SSML Projections - 2026/27

[Rhodes]

The Step 6 allocations for the 2026/27 campaign have been formally released subject to appeals, there is however sadly doubt about Long Buckby AFC's future. Welcome back into the Spartan South Midlands League (SSML) fold Burton Park Wanderers following their promotion from the Northamptonshire Combination League and a warm welcome to former Hellenic League Division One Woodford United who are moved sideways:

https://www.thefa.com/news/2026/may/14/nls-club-allocations-2026-27

Edited May 15 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

The Step 5 allocations for the 2026/27 campaign have been formally released subject to appeals. Welcome back into the Spartan South Midlands League (SSML) fold Newport Pagnell Town following their sideways move from the United Counties League Premier Division South and a warm welcome to former Southern League Division One Central Enfield FC following their unfortunate relegation:

https://www.thefa.com/news/2026/may/14/nls-club-allocations-2026-27

Edited May 15 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Interesting to see all the Country wide applicants from Step 7 Feeder League's for promotion to Step 6 next 2026/27 season however of the four SSML Division Two applicants, namely Bovingdon, Eynesbury United Reserves, Milton Keynes Irish Reserves and Stony Stratford Town, only Bovingdon were successful and are projected to the Combined Counties League (CCL) Division One. Burton Park Wanderers from the Northamptonshire Combination League have been promoted to Division One of the SSML:

https://www.nwcfl.com/news-articles.php?id=10055

In total there are 118 applicant Club's from 44 County Feeder Leagues. The full list is as follows:

