2023–24 Wessex Football League
| Season | 2023–24 |
|---|---|
| Champions | Moneyfields |
| Promoted | Moneyfields Shaftesbury |
| Relegated | Lymington Town |
← 2022–23 2024–25 → | |
The 2023–24 Wessex Football League season was the 38th in the history of the Wessex Football League since its establishment in 1986. The league consists of two divisions: the Premier Division and Division One.
The constitution was announced on 15 May 2023.[1] Starting this season, the Premier Division (step 5) promotes two clubs; one as champions and one via a four-team play-off. This replaced the previous inter-step play-off system. For this season only, there was only one club relegated from the Premier Division.[2]
Premier Division
The Premier Division remained at 20 clubs, after Bemerton Heath Harlequins were promoted to the Southern League South Division; Horndean were promoted to the Isthmian League South East Division; Pagham were transferred to the Southern Combination League, and Alresford Town were relegated to Division One.
Four new teams joined the division:
- Two promoted from Division One:
- One transferred from the Western League Premier Division:
- One demoted from the Southern League South Division:
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moneyfields (C, P) | 38 | 33 | 3 | 2 | 141 | 39 | +102 | 99[a] | Promoted to the Southern League |
| 2 | A.F.C. Stoneham | 38 | 31 | 2 | 5 | 131 | 26 | +105 | 95 | Qualification for the play-offs |
| 3 | Shaftesbury (O, P) | 38 | 29 | 3 | 6 | 117 | 50 | +67 | 90 | Promoted to the Southern League |
| 4 | A.F.C. Portchester | 38 | 25 | 6 | 7 | 90 | 44 | +46 | 81 | Qualification for the play-offs |
| 5 | Baffins Milton Rovers | 38 | 21 | 4 | 13 | 88 | 52 | +36 | 67[b] | |
| 6 | Brockenhurst | 38 | 19 | 10 | 9 | 77 | 47 | +30 | 67 | |
| 7 | Portland United | 38 | 19 | 8 | 11 | 66 | 42 | +24 | 65 | |
| 8 | Laverstock & Ford | 38 | 20 | 4 | 14 | 88 | 73 | +15 | 64 | |
| 9 | Sherborne Town | 38 | 18 | 5 | 15 | 75 | 67 | +8 | 59 | |
| 10 | Fareham Town | 38 | 16 | 5 | 17 | 68 | 80 | −12 | 53 | |
| 11 | Cowes Sports | 38 | 15 | 6 | 17 | 83 | 75 | +8 | 51 | |
| 12 | Hamble Club | 38 | 14 | 8 | 16 | 82 | 75 | +7 | 50 | |
| 13 | Petersfield Town | 38 | 12 | 5 | 21 | 71 | 81 | −10 | 41 | Transferred to the Southern Combination |
| 14 | Andover New Street | 38 | 11 | 6 | 21 | 62 | 92 | −30 | 39 | |
| 15 | Hythe & Dibden | 38 | 10 | 5 | 23 | 60 | 87 | −27 | 35 | |
| 16 | Bournemouth | 38 | 8 | 9 | 21 | 56 | 107 | −51 | 33 | |
| 17 | Blackfield & Langley | 38 | 10 | 2 | 26 | 40 | 116 | −76 | 32 | |
| 18 | Christchurch | 38 | 7 | 6 | 25 | 51 | 123 | −72 | 27 | |
| 19 | United Services Portsmouth | 38 | 7 | 4 | 27 | 53 | 117 | −64 | 25 | |
| 20 | Lymington Town (R) | 38 | 3 | 3 | 32 | 36 | 142 | −106 | 12 | Relegated to Division One |
Source: Wessex League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
- ^ Moneyfields had three points deducted for failing to fulfil a fixture.
- ^ Christchurch 0–8 Baffins Milton Rovers (16 December 2023) and Lymington Town 1–3 Baffins Milton Rovers (6 January 2024) were voided after Baffins Milton Rovers fielded an ineligible player. Both matches were to be replayed.[3] Replayed matches: Lymington Town 0–3 Baffins Milton Rovers (30 January 2024), Christchurch 1–3 Baffins Milton Rovers (20 April 2024).
