Bedfordshire County Football Association
Encyclopedia
The Bedfordshire County Football Association, also simply known as Bedfordshire FA, is the governing body of football in the county of Bedfordshire
, England
. Founded in 1894, the Bedfordshire FA run a number of cups at different levels for teams across Bedfordshire
.
.
On the 18th January 1894 the ‘Luton News’ newspaper reported that the meeting was attended by “a good muster of young men representing the junior clubs and others interested in the welfare of football” who were in favour of a County Football Association being formed. One month later the Association was officially formed and the first Annual General Meeting was held on 30th August of the same year, electing Mr G.H. Barford as the Associations first President.
The Bedfordshire Football Association has been in existence for over 100 years and nowadays can claim a membership of over 500 clubs in Bedfordshire
. The Association has its own Headquarters at Century House, Dunstable
and look forward to the years ahead since football has never been so popular.
The Bedfordshire FA recognises that football development and improved governance of the game, including administration improvements, are essential in order that everyone who wants to can become involved in football.
Footnote: **Part of the English football league system
.
Source
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Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire is a ceremonial county of historic origin in England that forms part of the East of England region.It borders Cambridgeshire to the north-east, Northamptonshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the west and Hertfordshire to the south-east....
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Founded in 1894, the Bedfordshire FA run a number of cups at different levels for teams across Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire is a ceremonial county of historic origin in England that forms part of the East of England region.It borders Cambridgeshire to the north-east, Northamptonshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the west and Hertfordshire to the south-east....
.
History and Organisation
The Bedfordshire Football Association was founded in 1894 when an invitation was sent from Mr. G.H. Barford of the Luton Town club to all clubs in the County to attend a meeting at the Cowper Arms Coffee Tavern in LutonLuton
Luton is a large town and unitary authority of Bedfordshire, England, 30 miles north of London. Luton and its near neighbours, Dunstable and Houghton Regis, form the Luton/Dunstable Urban Area with a population of about 250,000....
.
On the 18th January 1894 the ‘Luton News’ newspaper reported that the meeting was attended by “a good muster of young men representing the junior clubs and others interested in the welfare of football” who were in favour of a County Football Association being formed. One month later the Association was officially formed and the first Annual General Meeting was held on 30th August of the same year, electing Mr G.H. Barford as the Associations first President.
The Bedfordshire Football Association has been in existence for over 100 years and nowadays can claim a membership of over 500 clubs in Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire is a ceremonial county of historic origin in England that forms part of the East of England region.It borders Cambridgeshire to the north-east, Northamptonshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the west and Hertfordshire to the south-east....
. The Association has its own Headquarters at Century House, Dunstable
Dunstable
Dunstable is a market town and civil parish located in Bedfordshire, England. It lies on the eastward tail spurs of the Chiltern Hills, 30 miles north of London. These geographical features form several steep chalk escarpments most noticeable when approaching Dunstable from the north.-Etymology:In...
and look forward to the years ahead since football has never been so popular.
The Bedfordshire FA recognises that football development and improved governance of the game, including administration improvements, are essential in order that everyone who wants to can become involved in football.
Men's Saturday Leagues
- Spartan South Midlands League**
- Bedfordshire County League**
- Luton District and South Beds League
Footnote: **Part of the English football league system
English football league system
The English football league system, also known as the football pyramid, is a series of interconnected leagues for association football clubs in England, with six teams from Wales also competing...
.
Small Sided Leagues
- AGP Leagues - Bedfordshire FA
- Bedford 6 a side League (Leisure Leagues)
- Luton (Mundial)
- Soccer PM League - Bedford
Men's Sunday Leagues
- Bedford and District Sunday League
- North Home Counties Sunday League
- Leighton and District Sunday League
- Luton Sunday League
- South Beds Sunday League
Ladies and Girls Leagues
Youth Leagues
- Chiltern Youth League
- Bedfordshire Youth Saturday League
- Bedfordshire Mini Soccer League
- Chiltern Junior Sevens
- Mid Beds Mini League
- Dunstable and District Lower Schools League
Disbanded or Amalgamated Leagues
A number of leagues that were affiliated to the Bedfordshire County FA have disbanded or amalgamated with other leagues including:- Bedford and District League
- Biggleswade and District League
- Dunstable and District Youth League (amalgamated with the Luton and District Youth League to become the Chiltern Youth League)
- Leighton and District League
- Luton and District League
- Luton and District Youth League (amalgamated with the Dunstable and District Youth League to become the Chiltern Youth League)
- South Beds Saturday League (now known as the Bedfordshire Youth Saturday League)
Affiliated Member Clubs
Among the notable clubs that are affiliated to the Bedfordshire County FA are:- AFC DunstableA.F.C. DunstableAFC Dunstable are a football club based in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, England. The club is affiliated to the Bedfordshire County Football Association.-History:...
