2023–24 Isthmian League
The 2023–24 season was the 109th season of the Isthmian League, which is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from London, East and South East England. The league operates four divisions, the Premier Division at Step 3 (the 7th tier) and three divisions, North, South Central and South East at Step 4 of the National League System (the 8th tier). This was the sixth season since the former South Division was subdivided into the South Central and South East divisions. The league is also known as the Pitching In League under a sponsorship deal with Entain, formerly GVC Holdings.
The allocations for Step 4 this season were announced by The Football Association (FA) on 15 May 2023. There were to be 82 teams in the Isthmian League, 22 in the Step 3 division and 20 in each of the Step 4 divisions. However, Marlow successfully appealed against their transfer to the Southern League and remained in the South Central Division, which therefore comprised 21 teams instead of 20.[1][2]
Premier Division
[edit]The Premier Division comprised sixteen teams from the previous season, as well as six clubs who newly joined the division.
Team changes
[edit]
Promoted from the North Division Promoted from the South East Division Relegated from the National League South |
Promoted to the National League North Promoted to the National League South Relegated to the North Division Relegated to the South Central Division Relegated to the South East Division
|
Premier Division table
[edit]Season | 2023–24 |
---|---|
Champions | Hornchurch |
Promoted | Hornchurch Enfield Town |
Relegated | Margate Haringey Borough Kingstonian Concord Rangers |
← 2022–23 2024–25 → |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Hornchurch (C, P) | 42 | 31 | 7 | 4 | 95 | 34 | +61 | 100 | Promotion to the National League South |
2 | Chatham Town | 42 | 24 | 7 | 11 | 87 | 61 | +26 | 79 | Qualification for the play-offs |
3 | Enfield Town (O, P) | 42 | 22 | 11 | 9 | 81 | 54 | +27 | 77 | |
4 | Wingate & Finchley | 42 | 23 | 7 | 12 | 78 | 62 | +16 | 76 | |
5 | Horsham | 42 | 23 | 7 | 12 | 64 | 50 | +14 | 76 | |
6 | Billericay Town | 42 | 23 | 4 | 15 | 78 | 52 | +26 | 73 | |
7 | Hastings United | 42 | 19 | 10 | 13 | 71 | 54 | +17 | 67 | |
8 | Lewes | 42 | 20 | 7 | 15 | 68 | 70 | −2 | 67 | |
9 | Whitehawk | 42 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 63 | 54 | +9 | 65 | |
10 | Bognor Regis Town | 42 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 78 | 63 | +15 | 62 | |
11 | Carshalton Athletic | 42 | 17 | 11 | 14 | 73 | 59 | +14 | 62 | |
12 | Dulwich Hamlet | 42 | 17 | 11 | 14 | 77 | 72 | +5 | 62 | |
13 | Hashtag United | 42 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 82 | 75 | +7 | 59 | |
14 | Canvey Island | 42 | 16 | 6 | 20 | 62 | 74 | −12 | 54 | |
15 | Potters Bar Town | 42 | 14 | 9 | 19 | 65 | 70 | −5 | 51 | |
16 | Folkestone Invicta | 42 | 13 | 11 | 18 | 60 | 71 | −11 | 50 | |
17 | Cray Wanderers | 42 | 13 | 11 | 18 | 54 | 66 | −12 | 50 | |
18 | Cheshunt | 42 | 12 | 7 | 23 | 58 | 72 | −14 | 43 | |
19 | Margate (R) | 42 | 10 | 9 | 23 | 50 | 80 | −30 | 39 | Relegation to Division One South East |
20 | Haringey Borough (R) | 42 | 6 | 9 | 27 | 32 | 88 | −56 | 27 | Relegation to Division One North |
21 | Concord Rangers (R) | 42 | 6 | 8 | 28 | 34 | 82 | −48 | 26 | |
22 | Kingstonian (R) | 42 | 5 | 6 | 31 | 55 | 102 | −47 | 21 | Relegated to Division One South Central |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Play-offs
[edit]Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||