Club Name	Current League
Norwich United Football Club	Anglian Combination Premier Div
Wootton Blue Cross FC	Bedfordshire County League Premier Div
Newmarket Town FC	Cambridgeshire County League Premier Div
Burngreave United FC	Central Midlands League Div North
Dinnington Town Football Club	Central Midlands League Div North
Elite AFC	Central Midlands League Div North
Harworth Colliery Football Club	Central Midlands League Div North
Kinsley Boys Football Club	Central Midlands League Div North
Teversal Football Club	Central Midlands League Div North
Borrowash Victoria FC	Central Midlands League Div South
Linby Colliery Welfare FC	Central Midlands League Div South
Selston Football Club	Central Midlands League Div South
Crewe FC	Cheshire League Premier Div
Dartmouth AFC	Devon League Premier Div
Topsham Town AFC	Devon League Premier Div
University of Exeter First	Devon League Premier Div
Blandford United Football Club	Dorset Premier League
Bournemouth Sports FC	Dorset Premier League
Holt United FC	Dorset Premier League
Swanage Town & Herston	Dorset Premier League
Verwood Town	Dorset Premier League
East Thurrock Community Football Club	Essex & Suffolk Border League Premier Div
Sudbury Sports F.C.	Essex & Suffolk Border League Premier Div
Chadwell Heath Spartans FC	Essex Alliance League
CSM London	Essex Alliance League
London Harts United FC	Essex Alliance League
Ongar Town	Essex Alliance League
Sharpness AFC	Gloucestershire County League Premier Div
Hedge End Rangers	Hampshire Premier League Senior Div
Whitehill & Bordon FC	Hampshire Premier League Senior Div
Bromyard Town Football Club	Herefordshire League
Littleton Football Club	Herefordshire League
Hertford Heath	Herts Senior County League Premier Div
Liv FC	Humber Premier League Premier Div
Aylesford Football Club	Kent County League Premier Div
Cuxton 1991 FC	Kent County League Premier Div
Falconwood FC	Kent County League Premier Div
Hawkinge Town	Kent County League Premier Div
Kent United FC	Kent County League Premier Div
Long Lane JFC	Kent County League Premier Div
Meridian VP FC	Kent County League Premier Div
Metrogas FC	Kent County League Premier Div
Minster FC	Kent County League Premier Div
Anstey Town Football Club	Leicestershire Senior League Premier Div
Leicester Atletico FC	Leicestershire Senior League Premier Div
Sileby Town Football Club	Leicestershire Senior League Premier Div
Immingham Town FC	Lincolnshire Football League Premier Div
Nettleham Football Club	Lincolnshire Football League Premier Div
Halewood Apollo FC	Liverpool County Premier League Premier Div
Skelmersdale United FC	Liverpool County Premier League Premier Div
Uppermill FC	Manchester Football League Premier Div
Crowhurst Football Club	Mid Sussex Football League Premier Div
Westfield Football Club	Mid Sussex Football League Premier Div
Camden United FC	Middlesex County League Premier Div
Eagles Land Cricklewood	Middlesex County League Premier Div
Hayes & Hillingdon FC	Middlesex County League Premier Div
Kensington Dragons Football Club	Middlesex County League Premier Div
London Fennecs FC	Middlesex County League Premier Div
Sporting Duet M 1st XI	Middlesex County League Premier Div
Birmingham United FC	Midland League Div 2
Cadbury Athletic Football Club	Midland League Div 2
Earlswood Town FC	Midland League Div 2
Northfield Town Football Club	Midland League Div 2
Kader Football Club	North Riding Football League Premier Div
Stokesley Sports Club Football Club	North Riding Football League Premier Div
Burton Park Wanderers FC	Northamptonshire Combination Premier Div
Raunds Town FC	Northamptonshire Combination Premier Div
Cramlington United	Northern Football Alliance Premier Div
Cotgrave FC	Nottinghamshire Senior League Senior Div
Netherton United FC	Peterborough & District League Premier Div
Dawley Town	Salop Leisure Football League Premier Div
Ellesmere Rangers FC	Salop Leisure Football League Premier Div
Denaby Main JFC	Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League Premier Div
Hemsworth Miners Welfare FC	Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League Premier Div
Ashton & Backwell United Football Club	Somerset County League Premier Div
Clevedon AFC	Somerset County League Premier Div
Nailsea United Football Club	Somerset County League Premier Div
Alfold Football Club	Southern Combination Div Two
Chichester City B	Southern Combination Div Two
Hailsham Town FC	Southern Combination Div Two
Rustington Football Club	Southern Combination Div Two
Bovingdon FC	Spartan South Midlands League Div 2
Eynesbury United FC	Spartan South Midlands League Div 2
Milton Keynes Irish FC Reserves	Spartan South Midlands League Div 2
Stony Stratford Town FC	Spartan South Midlands League Div 2
St Mawgan	St Piran Football League Premier East
Torpoint AFC	St Piran Football League Premier East
Hayle AFC	St Piran Football League Premier West
Penryn AFC	St Piran Football League Premier West
Porthleven AFC	St Piran Football League Premier West
AFC Crewe	Staffordshire County Senior League Premier Div
Ball Haye Green FC	Staffordshire County Senior League Premier Div
Brereton Social Football Club	Staffordshire County Senior League Premier Div
Rocester FC	Staffordshire County Senior League Premier Div
Debenham LC FC	Suffolk & Ipswich League Senior Div
CB Hounslow & Abbots FC	Surrey Premier County Football League
Dial Square Football Club	Surrey Premier County Football League
Worcester Park Football Club	Surrey Premier County Football League
Maidenhead Town Football Club	Thames Valley Premier League Premier Div
Newbury Town FC	Thames Valley Premier League Premier Div
Durham FC	Wearside League
Gateshead Leam Rangers FC	Wearside League
Seaton Carew FC	Wearside League
South Moor AFC	Wearside League
Washington FC	Wearside League
AFC Knowsley	West Cheshire League Div 1
Helsby Football Club	West Cheshire League Div 1
AFC Somers	West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Div
Bustleholme Football Club	West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Div
FC Darlaston	West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Div
Gornal Colts FC	West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Div
Saltley Stallions FC	West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Div
Stourbridge Standard FC	West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Div
Field Olympic FC	West Yorkshire League Premier Div
Larkhall Athletic Development	Wiltshire Football League Premier Div
Melksham Town Reserves	Wiltshire Football League Premier Div
Shrewton United Football Club	Wiltshire Football League Premier Div
Swindon Supermarine FC - Development/Reserves	Wiltshire Football League Premier Div

