Essex Senior Football League: Difference between revisions

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| folded =
| folded =
| divisions =
| divisions =
| teams = 18
| teams = 20
| feeds = [[Isthmian League]]<ref name=history />
| feeds = [[Southern Football League|Southern League]]<br>[[Isthmian League]]<ref name=history />
| promotion = [[Isthmian League]] Division One North<ref name=history />
| promotion = [[Southern Football League|Southern League]] Division One Central<br>[[Isthmian League]] Division One North<ref name=history />
| relegation = [[Eastern Counties Football League|Eastern Counties League Div 1 South]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://essexseniorleague.co.uk/new-step-6-announced/|title=New Step 6 Announced – The Official Website Of The Essex Senior Football League|website=essexseniorleague.co.uk}}</ref>
| relegation = [[Eastern Counties Football League|Eastern Counties League Div 1 South]]<ref name=Step6>{{cite news|title=New Step 6 announced|url=https://essexseniorleague.co.uk/new-step-6-announced/|website=Essex Senior League|date=8 October 2017}}</ref>
| level = [[English football league system|Level 9]]
| level = [[English football league system|Level 9]]
| domest_cup = Essex Senior League Challenge Cup<br>Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy
| domest_cup = Essex Senior League Challenge Cup<br>Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy
| confed_cup =
| confed_cup =
| champions = [[Hullbridge Sports F.C.|Hullbridge Sports]]
| champions = [[Tilbury F.C.|Tilbury]]
| season = 2018–19
| season = 2023-24
| most successful club = [[Basildon United F.C.|Basildon United]] (5 titles)<ref name=handbook />
| most successful club = [[Basildon United F.C.|Basildon United]] (5 titles)<ref name=handbook />
| sponsorship_name =
| sponsorship_name =
| tv =
| tv =
| website = [http://www.essexseniorleague.co.uk Essex Senior League Official Website]
| website = {{URL|http://www.essexseniorleague.co.uk}}
| current = [[2020–21 Essex Senior Football League|2020–21 season]]
| current = [[2023–24 Essex Senior Football League|2023–24 season]]
}}
}}[[Image:Levels 9–10 Football League areas in England.svg|thumb|right|The area covered by the Essex Senior League is coloured in teal.]]


The '''Essex Senior Football League''' is an English men's [[Association football|football]] league. It contains clubs from the [[Essex FA]], [[Hertfordshire FA]], [[London FA]], [[Middlesex Football Association|Middlesex FA]] and the [[Amateur Football Alliance]].<ref name=history /> It is a feeder league to Division One North of the [[Isthmian League]] and has a single division which sits at Step 5 (or Level 9) of the [[National League System]].<ref name=history />
The '''Essex Senior Football League''' is an English men's [[Association football|football]] league. It contains clubs from the [[Essex FA]], [[Hertfordshire FA]], [[London FA]], [[Middlesex Football Association|Middlesex FA]] and the [[Amateur Football Alliance]].<ref name=history /> It is a feeder league to Division One North of the [[Isthmian League]] and has a single division which sits at Step 5 (or Level 9) of the [[National League System]].<ref name=history />
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==Promotion and relegation==
==Promotion and relegation==
The Essex Senior League state that a club must finish in the top 3 to be considered for promotion to the [[Isthmian League]] Division One North.<ref name=history>{{cite web|title=Brief History|url=http://www.essexseniorleague.co.uk/esl.php?page=history|website=The Official Web Site of the Essex Senior Football League|publisher=Essex Senior League|access-date=23 April 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150423110425/http://www.essexseniorleague.co.uk/esl.php?page=history|archive-date=23 April 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> However the process is governed by the FA Leagues Committee<ref name=handbook /> who regulate relegations and promotions throughout the National League System. As of the 2014–15 season FA rules for Step 5 divisions such as the Essex Senior League stipulate that the champions should be offered the first chance of promotion. If the champions do not wish to be promoted or are not able to meet the entry requirements for promotion then the 2nd or 3rd placed team may be considered for promotion. Under normal circumstances, only one club can be promoted from a Step 5 league (i.e. the Essex Senior League) to a Step 4 league (i.e. the Isthmian League Division One).<ref name=nls-doc>{{cite web|title=National League System 2014–15|url=http://www.thefa.com/~/media/files/thefaportal/governance-docs/rules-of-the-association/2014-15/national-league-system-rules-2014-15.ashx|publisher=The FA|access-date=23 April 2015}}</ref>
The Essex Senior League states that a club must finish in the top 3 to be considered for promotion to the [[Isthmian League]] Division One North.<ref name=history>{{cite web|title=Brief History|url=http://www.essexseniorleague.co.uk/esl.php?page=history|website=The Official Web Site of the Essex Senior Football League|publisher=Essex Senior League|access-date=23 April 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150423110425/http://www.essexseniorleague.co.uk/esl.php?page=history|archive-date=23 April 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> However the process is governed by the FA Leagues Committee<ref name=handbook /> who regulate relegations and promotions throughout the National League System. As of the 2014–15 season FA rules for Step 5 divisions such as the Essex Senior League stipulate that the champions should be offered the first chance of promotion. If the champions do not wish to be promoted or are not able to meet the entry requirements for promotion then the 2nd or 3rd placed team may be considered for promotion. Under normal circumstances, only one club can be promoted from a Step 5 league (''e.g.'', the Essex Senior League) to a Step 4 league (''e.g.'', the Isthmian League Division One).<ref name=nls-doc>{{cite web|title=National League System 2014–15|url=http://www.thefa.com/~/media/files/thefaportal/governance-docs/rules-of-the-association/2014-15/national-league-system-rules-2014-15.ashx|publisher=The FA|access-date=23 April 2015}}</ref>


