This website is dedicated to celebrating and preserving the rich and often overlooked history of Youth American Football in Great Britain.
From the grassroots beginnings of two-touch leagues in the 1980s, to the rise of fully kitted junior programs across the country, this site aims to document the teams, players, leagues, and unforgettable moments that shaped the sport for young people across the UK.
You’ll find season summaries, league standings, game reports, and championship recaps—all brought together to honour the legacy of British youth gridiron.
📣 Got a Story to Tell?
We’re always looking to expand our archive. If you have:
- 📷 Photos
- 📄 Match programs, stats, records
- 🗣️ Stories or memories
- 🏈 Anything related to youth American football in the UK
Please get in touch — whether you’re a former player, coach, official, or fan, your contributions are invaluable in helping us build a complete and lasting record. Together, we can ensure that the early chapters of British American football are never forgotten.
Latest Posts & Articles
- Birth of the SJAFL
Pete Laird on Founding the Scottish Junior American Football League at Age 15 In the mid-1980s, American football fever hit the UK — but in one corner of Scotland, it wasn’t just adults getting involved. At just 15… Read more: Birth of the SJAFL - First Youth Game
Britball Origins: The First Youth Game in Britain – Cougars vs Hawks, 1985 Date: September 29th, 1985Venue: The Meadows, EdinburghTeams: Corstorphine Cougars 18 – Edinburgh Hawks 0Format: Flag Football “It might’ve looked chaotic to anyone passing by, but… Read more: First Youth Game - Lea Hall
Lea Hall: From Blackpool Parks to the GB For Lea Hall, a sleepless night in the mid-1980s became the first step in a journey that would see him represent Great Britain on the gridiron. Lying in bed with… Read more: Lea Hall - John Hartley
John Hartley: From Sheffield to the States – A Pioneer of British Youth Football Interview by britballhistory.co.uk Introduction It feels only fitting that the very first interview for britballhistory.co.uk is with someone who was there at the very… Read more: John Hartley