Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The Notts Youth Football League (Sunday division) stands as a cornerstone of youth football development in Nottinghamshire, offering competitive opportunities for teams across multiple age groups. The league specifically caters to youth teams from U15s through U19s, providing structured competition that helps young players develop their skills and passion for the beautiful game. Teams like Basford United Black, Clay Cross Town, and Robin Hood Colts regularly compete in various divisions, creating a vibrant football community.
Established with a focus on player development and sportsmanship, the league promotes important initiatives like Respect and Silent Support weekends. These programs aim to create a positive environment where young footballers can flourish without undue pressure from the sidelines. The Sunday league format allows flexibility for families and accommodates the busy schedules of teenage players.
History

The Notts Youth Football League has a rich history dating back to 1926. Originally established as the Notts Minor League, it served as a platform for young footballers in Nottinghamshire to develop their skills and passion for the sport.
In 1971, the organization underwent a significant name change, adopting its current title: the Notts Youth Football League. This rebrand reflected its dedicated focus on youth development in football across the region.

Over the decades, the league has experienced substantial growth in participation. What began as a modest local competition has evolved into one of the most respected youth football organizations in the area.
The Sunday division of the league, often referred to as "Notts Youth Football League (Sun)," has become a vital weekend fixture for many young players and their families. This division allows for additional playing opportunities and accommodates the scheduling needs of diverse participants.

The league continues to uphold its long-standing commitment to youth development, fair play, and community engagement. Its nearly century-long presence in Nottinghamshire demonstrates its enduring importance to grassroots football.
With visitor counters on its website showing numbers exceeding 780,000 hits, the league clearly maintains strong engagement with its community and participants.
Age Groups and Divisions

The Notts Youth Football League (Sun) is structured around multiple age groups to ensure competitive and appropriate matches for young players. Based on recent information, the league primarily features U15, U16, and U18 age categories.
The U18 category appears to be the most extensive, with several tiers including a Premier Division, Division 1 (split into Blue and Red sections in some seasons), Division 2, Division 3, Division 4, and Division 5. This multi-tier structure allows for appropriate skill matching among teams.

For the U16 age group, the league operates with multiple divisions as well, starting with Division 1. This ensures that teams compete against others of similar skill levels.
The U15 category is also represented in the league structure, though specific division information is less detailed in the available data.
Some sources suggest the league may also include younger age groups such as Under-7s, Under-9s, and Under-11s, each with their own divisional structures. However, these younger categories aren't consistently mentioned across all references.
The division system promotes fair competition by grouping teams of similar abilities together. This tiered approach allows for promotion and relegation between seasons, creating pathways for development and competitive challenges.
Teams participate in regular fixtures throughout the season, with standings tracked to determine division champions and promotion/relegation outcomes.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The Notts Youth Football League (Sun) is managed by a dedicated committee of volunteers who bring extensive experience in youth football. These individuals work tirelessly to ensure the smooth operation of the league for the benefit of all participating teams and players.
Key contact information for the league is essential for clubs seeking assistance with registrations, fixtures, or general inquiries. The committee structure typically includes positions such as Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and Fixtures Secretary.
Committee members can be reached through the official league contact channels. For specific queries, team managers and club officials should direct their communications to the appropriate committee member based on the nature of their inquiry.
The league maintains active communication through multiple channels including email and social media. Their Facebook group serves as a platform for appropriate discussion related to the Notts Youth Football League, keeping the community informed and engaged.
Respect for league officials is a cornerstone of the organization's philosophy. All participants, including players, coaches, and parents, are expected to uphold these values when interacting with committee members and staff.
For the most current committee information and contact details, clubs should refer to the official Notts Youth Football League website or official documentation provided at the beginning of each season.
Teams
The Notts Youth Football League (Sun) features numerous youth football teams from across Nottinghamshire and surrounding areas. These teams compete in various age groups and divisions throughout the season.
Several prominent teams participate in the league, including Keyworth United, Ilkeston Town Junior Stags, and Burton Joyce Junior Red. These clubs have established themselves as competitive forces within the league structure.
Gedling Southbank Yellow, Basford United Black, and Clay Cross Town are also active participants in the competition. The league provides a platform for youth development at these established clubs.
Additional teams like Marlborough Rovers, Mickleover RBL Jaguars, Robin Hood Colts, and Spondon Dynamos Gold round out the diverse selection of participating clubs. Each brings their unique style and approach to youth football.
The league also includes Eastwood CFC, Hucknall Town Warriors, Nottingham FC Green, Teversal, and West Bridgford Cobras. These teams contribute to the competitive environment that helps develop young players.
Other notable participants include Awsworth Villa, Bilborough Town, Burton Joyce Green, Carlton Town Lions, and Radcliffe Olympic. The broad geographic spread ensures teams from various communities have opportunities to compete.
Wollaton Hall & Bramcote and Mansfield Hosiery Mills further expand the league's reach across the region. This diverse group of teams creates a robust competitive structure for youth football development.
Players
The Notts Youth Football League (Sun) showcases talented young footballers across multiple age divisions, primarily focusing on U15's through U19's. Players develop their skills in competitive weekend matches throughout the season.
Each team in the league typically maintains a roster of 14-18 players, allowing for tactical flexibility and substitutions during matches. These youth athletes balance their academic commitments with training sessions, usually held 1-2 times weekly.
The league structure provides clear pathways for player development. Many participants progress from the U15's division to higher age groups as they mature in both skill and physical capability.
Key Player Requirements:
- Registered with their respective clubs
- Age-appropriate for their division
- Adherence to league conduct guidelines
- Regular attendance at training and matches
Teams like Burton Joyce Jnr Red and Chesapeake Mohawks feature promising talents who demonstrate dedication to the sport. Coaches focus on technical skills, tactical understanding, and sportsmanship.
The Sunday format allows players to participate without conflicting with Saturday school activities or other sporting commitments. This scheduling flexibility has proven beneficial for maintaining consistent player participation throughout the season.
For U19 players, the additional midweek floodlit league offers valuable experience in different playing conditions and helps prepare those aiming to transition to adult football.