OPINION: Essex Senior League: 2025/26 Preview & Predictions

 

 

The Essex Senior League is among the most competitive and high-profile Step 5 leagues in the country. As well as being impossible to predict (who would’ve tipped both Stanway Rovers and Takeley for promotion last year?), the division, consisting of 20 sides from across Essex and East London, is full of quality that is often slept on, given that this is the 9^th tier of English football – every year a handful of players earn moves to clubs in much higher divisions.

Who will be the breakout stars of the season? That remains to be seen, but in the meantime, let me put my neck on the line and attempt the impossible task of predicting the Essex Senior League table for the 2025/26 season.

 

20^th – Ilford

 

This Essex Senior League campaign will be arguably the most competitive in the competition’s history, with plenty of teams who have enough on paper to challenge for promotion. One team must come bottom though, and Ilford have been battling at the wrong end of the table for a few years now. The off-pitch issues with the use of their Cricklefields ground remain, and with one of the weaker squads in the division, it might just be their time to succumb to the drop this year.

 

19^th – Benfleet

 

Benfleet enjoyed a solid first ever year at Step 5 last year, finishing 16^th in the league and enjoying results such as big wins against Ilford and Clacton, 6-3 and 5-0 respectively. While they are more than capable going forward, leaking goals was an issue last year, and if they don’t strengthen adequately at the back, it could be a case of ‘second season syndrome’ for the Woodside Park side and a return to Step 6.

 

18^th – Halstead Town

 

At one point last season, it looked like Halstead were certain to drop back down into Step 6. Bottom of the league and winless going into early September, a notable defeat being 7-0 at Saffron Walden, the Humbugs, led by Mark McLean, rallied and enjoyed a strong second half of the season to finish 13^th and secure Step 5 football for the 4^th consecutive campaign. However, they don’t have the quality in their ranks that they once had at this level and will need several key additions if they are to avoid getting dragged into a relegation scrap again.

 

17th – Frenford

 

Frenford are entering their 3^rd season at Step 5 and finished a reasonably comfortable 14^th place last season. Despite already losing important players from last season, their squad is Step 5 quality and should have enough to stay up. However, they have a weaker squad on paper than most sides in the league and may struggle to deal with the quality of other teams this season, especially away from home.

 

16th – Hullbridge Sports

 

There are a certain number of sides in this league where it is near-on impossible to predict where they will finish by the time April rolls around, and Hullbridge are one of them. The 2018/19 ESL winners, managed by Steve Roberts, endured a very disappointing season last time out, finishing 18^th in the league. They should have enough to stay up this time around, but it is impossible to say whether they will improve significantly.

 

15^th – West Essex

 

Mid-table is a safe bet for West Essex, their last five league finishes (not including the two curtailed Covid seasons) have been 12^th, 13^th, 10^th, 13^th and 13^th. Given the sheer competitiveness and the quality of other sides, I think they will slip away slightly, but still finish safely in mid-table. They have a strong squad for Step 5, however, they have never really looked like challenging for the playoffs, and this year will be no different.

 

14^th – Little Oakley

 

Little Oakley enjoyed their best year since winning promotion to Step 5 last year, finishing 7^th after an excellent run of form in the second half of the season. They looked fearless at times against stronger sides with an admirable squad mentality and reached two cup finals – the Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy and the Errington Challenge Cup – unfortunately losing both to Great Wakering. The Acorns find themselves in danger of slipping away this year, having already lost key players such as Dan Rowe to sides in higher divisions, and may find it very difficult to find adequate replacements.

 

13^th – Harwich and Parkeston

 

The first newcomer to the league, Matt Carmichael’s Harwich and Parkeston secured promotion to Step 5 by virtue of winning the Eastern Counties North play-off final against Stanway Pegasus. There is a feel-good factor around the team in the town of Harwich, and we’ve seen the positive effects of a good previous season time and time again. Controversial maybe, but I think they will have enough to just pip local rivals Little Oakley, and they will be in no danger of a return to Step 6 anytime soon.

 

12^th – White Ensign

 

After a shaky start to last season, Ensign enjoyed an impressive run of form after Christmas and managed to finish 8^th, their best position since promotion in 2022. However, similarly to Little Oakley, they have lost some key players that will be difficult to replace, notably captain Nathan Wilson and talisman Jon Evans, but have also retained some big names. Aaron Bloxham’s men will slip away slightly from the heights of last year but will still finish comfortably in mid-table.

