After today’s news of our assignment into the Southern League Premier Division South, we can now take a deeper look into who we will be facing in the upcoming season!

Basingstoke Town secured their safety in style on the final day of 24/25 defeating Champions Merthyr Town 4-0 at Winklebury Football Complex setting themselves for another campaign at Step 3. The ‘Stoke picked up 48 points across 11 wins and 15 draws securing them a 15th placed finish.

Berkhamsted are the first of the promoted sides from Step 4 to be covered. They finished as runners-up in the Southern League Division One Central behind league winners Real Bedford with a total of 89 points from 27 wins and 8 draws. ‘Berko’ had the advantage of hosting both their Semi-Final and the Final which they capitalised on to claim promotion to Step 3. A 5-0 win against Hadley in the Semi-Final set up a final against Flackwell Heath following their victory over Barton Rovers in their Semi-Final. The Glencar Community Stadium hosted a goal filled final as another 5-0 was in store to see Chris Devane’s side promoted!

Bracknell Town were another one of the clubs to secure their safety on the final day of 24/25. Despite losing 2-1 to Sholing, results elsewhere meant that they had done enough to remain at Step 3. The Robins finished the Season on 46 points from 11 wins and 13 defeats.

Chertsey Town finished in 16th place after their promotion from Step 4 the year prior. The Curfews picked up 47 points from 14 wins and 5 draws.

Dorchester Town pipped the Hawks to 5th place in the final moments of the final day as they ended the season with 75 points from 19 wins and 18 draws. Their Play-Off journey ended at the Semi-Final stage at the hands of AFC Totton who came from behind to win in Extra Time.

Evesham United are another of the promoted sides. They claimed the runners-up spot in the Southern League Division One South with a total 82 points from 25 wins and 7 draws. In similar fashion to Berkhamsted, Evesham United had the advantage of hosting both their Semi-Final and Final in winning promotion. The Robins defeated Exmouth Town 4-1 in the Semi-Final to set-up a final against Malvern Town who had beaten Bishops Cleeve away from home. A 1-0 victory in the Final at The Spiers & Hartwell Stadium saw Mike Ford’s side promoted to Step 3.

Farnham Town are the third of the promoted sides. They were crowned Champions of the Isthmian League South Central Division as they won 102 points in the season through 32 victories and 6 draws. Scoring 120 goals in just 42 games saw the club claim promotion for the second consecutive season!

Gloucester City finished 4th in the table last campaign securing a Play-Off place. They won 77 points from 21 victories and 14 draws before facing Walton & Hersham away in their Semi-Final. Gloucester came from behind to progress to the final following a penalty shootout win but eventually would miss out on promotion after defeat in the final

Gosport Borough secured a 12th place finish last campaign gaining 51 points from 13 wins and 12 draws. This saw Gosport just miss out on a top half finish.

Hanwell Town ended the season on 58 points from 15 wins and 13 draws earning them an 8th place finish a significant upturn on their 17th place finish in 23/24 where they only avoided relegation on goal difference.

Hungerford Town managed a 7th place finish with 59 points after 16 wins and 11 draws a 1 place improvement on their 8th place in 23/24.

Plymouth Parkway are another side who vastly improved their final standing in 24/25. They amassed 50 points from 14 wins and 8 draws earning them a 13th place finish. In similar fashion to Hanwell Town they only avoided relegation in 23/24 on goal difference but secured mid-table this time around

Poole Town secured their survival in 24/25 after a strong finish to the campaign. They won 13 games, drawing 10 and earning 49 points to see them finish in 14th with 12 points from a possible 15 gained in April key to their final league position

Sholing finished 11th with 52 points, 14 wins and 10 draws enough to secure them a finish in the top half.

Taunton Town finished 9th with 57 points from 13 wins and 18 draws in their first season back at Step 3 following relegation in 2023/24.

Tiverton Town were able to survive on the final day thanks to a 3-2 win over already relegated Marlow at The Slee Blackwell Stadium. They finished the campaign with 47 points from 12 wins and 11 draws, gaining 10 points in the month of April another side who hit a strong run at a vital time.

Uxbridge are the fourth of the teams promoted from Step 4. They finished runners-up in the Isthmian League South Central division behind Farnham Town who they will face again this campaign. With 82 points from 25 wins and 7 draws, they would have the advantage of a Home Semi-Final and Final. After trailing at the break to Kingstonian, Uxbridge came from behind to take the game to a penalty shootout with the tie finishing 2-2. A 5-4 victory on penalties saw them set-up a final against Hanworth Villa at Honeycroft after they had defeated Ascot United in the other Semi-Final. Danny Edwards’ men were victorious in the final, a 2-1 win seeing them claim promotion.

Walton & Hersham finished 3rd last campaign after gaining 83 points from 24 wins and 11 draws giving them the advantage of a Home tie in the Semi-Finals. They were leading 2-0 against Gloucester City in the tie at Elmbridge Xcel Sports Hub but the visitors came back and progressed to the final after a penalty shootout.

Weymouth are the only team to be competing in the Southern League Premier Division South that were relegated from the Vanarama National League South. The Terras finished 23rd in the Vanarama National League South last season, collecting 33 points across 6 wins and 15 draws. They’ll be hoping for similar fortunes to when they were last in the division in 2018/19 where they claimed the title over Taunton Town.

Wimborne Town secured a top half finish in their first season since promotion to Step 3. The Dorset based side scored 57 points from 15 wins and 12 draws.

Yate Town are the fifth and final of the promoted sides and they also round out the division for the 25/26 campaign. They will head into the new season having been promoted as Champions of the Southern League Division One South. They managed 88 points from 26 wins and 10 draws to make the move up to Step 3.