Independent Schools Football Association (ISFA) oversees football in

independent school An independent school is independent in its finances and governance. Also known as private schools, non-governmental, privately funded, or non-state schools, they are not administered by local, state or national governments. In British Eng ...

s in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...

. The ISFA is affiliated to

the Football Association The Football Association (also known as The FA) is the Sports governing body, governing body of association football in England and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Bailiwick of Guernsey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. Formed in 1863, it is the ...

. The chairman is current Headmaster of

Hampton School Hampton School (formerly Hampton Grammar School) is an independent boys' day school in Hampton, Greater London, England. It is regarded as one of the top independent schools in the country. Hampton School’s A-Level and GCSE results in 2021 ...

Kevin Knibbs.

History

Dick Sale, headmaster of Brentwood School and public school representative on the F.A. Council, formed the Public Schools Football Association and was its first chairman. The name was changed to the Independent Schools FA in 1986 under the chairmanship of Chris Saunders, headmaster of

Eastbourne College Eastbourne College is a co-educational independent school in the British public school tradition, for day and boarding pupils aged 13–18, in the town of Eastbourne on the south coast of England. The College's headmaster is Tom Lawson. Over ...

and later

Lancing College Lancing College is a public school (English independent day and boarding school for pupils aged 13–18) in southern England, UK. The school is located in West Sussex, east of Worthing near the village of Lancing, on the south coast of England. ...

. In 2005, the Independent Schools Football Association for Girls division was formed. The current chairman is the third person to hold that post.

Competitions

The association organises the Boodles ISFA Cup, a knockout competition among ISFA member schools. The final usually takes place at a

Football League The English Football League (EFL) is a league of professional football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888 as the Football League, the league is the oldest such competition in the world. It was the top-level football league in Engla ...

ground, with recent finals taking place at the Stadium MK, home ground of

Milton Keynes Dons Milton Keynes Dons Football Club (), usually abbreviated to MK Dons, is a professional association football club based in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England. The team competes in , the third tier of the English football league system. The ...

. Previous winners are: In season 2007–08 two new cup competitions were introduced: the Investec ISFA Under-15 Cup and the Investec ISFA U13 Cup. The finals for both of these competitions have so far taken place at

Burton Albion F.C. Burton Albion Football Club is a professional association football club in the town of Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, England. The team compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system. The club moved its home groun ...

Investec ISFA Under-15 Cup Winners: Investec ISFA Under-13 Cup Winners: The organisation also organises football in Independent Schools for Girls, and runs an Under 18 Cup competition for girls. ISFA Under-18 Girls Cup winners:

Other notable competitions

ISFA is accredited with these competitions: The HUDL Independent Schools League is a league consisting of the following schools: Ardingly College, Bede's School,

Bradfield College Bradfield College, formally St Andrew's College, Bradfield, is a public school (English independent day and boarding school) for pupils aged 11–18, located in the small village of Bradfield in the English county of Berkshire. It is note ...

Millfield School Millfield is a public school (English independent day and boarding school for pupils aged 13–18) located in Street, Somerset, England. It was founded in 1935. Millfield is a registered charity and is the largest co-educational boarding scho ...

Repton School Repton School is a 13–18 co-educational, independent, day and boarding school in the English public school tradition, in Repton, Derbyshire, England. Sir John Port of Etwall, on his death in 1557, left funds to create a grammar school whi ...

, Royal Russel School,

Shrewsbury School Shrewsbury School is a public school (English independent boarding school for pupils aged 13 –18) in Shrewsbury. Founded in 1552 by Edward VI by Royal Charter, it was originally a boarding school for boys; girls have been admitted into the ...

. The Southern Independent Schools Lent Term League is a league run in the Lent Term consisting of the following schools:

Berkhamsted School Berkhamsted School is an independent day school in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England. The present school was formed in 1997 by the amalgamation of the original Berkhamsted School, founded in 1541 by John Incent, Dean of St Paul's Cathedral, ...

Epsom College Epsom College is a co-educational independent school on Epsom Downs, Surrey, England, for pupils aged 11 to 18. It was founded in 1853 as a boys' school to provide support for poor members of the medical profession such as pensioners and orph ...

Haileybury School Haileybury is a Public school (UK), public school (English Independent school (United Kingdom), independent Day school, day and boarding school) near Hertford in England. It is a member of the Rugby Group and, though originally a major boys' ...

Harrow School (The Faithful Dispensation of the Gifts of God) , established = (Royal Charter) , closed = , type = Public schoolIndependent schoolBoarding school , religion = Church of E ...

Radley College Radley College, formally St Peter's College, Radley, is a public school (independent boarding school for boys) near Radley, Oxfordshire, England, which was founded in 1847. The school covers including playing fields, a golf course, a lake, and ...

, St John's, Leatherhead, St Paul's School,

Tonbridge School (God Giveth the Increase) , established = , closed = , type = Public schoolIndependent day and boarding , religion = , president = , head_label ...

. The London Independent Schools Cup is a knockout competition between 1st and 2nd XI sides from select independent schools based in London; the final 32 is the first round of the cup. Other competitions include: Birkdale U13 North-East Tournament, Mercian Independent Schools League, South-East Girls U15 Tournament, Thames Valley League, Barry Burns Northern Eights, Thomas' Five-A-Side Football Tournaments, etc.

