About Us
THE AFA & LONDON SOCIETY OF ASSOCIATION REFEREES
The AFA and London Society of Association Referees is a local branch of the national Referees’ Association. It is one of the largest referees’ societies in the country and cooperates closely with local county FA such as the AFA.
THE AFA & LONSAR
HISTORY
On 14th September 2006, the AFA Referees’ Society and Lonsar merged to form The AFA and London Society of Association Referees. On 14 December 2006, the 40 anniversary of the founding of AFA referee’s Society, it was announced that the Society will henceforth be known as AFA and Lonsar.
THE AMATEUR
FOOOTBALL ALLIANCE
Formed in 1907 the Amateur Football Alliance is one of the unique county football associations affiliated to the English Football Association to have no geographical boundaries, the others being RAF, Army, Navy and the ‘Oxbridge’ Universities. That said, the vast majority of AFA football is played in the Greater London area.
AMATEUR FA COMPETITIONS
AFA football is rooted in the amateur spirit, with the emphasis firmly set on sportsmanship and hospitality. Many competitions in the AFA still proudly maintain their traditions regarding hospitality for away teams and match officials; alongside the 3 cheers all around handshakes all around after the game.
Many of the leagues – operating at weekends and midweek – have a history dating back to the early 1900s with one, the London University League, dating back to 1836. The larger leagues – like the AFC and the SAL – are regionalised to cut down on travel times and many clubs have links to schools and other institutions.
AFA County Cups
The AFA runs its cup competitions at all levels of Senior football, including veterans and at youth level. AFA Clubs vary in size with some of them running up to 10 teams.
Amateur Football Combination
Formed in 2002 from the amalgamation of the Old Boys League and the Southern Olympian League, the AFC is one of the largest adult football competitions in Europe, with over 100 clubs based all around London.
Southern Amateur Football League
The SAL was founded in 1907, the same year as the Amateur Football Alliance to which it is affiliated. Nowadays the SAL consists of thirty-seven clubs fielding approximately 215 sides based in the Greater London area.
Arthurian League
Formed in 1961 and now running 6 divisions with over 50 member clubs and incorporating the Arthur Dunn Cup, established in 1902 for clubs consisting of former pupils of public schools.