 

11^th – SOUL Tower Hamlets

 

Another newcomer to the league, Tower Hamlets are no strangers to the Essex Senior League but this is their first season in Step 5 since rebranding. With a strong squad at their disposal, brimming with confidence following promotion, and an ESL veteran in Terry Spillane now in the dugout, SOUL will be a team to watch out for this year.

 

10^th – Sporting Bengal United

 

The ESL playoff winners in 2023/24 are back in the league after just a single season in Step 4, which proved to be just a step too far for them. We often see relegated teams really struggle to find their feet, which shouldn’t happen with Bengal – under the guidance of Freddy Tandon, they should finish comfortably in mid-table at least.

 

9^th – Romford

 

Romford are another side that are just unpredictable. They reacted well initially to losing most of the FA Vase-winning side last season, but suffered a capitulation after Christmas, failing to win any of their final 12 league matches. I don’t think they’ll be in a position to be back challenging for the playoffs, but Kris Newby will strengthen his side sufficiently over the summer, and the Boro should improve on last year’s position.

 

8^th – Buckhurst Hill

 

Another side who secured their best-ever Step 5 finish last year, the foundations are in place for Mark Williams’ Stags to kick on and compete for a playoff position. Given the quality of the sides around them, however, they may not break into the top 5, but will finish in a similar position to last campaign. At the time of writing they haven’t announced any notable departures – if they somehow manage to keep the core of last year’s squad, they may just surprise ESL fans again.

 

7^th – Athletic Newham

 

A settled home ground in Parsloes Park, a strong Step 5 squad and a good team spirit – the foundations are in place for Newham to improve on last season’s 10^th place finish. They have retained some key players, keeping the core of the squad from last year, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they improve and push for a playoff position, provided that they strengthen in the required areas. The East Londoners keep on improving and producing exciting talent (Richard Kone anyone?), and they should enjoy another decent Step 5 season.

 

6^th – Hackney Wick

 

Move aside ESL, Hackney Wick are here. The Witham-based side were highly unlucky to not secure the Eastern Counties South title last season, only finishing second to another incredibly strong side in Harlow Town. With a group of hardcore fans and a squad that was far too good for Step 6, could the Wickers sneak into the playoffs next season? It may be just a step too far, but don’t be surprised to see them there or thereabouts.

 

5^th – Saffron Walden Town

 

Trying to take off my red-and-black tinted glasses, from someone who grew up in the town, I think we could sneak into the playoffs this season given that the right additions are made. The Bloods could be set to lose most of the squad from last year, but our foundations, finances and fanbase should really see us pushing for Step 4 football. Under John Hughes and Sam Deering, and with the right group of players, we could just take the final playoff spot – but we need to be on it all year and not allow for inconsistency like last season.

 

4^th – Barking

 

It is usually a safe bet in the ESL these days that Barking will finish in the playoff places. Since relegation from Step 4 in 2022, the Mayesbrook Park outfit haven’t finished lower than 7^th, and won’t this season. They have fallen at the playoff semi finals in both of the last two seasons, and Craig Edwards’ side, with a very strong Step 5 squad, will be up there once again.

 

3^rd – Woodford

 

Back-to-back 3^rd-place finishes is my prediction for Shane Baptiste’s Woodford. They are a Step 4 club in all but league position, a very strong squad, good manager and dedicated fanbase – they just need to find a way to make that final step. They have suffered playoff disappointment in both of the last two seasons, and are usually challenging for the league title but seem to slip away and hit a bad run of form when it matters. Will it be the same old story, or will they finally make the step up? Only time will tell…

 

2^nd – Great Wakering Rovers

 

It’s safe to say that Marcus Bowers’ Great Wakering side are one of the clear favourites for the ESL title. Similar to Barking and Woodford, they are playoff mainstays, and have a proven Step 5 squad, with two trophies in the cabinet from last season. Will they have enough to make the step up to Step 4 this time? They will need to cut out the occasional inconsistent runs of form, but they have to be one of the favourites.

 

1^st – Basildon United

 

This is arguably the biggest call of the lot. Basildon were in complete disarray at the end of last season in Step 4 and relegation was inevitable. Moreover, they have appointed George Christou as manager – who knows how to get a team out of Step 5, as he did with Redbridge in 2023. Some very exciting, ESL-proven signings have already been confirmed, such as Charlie Morris from Romford, Alfie Leach from Tilbury and three-time ESL-winning midfielder Eman Okunja from Saffron Walden. They still have some gaps to fill in their team, but Christou, a well-respected ESL manager, is their not-so-secret weapon and even if they don’t win the league, they will be up there at the end of the season.