Promotion playoffs
| Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||
| 2 | A.F.C. Stoneham | 2 | |||||||
| 5 | Baffins Milton Rovers | 1 | |||||||
| 2 | A.F.C. Stoneham | 0 | |||||||
| 3 | Shaftesbury | 1 | |||||||
| 3 | Shaftesbury | 1 | |||||||
| 4 | A.F.C. Portchester | 0 | |||||||
Semifinals
| 23 April | A.F.C. Stoneham | 2–1 | Baffins Milton Rovers | Eastleigh |
| 19:45 | Jenkins  74', Sampson 89' |
Report | Robinson 51' |
Stadium: Stoneham Football Complex Attendance: 270 |
| 24 April | Shaftesbury | 1–0 | A.F.C. Portchester | Shaftesbury |
| 19:45 | Pitman |
Report | Stadium: Cockrams Attendance: 356 |
Final
| 27 April | A.F.C. Stoneham | 0–1 | Shaftesbury | Eastleigh |
| 15:00 | Report | Stadium: Stoneham Football Complex Attendance: 534 |
Stadia and locations
Location of the clubs in the 2023–24 Wessex Football League Premier Division (Dorset)
Location of the clubs in the 2023–24 Wessex Football League Premier Division (Hampshire)
| Club | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| A.F.C. Portchester | Fareham | Wicor Recreation Ground | |
| A.F.C. Stoneham | Eastleigh | Stoneham Lane Football Complex | 1,000 |
| Andover New Street | Charlton | Foxcotte Park | 1,000 |
| Baffins Milton Rovers | Portsmouth | PMC Stadium | |
| Blackfield & Langley | Fawley | Gang Warily Recreation Centre | 2,500 |
| Bournemouth | Bournemouth | Victoria Park | 3,000 |
| Brockenhurst | Brockenhurst | Grigg Lane | 2,000 |
| Christchurch | Hurn | Hurn Bridge Sports Club | 2,000 |
| Cowes Sports | Cowes | Westwood Park | 2,000 |
| Fareham Town | Fareham | Cams Alder Stadium | 5,500 |
| Hamble Club | Hamble-le-Rice | Hamble Community Facility | |
| Hythe & Dibden | Dibden | Clayfields Sport Centre | 1,000 |
| Laverstock & Ford | Laverstock | Church Road | |
| Lymington Town | Lymington | The Sports Ground | 1,000 |
| Moneyfields | Portsmouth | John Jenkins Stadium | 1,180 |
| Petersfield Town | Petersfield | The Southdown Builders Stadium | 3,000 |
| Portland United | Portland | Camp and Satherley Stadium | 2,000 |
| Shaftesbury | Shaftesbury | Cockrams | 1,000 |
| Sherborne Town | Sherborne | Raleigh Grove | 1,150 |
| United Services Portsmouth | Portsmouth | Victory Stadium | 1,000 |
Division One
Division One was increased to 21 clubs from 20 after Andover New Street and Petersfield Town were promoted to the Premier Division, and Fleet Spurs and Amesbury Town were relegated.
Five new teams joined the division:
- One relegated from the Premier Division:
- One relegated and transferred from the Combined Counties League Premier Division South:
- Two transferred from the Combined Counties League Division One:
- One promoted from the Hampshire Premier League:
- Downton were promoted on a PPG (points per game) basis despite losing the play-off final.[4]
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hamworthy Recreation (C, P) | 40 | 32 | 4 | 4 | 143 | 41 | +102 | 100 | Promoted to the Premier Division |
| 2 | Millbrook (O, P) | 40 | 31 | 1 | 8 | 152 | 53 | +99 | 94 | |
| 3 | Downton (P) | 40 | 29 | 7 | 4 | 121 | 44 | +77 | 94 | Promoted (PPG) to the Premier Division |
| 4 | Alresford Town | 40 | 24 | 9 | 7 | 108 | 56 | +52 | 81 | Qualification for the play-offs |
| 5 | Fleetlands | 40 | 22 | 9 | 9 | 91 | 52 | +39 | 75 | |
| 6 | East Cowes Victoria Athletic | 40 | 23 | 6 | 11 | 90 | 52 | +38 | 75 | |
| 7 | Cove | 40 | 20 | 6 | 14 | 91 | 89 | +2 | 66 | |
| 8 | Folland Sports | 40 | 19 | 7 | 14 | 78 | 75 | +3 | 64 | |
| 9 | Clanfield | 40 | 16 | 9 | 15 | 93 | 67 | +26 | 57 | |
| 10 | Romsey Town | 40 | 15 | 9 | 16 | 95 | 74 | +21 | 54 | |
| 11 | Fawley | 40 | 16 | 6 | 18 | 54 | 69 | −15 | 54 | |
| 12 | Newport (IOW) | 40 | 15 | 7 | 18 | 66 | 74 | −8 | 52 | |
| 13 | Whitchurch United | 40 | 15 | 7 | 18 | 80 | 113 | −33 | 52 | |
| 14 | Verwood Town | 40 | 14 | 6 | 20 | 69 | 85 | −16 | 48 | |
| 15 | Totton & Eling | 40 | 14 | 5 | 21 | 54 | 99 | −45 | 47 | |
| 16 | Ringwood Town | 40 | 11 | 10 | 19 | 74 | 90 | −16 | 43 | |
| 17 | Ash United | 40 | 9 | 9 | 22 | 74 | 93 | −19 | 36 | |
| 18 | Frimley Green | 40 | 10 | 3 | 27 | 58 | 118 | −60 | 33 | |
| 19 | New Milton Town | 40 | 9 | 6 | 25 | 49 | 114 | −65 | 33 | Reprieved from relegation |
| 20 | A.F.C. Aldermaston | 40 | 6 | 1 | 33 | 50 | 124 | −74 | 19 | |
| 21 | Andover Town (R) | 40 | 6 | 1 | 33 | 45 | 153 | −108 | 19[a] | Relegated to Hampshire Premier League |
Source: Wessex Leagues
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
- ^ 14 October 2023 – Romsey Town 2–3 Andover Town was voided after Andover were found to have fielded an ineligible player. The match was replayed on 19 March 2024, with Romsey winning 4–1.
