The Aberystwyth and District Junior League (subsequently the Aberystwyth and District Football League) was formed following a meeting held at the Liberal Club, St.James’s Square, Aberystwyth, on 12 September 1934. Various tournaments and cup competitions had been arranged on an irregular basis in the area by Aberystwyth Town F.C. since the 1890s, but this new league was to provide the continuity and regulation for local football which previously had been wanting. By 1934, it was estimated that there were eight teams playing in Aberystwyth alone and fifteen teams in the area. Inspired by an article by Doug Wright, which appeared in the local newspaper, the Cambrian News, and instigated by two football supporters, Evan Chamberlain and Fred Kenyon snr, the September meeting was organised and nine clubs sent representatives. In a further meeting on 8 October the number of interested teams had risen to fourteen and the first chairman, a local headmaster, James Davies, and the first secretary, Len Roberts, were elected. Len Roberts was to remain in the post until 1961. Rules were formed and it was stipulated that member clubs had to be based within a twenty mile radius of Aberystwyth and that a five shilling entrance fee would be payable by each club. In future years the League was to serve clubs from as far north as Dolgellau and as far south as Llanddewi Brefi. The new League was divided into Saturday and Wednesday divisions and the following clubs competed during that first season. Saturday division Wednesday division Although some teams soon dropped out, at the end of the season Len Roberts was able to report that the League: ‘...although still in its infancy and with the many shortcomings of junior football, is one of the largest junior leagues in the whole country and ‘looks after itself’ with a thoroughness that deserves the highest praise.’ The League has since grown from strength to strength and is now one of the best run and most important Leagues in mid-Wales.
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