Non-League and Academy football writer

At step 8 of the Middlesex County Football League, there are three divisions. They are the newly named Division One East, Division One Central, and the Division West. At the time of writing this preview of the new season at step 8 of the Middlesex League, which starts in September, the teams mentioned in this piece in their respective divisions based on location, will be in that division come the start of the season. 

Starting with the Division One East, and for the start of this season there are less teams in the division than in previous seasons, with their being nine teams in the division. LBS Lions won this division last season, winning promotion to the Premier Division for the start of this season. For 2025/26 however, I think that the title race in Division One East will be even more competitive. FC Marylebone had an excellent season last time out, finishing second in the division. FC Marylebone, third placed Westminster & Kensington, and Apollo London, who had a good season in what was their first season competing in non-League football in 2024/25, will all challenge for the title this season.

Steven Hammerschlag’s Bloomsbury FC side play their home matches in north west London, and they have been moved across from what was previously known as Division One North & West, in to Division One East, for this season. In their debut season in the Middlesex League (2024/25) Bloomsbury impressively finished second in the Division One North & West standings, two points off the champions Wood Lane. They must be considered challengers for the Division One East title, in 2025/26. I’m looking forward to covering a Bloomsbury game this coming season, as I didn’t get around to attending one of their games last season.

Also in the Division One East is Soccer Stars (Youth) SSA, who were formerly called  Soccer Stars Fennecs Ascenders, and last season they were one of the most youthful sides in the division. They are only going to better and better during this coming season, and they are another team to watch out for in this particular division. Nabeel Hashim’s FC Wood Green side will be looking to improve on last season, with the development/reserve sides in the division this season being Luca Malagigi’s Camden & Islington United Development side, Alex Harris’ Stonewall Reserves, and Hackney Wick Reserves. All three teams bring further quality to this highly competitive Division One East. 

In the Division One West for the 2025/26 season, there are 11 teams. Winning promotion from this same division last season, were Sporting Duet Academy, and Harrow United. Last seasons third place side AFC Southall also won the 2024/25 Jim Rogers President’s Division One Cup, in what was a successful season for the club, and one in which they will be hoping to build on in 2025/26. Former Kingston & District Football League side Barnes (they won their respective league last season) will in my opinion be right up there in the table challenging for promotion this season. This is Barnes’ first season in the Middlesex League.

Also in the Division One West are Wiseman West and Townmead, two fine sides who won promotion to this division from The Russell Grant Division 2, last season. CB Hounslow & Abbots A finished in fourth place in the division last season, and they’ll be a side to watch out for this season. Feltham FC are under new management for this season, and they will look to improve on where they finished last season in the league. 

Hayes Town, SL Benfica B, Ickenham, and Ruislip Town all return to this division again for this season. And, a welcome to Uxbridge Athletic, who will be playing in Division One West this season. It will be their first ever season in Saturday football. Like with the Division One West, the Division One Central also has 11 teams who are competing in it this season. Pitshanger Dynamo and London Tigers were relegated to this step 8 division of the Middlesex League, at the end of the 2024/25 Premier Division season. Both sides will be looking to rebuild and really compete for promotion back to the Premier Division, during the coming season.

After winning promotion as champions of The Russell Grant Division 2 in 2024/25, Eastcote British Legion merged with Ruislip Rangers during the summer, and they will be known as Ruislip Rangers for the 2025/26 season. If they have a similar squad to last season, then I can see Ruislip Rangers really challenging for the Division One Central title, this season. They are a very good footballing side, who have some really good leaders in their squad.

A very established and well known Brentham side are in this division this season, and then there is Sam Brown’s Harrow Bhoys side, who had a very good season in 2024/25, and who will look to challenge for the title once again in 2025/26. As will FH Whistlers, and there are two new clubs to the Middlesex League, who join this division for the start of the season. They are Casual Ballerz, and Edgware & Kingsbury Reserves. The latter of these two sides has moved across from the Herts Senior County League. Finally, Bessingby Park Rangers, Celtic (1995), and Brent United continue in this division following the end of the 2024/25 season. I would like to wish all of the clubs who are competing in division one this season, all the very best of the luck for the season ahead. I look forward to covering a good number of matches across the divisions.