Sunday league numbers down
11:28am Wednesday 2nd July 2008
THE Basingstoke and District Sunday Football League will start the coming season with 52 teams - five down on 2007-08.
Division one will have only six sides due to the withdrawal of Basingstoke and North Hants Cricket Club, Rangers, Old Brewery, AFC Laarsens and Inter Tadley.
New club Broomsquire Hotel were accepted at the recent league annual meeting to make the top division six strong.
The six teams are Bounty Rovers, Southern Electric (formerly Red Rose), Basingstoke Royals, Bramley United, Brookvale and Broomsquire Hotel, but a suggestion for teams to play each opponent three times was put off.
Division two will have nine teams following the withdrawal of B&NH Cricket Club Reserves, Winklebury Athletic, Rangers Reserves and Winterthur, who have transferred to the Saturday divisions.
The new clubs accepted were APPH United and Basingstoke Bears International, who join CES Rovers, AFC Riverdene, AC Marston's, Republic of Chineham, FC Popinjay, AFC Berg and Fitness First.
Nine teams will start in division three, with new club Basingstoke Irish Society replacing Cromwell, who have withdrawn.
Division four will have eight teams with AFC Aldermaston Apprentices the newcomers following the late withdrawal of Hoff Rangers and Basingstoke Control Systems during the last season.
Division five will start with nine teams. Basingstoke Sports and Social Club were formerly Basingstoke and North Hants Cricket Club, while AFC Hook move up from division six after forming a reserve team.
Division six will have 11 teams. B&NH Cricket Club A have withdrawn but four new teams have been accepted - BB, Inter Beer, Royal Oak Reserves and AFC Hook Reserves.
The bottom four divisions are: Division 3: Urbis, Lada, Basingstoke Saints, AFC Berg Res, Bramley Inn, Wheelgame (formerly Fox & Hounds Tadley), Dayers Fine Foods, AFC Kestrel and Basingstoke Irish Society.
Division 4: Chineham, Pertemps (formerly Bounty OB), Kempshott Leisure SC, Taran, Sainsbury Athletic, Brookvale Res, AFC Aldermaston Apprentices and Royal Oak Basingstoke.
Division 5: Newfound Fox, Pertemps Res (formerly Bounty OB Res), Gainsborough, Forest View, Mars Drinks, Golden Lion (formerly Jasmine's Heroes), Basingstoke Sports & Social Club, AFC Hook and AFC Berg A.
Division 6: Mole Inn, BB, AFC Hook Res, Winklebury Park, AMF United, AFC Berg B, Wote Street, Harriers, Braemar Rovers, Inter Beer and Royal Oak Res.