York Football League

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York Football League
File:Yorkfootballleague.jpg
Founded
1897
Nation
England
Feeder To
Northern Counties East League
Divisions
Premier Division
Division One
Division Two
Division Three
Division Four
Number of Teams
58 (15 in Premier Division)
Levels on Pyramid
Level 11 to Level 15
Cups
York Senior Cup
Current Champions (2014–15)
Riccall United (Premier Division)
F1 Racing (Division One)
Sporting Knavesmire (Division Two)
Kirkbymoorside (Division Three)
Cawood (Division Four)
Website
Official Website
Twitter
@MinsterFootball / Official Twitter feed

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 Minster Engineering Football League. It currently sits at level 11 in the English football pyramid. It is a member of the North Riding County Football Association. The most successful York clubs in history in terms of championships won are Dringhouses, York Railway Institute, Osbaldwick and Rowntrees. Three teams which now compete at higher levels in the English football system once competed in the York Football League, these are; Pickering Town, Tadcaster Albion and Knaresborough Town.

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:

 
  • Acomb
  • Bishopthorpe
  • Easingwold
   
  • York St. Clements
  • York Trinity
  • York Wednesday
File:PoppletonFootball1908.jpg
York League side Poppleton United in 1908.

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) until their demise at the start of the 2013–14 season.

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 League Division One during the 1980s.

Recent times

Today it has a total of five divisions (and three reserve divisions) including the York League Premier Division which sits at level 11 of the English football league system. The league title has been regularly changing with no team retaining its since 2007–08 when Huntington Rovers achieved it. A number of teams that have recently joined the league have progressed successfully though the divisions to the Premier Division (Terrington Glory, Tadcaster Magnets, F1 Racing).

New teams entering for the 2015-16 season are Heworth Green, Howden AFC, Malt Shovel (of Selby), New York WMC and Pollington.

Former professional footballers with York City played in the league, including; Andy McMillan and Christian Fox at Haxby United.

Member clubs 2015–16

Premier Division

  • Brooklyn FC
  • Church Fenton White Horse
  • Copmanthorpe
  • Dringhouses
  • Dunnington
  • F1 Racing
  • Harrison's Signs
  • Huntington Rovers
  • Old Malton St. Mary's
  • Osbaldwick
  • Riccall United
  • Tadcaster Magnets
  • Terrington Glory
  • Wigginton Grasshoppers
  • York Railway Institute

Division One

  • Cliffe
  • Easingwold Town
  • Hemingbrough United
  • Heslington
  • Malton & Norton
  • Pocklington Town Reserves
  • Poppleton United
  • Rawcliffe
  • Sporting Knavesmire
  • St. Clements
  • Tockwith AFC
  • York St. John University

Division Two

  • Barmby Moor
  • Bishopthorpe United
  • Fulford
  • Hamilton Panthers
  • Haxby United
  • Kirkbymoorside
  • Ouseburn United
  • Stamford Bridge
  • Strensall
  • Thorpe United
  • Total Sports United

Division Three

  • Bishop Wilton
  • Bubwith
  • Cawood
  • Civil Service
  • Huby United
  • Jorvik Blades
  • Moor Lane
  • Rufforth United
  • Selby Olympia
  • South Milford
  • Wilberfoss

Division Four

  • Crayke
  • Heworth Green
  • Howden AFC
  • Huntington FC
  • London & North Eastern Railway Builders
  • Malt Shovel
  • New York WMC
  • Pollington
  • Settrington FC
  • The Raj FC
  • Wetherby Athletic 'A'
  • Wheldrake

Champions

Premier Division

Here is an incomplete list of York Football League top division winners.

Division One

Below is an incomplete list of previous champions at the second level of York League football. From 1923 until 1960 (with the exception of 1932–33, 1939–40 and 1946–47), this division was split into two groups, hence why for those years there are two champions.

Division Two

Below is an incomplete list of previous champions at the third level of York League football. The most common structure for the league was where it was split into two groups at the same level, hence the reason for two champions in some seasons. At times there were even three groups under the same league at this level.

Division Three

Below is an incomplete list of previous champions at the fourth level of York League football in all forms.

References

External links