The Olympian Sunday Football League was formed in 1972 under the leadership of local Chartered Accountant and
professional gambler Tony Ansell when twelve clubs left the Watford Sunday League. Initially there was only a single division and a cup competition but the subsequent years has seen continuous growth. The only club that has had unbroken membership since its inception is Reed Rangers.
Slowly, and despite severe opposition from the rival Watford Sunday League and local media, the League established itself during the late 1970s and by 1978 the League had grown to three divisions and two cup competitions. The start of the 1980s saw the League flourish and as well as now running four divisions and four cup competitions, a six-a-side tournament was introduced.
Among the leading figures on the League Management Committee during this period were current Vice Presidents Ernie Coker, Jack Rosenfield, Colin Lown and Ken Simmons who served the League as Treasurer until his death in 1991. Dave Turner was the General Secretary from 1986 until 1995, although he continued to serve the OSFL as Fixtures Secretary for a further two years until his death in 1995. Tom Simpson was the Registration Secretary who served right through this time until his retirement in 2002.
John Soppitt took over as General Secretary in 1995 and oversaw the end of Sunday afternoon games - from then on all games would kick off on in the mornings. The 1993-94 season saw the demise of the third division with Leavesden Green being the last winners in their first season in the League.
Since the start of the 1994/95 season, the League has maintained three divisions - Premier, First & Second - and four cup competitions with an occasional Invitation Cup competition. During the latter years of the 1990s, the League continued to improve and grow with many clubs doing well in the Herts FA County Cup competitions.
With the arrival of the Internet revolution the League was one of the first in the county to have its own website that went live in 2002 and has been upgraded several times since.
The start of the 2002/03 season saw the cup competitions reorganised so that each of the divisions had its own inter-divisional cup, in addition to the Birkdale Trophies sponsored Challenge Cup. That season also saw the League celebrate its thirtieth anniversary in style with the representative side winning the Herts FA Inter League Cup by beating the Watford Sunday League 3-0 in the final at the County Ground in Letchworth. It was in this season that the League produced its first ever full colour programmes for cup finals.
The 2004/05 season was a great success with ten new clubs - a great achievement when most leagues in the area were losing them and over 700 people attended the four cup finals at Kings Langley FC.
Over its thirty four year history, the League has provided enjoyable and competitive Sunday football for many clubs, players, referees and club officials.
professional gambler Tony Ansell when twelve clubs left the Watford Sunday League. Initially there was only a single division and a cup competition but the subsequent years has seen continuous growth. The only club that has had unbroken membership since its inception is Reed Rangers.
Slowly, and despite severe opposition from the rival Watford Sunday League and local media, the League established itself during the late 1970s and by 1978 the League had grown to three divisions and two cup competitions. The start of the 1980s saw the League flourish and as well as now running four divisions and four cup competitions, a six-a-side tournament was introduced.
Among the leading figures on the League Management Committee during this period were current Vice Presidents Ernie Coker, Jack Rosenfield, Colin Lown and Ken Simmons who served the League as Treasurer until his death in 1991. Dave Turner was the General Secretary from 1986 until 1995, although he continued to serve the OSFL as Fixtures Secretary for a further two years until his death in 1995. Tom Simpson was the Registration Secretary who served right through this time until his retirement in 2002.
John Soppitt took over as General Secretary in 1995 and oversaw the end of Sunday afternoon games - from then on all games would kick off on in the mornings. The 1993-94 season saw the demise of the third division with Leavesden Green being the last winners in their first season in the League.
Since the start of the 1994/95 season, the League has maintained three divisions - Premier, First & Second - and four cup competitions with an occasional Invitation Cup competition. During the latter years of the 1990s, the League continued to improve and grow with many clubs doing well in the Herts FA County Cup competitions.
With the arrival of the Internet revolution the League was one of the first in the county to have its own website that went live in 2002 and has been upgraded several times since.
The start of the 2002/03 season saw the cup competitions reorganised so that each of the divisions had its own inter-divisional cup, in addition to the Birkdale Trophies sponsored Challenge Cup. That season also saw the League celebrate its thirtieth anniversary in style with the representative side winning the Herts FA Inter League Cup by beating the Watford Sunday League 3-0 in the final at the County Ground in Letchworth. It was in this season that the League produced its first ever full colour programmes for cup finals.
The 2004/05 season was a great success with ten new clubs - a great achievement when most leagues in the area were losing them and over 700 people attended the four cup finals at Kings Langley FC.
Over its thirty four year history, the League has provided enjoyable and competitive Sunday football for many clubs, players, referees and club officials.
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Olympian Sunday Football League
Established 1972
Watford Borough Council
01923 672283
Three Rivers Council
01923 242911
Queens School
01923 478209
Next club meeting
15th March 2010
8pm
Watford Labour Club
Our Partners
The Olympian Sunday Football League is affiliated to the Hertfordshire Football Association and are in partnership with the South West Hertfordshire Referee's Association
