The 2023–24 Southern Football League season was the 121st in the history of the Southern League since its establishment in 1894. The league has two Premier divisions (Central and South) at Step 3 of the National League System (NLS) and two Division One divisions (Central and South) at Step 4. These correspond to levels 7 and 8 of the English football league system.
The allocations for Steps 3 and 4 this season were announced by The Football Association (FA) on 15 May 2023. There were to be 84 teams in the Southern League, 22 in each of the Step 3 divisions and 20 in each of the Step 4 divisions. However, Marlow successfully appealed against their transfer from the Isthmian League leaving an unfilled vacancy in Division One Central, which therefore comprised 19 teams instead of 20.[1][2]
Premier Division Central
editSeason | 2023–24 |
---|---|
Champions | Needham Market |
Promoted | Needham Market, Leamington |
Relegated | Hitchin Town (reprieved) Long Eaton United Berkhamsted Nuneaton Borough (resigned) |
← 2022–23 2024–25 → |
Premier Division Central comprises 22 teams, 14 of which competed in the previous season.
Team changes
edit
Relegated from the National League North Promoted from the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands Promoted from the Northern Premier League East Division Promoted from Division One Central Promoted from the Isthmian League North Division
|
Promoted to the National League North Transferred to the Northern Premier League Premier Division Relegated to Division One Central Relegated to the Northern Premier League Division One West Relegated to the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands
|
Premier Division Central table
edit
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Needham Market (C, P) | 40 | 26 | 7 | 7 | 74 | 34 | +40 | 85 | Promotion to the National League North |
2 | AFC Telford United | 40 | 24 | 10 | 6 | 69 | 34 | +35 | 82 | Qualification for the play-offs[a] |
3 | Leamington (O, P) | 40 | 19 | 14 | 7 | 61 | 32 | +29 | 71 | |
4 | Redditch United | 40 | 21 | 7 | 12 | 65 | 52 | +13 | 70 | |
5 | Mickleover | 40 | 25 | 6 | 9 | 77 | 43 | +34 | 69[b] | Qualification for the play-offs and transferred to the Northern Premier League[c] |
6 | Stratford Town | 40 | 21 | 6 | 13 | 69 | 57 | +12 | 69 | |
7 | Stamford | 40 | 19 | 9 | 12 | 80 | 58 | +22 | 66 | |
8 | Halesowen Town | 40 | 18 | 8 | 14 | 54 | 50 | +4 | 62 | |
9 | St Ives Town | 40 | 18 | 4 | 18 | 87 | 72 | +15 | 58 | |
10 | Royston Town | 40 | 17 | 6 | 17 | 63 | 61 | +2 | 57 | |
11 | Coalville Town (R) | 40 | 15 | 10 | 15 | 68 | 57 | +11 | 55 | Resignation to the United Counties League |
12 | Stourbridge | 40 | 14 | 10 | 16 | 52 | 50 | +2 | 52 | |
13 | Leiston | 40 | 14 | 10 | 16 | 56 | 71 | −15 | 52 | |
14 | Barwell | 40 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 64 | 65 | −1 | 51 | |
15 | Kettering Town | 40 | 13 | 9 | 18 | 49 | 74 | −25 | 48 | |
16 | Alvechurch | 40 | 12 | 9 | 19 | 49 | 70 | −21 | 45 | |
17 | Bromsgrove Sporting | 40 | 12 | 8 | 20 | 44 | 51 | −7 | 44 | |
18 | AFC Sudbury | 40 | 10 | 10 | 20 | 53 | 62 | −9 | 40 | |
19 | Hitchin Town | 40 | 11 | 6 | 23 | 46 | 64 | −18 | 39 | Reprieve from relegation [3] |
20 | Long Eaton United (R) | 40 | 5 | 7 | 28 | 39 | 109 | −70 | 22 | Relegation to the Northern Premier League |
21 | Berkhamsted (R) | 40 | 3 | 12 | 25 | 31 | 84 | −53 | 21 | Relegation to Division One Central |
22 | Nuneaton Borough | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Resignation to the Midland League |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[5]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
Results table
editPlay-offs
editSemi-finals | Final | ||||||||
2 | AFC Telford United | 2 | |||||||
5 | Mickleover | 0 | |||||||
2 | AFC Telford United | 0 | |||||||
