Essex and Suffolk Border Football League

Last updated

Essex and Suffolk Border Football League
Founded1911
CountryEngland
DivisionsPremier Division
Division One
Division Two
Division Three
Division Four
Number of clubs70
15 (Premier Division)
13 (Division One)
13 (Division Two)
14 (Division Three)
15 (Division Four)
Level on pyramid Level 11 (Premier Division)
Feeder to Eastern Counties League
Promotion to Eastern Counties League Division One North/South
League cup(s)Knock Out Cup
Linda Degville Cup
Peter Andrews Charity Cup
Reserve/"A" Cup
Richard Degville Cup
Tommy Thompson Cup
Current championsKings Park Rangers (Premier Division)
Great Bentley (Division One)
Tavern (Division Two)
Hatfield Peverel Reserves (Division Three)
Silver End United Reserves (Division Four)
(2025-26)
Website esblfootball.com

The Essex and Suffolk Border Football League is a football competition in England. The league has a total of four divisions headed by the Premier Division which sits at step 7 (or level 11) of the National League System. The top club may apply for promotion to Division One of the Eastern Counties League.

Contents

All member clubs compete in the Border League Knock-Out Cup. The league is affiliated to the Essex County FA and Suffolk County FA.

History

The league was officially founded in 1911, [1] although the league includes records of the Colchester Borough League (founded 1893) and Colchester & District League (founded 1903) in its history. [1] Founder members of the Border League in the inaugural 1911–12 season included Clacton Town, Colchester Town, West Bergholt and West Mersea.

Over the last 100 years the league has seen many changes in its status with many clubs progressing to a higher level. The overlying trend has been the migration of the larger clubs and their replacement by smaller clubs with more basic facilities. For much of the last 20 years the Border League has run 4 divisions which included a significant proportion of reserve teams. The league lost several members in 2005–06 when the reserve teams of the Eastern Counties League clubs left for their own competition. There is a high representation of village teams but a new trend has emerged with the acceptance of Barnston from Division Three of the Essex Olympian League and Newbury Forest from the Romford and District Football League in the London Borough of Redbridge.

Member clubs 2025–26

The league has 70 teams spread over five divisions for the 2025–26 season:

Premier Division
  • AFC Pegasus Colchester
  • Alresford Colne Rangers
  • Belle Vue Social Club
  • Cressing United
  • Dedham Old Boys
  • Earls Colne
  • East Thurrock Community
  • Gas Recreation
  • Great Bentley
  • Hatfield Peverel
  • Springfield
  • Sudbury Sports
  • Thorpe Athletic
  • Tiptree Heath
  • White Notley

Division One

  • Clacton Regent
  • Dovercourt Rovers
  • FC Clacton Reserves
  • Frinton & Walton
  • Gosfield United
  • Great Bentley Reserves
  • Hatfield Peverel Reserves
  • Hedinghams United
  • Lawford Lads
  • Prettygate
  • Roman Rovers
  • Tavern
  • The Rodings

Division Two

  • Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves
  • Boxford Rovers
  • Bradfield Rovers
  • Cavendish
  • Cressing United Reserves
  • Dedham Old Boys Reserves
  • Gas Recreation Reserves
  • Great Bradfords
  • Silver End United
  • Springfield Reserves
  • West Bergholt
  • White Notley Reserves
  • Wormingford Wanderers

Division Three

  • Boxted Lodgers
  • Brooklands
  • Elmstead Market
  • Great Bentley "A"
  • Harwich & Parkeston "A"
  • Mersea Island
  • Oyster
  • Roman Rovers Reserves
  • Silver End United Reserves
  • Stillwaters
  • Tendring Borough
  • Tiptree Heath Reserves
  • Tiptree Jobserve
  • Wivenhoe United

Division Four

  • Bradfield Rovers Reserves
  • Elmstead Market Reserves
  • Frinton & Walton Reserves
  • Hedinghams United Reserves
  • Kelvedon Social
  • Lawford Lads Reserves
  • Prettygate Reserves
  • Ramsey & Mistley
  • Rayne
  • Roman Rovers "A"
  • Stanway Rovers Reserves
  • Tendring District
  • Tollesbury
  • West Bergholt Reserves
  • Wormingford Wanderers

Former clubs

Among the clubs that have left the Essex & Suffolk Border Football League to compete at a higher level are:

