Non-League and Academy football writer

After having written a bit of a preview on the Essex Alliance Football League Premier Division East, now it’s time to write a preview of the Premier Division West season, ahead of that step 8 division starting on Saturday.

Newham Wanderers and Vallance were deservedly promoted to the Senior Division, after finishing in the top two positions of this division last season. Relegated from the Premier Division West at the end of last season, were London Cranes. With Old Esthameians moving across to the Premier Division East. Joining this division for the start of the season, are Walthamstow Reserves, who have had a successful reserve team in this league before. Also, ACE05, a club first established in 2005, and who I think will do well this season, take their first footsteps in to the Essex Alliance Football League.

A talented Jolof Sports side move across from step 7 of the Middlesex County Football League, to this step 8 division for the start of this season. They have a very good squad of players. Playing their home matches at Wanstead Flats this season, Waltham Athletic Sporting Club are a newly formed club who will looking to make their mark on the Premier Division West. And, promoted from Division One are a talented Hackney Wanderers side, and a Royal Forest side who have risen up through the divisions of this league in recent seasons.

Looking back at last season in the Premier Division West, the third place side from last season, in Sporting Hackney, have got to be respected in this season’s promotion contest. As have last season’s fourth place side and Premier Division West debutants, Ocean Pacific, and fifth place side Unitey, for this season. West Essex Reserves finished last season in sixth place in the table, and they start their season at home to Waltham Athletic Sporting Club, tomorrow. Onyx finished one place below West Essex Reserves, for season 2025/26.

North East Lions and Priory Park Rangers are well established clubs who will also be competing in this highly competitive division once again during season 2026/27, along with Umayr Amjad’s FC Baresi Reserves side. All the very best of luck to all of the teams who are competing in this Premier Division West season.

The teams who will be competing in the Premier Division West of the Essex Alliance Football League: ACE05, FC Baresi Reserves, Hackney Wanderers, Jolof Sports, North East Lions, Onyx, Royal Forest, Sporting Hackney, Unitey, Waltham Athletic Sporting Club, Walthamstow Reserves, West Essex Reserves, Ocean Pacific, Priory Park Rangers.