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The Combined Counties League Map
The Combined Counties Football League, formerly the very short-lived Surrey Senior Football League, alias the Home Counties Football League and formed from the remains of the Surrey County Senior League, commenced operations on the 18th June 1978.
Three titles over a period of two years was poor publicity for any new League, though, fortunately, the current title produced no objections.
The background to this saga commenced in 1978, when the clubs and officers of the Surrey County Senior League decided to end a thirty-year alignment with the Surrey County Football Association following continual losses of clubs to other leagues and a general lack of new senior clubs coming through from the County Intermediate Leagues. The officers managed to obtain some sponsorship; a condition of which was the formation of a new league to enlarge the catchment area and scope in an attempt to seek direct affiliation with the Football Association. And so the Home Counties Football League was born.
As the new League was, geographically, insufficiently large enough to comply with Football Association regulations, the League was required to affiliate to the Surrey County Football Association. After a few months, an objection to the name was raised by the London Football Association through an autonomous body called the Home Counties Conference. This body instructed the Surrey County Football Association to refuse sanction to the League under it's present nomenclature in future seasons.
In anticipation, the League decided to revert to a similarity of the former title of the old defunct league - Surrey Senior Football League - after a change of heart by some of the more County-aligned members. Though, initially, verbally agreed by the Surrey County Football Association, the name was officially rejected on the grounds that the Surrey County Football Association intended to reform the Surrey County Senior League in a new form at some time in the future. This rejection came only ten days before the Home Counties Football League Annual General Meeting. The reformed Surrey County Senior League is now with us which was started in the 1982-1983 season.
Within this ten day period, the Surrey County Football Association suggested the name of the Corinthian Football League, but this was frowned upon by the Athenian Football League within which the old Corinthian Football League was incorporated. The alternative suggestion which found general approval was the Combined Counties Football League, and this was finally adopted.
Since 1978, the annual, and increasing, loss of clubs to other Leagues was finally arrested, much to the relief of the officers. From the initial nine founder-member clubs, the Premier Division grew in the first year to eleven with Hartley Wintney and Yateley. The following season brought Godalming & Farncombe United, now Godalming & Guildford, and for a time Godalming Town, from the Surrey County Intermediate Football League (Western Division) and, possibly more importantly, Virginia Water from the London-Spartan Football League, to help provide a stronger competition. The return of Virginia Water and the decision of Chessington United not to purse an application for membership of the London-Spartan Football League after having been accepted, alleviated some of the wear and tear on the League's officers, who had been battling for the League's survival. The Chessington United decision was followed by two more enquiries, both from outside Surrey, from clubs considering applying for the following season.
Higher Petrol costs and, therefore, dearer travel, persuaded more clubs to follow the lead of Virginia Water, to compete in a more regionalised League. 1980-1981 brought Cranleigh, Farnham Town, Lingfield and Wrecclesham with Alton Town, Chobham, Cove and Frimley Green joining the following season. Only two Clubs had departed in this time; Lions Sports, whose senior teams folded due to company policy, and Lingfield who were somewhat isolated geographically. By 1983, membership of the League stabilised with between sixteen and eighteen clubs, and ideally, each club was to eventually reach the playing strength and facilities required to compete in the Football Association Challenge Vase competition.
From the commencement of the 1984-1985 season, the League, together with three other senior Leagues in the Home Counties, formed the lower rung of the Isthmian Pyramid system of football under the Isthmian Football League. Further, the formation of the Surrey County Premier League led to the completion of the Surrey County Football Association pyramid extending down to the most junior of park clubs. Under this pyramid, any club affiliated to the Surrey County Football Association could then progress through their various Leagues to the Combined Counties Football League, subject to certain requirements relating to facilities and the granting of senior status by the County Football Association, under a promotion/relegation agreement between the Surrey County Premier League and this League. This agreement did not apply to clubs affiliated to other County Football Associations, who could apply for membership in the usual manner. The decision to join the pyramid, in effect, strengthened the League enabling it to become a force in senior non-league football and develop to a level equal to that of other Leagues of similar status.
