East Sussex Football League

The East Sussex Football League is an English association football competition for amateur teams based in East Sussex and south-west Kent. The league has a total of six divisions, headed by the Premier Division, which sits at level 12 of the national league system.

East Sussex Football League
Founded1896
CountryEngland
Divisions6
Number of teams58
Level on pyramidLevels 12–17
Feeder toSouthern Combination Division Two
League cup(s)East Sussex Challenge Cup
Division 2 & 3 Cup
Division 4 & 5 Cup
Current championsSidley United (Premier Division)
Punnetts Town (Division One)
Rock-a-Nore (Division Two)
Bexhill Rovers (Division Three)
Hampden Park (Division Four)
Little Common III (Division Five)
(2018-19)
Websitewww.esfl.org.uk

The league was formed in 1896 as the East Sussex Senior League, with the winners of the league competing for the Irish Rifle's Cup against the winners of the West Sussex League also founded in the same year. A second 'Junior' division was formed in 1899, however by the 1908-09 season league membership was at an all-time low and the league went inactive for two seasons, reforming in 1911. The league was inactive during the First World War and Second World War, but has been running continuously since 1946.

In its early years the league was entered for by the most senior teams in East Sussex with the best sides from local leagues entering the competition. Over the course of its history the league has seen its geographical catchment area shrink due to the formation of the Mid-Sussex League and Brighton League, with the formation of the Sussex County League and additional divisions further up the pyramid affecting the standard of the league.

The league currently acts as a feeder to the Southern Combination Football League, with the top two teams who possess the required ground grading eligible to apply for promotion.

History

The league was founded in 1896 consisting of seven founder members who were Brighton Athletic, Eastbourne Swifts, East Grinstead, Hailsham, Hastings, Lewes and North End Rangers (Brighton). The first winners of the competition were Hastings, who went on to compete for the Irish Rifle's Cup to become the champions of Sussex, losing out to Southwick, winners of the West Sussex League. An additional 'Junior' division, which primarily contained reserves teams of those in the 'senior' division, was created in 1899 and league membership remained steady throughout the early 1900s, however by the 1908-09 season there were only five teams playing in one division and the league was inactive for two seasons. The league reformed in 1911, but membership remained low until the competition was abandoned due to the outbreak of World War One in 1914.

The league returned after the First World War and enjoyed a steady membership throughout the 1920s and 1930s, with Rock-a-Nore, Rye United and Sidley United winning the league during the period, also Hollington United and Hastings Rangers who have a long association with the league enjoyed successful seasons. By 1939 the number of teams competing was up to 14, however the outbreak of World War Two saw the league abandoned once again.

The league returned after the War for the 1946-47 season and the following seasons saw Hastings Rangers, Hollington United and Rye United dominate the league and other local competitions, however the league would go onto lose Rye and Hastings to the newly formed Second Division of the Sussex County League in 1952, with Sidley United and Hastings & St Leonards also making the move. Hailsham won the league in the 1954-55 season and left to join the Sussex County League, the rest of the 1950s and 1960s was mostly dominated by Rye United Reserves, with Wadhurst winning the league in 1964 before joining the County League.

By the mid 1970s the league had expanded to five divisions, with a large number of teams joining from the Hastings League, during this period the league saw more clubs from the Eastbourne area and Kent also join the league. Teams from areas such as Alfriston, East Dean and Polegate played in the league during the 1970s, however numbers dwindled by the 1990s, with teams from this area seemingly opting to compete in the Mid-Sussex League. From Kent, teams like Tenterden, Hawkhurst United and Wittersham were successful in the 1970s and 1980s, with Hawkhurst and Wittersham still competing in the league.

In recent years the league has seen Shinewater Association, Wadhurst, Seaford, Westfield and Little Common enjoy league titles en route to the County League, with Langney Wanderers being the most recent club to do so in the 2012-13 season.

Current structure
Eastbourne Albert vs Bexhill AAC

The most senior division in the league is the Premier Division which is of intermediate level of football, whilst Divisions One to Five are at junior level. Reserve and third teams from clubs playing at a higher level have competed in the league throughout its history, with Bexhill United, Little Common, Langney Wanderers and Westfield all having fielded reserve and third teams in recent seasons. The league acts a feeder to the Southern Combination League, though it is likely that any teams based in Kent would join the Southern Counties East. In the past the Hastings League and Eastbourne League would have acted as feeders to the league, before their demise due to low numbers. Any teams transferring to and from the league typically transfer from neighbouring leagues of similar standard, such as the Mid-Sussex League, Ashford & District League and the Kent County League.

