THE EAST Berkshire Football League is delighted to announce that it will launch a competitive 11-v-11 midweek Veterans Division for the 2017/18 season.

Through the summer of 2016, the Berks & Bucks FA ran social 11-v-11 veterans football in Slough with five times participating. This began a flurry of activity with additional sides wishing to participate.

Following on from that success, the Berks & Bucks FA have teamed up with the East Berkshire Football League to support another season of veterans football, together launching the first-ever Veterans Division at step seven in Berkshire.

The playing format has been structured to reflect today's hectic lifestyles where players' time is limited. One hour (60-minute) games played in midweek has certainly captured the imagination of teams and players.

Matches in the new East Berkshire Football League Veterans Division will be played on a Wednesday evening at the Arbour Park Community Sports Stadium in Stoke Road, Slough - the new home to Slough Town Football Club.

The new division is also open to current member clubs and players of the East Berkshire Football League and will not effect upon your registration into the current Saturday leagues.

Funding has been secured from the FA to support the running of social summer provisions.

Stephen Sharman is an FA Regional Manager and said: “The FA is committed to supporting the correct football experience for participants that takes into account the format of game they wish to play.

"It's fabulous that the East Berkshire League are now overseeing the veterans 11-v-11 competition this season. Their partnership with the Berks and Bucks FA is extremely positive and is helping develop grassroots football across the county.”

Simon Wears is Football Development Manager at the Berks & Bucks FA. He said: “We're really pleased to have secured the handover of teams to the East Berkshire League. They've been very supportive in taking on the provision, plus very innovative and open to their approach to supporting adult male 11-v-11 football.

"This is an exciting opportunity for the teams and players involved in offering an opportunity to continue their 11-v-11 veterans provision.”

Gary Reeves is general secretary at the East Berkshire Football League and commented: "The EBFL is very pleased to have this opportunity to promote and run the new East Berkshire Veterans 11-v-11 league, which gives a wonderful chance for players over the age of 35 to get involved and carry on playing for a number of years in a great environment.

"In general, 11-v-11 has been declining slightly. We now have a chance to redress the balance and we hope there is a significant take up of local players in the area of Slough ,Windsor and Maidenhead.

"We have worked closely with the County FA, particularly Simon Wears, and look forwards to developing Veterans football across the county."

The new Veterans Division is open to over-35 teams and players within a 20-mile radius of the Guild Hall in Windsor.

The application process is now open. Please email your entry into info@ebfl.co.uk or call Rob Stevens at 07802 456740.