In 1985, the League became the first feeder League in the Isthmian pyramid to provide a club with suitable facilities, Southwick, acceptable for promotion to the Isthmian Football League, Division Two (South). The following season Chertsey Town were similarly promoted.
1987 saw a further change in the name of the League. An agreement was reached with Dan-Air Scheduled Services Limited to provide sponsorship in the form of a five figure sum over a four year period, with annual options. Part of that agreement changed the League title to the 'Dan-Air Football League' and introduced a League representative team. The sponsorship of the League by Dan-Air Scheduled Services Limited was most appropriate since the company were originally based as Blackbushe Airport, Yateley, which is in the catchment area of the League. Dan-Air were then based at Gatwick and operated out of that airport as well as Heathrow; both airports being on the extremities of the League's area.
The summer of 1988 saw another of the League's objectives achieved when the arrival of Steyning Town from Sussex meant that the League were required to formally affiliate direct to the Football Association.
Dan-Air Scheduled Services Limited increased their sponsorship in 1989 with the introduction of the Dan-Air Class Elite Cup which advertised the company's business executive class on the airline.
The position of the League in the national pyramid was strengthened in 1990 when the admittance of Sandhurst Town extended the area of the League into a fifth county, Berkshire, and the Annual General Meeting agreed the introduction of yet another competition, the Youth Cup, for member clubs. Another club gained promotion into the Isthmian League when Cove moved up at the end of the season.
During 1990 the Isthmian Pyramid was expanded to include a level of Lower Feeder Leagues which included the Surrey County Premier League, now known as the Surrey County Senior League. This enlarged the area from which Clubs could be promoted into the League and promotion & relegation issues at both ends of the League will now be decided by the Isthmian Joint Liaison Committee.
The 1991-92 season, saw the League expand once more with new arrivals Viking Sports, from the Hellenic League and Ditton promoted from the Surrey Premier League. The League also introduced a new competition for the third season running, the Dan-Air Youth League, open to youth teams from member clubs. However, the Youth League failed to achieve it's aims only attracting seven teams in it's first season. With few of the other teams showing interest in entering, the League reluctantly abandoned the competition at the end of the season.
Farnham Town attaining promotion in 1991-92 to the Isthmian League, however, they failed to attain the facilities required and were back in the League in 1993-94.
The 1992-93 season saw the League with a new name with the end of the sponsorship from Dan-Air and a new three year deal. Parasol Professional Portrait Photography Ltd of Cobham agreed a sponsorship deal resulting in a new title for the League; the “Parasol Combined Counties Football League”.
The League Challenge Cup also returned to sponsorship for the 1992-93 season with the name Parasol Challenge Cup. A replacement for the popular Dan-Air Class Elite Cup was also obtained which became the Frazer Freight Vase which was sponsored by Frazer Freight International Ltd.
Two new clubs also joined the League for the 1992-93 season with Peppard being the first to be promoted from the Chiltonian League and DCA Basingstoke crossing the pyramid from the Hampshire League. With the arrival of Peppard, who are an Oxfordshire Club, the League now extended its influence into six counties for the first time.
Peppard were to prove a formidable side on the field winning both the Premier & Reserve Divisions in 1992-93 & 1993-94 but they failed to obtain the facilities necessary to progress into the Isthmian League. The 1992-93 season saw the demise of Malden Town, a long time member of the league, when they lost their ground and were forced to out of existence.
The 1993-94 season also saw Chipstead withdraw their reserves and move them to the Suburban League, the first club to do so. Frimley Green were also relegated to the Surrey Premier League and replaced by Netherne.
In the 1994-95 season Ashford Town (Middx) claimed the first of their record breaking run of League titles. This was to be repeated the following year, a season that saw Malden Vale return to the CCFL from the Isthmian League as Raynes Park Vale along with Feltham. Ashford Town (Middx)’s run of league titles was to continue until they were promoted into the Isthmian League at the end of 1999-2000. The run only interspersed by the 1998-99 championship claimed by Ash United.
In 1997-98 the league received sponsorship from another source and became the Courage Combined Counties Football League.
