Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The Southern Combination Football League stands as a cornerstone of grassroots football across East Sussex, West Sussex, Surrey, and parts of South West London. Established nearly a century ago, this league operates across multiple tiers of the English football pyramid, specifically at levels 9, 10, and 11. The 2024-25 season marks a significant milestone as it represents the 100th year in the competition's storied history.
Currently organized as a limited company (Southern Combination Football League Ltd), the league offers competitive football opportunities for numerous clubs throughout the region. The structure includes various divisions that allow teams to progress through the English football system based on their performance. Beyond standard league competitions, the organization has expanded its offerings to include walking football, demonstrating its commitment to making the sport accessible to all.
The league features fierce local rivalries and compelling matchups each weekend, with teams like Eastbourne United and AFC Varndeanians battling for points across picturesque grounds throughout southern England. Club histories, promotion races, and relegation battles create an engaging narrative that keeps supporters returning week after week to venues like the Withdean Sports Complex and others across the region.
History
The Southern Combination Football League was originally established as the Sussex County Football League in 1925. With nearly a century of operation, it has become a significant part of the football pyramid in the southeast of England.
The league primarily covers East Sussex, West Sussex, and southeastern Surrey. It operates at levels 9, 10, and 11 of the English football league system, which correspond to steps 5 and 6 of the National League System.
Throughout its development, the league has undergone several structural changes. In 2000, Division Three expanded to include 16 teams, representing the league's commitment to providing competitive opportunities for more clubs in the region.
A notable change occurred ahead of the 2015-16 season when the league rebranded from the Sussex County Football League to its current name: the Southern Combination Football League. This name change reflected the broader geographical coverage of participating teams.
The 2023-24 season marked the 99th in the league's history, with the upcoming 2024-25 campaign set to be its centenary season. This milestone represents 100 years of continuous operation, making it one of the longest-running football competitions in southern England.
The league is currently sponsored by Macron, operating as the Macron Southern Combination Football League in official contexts.
Age Groups and Divisions
The Southern Combination Football League is structured with multiple divisions across different age groups. The league features eight divisions in total, providing competitive football opportunities for various age categories.
For first teams, there are three main divisions: Premier Division, Division One, and Division Two. These divisions form the core of the adult competition structure within the league.
The league also offers dedicated divisions for youth development through its Under-23 program. There are three U23 divisions: East Division, West Division, and North Division. These provide valuable competitive experience for developing players.
For even younger players, the Southern Combination Football League hosts four U18 divisions: East, West, North, and Central. These youth divisions help nurture talent at the grassroots level.
Each division has its own cup competition, including the Southern Combination Football League Division One Challenge Cup and the Southern Combination Football League Division Two Challenge Cup. These tournaments add another competitive dimension to the league.
The multi-tiered structure ensures appropriate levels of competition for teams of varying abilities and age groups. This comprehensive approach allows clubs to field teams across different age categories, creating a pathway for player development.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The Southern Combination Football League (SCFL) is run by a dedicated committee that oversees operations for this well-established football competition. Based on recent information as of the 2023-24 season, the league is led by S. Nealgrove who serves as chairman.
M. Gander holds the position of vice chairman, working alongside the chairman to manage league affairs. These directors are part of the Southern Combination Football League Ltd, which is limited by guarantee (Company No. 14460844).
Several committee members contribute to the league's management. Iain Fielding can be reached at fieldings76@gmail.com for league matters. Doug Holford serves on the committee as well and can be contacted at dougholford520@gmail.com.
Terry Doyle is another committee member who handles various responsibilities and can be reached at terryadoyle53@gmail.com. The league also has a dedicated youth representative to manage youth development programs and competitions.
The SCFL committee structure ensures that all aspects of competition management are handled effectively, from scheduling matches to enforcing rules and promoting fair play. They work together to maintain the quality and integrity of football across all divisions within the Southern Combination Football League.
Teams
The Southern Combination Football League consists of multiple teams across different divisions. Based on the 2024-25 season information, the Premier Division includes several teams from across southern England.
AFC Varndeanians are among the competing clubs, based in Brighton at Withdean Stadium with a capacity of 8,850. This venue previously hosted Brighton & Hove Albion FC professional matches.
The league structure includes various divisions with teams like Roffey, Midhurst & Easebourne, Dorking Wanderers Reserves, and Seaford Town competing at different levels. These teams were noted in league table standings.
Team participation can change seasonally. For instance, St Francis Rangers resigned in January 2019 after playing just 15 games, resulting in their results being expunged from official records.
Similarly, Sidlesham withdrew from competition in September 2019 after beginning their season. Such administrative changes affect promotion and relegation battles throughout the campaign.
Most clubs in the Southern Combination Football League represent smaller towns and communities throughout the southern regions of England, providing important sporting outlets for local communities and players.
Players
The Southern Combination Football League hosts a diverse range of talent across its divisions. Players competing in this league represent clubs from East Sussex, West Sussex, Surrey, and South West London.
Top goal scorers often emerge from leading teams like Hassocks and Crowborough Athletic, who currently hold the top positions in the league table. Hassocks' impressive goal difference of +50 demonstrates the attacking prowess of their squad.
Many players in the league have local connections, with some having progressed through youth systems at their respective clubs. The league serves as a development pathway, with talented individuals occasionally moving up to higher levels of English football.
Teams typically rely on a mix of experienced veterans and promising young talent. Match day squads usually consist of 16-18 players, with substitutions playing a crucial role in tactical adjustments.
Several standout performers can be found at clubs like Roffey and Midhurst & Easebourne, who are performing well in their respective division. These players contribute to the competitive nature of matches throughout the season.
The 2023-24 season, being the 99th in the league's history, has showcased numerous skillful individuals across levels 9, 10, and 11 of the English football pyramid.
