Essex and Suffolk Border Football League

The Essex and Suffolk Border Football League is a football competition based 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.

Essex and Suffolk Border Football League
Founded1911
CountryEngland
DivisionsPremier Division
Division One
Division Two
Division Three
Division Four
Division Five
Number of teams77
16 (Premier Division)
12 (Division One)
12 (Division Two)
11 (Division Three)
14 (Division Four)
12 (Division Five)
Level on pyramidLevel 11 (Premier Division)
Feeder toEastern Counties League
Promotion toEastern Counties League Division One South
League cup(s)Amos Cup
Covid Cup
League Knock Out Cup
Reserve Knock Out Cup
Tommy Thompson Cup
Current championsDunmow Town (Premier Division)
Silver End United (Division One)
Dovercourt Rovers (Division Two)
Gas Recreation (Division Three)
High Roding (Division Four)
Gas Recreation Reserves (Division Five)
(2022-23)
Websiteesblfootball.com

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 2023–24

The league has 77 teams spread over six divisions for the 2023–24 season:

Premier Division
  • Alresford Colne Rangers
  • Barnston
  • Belle Vue Social
  • Brightlingsea Town
  • Colne Athletic
  • Dedham Old Boys
  • Earls Colne
  • Hatfield Peverel
  • Lawford Lads
  • Silver End United
  • Stanway Pegasus Reserves
  • Stanway Rovers Reserves
  • Sudbury Sports
  • Tiptree Heath
  • West Bergholt
  • White Notley

Division One

  • CO4 Ultras
  • Cressing United
  • Dovercourt Rovers
  • FC Clacton Reserves
  • Great Bentley
  • Kings Park Rangers
  • Mersea Island
  • Tavern
  • The Rodings
  • Thorpe Athletic
  • Tiptree Jobserve
  • Wormingford Wanderers

Division Two

  • Boxted Lodgers
  • Bradfield Rovers
  • Cavendish
  • Colne Athletic Reserves
  • Cornard United Reserves
  • Frinton & Walton
  • Gas Recreation
  • Hatfield Peverel Reserves
  • Hedinghams United
  • Roman Rovers
  • Tiptree Jobserve Reserves
  • White Notley Reserves

Division Three

  • Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves
  • Barnston Reserves
  • Dedham Old Boys Reserves
  • Flitch United
  • Gas Recreation Reserves
  • Gosfield United
  • Great Bentley Reserves
  • Lawford Lads Reserves
  • Little Oakley Reserves
  • Prettygate
  • Tollesbury

Division Four

  • Abbey Fields
  • Boxford Rovers
  • Brantham Athletic 'A'
  • FC Clacton 'A'
  • Great Bradfords
  • Oyster
  • Ramsey & Mistley
  • Roman Rovers Reserves
  • Silver End United Reserves
  • Stillwaters
  • Tendring District
  • The Rodings Reserves
  • Tiptree Heath Reserves
  • Wormingford Wanderers Reserves

Division Five

  • Assington Stanley
  • Boxted Lodgers Reserves
  • Bradfield Rovers Reserves
  • Brooklands
  • Elmstead Market
  • Great Bentley 'A'
  • Hedinghams United Reserves
  • Kelvedon Social
  • Mersea Island Reserves
  • Ramsey & Mistley Reserves
  • Roman Rovers 'A'
  • West Bergholt Reserves