2 | Chatham Town | 1 (4) | |||||||
5 | Horsham | 1 (3) | |||||||
2 | Chatham Town | 0 | |||||||
3 | Enfield Town | 3 | |||||||
3 | Enfield Town | 1 | |||||||
4 | Wingate & Finchley | 0 |
Semi-finals
[edit]1 May | Chatham Town | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (4–3 p) | Horsham | Chatham |
19:45 | Report |
|
Stadium: The Bauvil Stadium Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Jake Hillier | |
Penalties | ||||
1 May | Enfield Town | 1–0 | Wingate & Finchley | Enfield |
19:45 | McKenzie 67' | Report | Stadium: Queen Elizabeth II Stadium Attendance: 2,225 |
Final
[edit]6 May | Chatham Town | 0–3 | Enfield Town | Chatham |
15:00 | Report | Stadium: The Bauvil Stadium Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Jake Willmore |
Results table
[edit]Stadiums and locations
[edit]North Division
[edit]The North Division comprises 20 teams, 14 of which competed in the previous season. This was the first season with play-offs at step five, meaning that just two teams would be relegated from the division.[3]
Team changes
[edit]
Promoted from the Eastern Counties League Promoted from the Essex Senior League Relegated from the Premier Division Transferred from Southern League Division One Central |
Promoted to the Southern League Premier Division Central Promoted to the Premier Division Relegated to the Essex Senior League
|
North Division table
[edit]Season | 2023–24 |
---|---|
Champions | Lowestoft Town |
Promoted | Lowestoft Town Bowers & Pitsea |
Relegated | East Thurrock United (resigned) New Salamis (folded) Stowmarket Town |
← 2022–23 2024–25 → |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Lowestoft Town (C, P) | 36 | 25 | 3 | 8 | 91 | 41 | +50 | 78 | Promotion to the Premier Division |
2 | Bury Town | 36 | 22 | 8 | 6 | 89 | 47 | +42 | 74 | Qualification for the play-offs |
3 | Felixstowe & Walton United | 36 | 22 | 8 | 6 | 78 | 40 | +38 | 74 | |
4 | Bowers & Pitsea (O, P) | 36 | 23 | 4 | 9 | 70 | 49 | +21 | 73 | |
5 | Brentwood Town | 36 | 22 | 6 | 8 | 69 | 33 | +36 | 72 | |
6 | Walthamstow | 36 | 18 | 8 | 10 | 63 | 50 | +13 | 62 | |
7 | Heybridge Swifts | 36 | 17 | 9 | 10 | 53 | 45 | +8 | 60 | |
8 | Brightlingsea Regent | 36 | 18 | 3 | 15 | 66 | 51 | +15 | 57 | |
9 | Basildon United | 36 | 16 | 4 | 16 | 66 | 62 | +4 | 52 | |
10 | Gorleston | 36 | 14 | 8 | 14 | 55 | 49 | +6 | 50 | |
11 | Maldon & Tiptree | 36 | 15 | 4 | 17 | 68 | 64 | +4 | 49 | |
12 | Wroxham | 36 | 13 | 9 | 14 | 47 | 47 | 0 | 48 | |
13 | Redbridge | 36 | 13 | 8 | 15 | 57 | 60 | −3 | 47 | |
14 | Witham Town | 36 | 12 | 9 | 15 | 56 | 62 | −6 | 45 | |
15 | New Salamis[a] | 36 | 9 | 8 | 19 | 58 | 82 | −24 | 35 | Resignation from the league |
16 | Grays Athletic | 36 | 9 | 6 | 21 | 46 | 69 | −23 | 33 | |
17 | Ipswich Wanderers | 36 | 8 | 5 | 23 | 38 | 75 | −37 | 29 | |
18 | Enfield | 36 | 6 | 4 | 26 | 33 | 86 | −53 | 22 | Transfer to the Southern League |
19 | Stowmarket Town (R) | 36 | 0 | 6 | 30 | 34 | 125 | −91 | 6 | Relegation to the Eastern Counties League |
20 | East Thurrock United[b] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Resignation from the league |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
Play-offs
[edit]Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||
2 | Bury Town | 1 | |||||||
5 | Brentwood Town | 3 | |||||||
5 | Brentwood Town | 1 (2) | |||||||
4 | Bowers & Pitsea | 1 (3) | |||||||
3 | Felixstowe & Walton United | 2 (2) | |||||||
4 | Bowers & Pitsea | 2 (4) |
Semi-finals
[edit]30 April | Felixstowe & Walton United | 2–2 (a.e.t.) (2–4 p) | Bowers & Pitsea | Felixstowe |
