Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The Southern Veterans Football League offers a unique platform for footballers aged 35 and above to continue enjoying the beautiful game in a respectful and safe environment. Founded with the mission to extend playing careers, the league embodies camaraderie and competitive spirit while acknowledging the physical limitations that come with age.
The 2024-25 season is currently underway, featuring multiple divisions that accommodate various skill levels, with Division 1 serving as the premier competition. The league organizes regular fixtures, maintains comprehensive standings, and provides resources such as match sheets and registration forms to ensure smooth operations.
Beyond regular league matches, the SVFL also facilitates friendly games and even promotes football tours in Spain, showcasing its commitment to creating diverse playing opportunities for veteran footballers. This community-oriented approach has made the league a cornerstone for older players who wish to maintain their connection to football while building lasting relationships with like-minded individuals.
History
The Southern Veterans Football League (SVFL) was founded as a support system for military veterans, combining competitive football with camaraderie. The league serves as more than just a sporting outlet; it provides a valuable community for those who previously served in the armed forces.
The SVFL has grown substantially since its inception, now featuring multiple divisions that accommodate teams of various skill levels. Division 1 represents the highest tier of competition within the league structure.
Several prominent teams have established themselves in the league over the years. Catford Wanderers (2008) Veterans, London South United Veterans Masters, Independent Vets Black, and Bow Street Runners are among the notable clubs that regularly compete.
The league format follows a traditional table system, with teams earning points throughout the season. This competitive structure maintains the sporting spirit while honoring the veterans' service.
Similar veterans' leagues have emerged elsewhere in the UK, such as the Hull and District Veterans Football League, which caters to players over 36 years old. These leagues share a common purpose of providing appropriate competitive environments for older players.
The SVFL has become an integral part of veterans' social lives, offering regular fixtures, organized competitions, and a sense of belonging. Through its consistent growth and development, the league continues to uphold its founding principles of sportsmanship and community support.
Age Groups and Divisions
The Southern Veterans Football League is structured specifically for older football players who wish to continue competing in organized matches. This league is exclusively for veterans, typically players above a certain age threshold.
The league features a multi-tier divisional structure to accommodate teams of varying skill levels. At the top level is the Premier Division, followed by the Championship Division.
Below these top tiers, the league is organized into numbered divisions:
- Division 1
- Division 2
- Division 3
- Division 4
- Division 5
- Division 6
- Division 7
This hierarchical structure allows for promotion and relegation between divisions based on performance throughout the season. Teams can work their way up or may move down depending on their results.
The Southern Amateur Veterans League, as it's also known, focuses on providing competitive opportunities for older players while maintaining the spirit of the game. Unlike youth leagues that might use age-weight combinations for divisions, the veterans league uses a straightforward age qualification system.
The league also runs cup competitions, including the Beckenham Cup, giving teams additional competitive opportunities beyond regular league fixtures. These knockout tournaments add excitement to the season calendar.
Teams participate based on geographic proximity within the southern region, creating natural rivalries and minimizing travel distances for participants.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The Southern Veterans Football League is managed by a dedicated committee that oversees all league operations. For the 2024-25 season, contact information for officials can be found in the league handbook.
John Forbes serves as a key contact person for the league. Teams needing to submit amendments to their contact details should email him directly at john.forbes29@btinternet.com.
The league maintains updated contact information for all participating clubs and officials. This information is periodically revised to ensure accurate communication throughout the season.
Teams interested in registering for the 2024-25 season must complete the registration application form. This form is crucial for maintaining current team information in the league records.
For general inquiries or specific concerns, club representatives should refer to the contact details listed in the most recent handbook. The 2023-24 handbook (Version H) contains comprehensive contact information.
League officials remain available to address questions regarding registration, scheduling, and other administrative matters. Regular communication ensures smooth operation of matches and league activities throughout the season.
Teams
The Southern Veterans Football League features a diverse array of teams for players over 35 years old. Based on available information, the league currently hosts approximately 70 teams competing across 7 divisions.
Some notable teams in the league include Bow Street Runners, Bromleians 1st, Crayford One Bell, Cudham United, Defiance, Johnson & Phillips, and Leone Stars. London South United A is also among the prominent participating squads.
The league tables show competitive standings with teams like Glebe VETS and London South United Masters featuring prominently in their respective divisions. Stansfeld Tudor and New Park Veterans First also appear in the top echelon of their division.
Other competing teams include Baldon Sports Veterans (also known as Baldon Old Boys), New Park Veterans 2000, Hollington Football Club Legends, and Ex Blues Veterans. These teams help create the competitive environment that defines the league.
The league prides itself on providing a platform where these teams can compete in a safe, respectable, and non-discriminatory environment. This structure allows veterans to continue enjoying football while maintaining the competitive spirit of the game.
Players
The Southern Veterans Football League is actively recruiting players for their teams. According to recent announcements, they are currently seeking new members to join their ranks.
As of March 3, 2025, the league has issued a "Players Wanted" notice, indicating ongoing recruitment efforts. This represents the most recent call for players interested in veterans football in the region.
The league appears to maintain consistent recruitment efforts throughout the year. Previous player recruitment notices were also posted on August 9, 2023, showing the organization's commitment to expanding team rosters.
Players who join the Southern Veterans Football League may have opportunities beyond local competition. The league organizes veterans football tours in Spain, with tournaments specifically held in Murcia planned for 2025.
These international tournaments provide players with the chance to compete abroad while representing their teams. This adds an exciting dimension to participation in the league beyond regular domestic fixtures.
The Southern Veterans Football League encompasses approximately 70 teams across 7 divisions, creating numerous opportunities for players of various skill levels to participate in veterans football.