List of champions

SeasonSenior Division
1893–94St Peter's Institute
SeasonSenior DivisionDivision II (Junior)
1894–95 Colchester Town Colchester United
1895–96Colchester United
1896–97 Colchester Casuals
1897–98Colchester Albions
1898–99Royal Irish FusiliersColchester Albions
1899–1900New Town Athletic
1900–01Colchester CrownNew Town Athletic
1901–02Colchester CrownSt Leonards
1902–03Colchester CrownColchester Rovers
1903–042nd Bn. Bedfordshire RegimentManningtree United
1904–052nd Bn. Norfolk RegimentAlbion Rovers
1905–062nd Bn. K.O.S.B.Albion Rovers
1906–074th K.R.R.C.Colchester Athletic
1907–08 Colchester Town Colchester Excelsiors
SeasonSenior DivisionDivision II (Junior)Division II (Section B)
1908–09 Harwich & Parkeston Colchester AthleticBrightlingsea Town
1909–102nd Bn. Scottish Rifles Clacton Town Coggeshall
1910–112nd Bn. Scottish RiflesColchester Athletic Coggeshall
1911–121st Bn. East Lancs Regiment1st Bn. East Lancs Regiment ReservesColchester St Nicholas
1912–13 Colchester Town Maldon Town 1st Bn. East Lancs III
1913–14 Harwich & Parkeston 1st Bn. Hampshire ReservesColchester Junior Athletic
SeasonSenior DivisionDivision II (Junior)Division II (Section B)Division II (Western)
1919–20 Wivenhoe Town Haverhill Rovers
1920–21 Harwich & Parkeston Colchester St Nicholas Wivenhoe Town Heybridge
1921–22 Harwich & Parkeston Paxmans AthleticBrightlingseaMaldon St Mary's
1922–23 Harwich & Parkeston Severalls Athletic Wivenhoe Town Crittall Athletic
1923–24 Colchester Town 2nd Bn. Royal Scots ReservesColchester Juniors Crittall Athletic
1924–252nd Bn. Royal Scots2nd Bn. Royal Scots ReservesFrinton Town11th Field Brigade R.A.
SeasonSenior DivisionDivision II (Junior)Division II (Section B)
1925–262nd Bn. Leicestershire Regiment11th Field Brigade R.A.Wimpole Road Wesleyans
1926–272nd. Bn. Rifle BrigadeSeveralls Athletic Colchester Town 'A'
1927–282nd. Bn. Rifle BrigadeWimpole Road Wesleyans Stanway Rovers
SeasonSenior DivisionDivision I (Junior)Division II (Junior)Division III
1928–29 Harwich & Parkeston 4th Div. Royal Corps SignalsGreat BentleyClacton Athletic
SeasonSenior DivisionDivision I (Junior)Division II (Junior)
1929–302nd. Bn. Rifle Brigade4th Div. Royal Corps SignalsPaxmans Athletic
1930–314th Div. Royal Corps SignalsHeybridgeClacton Rovers
1931–32 Harwich & Parkeston Great Bentley
SeasonSenior DivisionDivision I (Junior)Division II (Junior)Division III
1932–33 Harwich & Parkeston 2nd Bn. K.S.L.I.Parkside Rangers1st Colchester Scouts
1933–34 Harwich & Parkeston 2nd Bn. K.S.L.I. ReservesColchester Old Scouts
1934–351st Bn. Lancashire FusiliersClacton Athletic5th Inniskilling D.G. Reserves
1935–36 Critall Athletic Walton TownFrinton Juniors
1936–37 Critall Athletic Great Bentley9th Company R.A.M.C.
1937–38 Critall Athletic Parkeston Railway7th Field Company R.E.
SeasonSenior DivisionDivision I (Junior)Division II (Junior)
1938–39 Hoffman Athletic Butlin's Athletic9 Company R.A.M.C
SeasonPremier DivisionDivision One
1946–47 Colchester Casuals Brightlingsea United
1947–48 Haverhill Rovers Great Bentley
1948–49 Sudbury Town Clacton Hotspurs
1949–50 Sudbury Town Halstead Town 'A'
1950–51 Stowmarket Town M.C.E.
1951–52 Sudbury Town Halstead Town Reserves
1952–53 Sudbury Town Stowmarket Town Reserves
1953–54 Sudbury Town Clacton Hotspurs
1954–55 Long Melford Clacton Hotspurs
1955–56 Long Melford Clacton Hotspurs
1956–57 Long Melford Parkeston Railway
1957–58 Halstead Town Woods Athletic
1958–59 Long Melford Clacton Hotspurs
1959–60 Critalls Athletic Halstead Town Reserves
1960–61 Long Melford Brightlingsea United
1961–62Marconi AthleticLexden Wanderers
1962–63 Haverhill Rovers Coggeshall Town
1963–64 Haverhill Rovers Haverhill Rovers Reserves
1964–65 Witham Town Lexden Wanderers
SeasonPremier DivisionDivision One EastDivision One West
1965–66 Maldon Town Clacton North End Witham Town Reserves
1966–67 Coggeshall Town Rowhedge Sudbury Wanderers
SeasonPremier DivisionDivision OneDivision Two
1967–68 Coggeshall Town Silver End Tiptree United Reserves
1968–69 Halstead Town Eastern GasParkeston Railway
1969–70 Coggeshall Town Sudbury Town Reserves Eastern Gas Reserves
1970–71 Witham Town Lexden WanderersWest End United
1971–72Eastern GasParkeston RailwayWivenhoe Rangers
SeasonPremier DivisionDivision One
1972–73 Brantham Athletic Wivenhoe Rangers
1973–74 Brantham Athletic Mersea Island
