I think that there's simply more for kids to do nowadays. Golf is a big draw, as is tennis, squash and a multitude of stuff we never had a realistic opportunity to get in to. When I played Saturday and Sunday back in 70s/80s, it was pretty much City, playing football (11 a side) and or pub. That was it!
Add in a bit of laziness nowadays The pub after was a big draw for me and lots back in the eighties. Would have still played Saturdays without pub but not Sundays The Saturday league should have been more flexible with maybe the choice of 11 am kick offs when citu play at homehome
There was definitely 9 leagues in the 80's, Premier and 1-8. Cos i played in the Premier at 15 and had a season in Div 8 for a mate at 19. I played for a Longhill team, it was like the wild west. We had coppers come to the changing rooms 3 times that season , with warrants Always remember the copper saying is there a ******** here and turning round and seeing a pair of legs disappearing out the window in the corner of the changing room.
Marist under 15's 1965-66 - anybody recognise themselves? please log in to view this image From Hull The Good Old Days on Facebook
This picture just reminded me that when we played for the school team in those days we wore our own socks, which generally what not the colour of the shirts.