2020–21 Eastern Counties Football League
The 2020–21 season was the 78th season in the history of the Eastern Counties Football League, a football competition in England. Teams were divided into three divisions, the Premier Division at Step 5, and the geographically separated Division One North and Division One South, both at Step 6 of the English football league system.
The allocations for Steps 5 and 6 for season 2020–21 were announced by the FA on 21 July,[1] and were subject to appeal.
The 2020–21 season started in September and was suspended in December a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The league season was subsequently abandoned.[2]
Promotions, relegation and restructure[edit]
The scheduled restructure of non-League took place at the end of the season, with new divisions added to the Combined Counties and the United Counties League at step 5 for 2021-22, along with new a division in the Northern Premier League at step 4.[3] Promotions from steps 5 to 4 and 6 to 5 were based on points per game across all matches over the two cancelled seasons (2019-20 and 2020-21), while teams were promoted to step 6 on the basis of a subjective application process.[3]
Premier Division[edit]
| Season | 2020–21 |
|---|---|
| Promoted | Stowmarket Town |
| Matches played | 105 |
| Goals scored | 350 (3.33 per match) |
← 2019–20 2021–22 → | |
The Premier Division comprised the same set of 20 teams which competed in the aborted competition the previous season.
League table[edit]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wroxham | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 8 | +20 | 30 | |
| 2 | Norwich United | 11 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 24 | 9 | +15 | 29 | |
| 3 | Brantham Athletic | 11 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 21 | 13 | +8 | 22 | |
| 4 | Walsham-le-Willows | 12 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 30 | 21 | +9 | 21 | |
| 5 | Ely City | 12 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 12 | 8 | +4 | 20 | |
| 6 | Kirkley & Pakefield | 11 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 21 | 23 | −2 | 19 | |
| 7 | Stanway Rovers | 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 25 | 17 | +8 | 16 | Transferred to the Essex Senior League |
| 8 | Hadleigh United | 11 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 16 | 14 | +2 | 16 | |
| 9 | Mildenhall Town | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 19 | 10 | +9 | 15 | |
| 10 | FC Clacton | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 22 | 16 | +6 | 15 | Transferred to the Essex Senior League |
| 11 | Stowmarket Town | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 5 | +5 | 15 | Promoted to the Isthmian League[a] |
| 12 | Gorleston | 10 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 16 | 20 | −4 | 15 | |
| 13 | Newmarket Town | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 16 | 22 | −6 | 10 | |
| 14 | Swaffham Town | 13 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 16 | 27 | −11 | 10 | |
| 15 | Whitton United | 9 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 17 | 22 | −5 | 9 | |
| 16 | Godmanchester Rovers | 12 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 22 | −8 | 9 | Transferred to the United Counties League |
| 17 | Woodbridge Town | 11 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 16 | 22 | −6 | 8 | |
| 18 | Haverhill Rovers | 11 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 28 | −19 | 7 | |
| 19 | Long Melford | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 12 | 19 | −7 | 5 | |
| 20 | Thetford Town | 11 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 6 | 24 | −18 | 3 |
Source: FA Full-Time
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results[4]
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results[4]
Notes:
- ^ Promoted based on points per game calculations from 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons combined.
Stadia and locations[edit]
Locations of the Premier Division clubs
| Team | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Brantham Athletic | Brantham Leisure Centre | 1,200 |
| Ely City | Unwin Sports Ground | 1,500 |
| Clacton | The Rush Green Bowl | 3,000 |
| Godmanchester Rovers | Bearscroft Lane | 1,050 |
| Gorleston | Emerald Park | 3,000 |
| Hadleigh United | Millfield | 3,000 |
| Haverhill Rovers | New Croft | 3,000 |
| Kirkley & Pakefield | Walmer Road | 2,000 |
| Long Melford | Stoneylands | |
| Mildenhall Town | Recreation Way | 2,000 |
| Newmarket Town | Cricket Field Road | 2,750 |
| Norwich United | Plantation Park | 3,000 |
| Stanway Rovers | Hawthorns | 1,500 |
| Stowmarket Town | Greens Meadow | 1,000 |
| Swaffham Town | Shoemakers Lane | |
| Thetford Town | Mundford Road | 1,500 |
| Walsham-le-Willows | Summer Road | 1,000 |
| Whitton United | King George V Playing Fields | 1,000 |
| Woodbridge Town | Notcutts Park | 3,000 |
| Wroxham | Trafford Park | 2,000 |
Division One North[edit]
| Season | 2020–21 |
|---|---|
| Promoted | Fakenham Town March Town United Lakenheath Mulbarton Wanderers |
| Matches played | 106 |
| Goals scored | 453 (4.27 per match) |
← 2019–20 2021–22 → | |
Division One North comprised 19 teams, one less than in the previous season, following the resignation of Felixstowe & Walton United reserves.