In exchange for the promoted club, the Essex Senior League would typically receive a relegated club from a Step 4 league.<ref name=history /> Relegated clubs of Step 4 leagues are allocated an appropriate league based on their geographical locations.<ref name=nls-doc /> Thus the Essex Senior League is most likely to receive one of the relegated clubs from the Isthmian League Division One North.
In exchange for the promoted club, the Essex Senior League would typically receive a relegated club from a Step 4 league.<ref name=history /> Relegated clubs of Step 4 leagues are allocated an appropriate league based on their geographical locations.<ref name=nls-doc /> Thus the Essex Senior League is most likely to receive one of the relegated clubs from the Isthmian League Division One North.


There was no relegation from the Essex Senior League into a lower league since there was no Step 6 equivalent to the ESL<ref name=history /> until the 2017–18 season. Leagues including the [[Essex Olympian League]] (Step 7) sometimes acted as a feeder league to the Essex Senior League but promotion and relegation between the two leagues was not automatic.<ref name=nonleaguematters>{{cite web|title=Essex Senior Football League|url=http://www.nonleaguematters.co.uk/divisions/26/|website=Non-League Matters|access-date=23 April 2015}}</ref> A Step 6 division for Essex and [[East Anglia]] was announced in October 2017 to solve the relegation problem. Starting in 2018–19, the [[Eastern Counties League]] controls this new division.<ref>{{cite news|title=New Step 6 announced|url=http://essexseniorleague.co.uk/new-step-6-announced/|website=essexseniorleague.co.uk|date=8 October 2017}}</ref>
There was no relegation from the Essex Senior League into a lower league since there was no Step 6 equivalent to the ESL<ref name=history /> until the 2017–18 season. Leagues including the [[Essex Olympian League]] (Step 7) sometimes acted as a feeder league to the Essex Senior League but promotion and relegation between the two leagues was not automatic.<ref name=nonleaguematters>{{cite web|title=Essex Senior Football League|url=http://www.nonleaguematters.co.uk/divisions/26/|website=Non-League Matters|access-date=23 April 2015}}</ref> A Step 6 division for Essex and [[East Anglia]] was announced in October 2017 to solve the relegation problem. Since 2018–19, the [[Eastern Counties League]] controls this new division.<ref name=Step6/>

==Current Essex Senior League members==
⚫
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
*[[Athletic Newham F.C.|Athletic Newham]]
⚫
*[[Barking F.C.|Barking]]
*[[Buckhurst Hill F.C.|Buckhurst Hill]]
⚫
*[[Coggeshall Town F.C.|Coggeshall Town]]
*[[F.C. Clacton|FC Clacton]]
*[[Frenford F.C.|Frenford]]
⚫
*[[Great Wakering Rovers F.C.|Great Wakering Rovers]]
*[[Halstead Town F.C.|Halstead Town]]
*[[Hullbridge Sports F.C.|Hullbridge Sports]]
*[[Ilford F.C.|Ilford]]
*[[Little Oakley F.C.|Little Oakley]]
*[[Romford F.C.|Romford]]
*[[Saffron Walden Town F.C.|Saffron Walden Town]]
*[[Sporting Bengal United F.C.|Sporting Bengal United]]
*[[Stanway Rovers F.C.|Stanway Rovers]]
*[[Takeley F.C.|Takeley]]
*[[Tilbury F.C.|Tilbury]]
*[[West Essex F.C.|West Essex]]
*[[White Ensign F.C.|White Ensign]]
*[[Woodford Town F.C.|Woodford Town]]
{{col-2}}
{{location map+ |England
|width=400 |float=right |caption=Locations of the Essex Senior League clubs |places=
{{location map~|England |lat=51.5130 |long=0.0318 |label=Athletic Newham|label_size=0}}
{{location map~|England |lat=51.5476 |long=0.1115 |label=Barking & Romford|label_size=0}}
{{location map~|England |lat=51.6264 |long=0.0562 |label=Buckhurst Hill|label_size=0}}
{{location map~|England |lat=51.8686 |long=0.6721 |label=Coggeshall Town|label_size=0}}
{{location map~|England |lat=51.7932 |long=1.1264 |label=Clacton|label_size=0}}
{{location map~|England |lat=51.5734 |long=0.0574 |label=Frenford|label_size=0}}
{{location map~|England |lat=51.5788 |long=0.4502 |label=Great Wakering Rovers & White Ensign|label_size=0}}
{{location map~|England |lat=51.9465 |long=0.6326 |label=Halstead Town|label_size=0}}
{{location map~|England |lat=51.6157 |long=0.6193 |label=Hullbridge Sports|label_size=0}}
{{location map~|England |lat=51.5600 |long=0.0911 |label=Ilford|label_size=0}}
{{location map~|England |lat=51.9206 |long=1.2294 |label=Little Oakley|label_size=0}}
{{location map~|England |lat=52.0273 |long=0.2400 |label=Saffron Walden Town|label_size=0}}
{{location map~|England |lat=51.5190 |long=-0.0334|label=Sporting Bengal United|label_size=0}}
{{location map~|England |lat=51.8876 |long=0.8448 |label=Stanway Rovers|label_size=0}}
{{location map~|England |lat=51.8657 |long=0.2676 |label=Takeley|label_size=0}}
{{location map~|England |lat=51.4701 |long=0.3633 |label=Tilbur|label_size=0}}
{{location map~|England |lat=51.5974 |long=-0.0090|label=West Essex|label_size=0}}
{{location map~|England |lat=51.6072 |long=0.0500 |label=Woodford Town|label_size=0}}
}}
{{col-end}}


