How to start a Sunday league football league team

Q: What is a Sunday league?

A Sunday league is an organised beginner-level football league that takes place on Sunday rather than the more traditional Saturday. Although this type of football is inclusive to all ages, it has gained a reputation as ‘pub football’ as teams generally consist of people who get together in the same pub, with the pub often sponsoring the team. However, this isn’t always the case, and some Sunday leagues include those who also play at a proficient level on Saturdays.

Q: What level of football is Sunday league?

Accessible to everyone, Sunday league is considered to be a beginner level of football, but it’s important to note that these don’t form an official part of the English Premier League system and generally aren’t considered to be positioned at a set level. Instead, Sunday league teams are regulated by governing bodies based throughout the country, known as County Football Associations.

Q: Can a Sunday league team get promoted?

Though Sunday league teams don’t form an official part of the English Premier League system - there’s the option for these to switch to being a Saturday team and work their way up through the league from there. There’s also the opportunity for teams to play Sunday League football competitively, with a national FA Sunday Cup, which has been running ever since the 1960s.

Q: How much does it cost to set up your team?

From paying one time fees for sending your application to your local FA (prices can vary from county to county) to the registration fees that come with joining your local league (around £80-£100 per year) there are a few costs to consider when setting up your team. Although there is no definite answer on exact costs, you’ll need between £130 to £180 for registration fees. You’ll also need to consider the expenses of hiring out a pitch for trails, but this can again vary depending on quality and location.

Starting a Sunday league football team is about more than just finding 11 players and a pitch, it's about building a community, creating a shared identity, and bringing people together through a love of the game. Whether you’re driven by competitive glory, the social side of matchdays, or a reason to stay active, launching a team from scratch requires a lot of hard work and determination, but the rewards and payoff is always worth the effort.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get your Sunday league team off the ground, step by step, from league registration to kit sourcing and player recruitment. We’ll cover the practical essentials, the common pitfalls to prepare for, and the small details that make a big difference in your first season and beyond. By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap to create a fully functioning football team ready to kick off on Sunday morning.

What is a Sunday league?

A Sunday league is a grassroots, amateur football team that takes place on Sunday mornings or afternoons, designed for players of all abilities who want to enjoy competitive football without the pressures of the professional game. Teams are accessible to people of all ages, and are organised by regional football associations with structured divisions, fixtures, and referees. While these games can be competitive, the focus is on participation, enjoyment, and keeping football accessible to everyone.

In the UK, Sunday league football offers thousands of players the chance to play regular, organised matches week in, week out. It can bring the opportunity for coaches, referees and club organisers to get their start, as well as providing a chance to form lifelong friendships and local rivalries with other teams. These leagues are not an official part of the English Premier League system, however they are regulated by governing bodies known as County Football Associations.

How to start a Sunday league team?

A lot goes into creating your own Sunday league team, from deciding on the perfect team name, to recruiting players, there are many elements that go into starting a team. While it can be overwhelming, and take a lot of organisation, we have broken down this process into clear steps to help make the process manageable so you can get your Sunday league off the ground in no time.

Step one: Choose a team name and identity

One of the preliminary steps to starting a Sunday league is to choose a team name and identity to build the vision of what you want your club to be.This is a chance for you to channel your creativity, giving you the freedom to choose whatever name you want to best represent how people will remember your team. Your team name should be unique and memorable, something that’s not too complicated or too simple that may make it hard for your team to stand out.

You will also need to decide on a team crest. This design should be simple and tie in with your team name. It’s important to check that the name and crest you choose aren’t already being used by another team. Once your name and crest has been decided you should choose the colours of your team’s home and away kits. You should choose high-quality kits that use performance-focused materials and functional designs. If you’re looking for more information, our blog provides helpful tips on how to choose the right kit for your club.

Here at Avec Sport, we have a wide variety of football kit colours and styles to help you find the perfect kit for your team. We can also customise your kit with your team's logo so you can make it unique to your club. Browse through our full collection of team kits to find the right fit for your team.

Step two: Appoint officials

It’s normal that you will be managing most administrative tasks on your own in the beginning, however, even at Sunday league level, assigning roles can help prevent workload becoming overwhelming. Sunday football leagues in the UK are required to have appointed club officials such as managers and treasurer to handle everything from keeping track of your team's finances to ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.

Having clear responsibilities for each person will help the team run smoothly and avoid any confusion during the season. To keep the running of the club smoothly you should hire club officials such as a manager, treasurer, and secretary to spread the workload and keep everything organised.

Manager

A manager is one of the more physically demanding roles of a Sunday league and will require actively working with the team both on and off the pitch. The role of a football manager is to act as the main point of contact for 1-on-1 training sessions, choose the lineup for each match and help enhance their skills and boost morale. For this role, you will want to look for someone with plenty of experience in football training who has great communication skills.

Secretary

A secretary will oversee most of the general admin duties including confirming matches, reporting scores, and executing day-to-day administrative tasks. This includes keeping the other officials up to date on schedules and any adjustments. A natural organiser with great communication skills is your best bet for this position.