Edited May 15 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Further to Long Buckby AFC leaving the Spartan South Midlands League (SSML), this is interesting from the speculation on another Forum. It appears that Bovingdon and Oxhey Jets may move from the Combined Counties League (CCL) Division One (see graphic below) to the SSML Division One and an outside chance that Belstone may remain in the SSML Division One having been moved sideways to the Combined Counties League (CCL) Division One:

The SSML has messaged Matt Edkins and told him that Long Buckby resigned on the deadline day. Obviously the information was either lost or not passed over to the FA. They either want to run with 18 or ideally run with 20 and have requested that Bovingdon and Oxhey Jets are moved from the currently 22 clubs CCL1.

Belstone back to SSML1 to replace Long Buckby.

Edited May 16 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

'From the horses mouth', the Spartan South Midlands League's (SSML) confirmation of the projected Premier Division and Division One next season although Long Buckby AFC were included in error, due to 'miscommunication', as the Club have officially resigned from the League:

https://ssmfl.uk/news/league-allocations-202627

Edited May 19 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Interestingly, SSML CEO Phil Pateman was interviewed on Ollie Bayliss's BBC Three Counties Radio Non League Show yesterday (Monday 18 May) evening and 'explains away' some of the allocations for the new 2026/27 campaign and the process, fast forward to five minutes and thirty seconds into the link below:

The Non-League Show - League Allocations, Mergers and Takeovers - BBC Sounds

[Rhodes]

The proposed, and interesting, Division Two line up for next season (new Club's highlighted) subject to ratification and any appeals, it appears that Newport Pagnell Town Reserves and Padbury Village have not applied and no sign of London Colney and Shefford Town & Campton unless they are allocated to different Step 7 League's following their relegation:

https://ssmfl.uk/news/news-proposed-division-two-constitution-202627

The Spartan South Midlands Football League have announced our proposed constitution for next season. These are subject to board approval on 28 May and concluding FA appeals from Step 6:
ASTON CLINTON
CADDINGTON AFC
CODICOTE
EYNESBURY UNITED
HARPENDEN TOWN DEVELOPMENT
MILTON KEYNES COLLEGE FOOTBALL ACADEMY
MILTON KEYNES IRISH RESERVES
OLD BRADWELL UNITED
PITSTONE & IVANHOE
REDBOURN ROVERS
REDBOURN FC*
SARRATT
STONY STRATFORD TOWN
SUN SPORTS
THE 61 FC (LUTON)
TOTTERNHOE
TRING CORINTHIANS AFC
WINSLOW UNITED RESERVES
* subject to completion of works by 18 June
Congratulations to the four Club's. Commiserations to the 12 Club's that were unsuccessful this time.
The Development/Reserves League will be published on 30 May. There are a very limited number of spaces available. Applications to p.pateman@ssmfl.co.uk by 27 May.

Edited May 27 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

There are a lot of interesting comments about Division 2 for next season on another Forum, I see that Padbury Village have returned to the North Bucks & District League:

A lot of teams in the Herts Senior Div. 1 must be asking why they bothered to battle all season to try and get promoted and play at Step 7 (Feeder) level next season when the simple answer was to join the Spartan Div. 2 instead.

A few years ago they took a couple of Club's from the lower reaches of the North Bucks. Also no Aylesbury League teams have gone up recently. There is bit of an overlap between the North Bucks and Aylesbury these days. I've been to most grounds in both and other than the odd Council ground can't see any problem with teams from those leagues going up. In the past they let in Hale Leys and Oxford City playing on Council pitches.

