Isles of Scilly Championships: Exploring the Smallest Football League in the World

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The two teams from the Isles of Scilly are Garrison Gunners and Woolpack Wanderers. How did they get into the smallest league in the world?

More than 100 years of tradition

The Isles of Scilly are an archipelago of islands off the southwest coast of Great Britain. In 1920, the first football competition between teams operating on the islands of St. Mary’s, Tresco, St. Martins, Bryher and St Agnes, which are part of the archipelago.

Four football teams fought for the title, but since 1950 only two remain. Rangers and Rovers, who renamed themselves Garrison Gunners and Woolpack Wanderers from 1984.

The Isles of Scilly competitions are affiliated to and recognized by the Football Association of England. In fact, the league also entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the smallest league in the world. Isles of Scilly footballer: “There is competition, action, but there is no rivalry between us.”

“People sometimes ask us if it’s a bit boring and repetitive playing the same team over and over, but sport is fun. Many of us have known each other since we were in school, so it’s more of a social side when we see each other and hang out.

We know each other very well, we know which foot we play better, what each other’s strengths and weaknesses are, but sometimes we surprise each other with a hard tackle. There have been a few yellow cards this season, there is competition between us, action in every game, but it is not a long-term rivalry. When the final whistle blows, all is forgiven,” Will Lethbridge, one of the team’s players, told the BBC.

A championship that appeals to big brands

Although the archipelago’s unique championships have been associated with many campaigns over the years, perhaps the most famous is Adidas, who have released several videos promoting the Isles of Scilly championships.

The German giant even invited international stars such as David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Michael Ballack, Daniele de Rossi and Patrick Vieira to promote the championship.

Another campaign launched by Vodafone tested a system where matches between two clubs were decided by the team’s fans.

How is football played on the Isles of Scilly?

In addition to the 18 league matches between the two teams, there will also be two matches in two domestic cups. In addition, there is a special match on Boxing Day between the “veterans” and “youths” of both teams.

All matches are played on the football field on St Mary’s Island, which is also the largest in the archipelago. The championship is played from mid-November to the end of March. Friendly matches are occasionally played against teams from the lower leagues of English football.

Photo gallery

Smallest league in the world: Garrison Gunners – Woolpack Wanderers

Source: Getty Images

The teams are formed by the captains before the start of the season

Both teams select players before each season, so it may happen that a player who plays for one team in one season may play for the opposing team in the next season. They are selected by the captains of both teams.

“This season the Gunners picked their best player who was supposed to stay on the island all winter but he got a job offer in the Swiss Alps so they are without their best player,” Will Lethbridge explains.

This was of course in favor of the Woolpack Wanderers who took the title this season and claimed their third championship win in a row.

Since it is a small community, if there is an emergency during a match, some players have to leave the field and go to where they are needed. This happens a lot, especially with police officers or firefighters.

Photo gallery

Smallest league in the world: Garrison Gunners – Woolpack Wanderers

Source: Getty Images

“A few years ago there was a farmer whose phone rang at halftime. They informed him that his cows and sheep had run away, that he must go and look for them. It was 2-0 at the time, but when he left, the team lost 2-3. In the end, it turned out that they weren’t even his animals.” Will Lethbridge explains the impact on matches.

Players are also loaned out during the season, especially when one team has several injured or unavailable footballers. Loans can only be for one match.

The biggest challenge is keeping young players. In the Isles of Scilly, schools are only compulsory for children up to the age of 16. Those who want to continue their education have to go to England, where they also settle, and this makes it difficult for clubs to maintain a minimum number of players.

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