Devon district leagues

[Easterfield]

Details coming through of the four district leagues in Devon; the top divisions being at the same level of the East Cornwall and the Combination.

First to announce was the North Devon which has lost three teams to the Devon League and has re-organised into four divisions as opposed to five:   

Kilkhampton still in the top division (with Morwenstow seconds further down). Not sure who there may be to step up to the Devon League in time save for Boca Seniors (who have been mentioned before) and Park United (the most successful side of recent years who play in between Appledore and Westward Ho!).

Maybe that doesn’t matter too much at a time when it’s important to keep the district leagues going. The North Devon has shrunk over the years but, from a distance, it still seems relatively healthy given the area’s small population. Certainly plenty of attractive rural venues. 

Indeed I'd say the numbers compare favourably to the South Devon League which draws upon a larger population. Here's the SDL constitution for next season:

Still five divisions which has been the case in most seasons recently. But the divisions are getting smaller and smaller. Really not much football at all if teams only play each other twice.

Morley Rangers from Plymouth have switched across from the P&WD as have Plympton Athletic reserves. A number of disappointing absences including Ashburton, Galmpton (ex-SWPL) and Salcombe.

Three of the clubs which dropped of the Devon League - Chudleigh, Kingsteignton and Waldon Athletic - are back in the premier division but Watcombe Wanderers are lower down, Roselands United are missing and Totnes and Dartington have merged with Meadowbrook Athletic to become rather a mouthful.

More at https://www.middevonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/agm-report-five-new-teams-enter-south-devon-league-551920

 

 

[Buckland Jim]

Would expect Boca to go up eventually, the ground can't be far off meeting the grading regs. 

[Easterfield]

9 minutes ago, Buckland Jim said:

Would expect Boca to go up eventually, the ground can't be far off meeting the grading regs. 

I'd have thought so unless there's something glaring.

AFC Brixham rather than Brixham AFC Reserves in the SDL? Is that an error or intentional? 

Odd that Teign Village - a club which has existed from just after the village was built by the Teign Valley Granite Company - have switched to the Devon and Exeter after all these years.

[Buckland Jim]

19 minutes ago, Easterfield said:

I'd have thought so unless there's something glaring.

AFC Brixham rather than Brixham AFC Reserves in the SDL? Is that an error or intentional? 

Odd that Teign Village - a club which has existed from just after the village was built by the Teign Valley Granite Company - have switched to the Devon and Exeter after all these years.

Think it's probably a typo on Brixham, have seen both variations used in the past. 

Teign Village is a strange one, maybe they wanted a tougher challenge. Travelling will certainly be a lot more in the D&E League 

[Easterfield]

30 minutes ago, Buckland Jim said:

Teign Village is a strange one, maybe they wanted a tougher challenge. Travelling will certainly be a lot more in the D&E League 

Just one of those unusual choices perhaps? At least the main roads will get them into East Devon quickly enough. 

A relatively strong team at times in the past. Think Trevor Webber - one of those locally-born players who made a few FL appearences for Torquay United in times of particular strife - played for Teign Village some time after leaving Plainmoor.

[  https://www.flickr.com/photos/easterfieldlane/  - see page 3 for a picture of Teign Village (next to Liverton United); Brora and Clachnacuddin at foot of page 2 for those who may be interested. One or two Cornish additions last week; absolutely no trespassing involved so no close-up at Mullion ]

 

[Easterfield]

Devon and Exeter announced. More teams joining than leaving although there were departures during last season. One division has been cut but several will be larger than last time. No bigger-name departures save for Beer Albion and Thorverton joining the Devon League.

Premier division weighs in as half firsts and half reserves with a good geographical spread.

Familiar names that have slipped in recent times: St Martins (Division 2) and Heavitree and Witheridge (both Division 3).

Five substitutes to be allowed as will also be the case in the South Devon.

[Buckland Jim]

Don't recognise Exeter Royals, new team or name change? 

[Easterfield]

59 minutes ago, Buckland Jim said:

Don't recognise Exeter Royals, new team or name change? 

According to the league it's most of last season's Exeter Panthers .

I guess that's the nature of football in the larger towns and cities;  more stability in the smaller places. I tend to look at the top divisions but go blurry-eyed for the rest. But good on the league for remaining so strong. 

[Dave Deacon]

3 hours ago, Easterfield said:

Familiar names that have slipped in recent times: St Martins (Division 2)

Is this the same St Martins that did so well only a handful of seasons ago in the SWPL? If so, what happened?

[Easterfield]

26 minutes ago, Dave Deacon said:

Is this the same St Martins that did so well only a handful of seasons ago in the SWPL? If so, what happened?

Same club; still playing at Exminster which would be off to your right heading north as you start on the long viaduct across the Exe.

Pitch is level with a club house and an embankment which helps viewing. Lots of newish housing all about; very much a commuter suburb so plenty of children and youth football. 

Never any talk of step 6 facilities which would be why they declined promotion from the old Division 1(E) and then found themselves declining a place in the new Premier East twelve months later.   

It's possible for clubs such as St Martins to gather some of Exeter's better players together for a while but, when they've gone, they've gone. Devon League results went downhill in the second Covid saeson and they resigned from the league (I think) just before the start of 2021/22. Reserves became the firsts but they were several notches down the Devon & Exeter. Wondered if the league may have offered them a higher diviison next season (such things happen) but either they didn't or St Martins said no. 

Went from the Devon League around the same time as Heavitree. 

[Buckland Jim]

1 hour ago, Easterfield said:

According to the league it's most of last season's Exeter Panthers .

I guess that's the nature of football in the larger towns and cities;  more stability in the smaller places. I tend to look at the top divisions but go blurry-eyed for the rest. But good on the league for remaining so strong. 

Thanks Easterfield, I have noticed lower down the D&E you tend to get name changes most seasons.