AFC Sudbury suffered relegation from the Southern Premier Division central with just twenty-five points across the whole campaign, ending their three-year spell in the third tier of non-league.

They suffered many heavy defeats, conceding 115 goals in 42 games, leading to a last-place finish, as they hope to bounce back from their negative season under new manager Phil Weavers.

Founded: 1999 (due to Sudbury Town and Sudbury Wanderers merging)

Ground: Elite Travel Stadium (Capacity 2,500)

Our last meeting: July 12, 2025 (Friendly): AFC Sudbury 5 - 1 Brightlingsea Regent

Buckhurst Hill

After finishing in fourth place in the Essex Senior League, Buckhurst Hill got the better of Great Wakering Rovers and Barking FC to achieve playoff success and reach the Isthmian League North for the first time in their history.

Following a rapid rise through the County-based divisions, they have gone from a club that began as a small youth project established by Richard Brand and Alfie Sacre to provide youth football opportunities in the Buckhurst Hill community in 1985, to now becoming one of Essex's fastest-rising non-league football clubs.

Founded: 1985

Ground: Myrak Park on Roding Lane (Capacity around 1,000)

Our last meeting: N/A

Canvey Island

Following a four-year stint in the Isthmian Premier Division, Canvey suffered relegation into the Isthmian League North, picking up just twenty-seven points and six wins across the whole campaign, finishing at the foot of the league.

Despite narrowly missing out on back-to-back promotions in 2022/2023, losing to Aveley on a penalty shootout, the yellows have been on a steady decline ever since. However, Garry Kimble’s men are aiming for a swift return, with twelve summer signings already through the door, including former Regent player Ernest Okoh.

Founded: 1926

Ground: Park Lane (Capacity 4,100)

Our Last Meeting: Essex Senior Cup, 14th January 2025, Brightlingsea Regent 1-1 Canvey Island (Canvey won 3-1 on penalties to progress)

Fakenham Town

Based in a small Norfolk market town, Fakenham Town achieved playoff success in the Thurlow Nunn league, comfortably beating Haverhill Rovers in the playoff semi-final, before bettering Soham Town Rangers in penalty shootout. Despite a fifth-place finish, Andy Cunningham’s men defied the odds, to reach the Isthmian League North.

It was their prowess in front of goal that fired them up a division, scoring seven on two occasions against Stowmarket Town and Cornard Town, with top scorer Jake Watts firing in twenty-four goals.

Founded: 1884

Ground: Clipbush Park (capacity 2000)

Our Last Meeting: N/A

Hashtag United

The so-called “internet football team”, Hashtag United began in 2016 as a group of mates founded by YouTube star Spencer Owen, uploading football challenges online and playing exhibition games. As they grew in popularity, they joined the English football pyramid for the 2018/2019 campaign, and accelerated through the non-league tiers, reaching a peak of the Isthmian League.

Despite their internet success, the club requested to be voluntarily relegated, due to the seventh tier being financially unsuitable to maintain, finishing in twentieth position anyways, ending a three-year spell in the league.

Founded: 2016

Ground: Oakside Stadium, Barkingside (capacity 3,000)

Our Last Meeting: 3rd December 2024, Velocity Trophy, Brightlingsea Regent 1-1 Hashtag United (Hashtag United won 4-3 on penalties)

Little Oakley

Little Oakley FC had their most successful season in their history, finishing first in the Essex Senior League, and securing their first step 5 title. Undeniably, their consistency was key to promotion glory, winning twenty-five out of thirty-eight games, losing on just five occasions.

Arguably, they are one of Essex's most remarkable modern non-league success stories. Founded in 1963, the village club with a population of just over one thousand, they have grown from humble beginnings in local football into a competitive non-league side.

Founded: 1963

Ground: Memorial Ground (capacity 1,000)

Our Last Meeting: 8th July 2017 – Little Oakley 1-3 Brightlingsea Regent – Pre-season Friendly

Mulbarton Wanderers

Last but not least, Mulbarton Wanderers absolutely demolished the 2025/2026 Thurlow Nunn League, with twenty-eight out of thirty-four fixtures resulting in three-points for the Norfolk-based side. Moreover, only three games concluded with a loss, mainly thanks to in the incredible seasons from Ashley Jarvis and Owen Lane, who bagged thirty-three and twenty-nine goals.

Last campaign saw Mulbarton Wanderers achieve the highest position in their history since their founding in 1999, alongside beating Dereham Town at Carrow Road to secure the title of Norfolk Senior cup Champions.

Founded: 1999

Ground: Mulberry Park (capacity 1,000)

Out Last Meeting: N/A