Scarborough Minor League Chair On Fold Fears

The Scarborough Minor League, a staple of local junior football, is facing significant challenges that have raised concerns about its future.

Those views have come from club members and senior league committee figures.

George Roberts, the chair of the league, has highlighted a number of issues contributing to the current situation:

According to Mr Roberts, the league has experienced a decline in teams over the past few years, particularly in the older age groups ranging from Under 12s through to Under 16s. This decline has been so pronounced that some of the older age groups have not had enough teams to run a league.

Another critical issue facing the league is a struggle to recruit volunteers. Mr Roberts noted that the league has only managed to recruit one volunteer in the last five years to join the league committee, which requires a significant amount of volunteer effort to operate. He described the workload for volunteers on a football committee as "a big workload" and stressed the importance of recruiting suitable people to take on roles of responsibility to ensure the league moves forward.

In response to these challenges, discussions have taken place with the North Riding County Football Association. Mr Roberts stated that the league expressed concerns about their committee structure and the difficulty in recruiting volunteers during a meeting in March.

He said job descriptions for required roles were subsequently created:

A secondary proposal discussed with the North Riding FA, should efforts to recruit volunteers and increase team numbers fail, was the potential for a merger with the York League.

Mr Roberts explained that the aim of this proposal was to "keep kids playing football".

Under this potential structure, the league would be administered by York, but a specific Scarborough division would potentially be maintained for the Under 7s to Under 11s age groups to minimise travelling for younger players.

However, a press release expressing concerns from clubs stated that this development came to their attention "seemingly at the eleventh hour". The press release also raised concerns that these decisions were reportedly made "without proper consultation with the clubs involved," noting that discussions began months ago, but the wider club community was only recently informed. According to the press release, the current proposal outlined involves Under 7–U11 age groups remaining in Scarborough but affiliated with the York League, while age groups U12 and above would automatically transition into the York League.

The press release highlighted significant concerns, particularly for teams affiliated with the East Riding FA, who they assert would be ineligible for the York League and would have to travel to the Hull area for matches, potentially creating "considerable logistical and financial burdens".

In response to the situation, clubs have requested an urgent meeting with representatives of the Scarborough Minor League and the North Riding FA. Mr Roberts confirmed that a general meeting had been called for by the clubs as part of the necessary procedures. This meeting is scheduled to take place in a couple of weeks and is seen as an opportunity to discuss the situation and look at the numbers, which Mr Roberts described as "pretty poor in some groups". He cited one league from the past season that has seen numbers decrease by 50% moving into the next season, describing this as a "worrying number". The meeting will also allow attendees to look at proposals and see if individuals are willing to volunteer for administration roles to help keep football going for youngsters in Scarborough. The press release notes this meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, 27th May, just five days before a deadline to apply for entry into the York League.

While the press release cited a lack of applicants for key roles as a primary issue mentioned by the league, it suggested that these positions had received "little to no public promotion," leading some to believe the outcome may have been "predetermined".

Mr Roberts maintains that there is "very much hope" that the league can be saved in its current form. He emphasised the desire to keep football in Scarborough for everyone, having come through the system himself as a player, referee, and now an official. He reflected on the value of the league when it had hundreds of registered children every year and enabled youngsters to develop, but noted the current struggle with the quantity of teams "lacks the appeal for new people to join".

Mr Roberts acknowledged the changing landscape of junior football, noting that "there are other options available" now compared to 15 years ago, with various football outlets available on different days. He suggested that the commitment required, including potential travel, midweek activities, and giving up time on a Sunday, can be "a big ask for people".

Mr Roberts confirmed that numerous options have been explored and that he has had one-to-one conversations with people about their concerns regarding potential proposals. He believes it will be beneficial for everyone to meet to "look at the bigger picture". Ultimately, Mr Roberts stated, "we want all these boys and girls playing football" and the goal is to determine the best option to ensure that happens. The press release echoed this sentiment, stating it is "essential to protect and preserve the Scarborough Minor League" for children to have a stable local environment and for the community to have a say in decisions affecting its future.

His response comes after the following statement from Matt Seeley, chairman of West Pier Juniors FC:

'It has come to our attention, seemingly at the eleventh hour, that the Scarborough Minor League is at serious risk of being dissolved. If this proceeds, all teams would fall under the administration of either the York League and the North Riding FA.

This development poses significant concerns, particularly for teams affiliated with the East Riding FA, who would be ineligible to participate in the York League and would instead be required to travel to the Hull area for matches—creating considerable logistical and financial burdens for players, families, and clubs.

We are deeply concerned that these decisions have been made without proper consultation with the clubs involved. Discussions about this reorganisation began several months ago, yet the wider club community has only just been informed.

Under the current proposal:
 • Age groups U7–U11 will remain in Scarborough but will not operate under the current Scarborough Minor League structure, but be affiliated with the York League.
 • Age groups U12 and above will be transitioned into the York League automatically.

In response to this situation, the clubs have requested an urgent meeting with representatives of the Scarborough Minor League and the North Riding FA. This meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, 27th May, leaving just five days before the deadline to apply for entry into the York League.

One of the primary issues cited has been the lack of applicants for key league roles, such as League Secretary, Registration Secretary, and Fixture Secretary. However, these positions have received little to no public promotion, leading many to believe this outcome may have been predetermined.

We believe it is essential to protect and preserve the Scarborough Minor League.
 • Our children deserve a stable, local environment to enjoy and develop within the beautiful game.
 • Our community must have a say in decisions that directly affect its future.
 • Our focus should be on growing and strengthening our own league, not dissolving it.

We urge all stakeholders to stand together in support of local football and demand a transparent, inclusive process going forward.'