The Hellenic League was found in 1953 with the bulk of its intial membership of 16 clubs coming from the Oxfordshire Senior League which remains a feeder league to the competition. Presumably the choice of name reflected the Olympian Amateur ideals of the new competition, and mirrored the Grecian names of the established top amateur leagues such as the Isthmian and Athenian Leagues. In the first season Princes Risborough Town recorded an unenviable 100% record by losing all 30 games of the campaign, conceding 160 goals in the process. Of the original members only Bicester Town have been able to maintain continuous membership of the league, winning the title twice. Didcot Town, the first ever champions, are also currently members of the league but had a short spell outside the league between 1957 and 1963. They have yet to add to their success in the inaugeral season. The most successful club in the league's history is Witney Town who accumulated 8 championships up until 1973 when they moved up to the Southern League. Other member clubs who've moved onto bigger things include Newport AFC and Forest Green Rovers. Newport AFC, the successors to former Football League club Newport County and now playing under that title once more, were members of the Hellenic League in their first season, 1989-90, winning the title. In 1998 Forest Green Rovers became the first former member of the Hellenic League to win promotion to the Nationwide Confernece, the top tier of the Pyramid. They played in the Hellenic League between 1975 and 1982 and as 1981-82 champions were promoted to the Southern League (now Beazer Homes League). At various times the Reserve teams of Football League clubs Luton Town, Oxford United and Swindon Town have played in the league.
From Oxfordshire Senior League | Bicester Town, Chipping Norton Town, Didcot Town, Headington United (reserves), Newbury Town, Pressed Steel (Oxford), Princes Risborough Town, Stokenchurch, Thatcham, Wallingford Town, Witney Town |
From Spartan League | Abingdon Town, Amersham Town, Leighton United |
From Parthenon League | Staines Town |
From North Buckinghamshire League | Buckingham Town |
The Hellenic League covers Oxfordshire mainly with several clubs in Gloucestershire, North Wiltshire and North Berkshire. It also includes two clubs from the Bristol area as well as one each from Hereford and Ross-on-Wye.
2 divisions, 34 clubs
Premier Division (19 clubs)
Division One (15 clubs)
The league first expanded to two divisions in 1956 with the top division of 17 clubs designated the Premier Division and a Division One of 10 clubs (including 3 reserve teams of Premier Division clubs) . In 1971 total membership reached a high of 46 clubs and Division Two was formed, with a rather unwieldly split of 17-13-14 between the three divisions. Division Two only lasted for two seasons and the league reverted to two divisions from 1973. Since then league membership has fluctuated between a low of 30 clubs in 1975-76 and the current total of 36. The league first experimented with 3 points for a win in 1974-75, but reverted back to the traditional 2 points in 1978-79 before finally settling on 3 points in 1983-84.
Abingdon United, Almondsbury Town, Banbury United, Bicester Town, Brackley Town, Carterton Town, Cirencester Football Academy, Didcot Town, Fairford Town, Hallen, Harrow Hill, Highworth Town, Milton United, North Leigh, Pegasus Juniors, Shortwood United, Swindon Supermarine, Tuffley Rovers, Wantage Town.
Relegated from Dr. Marten's League: Brackley Town
Promoted from Division One: Pegasus Juniors, Milton United
Promoted to Dr. Marten's League: Burnham
Disbanded: Endsleigh
Resigned: Kintbury Rangers (joined North Berks League)
1998 | Burnham |
1998 | Swindon Supermarine |
1997 | Brackley Town |
1996 | Cirencester Town |
1995 | Cinderford Town |
1994 | Moreton Town |
1993 | Wollen Sports |
1992 | Shortwood United |
1991 | Milton United |
1990 | Newport AFC |
Ardley United, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham Saracens, Cirencester United, Clanfield, Easington Sports, Headington Amateurs, Kidlington, Letcombe Sports, Middle Barton, Old Woodstock Town, Purton, Ross Town, Wootton Bassett Town, Worcester College OB.
Promoted from Oxfordshire Senior League: Middle Barton, Old Woodstock Town
Promoted to Premier Division: Pegasus Juniors, Milton United (runners-up Ardley
United did not meet ground criteria)
Resigned from League: Forest Green Rovers Reserves, Watlington Town
1999 | Pegasus Juniors |
1998 | Ardley United |
1997 | Ardley United |
1996 | Purton |
1995 | Endsleigh |
1994 | Carterton Town |
1993 | Tuffley Rovers |
1992 | Wollen Sports |
1991 | Cinderford Town |
1990 | Carterton Town |
Prepared and maintained by James M. Ross
Author: James M. Ross Last updated: 2 May 2001Copyright © 1997,2001 James M. Ross
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