The League and Division structure for season 2024/25

First of all, I would like to thank all of my peers and delegates of the clubs for electing me to the Chair of the Huddersfield District League.

I am extremely proud of the position that you have bestowed to me, and I will do my best to serve you all and the League.

I would also like to welcome the new clubs who have joined the League this season and wish all clubs old and new good luck for this coming season.

Coming to the season 2024/25 and the structure of the League. The first thing that is put in place are the divisions and we must start with the top division. Call it what you will.

Six teams that would have been in the top division this season have either left, resigned or folded. This meant that the top division must be filled from the divisions below, this carries on throughout the divisions with new teams being put into the structure as to where the League Management Committee felt it was correct.

The League has taken advice from the West Riding County Football Association regarding the clubs who have taken the first teams into a ‘”higher” league and wished that the teams that they had entered in Huddersfield & District League were classed as “Reserves”, “A” and “B”.

The advice that we received was that those teams should not be promoted beyond their capabilities, and this is what we have tried to do. One good example which is close to me is Scissett, their first team have left to join the Yorkshire Amateur League, and their second team remain in the District League. Some clubs are saying that Scissett’s second team should take the place of their first team, this would mean that they would have been promoted from a lowly division five position into division two. It is highly unlikely that they would be able to continue at this level so they have been left where they can compete at a level suitable for their abilities.

Berry Brow Reserves are the team that most clubs are unhappy about, they were promoted last season to division one and we felt that it was unfair to promote them straight to the top division for the reasons above. If they are good enough, they will be promoted at the end of the season.

Only six teams can win a division, but it takes all teams in that division to take their part and make it a competition.

Football is for all taking part, for their health and well-being, for rivalries in comradeship, to meet friends and foe and to pit your wits, skills and abilities against the opposition, win lose or draw.

Let’s face it this season has seen an even bigger restructure than when we merged the first and reserve divisions and I ask all clubs to understand and try to help all the League Officials in this difficult task.

We have asked before, but I will ask again, anyone wanting to help with the League please ask to join the League Management Committee, a few hours every month is not much to ask for the success of the league.

No structure. No league. No football!

Once again let us all have a good season and enjoy it.

Yours in Sport

M Cartledge.
Chair - HDAFL

The League structure for season 2024/25 - Download / Open