In the following seasons Cove, AFC Wallingford & Withdean 2000 won the championship but all failed to gain promotion due to standard of facilities. Withdean 2000 were most unlucky as their home ground, Withdean Stadium, has been used by Brighton & Hove in the Football League Championship & League One. The 2002-2003 season saw CCFL matches played for the first time on a ground with a seating capacity of 7000.
In 2002, the league reached a membership of 24 clubs in the premier division with the arrival of North Greenford United, from the Middlesex County League, and AFC Wimbledon.
The AFC Wimbledon experience was something special for most of the clubs in the league. With crowds of up to 4000 specators at AFC Wimbledons matches. It also saw the first matches with large numbers of police drafted in to control crowds, including mounted police and helicopters.
AFC Wimbledon spent two seasons with the league before being promoted as champions and winning the league cup. The Premier Cup Final at Woking FC for the match between AFC Wimbledon & North Greenford United saw the largest crowd to fill Kingfield Stadium.
In 2002-03 also marked the start of a three year sponsorship arrangement with Seagrave Haulage. Unfortunately, this was to fail after one season when Seagrave pulled out of the deal.
Following the National League System Conference in July 2002. The CCFL and the Surrey Senior League entered into discussions. This resulted in the merger of the two leagues for season 2003-2004 forming a league of 40 clubs filling the steps 5 and 6 in line with FA wishes.
After a first successful season in operation the CCFL Division One champions AFC Guildford were promoted into the Premier Division.
In 2005, Premier Division Champions Walton Casuals were been promoted to the newly restructured step 4 leagues, whilst AFC Wallingford & Hartley Wintney were relegated to Division One and Bedfont Green promoted to the Premier Division. Hanworth Villa from the Middlesex County League and Tongham from the Surrey Intermediate League were promoted into Division One to replace the relegated Cranleigh & Hersham RBL.
A new sponsorship was also in place for 2005-06 following an agreement with Cherry Red Records. The league became the Cherry Red Combined Counties Football League.
At the end of 2005-06, six clubs were moved from the Isthmian League Division Two to the Combined Counties League. This was part of the FA restructuring of the National League System where a fifth division at Step 4 was created and Isthmian Division Two was scrapped. These clubs were Camberley Town, Chertsey Town, Dorking, Egham Town, Epsom & Ewell & Wembley. Most of these clubs were former members of the league when it had been the Surrey Senior League. These clubs were joined by Banstead Athletic who took the relegation spot in Isthmian Division One being replaced by Godalming Town who were promoted as champions of the Premier Division. With Bookham being promoted to the Premier Division and AFC Wallingford taking their promotion as a move into the Hellenic League, five clubs were moved to Division One mainly for failing to meet the facility requirements. These being Farnham Town, Feltham, Frimley Green, Horley Town & Westfield. The league achieved its largest membership by also accepting CB Hounslow United from the Middlesex League and South Park from the Crawley & District League.
2006-2007 saw another club promoted to step 4. Chipstead who had led the Premier Division for most of the season. Horley Town, having upgraded their facilities were able to make a return to the Premier Division and Knaphill, from the Surrey Intermediate League, and Neasden Foundation, from the Middlesex County League were admitted to Division One.
2007-2008 saw Merstham promoted to step 4 whilst Molesey dropped to take their place. Merstham were run away leaders of the Premier Division for most of the season they also won the Premier Challenge Cup and were the first Combined Counties League winners of the Surrey Senior Cup. Reaching the last 8 of the FA Vase also capped a memorable season for Merstham. Reading Town moved to the Hellenic League in a swap with Badsot Lea. Hartley Wintney, finishing in third place were propmted to the Premier Division replacing Dorking, who survived possible eviction from their ground, and Mole Valley SCR, from the Middlesex County League were admitted to Division One. Neasden Foundation after a single season were removed from the competition having failed to complete their league programme whilst Tongham & Merrow resigned from Division One.
With promotion and relegation at both ends of the competition, the League is now well established as a senior route into higher football for clubs in a region covering Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, London, Middlesex & Surrey.
