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.
The biggest piece of news this month is the launch of our brand-new website. Everything is now in one place: teams, fixtures, results, fees, the Boot Room, club documents and this newsletter. It works properly on phones, so add it to your home screen and check in before matchdays.
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 6 November at Manor House Playing Fields. It's one of the biggest nights of the year for the village — come along and grab a sweet treat. Full details are on the Parish Council website.
Dates for your diary
- Sunday 4 October — league season begins for all age groups (U7–U18)
- Friday 6 November — fireworks night; AYFC runs the sweet stall (details)
- 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
Club Spirit Award
Each month we'll celebrate a player who has shown great sportsmanship, respect, teamwork or community spirit — 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, we now use a local supplier for all of our kit requirements — contact the club for more information.
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.
You can read our full Safeguarding Children Policy on the club website, including the contact details for raising a concern.