==Champions, runners up and third place finishers==
==Champions, runners up and third place finishers==
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|[[2018–19 Essex Senior Football League|2018–19]]||[[Hullbridge Sports F.C.|Hullbridge Sports]]||[[Stansted F.C.|Stansted]]||[[Walthamstow F.C.|Walthamstow]]
|[[2018–19 Essex Senior Football League|2018–19]]||[[Hullbridge Sports F.C.|Hullbridge Sports]]||[[Stansted F.C.|Stansted]]||[[Walthamstow F.C.|Walthamstow]]
|-
|-
|[[2019–20 Essex Senior Football League|2019–20]]||colspan=3|No champions; season abandoned due to [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|coronavirus pandemic]]
|[[2019–20 Essex Senior Football League|2019–20]]||colspan=3|No champions; season abandoned due to [[COVID-19 pandemic in England|coronavirus pandemic]]
|-
|-
|[[2020–21 Essex Senior Football League|2020–21]]||colspan=3|No champions; season abandoned due to [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|coronavirus pandemic]]
|[[2020–21 Essex Senior Football League|2020–21]]||colspan=3|No champions; season abandoned due to [[COVID-19 lockdown in the United Kingdom|pandemic-related lockdowns]]
|-
|[[2021–22 Essex Senior Football League|2021–22]]||[[Walthamstow F.C.|Walthamstow]]||[[Saffron Walden Town F.C.|Saffron Walden Town]]||[[Redbridge F.C.|Redbridge]]
|-
|[[2022–23 Essex Senior Football League|2022–23]]||[[Enfield F.C.|Enfield]]||[[Redbridge F.C.|Redbridge]]||[[Woodford Town F.C.|Woodford Town]]
|-
|[[2023–24 Essex Senior Football League|2023–24]]||[[Tilbury F.C.|Tilbury]]|| ||
|}
|}


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*5 times – Basildon United
*5 times – Basildon United
*3 times – Billericay Town, Bowers & Pitsea, Concord Rangers, Great Wakering Rovers, Heybridge Swifts, Witham Town
*3 times – Billericay Town, Bowers & Pitsea, Concord Rangers, Great Wakering Rovers, Heybridge Swifts, Witham Town
*2 times – Brentwood Town, Brightlingsea United, Canvey Island, Enfield Town, Ford United, Romford, Saffron Walden Town
*2 times – Brentwood Town, Brightlingsea United, Canvey Island, Enfield, Enfield Town, Ford United, Romford, Saffron Walden Town
*1 time – AFC Hornchurch, Barking, Burnham Ramblers, Enfield 1893, Haringey Borough, Hullbridge Sports, Leyton, Maldon Town, Purfleet, Stansted, Southend Manor
*1 time – AFC Hornchurch, Barking, Burnham Ramblers, Haringey Borough, Hullbridge Sports, Leyton, Maldon Town, Purfleet, Stansted, Southend Manor, Tilbury, Walthamstow


==Essex Senior League Challenge Cup==
==Essex Senior League Challenge Cup==
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|1978–79||[[Brentwood Town F.C.|Brentwood]]||2–0||[[Brightlingsea United F.C.|Brightlingsea United]]
|1978–79||[[Brentwood Town F.C.|Brentwood]]||2–0||[[Brightlingsea United F.C.|Brightlingsea United]]
|-
|-
|1979–80||[[Canvey Island F.C.|Canvey Island]]||1–1,0–0,2–0||[[Basildon United F.C.|Basildon United]]
|1979–80||[[Canvey Island F.C.|Canvey Island]]||1–1, 0–0, 2–0||[[Basildon United F.C.|Basildon United]]
|-
|-
|1980–81||[[Witham Town F.C.|Witham Town]]||4–2||[[Sawbridgeworth Town F.C.|Sawbridgeworth Town]]
|1980–81||[[Witham Town F.C.|Witham Town]]||4–2||[[Sawbridgeworth Town F.C.|Sawbridgeworth Town]]
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|2009–10||[[Bethnal Green United F.C.|Bethnal Green United]]||4–1||[[Burnham Ramblers F.C.|Burnham Ramblers]]
|2009–10||[[Bethnal Green United F.C.|Bethnal Green United]]||4–1||[[Burnham Ramblers F.C.|Burnham Ramblers]]
|-
|-
|2010–11||[[Stansted F.C.|Stansted]]||3–0||[[Enfield 1893 F.C.|Enfield 1893]]
|2010–11||[[Stansted F.C.|Stansted]]||3–0||[[Enfield F.C.|Enfield 1893]]
|-
|-
|2011–12||[[Witham Town F.C.|Witham Town]]||2–1||[[Burnham Ramblers F.C.|Burnham Ramblers]]
|2011–12||[[Witham Town F.C.|Witham Town]]||2–1||[[Burnham Ramblers F.C.|Burnham Ramblers]]
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|-
|-
|2020–21||colspan=3|Not played due to coronavirus disease pandemic
|2020–21||colspan=3|Not played due to coronavirus disease pandemic
|-
|2021–22||Enfield||3–2||[[Cockfosters F.C.|Cockfosters]]
|-
|2022–23||[[Barking F.C.|Barking]]||1–1<br>(5–4 penalties)||[[Redbridge F.C.|Redbridge]]
|}
|}