3 | Leamington | 1 | |||||||
3 | Leamington | 1 | |||||||
4 | Redditch United | 0 |
Semi-finals
edit1 May 2024 | AFC Telford United | 2–0 | Mickleover | Wellington |
19:45 BST | Report | Stadium: New Bucks Head Attendance: 3,004 Referee: Said Ouchene |
1 May 2024 | Leamington | 1–0 (a.e.t.) | Redditch United | Leamington |
19:45 BST |
|
Report | Stadium: New Windmill Ground Attendance: 1,155 Referee: Luke Scott |
Final
edit6 May 2024 | AFC Telford United | 0–1 | Leamington | Wellington |
15:00 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: New Bucks Head Attendance: 4,300 Referee: Richard Holmes |
Stadia and locations
editTop goalscorers
editRank | Player | Club | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Jonathan Edwards | St. Ives Town | 27 |
2 | Callum Ebanks | Stratford Town | 27 |
3 | Oliver Greaves | Mickleover | 18 |
4 | Callum Stewart | Leamington | 17 |
Miracle Okafor | Halesowen Town | ||
6 | Timothy Berridge | Coalville Town | 16 |
7 | Alex Cameron | Redditch United | 15 |
Jamar Loza | Leiston | ||
Brady Hickey | Barwell | ||
Jamie McGrath | Needham Market | ||
11 | Reece Flanagan | Redditch United | 14 |
12 | Beck-Ray Enoru | Barwell | 13 |
Premier Division South
editSeason | 2023–24 |
---|---|
Champions | Chesham United |
Promoted | Chesham United Salisbury |
Relegated | Beaconsfield Town Hayes & Yeading United Harrow Borough Didcot Town |
← 2022–23 2024–25 → |
Premier Division South comprises 22 teams, 16 of which competed in the previous season.
Team changes
edit
Promoted from Division One Central Promoted from Division One South Promoted from the Isthmian League South Central Division Relegated from the National League South |
Promoted to the National League South Relegated to Division One Central Relegated to Division One South Relegated to the Isthmian League South Central Division
|
Premier Division South table
edit
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Chesham United (C, P) | 42 | 28 | 6 | 8 | 83 | 46 | +37 | 90 | Promotion to the National League South |
2 | AFC Totton | 42 | 23 | 12 | 7 | 89 | 45 | +44 | 81 | Qualification for the play-offs[a] |
3 | Salisbury (O, P) | 42 | 23 | 10 | 9 | 70 | 46 | +24 | 79 | |
4 | Gosport Borough | 42 | 23 | 9 | 10 | 75 | 43 | +32 | 78 | |
5 | Bracknell Town | 42 | 21 | 5 | 16 | 84 | 71 | +13 | 68 | |
6 | Merthyr Town | 42 | 20 | 7 | 15 | 85 | 59 | +26 | 67 | |
7 | Walton & Hersham | 42 | 18 | 11 | 13 | 78 | 67 | +11 | 65 | |
8 | Hungerford Town | 42 | 18 | 10 | 14 | 77 | 70 | +7 | 64 | |
9 | Dorchester Town | 42 | 17 | 9 | 16 | 66 | 77 | −11 | 60 | |
10 | Hendon | 42 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 70 | 65 | +5 | 58 | Transferred to the Isthmian League |
11 | Winchester City | 42 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 63 | 67 | −4 | 57 | |
12 | Basingstoke Town | 42 | 15 | 8 | 19 | 69 | 83 | −14 | 53 | |
13 | Poole Town | 42 | 16 | 4 | 22 | 70 | 76 | −6 | 52 | |
14 | Tiverton Town | 42 | 14 | 10 | 18 | 64 | 74 | −10 | 52 | |
15 | Sholing | 42 | 13 | 10 | 19 | 52 | 63 | −11 | 49 | |
16 | Swindon Supermarine | 42 | 13 | 10 | 19 | 73 | 92 | −19 | 49 | |
17 | Hanwell Town | 42 | 12 | 12 | 18 | 64 | 71 | −7 | 48 | |
18 | Plymouth Parkway | 42 | 12 | 12 | 18 | 60 | 68 | −8 | 48 | |
19 | Beaconsfield Town (R) | 42 | 13 | 9 | 20 | 63 | 78 | −15 | 48 | Relegation to Division One Central |
20 | Hayes & Yeading United (R) | 42 | 11 | 13 | 18 | 59 | 67 | −8 | 46 | Relegation to the Isthmian League South Central |
21 | Harrow Borough (R) | 42 | 10 | 9 | 23 | 60 | 97 | −37 | 39 | |
22 | Didcot Town (R) | 42 | 6 | 10 | 26 | 45 | 94 | −49 | 28 | Relegation to Division One South |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[5]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
- ^ Four teams play for one spot and promotion to the National League.
