Ten sides confirmed as Newbury Sunday League growth continues
Newbury Sunday League will feature at least ten teams this season.
A year ago the league was reduced to just five members, but thanks to a concerted effort from both the league and its clubs this has now doubled.
Last week’s AGM confirmed that Thatcham pub The Old Chequers and Challow Sports will both be entering the league, while Frilsham FC will be rebranding to Paggie’s Elite.
AFC Aldermaston have taken the decision to withdraw their side, leaving the current total for 2025/26 at ten.
An offer has also been made to Hampshire Irons, formerly known as OLA Prestige, regarding a switch from Basingstoke Sunday League where they currently play.
Remaining in the league will be last season’s champions, NWX FC.
They cruised to an unbeaten treble, winning the league title, the Jim Wild Memorial Shield and the Lambourn Cup.
They’ll be the team to beat, although returning rivals Kingsclere will fancy the challenge.
Kingsclere were runners up last season, losing only two games in the league, but sealing the Hampshire FA Sunday Trophy in dominant fashion to put Newbury Sunday League on the map.
Diamond FC will also return, having finished third last season.
They won the Knockout Cup in emphatic fashion and will target further success in 2025/26.
The Crickets AFC will also look to build on a strong debut season, in which they won the Vic French Cup.
Thatcham Tornadoes, Aldbourne Royals and Plough on the Green will also remain in the league next season.
Reflecting on the AGM, league chairman Bill Fry shared his delight at the league’s recent growth.
“We had to do something,” he said.
“People have seen the activity on social media.
“They’ve heard good things about the league and felt that it was worth a go.
“That’s what attracted Challow to come here instead of the Oxfordshire leagues.
“We’d be looking for a maximum of twelve sides, so we still have one or two places available ahead of next season.
“And we’re looking to start the season on the first Sunday of September.”
The arrival of two entirely new sides is testament to the energy surrounding the league.
Having come back from the brink, Newbury Sunday League is now a place of growth, where entirely new clubs can come and compete.
“Challow Sports was a pub team before COVID,” Fry explained.
“The pub never reopened and the team folded.
“So this is an amalgamation of Challow Juniors and their local cricket club.
“They’re applying for grants to upgrade the old football ground at Challow.
“But they have a ground within a couple of miles that they can use too.
“The Old Chequers is a brand new venture.
“The regulars there are keen, so we don’t expect many players to be taken from the existing Thatcham sides.”
Paggie’s Bar was a successful Sunday League side a few years ago, boasting some of the area’s best players.
Fry expects Paggie’s Elite, a continuation of Frilsham, to be something of a fresh start however.
“A majority of the old Paggie’s Bar players are concentrated on Saturday football now,” he said.
“The side has dissolved under the Frilsham name and reformed as Paggie’s Elite.
“There might be some players who drift back, but people have a free choice.”
The league is still open to new clubs and is always keen to attract new players.
They are also searching for sponsors for their cup competitions.
Enquiries regarding joining the league as a player, volunteer, club or sponsor should be directed to @newburysundayleague on Instagram or to Bill Fry on 07964058344.
Newbury Sunday League 2025/26
NWX
Kingsclere
Diamond
Thatcham Tornadoes
Aldbourne Royals
The Crickets
Plough on the Green
Paggie’s Elite
The Old Chequers
Challow Sports