Parent's Handbook 2026/27
Handbook
Dear Parents / Carers,
On behalf of everyone at the Club, I am delighted to welcome you and your child to a new season at Colton Juniors FC. We are a proud, community-based grassroots club, committed to giving young players the opportunity to learn, enjoy football, and develop both on and off the pitch. Our approach focuses on enjoyment, fairness, and skill-building for every child, no matter their starting point.
We work closely with our coaches, volunteers, and families to provide a safe, positive, and well-run environment where players can thrive. This Parent Handbook sets out our Club values, safeguarding arrangements, matchday expectations, communication processes, and what you can expect throughout the season. I would encourage you to take the time to read it, as it plays an important part in helping us create the best possible experience for our players.
If you have any questions or need support at any point, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Thank you for being part of the Colton Juniors FC community. Here’s to an enjoyable, positive season ahead!
Warm regards,
Peter Coello
Club Chairman, Colton Juniors FC
We aim to create a safe, friendly place for children to learn, play and thrive. Through purposeful coaching and play, we build skills, teamwork and self-belief that stick well beyond matchday.
Our mission is to offer a safe, welcoming Club where every child can learn, play and grow through football. We help young players build skills, teamwork and confidence that last well beyond matchday. We strive to:
- Nurture independent thinking and smart decision-making on and off the pitch.
- Support social and emotional growth through positive coaching and friendships.
- Spark creativity and imagination with fun, hands-on training and games.
- Work closely with families to create a strong Club-home connection.
Since 1990, Colton Juniors FC has been a hub for grassroots football in Leeds. Over the past 3-4 decades, we have provided a platform for thousands of children to enjoy football.
We now provide football opportunities from Tots through to Juniors, ranging from u7s to u18s. The Club currently supports 26 teams in total, including Girls’ teams at u6 and u12 level. This represents growth from just 3 teams at the time of the original journals and is a testament to the commitment and dedication of coaches, committee members, parents and players, who have helped grow the Club to what it is today.
- Tots (Age Reception) and Tots Girls: Saturdays 9-10 AM
- Tots (Age Year 1): Saturdays 10-11 AM
- u7s: TBC
- u7s Girls: TBC
- u8s: 3 teams - Garforth Jnr Football League (Sundays)
- u8s: 1 team - Selby District Jnr Football League (Saturdays)
- u9s: 4 teams - Garforth Jnr Football League (Sundays)
- u10s: 1 team - Selby District Jnr Football League (Saturdays)
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- u11s: 3 teams - Garforth Jnr Football League (Sundays)
- u12s: 4 teams - Garforth Jnr Football League (Sundays)
- u12s Girls: 1 team - West Riding Girls League (Saturdays)
- u14s: 2 teams
- u15s: 1 team
- u16s: 1 team
- u18s: 1 team
- All Garforth Jnr Football League (Sundays)
Peter Coello, Chairman
Steve Williams, Secretary
Chris Lyndon, Treasurer
Chris Gibson, Welfare
Anthony Murphy
Jonny Harris
Chris Copley
Jonny Munden
Andy Stoker
Dave Robson
Matt Fawcett
Glenn Roberts
The club registration fee is £15 per player per month for the season, which includes Colton Club membership.
We’ve worked hard to keep costs as low as possible, but like many grassroots clubs we’re facing rising expenses. Over the past year, the cost of kits, insurance, pitch hire, and equipment has gone up by as much as 15%. This fee helps us continue providing a sustainable, safe, well-run, and enjoyable football experience for every player.
Annual Club Income (Subscriptions and Sponsorships): £41,147.00
Annual Club Expenditure: £43,130.07
Colton Juniors FC is a non-profit, local community football club run by volunteers. Your registration fees cover the costs to keep the Club going. Thank you.
Training will take place on a weekly basis with the venue and time specified by your team’s coach.
League fixtures will normally take place on a weekend from September to April annually. Please note that, later in the season (Spring), there may be games scheduled on a weekday evening.
Home games may take place at Colton Sports and Social Club, Colton Primary School, Temple Newsam, St Theresa’s School or, in exceptional circumstances, any other venue which we may arrange.
Away game venues will vary, as will kick-off times. All parents will be informed of venue and kick-off times.
You will need to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to kick-off to warm up.
All venues and kick-off times will be given as soon as they are known by your team’s coach. We will always try to give you reasonable notice of the venue and kick-off time.
If your child is not available, please let your team’s coach know at the earliest opportunity.
In addition to the Club registration fee, individual teams may collect a monthly subscription fee. This contribution helps cover costs such as winter pitch hire for weekly training, entry into end-of-season galas, and any additional activities, equipment, or clothing for players. These subscriptions are managed by individual teams and age groups and are separate from the main Club registration fee.
