical records of 16 wins, 0 draws, and 4 losses, accumulating 48 points each. Standish St Wilfrids claimed the title position, likely on goal difference with their 76 goals scored.
The Lancashire County Football Association governs football activities within the historical county boundaries, providing structure and organization for competitions like the Mid Lancashire League.
Age Groups and Divisions
The Mid Lancashire Football League caters to multiple age categories, organizing competitions for Open age, Veterans, and youth players. This structure ensures participants of all ages have appropriate competitive opportunities.
The league's senior section is organized into several divisions: Premier, First, Second, and Third. This tiered system allows for promotion and relegation, maintaining competitive balance across different skill levels.
Veterans have their own dedicated division, providing opportunities for older players to continue enjoying competitive football in an age-appropriate environment.
For youth development, the Mid Lancashire Colts Junior Football League includes age groups such as U7, U8, U9, and U10. The U7 category is further divided into specific divisions like VENUS, SATURN, and JUPITER.
The league also organizes cup competitions alongside regular league fixtures. The Guildhall Cup 2024-2025 is currently ongoing, with semi-finals already scheduled.
This comprehensive divisional structure allows the Mid Lancashire Football League to accommodate teams of varying abilities and age groups. Teams can find their appropriate competitive level while having opportunities to progress through the divisions.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The Mid Lancashire Football League is overseen by a dedicated team of officials who manage various aspects of league operations. Roy Rich serves as the League President, providing leadership and guidance.
Albert Newton holds the position of League Chairman and is also responsible for Player Registration, ensuring all players meet eligibility requirements.
The financial and administrative duties fall to Alan Stuttard, who functions as both League Secretary and Treasurer.
Peter Jones handles the critical role of Fixtures Secretary, coordinating match schedules across the league.
Contact with league officials should be made at least 3 days before scheduled fixtures. This means Wednesday for Saturday matches and Sunday for Tuesday fixtures.
The committee meets regularly to discuss league matters, resolve disputes, and plan for future seasons. They work collaboratively to maintain the integrity and smooth operation of the competition.
For specific inquiries, club representatives are encouraged to reach out to the appropriate committee member based on the nature of their question or concern.
These officials volunteer their time and expertise to support grassroots football in the Mid Lancashire region, helping to create opportunities for players and clubs throughout the area.
Teams
The Mid Lancashire Football League features several clubs across its divisions. Based on the search results, some of the teams competing in the league include Bickerstaffe, Broughton Amateurs A.F.C., Burscough Dynamo, and Eccleston & Heskin.
Additional clubs in the competition are Highgrove, Preston Wanderers, Shevington, and Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs. These teams make up part of the league's competitive structure.
Current standings show Tarleton Corinthians Reserves leading the table with 16 points. Astley FC is positioned second, also with 16 points, while Walmer Bridge Reserves and Hoole United FC complete the top four teams.
The league was originally founded as the Preston & District League by 1891 and adopted its current name in 2012. This rich history has helped establish the competition as an English Football Accredited league.
Teams compete in various competitions within the league structure, including the Guildhall Cup. The 2024/25 season has already progressed to the semi-finals stage of this tournament.
Players
The Mid Lancashire Football League features numerous talented players across its various divisions. Teams like Bickerstaffe, Broughton Amateurs A.F.C., and Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs all contribute to the competitive player pool in the league.
Some known players from Bickerstaffe include John Anderson, Matthew Bailey, Shay Banner, Mathew Birks, and Thomas Bradley. These individuals represent just a small portion of the footballing talent within the league.
The league structure, spanning from the Premiership down to Division Three, provides opportunities for players of varying skill levels. This tiered approach allows for appropriate competitive environments based on player ability and team strength.
Standish St Wilfrids appears to be performing well in their division, suggesting they have assembled a strong squad of players. The competitive nature of the league ensures players continually develop their skills through regular match play.
Many players in the Mid Lancashire Football League are local to the Lancashire region, strengthening community ties to the clubs. Some may have progressed through youth systems before establishing themselves at senior level within the league.
The league's FA accreditation ensures appropriate standards for player development and welfare are maintained. This commitment to quality helps attract and retain players across all participating clubs.
