Eckington Boys and Belles are, since 2017, an FA Charter Standard Development Club and Proud Nike Partner Club, based in Eckington, Sheffield. Eckington Boys and Belles Football Club is abbreviated as E.B.F.C.
E.B.F.C operates as a not-for-profit organisation and is an organisation whose primary purpose is to finance activities that help the community rather than make a profit for its members. The club is also a registered charity – Charity overview, ECKINGTON BFC – 1121016, Register of Charities – The Charity Commission.
Club History
Eckington Boys Football Club was founded in 1983 by J. Adams, J. Gardner, J. Barden, A. Bailey, M. Wake and P. Reaney. The club formed from the old Halfway & Eckington Club when it was realised that the then Under 11’s were mainly from Eckington, and from this came the idea that Eckington could and should support a local team. From this small beginning the boys teams have gradually expanded to the current level participating in 10 different age groups.
Several attempts to establish girls football within the club were made during the past 10 years and since 2002 this section of the club has continued to flourish and continues to expand.
In 2006 an Open Age team was introduced to enable previous playing members to continue their associations with the club.
There are now a total of 16 teams with approximately 180 boys and 40 girls playing each week-end throughout the season.
The club participates in the following leagues:
- Sheffield & District Junior Sunday League
- Rowsley League
- Chesterfield & District Sunday League
- Sheffield & Hallamshire Girls County League
E.B.F.C was the first club in the country to have a Child Protection and Welfare policy, which was followed by the rest of the league.
The club name was changed in 2006 to accurately reflect the incorporation of male and female teams (Boys and Belles) enabling the retention of the original club logo.
The Eckington B.F.C badge – the canary and miners lamp, which reflects the local mining roots and the past footballing connections with Norwich City football club.
FA Charter Standard
Eckington BFC are a Charter Standard Development Club striving towards achieving Charter Standard Community status in 2017.
