Created By Michael Black
Copyright 2006

How its All Began
(40-41Years)

It’s a little known fact that Morden Little League grew from a passion for Baseball. Frank Adey had travelled to the USA to experience his passion for the sport. He soon discovered Little League Baseball (LLB) where every child was free to participate and all teams were selected so each had an equal chance. With England’s recent World Cup success in mind, a germ of an idea became lodged in Frank’s thoughts. On his return home, he decided to put this idea into action and set about founding Little League Football. the principles and format of the league have hardly changed since Frank’s passion for baseball ignited what we all witness and enjoy every Saturday morning on King George’s Field.

The following is an article Frank recently wrote for the 40th Anniversary of Morden LLF:-

“For many years I thought there was school and local boys’ teams but what about organised football for those youngsters who could not get in a team or there family could not afford the kit or weekly fees. With these thoughts I wrote down several rules and even designed a badge, the very badge that became the emblem of Little League Football. I was just dreaming.

Then in 1967 it happened. Working for Watliff Co. Ltd of Merton, a fellow colleague George Burdett, who at that time managed Merstham F.C. burst into my print room and said ‘Merstham have sacked me, I am going to start a boy’s team’ and off he went, quickly followed by me saying ‘George don’t do anything until you hear from me’ the seed had been sown.

I contacted several Watliff employees who might have been interested and then decided to approach the Chairman and managing Director, Mr. W. E. Arnold, about the possibility of forming a 6 team league, being sponsored by local companies. He not only offered to sponsor a team but made arrangements for me to give a talk at the Morden Rotary Club – five Rotarians agreed to sponsor teams. All the equipment, goal posts, benches etc., necessary to start the league were made and supplied by the company. The company’s address could also be used as the National Headquarters. Without the generosity of Mr. Arnold, Little League Football would never have got off the ground.

The Inaugural Meeting was held on 21 February 1968.

My wife and I distributed leaflets announcing target dates – result was 10 fingers and 25 gloves caught in letter boxes!!

Try out sessions commenced on Saturday 24 August and some 200 boys attended, 84 were selected. Those who did not gain a team were notified by letter and informed they would be considered of a place became vacant.

The official opening by the Mayor of Merton, Alderman N. S. Clarke J.P. was held on Saturday 5 October 1968 with an attendance of 500 parents, friends and guests.

I sincerely thank all those in the past, all those in the present and those in the future, of this great organisation called - Little League Football - How that little seed has grown”.  

Frank Adey