19:45 | Report | Stadium: The Goldstar Ground Attendance: 445 | ||
Penalties | ||||
30 April | Bury Town | 1–3 (a.e.t.) | Brentwood Town | Bury St Edmunds |
19:45 | Report | Stadium: Ram Meadow Attendance: 1,122 |
Final
[edit]4 May | Bowers & Pitsea | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (3–2 p) | Brentwood Town | Pitsea |
15:00 | Stadium: Len Salmon Stadium Attendance: 1,101 |
Results table
[edit]Stadiums and locations
[edit]Club | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
---|---|---|---|
Basildon United | Basildon | Gardiners Close | 2,000 |
Bowers & Pitsea | Pitsea | Len Salmon Stadium | 3,500 |
Brentwood Town | Brentwood | The Brentwood Centre Arena | 1,800 |
Brightlingsea Regent | Brightlingsea | North Road | 2,000 |
Bury Town | Bury St Edmunds | Ram Meadow | 3,500 |
East Thurrock United | Corringham | Rookery Hill | 3,500 |
Enfield | Bishop's Stortford | Woodside Park (groundshare with Bishop's Stortford) | 4,525 (525 seated) |
Felixstowe & Walton United | Felixstowe | Dellwood Avenue | 2,000 |
Gorleston | Gorleston-on-Sea | Wellesley Recreation Ground (groundshare with Great Yarmouth Town) | 3,600 (500 seated) |
Grays Athletic | Grays | Parkside (groundshare with Aveley) | 3,500 |
Heybridge Swifts | Heybridge | Scraley Road | 3,000 |
Ipswich Wanderers | Rushmere | Humber Doucy Lane | 550 |
Lowestoft Town | Lowestoft | Crown Meadow | 3,000 |
Maldon & Tiptree | Maldon | Wallace Binder Ground | 2,000 |
New Salamis | Bowes Park | Coles Park (groundshare with Haringey Borough) | 3,000 |
Redbridge | Barkingside | Oakside Stadium | 3,000 (316 seated) |
Stowmarket Town | Stowmarket | Greens Meadow | 1,000 |
Walthamstow | London (Walthamstow) | Wadham Lodge | 3,500 |
Witham Town | Witham | Spa Road | 2,500 |
Wroxham | Wroxham | Trafford Park | 2,500 |
South Central Division
[edit]The South Central Division consists of 21 teams, 14 of which competed in the previous campaign. It had been intended that there be 20 teams, but Marlow, due to have transferred to the Southern League, successfully appealed against the transfer. Only two teams would be relegated following the restructuring of the step 4/5 promotion.[2][3]
Team changes
[edit]
Promoted from the Combined Counties League Premier Division North Promoted from the Combined Counties League Premier Division South Relegated from the Premier Division Relegated from the Southern League Premier Division South |
Promoted to the Southern League Premier Division South Relegated to the Combined Counties Premier Division North Relegated to the Combined Counties Premier Division South Transferred to South East Division
|
South Central Division table
[edit]Season | 2023–24 |
---|---|
Champions | Chertsey Town |
Promoted | Chertsey Town Marlow |
Relegated | Chipstead Corinthian-Casuals |
← 2022–23 2024–25 → |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Chertsey Town (C, P) | 40 | 31 | 8 | 1 | 103 | 32 | +71 | 100[a] | Promotion to the Southern League |
2 | Marlow (O, P) | 40 | 29 | 2 | 9 | 106 | 49 | +57 | 89 | Qualification for the play-offs |
3 | Leatherhead | 40 | 27 | 5 | 8 | 71 | 32 | +39 | 86 | |
4 | Southall | 40 | 26 | 5 | 9 | 79 | 43 | +36 | 83 | |
5 | Westfield | 40 | 25 | 8 | 7 | 81 | 50 | +31 | 83 | |
6 | Raynes Park Vale | 40 | 23 | 9 | 8 | 70 | 49 | +21 | 78 | |
7 | Hanworth Villa | 40 | 18 | 11 | 11 | 77 | 59 | +18 | 65 | |
8 | Thatcham Town | 40 | 18 | 8 | 14 | 72 | 62 | +10 | 62 | Transfer to the Southern League |
9 | South Park | 40 | 17 | 10 | 13 | 72 | 61 | +11 | 61 | |
