Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The Southend & District Youth League stands as a cornerstone of youth football in the Essex region since its establishment in 1972. Founded by Roy Chaplin with just 8 teams, the league has grown exponentially over five decades to now encompass over 50 clubs with approximately 330 teams competing across various age groups.
The league provides structured competition for numerous age categories, including Under-11, Under-14, and Under-15 divisions, offering young players valuable opportunities to develop their skills in a competitive environment. Recent fixtures from early March 2025 demonstrate the league's continued vibrancy, with numerous matches taking place across all sections.
Beyond mere competition, the Southend & District Youth League maintains clear organizational standards, including regulations about team registrations and kit specifications. This level of organization has helped sustain the league's longevity and reputation as one of the region's premier youth football competitions, serving generations of young footballers in the Southend area.
History
The Southend & District Youth League was established in 1972 by Roy Chaplin. At its inception, the league started with just 8 founding teams.
From these humble beginnings, the league has experienced significant growth over the decades. As of recent records, it now encompasses over 50 clubs and approximately 330 teams.
The league has focused on steady improvements throughout its existence. When players became too old for youth football, the organization applied for membership of the Southend leagues to ensure continued participation opportunities.
The league features various age groups and divisions, including the Under-11 Section and U14 Division Premier, providing structured competition for young players across different skill levels.
For over five decades, the Southend & District Youth League has remained an important part of the youth football landscape in the region. It continues to serve as a developmental platform for young players in the Southend area.
Age Groups and Divisions
The Southend & District Youth League organizes youth football competitions across multiple age categories, serving players from under 11s through to under 18s. This comprehensive structure allows for appropriate developmental pathways for young footballers in the region.
The league is carefully structured with age-specific divisions to ensure fair competition. For the youngest participants, there is a dedicated UNDER 11 SECTION where players begin their competitive journey.
As players progress to the under 12 level, the league expands into multiple tiers:
- U12 Division Premier
- U12 Division A
- U12 Division B
- U12 Division C/D
This tiered approach continues throughout the older age groups, including:
- U13 divisions
- U14 divisions
- U15 divisions
- U16 divisions
- U17 divisions
- U18 divisions
The multi-division format within each age group enables teams to compete against others of similar ability levels. This promotes more balanced matches and appropriate challenges for player development.
League rules specifically define "Youth Football" as encompassing participation from under 11s to under 18s. This classification ensures all competitions follow appropriate guidelines for youth development.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The Southend & District Youth League is governed by a dedicated committee that oversees all league operations. Key leadership positions include Chairman Chris Hockett, who can be reached via email or by phone at 07807 877901.
Secretary Tom Clarke handles administrative matters and can be contacted by email or at 07920 493570. For financial inquiries, Treasurer & Assistant Secretary Dave Allen is available via email or at 07740 529132.
Club secretaries can find contact information for all member teams in the league's Club Directory. This comprehensive resource helps facilitate communication between clubs participating in youth football across the Southend district.
The league maintains an active communication system to ensure smooth operations throughout the season. Committee members are responsible for various aspects of league management including fixtures, registrations, and general administration.
For specific registration inquiries, the broader Southend Borough and District Football organization lists Brian Brazier as Registration Secretary, while Sheryl MacRae serves as Treasurer (07789 993262).
Parents, coaches, and players are encouraged to reach out to the appropriate committee member for questions related to league rules, scheduling, or other matters relevant to youth football in the Southend area.
Teams
The Southend & District Youth League has grown significantly since its establishment in 1972. What began with just 8 teams has expanded to include over 50 clubs and approximately 330 teams today.
The league provides organized football competition for thousands of young players across various age groups. From the search results, we can see teams like Basildon Boys Club U14 Tigers, Basildon Town U14 Lions, Essex Royals U14 Blue, Great Wakering Colts U14 White, and Hashtag United U14 Blue participate in the league.
Other teams mentioned in the search results include:
- Junior Red Star U12 White
- Leigh Ramblers Youth U12 Cyclones
- Pegasus Youth U12 Whites
- Rayleigh Town Colts U12 Yellow
The league appears to have a structured format with teams organized by age groups, primarily focusing on youth football development. U12 and U14 age categories are specifically mentioned in the search results.
The extensive number of participating teams reflects the league's importance in the local football community. With over 5,360 children playing football through the league and its member clubs, it represents one of the larger youth football organizations in the region.
Teams compete in regular fixtures throughout the season, with standings tracked in league tables as indicated in the search results.
Players
The Southend & District Youth League provides opportunities for young football players across various age groups. Players typically join through member clubs, with over 330 teams participating across the league as of recent records.
Many teams in the league actively recruit throughout the year. According to the search results, some teams specifically seek midfield players, though positions vary based on team needs.
Training schedules commonly include weekday evening sessions and weekend morning practices. For example, some teams conduct training on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings, with competitive matches typically played on weekends.
The league features various competitive divisions, with teams like Southend Manor Youth U13 Red, FC Redwing Y U13 Harriers, and Wyldecrest Youth U13 Blacks competing at similar levels.
Players interested in joining can find opportunities through the "Players Wanted" section of league communications. Teams regularly post recruitment notices specifying desired positions and age groups.
The league has grown substantially since its founding in 1972, providing playing opportunities for thousands of youth footballers in the Southend area. This expansion reflects the league's commitment to youth football development in the region.
