Earlier this year, Luke Sampson from The Bridge, Coventry, wrote about how starting a football team has enabled the benefice to connect and share faith with young men in their community and they enjoy playing in The Coventry and District Church Football League. In this article, Will Schoolar from the League writes about how the league builds friendship and faith across churches.
The Coventry and District Church Football League was established in 1997 to “give an opportunity for both churched and non-churched men to play competitive football together in a safe environment that promotes fair play, respect, and fellowship, while also providing an opportunity to share the love of God with everyone involved”.
The league brings together churches from across the city for competitive football played in a spirit of friendship, respect, and Christian community. The 2025/26 season is currently in full swing, with 14 teams competing across two divisions as well as two cup competitions. One of the league’s teams is currently competing in the National Christian Cup and recently progressed to the Quarter Final stage.
Since its formation in 1997, the league has brought together dozens of churches and hundreds of players from across Coventry and the surrounding areas.
Our Vision
At the heart of the league is a simple vision: combining faith and football in a way that builds community.
“Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
The Coventry and District Church Football League aims to create a welcoming space for men to enjoy competitive football whilst also providing opportunities to share the message of Jesus and what He has done in our lives. Through the league we seek to build friendships between churches and create opportunities for fellowship beyond Sunday services.
Football can often be a natural way to invite someone along who may not yet feel ready to step into a church building. A simple invitation to play football can open the door to new relationships and meaningful conversations about faith.
The league community is shaped by people who each bring their own unique stories, strengths and perspectives, creating friendships that often extend far beyond the football pitch. By providing a positive environment for competitive sport, we hope to demonstrate Christian values through sportsmanship, encouragement and community.
Many teams also take time to pray together before or after matches, reflecting the shared faith that brings the league together.
When Saturday comes
Matches in the league take place on Saturday mornings with a 10:30am kick-off. This schedule allows players to enjoy the game while keeping time for family and other commitments. Fixtures are arranged so that teams generally have one weekend in three free.
The league currently consists of two divisions, each made up of seven teams from the Coventry and Bedworth area. Both leagues are competitive, with promotion and relegation between the divisions at the end of the season. Alongside the league competitions, two cup tournaments run throughout the season, the Wright Cup and the Upham Trophy. Both competitions culminate in a Finals Day where the two finals are played back-to-back at a local semi-professional football ground.
In recent seasons, several clubs have also entered the National Christian Cup. One team from the league won the competition a few years ago, and this season another side has progressed to the Quarter Finals.
The league also maintains an active presence on Instagram, where fixtures, results and updates are shared each week, helping players, supporters and churches stay connected with the latest news.
We’d love for you to join us!
The Coventry and District Church Football League is always delighted to welcome new churches into the competition, whether they already have an established team or are just starting out. We are passionate about seeing the league continue to grow and creating more opportunities to share God’s word through football across our city.
Any church can start a team, and we have a strong committee and supportive group of managers who are happy to help new teams get up and running. Players of all abilities are welcome, and the league strives to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for men to play football together.
If your church would like to get involved or find out more about starting a team, please contact our League Chairman Nathan Faulkner or follow us on Instagram to keep up to date with the Coventry and District Church Football League.