10 | Hartley Wintney | 40 | 16 | 7 | 17 | 64 | 79 | −15 | 55 | |
11 | Badshot Lea | 40 | 15 | 9 | 16 | 65 | 70 | −5 | 54 | |
12 | Uxbridge | 40 | 15 | 6 | 19 | 70 | 71 | −1 | 51 | |
13 | Ascot United | 40 | 13 | 6 | 21 | 56 | 67 | −11 | 45 | |
14 | Sutton Common Rovers | 40 | 11 | 7 | 22 | 49 | 69 | −20 | 40 | |
15 | Northwood | 40 | 11 | 6 | 23 | 69 | 75 | −6 | 39 | Transfer to the Southern League |
16 | Metropolitan Police | 40 | 9 | 10 | 21 | 37 | 63 | −26 | 37 | |
17 | Ashford Town | 40 | 10 | 6 | 24 | 42 | 70 | −28 | 36 | |
18 | Guernsey | 40 | 9 | 7 | 24 | 68 | 97 | −29 | 34 | |
19 | Binfield | 40 | 8 | 10 | 22 | 59 | 109 | −50 | 34 | |
20 | Chipstead (R) | 40 | 8 | 6 | 26 | 44 | 80 | −36 | 30 | Relegation to the Combined Counties League |
21 | Corinthian-Casuals (R) | 40 | 5 | 6 | 29 | 34 | 101 | −67 | 21 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
- ^ Chertsey Town were deducted one point having fielded an ineligible player on 3 October 2023 in a 1–1 draw with Binfield.
Play-offs
[edit]Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||
2 | Marlow | 3 | |||||||
5 | Westfield | 2 | |||||||
2 | Marlow | 3 | |||||||
3 | Leatherhead | 1 | |||||||
3 | Leatherhead | 1 (3) | |||||||
4 | Southall | 1 (2) |
Semi-finals
[edit]1 May | Marlow | 3–2 (a.e.t.) | Westfield | Marlow |
19:45 | Report | Stadium: Alfred Davis Memorial Ground Attendance: 614 Referee: Tolu Songowawa |
1 May | Leatherhead | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (3–2 p) | Southall | Leatherhead |
19:45 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Fetcham Grove Attendance: 1,053 Referee: Lawrence Torz-Brown |
Penalties | ||||
Final
[edit]5 May | Marlow | 3–1 | Leatherhead | Marlow |
15:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Alfred Davis Memorial Ground Attendance: 1,589 Referee: Chay Hathway |
Stadiums and locations
[edit]Club | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
---|---|---|---|
Ascot United | Ascot | The Racecourse Ground | 1,150 |
Ashford Town | Ashford, Surrey | Robert Parker Stadium | 2,550 |
Badshot Lea | Wrecclesham | Westfield Lane | 1,200 |
Binfield | Binfield | Hill Farm Lane | 1,000 |
Chertsey Town | Chertsey | Alwyns Lane | 2,500 |
Chipstead | Chipstead | High Road | 2,000 |
Corinthian-Casuals | Tolworth | King George's Field | 2,700 |
Guernsey | Saint Peter Port | Footes Lane | 5,000 |
Hanworth Villa | Hanworth | Rectory Meadow | 1,000 |
Hartley Wintney | Hartley Wintney | The Memorial Playing Fields | 2,000 |
Leatherhead | Leatherhead | Fetcham Grove | 3,400 |
Marlow | Marlow | Alfred Davis Memorial Ground | 3,000 |
Metropolitan Police | East Molesey | Imber Court | 3,000 |
Northwood | Northwood | Northwood Park | 3,075 |
Raynes Park Vale | Raynes Park | Grand Drive | 1,500 |
South Park | Reigate | King George's Field | 2,000 |
Southall | Stanwell | Robert Parker Stadium (groundshare with Ashford Town) | 2,550 |
Sutton Common Rovers | Tandridge, Surrey | Church Road (groundshare with AFC Whyteleafe) | 2,000 |
Thatcham Town | Thatcham | Waterside Park | 1,500 |
Uxbridge | West Drayton | Honeycroft | 3,770 |
Westfield | Woking (Westfield) | Woking Park | 1,000 |
South East Division
[edit]The South East Division consists of 20 teams, 14 of which competed in the previous season. Only two teams would be relegated following the restructuring of the step 4/5 promotion.[3]
Team changes
[edit]
Promoted from the Southern Combination League Promoted from the Southern Counties East League Promoted from the Wessex League Relegated from the Premier Division Transferred from South Central Division
