September 2026 newsletter
Welcome to the new season
Welcome to the very first edition of the AYFC monthly newsletter — a short round-up for parents and coaches covering everything happening around the club, published around the middle of each month at abbotsyouthfc.co.uk/news.
Our brand-new website is now live — all the essentials in one place: teams, fixtures, fees, the Boot Room, club documents and this newsletter.
As ever, everything we do is run by volunteers — thank you to every coach, helper and parent who makes the club what it is.
Around the club
U9 Red are Evergreen champions
Huge congratulations to our Under 9 Red squad, who won the Evergreen tournament at the end of August to lift the trophy. A brilliant team performance from every player — and a proud moment for their coaches. Well done, team!
Season start delayed — now Sunday 4 October
West Herts Football League have confirmed a further delay to the season start following the weather-hit summer. All age groups (U7–U18) will now kick off on Sunday 4 October. Keep an eye on the FULL-TIME app and the fixtures page for confirmation of kick-off times and venues.
Fireworks night — sweet stall
The club is once again running the sweet stall at the parish fireworks night on Friday [TBC — early November]. It's one of our biggest fundraisers of the year and great fun. If you can spare an hour to help on the stall, please speak to your team manager — many hands make light work (and there are sweets in it for you).
Dates for your diary
- Sunday 4 October — league season begins for all age groups (U7–U18)
- Friday [TBC] November — fireworks night; AYFC runs the sweet stall — volunteers needed
- Around the middle of each month — the next AYFC newsletter is published at abbotsyouthfc.co.uk/news
Club lottery — play from £1 a week
A quick plug for the Watford Community Lottery, which supports the club directly. Tickets start at just £1 a week, with a top prize of £25,000 — and 50p in every £1 comes straight back to AYFC to help keep running costs down for families.
If you can, sign up or gift a ticket: watfordcommunitylottery.co.uk/support/abbots-youth-fc
Player of the month
Each month we'll celebrate a player who has stood out for effort, attitude or improvement — as nominated by their coach.
[Player name] — [add a line or two about why they earned it]. A brilliant example for their teammates. Collect your certificate at training this week!
Kit & Boot Room
The Boot Room is our second-hand kit shop, raising funds for the club. If you're after boots, astros, shirts or shorts at sensible prices, have a look at the Boot Room pages on the website.
For brand-new club kit and training wear, the AYFC Shop (run with Total Football Direct) is open all year round — perfect timing with the new season starting on 4 October.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. All of our coaches are DBS-checked and we follow FA guidance on children's football.
If you ever have a concern about a child's welfare — on or off the pitch — please contact our Club Welfare Officer, Gordon Wilson, or speak to any of your child's coaches in confidence.