Non-League and Academy football writer

The very long running and quality Essex Olympian Football League Premier Division sees its 2026/27 season start this Saturday. I haven’t been to many Essex Olympian League games over the last couple of seasons, but this season I am definitely hoping to cover more games in the league, over the course of this season. Starting with Harold Hill’s opening league fixture of the season against Hashtag United U23s, on early Saturday afternoon. The following piece is a bit of a preview of the 2026/27 season’s step 7 division of the Essex Olympian Football League.

Last season the Premier Division title was won by a very good Catholic United side, who won 22 of their 30 league matches last time out. They will remain a side to be greatly respected in the title race this season, and I will be hoping to cover one of their matches this season. Also to be respected in the title race, are last season’s runners-up in the Premier Division, Shenfield Association. Finishing five points off Catholic United in the league table last season, Shenfield were also runners-up in last season’s prestigious Anagram Records Trophy.

Old Chelmsfordians, Corinthians and last season’s county cup winners, Wakering Sports, finished from fourth to sixth places respectively in the Premier Division table. Then in seventh place were Old Southendian, the previous season’s runners-up, who were closely followed by Harold Wood Athletic and Leigh Ramblers, in order. Below Leigh Ramblers in the Premier Division table, were Barnston, Hashtag United U23s, and then in 12th place in the Premier Division standings, were Harold Hill. 

Led by the vastly experienced Joseph Elull and Roarie Deacon for season 2026/27, Harold Hill, who I believe are playing on the second pitch at Aveley FC this season, will in my opinion be right up there challenging for the title and promotion to step 6 for the following season. They have made some excellent signings, and they are really looking like they could go on to achieve great things both in the league and cup competitions this season. ACD United and Sungate finished just above last season’s relegation zone last time out. With Runwell Sports and Herongate Athletic being relegated to Division One.

It’s great to see Canning Town back in the Premier Division for this season. They were promoted alongside Division One champions Hutton Reserves to the Premier Division for season 2026/27. All the very best of luck to all of the Premier Division sides, ahead of the season starting this Saturday.

The teams who will be competing in the Essex Olympian Football League Premier Division for season 2026/27: ACD United, Barnston, Bishop’s Stortford Swifts, Canning Town, Catholic United, Corinthians, Harold Hill, Harold Wood Athletic, Hashtag United U23, Hutton Reserves, Leigh Ramblers, Old Chelmsfordians, Old Southendian, Shenfield Association, Sungate, Wakering Sports.