The league is currently sponsored by Macron Store Hastings, who provide all match balls for teams in the league, having previously been sponsored by ADA restaurant based in Hastings. Two of the three league cup competitions are also sponsored, with the East Sussex Challenge Cup, sponsored by Premier Travel; Division Two & Three Cup sponsored by Wisdens Sports; Division Four and Five Cup is currently not sponsored and known as the Chairman's Challenge Cup.

League Cups

The league currently run three cup competitions, the most senior being the East Sussex Challenge Cup (Premier Travel Cup) founded in 1911 as an invitational trophy for teams in East Sussex, which is now competed for by teams in the Premier Division and Division One. Teams in the league also compete in the Hastings FA and Eastbourne FA run cup competitions, as well as the Robertsbridge Charity Cup competitions.

Current member clubs


Champions
Season Champions
1896-97Hastings
1897-98Brighton Athletic
1898-99Brighton Athletic

For the 1899-1900 season the league added a secondary 'Junior' Division.

Season Senior Division Junior Division
1899-1900HastingsHastings Reserves
1900-1901HastingsHastings Reserves

The 'Junior Division' was dropped ahead of the 1901-02 season.

Season Champions
1901-02Brighton Athletic
1902-03St Leonards
1903-04Hastings
1904-05Newhaven & Cement Works
1905-06Newhaven & Cement Works
1906-07Eastbourne St Mary
1907-08Rock-a-Nore
1908-09Newhaven

The league was inactive for the 1909-10 and 1910-11 seasons.

Season Champions
1911-12St Leonards Amateurs
1912-13St Leonards Amateurs
1913-14Hastings & St Leonards Amateurs Reserves

Between 1915 and 1919 the competition was suspended due to the First World War.

Season Champions
1919-20Not known
1920-21Bexhill Town
1921-22Not known
1922-23Rock-A-Nore
1923-24Bexhill Town
1924-25Rock-A-Nore
1925-26Sidley United
1926-27Hollington United
1927-28Hastings & St Leonards 'A'
1928-29Rock-A-Nore
1929-30Hollington United
1930-31Hellingly Hospital
1931-32Hollington United
1932-33Sidley United
1933-34Rock-A-Nore
1934-35Rye
1935-36Hollington United
1936-37Hastings Rangers
1937-38Hastings Rangers
1938-39Rye United

The league was split into two divisions for the 1939-40 season, with Hastings Rangers winning the play-off game between the Eastern and Western champions.

Season Eastern Section Western Section
1939-40Hastings RangersHeathfield United

The league was abandoned due to the outbreak of World War Two with the league resuming for the 1946-47 season.

Season Champions
1946-47Rye United
1947-48Rye United
1948-49Heathfield United
1949-50Rye United
1950-51Rye United
1951-52Rye United
1952-53Battle Rangers
1953-54Hailsham
1954-55Not known
1955-56Hellingly Hospital
1956-57Not known
1957-58Rye United Reserves
1958-59Rye United Reserves

For the 1959-60 season the league added a second division.

Season Division One Division Two
1959-60Hellingly HospitalRye United 'A'
1960-61Tunbridge Wells United 'A'Rye United 'A'
1961-62WadhurstRye United 'A'
1962-63Not known
1963-64WadhurstRye United 'A'
1964-65Rye United ReservesOre United
1965-66Not known
1966-67BurwashRye United 'A'

Two more divisions were formed for the 1967-68 season.

Season Division One Division Two Division Three Division Four
1967-68Old CentmodiansSpartakNorthiamAshburnham
1968-69Rye United ReservesHailshamSt James ParkHooe Reserves

Division Five was formed for the 1969-70 season.

Season Division One Division Two Division Three Division Four Division Five
1969-70HailshamSt James ParkSt James Park ReservesBohemia UnitedHollington United Reserves

For the 1969-70 season Division One was split into Division One East and Division One West.

Season Division One East Division One West Division Two Division Three Division Four Division Five
1970-71Rye United ReservesSidley United ReservesNinfield UnitedAlbion UnitedNortheyePolegate Reserves

For the 1971-72 season, the top teams of each Division One table was placed in the new Premier Division, whilst the other sides were put into Division One.