Results table
editPlay-offs
editSemi-finals | Final | ||||||||
2 | AFC Totton | 2 | |||||||
5 | Bracknell Town | 1 | |||||||
2 | AFC Totton | 2 (3) | |||||||
3 | Salisbury | 2 (4) | |||||||
3 | Salisbury | 2 | |||||||
4 | Gosport Borough | 1 |
Semi-finals
edit1 May | AFC Totton | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | Bracknell Town | Totton |
19:45 | Report |
|
Stadium: Testwood Stadium Attendance: 1,023 Referee: Will Briers |
1 May | Salisbury | 2–1 | Gosport Borough | Salisbury |
19:45 | Report |
|
Stadium: Raymond McEnhill Stadium Attendance: 2,234 Referee: Steven Swan |
Final
edit6 May | AFC Totton | 2–2 (a.e.t.) (3–4 p) | Salisbury | Totton |
15:00 | Report | Stadium: Testwood Stadium Attendance: 2,061 Referee: Callum Jones |
Stadia and locations
editDivision One Central
editSeason | 2023–24 |
---|---|
Champions | Biggleswade Town |
Promoted | Biggleswade Town |
Relegated | Kempston Rovers |
← 2022–23 2024–25 → |
Division One Central comprises 19 teams, 14 of which competed in the previous season. It had been intended that there be 20 teams, but Marlow, due to have transferred from the Isthmian League, successfully appealed against the transfer.[2]
Team changes
edit
Promoted from the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division Relegated from the Premier Division Central Relegated from the Premier Division South |
Promoted to the Premier Division Central Promoted to the Premier Division South Relegated to the Hellenic League Premier Division Relegated to the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division Resigned from the league, joined the Eastern Counties League Transferred to the Isthmian League North Division
|
Division One Central table
edit
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Biggleswade Town (C, P) | 36 | 22 | 6 | 8 | 77 | 39 | +38 | 72 | Promotion to the Premier Division Central |
2 | Bedford Town (O, P) | 36 | 20 | 9 | 7 | 78 | 37 | +41 | 69 | Qualification for the play-offs[a] |
3 | AFC Dunstable | 36 | 20 | 4 | 12 | 77 | 66 | +11 | 64 | |
4 | Waltham Abbey | 36 | 18 | 7 | 11 | 70 | 55 | +15 | 61 | Qualification for the play-offs, then transfer to the Isthmian League |
5 | Ware | 36 | 18 | 5 | 13 | 69 | 61 | +8 | 59 | Qualification for the play-offs[a] |
6 | Cirencester Town (R) | 36 | 16 | 9 | 11 | 66 | 44 | +22 | 57 | Resigned and demoted to the Hellenic League[6] |
7 | Stotfold | 36 | 16 | 7 | 13 | 67 | 56 | +11 | 55 | |
8 | Hadley | 36 | 17 | 4 | 15 | 64 | 60 | +4 | 55 | |
9 | Welwyn Garden City | 36 | 17 | 3 | 16 | 79 | 79 | 0 | 54 | |
10 | Biggleswade | 36 | 14 | 6 | 16 | 62 | 58 | +4 | 48 | |
11 | Kings Langley | 36 | 13 | 9 | 14 | 71 | 74 | −3 | 48 | |
12 | Barton Rovers | 36 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 58 | 65 | −7 | 44 | |
13 | Kidlington | 36 | 12 | 8 | 16 | 49 | 60 | −11 | 44 | |
14 | Hertford Town | 36 | 13 | 5 | 18 | 55 | 73 | −18 | 44 | |
15 | Aylesbury United | 36 | 12 | 7 | 17 | 61 | 74 | −13 | 43 | |
16 | North Leigh | 36 | 14 | 1 | 21 | 52 | 80 | −28 | 43 | |
17 | Leighton Town | 36 | 12 | 6 | 18 | 51 | 62 | −11 | 42 | |
18 | Thame United | 36 | 11 | 4 | 21 | 51 | 70 | −19 | 37 | Reprieve from relegation[b] |
19 | Kempston Rovers (R) | 36 | 8 | 5 | 23 | 36 | 80 | −44 | 29 | Relegation to the Spartan South Midlands League |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[5]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
Results table
editPlay-offs
editSemi-finals | Final | ||||||||
2 | Bedford Town | 2 | |||||||
