2026–27 Southern Football League
The 2026–27 Southern Football League season is the 124th 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 14 May 2026.[1] There will be 88 teams in the Southern League, 22 in each of the four divisions.
Premier Division Central
| Season | 2026–27 |
|---|---|
← 2025–26 2027–28 → | |
The Premier Division Central comprises 22 teams, 15 of which competed in the previous season.
Team changes
Promoted from Division One Central Promoted from the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands Relegated from the National League North Transferred from the Northern Premier League Premier Division |
Promoted to the National League North Transferred to the Northern Premier League Premier Division Relegated to Division One Central Relegated to the Isthmian League North Division Relegated to the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands
|
Premier Division Central table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Real Bedford | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 4 | +11 | 12 | Promotion to the National League North |
| 2 | Bury Town | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | +7 | 12 | Qualification for the play-off semi-finals[a] |
| 3 | Alvechurch | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 2 | +6 | 9 | |
| 4 | Bromsgrove Sporting | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 5 | +3 | 9 | Qualification for the play-off quarter-finals[a] |
| 5 | Rushall Olympic | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 6 | +2 | 9 | |
| 6 | Anstey Nomads | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 8 | |
| 7 | Kettering Town | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 8 | |
| 8 | Stourbridge | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 7 | |
| 9 | Halesowen Town | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 6 | |
| 10 | Leiston | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 6 | +1 | 5 | |
| 11 | Racing Club Warwick | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 | |
| 12 | Leighton Town | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 5 | |
| 13 | Banbury United | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | −2 | 4 | |
| 14 | Worcester City | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | −2 | 4 | |
| 15 | Redditch United | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 3 | |
| 16 | Needham Market | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 7 | −3 | 3 | |
| 17 | Hitchin Town | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 7 | −3 | 2 | |
| 18 | Peterborough Sports | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | −3 | 2 | |
| 19 | Stratford Town | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 10 | −7 | 2 | Relegation to Step 4 |
| 20 | Leamington | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 9 | −6 | 1 | |
| 21 | Bishop's Stortford | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 7 | −6 | 1 | |
| 22 | Stamford | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 6 | −5 | 0 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[2]
Notes:
Results table
Stadia and locations
Premier Division South
| Season | 2026–27 |
|---|---|
← 2025–26 2027–28 → | |
The Premier Division South comprises 22 teams, 16 of which competed in the previous season.
Team changes
Promoted from Division One South Promoted from the Isthmian League South Central Division Relegated from the National League South Transferred from the Isthmian League Premier Division |
Promoted to the National League South Relegated to Division One South
|
Premier Division South table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chertsey Town | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 4 | +6 | 10 | Promotion to the National League South |
| 2 | Uxbridge | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 5 | +5 | 10 | Qualification for the play-off semi-finals[a] |
| 3 | Hanworth Villa | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 2 | +5 | 9 | |
| 4 | Bath City | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 8 | Qualification for the play-off quarter-finals[a] |
| 5 | Yate Town | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 8 | |
| 6 | Plymouth Parkway | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 5 | +7 | 7 | |
| 7 | Frome Town | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 6 | |
| 8 | Taunton Town | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 10 | +1 | 6 | |
| 9 | Chichester City | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 6 | |
| 10 | Poole Town | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 6 | −1 | 6 | |
| 11 | Evesham United | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 10 | −2 | 6 | |
| 12 | Hanwell Town | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 5 | |
| 13 | Wimborne Town | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | |
| 14 | Basingstoke Town | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 7 | −1 | 4 | |
| 15 | Gloucester City | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 4 | |
| 16 | Gosport Borough | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 4 | |
| 17 | Sholing | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | −2 | 4 | |
| 18 | Chippenham Town | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 9 | −5 | 4 | |
| 19 | Bracknell Town | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 11 | −7 | 4 | Relegation to Step 4 |
| 20 | Berkhamsted | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 9 | −3 | 3 | |
| 21 | Havant & Waterlooville | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 6 | −4 | 3 | |
| 22 | Malvern Town | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 10 | −6 | 2 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[2]
Notes:
Results table
Stadia and locations
| Club | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basingstoke Town | Basingstoke | Winklebury Football Complex (Basingstoke) | 2,000 |
| Bath City | Bath (Twerton) | Twerton Park | 8,840 |
| Berkhamsted | Berkhamsted | Broadwater | 1,950 |
| Bracknell Town | Sandhurst | SB Stadium | 1,950 |
| Chertsey Town | Chertsey | Alwyns Lane | 2,500 |
| Chichester City | Chichester | Oaklands Park | 2,000 |
| Chippenham Town | Chippenham | Hardenhuish Park | 3,000 |
| Evesham United | Evesham | Jubilee Stadium | 3,000 |
| Frome Town | Frome | Badgers Hill | 3,000 |
| Gloucester City | Gloucester | Meadow Park | 4,000 |
| Gosport Borough | Gosport | Privett Park | 4,500 |
| Hanwell Town | Perivale | Powerday Stadium | 3,000 |
| Hanworth Villa | Hanworth | Rectory Meadow | 1,800 |
| Havant & Waterlooville | Havant | Westleigh Park | 5,300 |
| Malvern Town | Malvern | Langland Stadium | 2,500 |
| Plymouth Parkway | Plymouth | Bolitho Park | 3,500 |
| Poole Town | Poole | The BlackGold Stadium | 2,500 |
| Sholing | Sholing | Universal Stadium | 2,500 |
| Taunton Town | Taunton | Wordsworth Drive | 3,000 |
| Uxbridge | West Drayton | Honeycroft | 3,770 |
| Wimborne Town | Wimborne Minster | The Cuthbury | 3,250 |
| Yate Town | Yate | Lodge Road | 2,000 |
Division One Central
| Season | 2026–27 |
|---|---|
← 2025–26 2027–28 → | |
Division One Central comprises 22 teams, 16 of which competed in the previous season.
