2016-17 Senior League constitution all but confirmed

The 2016-17 Essex Senior League constitution took at step closer last night, as West Essex were crowned de facto Middlesex County League champions.

The Chingford-based side, but now groundsharing with Barking, were due to play FC Assyria; with a win seeing them move to the top of the table with everyone around them having completed their games.

But Assyria were unable to field a side, meaning West Essex were awarded the three points.

Bowers & Pitsea have been promoted to the Isthmian League, while Redbridge and Barkingside have moved in the opposite direction.

Newham have joined division 1 of the Olympian League – a drop of three divisions (though there is no step 6 division in Essex). They have also reverted to their former name of London APSA.

Rumours about Greenhouse Sports upping sticks and moving to south London appear to have come and gone – though there is talk of a new backroom set-up at the club.

All together, this means that the line-up for the 2016-17 season is likely to be as follows:

Barking
Barkingside
Basildon United
Burnham Ramblers
Clapton
Enfield 1893
Eton Manor
F.C. Romania
Greenhouse Sports
Hullbridge Sports
Ilford
London Bari
Redbridge
Sawbridgeworth Town
Southend Manor
Sporting Bengal United
Stansted
Takeley
Tower Hamlets
Wadham Lodge
Waltham Forest
West Essex

This means the Essex Senior League should run with a full constitution of 22 sides for the first time in its history.