PREMIER DIVISION LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
Winners Runners-up
1978-1979 B.Ae (Weybridge) Ash United
1979-1980 Guildford & Worplesdon Ash United
1980-1981 Malden Town Hartley Wintney
1981-1982 Ash United Malden Town
1982-1983 Hartley Wintney Ash United
1983-1984 Godalming Town Malden Town
1984-1985 Malden Vale Southwick
1985-1986 B.Ae (Weybridge) Chertsey Town
1986-1987 Ash United Farnham Town
1987-1988 B.Ae (Weybridge) Merstham
1988-1989 B.Ae (Weybridge) Malden Vale
1989-1990 Chipstead Merstham
1990-1991 Farnham Town Chipstead
1991-1992 Farnham Town Malden Town
1992-1993 Peppard Chipstead
1993-1994 Peppard Ashford Town (Middx)
1994-1995 Ashford Town (Middx) Viking Sports
1995-1996 Ashford Town (Middx) Chipstead
1996-1997 Ashford Town (Middx) Corinthian Casuals
1997-1998 Ashford Town (Middx) Reading Town
1998-1999 Ash United Cobham
1999-2000 Ashford Town (Middx) Ash United
2000-2001 Cove AFC Wallingford
2001-2002 AFC Wallingford Ash United
2002-2003 Withdean 2000 AFC Wallingford
2003-2004 AFC Wimbledon AFC Wallingford
2004-2005 Walton Casuals North Greenford United
2005-2006 Godalming Town Merstham
2006-2007 Chipstead Merstham
2007-2008 Merstham Guildford City
2008-2009 Bedfont Green North Greenford United
2009-2010 North Greenford United Chertsey Town
DIVISION ONE LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
Winners Runners-up
2003-2004 AFC Guildford Colliers Wood United
2004-2005 Coney Hall Bedfont Green
2005-2006 Warlingham AFC Wallingford
2006-2007 Farnham Town
HORLEY TOWN
2007-2008 Staines Lammas Hanworth Villa
2008-2009 Staines Lammas Hanworth Villa
2009-2010 Mole Valley SCR Worcester Park
DIVISION ONE SUPPLEMENTARY COMPETITION
Winners Runners-up
2003-2004 Bookham Merrow
2004-2005 Competition Suspended
DIVISION TWO LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
Winners Runners-up
1979-1980 Guildford & Worplesdon Hartley Wintney
1980-1981 Lion Sports Cobham
1981-1982 Malden Vale Merstham
1982-1983 Competition Suspended
1983-1984 Hartley Wintney Virginia Water
1984-1985 Competition Suspended
RESERVE DIVISION LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
(Called Reserve Section until end of 1996-97, Division One from 1997-98 until end of 2002-03 & Premier Reserve Division from 2003-04 until end of 2006-07 season)
Winners Runners-up
1978-1979 Malden Town
HORLEY TOWN
1979-1980 Ash United Westfield
1980-1981 Ash United Farnham Town
1981-1982
HORLEY TOWN Westfield
1982-1983 Ash United Malden Vale
1983-1984 Ash United Chessington United
1984-1985 Malden Vale Merstham
1985-1986 B.Ae (Weybridge) Malden Vale
1986-1987 Hartley Wintney B.Ae (Weybridge)
1987-1988 Malden Vale Godalming Town
1988-1989 Malden Town Bedfont
1989-1990 Chipstead Hartley Wintney
1990-1991 Merstham Malden Town
1991-1992 Cobham Frimley Green
1992-1993 Peppard Ashford Town (Middx)
1993-1994 Peppard Farleigh Rovers
1994-1995 Ashford Town (Middx) Godalming & Guildford
1995-1996 Godalming & Guildford Ashford Town (Middx)
1996-1997 Godalming & Guildford Bedfont
1997-1998 Chessington & Hook United Godalming & Guildford
1998-1999 Bedfont Ashford Town (Middx)
1999-2000 Bedfont Ash United
2000-2001 Bedfont Godalming & Guildford
2001-2002 Ash United AFC Wallingford
2002-2003 Raynes Park Vale Westfield
