Welcome- and welcome back!

With the 25-26 Pitching In Isthmian season heading to its exciting climax, thoughts also turn to who may be joining us next season. Of course those decisions are out of our control as the FA will decide on allocations, but we thought we’d take a look at the clubs who might be coming our way next season- a list which includes a collection of old friends. Let's start by looking at promotion. 

We’ll start in a rather unusual location, the Spartan South Midlands Premier. Now clearly we don’t normally cover the South Midlands, but then Haringey Borough (pictured, courtesy of the club) certainly don’t reside there, and they have clinched that title nonetheless! Congratulations to all at the club, we’ve missed the joie de vivre that you bring, and- so long as the FA don’t decide otherwise- it’ll be very good to see you again. Oh, and good luck in the Cup Final!

The Play Offs will be contested between Winslow United, who finished behind Borough only on goal difference, Risborough Rangers, Cockfosters and Kings Langley. 

We also have some old friends returning to us (given where they are based there doesn’t seem to be an alternative) from Southern Counties East Premier. Whitstable Town have brushed aside all opposition and, going into the last round of fixtures this weekend are nineteen points clear at the top of the table, having been confirmed as champions weeks ago. Congratulations, Oysterboys! The battle to come up with them will be between Fisher, and, as this is still to be decided, Larkfield New Hythe, Rusthall, Bearsted or Punjab United, the last four of those still fighting over the last final play off places.

Coincidentally, we’re sad to see that Hythe Town have been relegated for the second season in a row. 

Combined Counties Premier North has a familiar name as champions, and our congratulations go to Ashford Town, who have won the title by six points. The Tangerines have had a superb season, and might well be heading our way once more; whilst the sides fighting in the Play Offs will be Broadfields United, Windsor & Eton, Ardley United and Burnham. 

Combined Counties Premier South has seen Cobham charge to the title- indeed, they’ve triumphed by twenty points. They will be joined at Step Four by one of Tadley Calleva, our old friends at Tooting & Mitcham United, Fleet Town or Horley Town.

The Eastern Counties Premier has seen a runaway triumph for Mulbarton Wanderers, who finished twenty one points clear of their nearest challengers. Mulbarton, for those unfamiliar with the geography, is a few miles outside Norwich- perhaps they might have a derby with Wroxham to look forward to next season, although the Yachtsmen haven’t yet given up on being a Division higher by then! Haverhill Rovers, Ely City, Soham Town Rangers and Fakenham Town will compete in the Play Offs.

The Essex Senior League title race will go down to the final day. Little Oakley are in pole position, two points clear at the top, but they might need a win against Basildon United on Saturday to be sure, as goal difference between themselves and second place Soul Tower Hamlets is rather tight. Hamlets are on the road to ninth place Halstead Town. 

The Play Offs, barring a mathematical miracle, will be contested by one of the top two along with a couple of familiar names, Great Wakering Rovers and Barking, and Buckhurst Hill. 

By the way, and in case you weren't aware, Little Oakley is a few miles inland from Harwich. 

Two rather familiar names are still fighting over the Southern Combination Premier title. Steyning Town will be champions if they can take at least a point as they travel to Seaford Town, who are comfortably in mid table, whilst second place Haywards Heath Town will be on the road to sixth place Eastbourne United. Heath will hope that their hosts are preparing for their holidays after missing out on the Play Offs, which will be contested by one of the top two and Guernsey, Horsham YM and Peacehaven and Telscombe. Of course, Isthmian watchers will be familiar with four of the top five, and may well have visited Horsham YM during their period as landlords for Horsham. 

The Wessex League Premier Division title has been clinched by AFC Stoneham, who are well clear of the pack. Stoneham play their home matches a short take off from Southampton Airport, so we suspect they’ll head in a Southern direction, but we have had former Wessex League clubs head our way in the past. The Play Offs will be contested by Hamble Club (also based fairly close to Southampton), Portland United (who we can predict certainly won’t be coming to us whatever the outcome!), Andover New Street and Laverstock and Ford (near Salisbury). 

Many congratulations to all of the champions, and the very best of luck to the sides competing in the Play Offs. We’re sure we’ll see quite a number of you in August!

Occasionally our top flight inherits sides who are promoted from Pitching In Southern Division One Central, although we suspect it is unlikely on this occasion. Leighton Town of Leighton Buzzard are the champions, whilst Hitchin Town, Biggleswade and Biggleswade Town will definitely compete in the Play Offs, along with either Thame United or Hertford Town. United are three points clear of Town but have a tricky trip to Hitchin on Saturday, whilst Town- who of course are former Isthmians- travel to take on Aylesbury United, who are comfortably in mid table and playing only for pride. Town have a much better goal difference so will be praying for victory for themselves and Hitchin. 

Commiserations go particularly to Enfield, Rayners Lane and Northwood, each of whom have been relegated from this Division to Step Five. 

Now, the sadder stories. Often we inherit sides relegated from the two Pitching In Southern Premier Divisions, and we suspect we might be seeing AFC Sudbury once more, the Yellows currently bottom of the Central Division and destined to finish in the bottom two. The other relegated sides are St Ives Town, Barwell and Royston Town, who we suspect won’t come our way. 

We also, of course, regularly inherit sides relegated from National League South. On this occasion that looks likely to be Eastbourne Borough, who have finished bottom of the pile, and Enfield Town, who could yet finish in any of the three other positions but who have seen relegation confirmed. Bath City and Chippenham Town are the other relegated sides.