what does the forum think about the age groups players can play at ie 12yr old lads not being allowd to play 1 yr above their age even though the fa guide lines say they can play 2yrs above their age??

The FA recommendation is that wherever possible leagues should run divisions as single age groups.

Certainly at under 11 it is impossible to have a younger player in the team as the FA doesn't allow under 10's to play 11 a side football.

The two year guideline seems to me more aimed at those age groups where there is a shortage of teams and so allows for a division covering two age groups.

We've operated the single age group qualifications for a number of years, since the mid 1990's when the FA pushed for us to go as single year divisions.
If memory serves me:unsure:, I think we did have a vote on allowing younger players to play a year above their age at an AGM a few years ago, and it failed to get much support.

If a club does not have a team in the said age group surely the club should be able to sign a player on if he meets the required age limits?