A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

December 22, 2024

As we come to the end of my first six months as the chair of the Velocity Wessex League, it is time to reflect on the season 2024-25 so far.


The weather has been kind to us so far and most clubs have completed close to half of their league programme. Both the Premier Division and Division One have competitive battles at both the top and bottom of the tables and I am sure that the race for the title and play-off positions will be interesting right up to the final games.


Special congratulations are offered to the three teams that remain in the FA Vase, namely AFC Stoneham, Andover New Street and Fareham Town. Whilst they all face difficult away ties on January 11, everyone in the League wishes them well and hope they can carry the Velocity Wessex League flag into the next round.


Off the field, focus for clubs will have to be achieving FA ground accreditation by March 31, 2025. There is the threat of relegation for clubs that do not achieve accreditation, and the league do not want to lose any club on this basis, so please can I ask clubs to focus on getting the required work finished in good time so that promotion and relegation is only decided as it should be, on the field.


If you require any assistance regarding ground accreditation, please do not hesitate to contact Ian Harley or myself.


As we reach the end of 2024, I would like to thank my fellow league officers for the work they do on behalf of the league, and the time spent and knowledge they have to offer clubs does not go unnoticed.


I would particularly like to thank the league secretary Steve Smith for his work and dedication to the role, and he has helped make my transition into the Chairman’s role go smoothly. As I thank the officers, I would like to pay tribute to the League President Dennis Challis who sadly passed away following a short illness recently.


Dennis was a font of knowledge and support for me, and our thoughts are with his wife Val and his family at this time.


I also thank and acknowledge the support of Joe, Will and the team at Velocity Sports, our main sponsor. Without their financial backing it would make running the league harder for both the league officers and clubs.


I would also like to thank all club officers and volunteers for the work that they do to keep all clubs functioning to the standard required of a club within the FA’s National League System, it is appreciated.


Finally, I would like to wish everyone in the Velocity Wessex League 'family' a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2025.



Nick Taplin

Chairman

Velocity Wessex League

PLAY-OFFS 2025/26

October 13, 2025
We can confirm play-off dates for 2025/26 are as follows: PREMIER DIVISION Last game of the season Saturday, 18th April 2nd v 5th - Tuesday, 21st April (7.45pm k.o) 3rd v 4th - Wednesday, 22nd April (7.45pm k.o) FINAL - Saturday, 25th April (3pm k.o) DIVISION ONE Last game of the season Saturday, 25th April 2nd v 5th - Tuesday, 28th April (7.45pm k.o) 3rd v 4th - Wednesday, 29th April (7.45pm k.o) FINAL - Saturday, 2nd May (3pm k.o) As normal in the play-offs, play-off ties will take place at the ground of the club finishing highest in the regular season.

BILLY VIGAR - IN MEMORIUM

September 26, 2025
The Velocity Wessex League extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and team mates of Billy Vigar, following the 21-year-old's recent passing. The former Arsenal academy striker was placed into an induced coma after suffering a serious brain injury while playing for Chichester City FC, and tragically passed away in hospital. We fully support member clubs who wish to observe a minute of silence - or applause - ahead of their games this weekend, as a mark of respect and in tribute to Billy.

FA VASE FIRST ROUND DRAW

September 23, 2025
The draw for the first round of the Isuzu FA Vase has taken place with our 14 remaining Wessex League sides featuring as follows: AFC Aldermaston v Infinity Amesbury Town v Highworth Town Bearsted v Cowes Sports Bridgwater United v Hythe & Dibden Cirencester Town v Millbrook Cove v Snodland Town Downton v Sidmouth Town Ivybridge v Totton & Eling Malmesbury Victoria v Portland United Penzance v Hamworthy Recreation Reading City v Baffins Milton Rovers Sherborne Town v Hamworthy United Whitchurch United v Windsor & Eton Ties to be played on Saturday, October 18. Prize money of £825 goes to the round winners, with £250 to the losing sides. The full draw can be viewed here . Article Photo: Baffins Milton Rovers and Hythe & Dibden both face away tasks in the Vase draw at Reading City and Bridgwater Town respectively (Photo: Ian Grainger)

AUGUST - CLUBS OF THE MONTH

September 15, 2025
Laverstock & Ford are our Premier Division 'Club of the Month' for August, following their exploits in the FA Cup, with progression into the second round qualifying. Liam McConnell's side also enjoyed progression in the FA Vase with victory at US Portsmouth, and commenced their League campaign with a 5-0 success over Baffins Milton Rovers.

LAVVY RELISH FA CUP DERBY DRAW

September 1, 2025
Laverstock & Ford fly the Velocity Wessex League flag in the Emirates FA Cup, with the Bulldog's 2-1 win at Hythe & Dibden earning a local derby against Salisbury in the second round qualifying. Liam McConnell's side came from behind to advance - and equal the club's best ever season in the Cup - courtesy of strikes from Archie Lovegrove and Chae Sykes which cancelled out Ollie Davies free-kick for the hosts. LISTEN - HEAR LIAM MCCONNELL'S FA CUP REACTION ON THE WESSEX LEAGUE PODCAST

HYTHE FACE BULLDOGS IN FA CUP

August 18, 2025
Hythe & Dibden will host Laverstock & Ford in an intriguing all-Wessex League tie, after the Premier Division rivals were drawn together in the FA Cup first round qualifying. It's a third home outing on the spin for Hythe, who have already dispatched fellow Wessex League sides Portland United and New Milton Town on their own patch to reach this stage for only the second time. Meanwhile the Bulldogs needed a replay and penalties to edge past Cowes Sports in the extra preliminary stage, before an impressive 2-0 victory on the road at former Wessex League champions, Horndean - now plying their trade in the Isthmian South Central. Laverstock have reached the first round qualifying in three of the last four seasons - and will be looking to emulate 2022/23 when they went one better, bowing out at the second round qualifying stage by a single goal at Taunton Town. AFC Stoneham are our third representative in the draw - they travel to Southern League Premier South side, Hungerford Town, following home victories over Fleet Town and Paulton Rovers (main picture). The Purps have also previously reached a club-best of the second round qualifying in each of the last two campaigns, with identical 1-7 defeats at higher-ranked Yeovil Town and Salisbury, respectively. Winners of the ties on August 30 will receive £2,250, with the losers netting £750. FA CUP - FIRST ROUND QUALIFYING - DRAW IN FULL Article Photo: Robin Caddy
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