In addition to the standard playing kit provided by the Club, parents and carers can purchase a range of Colton Juniors FC branded leisurewear and training clothing. This is optional and available to buy online via our official Club supplier: SportsBulk.
Please read the FA Codes of Conduct for Players and Parents. We support this guidance and expect everyone on our touchlines to follow its principles. Copies are available via the FA website (thefa.com/Respect) or from the Club.
All coaches at Colton Juniors FC are FA-qualified and provide clear, consistent guidance to support each child’s enjoyment and development. We welcome positive support from the touchline, but ask that parents do not give coaching or tactical instructions, as this can confuse and overwhelm children.
Players are not guaranteed fixed positions in training or matches and will experience a range of roles to develop skills across all areas of the pitch.
On match days, coaches manage squads based on factors such as attendance, fitness and injuries. Players will receive fair and appropriate playing time and may be substituted more than once to ensure equal opportunities.
We will win, lose and draw games using this approach. Winning is important, but enjoyment and development remain our core priorities.
- Allow my child to participate in both training and matches associated with football, fully understanding the inherent risks of this contact sport.
- Abide by the FA’s Respect Codes of Conduct for Young Players and for Spectators and Parents/Carers. A copy of the FA Respect Code of Conduct can be found at www.thefa.com.
- Pay subscriptions as requested, promptly recognising that the Club may exclude players from training and matches if payments are not made.
- Understand that payment of subscriptions ensures Club membership but does not guarantee any player a spot on the playing team; player selection is at the coaches’ discretion.
- Acknowledge that any clothing or equipment provided remains the property of Colton Juniors FC, and must be returned upon the request of the manager or coaches if a player leaves the Club.
- Understand that inclusion in the squad for future years may depend on the player’s ability, availability, and attitude.
- If my child is injured whilst playing football or travelling to and from football events and I cannot be contacted, I hereby give my consent for my child to receive medical attention.
- Parent or guardian to remain at both training and weekend matches as primary supervision for your registered child.
At Colton Juniors FC, one of our core principles is to provide a safe, inclusive, and well-structured environment where children can enjoy football and our wider community can enjoy supporting them. We are proud of the positive culture within the Club and the way players, parents, spectators, and coaches contribute to it.
Occasionally, behaviours may arise that do not align with our ethos. To ensure a consistent and fair approach, and to support everyone in meeting the FA Codes of Conduct for Players and Spectators, the Club has put in place the following stepped process for managing any instances of misconduct.
Minor issues will be addressed through a verbal conversation with the player and/or parent or guardian.
These conversations are intended to be constructive and to reinforce expectations.
Verbal warnings will be recorded to help identify any patterns of repeated behaviour.
If concerns persist following a Stage 1 warning, the matter will progress to Stage 2.
A Stage 2 warning formalises the earlier verbal discussion and will be issued in writing, with notification to the Football Committee.
Where appropriate, this stage may also include a temporary suspension of the player while the matter is reviewed.
In cases of serious or continued misconduct, the Club may impose a suspension or, in exceptional circumstances, de-register the player from Colton Juniors FC.
Our aim is always to educate, support, and resolve issues early, with adults leading by example to create the best possible environment for our players.
Parents and carers play a vital role in creating a positive football experience for all players. By supporting this Charter and Code of Conduct, you help us ensure that matches and training sessions remain enjoyable, safe, and focused on development.
By working together, we ask all parents and carers to support the following expectations:
- Applaud effort and good play from all players, not just success.
- Never engage in, or tolerate, offensive, insulting, or abusive language or behaviour.
- Remain outside the field of play and within designated spectator areas at all times.
- Allow coaches to do their job and avoid giving instructions, which can confuse players.
- Encourage players to respect the opposition, their teammates, the referee, and match officials.
- Do not direct comments, questions, criticism, or noise towards match-day referees at any time.
- Avoid criticising players for mistakes. Mistakes are a natural and important part of learning.
- Never give instructions to players during matches or training.
- Parents who continue to give instructions may be asked to leave the spectator area.
- Refrain from discussing the strengths or weaknesses of individual players.
- Respect and support the positive, child-centred environment that the Club is committed to creating.
- Remain positive and encouraging throughout matches and training.
- Try not to build up matches on the journey to training or games, as this can increase anxiety and impact a child’s ability to relax and enjoy playing.
- Trust the coaches to support players and manage mistakes appropriately.
Your behaviour as parents and carers directly shapes a child’s experience. Staying positive and supportive allows them to enjoy the game and develop in the best possible way.