Manchester Football, one of New England's oldest operating leagues, came into existence in 1954/1955 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 its 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.

In 1973, a group of parents formed the Manchester Midget Football League (MMFL) an in-house league operating with five teams; the Cardinals, Giants, Jets, Raiders and Broncos.

Then in 2010, a new Pop Warner Football League was formed by active parents. They compete in the CMPWYFL and accommodate children from ages 5 thru 15.

Also in 2010 the Manchester Midget Football League shut down and formed the Manchester Knights AYF team.

Manchester currently has two separate leagues running as independent bodies; Manchester Knights and the Manchester Sentinals Youth Football League.

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