League table[edit]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fakenham Town | 11 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 34 | 8 | +26 | 29 | Promoted to the Premier Division[a] |
| 2 | Ipswich Wanderers | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 33 | 9 | +24 | 28 | Transferred to Division One South |
| 3 | March Town United | 11 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 32 | 11 | +21 | 27 | Promoted to the Premier Division[a] |
| 4 | Lakenheath | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 30 | 12 | +18 | 22 | |
| 5 | Sheringham | 13 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 32 | 26 | +6 | 21 | |
| 6 | Leiston reserves | 10 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 22 | 20 | +2 | 21 | |
| 7 | Great Yarmouth Town | 13 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 25 | 27 | −2 | 19 | |
| 8 | Mulbarton Wanderers | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 27 | 7 | +20 | 18 | Promoted to the Premier Division[a] |
| 9 | Downham Town | 11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 24 | 19 | +5 | 18 | |
| 10 | Diss Town | 12 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 27 | 27 | 0 | 15 | |
| 11 | Framlingham Town | 11 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 26 | 29 | −3 | 13 | |
| 12 | Needham Market reserves | 12 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 24 | 34 | −10 | 13 | |
| 13 | King's Lynn Town reserves | 11 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 28 | 32 | −4 | 12 | Resigned from the league |
| 14 | Cornard United | 12 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 20 | 28 | −8 | 11 | Transferred to Division One South |
| 15 | AFC Sudbury reserves | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 15 | 27 | −12 | 11 | |
| 16 | Debenham LC | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 12 | 21 | −9 | 10 | |
| 17 | Norwich CBS | 10 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 19 | 18 | +1 | 9 | |
| 18 | Haverhill Borough | 11 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 7 | 27 | −20 | 4 | Transferred to Division One South |
| 19 | Wisbech St Mary | 14 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 16 | 71 | −55 | 3 |
Source: FA Full-Time
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results[4]
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results[4]
Notes:
Stadia and locations[edit]
Locations of Division One North clubs
| Team | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| AFC Sudbury reserves | King's Marsh | 2,500 |
| Cornard United | Blackhouse Lane | 2,000 |
| Debenham LC | Maitlands | 1,000 |
| Diss Town | Brewers Green Lane | 2,500 |
| Downham Town | Memorial Field | 1,000 |
| Fakenham Town | Clipbush Park | 2,000 |
| Framlingham Town | Badingham Road | |
| Great Yarmouth Town | Wellesley Recreation Ground | 3,600 |
| Haverhill Borough | New Croft (artificial, groundshare with Haverhill Rovers) | 3,000 |
| Ipswich Wanderers | Humber Doucy Lane | 1,000 |
| King's Lynn Town reserves | The Walks | 5,733 |
| Lakenheath | The Nest | |
| Leiston reserves | Victory Road | 2,500 |
| March Town United | The GER Sports Ground | |
| Mulbarton Wanderers | The Common | |
| Needham Market reserves | Bloomfields | 4,000 |
| Norwich CBS | FDC Bowthorpe | |
| Sheringham | Weybourne Road | |
| Wisbech St Mary | Beechings Close |
Division One South[edit]
| Season | 2020–21 |
|---|---|
| Promoted | Athletic Newham Little Oakley White Ensign |
| Matches played | 84 |
| Goals scored | 301 (3.58 per match) |
← 2019–20 2021–22 → | |
Division One South featured 16 clubs which competed in the division last season, along with one new club:
- Brimsdown, transferred from the Spartan South Midlands League
In addition, Hackney Wick were relocated to the Spartan South Midlands League, but this relocation was reversed. On 27 August 2020, Lopes Tavares announced the renaming of the club to Athletic Newham.[5]
