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HISTORY
OF THE YORK JUNIOR LEAGUES |
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THE
MITCHELL SPORTS MINI SOCCER LEAGUE |
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Today's
Mitchell League rose from the ashes of its own collapse in 2002,
following 18 months administration by a local soccer school. Barry
Casterton, John Flint and Dave King agreed to take over running the
League and breathed new life into a tradition going back more than
quarter of a century.
Founded in 1976 the Mitchell Sports League has provided a platform for
countless youngsters in and around York to enjoy playing football and
perfect their skills. It had become part of the fabric of North Riding
sporting life and could not be allowed to die.
The remainder of the 2002 season consisted of under 9s and under 10s,
with each club running an A & B team. There were play-off finals
at the end of the season between the best performing teams over the
last 4 booked fixtures, and this formula proved to be hugely
successful and entertaining.
By 2002-03 the introduction of under 7s and under 8s into the league
meant a heavy administrative burden was placed on the officials and,
by 2004-05, the play-off system had to give way to a more manageable
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By
2005-06 there were 16 divisions across 4 age groups playing
mini-soccer at nearly 30 clubs. Following an F.A. decree it was no
longer possible from 2005 to play competitive football at under 7s,
but the League continues to play its part in helping the youngest
players find friendly games. This season the League will provide
competition for under 10s, under 9s and under 8s in 12 divisions of
mini-soccer.
Until the start of 2005 season the results were published in the
Evening Press, the BBC web site, and the YorkFootball web site. In
August 2005 we started our own site (which has been comprehensively
upgraded for 2007-08) and the computerised processing of
results means that match scores are usually published the same
day. This is all administered directly by the Secretary, Graham Reeds.
Barry and Graham have made mini soccer in York stronger than it has
ever been and we aim to go on for the future.
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Graham Reeds
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THE
YORK MITCHELL SPORTS FOOTBALL LEAGUE
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During
1976 Guy Mitchell of proprietor of York Mitchell Sports started to
sponsor local friendly fixtures. This continued until 1979 when a
formal league was born with Dave Wilson (now Minor League Secretary)
administering it. The first League Champions were Stamford
Bridge, and Clifton United won the first League Cup the following
season. The now-defunct Redfearn National Glass achieved the first
League and Cup double in 1980/81 season.
Numerous great sides graced the league over the following seasons:
Osbaldwick were Champions 3 years in succession from 83/84 season,
and the all-conquering Heworth side were unbeaten in all League, Cup
and small sided competitions during 1998/99 season under the
management of John Flint, who became the League Chairman the
following season.
Huntington were the first division 2 champions in 1996/97 season and
the first Division 3 champions during 1999/2000 season.
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The League peaked the
following season with 36 teams. However something had to give and
3 were lost before the start due to several teams being based
between the Knavesmire and Poppleton. As few as 22 teams
entered last season in two divisions, however the League is back up
to 3 divisions for 2007/08.
Dave Wilson stepped down as League Secretary in 1985, Dave Purdy and
Keith Stimpson followed, then Phil Sanderson of Hamilton
Panthers took the reins in 1993, raising the high standard of the
League’s administration, which has continued ever since.
Phil stepped down as Secretary in 1998 as his club Management had
almost become a full time job with Hamilton Panthers boasting 2
teams at every age group. However Phil’s retirement as
Secretary was not made easy when Barry Casterton, his
assistant at Panthers, was asked by the Committee to run the League.
The new team of Barry John and Brian Tomlinson as fixtures Secretary
have continued to date to maintain high standards achieved in the
past.
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Barry Casterton
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THE
RYEDALE JUNIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE
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The
Ryedale Junior Football League has been in operation since 1979 and
is for clubs in the Ryedale and York areas.
Originally there were 3 age groups U11 U13 & U15 with their own
divisions of between 8 and 15 teams.
in the early days there were about 30 clubs from Malton, Pickering,
Helmsley and the east side of what is now York (then Ryedale)
Most of the clubs had teams in all the age groups with Divisions of
between 8 & 15 teams.
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Lads (no girls allowed
then) generally played for one club right through the age groups -
very few transfers!
The age groups meant they played for one team for 2 years & then
moved up to the next age group.
Eventually the League became Under 11s only and gradually, all
the York teams joined.
current FA rules have stopped U10's playing 11-a-side football, so
this league is now the starting place for 11-a-side games.
Brian Drew
Secretary |
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