The Football Association has now confirmed the National League System club allocations for the 2025/26 season, and Hoddesdon Town FC will once again compete in the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties Football League Division One South.

The league lineup sees a familiar core of clubs retained, but also welcomes several changes through promotion, relegation, and reprieves that are set to shake things up in the new campaign.

A total of 20 teams will compete in the division next season. AS London, Rayleigh Town and Hutton all finished strongly last term and made the play offs, so will return with promotion ambitions, while newcomers and reshuffled sides are expected to bring fresh challenges.

So who have we lost?

Harlow Town go up to the Spartan Premier Division as league champions and Hackney Wick, after their play-off win move up to the Essex Senior League Premier Division.

Also leaving us are St Margaretsbury FC who have been relegated to Step 7. It is a blow for both them and us, with the local derby always an intense affair. Despite the local rivalry, we have many friends at the Stanstead Abbotts based club and we wish them all the very best for the new season and hope to see them back at Step 6 where they belong, in the not too distant future.

Despite finishing in the relegation zone, both Southend Manor and Newbury Forest have been handed a reprieve and will continue to ply their trade in the Eastern Counties Division One South.

Retaining their Step 6 status and continuing in the league from last season are Barkingside, AS London, Basildon Town, Brimsdown, Burnham Ramblers, Cannons Wood, Coggeshall Town, Dunmow Town, Enfield Borough, FC Baresi, Hutton, May & Baker, Newbury Forest, NW London, Rayleigh Town and Southen Manor.

Having lost three teams, two to promotion and one to relegation, we need three teams to take their place. Therefore, FC Romania and Stansted drop into the division following relegation.

FC Romania finished rock bottom of the Spartan Premier Division and will look to rebuild after a horror show this season. A record of P34 W6 D7 L21 F38 A72 GD-34 and just 25 points on the board, confirmed their exit from Step 5.

John Pike, who became manager only in December, appears to have left the club following relegation. As part of the rebuild, Rak Hudson was recently announced as new manager for the upcoming season. He has previously managed Edgware and Kingsbury FC.

A spokesman stated 'The club has been tracking Rak for a few years, and after long discussions on how we move the club forward, we were very impressed with what the future holds under his leadership...'

There may be some familiar faces on show when Hoddesdon meet FC Romania for the new season.

Former Lilywhite Narcis Filip made appearances for the Cheshunt based side last season, as did Daniel Acquaye, although it is not known at this time whether they will be playing for FC Romania for the new season.

Also, ex Hoddesdon Town goalkeeper and fan favourite Kieron Extence, has been named as part of the new coaching staff. Extence played a key role in the Hoddesdon squad for a number of seasons, performing brilliantly for both the first team and the reserves, including being an integral part of the record breaking side that lifted three consecutive Floodlit Cup's for the Lilywhites

The new gaffer was quoted as saying 'Kieron is a trusted, level-headed member of my management team, and I'm delighted he has agreed to join me at FC Romania for this exciting project. Kieron can work with both the outfield players and GKs and is a huge asset for us...'

We look forward to catching up with Kieron when the two sides meet.

A recent social media post advertising a First Team Trial Day at the end of June suggests that the side are looking for new blood as they transition into life at Step 6.

Stansted FC finished second bottom of the Essex Senior League Premier Division and have also been relegated to Step 6.

Their league record last season read P38 W6 D9 L23 GD-45 with 27 points on the board meaning their campaign ultimately ended in disappointment. Having yo-yo'd between leagues in recent seasons, bouncing from the Essex Senior, to the Spartan League and back again, it's yet another new league for the 'Airport Army' to get to grips with.

Hoddesdon hosted Stansted in a pre season friendly in late July, prior to the start of last season and the Hargrave Park side ran out 3-0 winners on that occasion, but we hope things will be a little tighter when the sides meet for a competitive league fixture.

Completing the division are Essex Alliance League Senior Division champions Philip United.

Formed in 2023, not much is known about the Barking based side, who play their home games at Redbridge FC's Oakside Stadium. At the time of writing, no website, Instagram, Facebook or X account can be found for the side. The did however win the Step 7 title with relative ease, recording a league record of P30 W25 D0 L5 F125 A44 GD+81 with 75 points on the board, beating their nearest rivals by 7 points. They enjoyed record season, scoring hatfuls of goals & equalling the record points tally of 75, held jointly with Brimsdown FC.

FC Baresi came to the league last season via the same route but Philip will be hoping they can improve on the 14th placed finish achieved by Baresi this year.

The danger man is clearly forward Tamas Retyi, who recorded 32 goals in 32 appearances for the team. He was top goalscorer in the league in the 22/23 season and finished runner up to Dylan Roberts of Lymore Gardens FC for the 23/24 campaign.

Hoddesdon Town will look to build on last season's progress, where an eight placed finish provided a platform for growth under the stewardship of the club’s management team. With the Lilywhites retaining their place among strong competition, the 2025/26 season promises to be an exciting and competitive campaign.

Eastern Counties Football League Division One South:

• Barkingside
• Basildon Town
• Brimsdown
• Burnham Ramblers
• Cannons Wood
• Coggeshall Town
• Dunmow Town
• Enfield Borough
• FC Baresi
• FC Romania (Relegated from Step 5)
• Hoddesdon Town
• Hutton
• May & Baker EC
• Newbury Forest (Reprieved)
• NW London
• Park View
• Philip United (Promoted)
• Rayleigh Town
• Southend Manor (Reprieved)
• Stansted (Relegated from Step 6)

The club would like to thank all supporters, players, and staff for their continued backing. Fixtures for the new season are expected in the coming weeks, and we’ll bring you full updates as soon as they are confirmed.

We can't wait to get going!

#COYL