Non-League and Academy football writer

In the first part of my Essex Sunday Corinthian Football League 2025/26 season review, I will be writing a bit about the Senior Division, as well as Divisions 1, 2 and 3. The Senior Division was won this time, by AC Milano, who secured the title in their final game of last season, against East London Ballers, at Parsloes Park Hub. AC Milano (they also did well in cup competitions last season, winning the West Essex Sunday Charity Cup) finished last season with 19 points, two points above another really fine side, in East London Ballers (they once again reached the semi-finals of the FA Sunday Cup), who finished the season on 17 points. In third place were Brook Athletic, who sadly recently announced that they will be folding. They’ve created some great memories in Sunday League football, during their time in the game.

Yeni Bogazici, in their first season in the Essex Sunday Corinthian Football League, would finish in fourth place in the Senior Division table, three points above of Baiteze Squad. Yeni Bogazici would also reach the semi-finals stage of last season’s Corinthian Cup. Colebrook Royals and Hatch Lane would withdraw during last season, from the Senior Division. On to Division 1 now, and Upshire Forest won that division on goal-difference over Woodford Town SL, having accumulated a total of 30 points. Five points behind both teams, were JK Silvertown, who also won the Division One Cup, last season.

Fourth place in Division One, AC Milano Reserves also had a great run in the county cup, losing narrowly to FC Trent Park in the final of the London Sunday Trophy. FC Galaxy and St Augustines would finish the season in fifth and sixth place respectively, in the Division One table. A very good quality Division 2 last season, was won in fantastic fashion by an excellent East London Ballers Reserves side. Very impressive winners of the Corinthian Cup, over AC Milano, East London Ballers Reserves would win 15 of their 16 league games last season. They scored 50 league goals, conceding 13. A very well done to them on a really memorable season. Another really good side, in Singh Sabha Barking would finish the season six points behind East London Ballers Reserves, in second place in the Division 2 table.

A strong Warren Senior side finished last season in third place in Division 2, one point and one place above Colebrook Royals Reserves. Barking & Dagenham Wanderers were followed by CSM London Sundays (last season’s excellent Division 2 Cup winners, against Singh Sabha Barking). CSM London Sundays, who will from next season be managed by Grant Baker, following a successful tenure by Joe Biscoe, also had one of the league’s top goal-scorers last season, in the excellent Steven Lambert. The rest of that particular division of the league was followed in the table, by Endurance Athletics, Benchviews, and Northbrooks.

Manford Way made it a season to remember last time out, as double winners – Division 3 title and cup winners. Manford Way won the Division 3 title with 46 points, and on goal-difference over second place Byron Red Star. Ten points behind them in the table, were Turkmenoy London, who were followed by Prospect Protege and then Debden Sports Reserves, respectively, in the standings. In sixth place and tied on points with a very well established Sunday League side in South Ilford Catholics, were Stone Town. With the remainder of Division Three (in order) being made up of Romford Town Flyers, Euro Stars, and Condor Reserves.

A very good and well established Sunday League, I’m already looking forward to seeing the constitution for next season’s Essex Sunday Corinthian Football League (2026/27). And just reflecting on a very memorable 2025/26 season, I would like to congratulate all of the respective divisional title winners and cup winners, for their great achievements last season.