Suffolk County Football Association


The Suffolk County Football Association is the governing body for football in the county of Suffolk, England.

Football in Suffolk before formation

Before the formation of the Suffolk County football Association, the county lacked both a football and a rugby association. However, this is not to say that before 1885 there was no desire for one, for an unsuccessful call for an Eastern Counties Football Association was projected from the Essex Standard in 1881.
Furthermore, on 3 November 1883, a columnist of the Ipswich Journal announced that "An Eastern Counties Football Association is an institution so much needed that if volumes were to be written nothing more conclusive could be said in its favour than it would give a locus standi to the game, which would cause it to be followed with far more vigour than at present."

History

Suffolk FA was formed in 1885 and had eleven founder member clubs, they were, Ipswich Association, Ipswich School, Ipswich Rangers, Cowell's Club, Stowmarket, Bury Town, Bury School, Beccles College, Sudbury Town, Framlingham College and Woodbridge Town
The first President of the Association was The Duke of Hamilton, his Presidency ran between 1885 and 1894.
There were 41 registered referees shown in the County handbook for the 1903–1904 season, compared with the figure in today's book of over 400. In the same 1903–1904 handbook there are 100 clubs shown, that were affiliated to the Association, compared with today's figure of over 600.
Key dates in the history of the Association are provided below:
1898 – In 1898 a County Fixture was held against Aston Villa, who at the time were the previous season's F.A. Cup Holders. The gate receipts for this game was £238 5s. 4d. in comparison the Senior Cup Final of 1905 realised gate receipts of £48 12s. 6d.
1907–14 – The period 1907 to 1914 saw the years of “the split” when there were two associations, one affiliated to the F.A. and the other to the A.F.A. In 1914 the F.A. and A.F.A. effected a compromise which resulted in the association being again a harmonious and united body.
1935 – On 20 March 1935 Suffolk County Football Association held its Jubilee celebration, amongst the guests was Stanley Rouse, later to become Sir Stanley. It was reported in the programme for this celebration that over the previous fifty years the progress on interest in the game had been ‘wonderful’ and that there was hardly a village which did not possess a football club and that practically each town had its own charity competition.
1946 onwards – Again interrupted by war during 1939–1945 the County F.A. started the era after World War II with J.W. Yallop continuing as Hon. Secretary, a post he held since 1919 and would continue to hold until 1960. In addition to J.W. Yallop the County has only had four other Hon. Secretaries since the Second World War, E.A. Brown, B.A.H. Collings, W.M. Steward and Martin Head. E.A. Brown was made a life member of this association in 1980 and its President in 1986.
1985 – A Centenary Banquet was held at Ipswich Moat House on 30 September 1985 to celebrate its 100th birthday. Sir Stanley Rous, C.B.E., Hon. President of FIFA and Hon. Vice-President of the Football Association, proposed the toast to the SCFA.
2000 – The Suffolk County Football Association became a Limited Company in 2000.
2001 – For the first time in its history in April 2001 the County F.A. appointed two full-time employees, namely Will Cook, County Development Officer and James Payne, Clerical Officer, and both gentlemen were installed at the new County FA office at Felaw Maltings in Ipswich.
2003 – In April 2003, the Association moved its Headquarters to purpose built offices in Stowmarket; which were officially opened by FA Vice-Chairman Ray Kiddell.
2003 – In July 2003, Martin Head became the first salaried Secretary in the Association's history.
2005 – Suffolk defeated Hampshire 2 – 1 at Portman Road, Ipswich in 2005 to win the FA County Youth Cup. This was actually the County's first ever Cup Final appearance.
2006 – In 2006, all disciplinary administration transferred from volunteers to staff at the Association's HQ.
2007 – Suffolk's 2nd FA County Youth Cup Final appearance was in April 2007. Suffolk drew 1 – 1 with West Riding after extra time at Valley Parade, Bradford. However, West Riding won the match 4 – 3 on penalties.
Today the Association is served by President G.S. Blake and Chairman David Porter in addition to the board of Directors, Honorary Officers and the members of Council.

Football Development

The Suffolk FA is committed to developing the game at every level. The aim of the development team is to make a positive difference within football, and to give everyone the opportunity to access quality football opportunities and experiences to fulfil their potential. They are keen to develop partnerships to promote the benefits of football and improve the facilities where football is played.

