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PICTURE: The first Showcase Match of the season will see newcomers Prestwood Reserves take on 2022 Presidents Cup winners, Hype Train, at the 1878 Stadium in Burnham on Bank Holiday Monday (midday kick off)
A new era in the East Berkshire Football League is set to begin with the start to the new season this week.
There were changes to the Management Committee over the summer and the new leadership group has worked hard to implement positive change to the League.
The club membership has grown to 27 teams split across two divisions, with the Premier Division now with a more competitive look about it as the Committee searches to increase competition with future ambition to obtain Feeder League status.
There will be a new name on the Premier Division silverware this season as champions, Britwell F.C, took the decision to join the Hellenic League. The club still has representation in the shape of Britwell United and no doubt the new team will be keen to keep top honours at The Chicken Ranch.
Britwell United has a blockbuster start to the campaign with a match at home versus old rivals and 2021 champions, Singh Sabha, on the opening night to the season this Wednesday.
Southcote impressed everyone when finishing runners-up in their first season at Premier Division level last year, and their campaign starts with derbies against two fellow Reading-based opponents – at home to 2022 Presidents Cup winners, Hype Train, this Wednesday, and newcomers East Reading on 30 August.
Old Windsor have not failed to finish outside of the top three since 2019 and the 2020 winners will launch another challenge for the title when Sandhurst Reds, runners-up in Division One last season, visit the Recreation Ground this Wednesday night.
Stoke Poges ran away with the Division One title last season and will aim to sustain their position in the Premier this time around following relegation from the top flight in 2022. Poges start at home to Chalvey Sports on Saturday, before a visit from the returning Pundit F.C. next Wednesday.
Prestwood Reserves are new members to the League this season but have ambitions to launch an attack on a top-two finish immediately. The team will star in the feature event in the opening week – a Showcase Match against Hype Train at the 1878 Stadium in Burnham on Bank Holiday Monday (midday kick off).
Frontline secured mid-table respectability last year and their opportunity to improve will begin at home to Chalvey Sports this Wednesday, whilst another newcomer, Virginia Water Reserves face a difficult curtain raiser at home to Singh Sabha on Saturday.
PICTURE: Stoke Poges won the Division One title last season and will start life in the Premier Division at home to Chalvey Sports on Saturday 26 August (3pm). PHOTO: Gary House Photography.
There are five new teams in Division One this season to strengthen the competition in the battle for promotion and two of them will bid to race out of the traps this Wednesday – FC Riverside make the short trip to AFC Reading while South Reading welcome Presidents Cup semi-finalists of last year, Reading Tigers.
Fellow newcomers, Real Saracens, have a tough start when making the trip to KS Gryf, relegated from the Premier last season, on Saturday while Sandhurst Royals roll out the red carpet for Berks Elite. The new Stoke Poges Reserve side will begin life with an early kick off at home to last year's Presidents Cup winners, FC Baylis United this Saturday.
Old Windsor Reserves were somewhat cup competition specialists last season, winning the Ascot & Fielden District Charity Cup as well as being beaten finalists in the Presidents Cup and an appearance in the League Cup semi-finals. The Os will want to improve on their league form this time around and start at home to Braywood Beavers on Saturday.
Eton Wick has ambitions to compete towards the top end of the table this season and beating former Premier Division members, KS Gryf, in their curtain raiser next Wednesday would make a statement to the rest of the league.
Cressex, third in Division One last season, are the only side not in action on the opening week but will get their campaign up and running with a trip to Old Windsor Reserves on Saturday 2 September.
Wednesday 23rd August
Premier Division
Kick off must be no later than 6.20pm
Frontline v Chalvey Sports
Old Windsor v Sandhurst Reds
Prestwood Reserves v Pundit
Britwell United v Singh Sabha
Southcote v Hype Train
Division One
AFC Reading v FC Riverside
South Reading v Reading Tigers
Saturday 26th August
Kick off 2pm unless stated
Premier Division
Britwell United v Pundit
Old Windsor v East Reading (3pm)
Prestwood Reserves v Hype Train
(Showcase Match at Burnham F.C. on Monday 28th August)
Stoke Poges v Chalvey Sports (3pm)
Virginia Water Reserves v Singh Sabha
Division One
KS Gryf v Real Saracens
Old Windsor Reserves v Braywood Beavers (1pm)
Reading Tigers v FC Riverside
Sandhurst Royals v Berks Elite
South Reading v AFC Reading
Stoke Poges Reserves v FC Baylis United (11.30am)
Wednesday 30th August
Kick Off must be no later than 6.10pm
Premier Division
East Reading v Southcote
Old Windsor v Frontline
Prestwood Reserves v Britwell United
Singh Sabha v Chalvey Sports
Stoke Poges v Pundit
Division One
AFC Reading v Reading Tigers
Eton Wick v KS Gryf
Old Windsor Reserves v FC Baylis United (Tuesday 29th August)
South Reading v FC Riverside
To enter the East Berkshire Football League ahead of the 2023/24 season, or for further information about the league, or an entry form for the upcoming season, please email the team at contactebfl@gmail.com
