About Us
Eastbourne United Youth Football Club was formed after Ratton Rangers FC merged with Eastbourne Utd in 2018/19 season providing a pathway for youth football into the adult game.
Ratton Rangers was established in 1996 by breaking away from Ocklynge Youth Football Club to create its own identity. By the end of that first season, inaugural Chairman Richard Smith was presiding over five age groups playing in the Mid Sussex and Mid Sussex Gold League.
​
Over the years that followed the club continued to grow. There were more age groups and the club began playing in the Sussex Sunday Football Leagues and the Crowborough & District Junior Football Leagues.
​
In the early days, Colin Chamberlain and Paul France took their turns at the helm of the club and were responsible for the birth of the successful Ratton Rangers tournaments to raise some club funds and further promote the emerging name of Ratton Rangers. The annual club tournament has continued to thrive whilst other local football tournaments have fallen by the wayside. It is a sell out every year which is testament to the fabulous organisation and dedicated volunteers who turn out every year. The funds raised by the tournament enable the club to keep the membership fees affordable for all.
We are very proud to remain one of the lowest in the area, allowing all children the opportunity to play.
​
The original ethic and sole aim of the club was to “promote the enjoyment of the game within the youngsters and to have the responsibility to encourage them to play by the rules”. This simple sentiment very much remains at the core of the club all these years later.
Recognition has been gained by former players of the club, Issac Hutchinson and his younger brother, Jake. Both players continue to play professional football at Championship Clubs.
In 2012 Tobi Hutchinson took over as the Youth Chairman of Ratton Rangers and steered the club forward in new directions.
​
2017 saw the introduction of a new chairman, Mark Newnham-Reeve. He oversaw the running of the club and many successful tournaments until stepping down at the end of the 22/23 season.
​
Ian Gosling is the new Chairman for the foreseeable future & we wish him every success in the role.
It was in the 2018-19 season when the former Ratton Rangers merged with Eastbourne United to have a progressive route way for the children to continue their journey with the love of football in the senior club.
​
Eastbourne United Youth (EUYFC) has gone from strength to strength, entering four different leagues annually:
Sussex Sunday Youth League (SSYL)
Rother Youth League (RYL)
Mid Sussex Youth League (MSYL)
Junior Premier League (JPL)
​
It is our aim to ensure all players are entered in the league which will develop them the most, both individually and as a team.
Our teams have had many great success over the years, most recently as National Champions (U12s 20-21).
​
Ian is supported by a dedicated and supportive committee. Over the years we have been very fortunate in having many dedicated managers and coaches who are all volunteers.
We thank them all for making our club one of the best in the South East.
