Essex and Suffolk Border Football League
Encyclopedia
The Essex and Suffolk Border Football League is a football competition based in England
. The league has a total of two 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
Division One.
All member clubs compete in the Border League Knock-Out Cup. With the exception of Sudbury Athletic (which are in located in Suffolk
) and Newbury Forest (which is located in the London Borough of Redbridge
), the remaining clubs are all situated in Essex
, the majority of which are within 15 miles of Colchester
.
The league is affiliated to the Essex County FA and Suffolk County FA.
, 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. A year later another division was disbanded with the Border League clubs now having their own reserve competition. This leaves two divisions of clubs, with 16 clubs in the Premier Division and 18 teams in Division One. There is a high represention of village teams but a new trend has emerged with the acceptance of Barnston AFC from Division Three of the Essex Olympian League
and Newbury Forest from the Romford and District Football League in the London Borough of Redbridge
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The league has a total of two divisions headed by the Premier Division which sits at step 7 (or level 11) of the National League System
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...
. The top club may apply for promotion to Division One of the Eastern Counties League
Eastern Counties Football League
The Eastern Counties Football League is an English football league at levels 9 and 10 of the English football league system. It currently contains clubs from Norfolk, Suffolk, northern Essex and eastern Cambridgeshire, and is a feeder to the regional divisions of the Isthmian League and Southern...
Division One.
All member clubs compete in the Border League Knock-Out Cup. With the exception of Sudbury Athletic (which are in located in Suffolk
Suffolk
Suffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
) and Newbury Forest (which is located in the London Borough of Redbridge
London Borough of Redbridge
The London Borough of Redbridge is a London borough in outer north-east London. Its administrative headquarters is at Redbridge Town Hall in Ilford. The local authority is Redbridge London Borough Council.-Etymology:...
), the remaining clubs are all situated in Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
, the majority of which are within 15 miles of Colchester
Colchester
Colchester is an historic town and the largest settlement within the borough of Colchester in Essex, England.At the time of the census in 2001, it had a population of 104,390. However, the population is rapidly increasing, and has been named as one of Britain's fastest growing towns. As the...
.
The league is affiliated to the Essex County FA and Suffolk County FA.
History
The Essex & Suffolk Border Football League was officially founded in 1911, although records indicate that the league originated from the amalgamation of the Colchester & District League and Colchester Borough League. Founder members of the Border League in the inaugural 1911–12 season included Clacton Town, Colchester TownColchester Town F.C.
Colchester Town F.C. was an English amateur football club based in Colchester, Essex. Established in 1873, the club folded in 1937 after the formation of Colchester United.-History:...
, 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. A year later another division was disbanded with the Border League clubs now having their own reserve competition. This leaves two divisions of clubs, with 16 clubs in the Premier Division and 18 teams in Division One. There is a high represention of village teams but a new trend has emerged with the acceptance of Barnston AFC from Division Three of the Essex Olympian League
Essex Olympian Football League
The ProKit Essex Olympian Football League is a football competition based in England, founded in the 1966-67 season. It has a total of four senior divisions and three reserve divisions. The Premier Division sits at step 7 of the National League System and it is a feeder to the Essex Senior...
and Newbury Forest from the Romford and District Football League in the London Borough of Redbridge
London Borough of Redbridge
The London Borough of Redbridge is a London borough in outer north-east London. Its administrative headquarters is at Redbridge Town Hall in Ilford. The local authority is Redbridge London Borough Council.-Etymology:...
.
