Wessex League
Encyclopedia
The Wessex League is an English association football league formed in 1986, with its premier division currently at the fifth step of the National League System
, or the ninth tier of the overall English football league system
. The participating clubs are mainly based in Hampshire
, but the league also encompasses clubs from adjoining counties such as Dorset
, Wiltshire
, Berkshire
, and the Isle of Wight
. Under the terms of a sponsorship contract, the league is officially known as the Sydenhams League.
In 2004, it absorbed most of the clubs from its feeder league, the Hampshire League
, which formed a new Division Two and Division Three. In 2006 the divisions were renamed as the Premier Division and Divisions One and Two. At the end of the 2006–07 season, Division Two was disbanded, and most of the clubs formed a new Hampshire Premier League.
Champions of the Wessex League who meet the relevant ground and financial requirements are eligible for promotion to the Southern League or Isthmian League
, depending on geographical location.
National League System
The National League System comprises the seven levels of the English football league system immediately below the level of the Premier League and The Football League. It contains 91 league competitions and more than 1,600 clubs. It comes under the jurisdiction of The Football Association...
, or the ninth tier of the overall English football league system
English football league system
The English football league system, also known as the football pyramid, is a series of interconnected leagues for association football clubs in England, with six teams from Wales also competing...
. The participating clubs are mainly based in Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
, but the league also encompasses clubs from adjoining counties such as Dorset
Dorset
Dorset , is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester which is situated in the south. The Hampshire towns of Bournemouth and Christchurch joined the county with the reorganisation of local government in 1974...
, Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
, Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
, and the Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest island of England, located in the English Channel, on average about 2–4 miles off the south coast of the county of Hampshire, separated from the mainland by a strait called the Solent...
. Under the terms of a sponsorship contract, the league is officially known as the Sydenhams League.
In 2004, it absorbed most of the clubs from its feeder league, the Hampshire League
Hampshire League
Hampshire League is a name used for two distinct football competitions based in Hampshire, England. There are two leagues; Hampshire Premier Football League named 'Puma Engineering Hampshire Premier Football League' for sponsor purposes and the division below which is the Hampshire League 2004 or...
, which formed a new Division Two and Division Three. In 2006 the divisions were renamed as the Premier Division and Divisions One and Two. At the end of the 2006–07 season, Division Two was disbanded, and most of the clubs formed a new Hampshire Premier League.
Champions of the Wessex League who meet the relevant ground and financial requirements are eligible for promotion to the Southern League or Isthmian League
Isthmian League
The Isthmian League is a regional football league covering London and South East England featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. It is sponsored by Ryman, and therefore officially known as the Ryman League. It was founded in 1905 by amateur clubs in the London area...
, depending on geographical location.
Past Winners of the Premier Division
- 2006–07 - Gosport BoroughGosport Borough F.C.Gosport Borough Football Club are a semi-professional football club based in Gosport, England currently playing in the Southern League Division One South and West...
- 2007–08 - AFC Totton
- 2008–09 - Poole TownPoole Town F.C.Poole Town F.C. is a football club based in Poole, England. They were established in 1890 and joined the Western League Division Two in 1930. They won the Western League title in 1957 and reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup four times in their history. They are currently members of the...
- 2009–10 - Poole Town
- 2010–11 - Poole Town
Past Winners of Division One (Former Top Division)
This was the top division in the Wessex League until the end of the 2005-2006 season. After that the top division was renamed the Premier Division with relegation from that league to Division One.- 1986–87 - BashleyBashley F.C.Bashley F.C. is a football club based in Bashley, near New Milton, Hampshire, England. It was established in 1947 and is currently a member of the Southern League Premier Division....
- 1987–88 - BashleyBashley F.C.Bashley F.C. is a football club based in Bashley, near New Milton, Hampshire, England. It was established in 1947 and is currently a member of the Southern League Premier Division....
- 1988–89 - BashleyBashley F.C.Bashley F.C. is a football club based in Bashley, near New Milton, Hampshire, England. It was established in 1947 and is currently a member of the Southern League Premier Division....
