Whitstable Town FC

Town play at step five of the non-league pyramid which comes of age this year in so much as automatic promotion to step four will be introduced. While it is still unclear, because of the creation of the new league at step four, how many might be elevated this season, the Champions of each league will definitely be promoted as long as their grounds meet the standard. With this in mind I thought it might be interesting to look at the other fourteen leagues playing at our level and the clubs vying for top spot.

Isthmian division two. (16/16 have applied for promotion) This league is going to be disbanded at the end of this season as part of the FA's reorganisation, however promotion will still take place. Ware Town are currently top on 33 points from 17 games, Brook House in second (15/31pts) on goal difference from Flackwell Heath (17/31pts.). Ten points cover the top nine sides with at least 36 more to play for and so it is possible for this to change significantly before the season's end. The other six contenders are Chertsey Town (18/29pts), Witham Town (16/26pts), Kingsbury Town (17/25pts), Chalfont St.Peter (16/25pts), Croydon (18/24pts) and Edgware Town (18/23pts).

Sussex County division one. (3/20) A bit closer to home, Ringmer lead the way with 66 points from Horsham YMCA on 54. Horsham have three games in hand and 14 more to play. Whitehawk (22/43pts), in third place, have not applied for promotion this year. The other applicant is Three Bridges (21/29pts) whose chances are probably remote although not impossible.

Combined Counties premier. (7/22) The top six in league order, Merstham (26/62pts), Godalming Town (26/61pts), Horley Town (28/60pts), Southall (25/50pts), Bedfont (27/49pts) and Ash United (24/44pts). The top three of these have broken away, but with a 42 match season there is still plenty of football to be played before the dust settles in this one. The seventh applicant is North Greenford United (28/37pts) who are in ninth spot and pretty much out of the hunt.

United Counties premier. (4/22) Potton United, who have not applied for promotion, lead Woodford United (27/58pts) by eight points although they have played four games more. The other prospects are in 6th, 7th and 10th spot and are Buckingham Town (29/50pts), Raunds Town (31/49pts) and St.Neots Town (26/44pts). Of the four seeking a move only Woodford have any real chance of claiming the title.

Essex Senior. (6/16) Runaway leaders AFC Hornchurch have a ten point lead, with just ten games remaining, over Burnham Ramblers (20/42pts) who are also way ahead of third place Waltham Abbey (19/33pts). Tilbury (19/31pts) are in fourth and Barkingside (17/30pts) in fifth but are only fighting for third with the fixture list running out, the other applicant is Brentwood Town (20/28pts) who are in seventh place.

Hellenic premier. (6/21) Didcot Town (24/59pts) have a seven point advantage over North Leigh (24/52pts) and newly promoted Shrivenham (26/52pts) who did not apply. 4th, 5th and 6th did and they are Bishops Cleeve (22/50pts), Abingdon United (25/48pts) and Carterton Town (25/47pts). With the other applicant, Witney United (25/43pts) in eighth there is still much to play for in the rest of a forty game season.

Wessex division one. (4/22) Winchester City happen to be top of the heap on 68 points from 29 games not comfortably so though, as Thatcham Town(29/67pts) are right behind. Gosport Borough (27/52pts) and Andover (23/48pts) are the other two currently in 4th and 7th places. Andover can really pressure the top two if they can convert their games in hand.

Western premier. (4/21) Things not going to plan for Bristol Manor Farm (23/44pts), Hallen (25/36pts), Bitton (23/36pts) and Bridgewater Town (25/29pts) who are 4th, 9th, 10th and 13th in the table. The top three have not applied, Bristol Manor Farm are already playing for the runners up spot.

Spartan South Midlands premier. (6/20) Oxford City are favourites to win this one with 55 points from 22 games, three less than second placed Harefield United (25/53pts) and third position Ayelsbury Vale (25/46pts). Hillingdon Borough also have three in hand on the places but are nine points off the lead. Hanwell Town (24/41pts) are sixth and Broxbourne Borough V&E (23/37pts) are in eighth.

Midland Alliance. (10/22) Barwell (29/50pts), Quorn (30/50pts), Oldbury United (27/45pts), Leamington (24/40pts) Boldmere St.Michaels (28/38pts) and Stratford Town (30/37pts) are all probably out of the promotion stakes with the other four contenders in the top five. Malvern Town top the table after 27 games with 60 points, Romulus in second on 56 points have a game in hand and Chasetown in third also on 56 points have two in hand on the leaders. Stourbridge (27/53pts) have only an outside chance.

Eastern Counties premier. (7/22) With fourteen to fifteen games still to go this league is still wide open, although hopes are fading for Wisbech Town (26/48pts), Leiston (27/45pts) and Diss Town (27/41pts). The other four would-be promotees occupy the top places. AFC Sudbury in front on 60 points from 27 games, closely followed by Bury Town (26/58pts), Lowestoft Town (27/57pts) and Needham Market (26/55pts). Perm any one from these four.

Northern Counties East premier. (10/20) Champions look likely to be either Buxton (23/60pts) or Liversedge (22/51pts). The mountain is probably too high for the others, the best of the rest being third place Sheffield on 47 points after 26. The other wishful thinkers being Harrogate Railway Athletic (25/39pts), Arnold Town (21/37pts), Sutton Town (23/37pts), Selby Town (23/37pts), Shirebrook Town (25/36pts), Garforth Town (26/32pts) and Armthorpe Welfare (25/30pts).

North West Counties division one. (10/22) The current top nine have all applied for consideration, the outright winners probably out of Skelmersdale United (27/58pts), Alsager Town (24/58pts), Salford City (25/51pts) or VCD's weekend opposition in the FA Vase Cammell Laird (20/47pts). In hot pursuit, but fading fast, are Newcastle Town (25/44pts), St.Helens Town (26/43pts), Curzon Ashton (22/42pts), Nantwich Town (22/41pts) and Abbey Hey (24/37). The 'also ran' is Ramsbottom United with just 33 points from 27 matches to date.

Northern League division one. (1/21) Just one applicant here, Durham City. Unfortunately for them they are in seventh place with 44 points from 32 games and 21 points off the leaders Newcastle Blue Star who have five games in hand. What chance? No chance!

Peter Albin, 9th Feb.2006