End of an era as league folds – but the seven remaining teams set to join East Riding County League
The Scarborough & District Football Saturday League has folded at an emergency meeting, ending a league which was formed in 1898, leaving the Scarborough area without a senior football league.
But there is positive news for the seven remaining senior football teams as they have been accepted into the Right Car East Riding County Football League for the 2024-25 season, ensuring that adult 11-a-side male football teams from the Scarborough area will carry on playing competitive football.
There were only 10 teams in the Saturday League last season, and with Edgehill Reserves, Westover and West Pier Reserves set to fold, it was decided at the meeting that, with no new teams coming forward, the league could not continue in its current format.
This comes just two years after the Scarborough Sunday League folded due to only three teams wanting to carry on.
League secretary John Orrah said: "I am gutted that we have had to fold the league after 126 years. The proud history that will not be built on is also a devastating blow for the league and the area.”
But there is positive news as the seven teams will carry on in the East Riding League.
Orrah added: “We have been involved in conversations with Roger Smith of the Right Car East Riding County League and I am pleased to say that all remaining seven teams will be competing in their league next season."
“Roger and his committee have been brilliant with us and fully understood the situation straight away and for that and their help we are grateful for everything they are doing to accommodate our clubs for the coming 24/25 season”.
Smith said: “Following the recent sad demise of the Scarborough Saturday Football League after 126 years, the Right Car East Riding County Football League are pleased to announce that following joint meetings between both Leagues, those clubs from the Scarborough League wishing to continue playing Saturday football, will be accepted by the RCERCFL in readiness for the start of the 2024-25 season.
“The RCERCFL are pleased to welcome the Scarborough clubs to the league, ensuring adult 11 v 11 structured football will be maintained in the Scarborough area for the foreseeable future”.
The Scarborough & District Saturday League, which has been in existence for 127 years, has shrunk from four divisions in the 1990s to having only 10 teams in the 2023-24 campaign, with the season finishing with several teams being unable to fulfil fixtures due to a lack of players, delaying Edgehill’s announcement as the league champions.