Season Premier Division Division One Division Two Division Three Division Four Division Five
1971-72TenterdenHastings RangersAlbion UnitedApolloAlbion United ReservesSeeboard TW Reserves
1972-73HooeAlbion UnitedApolloAlbion United ReservesJarvis BrookSeaford Athletic
1973-74TenterdenNot known
1974-77Not known
1977-78WestfieldOak RoadRye AthleticSandhurstLaughtonLinton Athletic 'A'
1978-81Not known
1981-82WittershamHastings Civil ServiceHooeNot known
1982-83Not known
1983-84BodiamPunnetts TownFlimwellCosmosStaplecrossFrant
1984-88Not known
1988-89Rock-A-NoreNot known
1989-90Rock-A-NoreNot known

Division Six was added during the 1990s, though which year it was added is currently unknown.

Season Premier Division Division One Division Two Division Three Division Four Division Five Division Six
1990-91FirehillsNot known
1991-92Shinewater AssociationNot known
1992-93Wadhurst UnitedNot known
1993-94Hollington UnitedNot known
1994-95Hollington UnitedNot known
1995-96Hollington UnitedNot known
1996-97PolegateNot known
1997-98Wadhurst UnitedSandhurstOld CentmodiansBexhill AACWadhurst United ReservesHeathfield UnitedPebsham Sibex
1998-99SeafordOld CentmodiansWestfield ReservesHeathfield HotspursOld Centmodians ReservesHastings RangersWittersham Reserves
1999-2000Rock-A-NoreHollington United ReservesHeathfield HotspursHeathfield UnitedHastings RangersFirehills SeniorsWestfield 'A'

For the 2000-01 season, only the Premier Division completed the season, the rest of the league was abandoned due to a combination of adverse weather and the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

Season Premier Division Division One Division Two Division Three Division Four Division Five Division Six
2000-01Wadhurst UnitedAbandoned
2001-02Hollington UnitedHeathfield UnitedSt Leonards SocialHawkhurst UnitedHeathfield United ReservesLittle Common ReservesHellingly Hospital
2002-03Wadhurst UnitedPunnetts TownHawkhurst UnitedHeathfield United ReservesSedlescombeHerstmonceuxCastleham United
2003-04Hollington UnitedBodiamThe JC TacklewaySedlescombeCastleham UnitedBattle Rangers ReservesWadhurst United 'A'
2004-05Little CommonEastbourne WMCHeathfield HotspursOld HastoniansCrowhurstLittle Common 'A'Bexhill United 'B'
2005-06Hawkhurst UnitedHollington United ReservesIcklesham CasualsAthleticoHastings Rangers ReservesEastbourne FishermenPanako
2006-07Hawkhurst UnitedPunnetts TownHastings RangersLittle Common 'A'Robertsbridge UnitedCinque PortsThe Pelham
2007-08Hollington UnitedSedlescombeWheatsheafBenbowCinque PortsThe WiltonNelson Tigers
2008-09St Leonards SocialQ BallWadhurst UnitedHurstNelson TigersTravauxGuestling Rangers

For the 2009-10 season, the league formed Division Seven.

Season Premier Division Division One Division Two Division Three Division Four Division Five Division Six Division Seven
2009-10St Leonards SocialWadhurst UnitedPeasmarsh & Iden ReservesEastbourne DynamosEastbourne FishermenOringtonWadhurst United ReservesMagham Down
2010–11 St Leonards SocialWhite KnightEastbourne GalaxySt HelensOringtonBurwashAFC SidleyEastbourne Rangers
2011–12Hollington UnitedNinfield UnitedOre AthleticOringtonSedlescombe Rangers ReservesAFC SidleyEastbourne RangersBattle Baptists Reserves

The league dropped Division Seven ahead of the 2012-13 season

Season Premier Division Division One Division Two Division Three Division Four Division Five Division Six
2012–13Langney WanderersHollington United ReservesCrowborough Athletic 'A'The JC TacklewayEastbourne RangersBexhill AAC ReservesHerstmonceux 'A'
2013-14Hollington UnitedSedlescombe RangersLittle ChelseaOld HastoniansBexhill-on-SeaLittle Common 'A'Catsfield Reserves
2014-15St Leonards SocialHawkhurst UnitedEastbourne RangersSovereign SaintsPeasmarsh UnitedMayfieldOrington

The league dropped Division Six ahead of the 2015-16 season

Season Premier Division Division One Division Two Division Three Division Four Division Five
2015-16Peche Hill SelectSidley UnitedNorthiam 75St Leonards Social ReservesBexhill RoversParkfield
2016-17Hollington UnitedRye TownBexhill AACHollington United ReservesSovereign SaintsWittersham Reserves
2017-18Hollington UnitedBexhill AACSovereign SaintsPunnetts TownBexhill AAC ReservesHampden Park
2018-19 Sidley United Punnetts Town Rock A Nore Bexhill Rovers Hampden Park Little Common III
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