==League and Cup Double==
==League and Cup double==
On 14 occasions a team has won both the Essex Senior League and the Essex Senior League Challenge Cup in the same season. They are:
On 14 occasions a team has won both the Essex Senior League and the Essex Senior League Challenge Cup in the same season. They are:


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*1995–96 – Romford<ref name=handbook />
*1995–96 – Romford<ref name=handbook />
*1998–99 – Bowers United<ref name=handbook />
*1998–99 – Bowers United<ref name=handbook />
*1999-00 – Saffron Walden Town<ref name=handbook />
*1999–00 – Saffron Walden Town<ref name=handbook />
*2005–06 – AFC Hornchurch<ref name=handbook />
*2005–06 – AFC Hornchurch<ref name=handbook />
*2006–07 – Brentwood Town<ref name=handbook />
*2006–07 – Brentwood Town<ref name=handbook />
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{{col-break}}
{{col-break}}
*[[A.F.C. Hornchurch|AFC Hornchurch]]
*[[A.F.C. Hornchurch|AFC Hornchurch]]
⚫
*[[Barking F.C.|Barking]]
*[[Barkingside F.C.|Barkingside]]
*[[Barkingside F.C.|Barkingside]]
*[[Basildon United F.C.|Basildon United]]
*[[Basildon United F.C.|Basildon United]]
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*[[Bury Academy F.C.|Bury Academy]]
*[[Bury Academy F.C.|Bury Academy]]
*[[Canvey Island F.C.|Canvey Island]]
*[[Canvey Island F.C.|Canvey Island]]
⚫
{{col-break}}
*[[Chelmsford City F.C.|Chelmsford City reserves]]
*[[Chelmsford City F.C.|Chelmsford City reserves]]
*[[Clapton F.C.|Clapton]]
{{col-break}}
*[[Cockfosters F.C.|Cockfosters]]
*[[Cockfosters F.C.|Cockfosters]]
⚫
*[[Coggeshall Town F.C.|Coggeshall Town]]
*[[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United 'A']]
*[[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United 'A']]
*[[Concord Rangers F.C.|Concord Rangers]]
*[[Concord Rangers F.C.|Concord Rangers]]
*[[East Ham United F.C.|East Ham United]]
*[[East Ham United F.C.|East Ham United]]
*[[East Thurrock United F.C.|East Thurrock United]]
*[[East Thurrock United F.C.|East Thurrock United]]
*[[Enfield F.C.|Enfield]]
*[[Enfield Town F.C.|Enfield Town]]
*[[Enfield Town F.C.|Enfield Town]]
*[[Eton Manor F.C.|Eton Manor]]
*[[Eton Manor F.C.|Eton Manor]]
*[[F.C. Romania|FC Romania]]
*[[F.C. Romania|FC Romania]]
⚫
*[[Great Wakering Rovers F.C.|Great Wakering Rovers]]
*[[Hackney Wick F.C.|Hackney Wick]]
*[[Hackney Wick F.C.|Hackney Wick]]
*[[Hadley F.C.|Hadley]]
*[[Hadley F.C.|Hadley]]
⚫
*[[Haringey Borough F.C.|Haringey Borough]]
{{col-break}}
{{col-break}}
*[[Halstead Town F.C.|Halstead Town]]
*[[Hashtag United F.C.|Hashtag United]]
⚫
*[[Haringey Borough F.C.|Haringey Borough]]
*[[Heybridge Swifts F.C.|Heybridge Swifts]]
*[[Heybridge Swifts F.C.|Heybridge Swifts]]
*[[Hullbridge Sports F.C.|Hullbridge Sports]]
*[[Hoddesdon Town F.C.|Hoddesdon Town]]
*[[Leyton F.C.|Leyton]]
*[[Leyton F.C.|Leyton]]
*[[Leyton Athletic F.C.|Leyton Athletic]]
*[[Leyton Athletic F.C.|Leyton Athletic]]
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*[[Pegasus Athletic F.C.|Pegasus Athletic]]
*[[Pegasus Athletic F.C.|Pegasus Athletic]]
*[[Thurrock F.C.|Purfleet]]
*[[Thurrock F.C.|Purfleet]]
*[[Romford F.C.|Romford]]
*[[Redbridge F.C.|Redbridge]]
*[[Sawbridgeworth Town F.C.|Sawbridgeworth Town]]
*[[Southend Manor F.C.|Southend Manor]]
{{col-break}}
{{col-break}}
*[[Southend United F.C.|Southend United 'A']]
*[[Southend United F.C.|Southend United 'A']]
*[[St. Margaretsbury F.C.|St Margaretsbury]]
*[[Stambridge United F.C.|Stambridge]]
*[[Stambridge United F.C.|Stambridge]]
*[[Tilbury F.C.|Tilbury]]
*[[Stansted F.C.|Stansted]]
*[[Tiptree United F.C.|Tiptree United]]
*[[Tiptree United F.C.|Tiptree United]]
*[[Tower Hamlets F.C.|Tower Hamlets]]
*[[Tower Hamlets F.C.|Tower Hamlets]]
*[[Waltham Abbey F.C.|Waltham Abbey]]
*[[Waltham Abbey F.C.|Waltham Abbey]]
*[[Walthamstow F.C.|Walthamstow]]
*[[Witham Town F.C.|Witham Town]]
*[[Witham Town F.C.|Witham Town]]
*[[Wivenhoe Town F.C.|Wivenhoe Town]]
*[[Wivenhoe Town F.C.|Wivenhoe Town]]
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Several Essex Senior League players have also played for [[Football League]] or [[Premier League]] teams:
Several Essex Senior League players have also played for [[Football League]] or [[Premier League]] teams:
{{expand list|date=April 2015}}
{{expand list|date=April 2015}}
*[[Jimmy Greaves]] – Played for Brentwood Town<ref name=history /> after playing for [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]], [[Tottenham Hotspurs|Tottenham Hotspur]], [[AC Milan]], [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] and [[England football team|England]].
*[[Jimmy Greaves]] – Played for Brentwood Town<ref name=history /> after playing for [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]], [[Tottenham Hotspurs|Tottenham Hotspur]], [[AC Milan]], [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] and [[England men's national football team|England]].
*[[Alan Brazil]] – Played for Stambridge<ref name=history /> after [[Queens Park Rangers]] and other teams including [[Manchester United]] and [[Scotland football team|Scotland]].
*[[Alan Brazil]] – Played for Stambridge<ref name=history /> after [[Queens Park Rangers]] and other teams including [[Manchester United]] and [[Scotland men's national football team|Scotland]].
*[[Kerry Dixon]] – Played in the Essex Senior League<ref name=history /> for Basildon after playing for other teams including [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] and [[England football team|England]].
*[[Kerry Dixon]] – Played in the Essex Senior League<ref name=history /> for Basildon after playing for other teams including [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] and [[England men's national football team|England]].
*[[Michael Kightly]] – left Basildon United to join [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]] circa 2003,<ref>{{cite web|title=Kightly: His story in pictures|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2008/06/24/kightly-his-story-in-pictures/|website=Express & Star|access-date=23 April 2015}}</ref> playing for [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]] as of April 2016.
*[[Michael Kightly]] – left Basildon United to join [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]] circa 2003,<ref>{{cite web|title=Kightly: His story in pictures|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2008/06/24/kightly-his-story-in-pictures/|website=Express & Star|access-date=23 April 2015}}</ref> playing for [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]] as of April 2016.
*[[Dwight Gayle]] – left Stansted to play for [[Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.|Dagenham & Redbridge]], [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]] and [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=McLeman|first1=Neil|title=Crystal Palace's Dwight Gayle goes from £200-a-week carpenter to Prem match-winner in two years|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/crystal-palaces-dwight-gayle-goes-2243299|access-date=24 April 2015|work=Mirror|date=1 September 2013}}</ref>
