Your Favourite Isthmian food 25-26

There was a time when the image conjured up by football food was one of flaccid burgers and chips and undercooked pies, but those days are long behind us, particularly if you are a fan of a club in the Pitching In Isthmian League. These days you’re as likely to be offered a gourmet burger, triple fried or even katsu chips, halloumi, pizza or even shepherd’s pie!

We’ve never had so many different clubs nominated for our foodie award as has been the case this season. Let’s take a look at the results:

The following clubs saw their food offerings highly commended: 

Crowborough Athletic (particularly that shepherd’s pie), Hendon, Sheppey United, Potters Bar Town, Margate, Dartford, Hartley Wintney, Ascot United, Chichester City, Wingate & Finchley, Folkestone Invicta, Burgess Hill Town, Whitehawk and Southall.

Our runners up were Pitching In South East side East Grinstead Town, who saw their burgers singled out for particular praise.

And then, for the first time, and even after a recount, we ended up with joint winners:

Stand up and take a bow, Tilbury and Dulwich Hamlet!

Tilbury have won this award a number of times- indeed, they are the current holders- so their large number of votes comes as no surprise. We envy the travelling North Division supporters who get to eat there twice a year, and of course we envy the Dockers and Grays fans who get to eat there at least once a fortnight!

Dulwich Hamlet were highly commended last year, and this time around they have surged to the top to share the Tilbury crown. Champion Hill has fine pies, fabulous greek food and lots of pizza; indeed it’s like visiting the very best fusion restaurant in town, only with far more noise (and, we suspect, longer queues!). 

Many congratulations to the Dockers and Hamlet- and very well done to all of the other clubs nominated. We suspect the vote will be closer still next season.