Two major grassroots football leagues operate in central Warwickshire and the West Midlands—the Central Warwickshire Youth Football League (CWYFL) for boys and mixed youth teams, and the Central Warwickshire Girls & Women’s Football League (CWGFL) for female players from Under-8 through to Under-18. Both leagues sit beneath the national Football Association framework, feed into the wider non-league football pyramid, and use The FA’s official Full-Time platform for publishing fixtures and results.
CWGFL: ~300 teams · U8–U18 age groups · Girls and women’s grassroots football · Governed by The FA · Fixtures and results via FA Full-Time
League Overview
- Central Warwickshire Youth Football League (CWYFL) – boys and mixed youth, U7–U18, founded 1969
- Central Warwickshire Girls & Women’s Football League (CWGFL) – girls and women, U8–U18, approximately 300 teams
- Both leagues affiliated with The Football Association and aligned with Birmingham County Football Association
Age Groups and Divisions
- CWYFL covers U7 through to U18 with multiple divisions per age group, including Premier and Division 1 tiers
- CWGFL runs parallel youth divisions from U8 through to U18, with matches typically on Saturday mornings
- Mini-soccer ages use 31 August cut-off date; U7 and U8 players must have turned six but be under seven or eight on 31 August
Key Contacts
- CWGFL Secretary Les Barrett – secretary@cwgfl.eu, postal address in Birmingham
- CWGFL Fixture Secretary John McCormack – fixtures@cwgfl.eu
- CWGFL League Welfare Officer – contact details on CWGFL Welcome page
- Coventry & Warwickshire Youth League Secretary – secretary@cwyl.uk
Fees and Deposits
- CWYFL annual subscription: £100 per team for Under-17 and Under-18; £65 per team for other 11-a-side and mini-soccer teams
- Standard club deposit: £50 on election, refundable upon leaving if fixtures and league orders are fulfilled
- Additional deposit for U17/U18 clubs: £150 per team
- Entry fee for new teams: 50% of the previous season’s league fee per team (refunded if not elected)
| Attribute | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CWYFL founded | 1969 | Youth Football The Mag |
| CWYFL competition area | 15-mile radius from Solihull town centre | CWYFL Rules (Olton Ravens) |
| CWYFL maximum member clubs | Not more than 200 full member clubs | CWYFL Rules (Olton Ravens) |
| CWGFL team count | Approximately 300 teams (U8–U18) | CWGFL official site |
| CWYFL team count | About 600 teams (U7–U18) | Youth Football The Mag |
| Player age reference date | Midnight on 31 August of the playing season | CWYFL Rules (Olton Ravens) |
| CWGFL fixtures and results platform | The FA Full-Time system | FA Full-Time – CWGFL |
What is the Central Warwickshire Youth Football League?
The Central Warwickshire Youth Football League (CWYFL) is one of the largest youth football leagues in Europe, founded in 1969 by Ken Brownhill, Wally Hedgley, and Paul Hyde. The league operates under formal rules that define its competition area as a 15-mile radius from Solihull town centre, with a cap of not more than 200 full member clubs. Member clubs must be affiliated to an appropriate County Football Association—typically the Birmingham County Football Association—with club details returned annually on Form D.
Overview of the league structure
CWYFL hosts around 600 teams across age groups from Under-7 through to Under-18, offering competitive football in multiple divisions including Premier and Division 1 tiers. The league is managed by a volunteer committee, with Wally Hedgley serving as President, Nigel Smith as Chairman, and Dave Arrowsmith as League Secretary at the time of the most recent public profile. A separate league—CWGFL—handles girls’ and women’s football in the same geographic area.
Age groups and divisions
CWYFL divides its competition by age groups, with mini-soccer (Under-7 to Under-10) operating under modified rules. The league’s age qualification uses midnight on 31 August of the playing season as the reference date: a player must have turned six but remain under seven on that date to qualify for Under-7, for example. This structured approach ensures consistent eligibility across all member clubs.
Governing body and affiliation
Both CWYFL and CWGFL operate under The Football Association’s framework, adopting FA policies including safeguarding children procedures. The leagues feed into the broader non-league football ecosystem, with clubs potentially progressing toward senior football through affiliated channels. Birmingham County Football Association serves as the primary administrative liaison for CWYFL club registrations.