Team changes
Promoted from the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division Relegated from the Premier Division Central Relegated from the Isthmian League Premier Division Transferred from Division One South Transferred from the Isthmian League North Division |
Promoted to the Premier Division Central Relegated to the Combined Counties League Premier Division North Relegated to the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division Merged with Dunstable Town
|
Division One Central table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Potters Bar Town | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 5 | +3 | 7 | Promotion to Premier Division Central |
| 2 | Welwyn Garden City | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 6 | Qualification for the play-off semi-finals[a] |
| 3 | Royston Town | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 6 | |
| 4 | Biggleswade | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 4 | +2 | 4 | Qualification for the play-off quarter-finals[a] |
| 5 | Waltham Abbey | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 | +3 | 3 | |
| 6 | Didcot Town | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 3 | |
| 7 | Flackwell Heath | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 3 | |
| 8 | Marlow | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 3 | |
| 9 | Winslow United | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 3 | |
| 10 | Ware | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 3 | |
| 11 | Milton Keynes Irish | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 3 | |
| 12 | London Lions | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 7 | −2 | 3 | |
| 13 | Barton Rovers | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | −2 | 2 | |
| 14 | Hertford Town | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | −2 | 2 | |
| 15 | Haringey Borough | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | |
| 16 | Stotfold | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | |
| 17 | Biggleswade Town | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 1 | |
| 18 | Leverstock Green | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 1 | |
| 19 | Thame United | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | −3 | 1 | Relegation to Step 5 |
| 20 | Aylesbury United | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 0 | |
| 21 | Hadley | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 0 | |
| 22 | Beaconsfield Town | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8 | −6 | 0 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[2]
Notes:
Results table
Stadia and locations
Division One South
| Season | 2026–27 |
|---|---|
← 2025–26 2027–28 → | |
Division One South comprises 22 teams, 13 of which competed in the previous season.
Team changes
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 Transferred to Division One Central Transferred to the Isthmian League South Central Division Relegated to the Western League Premier Division Relegated to the Wessex League Premier Division Resigned to the South West Peninsula League Premier Division West
|
Division One South table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swindon Supermarine | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | +7 | 9 | Promotion to Premier Division South |
| 2 | Weymouth | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 4 | +6 | 9 | Qualification for the play-off semi-finals[a] |
| 3 | Westbury United | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 6 | |
| 4 | Dorchester Town | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 7 | −1 | 6 | Qualification for the play-off quarter-finals[a] |
| 5 | Hungerford Town | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 4 | |
| 6 | Tiverton Town | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | |
| 7 | Shaftesbury | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 5 | +3 | 3 | |
| 8 | Worcester Raiders | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 3 | |
| 9 | Melksham Town | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 | |
| 10 | Willand Rovers | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| 11 | Bishop's Cleeve | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | |
| 12 | Bristol Manor Farm | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |
| 13 | Exmouth Town | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| 14 | Sporting Club Inkberrow | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| 15 | Portland United | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 1 | |
| 16 | Bideford | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 8 | −5 | 1 | |
| 17 | Barnstaple Town | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 0 | |
| 18 | Falmouth Town | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 0 | |
| 19 | Paulton Rovers | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | −2 | 0 | Relegation to Step 5 |
| 20 | Larkhall Athletic | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | −3 | 0 | |
| 21 | Hartpury | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 0 | |
| 22 | Slimbridge | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 7 | −5 | 0 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[2]
Notes:
Results table
Stadia and locations
References
- ↑ "The FA releases National League System allocations for Steps 1-6 in 2026-27 season". www.thefa.com. 14 May 2026. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "The FA Handbook 2022/2023 Part 29 Standardised Rules Section 12.2". The FA.