|
Promoted to the Premier Division Relegated to the Southern Combination League Relegated to the Southern Counties East League
|
South East Division table
[edit]Season | 2023–24 |
---|---|
Champions | Cray Valley Paper Mills |
Promoted | Cray Valley Paper Mills Chichester City |
Relegated | Erith & Belvedere |
← 2022–23 2024–25 → |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Cray Valley Paper Mills (C, P) | 38 | 29 | 8 | 1 | 103 | 32 | +71 | 95 | Promotion to the Premier Division |
2 | Ramsgate | 38 | 28 | 5 | 5 | 106 | 41 | +65 | 89 | Qualification for the play-offs |
3 | Sittingbourne | 38 | 22 | 9 | 7 | 82 | 41 | +41 | 75 | |
4 | Three Bridges | 38 | 22 | 7 | 9 | 98 | 68 | +30 | 73 | |
5 | Chichester City (O, P) | 38 | 21 | 6 | 11 | 83 | 43 | +40 | 69 | Qualification for the play-offs, then promotion to the Premier Division |
6 | Lancing | 38 | 19 | 7 | 12 | 71 | 66 | +5 | 64 | |
7 | Sheppey United | 38 | 18 | 7 | 13 | 76 | 57 | +19 | 61 | |
8 | Herne Bay | 38 | 16 | 11 | 11 | 74 | 63 | +11 | 59 | |
9 | Broadbridge Heath | 38 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 59 | 56 | +3 | 52 | |
10 | Sevenoaks Town | 38 | 13 | 7 | 18 | 61 | 65 | −4 | 46 | |
11 | Ashford United | 38 | 14 | 3 | 21 | 57 | 82 | −25 | 45 | |
12 | Burgess Hill Town | 38 | 11 | 11 | 16 | 59 | 70 | −11 | 44 | |
13 | Hythe Town | 38 | 12 | 8 | 18 | 54 | 71 | −17 | 44 | |
14 | Horndean | 38 | 12 | 7 | 19 | 57 | 76 | −19 | 43 | Transfer to the South Central Division |
15 | Merstham | 38 | 11 | 8 | 19 | 58 | 72 | −14 | 41 | |
16 | Phoenix Sports | 38 | 10 | 8 | 20 | 52 | 91 | −39 | 38 | |
17 | Littlehampton Town | 38 | 10 | 7 | 21 | 49 | 76 | −27 | 37 | |
18 | East Grinstead Town | 38 | 9 | 7 | 22 | 52 | 86 | −34 | 34 | |
19 | Beckenham Town | 38 | 7 | 8 | 23 | 57 | 93 | −36 | 29 | Reprieve from relegation |
20 | Erith & Belvedere (R) | 38 | 6 | 8 | 24 | 27 | 86 | −59 | 26 | Relegation to the Southern Counties East League |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Play-offs
[edit]Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||
2 | Ramsgate | 0 | |||||||
5 | Chichester City | 1 | |||||||
5 | Chichester City | 5 | |||||||
4 | Three Bridges | 0 | |||||||
3 | Sittingbourne | 1 | |||||||
4 | Three Bridges | 2 |
Semi-finals
[edit]30 April | Ramsgate | 0–1 | Chichester City | Ramsgate |
19:45 | Report | Stadium: Southwood Stadium Attendance: 1,462 |
30 April | Sittingbourne | 1–2 | Three Bridges | Sittingbourne |
19:45 |
|
Report | Stadium: The Roman Stadium Attendance: 809 Referee: Ross Murphy |
Final
[edit]3 May | Three Bridges | 0–5 | Chichester City | Three Bridges |
19:45 | Stadium: Jubilee Field Attendance: 1,192 |
Results table
[edit]Stadiums and locations
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "THE FA RELEASES NATIONAL LEAGUE SYSTEM CLUB ALLOCATIONS FOR STEPS 1-6 IN 2023–24 TERM". The Football Association. 15 May 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
- ^ a b Whitney, Steve (12 June 2023). "Marlow's Successful Appeal Leaves League One Short". The Southern League. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ a b c "STEP 5 TO 4 PROMOTION/RELEGATION UPDATE". The FA. 17 March 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
- ^ "London Cypriot football team New Salamis to fold". Cyprus Mail. 26 April 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
- ^ "It's the end of the Rocky road as East Thurrock United fold". Thurrock Nub News. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.