- 1989–90 - Romsey TownRomsey Town F.C.Romsey Town F.C. is a football club based in Romsey, Hampshire, England. They were among the founding members of the Wessex League in 1986. The club currently competes in the Wessex Premier Division which is the 9th tier of English football...
- 1990–91 - Havant TownHavant Town F.C.Havant Town F.C. was an English football club based in Havant, Hampshire. They ceased to exist in 1998 when they merged with Waterlooville to form Havant & Waterlooville.-History:...
- 1991–92 - Wimborne TownWimborne Town F.C.Wimborne Town F.C. is a football club based in Wimborne Minster in Dorset, England. They were established in 1878 and won the FA Vase in 1992. They reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup in the 1982-83 season for the first time...
- 1992–93 - AFC Lymington
- 1993–94 - Wimborne TownWimborne Town F.C.Wimborne Town F.C. is a football club based in Wimborne Minster in Dorset, England. They were established in 1878 and won the FA Vase in 1992. They reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup in the 1982-83 season for the first time...
- 1994–95 - Fleet TownFleet Town F.C.Fleet Town Football Club are a semi-professional football club based in Fleet, Hampshire, England. They were established in 1890 and joined the Athenian League in 1979. In 2004, they joined the Isthmian League First Division, were moved into the Southern League Division One South & West in 2007,...
- 1995–96 - Thatcham TownThatcham Town F.C.Thatcham Town Football Club are an English football club based in Thatcham, Berkshire. They are currently members of Division One South and West of the Southern League and play at Waterside Park.-History:...
- 1996–97 - AFC Lymington
- 1997–98 - AFC Lymington
- 1998–99 - Lymington & New Milton
- 1999–00 - Wimborne TownWimborne Town F.C.Wimborne Town F.C. is a football club based in Wimborne Minster in Dorset, England. They were established in 1878 and won the FA Vase in 1992. They reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup in the 1982-83 season for the first time...
- 2000–01 - AndoverAndover F.C.Andover F.C. was a football club based in Andover, Hampshire, established in 1883. Since the 2007–08 season, Andover had been a member of the Southern League Division One South and West at Step 4 of the National League System...
- 2001–02 - AndoverAndover F.C.Andover F.C. was a football club based in Andover, Hampshire, established in 1883. Since the 2007–08 season, Andover had been a member of the Southern League Division One South and West at Step 4 of the National League System...
- 2002–03 - EastleighEastleigh F.C.Eastleigh Football Club is an English semi-professional football club based in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The club are currently members of the Conference South and play at the Silverlake Stadium.-History:...
- 2003–04 - Winchester CityWinchester City F.C.Winchester City Football Club are an English football team based in Winchester, Hampshire and playing in the Wessex League Premier Division. The team is currently managed by Guy Butters and their motto is "Many in Men, One in Spirit",-History:...
- 2004–05 - Lymington & New Milton
- 2005–06 - Winchester CityWinchester City F.C.Winchester City Football Club are an English football team based in Winchester, Hampshire and playing in the Wessex League Premier Division. The team is currently managed by Guy Butters and their motto is "Many in Men, One in Spirit",-History:...
Past Winners of Division One
- 2006-07 Hayling UnitedHayling United F.C.Hayling United F.C. is a football club based on Hayling Island in Hampshire, England. In the early 70's they changed their name from Hayling Island to their present name. They are currently members of Wessex League Premier Division.-History:...
- 2007-08 Tadley CallevaTadley Calleva F.C.Tadley Calleva F.C. are a football club based in Tadley, Hampshire, England. They joined the Hampshire League Division Three in 1994. In 2004, they changed their name from Tadley Town to their present name. In the 2007-08, they won the Wessex League Division One title but were denied promotion and...
- 2008-09 Totton & Eling
- 2009-10 Hamble ASSC
- 2010-11 DowntonDownton F.C.Downton F.C. is a football club based in Downton, near Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. It was established in 1905 and joined the Wessex League in 1993. It has reached the first round of the FA Vase twice in its history. It has reached the first round qualifying of the FA Cup in season 2008–09. It...