Premier Division
| Club | Location | 2010–11 Position |
|---|---|---|
| Alresford Colne Rangers | Alresford Alresford Alresford may refer to:* Alresford, Essex, a village in Essex, England* New Alresford, a small town in Hampshire, England* Old Alresford, a village in Hampshire, England* the deanery of Alresford that includes the last two and other parishes... |
11th |
| Dedham Old Boys | Dedham | 9th |
| Gas Recreation | Colchester Colchester Colchester is an historic town and the largest settlement within the borough of Colchester in Essex, England.At the time of the census in 2001, it had a population of 104,390. However, the population is rapidly increasing, and has been named as one of Britain's fastest growing towns. As the... |
2nd |
| Great Bentley | Great Bentley Great Bentley Great Bentley is a village and civil parish in the Tendring district of North East Essex, England, located midway between the towns of Colchester and Clacton-on-Sea. It is home to the largest village green in the country, at a size of and has won 'Village of the Year' several times... |
10th |
| Harwich & Parkeston Harwich & Parkeston F.C. Harwich & Parkeston F.C. is an English football club based in Harwich, Essex. The club are currently members of the Essex & Suffolk Border League and play at the Royal Oak ground.-History:... |
Harwich Harwich Harwich is a town in Essex, England and one of the Haven ports, located on the coast with the North Sea to the east. It is in the Tendring district. Nearby places include Felixstowe to the northeast, Ipswich to the northwest, Colchester to the southwest and Clacton-on-Sea to the south... |
12th |
| Hatfield Peverel | Hatfield Peverel Hatfield Peverel Hatfield Peverel is a large urban village and civil parish in the centre of Essex, England. Its population, including the hamlet of Nounsley, is approximately 5,500 . Hatfield means a 'heathery space in the forest'; Peverel refers to William Peverel, the Norman knight granted lands in the area by... |
14th |
| Hedinghams United | Sible Hedingham Sible Hedingham Sible Hedingham is a large village and civil parish in the Colne Valley in Braintree District of Essex, in England. It has a population of 3,665.... |
15th |
| Holland | Holland-on-Sea Holland-on-Sea Holland-on-Sea is a seaside town in east Essex in the United Kingdom. Located south of the little village of Great Holland and directly north of Clacton-on-Sea, it has bus links to Walton-on-the-Naze and Clacton-on-Sea. It is a short coastal walk down the coastline to Clacton.There are four... |
5th |
| Lawford Lads | Lawford Lawford Lawford is a large village in the Tendring district of northeast Essex. It is around 10 miles northeast of Colchester and west of, and contiguous with Manningtree. Mistley merges with the East side of Manningtree.... |
Division One, 1st (promoted) |
| Little Oakley | Little Oakley Little Oakley, Essex Little Oakley is a village in Essex, England.... |
13th |
| Newbury Forest | Hainault Hainault Hainault is an area in the London Borough of Redbridge in north east London. It is a suburban development located north east of Charing Cross... , Ilford Ilford Ilford is a large cosmopolitan town in East London, England and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Redbridge. It is located northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. It forms a significant commercial and retail... |
Division One, 2nd (promoted) |
| Rowhedge | Rowhedge Rowhedge Rowhedge is a village in Essex.Formerly in the parish of East Donyland, it is now a ward of Colchester Borough Council. It is on the south bank of the River Colne and is the first settlement downstream, about 4 km from Colchester. Wivenhoe is on the opposite bank and Fingringhoe is about... |
4th |
| Sudbury Athletic | Sudbury Sudbury, Suffolk Sudbury is a small, ancient market town in the county of Suffolk, England, on the River Stour, from Colchester and from London.-Early history:... |
7th |
| University of Essex | Wivenhoe Park Wivenhoe Park Wivenhoe Park, located on the Eastern edge of Colchester is a multi-acre landscaped green space.Until the 1960s its main claim to fame was that it was the setting for one of Constable's landscape paintings. From the 1960s onwards, however, it has been home to the University of Essex. The park is... , Colchester Colchester Colchester is an historic town and the largest settlement within the borough of Colchester in Essex, England.At the time of the census in 2001, it had a population of 104,390. However, the population is rapidly increasing, and has been named as one of Britain's fastest growing towns. As the... |
6th |
| West Bergholt | West Bergholt West Bergholt West Bergholt, formerly known as Bergholt Sackville, is a large rural village and civil parish in Essex, England, lying on the border with Suffolk, near to the ancient town of Colchester. With a history going back to medieval times the village is now part of the Colchester Borough Council seat of... |
3rd |
| White Notley | White Notley White Notley White Notley is a parish in Essex, England. The settlement lies equidistant between the towns of Witham and Braintree amongst arable farmland, 4 miles in each direction... |
17th |
| Wormingford Wanderers | Wormingford Wormingford Wormingford is a parish in Essex, England.The ancient parish of Wormingford on the south bank of the River Stour, north- west of Colchester and south-east of Sudbury, Suffolk, covered 2,322 acres . The Stour forms the northern boundary, and the eastern, southern, and western ones follow mainly... |
