Leighton Duncan  receiving a plaque from Roy Howell President of Santos for his contribution to sports (1989 ) (Photo: Provided by The Jamaica Gleaner Company)

The competition originally started as U23 in 1994. It was entirely self sponsored and according to then President, Linnel Mclean, this age group was targeted “Because at the time it was felt that all age groups were already catered for in the Corporate Area development strategy by way of the Kiwanis U12, Ken Matthews U14 ,Minor League U16 and Manning Cup U20” . Tivoli Gardens won the inaugural competition. Captain and MVP Steve Green was presented  with the winners’ trophy at the National Stadium by George Weah the 1993 World, African and European Football of the Year ..

There was no competition in 1995.

In 1996, a re-assessment was carried out at which time it was discovered that most of the players of the U23 age group were also playing in the senior competitions for their clubs and hence denied or limited many of the younger U20 players from participating in the competition. The Linnel Mclean Administration therefore lowered the age group to U20. Rae Town emerged the champions for the still un-sponsored competition that year.

The new A B Stewart Stephenson Administration successfully secured, for the first time, corporate sponsorship for this age group competition in 1997.Alliance Capital Ltd was the title sponsor and the competition was then called the KSAFA Alliance Capital U20 football competition . Under this new dispensation, the competition was played March to June of each year; and both itself and the U12 were part of KSAFA ‘s compulsory criteria for participating in the senior competitions as part of the development of the clubs. Alliance Capital Ltd President, Peter Chin ,did the symbolic kick off of the season at Michigan Close in the Meadhaven United vs Bull Bay opening match. Hundreds flocked to the matches which drew a galaxy of outstanding players to such teams as Maxfield, Real Mona, August Town, Vineyard Town, Rockfort, Duhaney Park and Waterhouse- a virtual who is who. Meadhaven United took the title after thrilling respective semi –final and final victories over the star studded Maxfield and ‘crowd pleasing’ August Town at Constant Spring. Meadhaven’s goal keeper was voted MVP, only just edging out leading goal scorer Daniel Shaw of August Town.

Alliance Capital Ltd remained sponsors of the U-20 competition over the next three years providing not only prize monies but also sponsored and outfitted a KSAFA U20 all stars , sponsored a KSAFA management seminar and provided gear for the KSAFA Confederation U-12 and U-14 teams. This corporate sponsor also underwrote the cost of bringing down coaches from US colleges to view players for scholarship to their tertiary institutions. In 2000 the company also sponsored scholarship for players to attend a specially designed tyre fitting course at the Jamaica- German automotive school. Quality Academics also extended scholarship assistance in computer and other CXC subjects to outstanding but academically qualified U-20 players.

Shocking Vibes came on board as the new title sponsor between 2001-2005. The competition was shifted to a summer league

Alliance Capital Ltd resumed sponsorship in the 2005/06 season but this time under the new company name of Alliance Investment Company Ltd. This title sponsorship lasted for a year following which Nestle limited under the Supligen brand came on board as the new title sponsor.

In 2006 the competition was named in honour of another Jamaica football icon, Leighton Duncan, and reverted to a March- June competition. Duncan represented Wolmer’s Boys school in Manning Cup and Melbourne Cricket Club in Jamaica Football Association’s Division 1 competition alongside such greats as Noel Tappin, Dudley Beek and Dudley Smith.

He also played for Jamaica during this period; and was in later years appointed national coach. ‘Dunks’ was the founder of Cavalier Football Club in the 1960’s . His ‘Duncan Destroyers’ soon captured the KSAFA Division 2 and 1 titles in succession. In the 1974 and 1975 the club respectively won the coveted National League and the revamped KSAFA Major League titles. He was conferred with the honour of OD by the government of Jamaica in 1979. In 1989 he co-authored the history of the club with Russell Bell in a book entitled ‘The Call of the Ball’. He was made KSAFA Life Member in 1992.

Chronology
Winners

Under 23

• 1993/94 Tivoli Gardens FC
• 1994/95 No Competition

Under 20

• 1995/96 Rae Town FC
• 1996/97 Meadhaven United FC
• 1997/98 Harbour View FC.
• 1998/99 Harbour View FC
• 1999/2000 Boys Town FC.
• 2000/01 Santos FC
• 2001/02 Santos FC
• 2002/03 Harbour View FC
• 2003/04 Arnett Gardens FC
• 2004/05 Waterhouse FC
• 2005/06 Meadhaven United FC
• 2006/07 Meadhaven United FC