Former clubs

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

List of champions
Season Senior Division
1893–94St Peter's Institute
Season Senior Division Division II (Junior)
1894–95Colchester TownColchester United
1895–96Colchester United
1896–97Colchester 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
1907–08Colchester TownColchester Excelsiors
Season Senior Division Division II (Junior) Division II (Section B)
1908–09Harwich & ParkestonColchester AthleticBrightlingsea Town
1909–102nd Bn. Scottish RiflesClacton TownCoggeshall
1910–112nd Bn. Scottish RiflesColchester AthleticCoggeshall
1911–121st Bn. East Lancs Regiment1st Bn. East Lancs Regiment ReservesColchester St Nicholas
1912–13Colchester TownMaldon Town1st Bn. East Lancs III
1913–14Harwich & Parkeston1st Bn. Hampshire ReservesColchester Junior Athletic
Season Senior Division Division II (Junior) Division II (Section B) Division II (Western)
1919–20Wivenhoe TownHaverhill Rovers
1920–21Harwich & ParkestonColchester St NicholasWivenhoe TownHeybridge
1921–22Harwich & ParkestonPaxmans AthleticBrightlingseaMaldon St Mary's
1922–23Harwich & ParkestonSeveralls AthleticWivenhoe TownCrittall Athletic
1923–24Colchester Town2nd Bn. Royal Scots ReservesColchester JuniorsCrittall Athletic
1924–252nd Bn. Royal Scots2nd Bn. Royal Scots ReservesFrinton Town11th Field Brigade R.A.
Season Senior Division Division II (Junior) Division II (Section B)
1925–262nd Bn. Leicestershire Regiment11th Field Brigade R.A.Wimpole Road Wesleyans
1926–272nd. Bn. Rifle BrigadeSeveralls AthleticColchester Town 'A'
1927–282nd. Bn. Rifle BrigadeWimpole Road WesleyansStanway Rovers
Season Senior Division Division I (Junior) Division II (Junior) Division III
1928–29Harwich & Parkeston4th Div. Royal Corps SignalsGreat BentleyClacton Athletic
Season Senior Division Division I (Junior) Division II (Junior)
1929–302nd. Bn. Rifle Brigade4th Div. Royal Corps SignalsPaxmans Athletic
1930–314th Div. Royal Corps SignalsHeybridgeClacton Rovers
1931–32Harwich & Parkeston–Great Bentley
Season Senior Division Division I (Junior) Division II (Junior) Division III
1932–33Harwich & Parkeston2nd Bn. K.S.L.I.Parkside Rangers1st Colchester Scouts
1933–34Harwich & Parkeston–2nd Bn. K.S.L.I. ReservesColchester Old Scouts
1934–351st Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers–Clacton Athletic5th Inniskilling D.G. Reserves
1935–36Critall Athletic–Walton TownFrinton Juniors
1936–37Critall Athletic–Great Bentley9th Company R.A.M.C.
1937–38Critall Athletic–Parkeston Railway7th Field Company R.E.
Season Senior Division Division I (Junior) Division II (Junior)
1938–39Hoffman AthleticButlin's Athletic9 Company R.A.M.C
Season Premier Division Division One
1946–47Colchester CasualsBrightlingsea United
1947–48Haverhill RoversGreat Bentley
1948–49Sudbury TownClacton Hotspurs
1949–50Sudbury TownHalstead Town 'A'
1950–51Stowmarket TownM.C.E.
1951–52Sudbury TownHalstead Town Reserves
1952–53Sudbury TownStowmarket Town Reserves
1953–54Sudbury TownClacton Hotspurs
1954–55Long MelfordClacton Hotspurs
1955–56Long MelfordClacton Hotspurs
1956–57Long MelfordParkeston Railway
1957–58Halstead TownWoods Athletic
1958–59Long MelfordClacton Hotspurs
1959–60Critalls AthleticHalstead Town Reserves
1960–61Long MelfordBrightlingsea United
1961–62Marconi AthleticLexden Wanderers
1962–63Haverhill RoversCoggeshall Town
1963–64Haverhill RoversHaverhill Rovers Reserves
1964–65Witham TownLexden Wanderers
Season Premier Division Division One East Division One West
1965–66Maldon TownClacton North EndWitham Town Reserves
1966–67Coggeshall TownRowhedgeSudbury Wanderers
Season Premier Division Division One Division Two
1967–68Coggeshall TownSilver EndTiptree United Reserves
1968–69Halstead TownEastern GasParkeston Railway
1969–70Coggeshall TownSudbury Town ReservesEastern Gas Reserves
1970–71Witham TownLexden WanderersWest End United
1971–72Eastern GasParkeston RailwayWivenhoe Rangers
Season Premier Division Division One
1972–73Brantham AthleticWivenhoe Rangers
1973–74Brantham AthleticMersea Island
1974–75West End UnitedShalford Rovers
1975–76Brantham AthleticHarwich & Parkeston Reserves
1976–77Brantham AthleticSudbury Wanderers