Past Winners of Division Two
Division Two no longer exists.- 2004-05 Lymington Town F.C.Lymington Town F.C.Lymington Town F.C. is a football club based in Lymington, England. Known as "The Linnets" they were originally founded in 1876 and played in the Hampshire League for many years.-History:...
- 2005-06 Locks Heath F.C.Locks Heath F.C.Locks Heath Football Club is a football club based in Fareham suburb of Locks Heath, Hampshire, England. They won the Hampshire League title in 1991. As of the 2011–12 season, they are members of the Hampshire Premier Football League. They play their home games at The Recreation Ground, found...
- 2006-07 Fleetlands F.C.Fleetlands F.C.Fleetlands Football Club is a football club based in Gosport, Hampshire, England. They joined the Hampshire League Division Two in 1988, and are currently members of the Hampshire Premier League. They play at Lederle Lane Stadium, Bridgemary, Gosport. The floodlit stadium has two 100-capacity...
Past Winners of Division Three
Division Three no longer exists.- 2004-05 Colden Common F.C.Colden Common F.C.Colden Common Football Club is a football club based in Colden Common, near Winchester, Hampshire, England. The club are playing in the Hampshire Premier League in the 2011–12 season. In the 1990s, they twice won the Hampshire League title.-History:...
- 2005-06 Paulsgrove F.C.Paulsgrove F.C.Paulsgrove Football Club is a football club based in the Paulsgrove area of Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. They joined the Hampshire League Division Two in 1987 and played in that league's Division One between 1993 and 1996...
Wessex League Cup
The Wessex League Cup, or 'Sydenhams League Cup' for sponsor purposes, is a domestic cup which all the Wessex League teams participate in.Wessex League Cup Winners
- 1986-87 Road-Sea Southampton F.C.Road-Sea Southampton F.C.Road-Sea Southampton F.C. were a powerful football club best known for moving directly from playing in amateur Sunday league parks football to the semi-professional Southern League during their short fourteen year existence.-History:...
- 1987-88 East Cowes Victoria Athletic A.F.C.East Cowes Victoria Athletic A.F.C.East Cowes Victoria Athletic AFC are a football club based in East Cowes, Isle of Wight, England. They joined the Wessex League in 1987 and have reached the 2nd round of the FA Vase twice in their history. They are currently members of Wessex League Division One.-History:East Cowes Victoria...
- 1988-89 AFC LymingtonLymington Town F.C.Lymington Town F.C. is a football club based in Lymington, England. Known as "The Linnets" they were originally founded in 1876 and played in the Hampshire League for many years.-History:...
- 1989-90 A.F.C. TottonA.F.C. TottonA.F.C. Totton is a football club based in Totton, Hampshire, England. Totton Football Club was founded in 1886 and changed its name to A.F.C. Totton in 1975. The newly established club was among the founding members of the Wessex League in 1986. They are currently members of the Southern League...
- 1990-91 Thatcham Town F.C.Thatcham Town F.C.Thatcham Town Football Club are an English football club based in Thatcham, Berkshire. They are currently members of Division One South and West of the Southern League and play at Waterside Park.-History:...
- 1991-92 Thatcham Town F.C.Thatcham Town F.C.Thatcham Town Football Club are an English football club based in Thatcham, Berkshire. They are currently members of Division One South and West of the Southern League and play at Waterside Park.-History:...
- 1992-93 Gosport Borough F.C.Gosport Borough F.C.Gosport Borough Football Club are a semi-professional football club based in Gosport, England currently playing in the Southern League Division One South and West...
- 1993-94 Wimborne Town F.C.Wimborne Town F.C.Wimborne Town F.C. is a football club based in Wimborne Minster in Dorset, England. They were established in 1878 and won the FA Vase in 1992. They reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup in the 1982-83 season for the first time...
