Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The Gray Hooper Holt LLP Mid Sussex Football League stands as one of the prominent football competitions serving clubs across East and West Sussex. The league provides competitive open-age men's football opportunities and has become an integral part of the local sporting community. It operates with multiple divisions, including its flagship Premier Division where teams battle for supremacy.
Sponsored by Gray Hooper Holt LLP, a local law firm, the competition has adopted this name in recognition of their support. The league maintains an active online presence with its dedicated website launched in 2020 at midsussexfl.co.uk, where fans and players can access fixtures, results, and standings throughout the season.
The history of the Mid Sussex Football League reflects the deep-rooted football tradition in the region. Teams from various communities participate in the well-structured league system that promotes fair competition and sporting excellence while fostering local rivalries that have developed over many seasons.
History
The Mid Sussex Football League was established in 1900, making it one of the oldest continuously running football leagues in Sussex. The league has deep roots in the local community, originally formed during the railway era as noted in historical records.
Over the past century, the league has evolved significantly from its humble beginnings. Currently, the league operates with 13 divisions, providing competitive football opportunities for teams across different skill levels in the Mid Sussex region.
The league is structured with the Premier Division sitting at the top of its pyramid. This premier tier is positioned at level eleven in the overall English football league system, offering a pathway for clubs with ambitions to progress up the national football hierarchy.
In addition to regular league competitions, the Mid Sussex Football League administers 13 challenge cup competitions. These tournaments add excitement to the season and give teams additional opportunities for silverware.
The league's longevity speaks to its successful management and the continued popularity of grassroots football in the region. From 1900 to the present day, it has adapted to changing times while maintaining its core mission of providing organized football competitions.
Gray Hooper Holt LLP, a local law firm, currently serves as the title sponsor of the league, supporting grassroots football in the Mid Sussex area.
Age Groups and Divisions
The Gray Hooper Holt LLP Mid Sussex Football League primarily offers open-age men's football across East and West Sussex. Players must be at least 16 years old to participate in open-age football, ensuring proper physical development before competing at senior level.
The league features a structured divisional system with the Premier Division sitting at the top, representing level eleven in the English football pyramid. This creates a clear pathway for clubs with promotion ambitions.
Below the Premier Division sits the Championship, followed by Division 1, which serves as an entry point for clubs moving up from other leagues in the region.
The league expands further with Division 2, which is split geographically into North and South sections. This geographic division helps reduce travel time for participating clubs and creates more localized competitions.
Similarly, Division 3 follows the same North/South geographic split, allowing for efficient fixture scheduling and regional rivalries to develop.
Division 4 completes the league structure, providing ample opportunities for clubs of varying abilities to compete at appropriate levels.
In addition to open-age football, the league also offers a Veterans division, catering to older players who wish to continue enjoying competitive football in a more age-appropriate environment.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The Mid Sussex Football League operates under the guidance of a dedicated team of officials who manage various aspects of league administration. Based on the available information, key leadership positions include the General Secretary and Chairman.
General Secretary: Mike Brown serves as the General Secretary for the Mid Sussex Football League. He can be contacted via email at secretary@midsussexfl.co.uk or by phone at 07810 406875.
Chairman: Duncan Brooker holds the position of Chairman. His contact details include email at chairman@midsussexfl.co.uk and phone number 07977 241357.
The league is formally known as the Gray Hooper Holt LLP Mid Sussex Football League, indicating a sponsorship arrangement with Gray Hooper Holt LLP.
The league maintains a comprehensive management structure with a Management Committee that oversees league operations. This committee likely includes additional roles beyond the Chairman and Secretary positions.
For those seeking to contact league officials or obtain further information about league administration, the primary method is through the contact details provided above. The league also maintains online resources where fixture information, results, tables, and statistics can be accessed.
Teams
The Gray Hooper Holt LLP Mid Sussex Football League comprises multiple divisions with teams from across East and West Sussex. The league structure includes a Premier Division at the top of the pyramid.
For the 2024-25 season, the Premier Division features eight clubs: Balcombe, Battle Town, Crawley Devils, Crowhurst, Cuckfield Rangers, Godstone, Holland Sports, and Lindfield.
Below the Premier Division sits the Championship, which forms part of the promotion and relegation system within the league hierarchy. This structure allows clubs to progress based on their performance each season.
Division 3 North includes clubs such as Wakehams Green and Dormansland Rockets, with Wakehams Green leading the standings with 31 points as of March 2025.
The league offers open-age men's football, providing competitive opportunities for numerous clubs throughout the region. Teams compete in league fixtures and potentially cup competitions throughout the season.
Clubs participating in the Mid Sussex Football League manage their activities through digital platforms, helping with administration of fixtures, results, and league tables. This system enables efficient organization of the competition.
Players
The Mid Sussex Football League features numerous talented players across its divisions. According to the search results, players like Ricky Balfour, Bobby Brewer, Luke Burton, Jamie Constable, and Steve Curtis are registered with the league.
Other players mentioned include Adam Arnold, Adrian Bajka, Ahmet Balci, Tyler Banting, Mark Baroni, and Jack. These individuals represent various clubs throughout East and West Sussex.
The league provides competitive opportunities for open-age men's football, allowing these players to showcase their skills in local competition. Many players develop lasting careers within the league structure.
Player statistics are tracked within the league system, giving recognition to top performers. This data helps teams and fans follow individual achievements throughout the season.
The league's player registration system ensures proper organization and fair competition across all divisions. Players must be properly registered before participating in official matches.
Many footballers in the Mid Sussex Football League balance their sporting commitments with work and family responsibilities. This dedication demonstrates the passion for grassroots football in the region.
