As we move into June it really is time to think about the season ahead. The disappointment of our play-off defeat now turns into the anticipation for the new campaign.
Last month the FA announced the constitutions for the leagues and we will face 7 new teams. We also say goodbye to seven including three of our closest rivals.
The goodbyes see Three Bridges and, of course, AFC Whyteleafe promoted to the Premier Division. We played Whyteleafe five times last season with the last two being tight encounters at Mayfield Stadium ending 1-1. They were one of our nearest neighbours although that is no more. Whyteleafe will be plying their trade at Cray Wanderers’ ground in Sidcup from next season and who knows if they will ever return. We have also seen 3rd place Jersey Bulls moved to the South Central Division.
We also wave goodbye to those relegated. This includes our other near neighbours in Beckenham Town. Apart from being close by we have played them more often than any one else having gone head to head 19 times. Once again, who knows if we won’t match up in the Cups next season.
But let’s look at the new teams and all of them are familiar to us.
Cray Valley PM
Cray Valley join the league having been relegated from the Premier Division. They had spent two seasons in that division. It was a surprise having reached the playoffs in their first season they were relegated with 42 points. We have played them 9 times since we first met in 2013/14 in the FA Vase. We have won 3 of those games with 1 draw.
South Park (Reigate)
South Park have been somewhat of a geographic anomaly in the South Central division since it was formed. In order to balance the leagues the FA has decided to move them across to the South East Division. Since Covid they have been mid-table in the league. We have played them just once, two seasons ago, in the Surrey Senior Cup which was a game they won 3-1.
Whitstable Town
Champions of the Southern Counties East they have been promoted after four seasons where they were threatening to make the step up. Two seasons ago they beat Whyteleafe in the FA Vase Final and translated that into a championship winning season this term. We have played them 4 teams in their previous time in the Southern Counties East and they won all those games.
Steyning Town
Having been relegated the year before they bounced straight back by winning the Southern Combination and return to the South East Division. Like Whitstable, they lost just 3 games en route to the Championship. We played them twice during our first season in the Isthmian League and took four points off them in those clashes.
Punjab United
The first of three teams who have been promoted by the playoffs is Punjab United who are based in Gravesend. They beat 2nd placed Fisher in the semi-finals before overcoming Rusthall in the Final on penalties after drawing 1-1. This was their second successive playoff campaign and they made no mistake. We have played them 5 times previously but have won just once.
Horley Town
Horley Town also finished fifth to enter the Playoffs in the Combined Counties Premier South. They made the same journey that we did by beating second place Tadley Calleva 3-0 in the Semi-Final before overcoming Fleet Town 4-2 in the Final and to secure their first ever promotion to Step 4. We have played Horley 8 times winning 3 and drawing 3. The wins include the 1-0 FA Cup tie that was broadcast live on the BBC Red Button.
Peacehaven & Telscombe
The final addition was only decided a week ago after a delayed playoff Final in Guernsey. Peacehaven made the journey and triumphed 4-1. They reached the Final having beaten Haywards Heath Town 1-0 in the semi-finals. They have had a break of 10 years since they were last in the Isthmian League. We have played them just twice. An FA Cup tie saw a draw down on the coast before Peacehaven ran out 3-0 winners at Mayfield Stadium.
The League begins on 8th August and would expect the fixtures to be published by around the 14th July. This year the league season will end on 17th April before the extended playoffs. Six places are available (2nd to 7th). It’s going to be another exciting campaign.