Governance

Football Services is a core function of the County Football Association. This involves the day-to-day running of key areas such as the administration of clubs, leagues and referees along with the running of the discipline process, County Competitions and our representative teams.
The Suffolk FA Football Services Department offers advice on all aspects and all questions no matter how trivial they may seem.

Affiliated Leagues

Men's Saturday Leagues

Footnote: **Part of the English football league system.

Youth Leagues

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A number of leagues that were affiliated to the Suffolk County FA have disbanded or amalgamated with other leagues including:
Among the notable clubs that are affiliated to the Suffolk County FA are:
The Suffolk County FA run the following Cup Competitions:
Source

Suffolk Premier Cup

The Suffolk Premier Cup is a county cup competition involving senior teams affiliated to the Suffolk County Football Association.

Suffolk Senior Cup

The Suffolk Senior Cup is a county cup competition involving senior teams affiliated to the Suffolk County Football Association.

List of Suffolk Junior Cup Winners

YearSuffolk Junior Cup Winners
1922–23Lowestoft Town Reserves
1923–24Halesworth Town
1924–25Leiston St. Margarets
1925–26Woodbridge Town
1926–27Newmarket Town Reserves
1927–28Brantham Athletic Reserves
1928–29United Services
1929–30Old Nactonians
1930–31Exning United
1931–32Melton St. Andrew's
1932–33Kirkley Reserves
1933–34Eastern Counties United Reserves
1934–35Eastern Counties United Reserves
1935–36Eastern Counties United Reserves
1936–37Lakenheath
1937–38Mildenhall R.A.F.
1938–39Beccles Town
1939–45No competition due to World War II
1945–46Brooke Marine
1946–47Lowestoft Town Reserves
1947–48Lowestoft Town Reserves
1948–49Leiston St. Margarets
1949–50Lowestoft Town Reserves
1950–51Bury East Athletic
1951–52Town Street, Brandon
1952–53Landseer Youth Club
1953–54Lowestoft C.W.S.
1954–55Brandon Town

YearSuffolk Junior Cup Winners
1983–84Leiston
1984–85Needham Market
1985–86Ashlea
1986–87Woodbridge Town
1987–88Walsham-le-Willows
1988–89Walsham-le-Willows
1989–90Walsham-le-Willows
1990–91Saxmundham Sports
1991–92Newbury United
1992–93Newbury United
1993–94Stanton
1994–95Wenhaston United
1995–96Haughley United Reserves
1996–97Cavendish
1997–98Tuddenham Rovers
1998–99Tuddenham Rovers
1999–2000Tuddenham Rovers
2000–01Bramford United
2001–02Westerfield United
2002–03
2003–04Hearts of Oak
2004–05Leiston St Margarets
2005–06AFC Sudbury Reserves
2006–07Stonham Aspal
2007–08Old Newton United
2008–09Achilles
2009–10Bacton United 89
2010–11

Source:

List of Suffolk Primary Cup Winners

YearSuffolk Primary Cup Winners
1957–58Elmswell
1958–59Priory Heath Y.C.
1959–60Richards Ironworks
1960–61Fomham & Hengrave
1961–62Fomham St. Martin
1962–63Bildeston Rangers
1963–64Ixworth
1964–65Bildeston Rangers
1965–66Barrow
1966–67Westgate Brewery
1967–68Woodbridge Athletic
1968–69St. Edmunds R.C.Y.C.
1969–70Lake Lothing
1970–71Tattingstone United
1971–72Haughley Youth
1972–73Murrayside
1973–74Springfield
1974–75Wickham Market

YearSuffolk Primary Cup Winners
1993–94Ixworth
1994–95Murray Rangers
1995–96Rushmere Athletic
1996–97Orwell Athletic
1997–98Bucklesham
1998–99Bacton United
1999–2000Saracens
2000–01Martlesham Athletic 98
2001–02AFC Hoxne
2002–03Bury Town 95 Reserves
2003–04Coplestonians Reserves
2004–05Needham Market "A"
2005–06Newmarket White Lion
2006–07Stowmarket Stag
2007–08Bungay Town Reserves
2008–09Redgrave Rangers
2009–10Somersham
2010–11Benhall St Mary
2011–12Cedars Park

Source:

List of other Suffolk Cup Competition Winners

Directors & Officials

Board of Directors