- AFC Kempston RoversA.F.C. Kempston RoversAFC Kempston Rovers is a football club based in Kempston, Bedfordshire, England. For the 2010-11 season, they are members of the United Counties Football League Premier Division.The club is affiliated to the Bedfordshire County Football Association....
- Ampthill TownAmpthill Town F.C.Ampthill Town F.C. is an English football club based in Ampthill, Bedfordshire. The club are currently members of Division One of the Spartan South Midlands League and play at Ampthill Park....
- Arlesey TownArlesey Town F.C.Arlesey Town Football Club is an English association football club from Arlesey, Bedfordshire, England. They currently play in the Southern Football League Premier Division.The club is affiliated to the Bedfordshire County Football Association.-History:...
- Barton RoversBarton Rovers F.C.Barton Rovers F.C. are a semi-professional association football club located in the village of Barton-le-Clay, near Luton in Bedfordshire, England. They currently play in the Southern Football League Division One Central and play their home games at Sharpenhoe Road.The club is affiliated to the...
- Bedford
- Bedford TownBedford Town F.C.Bedford Town F.C. is an English football club based in the Borough of Bedford. The club are currently members of the Southern League Premier Division and play at The New Eyrie in Cardington, a parish on the outskirts of Bedford....
- Biggleswade TownBiggleswade Town F.C.Biggleswade Town F.C. is an English football club based in Biggleswade. The club are currently members of Division One Central of the Southern League and play at the Carlsberg Stadium.-History:The club were established in 1874 as Biggleswade & District...
- Biggleswade UnitedBiggleswade United F.C.Biggleswade United F.C. are a football club based in Biggleswade, England. The club is affiliated to the Bedfordshire County Football Association.- History :...
- Brache Sparta Community
- CaddingtonCaddington F.C.Caddington F.C. are a football club based in Caddington, near Luton, England. They joined the South Midlands League Division One in 1986. In the 2011–12 season, they are members of the Spartan South Midlands League Division Two....
- Cranfield UnitedCranfield United F.C.Cranfield United F.C. is a football club based in Cranfield, near Bedford, Bedfordshire, England. They joined the South Midlands League in 1949. They are currently members of the Spartan South Midlands League Division One....
- Crawley Green SportsCrawley Green Sports F.C.Crawley Green Football Club are a football club based in Crawley Green, a ward of Luton, England. They joined the South Midlands League Division One in 1995, and when that league merged with the Spartan League two years later, became founder members of the new Spartan South Midlands League, leaving...
- Dunstable TownDunstable Town F.C.Dunstable Town have always been associated with Royal Blue and White, in a number of combinations. Unlike some of the larger clubs who hold an identity with one particular pattern, Dunstable have had stripes, hoops, halves, quarters, pin stripe and plain shirts...
- Kent AthleticKent Athletic F.C.Kent Athletic F.C. are a football club based in Leagrave, in Luton Bedfordshire, England. They joined the South Midlands League Division One in 1994, and when that league merged with the Spartan League in 1997 became founder members of the new Spartan South Midlands League...
- LangfordLangford F.C.Langford F.C. are a football club based in Langford, near Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, England. They joined the South Midlands League in 1951. In the 1995-96 season, they reached the 2nd round of the FA Vase. For the 2011-12 season, they are members of the Spartan South Midlands Football League...
- Leighton Town Leighton Town F.C.Leighton Town F.C. are an English football club located in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. They were established in 1885. The club plays home games at Bell Close and currently play in Southern League Division One Central.-History:...
- Luton Old Boys
- Luton TownLuton Town F.C.Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
- Potton UnitedPotton United F.C.Potton United F.C. is an English football club based in Potton, Bedfordshire. The club are currently members of Division One of the United Counties League and play at the Hollow.-History:...
- Shefford Town & Campton
- StotfoldStotfold F.C.Stotfold F.C. is a football club based at Stotfold, Bedfordshire, England.-History:Though the club was officially formed in 1904, it is believed that there was a football club in the town earlier than this. In 1911, the Eagles’ current ground was a meadow called "Roker", used by Stotfold Athletic...
- The 61 FC (Luton)The 61 F.C. (Luton)The 61 F.C. is a football club based in Luton, Bedfordshire, England. The team joined the Hellenic League Division Two in 1972 switching to the South Midlands League a year later. They have reached the 2nd round of the FA Vase twice in their history. Currently they are members of the Spartan South...
- TotternhoeTotternhoe F.C.Totternhoe F.C. is a football club based in Totternhoe, near Dunstable, Bedfordshire, England. They joined the South Midlands League in 1958, leaving in 1975 before re-joining in 1979...
