Morden Little League Celebrate 25th Birthday

Earlier this month Morden Little League celebrated 25 years of Girls football at King George's Playing Fields, Tudor Drive, Morden.

The event started with a parade at 9.30am with their 130 current players - girls ranging from 7 – 14 years of age. The eight original teams were recreated and each team had one or two of the very first original managers from 1994 leading them out.

The parade was led by three young female officials and followed by honourable guests including representatives from Surrey FA, the Mayor of Merton, the President of Morden Little League and one of the founders of Little League Football. The parade of players was followed by past players, former managers Jeannette Luffman, Lorraine Murton, Jan O’Brien, Cordell Burke and June Sanders, along with sponsors and supportive parents. All players were then presented with a memento of the day and then and the older current players re-created one of the very first original girls’ games from 1994; Exel Angels v Gregory’s Girls.

Later in the day a friendly match involving many of the original players from 25 years ago took place.  This was a huge success, with players asking if they could come back and do it all again!

Lorraine Murton of the Morden Little League commented, “I was very proud to be part of Morden Little League for so many years but more importantly, very proud to be a part of the Girls 25th Anniversary celebrations.  Although I retired from football some 9 years ago, I still feel a great passion towards the progression of the female game and in particular, in what people should remember is the true grassroots of football.”

Surrey FA Chairman Les Pharo added, “I was honoured to be invited to this celebration and meet the volunteers and players involved from the past and present. The values upheld by the league are a true example of “football for all”, something which is at the heart of Surrey FA’s values and principles. The Little League is a shining example of that ethos”.

How does the Morden Little League work?

• Mixed ability football
• Totally Free
• Every child guaranteed at least half a game each week
• Run by volunteers
• A Registered Charity

To celebrate the tremendous work carried which has been done over the last 25 years, Surrey FA made a donation to support the league.