In 1978 The Herefordshire Junior Friendly League was formed to provide football for 12 year olds who, on leaving the Cub Scout League, had no organised football in the County. Racecourse Colts was one of the eight teams which formed the original league and approximately 150 youngsters participated.

It was the foresight of three people – Chairman Bill Bowkett, Secretary Dave Higgins and Treasurer John Bevan – which resulted in the formation of the league. The first President of the League was Graham Rivers and he was succeeded by Tony Cole – a great supporter of Junior football, who sadly passed on recently. In its infancy, the Management Committee was small enough to meet in Bill Bowkett’s front room in Backbury Road, but as the League expanded so did the Committee and more space was required.

In 1983 the League affiliated to the Herefordshire Football Association and it was from this date that the League became a major organisation in the County, eventually growing to its present strength with over 2,300 registered players.

Now, 4 decades later, the Junior League continues to thrive. It is stewarded by a management committee predominantly made up of volunteers, a mix of those actively involved in running teams and clubs and others with years of experience in running this league or similar. Each age group has a specific committee representative to encourage effective two way communication and make sure the League is in tune with matters of the moment. We have a reputation for pretty strict adherence to the Rules, not for the sake of it, but from experience that these are the Rules agreed by all Clubs, and compromising them for one team can often be to the detriment of others. We are open to new ideas which encourage greater enjoyment and participation and in the same vein are anxious to create and enforce playing conditions which are respectful to everyone involved.