SUNDAY YOUTH TEAM FOOTBALL
Spanning 5 home counties
Formed in 1992, the South Bucks Youth League has always provided a superb footballing experience for boys in the 16-18 age group up until the end of season 2019-20. For many years we were able to offer up to 5 divisions and 4 cup competitions, thereby ensuring a well-balanced competition, attracting teams from Bucks, Berks, Herts, Oxfordshire & Middlesex.
Regretably, our county FA has allowed a rival under 12/16s league to expand into under 17/18s football. This has caused great harm to our league resulting in us having to suspend our league for season 2020/21 (see our League Statement below)
LEAGUE STATEMENT - SEPT 2020
It is with great sadness that we have to inform you that at our league AGM on 27th August, our members agreed to suspend our competition for season 2020/21. This followed a consultation a few days before with those who wanted to remain in our league. The conclusion was that the range of abilities was too vast to form a viable, enjoyable competition.
Most clubs know the background, so there’s no point in us repeating it here. We are just sorry that many of you got caught in the cross-fire. For trying to be a voice for some of our clubs, some of our officers have had to endure personal attacks and defamatory comments. Sadly, our county FA appear to have buried their heads in the sand and have done very little to help us in our hour of need.
On the surface it looks as though most clubs have shown a clear preference for single age groups at under 17/18s level. From feedback we have received, it seems that many clubs let their under 16s managers decide which league to play in moving forward. That was understandable.
In our opinion, youth team football in our area is the loser here not the SBYL. Clubs have made their decision and we respect their wishes with good grace.
We remain saddened about everything that has occurred. Having invested so much of our time providing a league that offered 4 cup competitions and many other benefits, we are left disillusioned about the overall governance of football. We will now take a period of quiet reflection and consider what other options, if any, we may now pursue.
We would like to thank all clubs for their past support, especially those who stuck with us throughout.
FINAL LEAGUE TABLES
With our season coming to a premature close in early March, our clubs voted for the final league tables to be determined on an average points per game basis.
PROUD PARTNER OF WYCOMBE WANDERERS
In 2019, we were pleased to establish a unique partnership with Wycombe Wanderers. Our mid-season Star Performer Awards were presented at Wycombe Wanderers home games.
