We have children playing in our Mini Soccer School for U5s and U6s and league teams from U7s to U18s. We offer football for children with all levels of ability - there is a team for everyone.
Our teams compete in the Cambs Mini Soccer League, Cambs Colts League, Royston Crow League and Eastern Junior Alliance League (EJA). With over 500 children, our club is one of the largest in Essex and still growing. We were awarded the Essex FA Charter Standard Club of the Year in 2018 and continue to strive to achieve the highest standards.
45
league teams
600+
players
120+
coaches
Formed from a merger of Spartak 78 YSC and Saffron Walden Town Youth FC in 2018, the new Community club has grown and grown.We are a registered Charity (number 801764) and run by volunteers. All subscriptions go towards providing quality football for our members and supporting the qualification of our coaches.
" Football has to be fun for kids or it doesn't make sense. "
— Johann Cruyff
" We don't need to be screamers on the sideline. I think we can create an environment where the kid is in charge of his own game. "
— Jurgen Klinsmann
We support our volunteer coaches and assistant coaches by funding their attendance at FA training courses. We have one of the highest number of qualified coaches at any youth football club in Essex.
Our coaches and assistant coaches are all CRB checked and have a valid Safeguarding Children and Emergency Aid certificate. We take these qualifications and checks seriously. This is why we have maintained our FA Charter Standard for the last 5 years and were awarded Essex FA Charter Standard Club of the year in 2018.
All teams have at least one FA Level 1 qualified coach and many have two or more. We’ve also have 18 Level 2 qualified coaches at the club and these numbers are increasing all the time. One of our coaches has achieved UEFA B Level 3!
Our sister club Saffron Walden PSG offers league football for girls in Saffron Walden and the surrounding areas. Together we are raising the funds to support #myCommunity3G.
Our senior club partner, Saffron Walden Town FC, was formed in 1872, and are the oldest club in Essex still in existence, and the 19th oldest in the world. The “Bloods” as they are known, because of the red in the club colours were founder members of the Essex County Football Association in 1882. We aspire to provide the next generation of SWTFC players!
" Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do. "
— Pele
In partnership with Saffron Walden County High School, we are building a new state-of-the-art 3G pitch in 2021. Work is well under way - by the end of the summer this first-class football facility will be available for use by local children.
@SWCommunityFC
@swcysc
The end of any season brings some “farewells” and this year is no different - this is the first of a few “thank you” posts to departing managers and coaches.
Mike Riccio has been the manager of our Saffron Walden Town FC U18 squad for the last 11 years. The team is the bridge between the Community (Youth) and Senior clubs.
Several of the hundreds of players Mike has worked with have gone on to play first team football - either with us, or even higher. ⚽️
After such a long stint of continuous commitment to the development of our young talent, Mike is stepping away to focus much needed time on his popular and thriving business, Casa Luxe.
As a parting gift to the Club, Mike has renewed his sponsorship with a new perimeter sign on our 3G pitch at Saffron Walden County High School, which was unveiled yesterday. 🌟
Thank you, Mike, for your service to Youth Football over the last 11 years 👏 👏👏 from both the Club and the young footballers you have worked with.
We look forward to seeing you at a #Bloods or #YoungBloods home game at Catons Lane soon 🔴⚫️⚽️
Saffron Walden Reporter Saffron Walden PSG FC Grassroots Football UK Essex County FA Saffron Walden Town Football Club Saffron Walden Town Football Club Croucher Needham Saffron Apparel Ltd Saffron Building Society
Thank you all for your kind words, that really does mean a lot to me. It was a very emotional decision but an easy one. I’ll explain: my goal was three pronged. At the outset, to set up an U18 team to bridge the gap between U16’s Youth & the Men’s teams with a specific agenda to make the standard high enough to enable the men’s teams to pick from these developing young players. Alongside this, for the Youth set up to provide good quality young players coming through the system from a young age who could play at a high level, matched in ability, to feed into the U18’s & then on to the Men’s team. Finally to have an all weather 3G training & playing facility in Saffron Walden for all our Club teams to use. I am pleased to say that all that I dreamed of & set out to do has been achieved with the help of many! We have four EJA Youth Teams at different age groups up to U16, feeding into U18. We have a fantastic facility in our 3G at SWCHS. Most of the hard work & credit on the Youth progression front & 3G has to go down to Matt Clare & Martin Johnson, I was just a strong supporter & advocate💪🏼👏🏼 So that combined with the expansion of my business & recognising the fact that there was a need for some younger Blood take it to the next level - my decision easy. The U18’s will be in good hands led by Tom Ryan & his Management Team, (Tom being a true Blood, ex-player & local man). There was good dialogue & opportunities for many young players this season thanks to Steve Ince,Terry & Michael Toner, which looks set to continue next season. With Jamie Sharp at the helm, (passionate Bloods supporter from a child, local businessman & heavily involved in the local community), is a great advocate of home grown players & the necessity of developing young players all the way through through our system for stability & sustainability for our Club - the future looks very bright! I’ve had a fantastic time & thoroughly enjoyed sharing my passion for the game along with the camaraderie seldom found in other walks of life. I’d like to thank the following people who have had such a positive impact on my journey & made it memorable, in every sense of the word, all of which have such passion for the beautiful game & recognise what a wonderful Club we have: Youngy, Dave Griffin,James Hayden, Shane Mills, Nige Keating, Paul Daw, Jason Mayer, Stuart Wardley, Keith Dicker, Glenn Wilkinson, Paul Woods, Stuart Vant, Matt Clare, Martin Johnson, Brian Peggs along with all the wonderful volunteers (too many to mention), without whom our Club could not run successfully. I look forward to coming along & helping wherever I can, to support our great Club & enjoy watching all the teams. Thank you for the fantastic memories & enriching my life - once a #blood always a #blood ⚽️🔴⚫️🔴⚫️🔴⚫️🔴⚫️🔴⚫️🔴
I loved working with you, your mentoring was outstanding to me and the long discussions about wether I should be chairman will be with me forever. Glad we are working in the same building.