1974–75West End UnitedShalford Rovers
1975–76 Brantham Athletic Harwich & Parkeston Reserves
1976–77 Brantham Athletic Sudbury Wanderers
SeasonPremier DivisionDivision OneDivision Two
1977–78 Halstead Town Felixstowe Town Reserves Clacton Town Reserves
SeasonPremier DivisionDivision OneDivision TwoDivision Three
1978–79 Wivenhoe Town Shalford Rovers Wivenhoe Town Reserves Earls Colne
1979–80Mersea IslandWest End UnitedEarls Colne Tiptree United Reserves
1980–81 Sudbury Town Reserves RowhedgeWest BergholtBramston-Crittall Reserves
1981–82 Harwich & Parkeston Reserves Tiptree United Reserves Stanway Rovers Donyland Swifts
1982–83Earls Colne Haverhill Rovers Reserves Colchester United 'A'Boxted Lodgers
1983–84 Tiptree United Reserves Bramston CMLHaverhill Meat ProductsDedham Old Boys
1984–85 Braintree Town Reserves Long Melford Donyland SwiftsRoyal London
1985–86Hatfield PeverelLittle Oakley Stanway Rovers Stanway Rovers Reserves
1986–87Little Oakley Stanway Rovers Long Melford Reserves Alresford Colne Rangers
1987–88Little OakleyMistley UnitedGas RecreationWest Bergholt Reserves
1988–89 Cornard United Alresford Colne RangersRoyal LondonKelvedon Social
1989–90 Sudbury Wanderers Felixstowe Town Reserves Kelvedon SocialCavendish
1990–91 Sudbury Wanderers Alresford Colne RangersRowhedgeTiptree Heath
1991–92 Harwich & Parkeston Reserves Kelvedon SocialTiptree HeathFoxash Social
1992–93Little OakleyMersea IslandFoxash SocialHedinghams United
1993–94Little Oakley Halstead Town Reserves Lawford LadsFinchingfield Rovers
1994–95 Halstead Town Reserves West Bergholt ReservesEarls Colne Coggeshall Town
1995–96Gas Recreation Clacton Town Reserves Silver EndKirby United
1996–97Gas Recreation Ipswich Wanderers Reserves Cavendish Brightlingsea United Reserves
1997–98Gas RecreationSt OsythKelvedon Social ReservesTiptree Heath
1998–99Gas RecreationSt Osyth Needham Market Reserves Wivenhoe Town Reserves
1999–00 AFC Sudbury Reserves Clacton Town Reserves Tiptree HeathBirch United
2000–01West BergholtWeeley Athletic Wivenhoe Town Reserves Bury Town Reserves
2001–02 AFC Sudbury Reserves Stanway Rovers Reserves Whitton United Reserves Weeley Athletic Reserves
2002–03RowhedgeAlresford Colne Rangers Bury Town Reserves Bradfield Rovers
2003–04Little Oakley Bury Town Reserves Hatfield Peverel Witham Town Reserves
2004–05Gas RecreationHatfield Peverel Witham Town Reserves Gosfield United
SeasonPremier DivisionDivision OneDivision Two
2005–06Gas Recreation Witham Town Reserves Brightlingsea Regent
2006–07Gas Recreation West Suffolk College Great Bradfords
SeasonPremier DivisionDivision One
2007–08Gas RecreationWhite Notley
2008–09West Bergholt Holland
2009–10Gas RecreationWormingford Wanderers
2010–11 Brightlingsea Regent Lawford Lads
2011–12West Bergholt Haverhill Sports Association
2012–13Gas RecreationTollesbury
SeasonPremier DivisionDivision OneDivision TwoDivision Three
2013–14Gas RecreationAlresford Cone Rangers ReservesGas Recreation ReservesTeam Brantham
SeasonPremier DivisionDivision OneDivision Two
2014–15West BergholtHatfield PeverelCinque Port
2015–16 Coggeshall Town Wormingford WanderersCressing United
SeasonPremier DivisionDivision OneDivision TwoDivision Three
2016–17 Little Oakley Dedham Old BoysGreat BentleyFlitch United
2017–18Gas RecreationGreat BentleyTiptree HeathColne Athletic
2018–19Gas RecreationFlitch UnitedStanway PegasusGosfield United
SeasonPremier DivisionDivision OneDivision TwoDivision Three
2019–20Season abandoned due to COVID-19 pandemic
SeasonPremier DivisionDivision OneDivision TwoDivision ThreeDivision Four
2020–21Season abandoned due to COVID-19 pandemic
SeasonPremier DivisionDivision OneDivision TwoDivision ThreeDivision FourDivision Five
2021–22 Stanway Pegasus Stanway Rovers under-23'sBrightlingsea TownWormingford WanderersGas Recreation ReservesRoman Rovers
2022–23 Dunmow Town Silver End UnitedDovercourt RoversGas RecreationHigh RodingGas Recreation Reserves
2023–24Colne AthleticThorpe AthleticGas RecreationGosfield UnitedThe Rodings ReservesAssington Stanley
SeasonPremier DivisionDivision OneDivision TwoDivision ThreeDivision Four
2024–25Kings Park RangersGreat BentleyTavernHatfield Peverel ReservesSilver End United Reserves
Source: Essex & Suffolk Border League

References

  1. 1 2 2016–2017 Official Handbook Essex & Suffolk Border League