2023–24 Combined Counties Football League

The 2023–24 Combined Counties Football League season (known as the 2023–24 Cherry Red Records Combined Counties Football League for sponsorship reasons) was the 46th in the history of the Combined Counties Football League, a football competition in England. The league consists of four divisions for the first time, with a new Division Two being added to the Premier North, the Premier South and Division One. Division Two (details beyond the scope of this article) is intended largely for reserve and U23 sides, although it is also open to first teams.[1]

Combined Counties Football League
Season2023–24

The constitution was announced on 15 May 2023.[2] Starting this season, the two step 5 divisions in the league each promote two clubs; one as champions and one via a four-team play-off. This replaced the previous inter-step play-off system. For this season only, there was only one club relegated from each of the two step 5 divisions.[3]

Premier Division North

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Premier Division North remained at 20 clubs, after Ascot United were promoted to the Isthmian League South Central Division; Spelthorne Sports were transferred to Premier Division South, and Windsor and Oxhey Jets were relegated to Division One. After the constitution was announced, London Lions transferred to the Spartan South Midlands League in a swap with Ardley United.

Five new clubs joined the division:

League table

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PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsPromotion, qualification or relegation
1Flackwell Heath (C, P)3830539927+7295Promoted to the Southern League
2Rayners Lane (O, P)38304411236+7690[a]Promoted to the Isthmian League
3Bedfont Sports3822979734+6375Qualification for the play-offs
4Reading City38189117960+1963
5Holyport38194156161061
6Burnham38177149268+2458
7Virginia Water38169135555054[b]
8North Greenford United38158156464053
9Broadfields United38157167282−1052
10Risborough Rangers38156177064+651
11Ardley United381311146066−650
12Milton United38147175773−1649
13Harefield United38144205263−1146
14Egham Town381013155466−1243
15Wokingham & Emmbrook38118195078−2841
16Wembley38109194389−4639
17Hilltop38106225787−3036
18Wallingford & Crowmarsh3899204786−3936
19Edgware & Kingsbury38810204876−2834
20Chalfont St Peter (R)3887234680−3431Relegated to Division One
Source: CCL Prem Div North Table
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ Rayners Lane had four points deducted for fielding an ineligible player.[4]
  2. ^ Virginia Water had three points deducted.

Promotion playoffs

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Semi-finalsFinal
      
2Rayners Lane4
5Holyport0
2Rayners Lane1 (3)
3Bedfont Sports1 (0)
3Bedfont Sports5
4Reading City2

Semifinals

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4 May Rayners Lane 4–0HolyportRayners Lane
15:00Jalloh 35', 79',
Bubb 50' (p), Connell 67'
Stadium: The Tithe Farm Social Club
4 May Bedfont Sports 5–2Reading CityBedfont
15:00Scott 1', 35', 63',
Myers 37', 62'
Warre 12', Robinson 56'Stadium: Bedfont Recreation Ground
Attendance: 263

Final

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7 May Rayners Lane 1–1
(3–0 p)
Bedfont SportsRayners Lane
19:45Perez-Duah 67'Greaver 90'Stadium: The Tithe Farm Social Club

Premier Division South

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Premier Division South remained at 20 clubs after Raynes Park Vale and Badshot Lea were promoted to the Isthmian League South Central Division; Frimley Green were relegated to Wessex League Division One, and Banstead Athletic were relegated to Southern Combination League Division One.

Four new clubs joined the division:

League table

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PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsPromotion, qualification or relegation
1Farnham Town (C, P)38353013019+111108Promoted to the Isthmian League
2Jersey Bulls38231057727+5079Qualification for the play-offs
3Knaphill3823968744+4378
4Tadley Calleva38225117257+1571
5AFC Croydon Athletic (O, P)38224129355+3870
6Redhill38206127850+2866
7Alton38198117654+2265
8Abbey Rangers38193165958+160
9Balham38185154756−959
10Sandhurst Town38165177378−553
11Fleet Town38154197084−1449
12Cobham381210166264−246
13Tooting & Mitcham United38143215981−2245
14Horley Town38117206782−1540
15Camberley Town38910194870−2237
16Epsom & Ewell3894255995−3631
17Spelthorne Sports38108204072−3230[a]
18Guildford City3885254699−5329
19Sheerwater38852554109−5529
20Colliers Wood United (R)3868243881−4326Relegated to Division One
Source: CCL Prem Div South Table
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ Spelthorne Sports had eight points deducted.

