Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The Teesside Junior Football Alliance League represents one of the most prominent youth football organizations in the North East of England. Serving communities across Teesside, the league provides structured competition for young players from various age groups, fostering talent development and sporting values. The TJFA operates multiple divisions across different age categories, offering well-organized fixtures, results tracking, and cup competitions that give thousands of young footballers valuable competitive experience throughout the season.
The league maintains regular office hours Monday through Wednesday, allowing teams, coaches, and parents to address administrative matters and stay informed about upcoming matches. Beyond regular league play, the TJFA organizes exciting cup competitions that culminate in memorable finals, as recently demonstrated by Boro Rangers U16 Girls who claimed victory in a hard-fought League Cup final against Linthorpe Academicals with a 1-0 scoreline.
Youth football in Teesside continues to thrive under the TJFA's administration, with clear scheduling and comprehensive results available for all participants. The organization's commitment to youth development has established it as a cornerstone of grassroots football in the region, providing a platform where young players can develop their skills in a competitive yet supportive environment.
History
The Teesside Junior Football Alliance (TJFA) was founded in 1972, establishing itself as an important youth football organization in northern England. Since its inception, the league has grown significantly to support grassroots football development in the Teesside region.
Currently, the TJFA hosts over 200 member clubs, showcasing its substantial expansion over the five decades of operation. The league serves multiple age groups and provides competitive opportunities for young players across various divisions.
The parent Teesside Football League, which was established much earlier in 1891, had a lengthy history in the region before its dissolution in 2017. This historical connection highlights the deep football tradition in the Teesside area.
The TJFA continues to operate numerous divisions for different age groups, including specific competitions for girls' teams such as the Under 12 Division 1 Girls league. This demonstrates the organization's commitment to inclusive football development.
Over the years, the league has become an integral part of the youth football structure in northeast England. Its extensive reach is evidenced by its impressive online presence, with over 5.6 million visits to its digital platforms.
The league regularly organizes cup competitions alongside its standard league format, contributing to the competitive development of young footballers across the Teesside region.
Age Groups and Divisions
The Teesside Junior Football Alliance (TJFA) League organizes youth football across multiple age groups ranging from U7 to U18. Each age group is further divided into various divisions to accommodate different skill levels and team numbers.
For the youngest players, the U7 category features creatively named divisions such as Man City, Real Madrid, Bayern, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Qatar. There's also a dedicated U7 Girls Spring division, highlighting the league's commitment to inclusive participation.
The U8 age group includes divisions like Girls Red, demonstrating continued support for girls' football development at early ages. This structure provides appropriate competitive environments for children starting their football journey.
As players progress through the age groups (U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17, and U18), the division structure continues. This progressive system allows young players to develop their skills against appropriately matched opposition.
The league's comprehensive age structure covers the entire youth football pathway from early childhood through late adolescence. This ensures continuous development opportunities for players of all ages and abilities.
Each division operates with its own fixtures, standings, and competitions appropriate to the age and development stage of its participants. This careful organization helps maintain competitive balance while prioritizing player development.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The Teesside Junior Football Alliance (TJFA) is managed by a dedicated team of officials who oversee various age groups and organizational functions. Located at Sopwith House, Sopwith Close, Preston Farm Industrial Estate, Stockton-on-Tees TS18 3TT, the league maintains an established headquarters for administrative operations.
Martin Wood serves as the League Co-Ordinator for the U17's division and can be reached at mwwood@mail.com. For the U10's division, Craig Tupling holds the position of League Co-Ordinator and is contactable via craig.tupling@northgatevehiclehire.co.uk.
Daren Philpot is responsible for cup competitions, a crucial aspect of the TJFA's seasonal calendar. The league's general contact email is info@tjfa.com, and interested parties can call the office at 01642030032 for inquiries.
The league administration occasionally hosts meetings with clubs, including coffee sessions with administration, such as the one held on February 28th. Winter breaks and other important dates are regularly communicated to participating teams.
The TJFA operates as a registered charity, managing junior football activities throughout the Teesside region. Their financial year ends on May 31st, with records being maintained as part of their charitable status requirements.
Teams
The Teesside Junior Football Alliance League features numerous teams across different age groups and genders. Based on the search results, several girls' teams participate in the league, including Boro Rangers Girls, Guisborough Town Girls, and Linthorpe Academic Girls.
Middleton Rangers Girls have multiple squads competing, including their Jets team. Norton & Stockton Ancients Girls are also active participants in the competition.
For the younger age groups, teams like Billingham United Girls, Boro Rangers Girls 'Reds' (U8), Coulby Newham Girls, Darlington FC Girls, and FC Hartlepool Girls 'Blues' compete regularly.
The boys' divisions include teams such as 21st Allstars 'Colts', Bishop Auckland St. Marys 'Aces', and Cleveland Juniors 'Reds'. Other notable participating clubs are Guisborough Town, North Ormesby, Nunthorpe Athletic, and Redcar Athletic 'Blues'.
Boro Rangers have been particularly successful recently, with their U16 Girls winning the League Cup in 2024 after a closely contested 1-0 victory against Linthorpe Academicals.
Many teams field multiple squads at different age levels, allowing for development pathways within clubs. This structure helps nurture talent throughout the junior ranks.
The league organizes various competitions including regular league matches and cup tournaments, giving teams multiple opportunities for competitive play throughout the season.
Players
The Teesside Junior Football Alliance League (TJFA) provides a platform for young football talent to develop their skills across various age groups. Players typically range from under-7s to under-18s, with both boys and girls participating in the league structure.
Youth development remains a core focus of the TJFA, with many players progressing through different age categories as they grow. The league organizes competitions that allow players to experience competitive matches in a structured environment.
Several notable professional footballers began their journeys in the TJFA, demonstrating the league's role in the football talent pipeline. Local clubs like Boro Rangers and Marton FC have produced players who went on to join professional academies.
The league maintains statistics for players, though these are typically managed at the team level rather than individually for younger age groups. This approach emphasizes team development over individual achievements for formative age groups.
Players in the TJFA compete in both regular league fixtures and cup competitions throughout the season. The 2024-2025 season has already seen exciting cup finals, including Boro Rangers U16 Girls securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Linthorpe Academicals.
Team structure typically includes:
- U7-U10: Development focused
- U11-U14: Competitive leagues
- U15-U18: Advanced competition
Players receive recognition through team achievements, with results regularly updated to track progress throughout the season.
