The West Bromwich Junior Church Football League was founded in 1972, and has completed 35 seasons providing football for youth teams attached to churches.
In 1972 the Rev Peter Adams (then Curate at the Good Shepherd with St John Church on the corner of Bromford Lane and Lyttleton Street, West Bromwich) recognised that there was a need in West Bromwich for a football league for church teams. He believed that such a league would give churches the opportunity to attract lads to their youth clubs, Boys’ Brigade Companies or whatever youth organisations they had, and provide an activity to keep them interested once they had joined.
Peter was relatively new to the area and so needed someone who had good contacts with the surrounding Churches and their youth work. It took little persuasion to recruit Ben Slater, who was a local Methodist Preacher, a Boys’ Brigade Captain, and an ardent West Bromwich Albion Supporter.
So Peter became League Secretary, Ben became League Chairman, and the West Bromwich Junior Football League was founded.
Over the years there have been Quiz Nights, Discos and we have even had Ex Professional Footballers visit our Awards Nights. We have also had an annual 5 a-side day as well as our Cup Final Nights which have been held under Floodlight.
Over recent years the 90’s were where a lot of change happened. Ben Trumpeter stood down as Secretary, Les Hartle stood down as Treasurer as neither were enjoying the best of health.
Margaret Morgan took over as Secretary and Gary Marsh took on the Treasurer’s job for a short period.
In 1996 Ben Slater was made President of the League after 24 years of Chairmanship, this was a just reward. Martin Morris who had both played in the league as well as refereed took over as Chairman, Derek Jones took over as Secretary and Lindsey Nock took on the job as being Treasurer.
They all had the same vision as Ben and Peter from the early days, which is to play football and at the same time support the churches and their young people.
1998 saw the introduction of mini soccer -under 11’s 7 a side which was fantastic. New churches joined the League and started an encouraging growth situation.
We soon outgrew the venue for which we were playing our matches on and started seeking pastures new. After 2 moves we found home in Holly Lodge School, where we have been for the last 7 years.
1999 was a great year for raising money. The league raised over £1,000.00 for charity and was given to the Meningitis Awareness.
In 2000 the league felt that the time was right to look at outside agencies and so the league became affiliated to the F.A, so not only did we take on their rulings but it was also there for support.
2003 saw the birth of the third age group which has been very encouraging and 2004 will see the birth of a fourth age group.
All in all lots of changes have happened and will carry on happening, but one thing will remain the same and that is our goal and vision and at all times keeping God in the centre of it all.
In 2005 the league donated £420 to Promise Dreams a local children’s charity which provides dreams for termaley ill children a further £250 was donated in 2006