Promotion playoffs

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Semi-finalsFinal
      
2Jersey Bulls1
5AFC Croydon Athletic2
3Knaphill1
5AFC Croydon Athletic2
3Knaphill2
4Tadley Calleva0

Semifinals

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4 May Jersey Bulls1–2 AFC Croydon Athletic Saint Helier
15:00
  • Campbell 45+5'
ReportPhillips 24', Pingling 69'Stadium: Springfield Stadium
Attendance: 1,025
4 May Knaphill 2–0Tadley CallevaKnaphill
15:00Karczewski 72', Hawker 75'ReportStadium: Redding Way
Attendance: 507

Final

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7 May Knaphill1–2 AFC Croydon Athletic Knaphill
19:45Karczewski 83' (p)Pierrick 44', Theophanous 47'Stadium: Redding Way

Division One

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Division One was increased from 21 to 22 clubs after Rayners Lane were promoted to Premier Division North; Sandhurst Town were promoted to Premier Division South; A.F.C. Aldermaston and Cove were transferred to Wessex League Division One, and CB Hounslow United were relegated.

Six new clubs joined the division:

  • Berks County were promoted on a PPG (points per game) basis despite losing the play-off final.[5]

League table

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PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsPromotion, qualification or relegation
1Amersham Town (C, P)42363315548+107111Promoted to the Premier Division North
2British Airways (O, P)42304811266+4694Qualified for the play-offs,
then promoted to the Premier Division North
3Berks County (P)42267911163+4885
4Eversley & California42257109153+3882Qualification for the play-offs
5Rising Ballers Kensington42238119050+4077
6Molesey42245139168+2377
7Yateley United42218138565+2071
8Langley42208149480+1468
9Penn & Tylers Green42178177971+859
10Oxhey Jets42169178377+657
11FC Deportivo Galicia421512158895−757
12Bedfont42167198689−355
13London Samurai Rovers42157208791−452
14Westside421410187179−852
15Spartans Youth421410186076−1652[a]
16Woodley United421310196268−649[b]
17Brook House421372275104−2946
18Windsor421332670111−4142
19Hillingdon Borough421262469112−4342
20Holmer Green42942946126−8031Reprieved from relegation
21London Colney4279265285−3330[c]Reprieved and transferred to the Spartan South Midlands League
22Bagshot (R)42543341121−8019Relegated to a feeder league
Source: CCL Div One Table
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ The match between Spartans Youth and Woodley united was awarded to Spartans Youth as a home walkover.
  2. ^ The match between Woodley United and Oxhey Jets remained unplayed and was decided as a 0–0 draw.
  3. ^ The match between London Colney and Bagshot was awarded to London Colney as a home walkover.

Promotion playoffs

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Semi-finalsFinal
      
2British Airways2
5Rising Ballers Kensington0
2British Airways0 (7)
3Berks County0 (6)
3Berks County2
4Eversley & California1

Semifinals

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4 May British Airways 2–0Rising Ballers KensingtonBedfont
15:00Barnett , John Stadium: The Orchard
Attendance: 189
4 May Berks County 2–1Eversley & CaliforniaBinfield
15:00Samuel-Harman Stadium: Hill Farm Lane
Attendance: 270

Final

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7 May British Airways 0–0
(7–6 p)
Berks CountyBedfont
19:45Stadium: The Orchard
Attendance: 457

References

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  1. ^ "Many Changes". Combined Counties Football League. 15 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  2. ^ "REVEALED: Club allocations 2023-24 announced by The FA". The Non-League Football Paper. 15 May 2023.
  3. ^ "STEP 5 TO 4 PROMOTION/RELEGATION UPDATE". The FA. 16 March 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  4. ^ "Flackwell Heath handed huge boost as title rivals Rayners Lane are docked points". Slough & South Bucks Express. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  5. ^ "THE FA RELEASES NATIONAL LEAGUE SYSTEM CLUB ALLOCATIONS FOR STEPS 1-6 IN 2024-25 TERM". The FA. 17 May 2024.
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