A sad day for the football club . Mike Riccio is a gentleman, an excellent manager and someone I’m very lucky to call a friend . Thank you for everything you done for me and long overdue beer needed soon .
Well done!! Mike outstanding achievement the work you have put in at the club has been fantastic The amount of young men that have benefited from your commitment to them is unbelievable the club will undoubtedly be a poorer place for you not being there hope all goes well for you in future with your business I am sure luck does not enter into it the hard work and dedication you put into football I sure will transcend to your business and building a great team around you as you know will pay dividends unfortunately I don’t have the need of a great hairdresser as you know hope to see you around the town
Well done Mike Riccio. You’ve been a big positive influence flying the flag for local youth and you will be missed no doubt. Enjoy your retirement! 😂
Well done Mike. Fantastic contribution to the club and an absolute pleasure to work with you over the years. Best wishes and hope to see you again soon mate.
Another of the games good guys. Had the ability to make players want to play for the club. Made me feel very welcome when I was at the club. It’s a big loss to the game as Rocky knew about player development. Good luck mate
This guy is a legend! The time and work he has put into our youth is amazing! It was a pleasure working beside you Mike whilst I worked my time at the club! You will deffo leave a big gap! ❤️
Thank you Mike for your commitment to the club, for those that you have bought through the steps to the 1st team, you truly do have the players interests at heart for which i am personally grateful for. All the beat for you ventures
Thank you Mike you are a star
What a fantastic job you did with aspiring young players Mike including my own two boys. Congratulations on a great career in development football.
Well done Mike. Outstanding contribution to the club.
We’ll done Mike, amazing dedication over all those years 👏👏👏
Great ambassador for the club.. hope to see you back with us on a Monday night.
Great commitment. Well done
Well done Mike 👍
Well done!!!! Tequila rose will be waiting for you next door! 🥰🎉🎉😂
Well done Mike👌
He going to be sadly missed by all
100% should be a vice president after his service to the club imo
Dylan's Soccer School will be back this half term at Saffron Walden County High School ⚽️
Full details are in the poster 👇🏼👇🏼 - contact Dylan directly for more details 🔴⚫️⚽️
Saffron Walden Town FC Saffron Walden PSG FC Croucher Needham Saffron Apparel Ltd Saffron Walden Town Council Saffron Walden Town Football Club
Yesterday was the end of an era for these fine gentlemen - our U18 Red team, managed throughout their time at the club by our Chairman, Tony Saward. ⚽️
The #youngbloods played their final home league match at Saffron Walden County High School and after next weekend’s remaining away match, their journey with us ends.
Tony said
“Many of these young men joined Saffron Walden Town FC Youth or Spartak 78/Saffron Walden Community YSC as six year olds and have played twelve seasons of #GrassrootsFootball with us.
Most of them are going to University in September and I hope that they continue to play and enjoy their football wherever they are”.
As sad as it always is to see our U18s leave the club, is always balanced by immense pride at how they’ve conducted themselves over many years, and the fun and development they’ve enjoyed in their football.
This chapter may have ended, but the rest of the book is still to be written for all of you - so go and do it!
From everyone at the Club, we wish you all the best for the future. You’ll all have a warm welcome whenever you’re back. 👏👏👏
And from the players to Tony - “thank you” for everything you’ve given to this team 🙏🙏 doesn’t come close to covering it. 🔴⚫️⚽️
Saffron Walden Town Football ClubSaffron Walden ReporterCambridgeshire Football AssociationSaffron Walden PSG FCGrassroots Football UKEssex County FACroucher NeedhamSaffron Apparel LtdEngland FootballSaffron Building SocietySaffron Walden Town CouncilNon League Football@
On Tuesday night a very young Saffron Walden Town FC U18 side suffered a home defeat to Walsham Le Willows Football Club U18, who were good value for their win.👏
But there were encouraging performances from several #youngbloods - not least of which was a first ever goal at this level from 16 year old Harry Baldock, who forced a defensive error then took his chance expertly. ⚽️ 🥅
The Walden team has four more fixtures still to play as a result of the terrible weather earlier in the year - please do come down to Catons Lane to give them some deserved support. 🔴⚫️⚽️
Cambridgeshire Football Association Essex County FA Saffron Walden Reporter Saffron Walden Town Football Club
Big congratulations 🎉 to our U18 Saffron Walden Town FC award winners on Saturday at Catons Lane.
Players’ POTS was Evan Goodfellow (left) who is pictured after receiving his trophy from Manager Mike Riccio. 👏👏
The Manager’s POTS award went to ‘keeper 🧤 Andy Pinney (right). 🥊 ⚽️
It’s been a great season for our U18 Town team with 5 players being selected for the #Bloods first team and 13 appearing for the U23/Reserves side which is a remarkable statistic, and something we’re very proud of.
The #youngbloods have five more matches left to play this season, with the next one at Catons Lane tomorrow night. Please come along and support them if you can!🔴⚫️⚽️
Saffron Walden Reporter Cambridgeshire Football Association Saffron Walden PSG FC Essex Senior League Grassroots Football UK Essex County FA Saffron Walden Town Football Club Croucher Needham Saffron Apparel Ltd Saffron Building Society England Football
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