The problem is the SSML2 is an overlap of the Bedfordshire League & parts of the Herts Senior League. It should be concentrated on Bucks, a County without a step 7 County league giving a proper pathway to Club's in the 2 leagues you mention. I thought each County FA were supposed to build their own pyramids.

There is no solitary Buckinghamshire FA though - it's grouped in with Berkshire - the Berks & Bucks FA.

Buckinghamshire is very long and thin and doesn't fit well for a County league, for many teams it's easier to play in the Northants Comb, Oxfordshire Senior, Thames Valley, Bedfordshire and Middlesex leagues at step seven.

I know and maybe that is why the whole area is suffering with the West Berks about to fold and Club's in north mid Bucks struggling to get a place in the pyramid. Maybe if the County FA had formed 2 County wide step 7 leagues in the past they may have a better position at step 7 now than just the Thames V. My point though is that why should Beds Club's in particular have 2 options at step 7 for such a small County.

Basically geography dictates otherwise, Buckinghamshire is 60 miles North to South but less than 15 miles wide in places East to West. Berkshire is getting on for 70 miles East to West. It's the North Berks League that may fold not the West Berks, it's their own fault for not taking step 7 status 15/20 years ago. Berkshire as defined by the B&B is covered at step 7 by the Wiltshire League (which has basically taken over the SN postcode area of Oxfordshire (formerly Berkshire) and West Berkshire), the Thames Valley league (which now covers part of north Hampshire and the south east of Oxfordshire and south of Bucks) and the Oxfordshire Senior League (which covers parts of 5 Counties), the latter taking over much of the North Berks League area, the other two taking up the slack. Shrivenham and Faringdon Town don't want to travel to near the M25 to play step 7 games, they could just about get to Wales in the same time and distance. If Olney came up they don't want to travel to the Marlow area to play games at step 7 in a Bucks County League, Leicester is as close. The problem is the South Midlands who seem to parachute in teams from the lower reaches of leagues, and this season refusing admission to Stewkley, reasons unknown at present. If the South Midlands League were told to cover the Mid and North of Buckinghamshire, basically the area covered by the North Bucks and Aylesbury Leagues (they cover the Tring and Hemel area in Herts) and told not to parachute teams in that would solve the problem, more Club's would probably come up. There are plenty of grounds in both those Leagues that are good enough. Why are Eynesbury United playing in it, they are in Cambridgeshire. The FA just need to tell a few step 7 leagues to use common sense.

Re. Padbury Village, the Management and Club Secretary have left and gone to Buckingham FC to run the Development side. All three had joined 2023 and guided the Club to promotion. The Club are back in the North Bucks League for next season, they are currently advertising for a Manager. From the Club's Website.

Edited May 28 by Rhodes

[Winslow Boy]

Good post. 

[Rhodes]

There will be a separate thread in due course for the 2026/27 Reserve Division however see the proposed constitution for the fourteen team Division, including five new teams:

https://ssmfl.uk/news/reservedevelopment-league-constitution-proposal-202627

Aylesbury Vale Dynamos U23's, Arlesey Town Development, Buckingham FC Reserves, Crawley Green Development, Dunstable FC U21's, Holmer Green Development, New Bradwell St Peter Development, Old Bradwell United Development, Tring Corinthians AFC U23's, The 61 FC (Luton) Reserves, Redbourn Rovers Development, Milton Keynes (MK) City Development, Pitstone & Ivinghoe Reserves, Bovingdon Development.

[Rhodes]

On 29/05/2026 at 10:33, Winslow Boy said:

Good post. 

Winslow Boy - They really know their onions on another Forum don't they, for example saying that 'Buckinghamshire is very long and thin' and then someone else confirms it by saying 'It's 60 miles north to south but less than 15 miles wide east to west, did you know that. I'm surprised London Colney and Shefford Town & Campton weren't reprieved, two Clubs with a long history and good Step 5 facilities unless they asked to move down for whatever reason.