Tip: Clubs seeking to understand the non-league football pyramid can consult Non League Matters guide on Footypedia for context on where grassroots youth leagues sit within the wider structure.
Which teams play in the Central Warwickshire football league?
Hundreds of teams compete across CWYFL’s multiple divisions, with member clubs spanning the 15-mile radius from Solihull. The original nine clubs when CWYFL launched in 1969 included Claverdon, Balsall Hornets, Hockley Heath, Earlswood, Widney Athletic, Barston, Bearley United, Chadwick End, and Rowington. Today’s league has grown substantially, though exact current numbers fluctuate season to season.
List of participating clubs
Individual clubs maintain their own online presences. Stratford Town Women & Girls FC, for instance, competes in CWGFL, trains on Mondays at Stratford Town FC, and plays matches on Saturday mornings. Maypole Football Club historically used CWYFL for home fixtures at Silver Street, Wythall, illustrating how clubs develop through the league structure over time.
How to find team contact information
The FA Full-Time platform provides a searchable directory of teams by division and age group. Clubs also publish contact details on their own websites, and the England Football Find Football service allows parents and players to locate local teams that feed into leagues such as CWGFL and CWYFL.
Team directory via FA Full-Time
Visit the FA Full-Time CWGFL page to browse divisions, view team rosters, and access match schedules. The platform covers league and cup matches with detailed listings including kick-off times. CWGFL migrated to a dedicated website in January 2021 while continuing to use Full-Time for fixtures and results.
Note: The Coventry & Warwickshire Youth League (CWYL) operates as a separate organisation in the same county, with its own fixtures and joining process. Clubs considering multiple affiliations should verify which league’s geographic boundaries apply to their location.
Where can I find Central Warwickshire league fixtures and results?
Fixtures and results for CWGFL are published exclusively through The FA’s Full-Time system. The platform provides detailed match listings for league and cup matches, including age groups, divisions, venues, and kick-off times. Both league and cup competition results are updated following match completion.
Fixtures on FA Full-Time
Navigate to the FA Full-Time Central Warwickshire Girls Football League page and select the appropriate age group and division from the navigation menu. Matches are listed chronologically with home and away team names, venue details, and scheduled times.
Results for U12 and other age groups
Results for Under-12 and all other youth age groups appear on the same Full-Time platform under their respective division pages. The league structure means each age group maintains its own set of divisions, so users should filter by the specific age category when searching for results.
Third-party fixtures pages
Some clubs and unofficial aggregators publish fixtures independently. The TeamStats CWYFL overview offers an alternative view of league structure and divisions. However, FA Full-Time remains the official and authoritative source for match schedules and results.
“We post weekly results on our club Facebook page the day after matches, so parents can check scores even if they couldn’t attend.” — Club representative, quoted in local football community forum
How to apply for the Central Warwickshire youth league?
Clubs wishing to join CWYFL must submit written applications to the Registration Secretary, accompanied by an entry fee equivalent to 50% of the previous season’s league fee per team. This fee is refunded if the application is not successful. Existing clubs adding additional teams follow the same process.
Step-by-step application process
- Confirm your club is affiliated with an appropriate County Football Association before applying.
- Prepare a written application addressed to the CWYFL Registration Secretary.
- Calculate the entry fee: 50% of the previous season’s league fee per team being entered.
- Submit the application and fee before the relevant deadline (typically before the May league meeting).
- Attend the registration night held in May at the league headquarters (historically Land Rover Sports & Social Club, Solihull).
- Pay any remaining league fees and collect confirmation of your club’s registration for the upcoming season.
Required documentation
Clubs must provide proof of County FA affiliation as part of the application. The annual return of club names and particulars is handled through Form D to Birmingham County Football Association. Ensure player registrations are complete before the August league meeting, as teams failing to register any players by that date face expulsion and fee forfeiture.
Contact details for applications
For CWGFL applications, contact League Secretary Les Barrett at secretary@cwgfl.eu or via post to the Birmingham address listed on the CWGFL Welcome page. CWYL applications route through secretary@cwyl.uk. CWYFL applications go directly to the Registration Secretary as specified in the league rules.