8th |
| Source: Mitoo | ||
Division One
| Club | Location | 2010–11 Position |
|---|---|---|
| Barnston | Barnston Barnston, Essex Barnston is a village and civil parish in Essex, England. It is located 2 miles southeast from Great Dunmow and is 9 miles north-northwest from the county town of Chelmsford. The village is in the district of Uttlesford and in the parliamentary constituency of Saffron Walden... |
8th |
| Boxted Lodgers | Boxted Boxted Boxted could refer to*Boxted, Essex, a village and civil parish in the Colchester district of Essex, England*Boxted, Suffolk, a village and civil parish in the Babergh district of Suffolk, England*RAF Boxted, a former World War II airfield in England... |
12th |
| Bradfield Rovers | Bradfield Bradfield, Essex Bradfield is a village and civil parish in Essex, England. It is located about five kilometers east of Manningtree and is fifty-one kilometers northeast from the county town of Chelmsford. The village is in the district of Tendring and the parliamentary constituency of North Essex... |
13th |
| Clacton United | Clacton | 4th |
| Coggeshall Town Coggeshall Town F.C. Coggeshall Town F.C. is an English football club based in Coggeshall, Essex. The club are currently members of Division One of the Essex & Suffolk Border League and play at The Crops.-History:... |
Coggeshall Coggeshall Coggeshall is a small market town of 3,919 residents in Essex, England, situated between Colchester and Braintree on the Roman road of Stane Street , and intersected by the River Blackwater. It is known for its almost 300 listed buildings and formerly extensive antique trade... |
5th |
| Colne Engaine & Bell United | Panfield Panfield Panfield is a village and a civil parish in the Braintree district on the English county of Essex. It is near the town of Braintree. Panfield has a community centre and two places of worship, one of which is called St. Mary's Church.- References :... |
17th |
| Earls Colne | Earls Colne Earls Colne Earls Colne is a village in Essex, England named after the River Colne, on which it stands, and the Earls of Oxford who held the manor of Earls Colne from before 1086 to 1703.-Manor of Earls Colne:... |
Premier Division, 17th (relegated) |
| Foxash Social | Manningtree Manningtree Manningtree is a town and civil parish in the Tendring district of Essex, England, which lies on the River Stour. It adjoins built-up areas of Lawford to the west and Mistley to the east and the three parishes together are sometimes referred to as "Manningtree".Manningtree is a claimant for the... |
15th |
| Gosfield United | Gosfield Gosfield Gosfield is a village near Halstead, Essex. It is the location of Gosfield School, an independent school.-External links:*... |
11th |
| Haverhill Sports Association | Haverhill Haverhill Haverhill is the name of a number of different places in the world:*Haverhill, Suffolk, England*Haverhill, Florida, USA*Haverhill, Iowa, USA*Haverhill, Massachusetts, USA**Haverhill , also serving the MBTA***Haverhill Line of the MBTA... |
previously Haverhill Rovers Haverhill Rovers F.C. Haverhill Rovers F.C. is an English football club based in Haverhill, Suffolk. The club are currently members of the Eastern Counties League Premier Division and play at the New Croft.The club is affiliated to the Suffolk County FA.-History:... reserves |
| Kirby Athletic | Kirby Cross Kirby Cross Kirby Cross is a village in Tendring district, Essex, England. It is situated near to Kirby-le-Soken and Frinton-on-Sea. Historically, Kirby Cross was a hamlet within the parish of Kirby-le-Soken, but since 1934 both settlements have been part of Frinton and Walton civil parish.It is the location... |
7th |
| Maldon St Marys | Maldon Maldon -Placenames:* Maldon, Essex is a town on the Blackwater estuary in England** Maldon , a local government district based in Maldon, Essex** Maldon Town F.C., an English football club** Maldon *The Battle of Maldon... |
Essex Olympian League Division 2, 6th (transferred) |
| Mersea Island | West Mersea West Mersea West Mersea is a small town in the Colchester borough of Essex, England. It is the larger of two settlements on Mersea Island, located south east of Colchester. The smaller settlement on the island is the village of East Mersea.... |
14th |
| Rayne | Rayne Rayne, Essex Rayne is a village of about 3,000 residents in the Braintree district of Essex in the East of England.It lies on the Roman road called Stane Street, about two miles to the west of Braintree, which is the nearest town.... |
10th |
| St. Osyth | St. Osyth | 6th |
| Tiptree Jobserve | Tiptree Tiptree Tiptree is a village in the English county of Essex, situated south-east of Colchester and around north-east of London. Surrounding villages include Messing, Tolleshunt Knights, Layer Marney, Inworth, Birch, Great Braxted, Great Totham and Little Totham.... |
Premier Division, 18th (relegated) |
| Source: Mitoo | ||
Former clubs
Among the clubs that have have left the Essex & Suffolk Border Football League and now compete at a higher level are:- Brantham AthleticBrantham Athletic F.C.Brantham Athletic F.C. is an English football club based in Brantham, Suffolk. The club are currently members of the Eastern Counties League Premier Division and play at Brantham Leisure Centre.The club is affiliated to the Suffolk County FA.-History:...
