The Football Association has unveiled the league allocations for the 2025-26 season, confirming Hartpury University’s promotion to the Southern League Division One South. The university joins a competitive array of clubs, including the Hellenic League champions Acorns, who earned their spot alongside play-off semi-finalists Bishop’s Cleeve.
Other promoted sides include Western League champions Portishead Town and play-off winners Brixham, as well as Sporting Club Inkberrow, who won the Hellenic Premier Division play-offs. Joining them are three teams relegated from the Southern League Premier South: Frome Town, Swindon Supermarine, and Winchester City. Meanwhile, Bemerton Heath Harlequins have voluntarily moved down to the Wessex League Premier Division.
In the Southern League Premier South, new opponents await Gloucester City as they welcome Division One South champions Yate Town and play-off winners Evesham United. Gloucester City’s new manager, Dafydd Williams, is eager to improve on last season’s near-miss after their play-off final defeat to AFC Totton.
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Additional promotions include Berkhamsted, victors of the Southern League Division One Central play-offs, as well as Farnham Town and Uxbridge, champions and play-off winners from the Isthmian League Division One South Central. The league also sees the addition of Weymouth, a club once prominent in the National League and non-league football during the 1980s, now relegated, while Merthyr Town move to National League North and Totton head into National League South.
The Hellenic League Premier Division features two relegated Southern League Division One South sides, Cinderford Town and Cribbs, joining established clubs such as Cirencester Town, Fairford Town, and Slimbridge. Newly promoted teams Droitwich Spa and Hallen also bolster the division’s competitive field.
In the Hellenic League Division One, Brimscombe & Thrupp and Malmesbury Victoria face a 19-team schedule alongside newcomers Alcester Town, Thame United Reserves, and Woodford United. These clubs join long-standing competitors including Cheltenham Saracens, Newent Town, and Tytherington Rocks.
An interesting twist sees Newent and Carterton retain their spots despite finishing in the relegation zone, due to mid-season withdrawals from other clubs and structural rules ensuring first and reserve teams play at least two levels apart following Kidlington Reserves’ demotion.
Key club line-ups for the 2025-26 season are as follows:
Southern League Premier South will feature teams like Basingstoke Town, Berkhamsted, Bracknell Town, and Weymouth alongside newcomers Yate Town and Evesham United.
Southern League Division One South hosts Hartpury University, Bishop’s Cleeve, Portishead Town, Sporting Club Inkberrow, and others battling for promotion.
The Hellenic League Premier includes Cinderford Town, Cribbs, Droitwich Spa, Hallen, and Slimbridge.
Finally, the Hellenic League Division One comprises Alcester Town, Brimscombe & Thrupp, Newent Town, Thame United Reserves, and Cheltenham Saracens among others.
With fresh competition and reshuffled leagues, Gloucestershire’s Southern and Hellenic League clubs are set for an exhilarating 2025-26 season filled with new rivalries and opportunities.