Lambeth Tigers to join the London Youth Premier League
Next season, the older age groups at Lambeth Tigers will embark on a new and exciting challenge.
Tigers have been accepted to play in the London Youth Premier League. The league is designed to be a stepping stone between grassroots football and professional academies with pro clubs like Crystal Palace, Cambridge United and Barnet all fielding teams in this league.
Tigers will enter its Under 14, Under 15 and Under 16 teams into the league next season. For several years, many players and parents have wanted Tigers to have an increased standard of competition, week in week out. Our assessment is that this league will provide arguably the most challenging environment for our players and coaches in grassroots youth football anywhere across London and neighbouring counties. We hope it will bring the best out of the players, helping them develop as individuals and as teams.
Teams in the league are drawn from across London. The league's current policy is to only enter one team per local area, such that the players are largely unfamiliar with their opponents. As such we will be the only club from the Brixton area in the league. It is anticipated that a minimum of twelve teams will play in each league, and so with league and cup games the total number of fixtures will be in the 26+ range per season. Additionally we plan to enter the London Cup and the AFA Cup.
The league has a number of important differences to the current set up:
all games take place on 3G or 4G pitches
games take place on Sunday afternoons - although some fixtures may be held midweek during school holidays
all games take place at the following neutral venues:
The Pavilion Sports Centre, Hillside, London NW10 8LW
Ark Academy, Bridge Road, Wembley, HA9 9JP
Enfield Grammar School, Market Place, Enfield, EN2 6LN
South London venue - currently being finalised
The Hive Football Centre, Barnet FC Training Ground (Half terms only)
Crystal Palace FC Training Ground (Half terms & some selective dates)
Independent referees and linesman provided for all games
Players are required to attend all games in shirt and tie
We think it should be an interesting challenge!
On a practical level, the cost of admission to the league is notably higher than those included in the current Saturday league. As a consequence, annual subscription fees will rise to £350 per annum for players in these age groups, an increase of £50 compared to last season. Registration is now open, so please click here to register and commence payment ASAP please.
You can find out more about the league at www.lypremierleague.com
