The MGM Sports Stroud and District Youth League History

In 1947 an under 18 division was formed within the Stroud and District League, with Leonard Stanley, Frampton United, Stroud Boys Club, Coppice Hill Rovers, Frances Lynch Boys Club, Nailsworth Youth Club, Horsley and Rodborough Old Boys the original teams. A year later, the under 18 division was separated from the men’s league, and thus the Stroud and District Youth League was borne!

The very first game played saw Nailsworth Y.C. beat Rodborough O.B. 7 – 3. The league was won by an unbeaten Frampton United, who were also the winners of the cup competition which had its’ trophy donated by the local Red Cross.

In 1951 an under 15 division was added with Uplands winning the league. Problems arose however with Saturday football, as school teams played on Saturdays, and despite an experiment with an under 16 division the League reverted back to just an under 18 division in 1955. In 1962 the under 16 division was resurrected and continues to this day.

The 1970’s saw the introduction of divisions at under 14 (1971) and under 12 (1974) along with the demise of both under 18 divisions (Saturday and Sunday). The size of the divisions continued to grow throughout the 1980’s with two divisions at each age group. In 1990 an under 11 division was added followed by under 13 (1992) and under 15 (1993) divisions. With the advent of the seven a side mini league system for younger players the League dropped the under 11 division in 2000.