*[[Dwight Gayle]] – left Stansted to play for [[Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.|Dagenham & Redbridge]], [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]] and [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=McLeman|first1=Neil|title=Crystal Palace's Dwight Gayle goes from £200-a-week carpenter to Prem match-winner in two years|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/crystal-palaces-dwight-gayle-goes-2243299|access-date=24 April 2015|work=Mirror|date=1 September 2013}}</ref>
*[[Trevor Putney]] – left Brentwood to join [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]] in 1980,<ref>{{cite news|title=Stalwart former boss of football club dies at 83|url=http://www.brentwoodgazette.co.uk/Stalwart-boss-football-club-dies-83/story-13281533-detail/story.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150424122824/http://www.brentwoodgazette.co.uk/Stalwart-boss-football-club-dies-83/story-13281533-detail/story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 April 2015|access-date=24 April 2015|work=Brentwood Gazette|date=7 September 2011}}</ref> also played for [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]], and [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]].
*[[Trevor Putney]] – left Brentwood to join [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]] in 1980,<ref>{{cite news|title=Stalwart former boss of football club dies at 83|url=http://www.brentwoodgazette.co.uk/Stalwart-boss-football-club-dies-83/story-13281533-detail/story.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150424122824/http://www.brentwoodgazette.co.uk/Stalwart-boss-football-club-dies-83/story-13281533-detail/story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 April 2015|access-date=24 April 2015|work=Brentwood Gazette|date=7 September 2011}}</ref> also played for [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]], and [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]].
*[[Stuart Wardley]] – left Saffron Walden Town to join [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]] in 1999.<ref>{{cite news|title=Non-league football: Stuart Wardley returns to Saffron Walden Town F.C.|url=http://www.saffronwaldenreporter.co.uk/sport/saffron-walden-town-fc/non_league_football_stuart_wardley_returns_to_saffron_walden_town_fc_1_1411493|access-date=24 April 2015|publisher=Saffron Walden Reporter|date=15 June 2012}}</ref>
*[[Stuart Wardley]] – left Saffron Walden Town to join [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]] in 1999.<ref>{{cite news|title=Non-league football: Stuart Wardley returns to Saffron Walden Town F.C.|url=http://www.saffronwaldenreporter.co.uk/sport/saffron-walden-town-fc/non_league_football_stuart_wardley_returns_to_saffron_walden_town_fc_1_1411493|access-date=24 April 2015|publisher=Saffron Walden Reporter|date=15 June 2012}}{{Dead link|date=March 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
*[[Steve Tilson]] – left Witham Town to join [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]] in 1989.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tilson a Southend great|url=http://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/article/170414-tilson-a-southend-great-1493571.aspx|website=Southend United Official|access-date=24 April 2015|date=18 April 2014}}</ref>
*[[Steve Tilson]] – left Witham Town to join [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]] in 1989.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tilson a Southend great|url=http://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/article/170414-tilson-a-southend-great-1493571.aspx|website=Southend United Official|access-date=24 April 2015|date=18 April 2014}}</ref>
*[[Gary Hart (footballer)|Gary Hart]] – left Stansted for £1,000 and a set of kit to join [[Brighton & Hove Albion]] in 1998.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bazeley|first1=Marc|title=Brighton & Hove Albion legend Gary Hart bring experience to Royston Town|url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Brighton-Hove-Albion-legend-Gary-Hart-bring/story-22947901-detail/story.html|website=Cambridge News|publisher=Cambridge News|access-date=23 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923200059/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Brighton-Hove-Albion-legend-Gary-Hart-bring/story-22947901-detail/story.html|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
*[[Gary Hart (footballer)|Gary Hart]] – left Stansted for £1,000 and a set of kit to join [[Brighton & Hove Albion]] in 1998.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bazeley|first1=Marc|title=Brighton & Hove Albion legend Gary Hart bring experience to Royston Town|url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Brighton-Hove-Albion-legend-Gary-Hart-bring/story-22947901-detail/story.html|website=Cambridge News|access-date=23 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923200059/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Brighton-Hove-Albion-legend-Gary-Hart-bring/story-22947901-detail/story.html|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
*[[Ben Barnett (footballer)|Ben Barnett]] – left Southend Manor to briefly join [[Leyton Orient F.C.|Leyton Orient]] in 2000.<ref>{{cite web|title=Comprehensive list of Football Transfers|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/891081.stm|publisher=BBC|access-date=23 April 2015}}</ref>
*[[Ben Barnett (footballer)|Ben Barnett]] – left Southend Manor to briefly join [[Leyton Orient F.C.|Leyton Orient]] in 2000.<ref>{{cite web|title=Comprehensive list of Football Transfers|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/891081.stm|publisher=BBC|access-date=23 April 2015}}</ref>
*[[Ian Renshaw]] – left Basildon United to join [[Scarborough F.C.|Scarborough]].
*[[John Warner (footballer, born 1961)|John Warner]] – left Burnham Ramblers to join [[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]] in 1988.
*[[John Warner (footballer, born 1961)|John Warner]] – left Burnham Ramblers to join [[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]] in 1988.
*[[Scott Forbes (footballer)|Scott Forbes]] – left Saffron Walden Town to join Southend United in 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=21684|title=Scott Forbes - Football Stats - No Club - 2000-2004 - Soccer Base|website=www.soccerbase.com}}</ref>
*[[Scott Forbes (footballer)|Scott Forbes]] – left Saffron Walden Town to join Southend United in 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=21684|title=Scott Forbes - Football Stats - No Club - 2000-2004 - Soccer Base|website=www.soccerbase.com}}</ref>

