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The League has fielded a representative team since its inception in 1907. From that time until the early 21st century the fixture list remained more or less the same, consisting of other AFA-affiliated leagues, universities, public schools and member clubs celebrating milestone occasions.
Since 2007, however, the FA Inter-League Cup has provided more varied opponents from across the country. Winning the competition at the first attempt allowed the team to represent England at the UEFA Regions Cup, a feat they hope to achieve again in the near future. Since 2016 the team has also competed in the Argonaut Trophy, a round-robin tournament contested by the AFA's three open aged men's leagues, the SAL, the Amateur Football Combination and the Arthurian League. |
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New players
Manager Bob Leeds selects players from across the League by visiting as many matches as possible.
However, he is always grateful for tips on promising players so if your club has someone who could make a mark then email Bob at
bob.leeds@amateur-fa.com.
However, he is always grateful for tips on promising players so if your club has someone who could make a mark then email Bob at
bob.leeds@amateur-fa.com.
FA Inter-League Cup
Since 2007 the team has entered the FA Inter-League Cup (previously the FA National League System Cup) which sees league representative teams from across England compete with the winning team qualifying for the UEFA Regions Cup. Most of the leagues are part of Step 7 of the National League System - the official name for the higher reaches of England's non-league football pyramid - but certain others like the SAL are also invited to enter.
The SAL won the competition at the first time of asking by defeating the Midland Combination (Division 1) on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Coventry City's Ricoh Arena on 3 May 2008. The team went on to represent England at the Regions Cup in Italy in October 2008, narrowly missing out on qualifying for the final tournament despite remaining unbeaten and not conceding a goal in a group containing sides from Italy, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. The team has since reached the semi-finals in 2012 and 2016.
The SAL won the competition at the first time of asking by defeating the Midland Combination (Division 1) on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Coventry City's Ricoh Arena on 3 May 2008. The team went on to represent England at the Regions Cup in Italy in October 2008, narrowly missing out on qualifying for the final tournament despite remaining unbeaten and not conceding a goal in a group containing sides from Italy, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. The team has since reached the semi-finals in 2012 and 2016.
Argonaut Trophy
Starting in 2016 the League contests the Argonaut Trophy against the Amateur Football Combination, the Arthurian League and the Herts Senior County League. The teams play against each other once each in a mini-league with drawn matches decided by penalties with the winners getting a bonus point.
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Steve Langley Cup
Since 2003 the Steve Langley Cup has been contested with the Amateur Football Combination in memory of the former SAL and Crouch End Vampires captain who died, aged 42, from lung cancer.
MANAGER: BOB LEEDS
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Bob's involvement in football began in 1969 when joined Standard Chartered Bank FC in the London Banks FA playing in midfield. He served on the committee of the LBFA from 1980 to 1985. In 1984 he joined Old Finchleians who were then in the Southern Olympian League, whose committee he served from 1992 until 1999 when they joined the SAL. He joined the Old Finchleians committee upon joining the club in 1984 and led the 1st team to two AFA Senior Cup finals in 1998 and 1999, winning the second.
Bob took on his current role as Representative Team Manager in 2000, leading the team to the historic FA Inter-League Cup success in 2008, a triumph which led to the subsequent UEFA Regions Cup campaign in Italy. A UEFA 'B' Licence holder, Bob also manages the AFA senior and youth representative teams. Bob is also the Secretary of the Old Boys Cup Competition and works as the AFA's Football Development Officer. Other than that, he doesn't have much to do with football. |
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Fixtures & Results 2019/20
11-SEP-2019: SAL 1 - 3 AMATEUR FOOTBALL COMBINATION
STEVE LANGLEY CUP | ARGONAUT TROPHY
STEVE LANGLEY CUP | ARGONAUT TROPHY
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28-SEP-2019: SAL vs Thames Valley Premier League
FA INTER-LEAGUE CUP 1ST ROUND
FA INTER-LEAGUE CUP 1ST ROUND
© Andy Awbery
The SAL representative team defeated the Thames Valley Premier League 4 - 0 yesterday (28 Sep) to progress to the last 16 of the FA Inter-League Cup. Two quick-fire first half goals from Owen Bradley (Alleyn Old Boys) then Josh Thompson (Old Owens) from the penalty spot gave the SAL a comfortable half-time lead. Thompson then slid in the third early in the second half before Lee Raji (Polytechnic) rounded off a convincing performance with a lovely spin finish to make it 4-0.
The next round sees the team away to the Essex & Suffolk Border League in a tie which is due to be played by 29 November. The ESBL defeated the Southern Combination (former Sussex County) League 1-0 at Harwich & Parkeston, a former SAL member.
Elsewhere, our AFA colleagues at the Amateur Football Combination progress in a 2-1 win against the Essex Olympian League and will host the Jersey Combination in the next round.
The next round sees the team away to the Essex & Suffolk Border League in a tie which is due to be played by 29 November. The ESBL defeated the Southern Combination (former Sussex County) League 1-0 at Harwich & Parkeston, a former SAL member.
Elsewhere, our AFA colleagues at the Amateur Football Combination progress in a 2-1 win against the Essex Olympian League and will host the Jersey Combination in the next round.
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The team to face the Thames Valley Premier League
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09-NOV-2019: SAL VS essex & suffolk border league
FA INTER-LEAGUE CUP 2nd ROUND
FA INTER-LEAGUE CUP 2nd ROUND
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Little Oakley F.C., Memorial Ground, Harwich Rd, Little Oakley, Harwich CO12 5ED
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Representative Team videos
Wherever possible representative fixtures are filmed by FC Video. Along with cup final videos, these are available to view on the SAL YouTube channel. Below are a selection of matches in recent seasons. DVDs of these are available from FC Video for £5.00.
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SAL vs Amateur Football Combination
11 September 2019 |
SAL vs Amateur Football Combination
14 November 2018 |
SAL vs Herts Senior County League
19 May 2018 |