[Winslow Boy]

Agreed. They should have kept them. 

[Rhodes]

Ambitious Club Redbourn Rovers are very much looking forward to joining the Spartan South Midlands League and competing in Division Two next season.

Club Announcement - Some huge news to bring you all.

As many of you know Redbourn has a rich history of football in the village. Games were played on the common over 100 years ago.

As part of our vision to bring football back to the village we also wanted to create a pathway for children to play through childhood and into adult teams. We also wanted to create a team that the village can support and get behind on a Saturday afternoon.

Thrilled to announce that our men’s first team have been promoted out of the Herts County League and into the non-league football pyramid.

This is a huge achievement and puts Redbourn back on the football map. An FA cup run could be just a few seasons away.

This means we now compete 10 leagues below the likes of Man City, Chelsea and Man United in the Premier league.

Huge achievement for the team behind making this happen. Led by Rich Ward and Jimmy Smart, countless days have been put in making sure we had everything in place and convincing the leagues and FA that Redbourn Rovers were worthy of a place.

We hope to add a women’s team as soon as possible. Anyone interested in helping build that out please get in touch.

Lots more info to follow around the adult teams including the launch of our fan/community ownership model where every player, parent and family can own a piece of the adult football club and have a front row seat as we try to climb the football pyramid.

Maybe not quite watch out PSG, but we’d certainly give Spurs a game.

Exciting times. Up the Rovers

[Rhodes]

On 31/05/2026 at 17:31, Winslow Boy said:

Agreed. They should have kept them. 

Good luck to Shefford Town & Campton in the Bedfordshire County League Premier Division next season. See comments regarding the Bedfordshire County League from another Forum:

A proposed constitution was posted on the Bedfordshire County League Facebook group a couple of days ago. First glances.
- Flitwick Town and Shefford Town & Campton reserves relegated from the Premier Division having finished second-bottom and bottom respectively
- Shefford Town & Campton join the Premier Division after relegation from Spartan South Midlands Division One, so their reserves would have had to drop from Step 7 regardless
- Stewkley join the Premier Division having won the North Bucks & District League, as mentioned in the SSML thread
- Baldock Victoria and Thurleigh are promoted, having finished first and second in Division One
- Totternhoe reserves drop into Division One - they finished mid-table and both they and their first team have been jointly at Step 7 for a few years now. The first team finished 4th in SSML2 last season

Edited June 9 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 28/05/2026 at 14:51, Rhodes said:

There are a lot of interesting comments about Division 2 for next season on another Forum, I see that Padbury Village have returned to the North Bucks & District League

There is more discussion on another Forum regarding the Spartan South Midlands League (SSML) next season, they really go down into the weeds don't they:

So Stewkley win the top division of the North Bucks & District League (which is effectively Step 8 and directly below the SSML Div Two) but aren’t allowed up yet they allow teams from the 4th and 5th tiers of the Herts Senior League in. Wow.

I thought Chalfont St Peter may end up in the Spartan League 2 (My geography may be a bit off here). Where would they end up now? Thames Valley League.

Their near neighbours Chalfont Wasps are in the Thames Valley Premier League so I would expect them to follow suit.

Stewkley have announced today that they are moving to Beds County League, in order to play Step 7 football.

Shame on the SSML.

It is, but Stewkley is only 5 miles from Leighton Buzzard, I wonder if the travelling is any greater in the Bedfordshire compared with SML. Bletchley Scot are in the Bedfordshire, so it's not a one off B&B side in it.