Revision as of 11:29, 22 April 2024

Essex Senior League
Founded1971[1]
CountryEngland
Number of teams20
Level on pyramidLevel 9
Feeder toSouthern League
Isthmian League[1]
Promotion toSouthern League Division One Central
Isthmian League Division One North[1]
Relegation toEastern Counties League Div 1 South[2]
Domestic cup(s)Essex Senior League Challenge Cup
Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy
Current championsTilbury
(2023-24)
Most championshipsBasildon United (5 titles)[3]
Websitewww.essexseniorleague.co.uk
Current: 2023–24 season

The Essex Senior Football League is an English men's football league. It contains clubs from the Essex FA, Hertfordshire FA, London FA, Middlesex FA and the Amateur Football Alliance.[1] It is a feeder league to Division One North of the Isthmian League and has a single division which sits at Step 5 (or Level 9) of the National League System.[1]

Founder members

The Essex Senior League was formed in 1971 with nine founder members. The finishing positions for the 1971–72 season were as follows:

1 Witham Town
2 Billericay Town
3 Pegasus Athletic
4 Tiptree United
5 Saffron Walden Town
6 Basildon United
7 Heybridge Swifts
8 Southend United 'A'
9 Stansted

Promotion and relegation

The Essex Senior League states that a club must finish in the top 3 to be considered for promotion to the Isthmian League Division One North.[1] However the process is governed by the FA Leagues Committee[3] who regulate relegations and promotions throughout the National League System. As of the 2014–15 season FA rules for Step 5 divisions such as the Essex Senior League stipulate that the champions should be offered the first chance of promotion. If the champions do not wish to be promoted or are not able to meet the entry requirements for promotion then the 2nd or 3rd placed team may be considered for promotion. Under normal circumstances, only one club can be promoted from a Step 5 league (e.g., the Essex Senior League) to a Step 4 league (e.g., the Isthmian League Division One).[4]

In exchange for the promoted club, the Essex Senior League would typically receive a relegated club from a Step 4 league.[1] Relegated clubs of Step 4 leagues are allocated an appropriate league based on their geographical locations.[4] Thus the Essex Senior League is most likely to receive one of the relegated clubs from the Isthmian League Division One North.