Promotion playoffs
| Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||
| 2 | Millbrook | 5 | |||||||
| 5 | Fleetlands | 1 | |||||||
| 2 | Millbrook | 3 | |||||||
| 3 | Downton | 1 | |||||||
| 3 | Downton | 2 | |||||||
| 4 | Alresford Town | 0 | |||||||
Semifinals
| 30 April | Millbrook | 5–1 | Fleetlands | Southampton |
| 19:45 | Barker 3', White 14' 19' 84', O'Connell 60' |
Report | Wrapson 66' |
Stadium: Test Park Attendance: 229 |
| 1 May | Downton | 2–0 | Alresford Town | Downton |
| 19:45 | Smith , Osman |
Stadium: Brian Whitehead Sports Ground Attendance: 312 |
Final
| 4 May | Millbrook | 3–1 | Downton | Southampton |
| 15:00 | White 33' (pen.), 43', Krysztofowicz 82' |
Report | Davies 3' |
Stadium: Test Park Attendance: 532 |
Stadia and locations
Location of the clubs in the 2023–24 Wessex Football League Division One
| Club | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| A.F.C. Aldermaston | Aldermaston | Waterside Park (groundshare with Thatcham Town) | 1,500 |
| Alresford Town | New Alresford | Arlebury Park | 1,000 |
| Andover Town | Andover | Portway Stadium | 3,000 |
| Ash United | Ash | Shawfield Road | 2,500 |
| Clanfield | Havant | Westleigh Park (groundshare with Havant & Waterlooville) | 5,300 |
| Cove | Farnborough | Squirrel Lane | |
| Downton | Downton | Brian Whitehead Sports Ground | 2,000 |
| East Cowes Victoria | East Cowes | Beatrice Avenue | 1,000 |
| Fawley | Holbury | Waterside Sports & Social Club | 1,000 |
| Fleetlands | Gosport | DARA Fleetlands | 1,000 |
| Folland Sports | Hamble-le-Rice | Folland Park | 1,000 |
| Frimley Green | Frimley Green | Frimley Green Recreation Ground | 2,000 |
| Hamworthy Recreation | Wimborne | Magna Road | 1,500 |
| Millbrook | Southampton | Test Park | 1,000 |
| New Milton Town | New Milton | Fawcetts Field | 3,000 |
| Newport (IOW) | Newport | Beatrice Avenue (groundshare with East Cowes Victoria) | 1,000 |
| Ringwood Town | Ringwood | Long Lane | 1,000 |
| Romsey Town | Romsey | Southampton Road | |
| Totton & Eling | Southampton | Little Testwood Farm | 1,500 |
| Verwood Town | Verwood | Potterne Park | 1,000 |
| Whitchurch United | Whitchurch | Longmeadow | 1,000 |
References
- ^ "REVEALED: Club allocations 2023-24 announced by The FA". The Non-League Football Paper. 15 May 2023.
- ^ "STEP 5 TO 4 PROMOTION/RELEGATION UPDATE". The FA. 16 March 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
- ^ "Club Statement: Christchurch and Lymington Town Fixtures". Baffins Milton Rovers F.C. 20 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ "THE FA RELEASES NATIONAL LEAGUE SYSTEM CLUB ALLOCATIONS FOR STEPS 1-6 IN 2024-25 TERM". The FA. 17 May 2024.