Representative teams

ISFA also organises teams to represent Independent Schools in England at Under-14, Under-15, Under-16 and Under-18 levels. The Under-18 and Under-16 sides undertake an annual overseas tour, as well as numerous fixtures, including an annual Under-18 fixture against Scotland Independent Schools. The Under-14 and Under-15 sides play matches mainly against academy teams from various English professional clubs.

Notable former players

Olly Lee Oliver Robert Lee (born 11 July 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for English club Gillingham. Lee started his career as a youth player with West Ham United, with whom he turned professional in 2009. He made ...

– Brentwood School *

Elliot Lee Elliot Robert Lee (born 16 December 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Wrexham. Lee started his career at West Ham United, where he was loaned to Colchester United, Southend United, Blackpool and curren ...

– Brentwood School *

Frank Lampard Frank James Lampard (born 20 June 1978) is an English professional football manager and former player who is the manager of club Everton. He is widely regarded as one of Chelsea’s greatest ever players, and one of the greatest midfielder ...

– Brentwood School * Max Kretzschmar –

* James Beattie – QEGS Blackburn *

Quinton Fortune Quinton Fortune (born 21 May 1977) is a South African professional football coach and former player, who played as both a midfielder and a defender. His career began in Europe and after stints with Tottenham Hotspur, Mallorca and Atlético M ...

–

Forest School Forest School or Forrest School may refer to: Educational philosophy * Forest school (learning style), a learner centred outdoor learning approach. Religious philosophy * Thai Forest Tradition, a Theravada school of Buddhism in Thailand. * Sri La ...

Nedum Onuoha Chinedum Onuoha (born 12 November 1986) is an English former professional footballer and television pundit for ESPN. He also works for Manchester City as a community ambassador. As a player he was a centre back, but could also play at right ba ...

–

Hulme Grammar School Oldham Hulme Grammar School, formerly Hulme Grammar School, is a private grammar school in Oldham, Greater Manchester, England. History Oldham Grammar School was founded in 1611 by several charitable individuals including Laurence Chadeton, b ...

Dan Harding Daniel Andrew Harding (born 23 December 1983) is an English footballer who last played as a defender for National League South club Whitehawk. Harding began his career with Brighton & Hove Albion and has also played for Leeds United, Ipswich ...

– St. Bede's School, Hailsham * Neil Mellor – St Bede's College, Manchester *

Adam Virgo Adam John Virgo (born 25 January 1983) is a former professional footballer, who now works as a pundit and commentator. Playing career Early career From the age of seven Virgo played for the St. Aubyns Preparatory School football team. At 13 h ...

– Ardingly College * Andy Frampton –

* Neil Harris – Brentwood School * Chris Porter – QEGS Blackburn *

Robin Shroot Robin Alexander Edward Shroot (born 26 March 1988) is a professional footballer who plays as a striker. He is currently works at the academy of Rosenborg Kvinner. Shroot started his career at Wimbledon as an eight-year-old, progressing throug ...

–

Alleyn's School Alleyn's School is a 4–18 co-educational, independent, Church of England, day school and sixth form in Dulwich, London, England. It is a registered charity and was originally part of Edward Alleyn's College of God's Gift charitable foundation ...

* Lawrie Wilson – Millfield *

Fraser Forster Fraser Gerard Forster (born 17 March 1988) is an English professional Association football, footballer who plays as a Goalkeeper (association football), goalkeeper for Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur F.C., Tottenham Hotspur. Forster sta ...

–

Royal Grammar School, Newcastle (By Learning, You Will Lead) , established = , closed = , type = Grammar SchoolIndependent day school , religion = , president = , head_label = Headmaster , head = Geoffrey Stanford , r_head_label = , r_head = , chair_label = , cha ...

Jordan Spence Jordan James Spence (born 24 May 1990) is an English professional footballer who most recently played for ADO Den Haag in the Eredivisie. Predominantly as a right-back, Spence can also operate as a centre-back. He has represented and captained E ...

–

Chigwell School Chigwell School is a co-educational day and boarding independent school in the English public school tradition located in Chigwell, in the Epping Forest district of Essex. It consists of a pre-prep (ages 4–7), Junior School (ages 7–11), Sen ...

Josh O'Keefe Joshua Adam O'Keefe (born 22 December 1988) is a former footballer who played as a midfielder, he retired in 2020 after spending four years at Chorley. Career Blackburn Rovers Born in Whalley, Lancashire, O'Keefe was educated at Queen Elizab ...

– QEGS Blackburn *

Frank Fielding Francis David Fielding (born 4 April 1988) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Stoke City. He began his career at Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League. He spent time on loan at Wycombe Wanderers, Northampton T ...

– QEGS Blackburn *

Will Hughes William James Hughes (born 17 April 1995) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Crystal Palace. Having graduated a scholarship with Derby County, Hughes made his first team breakthrough during t ...

–

* Johnny Gorman –

* Duncan Watmore –

Cheadle Hulme Cheadle Hulme () is a suburb in the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport, Greater Manchester, England,. Historically in Cheshire, it is south-west of Stockport and south-east of Manchester. It lies in the Ladybrook Valley, on the Cheshire Plain ...

* Solomon March – St. Bede's School, Hailsham Current Professional Players

References

External links

Independent Schools Football Association
{{County Football Association County football associations