Although I don't think things should be symmetrical just for the sake uniformity I do the feel the existence of the Spartan South Midlands Division 2 and to a lesser extent Southern Combination 2 can cause these sorts of issues. The Spartan South Midlands Division 2 is predominantly a Mid & North Bucks division but with Club's from Herts (not West Herts), Beds & Cambs drawn to the prestige of the Spartan South Midlands it increases travel for Club's and leaves fewer vacancies for local clubs such as Stewkley. Personally, I'd rather all RFLs were County Leagues (not strict County borders) or go the other way and have Division 2s of Step 5/6 leagues so ambitious Club's are all in the same Division. This mix of the 2 leaves these oddities. Just my opinion.

[Rhodes]

Initially there had been a lot of doubt regarding Everett Rovers promotion to the Premier Division, and Step 5 football, however, the progressive Watford based Club gave their assurances to the Spartan South Midlands League (SSML) and the Football Association (FA), by the 31 March deadline, that their facilities are, or will be, fully compliant ahead of the new 2026/27 campaign:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everett_Rovers_F.C.

[Rhodes]

On 23/05/2026 at 15:34, Rhodes said:

The proposed, and interesting, Division Two line up for next season (new Club's highlighted) subject to ratification and any appeals, it appears that Newport Pagnell Town Reserves and Padbury Village have not applied and no sign of London Colney and Shefford Town & Campton unless they are allocated to different Step 7 League's following their relegation

Following the appeals process, there have been two amendments to the Spartan South Midlands League (SSML) Constitution for the new season, namely Northamptonshire based Bugbrooke St. Michaels will be in Division One and London Colney have been accepted into Division Two as a nineteenth Club:

https://ssmfl.uk/news/statement-constitution-amendments-12062026

Edited June 20 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Just for information, see the Hertfordshire Senior County League Constitution for the new 2026/27 campaign:

Premier Division (14 Club's)
AFC Turnford
Allenburys Sports
Buntingford Town
Cheshunt Development
Chipperfield Corinthians
Cockfosters Reserves
Cuffley
Everett Rovers Reserves
Hinton
Norsemen
Owens
St Margaretsbury
Ware United
Westmill
Division 1 (13 Club's)
Baldock Town Reserves
Chipperfield Corinthians Reserves
Chorleywood Common
Codicote Reserves
Croxley Green
Cuffley Reserves
Enfield Rangers
Hatfield United
Lemsford
Letchworth Garden City Eagles U23
Norsemen Reserves
OIR
Oxhey
Division 2 (12 Club's)
Buntingford Town Reserves
Elizabeth Allen Old Boys
Evergreen
Hinton Reserves
Knebworth
Norsemen Third
Old Minchendians
Old Parmiterians
Sandridge Rovers
Totteridge & Whetstone
Ware United Reserves
Wormley Rovers U23
Division 3 (11 Club's)
Amersham Town Development
Bengeo Trinity
Glenn Sports
Harpenden Colts
Hemel Hempstead Rovers
Hertford Heath Development
Norsemen Fourth
Northgate Athletic
Oxhey Jets A
Underdogs
Welwyn United
Division 4 (11 Club's)
Bengeo Trinity Reserves
Bury Rangers
Bushey Rangers
Croxley Green Reserves
Enfield Rangers Reserves
Hemel Hempstead Rovers Reserves
Kings Sports
Letchworth Garden City Eagles U21
Norsemen Fifth
St Margaretsbury Reserves
Tansley Veterans
Division 5 (11 Club's)
Bricket Wood
Bullys Crusaders
Chipperfield Corinthians Thirds
Elizabeth Allen Old Boys Reserves
FC Hurricanes
Hoddesdon Town U23
Lemsford Reserves
MKS Carpentry/MKS Evolution
Owens Third
Oxhey Reserves
WD Heron
Division 6 (8 Club's)
Birchwood
Evergreen Reserves
GT United
Harvesters
Hemel Hempstead Rovers A
Hertford Heath A
Hinton U23
Ware United Thirds

[Rhodes]

The confirmed nineteen Club's competing in Division Two this coming 2026/27 season, it is good news that London Colney will not be leaving us and will hopefully make a swift return to Step 6:

Edited June 26 by Rhodes