West Yorkshire League Premier Division
Founded in 1928 as the Leeds League, the name changed in 1939 to the West Yorkshire Association Football League. Interestingly though, a much earlier version of the league was established in February 1894 which was won by the original Leeds AFC. However, this soon folded after a few years, highlighting a difficulty in attracting football in the area.
It continued to prove hard to establish football in the area, with the code of Rugby Football dominating for the early part of the 20th century.
Despite its name, (West Yorkshire League), the league still has clubs from other areas of Yorkshire including the Harrogate and York catchment areas, although the league is governed and administered by the West Riding County Football Association.
The West Yorkshire League (WYL) currently has multiple divisions, with its Premier Division operating as a Feeder League within the National League System.
Promoted clubs from the Premier Division are then able to gain access to the regional Non-League football competitions; mainly the Northern Counties East League (NCEL) Division One or the North West Counties League (NWCL) Division One North, if they meet certain requirements.
West Yorkshire League History
Arguably, the two most successful clubs of the modern era, with multiple title wins have been Carlton Athletic and Beeston St Anthony’s (who remained in the WYL), while Horbury Town, Ilkley Town and Shelley met the requirements to be promoted; the latter two to the NWCL and the former to the NCEL.
The West Yorkshire League also has notable alumni, with this having proved to be a successful launchpad for clubs to rise over the years. Indeed, this has included Emley, Guisely, Garforth Town, Knaresborough Town, Ossett United (formed from a merger between Ossett Town and Ossett Albion) and Harrogate Town who famously reached the English Football League in 2020.
FT | TOWN 3-1 @Official_NCFC
HARROGATE TOWN AFC ARE PROMOTED TO THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE!!!!! 💛🖤💛🖤#ProudToBeTown pic.twitter.com/nUOlEEbAym
— Harrogate Town AFC (@HarrogateTown) August 2, 2020
| Season | Winners |
|---|---|
| 2016/17 | Carlton Athletic |
| 2017/18 | Carlton Athletic |
| 2018/19 | Carlton Athletic |
| 2019/20 | Season Declared Null and Void (COVID-19) |
| 2020/21 | Beeston St Anthony’s |
| 2021/22 | Horsforth St. Margaret’s |
| 2022/23 | Carlton Athletic |
| 2023/24 | Beeston St Anthony’s |
Over the decades, the West Yorkshire League has proven to be a valuable development pathway for professional players, including James Milner who played for Leeds United at the beginning of his career.
Meanwhile, the West Yorkshire League also has its own cup competitions; notably the League Cup and the League Trophy, with clubs in the Premier Division having the opportunity to compete for the cup double. In addition, there is also the West Riding County Cup, which is the senior county cup competition and dates all the way back to 1896.
There have also been a number of interesting success stories in the league over the years; including the Bardsey dominance; one club that dominated the league in the late 2000s and early 2010s, winning the Premier Division a remarkable five times in six years, between 2007 and 2014.
Points Of Interest
The West Yorkshire League Premier Division has relied on significant community support over the years, especially on a sponsorship level and, as a result, this includes regional businesses being involved.
Clubs in the West Yorkshire League rely on local support, however, this can be limited; usually no more than 50 people per game or attendances of 100-200 people for big matches.
It means that fans are crucial when it comes to funding, often using facilities on a matchday, such as the clubhouse, while small sponsors help to keep the club operating annually.