Hertfordshire County Football Association
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| Formation | 1885 |
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| Purpose | Football association |
| Headquarters |
County Ground Baldock Road |
| Location |
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Chief Executive | Nick Perchard |
| Website | hertfordshirefa.com |
The Hertfordshire County Football Association, also simply known as Hertfordshire FA, is the governing body of football in the county of Hertfordshire, England. The Hertfordshire FA was founded accidentally in 1885 after the existing teams (then numbering around 20) agreed to hold a meeting to discuss their position, and ended up affiliating.
History
In the early 1880s there were already 20 clubs operating in Hertfordshire and with interest continuing to grow, the Secretary of St Albans F.C., Mr R Cook called a meeting in 1885 which was to have been held at The Football Association's Headquarters, then at 51 High Holborn in Central London but on arrival they found the offices closed. An alternative venue was found for the meeting at the nearby The Farringdon Pub in Holborn.
In its first season 20 clubs affiliated and numbers substantially increased year on year. Today the number stands close to 2,500 teams.
Key dates in the development of Hertfordshire County FA are detailed below:
1885 – Association formed with 20 member clubs
1894 – Under the guidance of Mr.H.W. English, a master at Hitchin Grammar School and Secretary of the Association from 1894–98 a scheme to control the Association's affairs by a council was introduced. The initial scheme, albeit developed and improved still forms the basis on which the administration of the Hertfordshire FA is conducted today.
1901 – Huge difficulties facing the association until a man of the moment, George Wagstaffe Simmons stepped in. During Wagstaffe Simmons 18 years as Secretary the Association's fortunes were transformed. When he took over there were less than 40 clubs with funds available under £20. When he handed over to his successor the membership had grown, over 200 clubs affiliated and had assets of £500-£66- an enormous sum on money in those days, coming at the end of The Great War.
1924 – Wagstaffe Simmons appointed Chairman of the Hertfordshire FA Council and also represented the Hertfordshire FA on the Council of The Football Association, positions he held until 1951. During his time with The FA he became Chairman of the International Selection Committee and established reputation, not only as an eloquent speaker on all subjects relating to the game, but as authority on its laws and admissions.
1935 – County Association reaches its Golden Anniversary with a Jubilee Banquet and Concert held at the Holborn Restaurant. During the evening Mr. Wagstaffe Simmons was able to say 'I do not suggest that the Hertfordshire FA Council is perfect, but its not far off'. Proposing the toast to the Hertfordshire FA was Sir Stanley Rous, Secretary of The Football Association, who ten years prior to his appointment to football's top job was a member of the Hertfordshire FA Council.
1951–61 – During this period Hertfordshire's population increased by 34% which caused huge problems in relation to playing fields and recreational facilities. The Association applied to The FA for financial aid, without which the necessary work could not be undertaken.
1960 – The Association celebrated its 75th Anniversary and at the Dinner Sir Stanley Rous, now a knight of the Realm, proposed the toast to Hertfordshire FA. In 1985 Sir Stanley completed an amazing treble when he was guest of honour at the Association's Centenary Celebrations held at Watford Town Hall.
1961 – Sunday Football was brought under the control of the Hertfordshire FA and its rapid expansion introduced many new players to the game by hundreds.
1998 – Hertfordshire County Youth F.A. becomes part of the Hertfordshire FA.
1999 – Hertfordshire FA becomes a Limited Company, one of the first Counties in England to take this step. Managing Director Ron Kibble announces that the Association's nomadic existence was finally over when we bought the Lease of Letchworth Football Club Ground through the hard work of Mr Kibble, Eric Hand and Cecil Hudson. New County FA Headquarters were opened in Letchworth.
Hertfordshire have many people who served their County year after year, some being Ernest Scott, W.R. Watson, George Wagstaffe Simmons, Percy Poulter and Arthur Aldridge. [1]
Organisation
Hertfordshire County FA has a team of staff that look to safeguard and develop football within the county. Based at The County Ground in Letchworth, both the Governance and Development teams work together in improving the football experience for all within Hertfordshire.
- The Governance Team – deals with Discipline, Competitions, Referees, Affiliations and all general enquiries regarding the administration side of grassroots football across the County.
