Story added: 14th September 2021

Fixtures to kick off this weekend

Members of the Foundation’s Boys’ Elite Player Development Centre will compete in a newly-formed Community Trust Junior Premier League this season.

Teams from U9 through to U15s will compete against similar development centre teams from Chelsea, West Ham, Colchester, MK Dons, Millwall, Luton Town, Lincoln City, and Cambridge United.

Through monthly fixtures and additional games in school holidays, the new league will enhance the fixture programme for the EDPC teams while still allowing players to compete for their grassroots clubs.

Competition will commence at The Nest this coming Saturday for U13, U14, and U15 teams, while the U10, U11, and U12 squads start away from home against West Ham United.

We have also been able to create a fixture programme for our Girls’ Academy Development Programme, which will see U10-U16s squads play friendly fixtures against West Ham, Cambridge United, Lincoln City and Millwall – with a view to creating a parallel Female JPL league in the future.

Jordan Southgate, Senior Football Development Manager said:

“The values of the Junior Premier League are very well aligned with our own, including respect and development. Thats why we’re excited about joining with our teams and improving our players’ experiences while in the Elite Player Development Centre.

“For a number of seasons we have had discussions about entering a league format with our players to enhance our fixture programme, however it has been vital for us to do this in a way that supports our players grassroots football involvement, as we know just how much impact it has in young footballer’s development.

“Working closely with the JPL and the other Community Trusts to form the league has enabled us to create a programme that will offer fantastic experiences and development opportunities to all players.”