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ABOUT US

The Bridgend Port Talbot Junior Football League in the South of Wales is the newest league within Welsh Football, hosting 28 clubs across multiple divisions and various cup competitions with age groups from Under 7’s to Under 16’s. The creation of the new league will increase the participation of football within the local area, and add to the existing history of its predecessors.

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BRIDGEND & DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE (1928)


The Bridgend and District Football League started in 1928 hosting senior football only. The idea of junior football within the Bridgend area came to light in the Farmers Arms, Cefn Cribwr in 1976. At that time the Bridgend League could not accommodate junior football, meaning the Bridgend junior teams entered the Port Talbot League under the secretary Ted Latham. Four seasons and two Welsh caps later they returned to the Bridgend League when they had established junior divisions. The Bridgend and District Football League still operates today, however only caters for adult football.

Mr John Phillips, the first chairman of our newly formed league for the 2019/20 season, started his career as a referee in the Bridgend League in 1962. He served as secretary of the League until 1985 and then joined the SWFA to continue his contribution to football. Mr Phillips is not the only long serving member, as Mrs Jean Owen has enjoyed over 40 years as a Bridgend League Officer, occupying various positions until she settled into her role as safeguarding officer. Jean supported the safeguarding section of the new BPTFL in the first 2019/20 season.

Over the years, the Bridgend League has grown from strength to strength, and in 2000 expanded to include a mini section. For at least the last decade the committee members have provided ‘safe hands’ to guide and care for around 33 senior clubs, 40 junior sides and 16 clubs running mini sections.

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PORT TALBOT & DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE (1926)


The Port Talbot & District League was founded in 1926 and although there would not have been an extensive junior set up at that time, the earliest recording of junior football is circa 1932-33 season. This is believed to be at under 14’s/15’s age groups. The Port Talbot and District Football League still operates today, however only caters for adult football.

After the war the development of junior football progressed with the creation of under 12’s and under 14’s teams. During the 1960’s the map of junior football changed dramatically with the Port Talbot League running divisions at under 13’s, 15’s, 16’s and 17’s, with the growth continuing not long after introducing under 11’s and 10’s.
 
In 1992 the Governing body in Wales (FAW) re-structured the whole of the football perspective by making everything under the age of 12 small sided and non-competitive.

In more recent times, there was a focus on trying to grow the game for juniors within the area. Due to a lack of numbers within a particular age group, four Port Talbot teams entered the Bridgend & District Football League as a trial towards the proposed merger. The feedback from the participating teams was very positive, playing against new teams and playing at different venues. As a result of this, the process began to look at the possibilities for a combined League playing football at single age groups across Bridgend and Port Talbot. It’s a process that struggled to get off the ground, but having had the seeds planted in the last season (18/19), a lot of work went into delivering the project for the 2019/20 season.

WELCOME MESSAGE FROM
THE LEAGUE SECRETARY


Welcome to the newly formed Bridgend Port Talbot Junior Football League. This is the start of a new adventure for all junior and mini clubs in the area, which will not only sustain enthusiasm but also create a strong and robust football set up, which will, in turn, develop young players and lead to increased participation.

I have been involved in football for over fifty years, as a player, referee and officer of the two leagues for the last 24 years. I am proud to have been asked to steer this new league venture in it’s early seasons.

Let’s now look forward to a bright future in football for the areas of Bridgend & Port Talbot.
Dave King
League Secretary


Bridgend Port Talbot Football League in the South of Wales, hosting 30 clubs across multiple divisions and competitions.

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