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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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

Portland United will be playing Step 4 football for the first time in the club's history, after coming through a penalty shoot-out to defeat Laverstock & Ford. A crowd of 810 at the Camp & Satherley Stadium witnessed a closely fought encounter between third and fifth which ended in stalemate after extra time.

Laverstock & Ford will visit Portland United in the battle for Step 4 after both Premier Division sides came through their respective play-off ties. Lavvy fought out a 2-2 draw at runners-up, Hamble Club on Tuesday night, before coming out on top 6-7 in a tense penalty shoot-out.

Fleetlands are the Velocity Wessex League Division One champions for 2025/26, following their 3-1 midweek success over Cove at Powder Monkey Park. 

Hamble Club secured their spot in the Velocity Wessex League Cup final with a thumping 7-0 victory over Wincanton Town on Tuesday night. The 2023/24 winners made it a third consecutive final with seven different scorers, having also recently secured their spot in the Premier Division play-offs. The Monks will face AFC Stoneham who beat Cowes Sports 3-0 - at Downton FC on May 4 (3pm) to determine the silverware.

AFC Stoneham are champions of the Velocity Wessex League Premier Division, following their midweek victory at Bemerton Heath Harlequins. WESSEX LEAGUE - TABLES A Duarte Martins (pictured) double, added to by Tyrrell Sampson secured a 3-1 success in Wiltshire for James Phillips' side, to banish their play-off heartache of the previous two seasons.

AFC Stoneham are off to Wembley for the first time in their history after completing a 6-1 aggregate victory over Hallam in their FA Vase semi-final. Captain, Alex Welch scored twice in the first half and came agonisingly close to completing a hat-trick in added time. Tyrell Sampson did find a third midway through the second period, as the Purps took the second leg 3-1 in front of a club record gate of 851 at Stoneham Lane.

The Isuzu FA Vase semi-final draw has seen Velocity Wessex League leaders, AFC Stoneham, paired with Bristol-based Hallen. 

The Velocity Wessex League 2026 AGM will be held at AFC Totton, Snows Stadium, Salisbury Road, Totton, Southampton, SO40 2RW on Saturday, 20th June 2026 commencing at 11.00am. Clubs have one vote each and should be represented by the Chairman, Secretary and Team Manager or their deputies, plus an optional additional Club Representative is allowed to attend if required. Please be reminded of FA Rule 2.26 which states "Any Club failing to be represented throughout an Annual General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given will be fined in accordance with the Fines Tariff." The Agenda and any supporting documents will be circulated to member Clubs nearer the time.

AFC Stoneham held their nerve to edge-out Haywards Heath Town on penalties and reach the FA Vase quarter finals for the first time. Duarte Martins put the Purps ahead early in the second half, before the hosts levelled through Henry Watson with six minutes remaining in front of 674 at Hanbury Park Stadium. However, Martins scored the decisive spot kick to continue Stoneham's run in the competition, and join fellow Wessex side, Downton in the last eight. Stoneham's victory sets-up a tie against United Counties League Premier Division South side, Coventry United. Downton meanwhile are also just two wins away from Wembley, reaching the quarter finals last week in beating Lymore Gardens 3-0 - they travel to SCEFL Premier Division side, Punjab United - ties to be played on February 28. Photo: Tommy McMillan

Grassroots football clubs across the country are preparing for one of the most anticipated days in the non-league calendar as Non-League Day 2026 on Saturday, March 28 . The annual event, founded in 2010 by James Doe to celebrate and promote community-run football, is designed to fall on a weekend during the football international break — giving fans of Premier League and Football League clubs without fixtures the chance to explore non-league action. Non-League Day encourages supporters to head to local grounds up and down the country to watch live matches, meet volunteers who run their local clubs and experience the unique atmosphere of grassroots football. Find Wessex League Fixtures On Non-League Day With hundreds of fixtures traditionally taking place at Step 1–6 levels of the football pyramid, clubs often use the day to offer special incentives such as reduced admission prices and community activities to draw in new fans. For many clubs, Non-League Day is more than just a matchday — it’s a chance to spotlight the heart and soul of English football, where volunteer efforts and local pride keep the game thriving far from television lights. Organisers and club officials alike are expected to unveil specific fixtures, offers and events in the weeks leading up to the event. As anticipation builds toward March 28, the non-league community is gearing up for a celebration of football in its purest form — one that brings supporters together, strengthens club-town bonds and champions the grassroots game at every level.

Downton swept aside Eastern Counties League side, Lymore Gardens 3-0 to reach the last eight of the Isuzu FA Vase for the first time in the club's history. Sam Davidson gave the Robins the lead just before the break (photo below), before Brett Pitman's header made it two, four minutes into the second half.

The Velocity Wessex League are pleased to announce that the annual Football related Trade Show and General Meeting will be held at Eastleigh FC, Silverlake Stadium, Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh, SO50 9HT on Thursday, March 26, 2026 from 6-9pm. The event will be similar to last year's format with hopefully an increase in the number of football related exhibitors for Club representatives to talk to and discuss their requirements. A General Meeting will commence at 7.30pm, all Clubs must attend with each Club expected to send up to three delegates, two of whom should be the Chairman and Secretary, the Agenda will be distributed nearer the time. A complimentary buffet will be provided and each Club will be given a free Velocity Wessex League match ball on departure.

The annual Football v Homophobia Month of Action will be held in February 2026, in what is also LGBT+ History Month; every year, hundreds of FvH Champions amplify the anti-discrimination campaign’s message; find out why and how you can be part of it. Sign up for the FvH Month of Action here ‘Football for Everyone’ – it’s a simple message, but one that bears repeating. Since 2010, this has been the slogan of the Football v Homophobia campaign, which raises awareness of the damage caused by discrimination at all levels of the game. February is the annual FvH Month of Action , during which clubs, leagues, teams, fan groups and organisations are encouraged to focus their efforts and make a difference. Hundreds sign up to be FvH Champions at this time every year to help amplify the campaign’s message and reaffirm a commitment to creating safe and welcoming football spaces for all. See the list of 2025 Champions here , and those who have so far signed up to be 2026 Champions . Everyone can play their part. FvH makes free resources and assets available, and you can purchase items including T-shirts, flags, match balls, captains’ armbands and badges from the FvH Shop . So why is Football v Homophobia an important initiative to support in 2026? Here are 10 reasons why stepping up to be an FvH Champion makes sense…