South London Schools F.A.
Playing for fun in the pursuit of excellence
About Us
We have 30 Secondary Schools and 40 Primary Schools that are affiliated to this association. These take part in our competitions and provide the players for our representative teams.
Competitions
Primary Schools
One of the most important development in the past ten or so years has been the formation of the Lambeth and Southwark Primary Schools League. Although there have been over many years leagues and cup competitions this is the first time a large well run league has provided regular football for primary schools. It is the brain child of Gary Cornforth who works tirelessly to make this a great success.
For more information go to the Leagues web site. It is affliated to South London.
Any school that wants to join the league should contact Gary. There is also a knock out Cup Competition called the Magazine Cup that was first played for in 1925.
Opposite is the Francesca Cabrinni team Magazine Cup winners 2009
Secondary
There are cup competitions for each age group from under 12 to under 19. We run knock out competitions and mini leagues so that all schools get a good number of matches. The weather has not been kind to us in recent years but we hope to complete all our competitions in the coming season.Unfortunately the global pandemic has stop us doing that for the first time in ten years. We constantly review the structure of our competitions so that we provide for greater participation.
Opposite
Globe Academy winners of the under 15's S.E.London Shield 2009
Representative teams
Over the years we have had many outstanding players who have played in our representative teams. Prior to the formation of the professional Football Academies players such as David Roecastle,Michael Thomas,
Kenny Sansom, Paul Davies,Chris Powell,Andy Gray, Kevin Campbell, Jason Euell and many others played for the association and went on to play for their country.
We have been able to maintain that quality over the past years with many of the South London players progressing to play International Football.
Among those in recent years who have played for South London at primary or secondary level have been Marvin Elliott and Ben Watson seen above. Others have been Anton Ferdinand, Dickson and Kelvin Etuhu, Scott Parker, Zavon Hines, Julian Gray, Michael Timlin, Osei Sankofa,-Albert Jarrett ,Billy Mehmet and Cherno Samba. There are many more who could be mentioned who like these are today professional footballers.
It is interesting to note that players Jordan Ibe and Marcus Bettinelli , who started by playing for our Primary or Secondary teams are the more recent of our players to represent England at under 21 level.
In 2007/8 season our association at Secondary level had been running poorly for 3 or 4 years. Only the odd one or two representative teams were functioning successfully and our competitions were rarely completed. Many of those who had run the association well after Arthur Barnes,the long term secretary,had died could not carry on. Those running the most successful district teams were asked to revive the association. Their enthusiasm has made us a vibrant force supporting schools and pupils in some the most deprived areas of the country. The history of our last decade plus will give you an idea how enthusiasm and commitment can change the lives of children in a positive way. Changes at secondary level started in season 2008/9.
The history of 4 seasons (2008 to 2012)
A season to Remember 2008/9
This season was the most successful in National Competitions for 25 years. Both our under 13 and 15 teams qualified for the English Schools National Trophy semi finals. Unfortunately both teams lost on penalties.
Our under 12's 5 a side champions ,St Thomas the Apostle College won the National championship.
On the right Kaswaynne Williams with the South London 5 a side trophy.
International Competitions.
We have built a relationship with club teams in Northern France . The Primary Team takes part in the Bollezelle International and were last years winners.
Season 2009/10
This season was not as successful in the ESFA National Competitions. Both our under 13 and 15 teams were defeated by teams that progressed to the latter stages of the competitions. Barnet to the under 13 final and Southampton to the under 15 semi final. Our boys and girls five aside champions faltered in the SE England Finals. Walworth failed to progress to the final stages whereas Kingsdale girls team were very unlucky to lose in the SE England final.
See Seasons 2009/10 to 2011/12 on the separate page titled. The third page down.
Walworth Academy
Kingsdale School
