IN conjunction with the FA’s strategy of trying to encourage more young people to continue playing youth, age-related football rather than move into open age, the RCD League have actively encouraged the growth of their Under 18 section in recent years.

Although the move has proved highly successful with a record 16 teams now competing in Under 18s, one noticeable problem this season is that not a single team actually comes from a recognised Huddersfield club – and only five of the 16 come from clubs within the Kirklees boundary.

The League’s growth has seen clubs from the fringes of neighbouring towns and cities joining and so, for the first time, the Under 18 cup final featured two ‘outsiders’, BPA and Bradford United.