Non-League and Academy football writer

The 2024/25 Senior Division season of the Essex Alliance Football League, came to an end last month. Beginning in August of last year, this very competitive Senior Division season was won by Senior Division debutants, Philip United, who had an outstanding season. Philip United announced on social media this week, that they have changed their name to London Harts United. However, last season, as Philip United (this was only their second season as a club) their very talented team, finished in first place in the Senior Division, with a very impressive 75 points accumulated, from 30 matches played.

Philip United were tactically and technically excellent throughout the season, and with such a good squad of players, they really stepped up to this level of football, really well. In second place, and seven points behind Philip United, was Lymore Gardens. What a journey the club has been on throughout the different divisions of the Essex Alliance Football League. Lee Benjamin and Javel Green’s side lost four matches last season in the Senior Division, which was the least amount of losses in the league in 2024/25.

Like Philip United, Lymore Gardens showed tremendous character last season, and even though they didn’t quite win the Senior Division last season, they recently announced on their social media accounts, that they have been promoted to the Thurlow Nunn First Division South (step 6) for next season, for the very first time. With quality players like Dylan Roberts, Munnir Saad, Richie Dorkas, and Alex Coster, Lymore Gardens will be really looking forward to the challenge that next season brings.

In third place in the Senior Division was Haringey Borough Under 23s, who are an outstanding footballing side. I saw Haringey Borough Under 23s on numerous occasions last season, and they were one of the very best step 7 sides that I saw last season, and they showed great maturity in games, against some very experienced teams. It was great to cover so many of their matches last season, and this very well coached side impressed me greatly over the course of last season.

Finishing in fourth place in the Senior Division, was Wayne Phillips’ Frenford Development side, who had another really good season, one in which saw them reach a county cup final, and also the semi-finals of the Senior Division Cup. One of Frenford Development’s most impressive players last season was Bilal Hussain, and the highly creative midfielder had an excellent season for Frenford Development in 2024/25.

One place below Frenford Development, who they were tied on points with, was CSM London, who in my opinion had a tremendous season. Under the leadership of Will Brobby, CSM London finished in fifth place in the standings, winning an impressive total of 17 of their 30 league matches. Next season they will be playing at Terrence McMillan Stadium, in Newham. And, I really do think that they’ll be going for the league title.

2024/25 Fenton Cup winners Chadwell Heath Spartans hugely deserved for their first team to win silverware last season, and they are a club that I admire. Aaron Hunwicks’ side would finish in sixth place in the Senior Division table, and the club who play their home matches at Frenford FC, will be another side to watch out for in next season’s title race. In seventh place in the table, was Woodford Town Reserves, who had a really fine debut season in this league, one in which also saw them impressively win the Senior Division Cup.

FC Petrocub London would finish in a respectable eighth place in the table, as well as doing well in cup competitions. Then there was two Senior Division debutants who impressed me whenever I saw them last season, in Ongar Town and Fairlop Rovers, who finished in ninth and tenth place, respectively. Eny Okoro’s talented Walthamstow Reserves (now called Ryan FC) once again showed that they could go toe to toe with any team in this league last season, and they would end the season in 11th place in the table.

Halil Hassan’s Waltham Forest Borough side was very different in terms of players having moved on from the previous season, when they finished as Senior Division runners-up to FC Baresi. However, Waltham Forest Borough finished the season well, in order to comfortably make sure of their Senior Division status for 2025/26.

Kulture FC’s first season at step 7 would see them reach the Senior Division Cup final, and they would finish in 13th place in the league standings, followed by Sporting Hackney, AS Rapid Londra, and Bakers693.

My Senior Division manager of the season (2024/25): Will Brobby (CSM London): There were a number of managers who led their respective sides to higher finishes in the table, or who won silverware. However, in my opinion CSM London’s manager achieved some great things with this CSM side that has a lot of potential. A fifth place finish for CSM is hugely respectable, especially as this was only their second season back in the Senior Division. Will is a top manager!

My Senior Division game of the season (2024/25): Haringey Borough Under 23s 2-2 Walthamstow Reserves: An excellent and highly competitive game of football, in which Haringey Borough had a player sent off in during the early stages of the match, but who fought back to draw 2-2. Both sides really went for the win during the latter stages of the game, and there were some outstanding passages of play. 

My Premier Division player of the season (2024/25): Dylan Roberts (Lymore Gardens): With 30 goals from 30 competitive appearances last season, the ever consistent and highly creative, and productive Dylan Roberts, made a tremendous contribution to Lymore Gardens’ second place finish. Dylan also provided 12 assists last season.