WELCOME TO EMGFL
The East Manchester Girls Football League has been created to give girls across Greater Manchester more opportunities to play, develop and enjoy football in a positive and properly organised environment.
Operating under the established EMJFL structure and sanctioned by Manchester FA, EMGFL will provide football from U7s through to U16s across central-venue and home-and-away formats.
Whether your club already has established girls’ teams or is beginning its girls’ football journey, we want EMGFL to be a league where players, coaches, clubs and families feel welcome and supported.
THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING
A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
HOW EMGFL WORKS
Dear Clubs
We are delighted to inform all Clubs that we have been sanctioned by Manchester County FA to start an all girls league from Season 26/27. This is something we have been working on for the last six months due to demand from the Clubs and teams in the EMJFL.
As I suspect we all know the growth of girls football has been rapid over the last few years, partly because of the phenomenal success of the Lionesses, and we have seen more and more girls enjoying playing in the EMJFL, with over 25 all girl teams already competing. Therefore we concluded the time was right to begin the girls EMJFL journey to run alongside the age groups and divisions we are well known for.
We hope these exciting times will be welcomed and enjoyed by our Member Clubs and we are hoping in conjunction with MANCHESTER County FA to hold workshops to assist Clubs who may want to add girls football to their existing teams.
The EMJFL girls league will be headed up by Sharon and Evie but myself, Brian and Clayton will also be involved. For more information please contact Sharon and Evie on emjflgirls@gmail.com
Over the next few weeks we will be hosting taster sessions for the younger age groups to outline the start of our journey together.
Yours in Sport,
John Clayton, CEO, EMJFL, EMGFL
U7s-U13s
Central Venue Football
Quality venues with league support throughout the day.
U14s-U16s
Home & Away Football
Organised football in a traditional home & away format.
FA Sanctioned
Part of the trusted EMJFL Structure
Clear Pathway
Supporting girls football from U7s to U16s.
QUESTIONS?
If you would like to discuss joining EMGFL or require any further information, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Email: emjflgirls@gmail.com
Sharon Clayton: 07460 101547
Built for girls. Built for Clubs.
Girls Coordinators: Sharon Clayton, Evie Booth
League INFORMATION
Under 8s / Under 9s
Age Groups, Playing Times, Ball Sizes Etc:
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U8s/U9s will play 5-a-side, 25 minutes each way, using a size 3 ball.
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A maximum of 10 players may be registered, with all registered players permitted to play on matchdays.
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Substitutions will be roll-on, roll-off with the referee’s permission. Any player who has been substituted may return to the field as a substitute for another player.
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Matchday : Saturday
Rule 1 (b) Rules of Play
Matches will start with a kick-off from the halfway line. The ball may be played forwards or backwards, but the team taking the kick-off must touch the ball at least twice before a goal can be scored. After a goal, play will restart in the same way. All free kicks are direct, except those awarded under the no-heading rule set out below. Opposing players must retreat at least 6 yards at all set pieces. A goalkeeper must not handle a back-pass; if this happens, a free kick will be awarded on the edge of the penalty area, nearest to where the offence occurred. All goal kicks must be taken with the ball on the ground. A goalkeeper cannot score directly from within the goal area. If the goalkeeper shoots and the only other player to touch the ball is the opposing goalkeeper, the goal will not count and a goal kick will be awarded to the defending team. The Retreat Line rule applies at these age groups. The line must be no further forward than the halfway line and no closer than one-third of the pitch, at the referee’s discretion.
No Heading Rule & Kick-in Rules
Restart Following Deliberate Heading
• Deliberately heading the ball is an offence and will result in an indirect free kick.
• The indirect free kick will be taken from the point where the ball was deliberately headed, except:
o If a player deliberately heads the ball inside their own penalty area, the referee will stop play and award the opposition an indirect free kick from the nearest side line of the penalty area to where the offence occurred.
Touchline Restart
• When the whole ball crosses the touchline, on the ground or in the air, a pass-in or dribble-in will be awarded instead of a throw-in.
• The player taking the pass-in or dribble-in may touch the ball again before another player touches it.
• When restarting play:
o The ball must be stationary on the touchline at the point where it left the pitch. Only the player taking the restart may be off the pitch.
o All opponents must remain at least 5 yards from the point on the touchline where the pass-in or dribble-in is taken.
• A goal cannot be scored directly from a pass-in.
• The ball is in play once it has been kicked and clearly moves.
Meet The Team
Our Values
Built for Girls
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Putting Kids First
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Quality Facilities
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Respect and Inclusion
EMGFL Summer Tournament 2026
Our first EMGFL Summer Tournaments are bringing girls, clubs and families together from across Greater Manchester to celebrate everything that makes girls’ football so special.
The tournaments mark an exciting beginning for our new league, giving young players the opportunity to enjoy their football, meet new teams and create brilliant memories with their teammates.
We are incredibly proud of every girl taking part and excited to continue building a league where players feel welcome, supported and inspired.
Built for girls. Built for Clubs.