The South Devon Football League is back for its 124th season, and it is in better shape than it has been for some time, writes Alastair Muirden. You would have to go back to 2016 to find more teams in the competition, and back to 2013 to find six divisions.
The divisions may be smaller, but they will still offer competitive football and help teams avoid the traditional end of season fixture pile up. Last season, one team had to play nine games in 14 days because of the wettest winter on record.
It has been a busy summer for ins and outs. The league saw 13 new applicants, of which 11 were voted in by member clubs at the annual general meeting. Two late applications were accepted through an electronic special general meeting.
On the other side, South Brent, Totnes/Dartington 2nds, Teign Village, Harbertonford, Upton Ath, Barton Ath 1sts and WBB 1sts have withdrawn their teams following the departure of some volunteers, and those departures may not be over yet.
Losing any team is disappointing, and the league management have been particularly upset to lose two legendary teams in Upton Ath and Harbertonford. When you consider that WBB won Division One and the county senior cup, it is clear that Saturday adult football is changing.
New teams joining the competition, all within a 40-mile radius, include Newton Albion, who will play at Long Lane. Tavistock AFC have entered a 2nd and 3rd team, giving players the chance to play on a step five ground. Nearby Horrabridge Rangers, who also have tremendous facilities, will welcome visiting teams up the A386.
Current members Signal Box Oak Villa have entered a 2nd team who will play at Manadon 3G, and a U18 team from Windmill will play at Millenium Fields. Ilsington Villa have linked up with a U18 team to represent them as a reserve team, and Buckland Athletic’s U18s are set to step up and become their 3rd XI, playing at Decoy Park.
Lakeside Ath 2nd XI and Sunday-side Tamerton Foliot are the two late applications.
Lakeside’s 1st XI will be looking to retain their Premier Division title, but a number of clubs have made noteworthy summer signings and will be working hard to be in contention by May.
Division One is going to be another rollercoaster season, with seven teams that could consider themselves championship contenders. In Division Two, six teams could be firmly in the mix.
Division Three is difficult to look past new boys Horrabridge Rangers, who are not in the division they would like to be in, but sometimes you have to take a step back to take two steps forward.
Division Four is hard to preview, with five of the ten teams being new to the competition, but Lakeside 2nds could well be punching below their weight. Division Five also provides an unknown quantity.
Buckland 3rds get the ball rolling in Division Four on Friday night, playing at Homers Heath against Paignton Villa 3rds.
Other notable games on the opening weekend include Horrabridge vs Newton 66 2nds and Kingskerswell vs Tavistock 2nds.
South Devon Football League Returns for 124th Season