This Year’s Leaders:
- Cheltenham Saracens are the new pace-setters, sitting top with 21 points from 9 games. Last year, they were mid-table at this stage—what a turnaround!
- Redditch Borough, Bewdley Town, and Newent Town are all tied on 19 points, hot on the leaders’ heels. Redditch and Bewdley were both in the mix last year, but Newent have made a huge leap from 16th to 4th!
Last Year’s Leaders:
- Droitwich Spa were untouchable, unbeaten with 22 points from 8 games and a monstrous +28 goal difference. They’ve since moved up a division, leaving the title race wide open for new contenders.
📈 Biggest Risers & Surprise Packages
- Cheltenham Saracens: From 12th last year to 1st now arguably the story of the season so far!
- Newent Town: From the relegation zone to the promotion chase. Their 19 points and +9 goal difference are a world away from last year’s 3 points and -11.
- FC Stratford & Ludlow Town: Both have climbed into the top 7, showing real consistency.
📉 Falling Stars & Strugglers
- Clanfield 85: Last year, they were 6th with 12 points from 6. This year? 17th with just 4 points from 8. Ouch.
- Shortwood United & Wellington: Both have slipped from mid-table safety to the relegation zone, struggling for wins and leaking goals.
- Thame United Reserves: New to the league and finding it tough, with just 4 points from 10.
⚔️ Mid-Table Madness
- Malmesbury Victoria, Woodford United, Brimscombe & Thrupp, Chipping Sodbury Town, Wantage Town: All are in the thick of it, separated by just a few points. Any of these could make a late surge or get dragged into a scrap.
🏁 What’s Changed?
- More Competition at the Top: Last year, Droitwich Spa were running away with it. This year, it’s a real dogfight, just 5 points separate the top 7!
- New Contenders: Teams like Cheltenham Saracens and Newent Town have shaken up the established order.
- Tighter Relegation Battle: The bottom five are all struggling, but a couple of wins could change everything.
Summary:
This season’s Hellenic League Division One is wide open, unpredictable, and packed with storylines. The old guard have moved on or slipped down, and new heroes are emerging. If you love a league where anyone can beat anyone, this is the one to watch! Table review vs this time in season 24/25. Point and positions correct at time of writing but for a full and accurate table review please head over to FA Full Time.
Picture Credit: Brian Rossiter