The county receives a number of enquiries regarding age related rules in youth and open age football. Many leagues have the rules in their handbook but are merely following those laid down by the FA. The following are the rules that raise the most issues and also are sometimes misquoted.
1 Under 6’s playing matches
A child who has not attained nor will have attained the age of 6 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season shall not play, and shall not be permitted or encouraged to play, in a match of any kind in that playing season.
2 Under 8’s and Competitive Football
To play in a knockout cup game or a game where points are awarded, or results collected, a player must have achieved the age of 8 on or before 31st August. This also applies to summer tournaments.
I simple terms under 8’s cannot play in games where results are collected and or published. We appreciate that leagues may need to grade teams in order that they are playing against teams of a similar ability but they are not permitted to publish those results in any form. Clubs are also reminded that they cannot publish these results on their websites.
3 Children permitted to play mini soccer only
A child who has not attained nor will have attained the age of ten as at midnight on 31st August in a playing season shall not play, and shall not be permitted or encouraged to play, in a match between sides of more than seven players in that playing season. They are only allowed to play in accordance with the rules of mini soccer.
Players who would normally play under 10 football cannot play 11 v 11 or 9 v 9.
4 Players playing above their age group
Players are not permitted to play in matches where any other player is older or younger by 2 years than that person subject to meeting the criteria of the above rules. Players playing in under 18 football must be 15 by 31st August in a playing season.
5 Mixed football
Up to the age of 11 a child may play in matches involving both boys and girls subject to meeting the criteria of the above rules
Open Age
To play in an open age competition a player must have achieved the age of 16.
Action may be taken by the County FA for any breaches of the above rules.
A reference sheet with dates of birth can be downloaded on the right.