Season Premier Division Division One Division Two
1977–78Halstead TownFelixstowe Town ReservesClacton Town Reserves
Season Premier Division Division One Division Two Division Three
1978–79Wivenhoe TownShalford RoversWivenhoe Town ReservesEarls Colne
1979–80Mersea IslandWest End UnitedEarls ColneTiptree United Reserves
1980–81Sudbury Town ReservesRowhedgeWest BergholtBramston-Crittall Reserves
1981–82Harwich & Parkeston ReservesTiptree United ReservesStanway RoversDonyland Swifts
1982–83Earls ColneHaverhill Rovers ReservesColchester United 'A'Boxted Lodgers
1983–84Tiptree United ReservesBramston CMLHaverhill Meat ProductsDedham Old Boys
1984–85Braintree Town ReservesLong MelfordDonyland SwiftsRoyal London
1985–86Hatfield PeverelLittle OakleyStanway RoversStanway Rovers Reserves
1986–87Little OakleyStanway RoversLong Melford ReservesAlresford Colne Rangers
1987–88Little OakleyMistley UnitedGas RecreationWest Bergholt Reserves
1988–89Cornard UnitedAlresford Colne RangersRoyal LondonKelvedon Social
1989–90Sudbury WanderersFelixstowe Town ReservesKelvedon SocialCavendish
1990–91Sudbury WanderersAlresford Colne RangersRowhedgeTiptree Heath
1991–92Harwich & Parkeston ReservesKelvedon SocialTiptree HeathFoxash Social
1992–93Little OakleyMersea IslandFoxash SocialHedinghams United
1993–94Little OakleyHalstead Town ReservesLawford LadsFinchingfield Rovers
1994–95Halstead Town ReservesWest Bergholt ReservesEarls ColneCoggeshall Town
1995–96Gas RecreationClacton Town ReservesSilver EndKirby United
1996–97Gas RecreationIpswich Wanderers ReservesCavendishBrightlingsea United Reserves
1997–98Gas RecreationSt OsythKelvedon Social ReservesTiptree Heath
1998–99Gas RecreationSt OsythNeedham Market ReservesWivenhoe Town Reserves
1999–00AFC Sudbury ReservesClacton Town ReservesTiptree HeathBirch United
2000–01West BergholtWeeley AthleticWivenhoe Town ReservesBury Town Reserves
2001–02AFC Sudbury ReservesStanway Rovers ReservesWhitton United ReservesWeeley Athletic Reserves
2002–03RowhedgeAlresford Colne RangersBury Town ReservesBradfield Rovers
2003–04Little OakleyBury Town ReservesHatfield PeverelWitham Town Reserves
2004–05Gas RecreationHatfield PeverelWitham Town ReservesGosfield United
Season Premier Division Division One Division Two
2005–06Gas RecreationWitham Town ReservesBrightlingsea Regent
2006–07Gas RecreationWest Suffolk CollegeGreat Bradfords
Season Premier Division Division One
2007–08Gas RecreationWhite Notley
2008–09West BergholtHolland
2009–10Gas RecreationWormingford Wanderers
2010–11Brightlingsea RegentLawford Lads
2011–12West BergholtHaverhill Sports Association
2012–13Gas RecreationTollesbury
Season Premier Division Division One Division Two Division Three
2013–14Gas RecreationAlresford Cone Rangers ReservesGas Recreation ReservesTeam Brantham
Season Premier Division Division One Division Two
2014–15West BergholtHatfield PeverelCinque Port
2015–16Coggeshall TownWormingford WanderersCressing United
Season Premier Division Division One Division Two Division Three
2016–17Little OakleyDedham Old BoysGreat BentleyFlitch United
2017–18Gas RecreationGreat BentleyTiptree HeathColne Athletic
2018–19Gas RecreationFlitch UnitedStanway PegasusGosfield United
Season Premier Division Division One Division Two Division Three
2019–20Season abandoned due to COVID-19 pandemic
Season Premier Division Division One Division Two Division Three Division Four
2020–21Season abandoned due to COVID-19 pandemic
Season Premier Division Division One Division Two Division Three Division Four Division Five
2021–22Stanway PegasusStanway Rovers under-23'sBrightlingsea TownWormingford WanderersGas Recreation ReservesRoman Rovers
2022–23Dunmow TownSilver End UnitedDovercourt RoversGas RecreationHigh RodingGas Recreation Reserves
Source: Essex & Suffolk Border League
Essex and Suffolk Border League grounds
  • Forge Lane, Great Bentley
    Forge Lane, Great Bentley
  • Lawn Meadow, Hedinghams United
    Lawn Meadow, Hedinghams United
  • School Lane, Lawford Lads
    School Lane, Lawford Lads

References
  1. 2016–2017 Official Handbook Archived 1 December 2016 at the Wayback Machine Essex & Suffolk Border League
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