AGM ROUND-UP

June 11, 2023

Our AGM at Eastleigh FC's Brooks Suite on Saturday, confirmed Bob Purkiss as the new Chairman of the Wessex League - he steps-up from Vice Chairman to replace Nick Spencer at the helm, who is moving to Spain.


All the at the Wessex League would like to pass on their sincere thanks to Nick for his service to the Wessex League, and we wish him and his family all the very best in their new chapter abroad.


Referees Secretary, Nick Taplin was voted in as Vice Chairman.


Our 2023/24 constitution was also ratified, while the draw for the opening two rounds of the 23/24 League Cup was made.


The 23/24 season start date was confirmed as August 1 for the Premier Division, and August 5 for Division One (*unless FA Cup clash).


The FA subsequently confirmed season end dates for Steps 5-6 as April 27, with play-offs concluded by Monday, May 6.



Season fixtures are being planned for release by the end of June.


The minimum adult admission fee for Wessex League fixtures will remain at £6.


Presentations from both match ball and team wear partner, MJM Sports and EcoClub - our floodlight partner - were also made, alongside prize presentations from the 2022/23 season:


Club of the Month - March

Premier Division: Portland United

Division One: Andover New Street


Club of the Month - April

Premier Division: Bemerton Heath Harlequins

Division One: Petersfield Town


Best Programme Award

Premier Division: Portland United

Division One: Andover New Street


MJM Sports/ Kappa Respect Awards


Premier Division:

1st - Horndean

2nd - AFC Stoneham

3rd - Laverstock & Ford


Division One:

1st - Ringwood Town

2nd - Petersfield Town

3rd - Fawley AFC


Alf Peckham Trophy Winners

Ringwood Town


Wessex League Cup Winners

Baffins Milton Rovers


Premier Division

Champions - Horndean

2nd - Bemerton Heath Harlequins

3rd - AFC Stoneham

4th - AFC Portchester


Division One

Champions - Andover New Street

2nd - Newport (IOW)

3rd - New Milton Town

4th - Hamworthy Recreation


Division One Play Off Winners

Petersfield Town


Article Photo: Tom Mulholland/ Eastleigh FC

VASE GLORY FOR STONEHAM

May 17, 2026
AFC Stoneham capped a historic campaign by beating Cockfosters in the Isuzu FA Vase final at Wembley Stadium. The Velocity Wessex League Premier Division champions triumphed 4-2 on penalties, after a ninety minutes of deadlock to conclude a quite remarkable season for James Phillips' side that yielded a total of four trophies.

CONSTITUTION - 2026/27

May 14, 2026
The FA have released NLS club allocations for Steps 1-6 (subject to appeal) for the 2026/27 season. It sees a return to the Wessex League Premier Division for Bashley, Fareham Town and Horndean - all rejoining us following their respective Step 4 relegations. Fleetlands make the step-up as champions of Division One, while Sturminster Newton United also feature following a lateral move from the Western League. Last season's champions, AFC Stoneham (Isthmian South Central) and runners-up, Portland United (Southern League South) have their promotions rubber-stamped. Wincanton Town are reprieved from relegation and take their place once more in the 22-team Premier Division.

PURPS ADD CUP DOUBLE

May 12, 2026
AFC Stoneham completed a quick-fire cup double to add to their Premier Division title, with victories in the Russell Cotes Cup and Southampton Senior Cups.

RAMS UPSET ROYALS IN PSC FINAL

May 9, 2026
Petersfield Town clinched the Portsmouth Senior Cup following a tense penalty shoot-out victory over AFC Portchester, on Friday night. Gav Spurway's Royals may wonder how this one got away, with the Isthmian South Central play-off side having the lions share of possession, while the Petersfield goal increasingly lived a charmed life as the game progressed.

MONKS LEAGUE CUP TRIUMPH

May 4, 2026
Hamble Club celebrated their second Velocity Wessex League Cup in three years after defeating Premier Division champions, AFC Stoneham by the odd goal in five at Downton on Bank Holiday Monday. Tyrrell Sampson put the Purps in the ascendency after fifteen, but it was short-lived as Matt Casey drilled home from the edge of the box shortly after to draw level. CUP FINAL - PROGRAMME DOWNLOAD Duarte Martins made no mistake from a loose ball to restore Stoneham's advantage going into the interval, before substitute, Chase Michel restored parity for a second time just before the hour mark with his first touch of the game.

YATELEY MARCH TO STEP 5

May 3, 2026
Yateley United's rise continued on Saturday, as they reached Step 5 for the first time in the club's short history in emphatic fashion, with 6-1 victory over Whitchurch United. A Wessex League season best crowd of 908 witnessed the Division One play-off final at Yateley's Sean Devereux Park - a venue hosting Step 7 football as recently as 2022/23 in the Thames Valley Premier. Read more in our latest Wessex Post Newsletter Both sides came through their respective midweek play-off semi-finals against Colden Common (2-1) and Folland Sports (0-1) respectively, but Yateley prevailed in the final courtesy of Lynford Sackey (2), Harvey Seeman, Tyler Robinson - and two in the closing moments from Josh Blackwood and Callum Scott to add gloss. James Batchelor's netted Whitchurch's reply with fifteen to go, to reduce the arrears to 3-1, but almost immediately after, Robinson restored the host's three-goal advantage. Our congratulations to Yateley United on your achievement, and commiserations to Whitchurch United. Photo: Greg Dickson
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