The Yorkshireinternational football team represents Yorkshire in international association football and is controlled by the Yorkshire International Football Association, founded in 2017. Yorkshire is not affiliated with FIFA or UEFA and is therefore unable to participate in the competitions of either body. Instead, it plays under the CONIFA footballing umbrella, having become a member of the confederation on 6 January 2018. Yorkshire does not have an official home stadium and plays at various venues throughout the region. Its first match, a 1–1 draw with Ellan Vannin, took place on 28 January 2018 at the Yorkshire NuBuilds Stadium in Fitzwilliam.
History
Early attempts at a Yorkshire team
Despite Yorkshire having a representative schoolboy team for many years, there was no formal senior equivalent until 1924 when the West Riding County Football Association put together a men’s side as part of the jubilee of the University of Leeds. Players were chosen from Bradford City, Bradford Park Avenue, Halifax Town, Huddersfield Town and Leeds United. Although the team won 2–0, it did not represent the whole county. In 1935, a Yorkshire team made up of players from leading clubs across the entire region, including Bradford City, Huddersfield Town, Leeds United and Sheffield United, took on a team formed of Middlesbrough, Newcastle United and Sunderland players at the latter’s Roker Park ground as part of the Queen's jubilee celebrations. Once again, however, the team, which beat the North East side 3–2, was reported as representing only West Yorkshire.
First official Yorkshire international team
Officially established on 16 July 2017, YIFA held a foundation meeting in October of the same year at the Square Chapel, Halifax, to sign off its constitution and formalise its existence as a footballing body. While organising a senior Yorkshire international football team was its primary focus, YIFA also gave notice of its intention to seek membership of CONIFA. Plans for a senior women’s team and disability teams were also announced. On 13 November 2017, YIFA announced that Ryan Farrell, assisted by Micky Long, had been appointed as Yorkshire's first ever head coach. On 6 January 2018, ahead of the friendly against Ellan Vannin, Yorkshire was accepted as a member of CONIFA. The following week, Matt Bradley of Dinnington Town was the first player revealed to have been called up to the national side, while Paddy McGuire, who plays for Thackley, was named the first captain.
Team colours
Yorkshire’s traditional kit colour is dark blue. The current kit is provided by Yorkshire-based sportswear company, Godzown Sports.
Logo
Inspired by the Yorkshire flag, the motif of the Yorkshire international football team features a stylised White Rose of York on a blue shield.
