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.

Meanwhile in a 20-team line-up in Division One, we welcome Blandford United (Dorset Premier League) and Hedge End Rangers (Hampshire Premier League) following their respective promotions, while Sandhurst Town make a lateral switch from the Combined Counties Division One.


New Milton Town are relegated from the Premier Division, while Totton & Eling go once again after a reprieve.


We say goodbye to Yateley United who are moved into the the Combined Counties Premier following their Division One play-off success, with Amesbury Town and Clanfield also making lateral moves to the Western League and Southern Combination League respectively.


US Portsmouth and Blackfield & Langley drop out of the NLS, to be placed in a Regional Feeder Leagues, to be confirmed.


NLS CONSTITUTIONS - STEPS 1-6 - FULL LIST

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.
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.
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.
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
April 26, 2026
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.
April 23, 2026
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.
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