We’re no great footballers at Rampton Baseley - property is more our thing - but if you’re the parent of footie-mad kids, you’ll know the importance of finding the right football club for you child close to where you live. Maybe you’re new to south-west London or thinking of moving here. Or maybe your children are just reaching the age when a kickabout is pretty much essential to every park trip.
Whatever your reason, we’ve got the lowdown on the best junior football teams locally, whether you’re based in Wandsworth, Clapham, Battersea or Balham. But choose carefully, you’re going to be spending a lot of time at the touchline over the next few years!
Not-for-profit established 20 years ago and run by coaches passionate about bringing quality youth football to south London. Training is on Tuesdays at Aspire behind Southfields Community College (King George’s Park).
Broomwood FC is volunteer-run community club founded in 1988 and based on Wandsworth Common. With more than 1,000 players (including over 250 girls) aged from reception to Year 12, it’s one of the UK’s biggest youth football clubs.
The club says it looks to develop technically-sound players who are as brave as lions on the ball while playing the beautiful game in a positive way. The club’s development sessions are for all abilities, aged four to 11. Training is on Wednesdays and Saturdays at Wandle Recreation Centre, Mapleton Road, SW18. There is also a centre for excellence by invitation.
Outdoor fitness coaching and sports company Open Air Fit, run by ex-pro footballer, Mel Capleton, offers football for kids each Saturday at 10.30am on Wandsworth Common. Sessions are open to boys and girls aged three to 12, of all abilities.
Football coaching on Saturday mornings on Wandsworth Common for children aged three to 13, every week, all year round.
The club runs four programmes for all abilities and takes children from reception to Year 8. Development and technical sessions are available on the all-weather pitch at Battersea Park.
Founded in 2016, the Dingoes offer weekly clinics, which encourage children to socialise, have fun, keep fit and enjoy the game. Sessions happen throughout the week at venues around Battersea. Competitive squads play in Sunday leagues with training on a Saturday.
Solang & Hansen’s football academy welcomes children aged over four-and-a-half with the aim of having fun while “learning to play football in the best possible way”. It is based at the Battersea Park all-weather pitch.
Balham Ballers was set up in 2019 by football coach Issachar Nicholls as a community club for all abilities. It offers various sessions including Baby Ballers for children aged two to four and its popular girls-only club. The Ballers’ youth team competes in the Tandridge Youth League. All sessions are held at Ravenstone Primary School.
Local team Balham FC is on a mission to bring a bit of Barcelona to Balham. At youth level, Balham has more than 20 squads from U7 to U18, playing in leagues throughout London and the home counties. Young players interested in competing for the club should register for trials via the website.
Operating since 1976, the little league promises fun and inclusive football for boys and girls aged seven to 13, on Clapham Common every Saturday morning. All are welcome to come along and play.
Clapham Rangers development sessions are open to players from the age of four years old. There is also a dedicated development centre for girls. Sessions take place each Saturday from 10 to 11.30am on Clapham Common.
Classes for children aged 18 months to eight years old at four different levels. There are classes across the UK with many in south-west London including Clapham Common Westside.
If you’re looking to move into the area, we’d love to talk to you about your priorities – junior football or otherwise. Contact us to find out more, whether you’re looking in Wandsworth, Clapham, Battersea, Balham or Earlsfield.