Former England Footballer and now president of the Midland Junior Premier Football League (MJPL) Cyrille Regis MBE is delighted with the terrific response the league have received following its launch of a new U21 league, this new concept, is the only one of its kind in the country to be fully approved by the FA Registrations and Sanction Committee and sanctioned by the Birmingham County FA .
“This is a huge step forward which will undoubtedly help fill the void which now exists between youth and adult football, hopefully we ( the MJPL) will now be able to give the players in this age group the opportunity to continue their development, playing in a competitive, high standard of football in a well organised environment” says Cyrille Regis MBE
Several league clubs have already expressed an interest to be involved, fielding teams from their Football in The Community initiatives. Birmingham City has already registered, with Bristol Rovers and Man Utd also in advanced discussions with the MJPL. The interest from league clubs is also matched with that from some of the top non league clubs from the region including Redditch Utd, Nuneaton Town, AFC Telford, Atherstone and Romulus, who have all either registered or shown positive interest in being involved in the initiative for the forthcoming season.
This, plus the partnerships the league already have with Aston Villa, WBA, Birmingham City, Leicester City, Coventry City and Wolves gives rise to encouraging expectations that this new concept will help bridge the gap between youth and senior football and provide the seed to grow more Saturday senior football.
Games will be played on Saturdays adhering to the high standards the MJPL currently set out which includes: - roped off pitches, qualified officials, secure changing rooms and showers, after match hospitality and dress code for all players and club officials.
The MJPL was formed in 2004 and now is home to 80 plus clubs with over 180 junior teams playing each week in age groups from U12 to U18 across twelve County FA Associations. “Over 4000 youngsters enjoy playing their football inside the MJPL which attracts the interests of many premier and championship league scouts; we now see the move to integrate U21 football into our organisation as a natural evolution into what we have as a league. We are still looking for more clubs to join us at U21 level and would warmly welcome any further enquires. “Says Andy Barnett MJPL Chairman
To download our club/team application form please email membership@jp-admin.co.uk
For specific questions on the u21 league please contact Andy Barnett on 07780508583 or email u21@jp-admin.co.uk
Currently a team can enter at under 12 which is our youngest age group and then progress up to our under 18 section and then they have to find an alternative league to play in. This would mean going to a midweek floodlit league or a Sunday open age group league.
However next season the u21 league will enable MJPL teams to progress all the way up from u12 to the fringes of open age/reserve team football. All age groups must adhere to our progressive code of conduct and what's more all fixtures are to be played on a Saturday!
This new initiative is not just a plain u21 league we intend a few interesting concepts which will hopefully interest those committed to player & coach development.
Here are some of the key points...
1 [ Opportunity to play three open age (21+) players. The remaining squad of players must be under 21.
2 ] Players registered for MJPL Youth (same club) are all eligible to for inclusion in u21 squad.
3 [ Entry costs same as MJPL details listed on MJPL website.
4 ] The Criteria and Rules to be based on current MJPL regulations*
5 [ Three officials at every game.
6 ] Fixtures to be played on Saturday.
7 [ A sub 10.30am KO unless the first team pitch is available.
8 ] Secure changing rooms to be mandatory.
9 [ A railed off pitch is desirable.
* Some differences are inevitable due to this being adult football.
We believe the u21 division will be particularly attractive to senior teams who don’t currently have a structured youth development system and to those who want a safe structures environment to play their reserve team football.