There was no relegation from the Essex Senior League into a lower league since there was no Step 6 equivalent to the ESL[1] until the 2017–18 season. Leagues including the Essex Olympian League (Step 7) sometimes acted as a feeder league to the Essex Senior League but promotion and relegation between the two leagues was not automatic.[5] A Step 6 division for Essex and East Anglia was announced in October 2017 to solve the relegation problem. Since 2018–19, the Eastern Counties League controls this new division.[2]

Current Essex Senior League members

Champions, runners up and third place finishers

Season Winner[3] Runners-up[3] Third place
1971–72 Witham Town Billericay Town Pegasus Athletic
1972–73 Billericay Town Basildon United Stansted
1973–74 Saffron Walden Town Billericay Town Coggeshall Town
1974–75 Billericay Town Basildon United Coggeshall Town
1975–76 Billericay Town Tiptree United Basildon United
1976–77 Basildon United Brentwood Billericay Town
1977–78 Basildon United Tiptree United Ford United
1978–79 Basildon United Canvey Island Eton Manor
1979–80 Basildon United Wivenhoe Town Canvey Island
1980–81 Bowers United Heybridge Swifts Wivenhoe Town
1981–82 Heybridge Swifts Wivenhoe Town Brentwood
1982–83 Heybridge Swifts Stansted Halstead Town
1983–84 Heybridge Swifts Bowers United Witham Town
1984–85 Maldon Town Witham Town Stansted
1985–86 Witham Town Wivenhoe Town Ford United
1986–87 Canvey Island Witham Town Purfleet
1987–88 Purfleet Brentwood Halstead Town
1988–89 Brightlingsea United East Thurrock United Ford United
1989–90 Brightlingsea United Woodford Town East Thurrock United
1990–91 Southend Manor Brentwood Burnham Ramblers
1991–92 Ford United Brentwood East Thurrock United
1992–93 Canvey Island Sawbridgeworth Town Bowers United
1993–94 Basildon United Ford United Canvey Island
1994–95 Great Wakering Rovers Sawbridgeworth Town Romford
1995–96 Romford Great Wakering Rovers Concord Rangers
1996–97 Ford United Great Wakering Rovers Concord Rangers
1997–98 Concord Rangers Basildon United Bowers United
1998–99 Bowers United Great Wakering Rovers Saffron Walden Town
1999–2000 Saffron Walden Town Southend Manor Burnham Ramblers
2000–01 Brentwood Saffron Walden Town Barkingside
2001–02 Leyton Enfield Town Burnham Ramblers
2002–03 Enfield Town Concord Rangers Ilford
2003–04 Concord Rangers Ilford Sawbridgeworth Town
2004–05 Enfield Town Burnham Ramblers Waltham Abbey
2005–06 A.F.C. Hornchurch Waltham Abbey Tilbury
2006–07 Brentwood Town Romford Barkingside
2007–08 Concord Rangers Enfield 1893 Barkingside
2008–09 Romford Enfield 1893 Takeley
2009–10 Stansted Witham Town Burnham Ramblers
2010–11 Enfield 1893 Stansted Witham Town
2011–12 Witham Town Southend Manor Takeley
2012–13 Burnham Ramblers Barkingside Takeley
2013–14 Great Wakering Rovers Haringey Borough Enfield 1893
2014–15 Haringey Borough Bowers & Pitsea Barking
2015–16 Bowers & Pitsea Basildon United FC Romania
2016–17 Barking Clapton FC Romania
2017–18 Great Wakering Rovers Basildon United FC Romania
2018–19 Hullbridge Sports Stansted Walthamstow
2019–20 No champions; season abandoned due to coronavirus pandemic
2020–21 No champions; season abandoned due to pandemic-related lockdowns
2021–22 Walthamstow Saffron Walden Town Redbridge
2022–23 Enfield Redbridge Woodford Town
2023–24 Tilbury

League winners records

  • 5 times – Basildon United
  • 3 times – Billericay Town, Bowers & Pitsea, Concord Rangers, Great Wakering Rovers, Heybridge Swifts, Witham Town
  • 2 times – Brentwood Town, Brightlingsea United, Canvey Island, Enfield, Enfield Town, Ford United, Romford, Saffron Walden Town
  • 1 time – AFC Hornchurch, Barking, Burnham Ramblers, Haringey Borough, Hullbridge Sports, Leyton, Maldon Town, Purfleet, Stansted, Southend Manor, Tilbury, Walthamstow

Essex Senior League Challenge Cup

The Essex Senior League Challenge Cup is a knock-out tournament competed for by teams in the Essex Senior Football League.[3] Brentwood Town and Basildon United hold the record jointly for the most cup wins, each lifting the trophy four times (Brentwood Town in 1975–76, 1978–79, 1990–91, 2006–07, Basildon United in 1977–78, 1993–94, 1997–98, 2015–16).[3] As of the 2017–18 season the competition is referred to as the "Errington Challenge Cup" in recognition of the league's treasurer Margaret Errington who held the post for 26 years before dying in 2016.