5 | Ware | 1 | |||||||
2 | Bedford Town | 2 | |||||||
4 | Waltham Abbey | 1 | |||||||
3 | AFC Dunstable | 3 (7) | |||||||
4 | Waltham Abbey | 3 (8) |
Semi-finals
edit1 May | Bedford Town | 2–1 | Ware | Cardington |
19:45 | Report |
|
Stadium: The New Eyrie Attendance: 1,053 |
1 May | AFC Dunstable | 3–3 (a.e.t.) (7-8 p) | Waltham Abbey | Dunstable |
19:45 | Report | Stadium: Creasey Park Attendance: 525 | ||
Penalties | ||||
Final
edit6 May | Bedford Town | 2–1 | Waltham Abbey | Cardington |
15:00 | Report | Stadium: The New Eyrie Attendance: 2,052 |
Stadia and locations
editClub | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
---|---|---|---|
AFC Dunstable | Dunstable | Creasey Park | 3,200 |
Aylesbury United | Chesham | The Meadow (groundshare with Chesham United) | 5,000 |
Barton Rovers | Barton-le-Clay | Sharpenhoe Road | 4,000 |
Bedford Town | Bedford | The Eyrie | 3,000 |
Biggleswade | Biggleswade | The Eyrie (groundshare with Bedford Town) | 3,000 |
Biggleswade Town | Biggleswade | Langford Road | 3,000 |
Cirencester Town | Cirencester | Corinium Stadium | 4,500 |
Hadley | London (Arkley) | Brickfield Lane | 2,000 |
Hertford Town | Hertford | Hertingfordbury Park | 6,500 |
Kempston Rovers | Kempston | Hillgrounds Leisure | 2,000 |
Kidlington | Kidlington | Yarnton Road | 1,500 |
Kings Langley | Kings Langley | Sadiku Stadium | 1,963 |
Leighton Town | Leighton Buzzard | Bell Close | 2,800 |
North Leigh | North Leigh | Eynsham Hall Park Sports Ground | 2,000 |
Stotfold | Stotfold | The JSJ Stadium | 1,500 |
Thame United | Thame | Meadow View Park | 2,000 |
Waltham Abbey | Waltham Abbey | Capershotts | 3,500 |
Ware | Ware | Wodson Park | 3,300 |
Welwyn Garden City | Welwyn Garden City | Herns Way | 1,000 |
Division One South
editSeason | 2023–24 |
---|---|
Champions | Wimborne Town |
Promoted | Wimborne Town Frome Town |
Relegated | Paulton Rovers |
← 2022–23 2024–25 → |
Division One South comprises 20 teams, 15 of which competed in the previous season.
Team changes
edit
Promoted from the Hellenic League Premier Division Promoted from the Wessex League Premier Division Promoted from the Western League Premier Division Relegated from the Premier Division South |
Promoted to the Premier Division South Relegated to the Hellenic League Premier Division Relegated to the Wessex League Premier Division
|
Division One South table
edit
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Wimborne Town (C, P) | 36 | 24 | 7 | 5 | 76 | 42 | +34 | 79 | Promotion to the Premier Division South |
2 | Frome Town (O, P) | 36 | 22 | 9 | 5 | 74 | 42 | +32 | 75 | Qualification for the play-offs[a] |
3 | Cribbs | 36 | 18 | 12 | 6 | 56 | 46 | +10 | 66 | |
4 | Bristol Manor Farm | 36 | 17 | 8 | 11 | 67 | 50 | +17 | 59 | |
5 | Mousehole | 36 | 17 | 7 | 12 | 82 | 58 | +24 | 58 | |
6 | Larkhall Athletic | 36 | 16 | 10 | 10 | 67 | 53 | +14 | 58 | |
7 | Evesham United | 36 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 56 | 47 | +9 | 51 | |
8 | Yate Town | 36 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 56 | 46 | +10 | 50 | |
9 | Bishop's Cleeve | 36 | 13 | 9 | 14 | 68 | 63 | +5 | 48 | |
10 | Malvern Town | 36 | 13 | 8 | 15 | 59 | 61 | −2 | 47 | |
11 | Tavistock | 36 | 13 | 7 | 16 | 62 | 71 | −9 | 46 | |
12 | Bideford | 36 | 13 | 7 | 16 | 46 | 58 | −12 | 46 | |
13 | Bemerton Heath Harlequins | 36 | 12 | 7 | 17 | 52 | 71 | −19 | 43 | |
14 | Willand Rovers | 36 | 11 | 9 | 16 | 50 | 60 | −10 | 42 | |
15 | Bashley | 36 | 11 | 9 | 16 | 45 | 59 | −14 | 42 | |