Warning: CWYFL rules state that any team failing to register players by the August league meeting will be expelled from the league and will forfeit all fees. Ensure your club completes player registrations well before this deadline.
What are the referee fees for the Central Warwickshire girls league?
Referee fees for CWGFL matches vary by age group and match type, with younger age groups typically incurring lower costs. The league sets its fee structure in alignment with FA guidelines, and payment is normally made on match day directly to the match official.
Standard referee fee schedule
While specific current fees are published on the CWGFL website or distributed to member clubs, the FA provides general guidance on referee fees for grassroots football. Generally, 11-a-side matches attract higher fees than mini-soccer formats, and cup matches may carry different rates than league fixtures. Clubs should confirm the current schedule with the league before each season.
How to pay referee fees
Payment is typically made in cash on match day to the referee or assistant referee. Some leagues and clubs are moving toward digital payment options, but match officials should be consulted in advance to confirm acceptable payment methods.
Differences between age groups
Mini-soccer matches (Under-7 to Under-10) involve smaller pitches and shorter durations, resulting in reduced referee fees compared to full 11-a-side youth matches (Under-11 and above). The CWYFL rules apply these distinctions across their competition structure, and CWGFL follows similar principles for its parallel youth divisions.
“Referee fees are one of those costs that catch new clubs by surprise—always budget for them separately from your league subscription.” — experienced youth club treasurer, community football forum
Bottom line: Clubs wishing to enter CWYFL or CWGFL must submit written applications with the appropriate entry fee, ensure County FA affiliation is current, and complete player registrations before the August deadline. For fixtures, results, and current fee schedules, rely on FA Full-Time and league websites rather than third-party sources.
Related reading: **Non League Matters** · **England Under 19**
cwyl.helpwithit.co.uk, maypolefootballclub.co.uk, stwgfc.co.uk, juniorgrassrootshub.com, nfyl.co.uk, sverigeposten.se
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the CWYFL and CWGFL?
CWYFL (Central Warwickshire Youth Football League) organises boys’ and mixed youth football from Under-7 to Under-18. CWGFL (Central Warwickshire Girls & Women’s Football League) runs separate girls’ and women’s competitions from Under-8 to Under-18. Both use FA Full-Time for fixtures and results but operate as distinct organisations with their own committees and contact points.
Are there any adult football leagues in Central Warwickshire?
Both leagues focus on youth age groups (typically Under-18 and below). Adult football in the region falls under separate senior football structures within the non-league pyramid. Clubs progressing from youth football may feed into adult teams affiliated with County FAs.
How are fixtures published each season?
CWGFL fixtures and results are published via The FA’s Full-Time platform. CWYFL also uses Full-Time for its competition management. Fixtures are typically released before the season begins, with match schedules accessible by age group and division.
Can girls play in the youth league or only the girls league?
CWGFL provides dedicated competitive football for female players. Some CWYFL divisions may permit mixed teams depending on age group and league rules. For girls specifically, CWGFL offers the primary pathway from Under-8 through to Under-18, with matches typically scheduled for Saturday mornings.
What is the contact email for the league?
CWGFL League Secretary Les Barrett can be reached at secretary@cwgfl.eu. Fixture Secretary John McCormack handles match scheduling at fixtures@cwgfl.eu. CWYL contact is secretary@cwyl.uk.
How do I become a referee for Central Warwickshire matches?
Referee training and registration is handled through the County FA, not directly by the leagues. Contact Birmingham County Football Association for information on becoming a qualified referee. The FA also provides resources for referee development through its national programmes.
Is there a central calendar for all West Midlands youth leagues?
No single central calendar exists for West Midlands youth football. Each league publishes its own fixtures independently, primarily through FA Full-Time. The England Football Find Football service helps players and parents locate opportunities across the region.
Ingrid Malmstrom
Senior Football Editor — Ingrid Malmstrom oversees club, league, and player profile coverage. Her editorial focus is European football, historical records, and ensuring that profiles are clearly sourced, consistently structured, and regularly updated.