- Brightlingsea Regent
- Bury TownBury Town F.C.Bury Town Football Club is an English semi-professional football club, based in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. The club are currently members of the Isthmian League Premier Division and play at Ram Meadow.-Early history:...
- Clacton Town
- Colchester TownColchester Town F.C.Colchester Town F.C. was an English amateur football club based in Colchester, Essex. Established in 1873, the club folded in 1937 after the formation of Colchester United.-History:...
- Cornard UnitedCornard United F.C.Cornard United F.C. is an English football club based in Great Cornard, near Sudbury, Suffolk. The club are currently members of Eastern Counties League Division One and play at Blackhouse Lane.-History:...
- Felixstowe TownFelixstowe & Walton United F.C.Felixstowe and Walton United F.C. is an English football club based in Felixstowe, Suffolk. Formed in 2000 by a merger of Felixstowe Port & Town and Walton United, the club are currently members of the Eastern Counties League Premier Division and play at Dellwood Avenue.-Felixstowe Port &...
- Crittall AthleticBraintree Town F.C.Braintree Town F.C. is an English football club based in Braintree, Essex. The club are currently members of the Conference National and play their home matches at Cressing Road.-History:...
- Haverhill RoversHaverhill Rovers F.C.Haverhill Rovers F.C. is an English football club based in Haverhill, Suffolk. The club are currently members of the Eastern Counties League Premier Division and play at the New Croft.The club is affiliated to the Suffolk County FA.-History:...
- Halstead TownHalstead Town F.C.Halstead Town F.C. is an English football club based in Halstead, Essex. The club are currently members of Eastern Counties League Division One and play at Rosemary Lane.-History:...
- Heybridge SwiftsHeybridge Swifts F.C.Heybridge Swifts are a non-league football club based in Heybridge, near Maldon, Essex. They were established in 1880 and were founding members of the Essex Senior League in 1971...
- Long MelfordLong Melford F.C.Long Melford F.C. is an English football club based in Long Melford, Suffolk. The club are currently members of Eastern Counties League Division One and play at Stoneylands.The club is affiliated to the Suffolk County FA.-History:...
- Maldon Town
- Newmarket TownNewmarket Town F.C.Newmarket Town F.C. is an English football club based in Newmarket, Suffolk. The club are currently members of the Eastern Counties League Premier Division and play at Cricket Field Road.The club is affiliated to the Suffolk County FA.-History:...
- Saffron Walden TownSaffron Walden Town F.C.Saffron Walden Town F.C. is an English football club based in Saffron Walden, Essex. The club are currently without a league after withdrawing from the Eastern Counties League in August 2011. They play at Catons Lane.-History:...
- Stanway RoversStanway Rovers F.C.Stanway Rovers F.C. is an English football club based in Stanway, Essex. They are currently in the Premier Division of the Eastern Counties League, and play at the Hawthorns.-History:...
- Stowmarket TownStowmarket Town F.C.Stowmarket Town FC is an English football club based in Stowmarket, Suffolk. The club are currently members of Eastern Counties League Division One and play at Greens Meadow.The club is affiliated to the Suffolk County FA.-History:...
- Sudbury TownSudbury Town F.C.Sudbury Town F.C. was an English football club based in Sudbury, Suffolk. Established in 1885, the club merged with Sudbury Wanderers in 1999 to form A.F.C. Sudbury.-History:...