- 1994-95 Thatcham Town F.C.Thatcham Town F.C.Thatcham Town Football Club are an English football club based in Thatcham, Berkshire. They are currently members of Division One South and West of the Southern League and play at Waterside Park.-History:...
- 1995-96 Downton F.C.Downton F.C.Downton F.C. is a football club based in Downton, near Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. It was established in 1905 and joined the Wessex League in 1993. It has reached the first round of the FA Vase twice in its history. It has reached the first round qualifying of the FA Cup in season 2008–09. It...
- 1996-97 Thatcham Town F.C.Thatcham Town F.C.Thatcham Town Football Club are an English football club based in Thatcham, Berkshire. They are currently members of Division One South and West of the Southern League and play at Waterside Park.-History:...
- 1997-98 Aerostructures S&S
- 1998-99 Cowes Sports F.C.Cowes Sports F.C.Cowes Sports F.C. is a football club based in Cowes, Isle of Wight, England. They were established in 1881.The history of Cowes Football Club can be traced back to 1881, when the club was originally formed, although competitive action did not arrive until 1886 in the shape of the Hants and Dorset...
- 1999-00 Wimborne Town F.C.Wimborne Town F.C.Wimborne Town F.C. is a football club based in Wimborne Minster in Dorset, England. They were established in 1878 and won the FA Vase in 1992. They reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup in the 1982-83 season for the first time...
- 2000-01 No competition was held.
- 2001-02 Andover F.C.Andover F.C.Andover F.C. was a football club based in Andover, Hampshire, established in 1883. Since the 2007–08 season, Andover had been a member of the Southern League Division One South and West at Step 4 of the National League System...
- 2002-03 A.F.C. TottonA.F.C. TottonA.F.C. Totton is a football club based in Totton, Hampshire, England. Totton Football Club was founded in 1886 and changed its name to A.F.C. Totton in 1975. The newly established club was among the founding members of the Wessex League in 1986. They are currently members of the Southern League...
- 2003-04 Winchester City F.C.Winchester City F.C.Winchester City Football Club are an English football team based in Winchester, Hampshire and playing in the Wessex League Premier Division. The team is currently managed by Guy Butters and their motto is "Many in Men, One in Spirit",-History:...
- 2004-05 Hamworthy United F.C.Hamworthy United F.C.Hamworthy United F.C. are a football club based in Hamworthy, a suburb of Poole, England. They were formed as a merger between Hamworthy and Trinidad Old Boys in 1970. In the 2003-04 season, they reached the 2nd round of the FA Vase. They reached the Second Round Qualifying of the FA Cup in season...
- 2005-06 A.F.C. TottonA.F.C. TottonA.F.C. Totton is a football club based in Totton, Hampshire, England. Totton Football Club was founded in 1886 and changed its name to A.F.C. Totton in 1975. The newly established club was among the founding members of the Wessex League in 1986. They are currently members of the Southern League...
- 2006-07 Lymington Town F.C.Lymington Town F.C.Lymington Town F.C. is a football club based in Lymington, England. Known as "The Linnets" they were originally founded in 1876 and played in the Hampshire League for many years.-History:...
- 2007-08 Wimborne Town F.C.Wimborne Town F.C.Wimborne Town F.C. is a football club based in Wimborne Minster in Dorset, England. They were established in 1878 and won the FA Vase in 1992. They reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup in the 1982-83 season for the first time...
- 2008-09 VT FC
- 2009-10 Bemerton Heath Harlequins F.C.Bemerton Heath Harlequins F.C.Bemerton Heath Harlequins F.C. is an English football club based in Bemerton, in Salisbury, Wiltshire.They are currently members of the Wessex League Premier Division. The Reserves are member of the Wessex League combination division one...
- 2010-11 BournemouthBournemouth F.C.Bournemouth Football Club is an English football team currently playing in the Wessex League Premier Division. Their nickname is "The Poppies", and they are often known as Bournemouth Poppies to avoid confusion with the Football League club A.F.C. Bournemouth...