16 | Melksham Town | 36 | 10 | 10 | 16 | 52 | 65 | −13 | 40 | |
17 | Westbury United | 36 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 45 | 62 | −17 | 34 | |
18 | Exmouth Town | 36 | 9 | 6 | 21 | 49 | 67 | −18 | 33 | |
19 | Paulton Rovers (R) | 36 | 6 | 8 | 22 | 37 | 78 | −41 | 26 | Relegation to the Western League |
20 | Hamworthy United | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Resigned to the Wessex League[b] |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[5]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
Results table
editPlay-offs
editSemi-finals | Final | ||||||||
2 | Frome Town | 3 | |||||||
5 | Mousehole | 0 | |||||||
2 | Frome Town | 3 | |||||||
4 | Bristol Manor Farm | 1 | |||||||
3 | Cribbs | 1 | |||||||
4 | Bristol Manor Farm | 2 |
Semi-finals
edit1 May 2024 | Frome Town | 3–0 | Mousehole | Frome |
19:45 BST | Report | Stadium: Badgers Hill Attendance: 1,099 Referee: Robert Harrison |
1 May 2024 | Cribbs | 1–2 | Bristol Manor Farm | Cribbs Causeway |
19:45 BST |
|
Report | Stadium: The Lawns Attendance: 837 Referee: Dale Wootton |
Final
edit6 May | Frome Town | 3–1 | Bristol Manor Farm | Frome |
15:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Badgers Hill Attendance: 2,235 Referee: Adam Merchant |
Stadia and locations
editClub | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
---|---|---|---|
Bashley | Bashley | Bashley Road | 4,250 |
Bemerton Heath Harlequins | Bemerton | Moon Park | 2,100 |
Bideford | Bideford | The Sports Ground | 2,000 |
Bishop's Cleeve | Bishop's Cleeve | Kayte Lane | 1,500 |
Bristol Manor Farm | Bristol (Sea Mills) | The Creek | 2,000 |
Cribbs | Cribbs Causeway | The Lawns | 1,000 |
Evesham United | Evesham | Jubilee Stadium | 3,000 |
Exmouth Town | Exmouth | Southern Road | n/a |
Frome Town | Frome | Badgers Hill | 2,000 |
Hamworthy United | Hamworthy | The Country Ground | 2,000 |
Larkhall Athletic | Bath (Larkhall) | The Plain Ham Ground | 1,000 |
Malvern Town | Malvern | Langland Stadium | 2,500 |
Melksham Town | Melksham | Oakfield Stadium | 2,500 |
Mousehole | Mousehole | Trungle Parc | n/a |
Paulton Rovers | Paulton | Athletic Field | 2,500 |
Tavistock | Tavistock | Langsford Park | 2,000 |
Westbury United | Westbury | Meadow Lane | n/a |
Willand Rovers | Willand | The Stan Robinson Stadium | 1,000 |
Wimborne Town | Wimborne Minster | The Cuthbury | 3,000 |
Yate Town | Yate | Lodge Road | 2,000 |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Whitney, Steve (15 May 2023). "National League System Allocations for the Southern Football League". Pitching In partners with Southern Football League. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
- ^ a b Whitney, Steve (12 June 2023). "Marlow's Successful Appeal Leaves League One Short". The Southern League. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ https://southern-football-league.co.uk/News/135930/Premier-Division-Central-Reprieve
- ^ "MICKLEOVER FC | POINTS DEDUCTION". Southern Football League. 26 April 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d "The FA Handbook 2022/2023 Part 29 Standardised Rules Section 12.2". The FA.
- ^ Halliwell, Mark (17 May 2024). "UPDATED: Cirencester Town announce shock resignation from the Southern League and join Hellenic League - new league allocations announced by the FA". Gloucestershire Live. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
- ^ "Hamworthy United | Announcement". Southern Football League. 6 October 2023.