- Wootton Blue CrossWootton Blue Cross F.C.Wootton Blue Cross F.C. is a football club based in Wootton, near Bedford, Bedfordshire, England. In the 2002-03 season, they reached the 4th round of the FA Vase. For the 2011-12 season, they are members of the United Counties League Division One...
County Cup Competitions
The Bedfordshire County FA run the following Cup Competitions:- Bedfordshire Premier Cup
- Bedfordshire Senior Challenge Cup
- Bedfordshire Senior Trophy
- Bedfordshire Intermediate Challenge Cup
- Bedfordshire Junior Challenge Cup
- Bedfordshire Sunday Cup
- Bedfordshire Sunday Junior Cup
- Bedfordshire Sunday Lower Junior Cup
- Bedfordshire Sunday Centenary Cup
- Bedfordshire Inter-League Centenary Cup
- Bedfordshire Women's County Cup
- Bedfordshire Under 18 Floodlit Challenge Cup
- Bedfordshire Under 18 Youth Challenge Cup
- Bedfordshire Under 16 Youth Challenge Cup
- Bedfordshire Under 15 Youth Challenge Cup
- Bedfordshire Under 14 Youth Challenge Cup
- Bedfordshire Tesco Under 13 Youth Challenge Cup
- Bedfordshire Under 12 Youth Challenge Cup
- Bedfordshire Senior Girls Development Cup
- Bedfordshire Junior Girls Development Cup
- Bedfordshire Girls Challenge Cup
- Bedfordshire Junior Challenge Trophy
Source
List of recent Bedfordshire County Cup Winners
| Season | Bedfordshire Premier Cup | Bedfordshire Senior Challenge Cup | Bedfordshire Senior Trophy | Bedfordshire Intermediate Challenge Cup | Bedfordshire Junior Challenge Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-05 | Bedford Town Bedford Town F.C. Bedford Town F.C. is an English football club based in the Borough of Bedford. The club are currently members of the Southern League Premier Division and play at The New Eyrie in Cardington, a parish on the outskirts of Bedford.... |
Crawley Green Crawley Green Sports F.C. Crawley Green Football Club are a football club based in Crawley Green, a ward of Luton, England. They joined the South Midlands League Division One in 1995, and when that league merged with the Spartan League two years later, became founder members of the new Spartan South Midlands League, leaving... |
Leighton Town Leighton Town F.C. Leighton Town F.C. are an English football club located in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. They were established in 1885. The club plays home games at Bell Close and currently play in Southern League Division One Central.-History:... Reserves |
Three Horseshoes (Renhold) | |
| 2005-06 | Luton Town Luton Town F.C. Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was... |
Biggleswade United Biggleswade United F.C. Biggleswade United F.C. are a football club based in Biggleswade, England. The club is affiliated to the Bedfordshire County Football Association.- History :... |
Brache Sparta Community | Biggleswade United Biggleswade United F.C. Biggleswade United F.C. are a football club based in Biggleswade, England. The club is affiliated to the Bedfordshire County Football Association.- History :... Reserves |
Henlow |
| 2006-07 | Luton Town Luton Town F.C. Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was... |
Dunstable Town Dunstable Town F.C. Dunstable Town have always been associated with Royal Blue and White, in a number of combinations. Unlike some of the larger clubs who hold an identity with one particular pattern, Dunstable have had stripes, hoops, halves, quarters, pin stripe and plain shirts... |
AFC Dunstable A.F.C. Dunstable AFC Dunstable are a football club based in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, England. The club is affiliated to the Bedfordshire County Football Association.-History:... |
Bedford Town Bedford Town F.C. Bedford Town F.C. is an English football club based in the Borough of Bedford. The club are currently members of the Southern League Premier Division and play at The New Eyrie in Cardington, a parish on the outskirts of Bedford.... Reserves |
Meltis Corinthians (Old Club) |
| 2007-08 | Dunstable Town Dunstable Town F.C. Dunstable Town have always been associated with Royal Blue and White, in a number of combinations. Unlike some of the larger clubs who hold an identity with one particular pattern, Dunstable have had stripes, hoops, halves, quarters, pin stripe and plain shirts... |
Stotfold Stotfold F.C. Stotfold F.C. is a football club based at Stotfold, Bedfordshire, England.-History:Though the club was officially formed in 1904, it is believed that there was a football club in the town earlier than this. In 1911, the Eagles’ current ground was a meadow called "Roker", used by Stotfold Athletic... |
AFC Dunstable A.F.C. Dunstable AFC Dunstable are a football club based in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, England. The club is affiliated to the Bedfordshire County Football Association.-History:... |
Stotfold Stotfold F.C. Stotfold F.C. is a football club based at Stotfold, Bedfordshire, England.-History:Though the club was officially formed in 1904, it is believed that there was a football club in the town earlier than this. In 1911, the Eagles’ current ground was a meadow called "Roker", used by Stotfold Athletic... Reserves |
