The Manchester Midget Football League, one of New England's oldest operating leagues, came into existence in 1955 as two teams formed by the Fire/ Police Athletic Association. Members Ernest Pohl, George McCaughey and Dutch Fogarty were among the first active members who worked hard to get the youth program up and running. Through concessions sold at the games, money was raised to support the league. Along with four teams from Meriden and a team from Middlefield, Manchester also participated in an inter-town league called the Junior Connecticut Football League.
   Beginning with the two teams, the Fire Fighters and the Police Cruisers, the first recorded game had the Fire Fighters over the Police Cruisers 22-0. The Fire Fighters went on to the league championship in its first bowl game against the Sewell Boys Club. Although the game ended in a 12-12 tie, the Fire Fighters were presented with the Foy Memorial Trophy, named in honor of Albert Foy, South Manchester Fire District's first full time Chief. Chief Foy loved sports and was the organizer of the Fire/ Police Junior Athletic Association.
   The following year, due to it's successful start, Manchester entered the Pop Warner Conference. The first Foy Memorial Queen, Miss Linda Sapienza, was also crowned that year.
   In 1959, Manchester won the Pop Warner Conference and traveled to Hoboken, New Jersey for the Eastern Finals, where they lost 39-14. Manchester entered the Charter Oak Conference in 1961 with entry into the Pony Division. These players were boys aged 12-15 years old with a weight limit of 150 pounds. In its nine years with the Pony program, Manchester secured the championship title the most times. In 1970 the Pony program came to an end in favor of Junior High Football.
   The Fire/ Police Athletic Association turned the football program over to a group of active parents and friends in 1973. They formed the existing Manchester Midget Football League (MMFL) run by a Board of Directors and today has more than 500 boys and girls involved on one of five teams, The Cardinals, Giants, Jets, Raiders and Broncos. Each of these teams has an A, B and C team supported by an enthusiastic cheerleading squad. These boys and girls are coached and encouraged by a great group of volunteers, people whose time and energy make Manchester Midget Football a wonderful, successful program for the youth of Manchester and surrounding towns.