Reformed in 1988 after being out of existence for some 5 years when it was disbanded by some thoughtless individuals who didn’t want the local children to enjoy themselves playing football in a controlled environment, the BJFL has finally managed to claw back and add to the teams who left in those dark days turning it into the successful league it is today.
Various Chairman and Committee members have come and gone during the last 20 years, but following the introduction of Mini or Small Sided Soccer piloted by the current Chairman in the 98/99 Season the league has hardly looked back.
In that season the league had some 53 teams playing Sunday afternoons from ages U12 to15 plus the first U9 Mini Soccer teams playing 7-a-side all at one venue (Belvedere Park) every Saturday morning.
Since then the committee has been built up into a hardworking unit with 14 people giving up their spare time to devote themselves into ensuring that the children of Burton and the surrounding area’s have one of the best leagues in the Midlands to play in.
In the last ten years the league has continuously grown and now boasts some 333 teams (nearly 5000 players) coming from nearly 80 clubs from various locations including Alfreton, Ashbourne, Ashby, Derby, Tean, Rocester, Uttoxeter, Barton and Lichfield to name but a few, performing every weekend. This includes the successful Girls League which was introduced some five years ago.
All this activity costs a lot of money and multiple venues especially for the Saturday morning Soccer to keep it running smoothly so I am please announce that we have secured the NEW 3rd Generation Astro Turf facilities at both Pingle and Robert Sutton Schools for the forthcoming season
Let’s hope this is not the end of our search for new venues and that The BJFL gets its wish with more facilities being made available to us and some NEW Sponsors come along to help us in our quest to provide all the players with a secure and safe environment for them to play their football.
We are always on the look out for new sponsors to come on board no matter how small or large their contribution and for new Saturday morning venues so if you know anyone who can help, then please get in touch - details can be found on the contacts page on this Web Site.
Enjoy your Football
Malc Wheildon
Chairman Burton Junior Football League
JULY 2008