Treasurer

A treasurer will be responsible for overseeing all of the club’s finances. This will include handling the collection of money from players and sponsors, managing pitch hire fees, and ensuring the club doesn’t exceed its spending limit. As someone who’ll be dealing with money, you’ll want someone who’s good with numbers, trustworthy and has good organisational skills.

Step three: Recruit players

You should create a team of 16-20 players so that you have enough to cover any injuries, holidays or dropouts and still have your starting 11. All players should attend training sessions and matches, with those who don’t make the starting 11 expected to sit on the substitute bench until needed in a match. To find players, we suggest you contact friends, work colleagues, or use social media and local football forums to fill any gaps. Make sure when recruiting players that everyone understands the level of commitment expected, including matchdays and training.

We suggest holding trial sessions when choosing players so you can pick the most suitable ones for your team. Trials will require a thought-out strategy and drills that will truly put the players to the test and see what they’re capable of. Make sure you don’t pick a team solely consisting of great attackers or defenders, you’ll need a range of skillsets to make your team successful.. You should get input from all three officials at this point of the process as well, to help give your team the best chance of success in future matches.

Once you’ve chosen your players after the trials, get in contact with them as soon as possible to let them know they’ve been successful and invite them to join your team. You might want to start a group on social media with all of your players invited so that they can communicate with each other easily to build friendships and camaraderie, while also giving you an easy way to share news.

Step four: Secure a home pitch

Finding a reliable home ground is essential. The cost for securing a pitch can vary, so it’s important to factor this into your budget early. We suggest contacting local councils, leisure centres, schools, or sports clubs to hire pitches for the season.

Step five: Register your team

To become an official Sunday league team, you’ll need to register with your local county football association. This will not only cement the legitimacy of your club, but also provide you with invaluable access to the local footballing community. Research local Sunday leagues in your area and check their entry requirements, deadlines, and fees so you are well prepared. Most leagues are affiliated with the FA and will require basic admin such as team details, player registrations, and proof of insurance.

You can register your Sunday football league team online by visiting the County FAs page to find out who your local football association is. From this website, you will be able to find who the relevant contacts are and you can send your club details and application form to them. Once registered, you will gain access to a list of local leagues and you can use this to apply and get your team involved in local matches.

Step six: Register your players

As well as registering the team, you will also need to register each of your players with your local county FA. You will need to provide some general information on each player and this will help determine their eligibility. Once your players have been approved, they can start competing in your chosen league.

Step seven: Sort kits and equipment

Every team needs a match kit, away kit, training wear, footballs and other equipment. We suggest choosing kit colours that don’t clash with other teams in your league. Many teams work with grassroots-focused brands like us here at Avec Sport to get quality, affordable kits that can be customised with sponsors and team branding. Our Team Avec+ service allows you to create fully customisable team kits that you can bulk order to receive an exclusive discount.

Step eight: Confirm fixtures and organise training sessions

Once all of the above has been sorted, you will need to begin organising training sessions and friendly matches before the season starts to build fitness and team chemistry. Starting a Sunday league team takes commitment from all involved, but the rewards make it well worth the effort.

How much does it cost to set up a Sunday league?

The cost of setting up a Sunday league team can vary depending on location, league, and how professionally you want to run things. There are many different costs involved which can accumulate, with most teams expecting to spend between £1000 and £3000 per season. Below is a breakdown of the typical costs involved.

League & FA Fees

At first you will have to pay a one-time fee for league registration, along with the FA affiliation cost, which will range between £130-£180. On top of this, you’ll also need to pay player registration fees, which can often total £100-£300 depending on your county FA and squad size.

Pitch Hire

Pitch hire is usually the biggest ongoing expense for a Sunday league. Councils or private venues typically charge £40-£80 per home match, which over a season can add up to £500-£1,000+. Costs may increase if changing rooms or floodlit facilities are included.

Referee Fees

Referees are generally paid per match, the price of which can vary depending on experience, qualifications and the amount of matches they officiate.

Kits & Equipment

A full match kit will vary in cost depending on quality, customisation, and squad size. You’ll also need an away kit, footballs, cones, and bibs which can all add up. Many teams offset kit costs with sponsorship or by partnering with grassroots brands like Avec Sport.

Insurance & Admin

Some leagues will require public liability insurance and additional admin costs such as fines, discipline fees, or website registrations that should also be factored in.

Player Subs

To cover these costs, most teams charge players weekly or monthly subs, often £5-£10 per match. Again these fees will vary, but clear communication around subs helps keep finances under control.

Once you start collecting membership fees and attracting sponsors, you will be able to fund everything on your own. Local businesses can sponsor kits or equipment to help reduce costs. Grants are also available from the likes of The Football Foundation, Sport England, or local councils that offer funding for new clubs.

If you want to learn more about all the ways you can attract a sponsor to fund your club's activities you can read our blog on attracting a sponsor for your grassroots football team and our piece on fundraising ideas for your team.

Kit out your Sunday league team with Avec Sport

Ready to start your Sunday football league team? We’ve got you covered. Here at Avec Sport we have a wide range of premium football team kits, with a huge selection of colours and customisable options available, so you can get something unique for your Sunday league team. Ensure your football players look and perform at their best, helping you to stand out and attract sponsors.