As the 2023/24 football season begins, Derbyshire County Football Association are celebrating their 140^th year anniversary. Derbyshire FA was formed on September 22^nd, 1883 at the Midland Hotel, Derby, during a time when Queen Victoria was on the throne, William Ewart Gladstone was prime minister and Blackburn Olympic held the FA Cup.

The main objective of the County FA was to organise a cup competition to be contested by member clubs, following the precedent set 20 years earlier when the Football Association; the world’s oldest association and therefore not requiring the prefix ‘English’ since it was the only one at the time, was founded.

Since the formation of the FA in 1863, County FA’s had been springing up all over England and in Derbyshire, a county with a strong football tradition, it was inevitable that an association would be formed. What the pioneers could not possibly have imagined was that 140 years later, Derbyshire FA would be responsible for more than 2,081 affiliated teams and over 31,000 players.

The first members of Derbyshire FA were Darley Abbey, Derby Midland, Whitworth, Matlock, Derby St. Lukes, Wirksworth, Long Eaton Ranger, Long Eaton Rover, Ashbourne, Bakewell, Staveley, Stoney Middleton, Belper and Sawley Rangers. Derbyshire FA has come a long way since then. Now with a dedicated Senior Management Team, a forward-thinking Football Development Team, and a highly skilled Football Operations team.

The association consistently supports the growth, development and structuring of football in Derbyshire, by providing coaching courses to ensure best practice, training referees to ensure safe practice, assisting with funding and facility bids to provide high quality environments whilst giving playing opportunities to the whole of Derbyshire. It is always striving to provide the best support possible and will continue to do so in the years to come. 

To highlight the landmark of 140 years, Derbyshire FA will employ a new distinguishable brand, and will celebrate the milestone at various events across the season.