League table[edit]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newbury Forest | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 21 | 16 | +5 | 22 | |
| 2 | Athletic Newham | 12 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 20 | 13 | +7 | 21 | Promoted to the Essex Senior League[a] |
| 3 | White Ensign | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 22 | 14 | +8 | 20 | |
| 4 | Wivenhoe Town | 11 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 20 | 14 | +6 | 19 | |
| 5 | Little Oakley | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 23 | 12 | +11 | 18 | Promoted to the Essex Senior League[a] |
| 6 | Frenford | 11 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 22 | 14 | +8 | 17 | |
| 7 | Wormley Rovers | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 17 | 14 | +3 | 17 | |
| 8 | Benfleet | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 25 | 26 | −1 | 17 | |
| 9 | Coggeshall United | 11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 15 | |
| 10 | Barkingside | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 13 | |
| 11 | Hackney Wick | 14 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 23 | 30 | −7 | 13 | |
| 12 | Burnham Ramblers | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 18 | 21 | −3 | 11 | |
| 13 | Halstead Town | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 21 | 17 | +4 | 9 | |
| 14 | Holland | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 12 | −4 | 6 | |
| 15 | Harwich & Parkeston | 11 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 20 | −10 | 5 | |
| 16 | Brimsdown | 10 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 17 | 40 | −23 | 5 | |
| 17 | May & Baker | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 12 | −4 | 4 |
Source: FA Full-Time
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results[4]
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results[4]
Notes:
Stadia and locations[edit]
Athletic Newham
Barkingside
Frenford
May & Baker
Newbury Forest
Locations of Division One South clubs
Greater London Division One South football clubs
| Team | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Athletic Newham | Terence MacMillan Stadium | |
| Barkingside | Cricklefield Stadium (groundshare with Ilford) | 3,500 |
| Benfleet | Park Lane (groundshare with Canvey Island) | 4,100 |
| Brimsdown | Chadfields (groundshare with Tilbury) | 4,000 |
| Burnham Ramblers | Leslie Fields | 2,000 |
| Coggeshall United | West Street (groundshare with Coggeshall Town) | |
| Frenford | Jack Carter Centre | |
| Hackney Wick | Spa Road (groundshare with Witham Town) | 2,500 |
| Halstead Town | Rosemary Lane | 1,000 |
| Harwich & Parkeston | Royal Oak | |
| Holland | Dulwich Road | |
| Little Oakley | Memorial Ground | |
| May & Baker | Parkside Stadium (groundshare with Aveley) | 3,500 |
| Newbury Forest | Oakside (groundshare with Redbridge) | 3,000 |
| White Ensign | Basildon Sports Village | |
| Wivenhoe Town | Broad Lane | 2,876 |
| Wormley Rovers | Wormley Playing Fields |
References[edit]
- ^ "National League System club allocations – Steps 5–6, Season 2020–21" (PDF). Non League Paper. 21 July 2020.
- ^ "FA Update On Steps 3-6". 24 February 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
- ^ a b "EXPLAINED: The 2021-22 Non-League restructure". The Non-League Paper. 12 April 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
- ^ a b c "The FA Handbook 2020/2021 Part 29 Standardised Rules Section 12.2". The FA. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- ^ Athletic Newham F.C. [@Athleticnewham] (August 27, 2020). "It is with great pride that we officially announce our new club name 'ATHLETIC NEWHAM FC' and also reveal our new club badge. Through sports we will focus on the wellbeing of the Newham community. We hope to get the support of the community as we aim to continuously develop" (Tweet) – via Twitter.