Final results

Season Winner[3] Score[3] Runners-up[3]
1972–73 Billericay Town 2–1 Saffron Walden Town
1973–74 No competition played
1974–75 Colchester United 'A' 3–1 Billericay Town
1975–76 Brentwood 3–0 Basildon United
1976–77 Billericay Town 1–0 Bowers United
1977–78 Basildon United 3–0 Bowers United
1978–79 Brentwood 2–0 Brightlingsea United
1979–80 Canvey Island 1–1, 0–0, 2–0 Basildon United
1980–81 Witham Town 4–2 Sawbridgeworth Town
1981–82 Bowers United 2–0 Halstead Town
1982–83 Heybridge Swifts 4–1 Bowers United
1983–84 Stansted 1–0 Brentwood
1984–85 Chelmsford City Reserves 2–0 Maldon Town
1985–86 Ford United 1–0 Coggeshall Town
1986–87 Purfleet 2–0 Burnham Ramblers
1987–88 Purfleet 2–1 Canvey Island
1988–89 East Thurrock United 3–2 Ford United
1989–90 Southend Manor 2–0 Burnham Ramblers
1990–91 Brentwood 2–0 Southend Manor
1991–92 East Thurrock United 2–0 Basildon United
1992–93 Canvey Island 3–1 Sawbridgeworth Town
1993–94 Basildon United 3–0 Sawbridgeworth Town
1994–95 Sawbridgeworth Town 2–0 Stansted
1995–96 Romford 2–0 Southend Manor
1996–97 Concord Rangers 1–0 Ford United
1997–98 Basildon United 1–0 Burnham Ramblers
1998–99 Bowers United 2–0 Great Wakering Rovers
1999-00 Saffron Walden Town 2–1 Southend Manor
2000–01 Southend Manor 2–1 Sawbridgeworth Town
2001–02 Enfield Town 1–1
(4–2 penalties)		 Leyton
2002–03 Ilford 1–0 Sawbridgeworth Town
2003–04 Enfield Town 3–2 Sawbridgeworth Town
2004–05 Waltham Abbey 4–1 Enfield Town
2005–06 AFC Hornchurch 2–0 Brentwood Town
2006–07 Brentwood Town 1–1
(5–4 penalties)		 Romford
2007–08 Eton Manor 3–2 Concord Rangers
2008–09 Barkingside 2–0 Burnham Ramblers
2009–10 Bethnal Green United 4–1 Burnham Ramblers
2010–11 Stansted 3–0 Enfield 1893
2011–12 Witham Town 2–1 Burnham Ramblers
2012–13 Barkingside 9–1 Bowers & Pitsea
2013–14 Great Wakering Rovers 1–0 Sporting Bengal United
2014–15 Bowers & Pitsea 7–1 Clapton
2015–16 Basildon United 3–0 FC Romania
2016–17 Takeley 1–0 Sawbridgeworth Town
2017–18 Great Wakering Rovers 1–0 Sawbridgeworth Town
2018–19 Stansted 1–0 West Essex
2019–20 Not completed due to coronavirus disease pandemic
2020–21 Not played due to coronavirus disease pandemic
2021–22 Enfield 3–2 Cockfosters
2022–23 Barking 1–1
(5–4 penalties)		 Redbridge

League and Cup double

On 14 occasions a team has won both the Essex Senior League and the Essex Senior League Challenge Cup in the same season. They are:

  • 1972–73 – Billericay Town[3]
  • 1977–78 – Basildon United[3]
  • 1982–83 – Heybridge Swifts[3]
  • 1987–88 – Purfleet[3]
  • 1992–93 – Canvey Island[3]
  • 1993–94 – Basildon United[3]
  • 1995–96 – Romford[3]
  • 1998–99 – Bowers United[3]
  • 1999–00 – Saffron Walden Town[3]
  • 2005–06 – AFC Hornchurch[3]
  • 2006–07 – Brentwood Town[3]
  • 2011–12 – Witham Town[3]
  • 2013–14 – Great Wakering Rovers[3]
  • 2017–18 – Great Wakering Rovers

Former members

Notable former Essex Senior League players

Several Essex Senior League players have also played for Football League or Premier League teams:

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Brief History". The Official Web Site of the Essex Senior Football League. Essex Senior League. Archived from the original on 23 April 2015. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  2. ^ a b "New Step 6 announced". Essex Senior League. 8 October 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v "Essex Senior Football League Official Handbook Season 2014/15". The Official WebSite of the Essex Senior Football League. Essex Senior League. Retrieved 22 April 2015.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ a b "National League System 2014–15". The FA. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  5. ^ "Essex Senior Football League". Non-League Matters. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  6. ^ "Kightly: His story in pictures". Express & Star. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  7. ^ McLeman, Neil (1 September 2013). "Crystal Palace's Dwight Gayle goes from £200-a-week carpenter to Prem match-winner in two years". Mirror. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  8. ^ "Stalwart former boss of football club dies at 83". Brentwood Gazette. 7 September 2011. Archived from the original on 24 April 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  9. ^ "Non-league football: Stuart Wardley returns to Saffron Walden Town F.C." Saffron Walden Reporter. 15 June 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2015.[permanent dead link]
  10. ^ "Tilson a Southend great". Southend United Official. 18 April 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  11. ^ Bazeley, Marc. "Brighton & Hove Albion legend Gary Hart bring experience to Royston Town". Cambridge News. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  12. ^ "Comprehensive list of Football Transfers". BBC. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  13. ^ "Scott Forbes - Football Stats - No Club - 2000-2004 - Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Essex_Senior_Football_League&oldid=1220198219"