2003-2004 Feltham North Greenford United
2004-2005 North Greenford United Sandhurst Town
2005-2006 Raynes Park Vale Colliers Wood United
2006-2007 Colliers Wood United Ash United
2007-2008 Staines Lammas Bedfont Green
2008-2009 Bookham Badshot Lea
2009-2010 Worcester Park Bedfont Sports
DIVISION ONE RESERVE LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
Winners Runners-up
2003-2004 Colliers Wood United Farleigh Rovers
2004-2005 Warlingham Crescent Rovers
2005-2006 Bookham Staines Lammas
2006-2007 Warlingham Staines Lammas
2007-2008 Competition Suspended
YOUTH DIVISION
Winners Runners-up
1991-1992 Farnham Town Westfield
1992-1993 Competition Suspended
PREMIER CHALLENGE CUP
(Was replaced by the Concours Challenge Trophy for seasons 1981-1982 to 1990-1991. also known as the Dan-Air League Cup in season 1991-92, Parasol Challenge Cup seasons 1992-93 to 1994-95, Worldwide Carpets Premier Challenge Cup in season 1998-99 and Seagrave Haulage Challenge Cup in 2002-2003)
Winners Runners-up
1978-1979 Chessington United B.Ae (Weybridge)
1979-1980 Guildford & Worplesdon Chessington United
1980-1981 Malden Town Farnham Town
1981-1982 Competition Suspended
1991-1992 Farnham Town Farleigh Rovers
1992-1993 Chipstead Ashford Town (Middx)
1993-1994 Peppard Ashford Town (Middx)
1994-1995 Chipstead Bedfont
1995-1996 Farnham Town Netherne
1996-1997 Feltham Godalming & Guildford
1997-1998 Ash United Chessington & Hook United
1998-1999 Ashford Town (Middx) Cobham
1999-2000 Walton Casuals Viking Greenford
2000-2001 Cove Walton Casuals
2001-2002 Cobham Bedfont
2002-2003 Withdean 2000 AFC Wallingford
2003-2004 AFC Wimbledon North Greenford United
2004-2005 Merstham AFC Guildford
2005-2006 Godalming Town Merstham
2006-2007 Merstham North Greenford United
2007-2008 Merstham Bedfont Green
2008-2009 Camberley Town Worcester Park
2009-2010 Cove Bedfont
CONCOURS CHALLENGE TROPHY
(Was initially a Reserve Competition in 1980-1981 to 1981-1982, then replaced the Premier Challenge Cup for seasons 1981-1982 to 1990-1991)
Winners Runners-up
1980-1981 Lion Sports Sheerwater
1981-1982 Cove Ash United
1982-1983 Godalming Town Hartley Wintney
1983-1984 Guildford & Worplesdon Farnham Town
1984-1985 Malden Vale Ash United
1985-1986 Chertsey Town Malden Vale
1986-1987 Chipstead Farleigh Rovers
1987-1988 Hartley Wintney B.Ae (Weybridge)
1988-1989 B.Ae (Weybridge) Farnham Town
1989-1990 Hartley Wintney Westfield
1990-1991 Chipstead
HORLEY TOWN
1991-1992 Competition Suspended
DAN-AIR CLASS ELITE CUP
Winners Runners-up
1989-1990 Merstham Chipstead
1990-1991 Frimley Green Merstham
1991-1992 Farnham Town Ashford Town (Middx)
1992-1993 Competition Suspended
PARASOL CHALLENGE VASE
Winners Runners-up
1992-1993 Bedfont Sandhurst Town
1993-1994 Peppard Ashford Town (Middx)
1994-1995 Peppard Chipstead
1995-1996 Competition Suspended
RESERVE CHALLENGE CUP
(Known as the Reserve Challenge Cup until end of 1997-98, Division One Challenge Cup 1997-98 until end of 2002-03 season and Premier Reserve Challenge Cup 2003-04 until end of 2006-07)
Winners Runners-up
1978-1979 Chessington United Chobham
1979-1980 B.Ae (Weybridge) Guildford & Worplesdon
1980-1981 B.Ae (Weybridge) Frimley Green
1981-1982 Ash United Malden Vale
1982-1983 Chobham Ash United
1983-1984 Farnham Town Malden Town
