It’s become an accepted feature of Youth football in the Age groups up to under 11, but the FA decision to prohibit the publication of results and league tables for teams playing from Under-7s to Under-11s in 2012 was initially met with mixed reactions - although Derbyshire FA still receive regular complaints regarding the publishing of results of league matches involving teams in these age groups.

Following significant consultation and research undertaken across the game with children [players], parents, coaches, clubs and league volunteers, The FA decided in 2012 to extend its implementation from U7s through to U11s. The guidance covers not only ‚official’ League tables but all forms of publication, including social media posts by individuals.

The feedback from the consultation was simple – children are competitive by nature, they want to win and don’t need a league table or results section on a website, to confirm this. The aim was for football to be progressive and child-friendly and to move away from the win-at-all-costs mentality that was recognised to stifle development and enjoyment in sport.

The decision formed part of the implementation of The FA Youth Development Review, a document spanning 25 recommendations based on research and feedback from across the country over two years and published in 2012.

The recommendations included reduction of pitch sizes, number of players and coach development. The main focus of football in these age groups should be on the development of players and not the results. This is reflected in league rules which allow leagues to charge clubs for publishing results at these age groups.

During the season and corresponding to player ages, teams are allowed to play festivals where there are, of course, winners and losers, and teams play for trophies in a true competitive style. What differs is that at this age, competition takes place in trophy events rather than across a season-long period.

The changes were put in place to improve enjoyment, fun and development of young players allowing more touches, on a better proportioned pitch with an increase of involvement in the game as a whole.

Almost ten years later, it’s difficult to reach any conclusion other than that the reforms were successful - the number of youngsters, particularly girls, playing in age-appropriate formats has grown, and the results in terms of skills development are visible on the pitch.

Since the introduction of the guidance, the publishing of a score line and/or whether a match was won, drawn or lost for a team at these age groups is a breach of League and FA rules for any fixture which is not part of a league organised trophy event.

The publishing of results may result in a club being charged by the respective League and/or the County FA.

So much for the rules, but how often is the first question a player is asked post-game is “Did you win?” Perhaps, instead, you could ask “How was the game?” Or “Did you enjoy the game?”. It doesn’t detract from a player’s inherent competitiveness, but it’s a whole different focus during the critical development phase when over-emphasis on results by adults