- Sudbury WanderersSudbury Wanderers F.C.Sudbury Wanderers was an English football club based in Sudbury, Suffolk. Established in 1958, the club merged with Sudbury Town in 1999 to form AFC Sudbury.-History:The club was established in June 1958 following a meeting in the town's Black Horse pub...
- Team BuryTeam Bury F.C.Team Bury F.C. are an English football club based in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. Consisting of players largely drawn from the West Suffolk College Football Academy, they are a feeder club for Bury Town, whose Ram Meadow Ground they play at...
- Tiptree UnitedTiptree United F.C.Tiptree United F.C. was an English football club based in Tiptree, Essex. Established in 1933, the club was absorbed into Maldon Town in 2010, creating Maldon & Tiptree.-History:...
- Whitton UnitedWhitton United F.C.Whitton United F.C. is an English football club based in the Whitton area of Ipswich, Suffolk. The club are currently members of Eastern Counties League Division One and play at the King George V Playing Fields....
- Witham TownWitham Town F.C.Witham Town F.C. is an English football club based in Witham, Essex. The club are currently members of the Essex Senior League and play at Spa Road.-History:...
- Wivenhoe TownWivenhoe Town F.C.Wivenhoe Town F.C. is an English football club based in Wivenhoe, Essex. The club are currently members of the Eastern Counties League Premier Division and play at Broad Lane.-History:...
Recent divisional champions
| Season | Premier Division | Division One | Division Two | Division Three |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995–96 | Gas Recreation | Clacton Town Reserves | Silver End | Kirby |
| 1996–97 | Gas Recreation | Ipswich Wanderers Ipswich Wanderers F.C. Ipswich Wanderers F.C. is an English football club based in Ipswich. They are currently members of Eastern Counties League Division One and play at Humber Doucy Lane in Rushmere. -History:... reserves |
Cavendish | Brightlingsea United reserves |
| 1997–98 | ||||
| 1998–99 | ||||
| 1999–00 | ||||
| 2000–01 | West Bergholt | Weeley Athletic | ||
| 2001–02 | AFC Sudbury reserves | Stanway Rovers Stanway Rovers F.C. Stanway Rovers F.C. is an English football club based in Stanway, Essex. They are currently in the Premier Division of the Eastern Counties League, and play at the Hawthorns.-History:... reserves |
Whitton United Whitton United F.C. Whitton United F.C. is an English football club based in the Whitton area of Ipswich, Suffolk. The club are currently members of Eastern Counties League Division One and play at the King George V Playing Fields.... reserves |
Weeley Athletic reserves |
| 2002–03 | Rowhedge | Alresford Colne Rangers | Bury Town Bury Town F.C. Bury Town Football Club is an English semi-professional football club, based in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. The club are currently members of the Isthmian League Premier Division and play at Ram Meadow.-Early history:... Reserves |
Bradfield Rovers |
| 2003–04 | Little Oakley | Bury Town Bury Town F.C. Bury Town Football Club is an English semi-professional football club, based in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. The club are currently members of the Isthmian League Premier Division and play at Ram Meadow.-Early history:... Reserves |
Hatfield Peverel | Witham Town Witham Town F.C. Witham Town F.C. is an English football club based in Witham, Essex. The club are currently members of the Essex Senior League and play at Spa Road.-History:... reserves |
| 2004–05 | Gas Recreation | Hatfield Peverel | Witham Town Witham Town F.C. Witham Town F.C. is an English football club based in Witham, Essex. The club are currently members of the Essex Senior League and play at Spa Road.-History:... Reserves |
Gosfield United |
| 2005–06 | Gas Recreation | Witham Town Witham Town F.C. Witham Town F.C. is an English football club based in Witham, Essex. The club are currently members of the Essex Senior League and play at Spa Road.-History:... Reserves |
Brightlingsea Regent | Division Three disbanded |
| 2006–07 | Gas Recreation | West Suffolk College Team Bury F.C. Team Bury F.C. are an English football club based in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. Consisting of players largely drawn from the West Suffolk College Football Academy, they are a feeder club for Bury Town, whose Ram Meadow Ground they play at... |
Great Bradfords | |
| 2007–08 | Gas Recreation | White Notley | Division Two disbanded | |
| 2008–09 | West Bergholt | Holland | ||
| 2009–10 | Gas Recreation | Wormingford Wanderers | ||
| 2010–11 | Brightlingsea Regent | Lawford Lads |