1984-1985 Fleet Town Merstham
1985-1986 Cobham Godalming Town
1986-1987 Hartley Wintney Godalming Town
1987-1988 Farleigh Rovers Farnham Town
1988-1989 B.Ae (Weybridge) Malden Town
1989-1990
HORLEY TOWN Bedfont
1990-1991 Frimley Green Chipstead
1991-1992 Godalming Town Sandhurst Town
1992-1993 Chipstead Godalming & Guildford
1993-1994 Peppard Farleigh Rovers
1994-1995 Ashford Town (Middx) Netherne
1995-1996 Merstham Godalming & Guildford
1996-1997 Ashford Town (Middx) Ash United
1997-1998 Godalming & Guildford Reading Town
1998-1999 Ashford Town (Middx) Merstham
1999-2000 Bedfont Ashford Town (Middx)
2000-2001 Sandhurst Town Bedfont
2001-2002 Sandhurst Town Westfield
2002-2003 Westfield Raynes Park Vale
2003-2004 Raynes Park Vale Feltham
2004-2005 Raynes Park Vale Horley Town
2005-2006 Ash United Sandhurst Town
2006-2007 Cobham Colliers Wood United
2007-2008 Staines Lammas Frimley Green
2008-2009 Bookham Cresent Rovers
2009-2010 Eversley Warlingham
DIVISION ONE RESERVE CHALLENGE CUP
Winners Runners-up
2003-2004 Colliers Wood United Bookham
2004-2005 Warlingham Worcester Park
2005-2006 Bookham Warlingham
2006-2007 Staines Lammas Warlingham
2007-2008 Competition Suspended
RESERVE CHALLENGE SHIELD
Winners Runners-up
1983-1984 Farnham Town Ash United
1984-1985 Competition Suspended
1991-1992 Westfield Godalming Town
1992-1993 Competition Suspended
1996-1997 Godalming & Guildford Reading Town
1997-1998 Cobham Ash United
1998-1999 Competition Suspended
2001-2002 Bedfont Westfield
2002-2003 Raynes Park Vale Westfield
2003-2004 North Greenford United Westfield
2004-2005 Warlingham Ash United
2005-2006 Cobham -
2006-2007 Staines Lammas Warlingham
2007-2008 Competition Suspended
GEORGE ALLEN MEMORIAL CUP
Winners Runners-up
1978-1979 Ash United Malden Town
1979-1980 Guildford & Worplesdon Clarion
1980-1981 Chobham Malden Town
1981-1982 Hartley Wintney Ash United
1982-1983 Competition Suspended
1986-1987 Presented as Reserve Section Challenge Cup
FAIR PLAY TROPHY
Premier Winners Premier Reserve/Reserve Winners
1987-1988 B.Ae (Weybridge) -
1988-1989 Godalming Town -
1989-1990 Cobham -
1990-1991 Cranleigh -
1991-1992 Merstham -
1992-1993 DCA Basingstoke -
1993-1994 Peppard -
1994-1995 DCA Basingstoke -
1995-1996 Competition Suspended -
1997-1998 Ash United Ashford Town (Middx)
1998-1999 Westfield Farnham Town
1999-2000 Feltham Ash United
2000-2001 AFC Wallingford Westfield
2001-2002 Westfield Merstham
2002-2003 Chipstead Westfield
2003-2004 Withdean 2000 Chessington United
2004-2005 Raynes Park Vale Bedfont & Westfield
2005-2006 Reading Town Egham Town
2006-2007 Merstham Colliers Wood United
2007-2008 Merstham Cove
2008-2009 Cobham Westfield
2009-2010 Colliers Wood United Knaphill
Division One Winners Division One Reserve Winners
2003-2004 Colliers Wood United Chobham & Ottershaw
2004-2005 Crescent Rovers Coney Hall
2005-2006 Warlingham Crescent Rovers
2006-2007 Crescent Rovers Coney Hall
2007-2008 South Park -
2008-2009 South Park -
2009-2010 Coulsdon United -
GRANT-McLELLAN YOUTH CUP
Winners Runners-up
1990-1991 Steyning Town Chipstead
1991-1992 Bedfont Chipstead
1992-1993 Competition Suspended
2006-2007 Bedfont Green Chertsey Town
2007-2008 Warlingham Raynes Park Vale
2008-2009 Cobham Camberley Town
2009-2010 Westfield Molesey