Meltis Albion |
| 2008-09 | Luton Town Luton Town F.C. Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was... |
Dunstable Town Dunstable Town F.C. Dunstable Town have always been associated with Royal Blue and White, in a number of combinations. Unlike some of the larger clubs who hold an identity with one particular pattern, Dunstable have had stripes, hoops, halves, quarters, pin stripe and plain shirts... |
The 61 FC (Luton) The 61 F.C. (Luton) The 61 F.C. is a football club based in Luton, Bedfordshire, England. The team joined the Hellenic League Division Two in 1972 switching to the South Midlands League a year later. They have reached the 2nd round of the FA Vase twice in their history. Currently they are members of the Spartan South... |
Dunstable Town Dunstable Town F.C. Dunstable Town have always been associated with Royal Blue and White, in a number of combinations. Unlike some of the larger clubs who hold an identity with one particular pattern, Dunstable have had stripes, hoops, halves, quarters, pin stripe and plain shirts... Reserves |
Great Barford |
| 2009-10 | Biggleswade Town Biggleswade Town F.C. Biggleswade Town F.C. is an English football club based in Biggleswade. The club are currently members of Division One Central of the Southern League and play at the Carlsberg Stadium.-History:The club were established in 1874 as Biggleswade & District... |
Arlesey Town Arlesey Town F.C. Arlesey Town Football Club is an English association football club from Arlesey, Bedfordshire, England. They currently play in the Southern Football League Premier Division.The club is affiliated to the Bedfordshire County Football Association.-History:... |
Crawley Green Crawley Green Sports F.C. Crawley Green Football Club are a football club based in Crawley Green, a ward of Luton, England. They joined the South Midlands League Division One in 1995, and when that league merged with the Spartan League two years later, became founder members of the new Spartan South Midlands League, leaving... |
Leighton Town Leighton Town F.C. Leighton Town F.C. are an English football club located in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. They were established in 1885. The club plays home games at Bell Close and currently play in Southern League Division One Central.-History:... Reserves |
Potton Wanderers |
| 2010-11 | Luton Town Luton Town F.C. Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was... |
Arlesey Town Arlesey Town F.C. Arlesey Town Football Club is an English association football club from Arlesey, Bedfordshire, England. They currently play in the Southern Football League Premier Division.The club is affiliated to the Bedfordshire County Football Association.-History:... |
Totternhoe Totternhoe F.C. Totternhoe F.C. is a football club based in Totternhoe, near Dunstable, Bedfordshire, England. They joined the South Midlands League in 1958, leaving in 1975 before re-joining in 1979... |
AFC Dunstable A.F.C. Dunstable AFC Dunstable are a football club based in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, England. The club is affiliated to the Bedfordshire County Football Association.-History:... Reserves |
Lea Sports P.S.G. |
Source
2010-11 County Cup Winners
| Competition | 2010-11 Holders |
|---|---|
| Bedfordshire Premier Cup | Luton Town Luton Town F.C. Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was... |
| Bedfordshire Senior Challenge Cup | Arlesey Town Arlesey Town F.C. Arlesey Town Football Club is an English association football club from Arlesey, Bedfordshire, England. They currently play in the Southern Football League Premier Division.The club is affiliated to the Bedfordshire County Football Association.-History:... |
| Bedfordshire Senior Trophy | Totternhoe Totternhoe F.C. Totternhoe F.C. is a football club based in Totternhoe, near Dunstable, Bedfordshire, England. They joined the South Midlands League in 1958, leaving in 1975 before re-joining in 1979... |
| Bedfordshire Intermediate Challenge Cup | AFC Dunstable A.F.C. Dunstable AFC Dunstable are a football club based in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, England. The club is affiliated to the Bedfordshire County Football Association.-History:... Reserves |
| Bedfordshire Junior Challenge Cup | Lea Sports P.S.G. |
| Bedfordshire Sunday Cup | Lawson Park Rangers |
| Bedfordshire Sunday Junior Cup | Broadwalk United |
| Bedfordshire Sunday Lower Junior Cup | St. Johns |
| Bedfordshire Sunday Centenary Cup | Shillington Pirates |
Source
Board of Directors
- R G Berridge (President)
- P D Brown (Chief Executive)
- R W Everitt
- R J Field
- P J Onion
- R Robinson (Chairman of Council)
- G B Snelson
- K Swain (Vice-Chairman of Council)
Key Officials
- Peter Brown (Chief Executive)
- Jane Cunningham (Office Manager & PA to Chief Executive)
- Kevin England (County Development Manager)