- The Development Team – deals with Charter Standard, Coach Education, Women & Girls, Disability, Small Sided football, Facilities, Funding and working with key partners to develop more opportunities to Get Involved in the game.[2]
Affiliated Leagues
Men's Saturday Leagues
Youth Leagues
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Men's Sunday Leagues
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Ladies and Girls Leagues
Small Sided Leagues
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Disbanded or Amalgamated Leagues
A number of leagues that were affiliated to the Hertfordshire County FA have disbanded or amalgamated with other leagues including:
- Buntingford and District League
- Herts and Middlesex League
- Mid-Herts Football League
- North Hertfordshire League
- Verulam and District Sunday League (merged with the Review Sunday Football League)
- Watford and District Churches League
Affiliated Member Clubs
Among the notable clubs that are (or have been) affiliated to the Hertfordshire County FA are:
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County Cup Competitions
The Hertfordshire County FA run the following Cup Competitions:
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Source[8]
List of recent Hertfordshire County Cup Winners
| Season | Hertfordshire Senior Challenge Cup | Hertfordshire Senior Centenary Trophy | Hertfordshire Charity Cup | Hertfordshire Charity Shield | Hertfordshire Intermediate Cup |
Hertfordshire Junior Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004–05 | St Albans City | Oxhey Jets | Hemel Hempstead Town | Potters Bar Town | Buntingford Town | Marina O.S. Sports |
| 2005–06 | Bishop's Stortford | Codicote | Boreham Wood | Sawbridgeworth Town | Bishop's Stortford Swifts | Bengeo Trinity |
| 2006–07 | Barnet | London Lions | Potters Bar Town | Leverstock Green | Kings Langley | Kings Sports |
| 2007–08 | Boreham Wood | Hoddesdon Town | Cheshunt | Tring Athletic | Kings Langley | Nirankari North Herts |
| 2008–09 | Stevenage Borough | Hoddesdon Town | Hemel Hempstead Town | Broxbourne Borough V & E | Bishop's Stortford Swifts | Hemel Hempstead Rovers |
| 2009–10 | Bishop's Stortford | London Colney | Hemel Hempstead Town | Oxhey Jets | Oxhey Jets Reserves | Berkhamsted Sports |
| 2010–11 | Barnet | London Lions | Bishop's Stortford | Leverstock Green | Hadley Reserves | Park Street Village |
Source[9]
2010–11 County Cup Winners
| Competition | 2010–11 Holders |
|---|---|
| Hertfordshire Senior Challenge Cup | Barnet |
| Hertfordshire Centenary Trophy | London Lions |
| Hertfordshire Charity Cup | Bishop's Stortford |
| Hertfordshire Charity Shield | Leverstock Green |
| Hertfordshire Intermediate Cup | Hadley Reserves |
| Hertfordshire Junior Cup | Park Street Village |
| Hertfordshire Sunday Senior Cup | Belstone (Sunday) |
| Hertfordshire Sunday Intermediate Cup | FC Nirankari Reserves |
| Hertfordshire Sunday Junior Cup | Bedwell Rangers (CSSL) |
| Hertfordshire Veteran's Cup | Garston Veterans |
| Hertfordshire Women's Cup | Arsenal Ladies Reserves |
Source[10]
Directors & Officials
Board of Directors
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Key Officials
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External links
References
- ↑ "Hertfordshire County FA – About Us – History". Hertfordshire County FA. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- ↑ "Hertfordshire County FA – About Us". Hertfordshire County FA. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- ↑ "Hertfordshire County FA – Saturday Leagues". Hertfordshire County FA. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- ↑ "Hertfordshire County FA – Youth Leagues". Hertfordshire County FA. Retrieved 2011-06-16.
- ↑ "Hertfordshire County FA – Sunday Leagues". Hertfordshire County FA. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- ↑ "Hertfordshire County FA – Youth Leagues". Hertfordshire County FA. Retrieved 2011-06-16.
- ↑ "Hertfordshire County FA – Small Sided Football". Hertfordshire County FA. Retrieved 2011-06-16.
- ↑ "Hertfordshire County FA – Fixtures & Results – County Cups". Hertfordshire County FA. Retrieved 2011-06-16.
- ↑ "Hertfordshire County FA – Fixtures & Results – County Cups". Hertfordshire County FA. Retrieved 2011-06-16.
- ↑ "Hertfordshire County FA – Fixtures & Results – County Cups". Hertfordshire County FA. Retrieved 2011-06-16.
- ↑ "Hertfordshire County FA – About Us – Contacts". Hertfordshire County FA. Retrieved 2011-06-16.
- ↑ "Hertfordshire County FA – About Us – Contacts". Hertfordshire County FA. Retrieved 2011-06-16.