York Football League
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| York Football League |
|---|
 |
| Founded |
| 1897 |
| Nation |
 England |
| Feeder To |
| West Yorkshire League |
| Divisions |
| Premier Division Division One Division Two Division Three |
| Number of Teams |
| 53 (15 in Premier Division) |
| Levels on Pyramid |
| Level 14 to Level 17 |
| Cups |
| York Senior Cup |
| Current Champions (2006/07) |
| Huntington Rovers (Premier) Haxby United (Division One) Osbaldwick (Division Two) St Clements (Division Three) |
| Website |
| Official Site |
The York Football League is a football competition based in North Yorkshire, England, founded in 1897.[1] Currently it is known under the terms of a sponsorship agreement as the York Leeper Hare Football League, the top level of the league is the York Football League Premier Division.
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[edit] History
When the league was formed in the late 1800s, association football was just beginning to gather popularity in England. The Football League itself had only begun nine years before the York League, it was also founded prior to the city's now primary team York City. Upon the league's formation, nine teams entered into the league, the founding clubs were:
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Throughout the league's history, the only club from the first ever season to continue in an unbroken existence are Rowntrees (now known as Nestlé Rowntree). However, Bishopthorpe United, Easingwold Town and St. Clements are at present still playing in the York League system, after refounding at various points.
Acomb and Rowntrees (along with fellow league team, York YMCA) also went on to become founding members of the Yorkshire League for the 1920-21 season.[2]
Some teams from the York League have climbed the football ladder in the past; Pickering Town played in the league before gaining promotion in 1972. They are currently in the Northern Counties East Premier Division. Also, York Railway Institute and Rowntrees have been crowned champions of the Northern Counties East Division One during the 1980s.
[edit] Recent times
Today it has a total of four divisions including the York and District League Premier Division which sits at level 14 of the English football league system. It is a feeder to the West Yorkshire League. In recent times Dringhouses have been the most dominant side, however they have turned down the opportunity to progress out of the York League system.
Former professional footballers with York City now play in the league, including; Andy McMillan and Christian Fox at Haxby United.
[edit] Member clubs 2007-08
| Official Club Name | Locality | Final Placing in 2006-07 Season |
|---|---|---|
| Copmanthorpe | Copmanthorpe | 5th in Premier Division |
| Dringhouses | Dringhouses | 2nd in Premier Division |
| Dunnington | Dunnington | 6th in Premier Division |
| Hamilton Panthers | York | 2nd in Division One |
| Haxby United | Haxby | 1st in Division One |
| Huntington Rovers | Huntington | 1st in Premier Division |
| Kartiers | Selby | 3rd in Premier Division |
| Malton & Norton | Norton | 10th in Premier Division |
| Nestlé Rowntree | York | 11th in Premier Division |
| Old Malton St Marys | Old Malton | 4th in Premier Division |
| Tate & Lyle Selby | Selby | 9th in Premier Division |
| Thorpe United | Thorpe Willoughby | 12th in Premier Division |
| Tockwith | Tockwith | 7th in Premier Division |
| Wigginton Grasshoppers | Wigginton | 8th in Premier Division |
| York St Johns College | Heworth Green | 13th in Premier Division |
For information on York League clubs who compete in leagues lower than the Premier Division, please see; Division One, Division Two and Division Three.
[edit] Champions
Here is an incomplete list of York Football League top division winners.
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[edit] Reserve divisions
As well as four first team York levels, there are also three reserve divisions. Although it is not mandatory that every York League team enter a reserve team, many do.
- Reserve Division A
Copmanthorpe Reserves | Dringhouses Reserves | Dunnington Reserves | Huntington Rovers Reserves | Kartiers (Selby) Reserves | Nestlé Rowntree Reserves | New Earswick Reserves | Old Malton St Marys Reserves | Pocklington Town Reserves | Rufforth United Reserves | Thorpe United Reserves | York St Johns College Reserves
- Reserve Division B
Amotherby & Swinton Reserves | Bishopthorpe United Reserves | Easingwold Town Reserves | Hamilton Panthers Reserves | Haxby United Reserves | Heworth Reserves | Malton & Norton Reserves | Poppleton United Reserves | Stamford Bridge Reserves | Tockwith Reserves | Wigginton Grasshoppers Reserves | Wilberfoss Reserves
- Reserve Division C
Civil Service Reserves | Fulford United Reserves | Hemingbrough United Reserves | Heslington Reserves | Huby United Reserves | LNER Builders Reserves | Norwich Union Reserves | Ouseburn United Reserves | Riccall United Reserves | Stillington Reserves | White Horse Church Fenton Reserves | York Railway Institute Reserves
