Football league shuffles its pack

Eighty-two sides are set to compete across seven divisions next term with 12 clubs in six of the divisions and 10 in division one.

Last season there were 81 teams in seven divisions of 10 and one of 11, but the dry and mild winter weather meant that many finished their matches early and a supplementary competition was introduced to prolong the campaign.

The top flight has a somewhat different look about it with Hooe Sports, Ninfield United, Spartan 04 and Ticehurst all having come up from Division One.

Sedlescombe Rangers and Wadhurst United have dropped down from the Premier Division to Division Two, while Punnetts Town have gone from the Premier to Division Three.

Sussex County League clubs Bexhill United, Little Common and Crowborough Athletic will field third teams in the East Sussex League, and the latter will provide Division Two sides with an unusually long journey.

There are a few new names to get used to with the likes of Langney Wanderers, Little Chelsea, Windsor, AFC Hastings and Peasmarsh United, while St Leonards Social have added a second team.

See Friday’s Observers for the full composition.