Anglian Combination


Hadley & Ottaway Anglian Combination is an English football league that operates in the East Anglia area. The league specifically covers Norfolk and northern Suffolk with rules stating that clubs should be within a 50 miles radius from the centre of Norwich.
It consists of 104 teams and has seven divisions – the Premier Division, Division One to Four plus the two regionalised divisions, Division Five North and South. Its top division is currently at step 7 of the National League System. An U19 Development Division was proposed to start in the 2014–15 season depending on interest.
Each season, the best of the Anglian Combination's footballers are selected to represent the Anglian Combination in the FA Inter-League Cup, a cup competition for the FA's regional leagues.
CNSOBU were the first ever champions of the Anglian Combination in 1965, winning the Senior A Division in the league's transitional season. Blofield United are the most successful club in the Anglian Combination's history with 6 top division league titles while Acle United and Wroxham have won the most consecutive titles with both clubs winning the Anglian Combination 4 times in succession.
Sheringham are the reigning champions after winning the 2018–19 Premier Division.

History

The league was formed in 1964, as a merger of the East Anglian League and the Norfolk & Suffolk League and had a transitional season in 1964–65 before settling down to a regular format for the 1965–66 season of four divisions for first teams and three for reserves. A further division for first teams was added for 1966–67, and that format remained unchanged until the previously separate reserve divisions incorporated into the main structure for the 2003–04 season. The winners of the Premier Division are also known as the Sterry Cup winners and are eligible for promotion to the Eastern Counties League.
After a league meeting of the Anglian Combination clubs on 9 February 2011, it was decided the Anglian Combination would adopt the FA's Respect programme. This included the practice of all players on the two teams and match officials shaking hands before the game.
On 25 June 2012, a proposed trial for rolling substitutions was rejected by Anglian Combination clubs at a league AGM
To try and solve problems with decreasing youth participation, an U19 Development Division was agreed on at a league AGM on 17 June 2013 with the competition expected to start from the 2014–15 season at the earliest.

Sponsorship

From 1992 to 2006, the chartered accountants Lovewell Blake sponsored the league. Dolphin Autos took over sponsorship of the league from 2006 to 2010. Gleave & Associates sponsored the league for one year in 2010–11 season. This was followed by three seasons without sponsorship before the independent financial advisors, Almary Green, agreed to sponsor the league for three year from 2014–15 to 2016-2017 seasons
Hadley and Ottaway are the current sponsors from 2017-2018 onwards.

Format and regulations

No more than 80 clubs and 132 teams are to be permitted to the league system. In theory this means that no more than 52 clubs can have both a first and reserve team competing in the league. No more than one team from a club can play in the same division. The Premier Division and Division One are "senior" divisions while the rest of the divisions are "junior" divisions. There is a limit of 16 teams for each division. Some divisions do get reduced in size either at the start of the season or during the season because of teams withdrawing, due to not enough players or financial problems. Their places for the next season are taken by teams elected from the feeder leagues. Teams play each other twice, home and away, in a double round robin format.
In Division One to Division Three, the top two clubs are promoted while the bottom two are relegated. In Division Four, the top two are promoted and the bottom 4 are relegated. In Division Five the top 2 are promoted from each regional division. In the Premier Division, there is no automatic promotion as clubs need to meet the FA's ground grading guide for admission to the Eastern Senior League in order to do so. Only teams finishing in the top two of the Premier Division are eligible for promotion. The bottom two clubs are relegated to Division One. Clubs need to be elected from the feeder leagues below, in order for relegation to occur from the regional Division Fives, providing that there are no places in other divisions in the league to fill due to withdrawals.
There are some interesting rules in the Anglian Combination. Unlike professional leagues, no team or goalkeeper is allowed to wear black or very dark shirts. This is because referees kits in this division are all black compared to professional leagues in which referees wear different coloured kits where appropriate. Another rule of interest is that matches can be less than 90 minutes but no less than 70 minutes, although this rule only comes into play if the two team captains and referee agree prior to kick-off and it is common sense for the match to be shorter than 90 minutes. A typical reason that this rule comes into play is for evening kick-offs due to a lack of natural light if the ground of the home team doesn't have floodlights. Similarly half-time intervals can be less than 10–15 minutes with the consent of the referee.
;FA Charter Standard
The Anglian Combination is looking to become a designated FA Charter Standard League. Member clubs have until the end of the 2014–15 season to become an FA Charter Standard club or they face expulsion from the league. New member clubs have one season to achieve Charter Standard status.
;Transfers
Players are allowed to move clubs at any point during the season. However each player is only permitted one move during the season. Once they move, they cannot move again until after the season's end.
;Players
;Premier Division ground grading
Clubs in the Premier Division are subject to the FA's Ground Grading regulations where they are subject to the regulations of Grade H Clubs that fail to comply to the regulations by a certain deadline could face expulsion to Division 1 at the end of the season. Every Premier Division club in the 2011–12 competition met the deadline of 31 March 2012 except North Walsham Town. They were given a deadline of 25 June 2012 to raise the funds and complete the work needed to meet regulations. Otherwise North Walsham Town would have been demoted to Division 1. However, after finding the funds and getting the necessary upgrades done in time, they stayed in the Premier Division for the 2012–13 season.

Clubs for 2019–20 season

The 2018–19 season started eight teams short. The full complement is 16 teams in each division but Divisions Two, Three and Four started with 15, Divisions Five North started with 14 and Division Five South with 13. Newton Flotman of Division 5 South folded during the season.

Premier Division (Sterry Cup)

Acle United

Division One (East Anglian Division One Cup)

Attleborough Town

Division Two (Allerton Cup)

Beccles Caxton

Division Three (East Anglian Division Three Cup)

AC Mill Lane

Division Four (George Hunt Cup)

Acle United Reserves

Division Five North

AFC Lynn Napier

Division Five South

AC Mill Lane Reserves

Anglian Combination winners

1964–65

For the league's first "transitional" season, the members of the amalgamating leagues were split into three tiers, "Senior", "Junior" and "Reserves". Each of these three tiers was split into two parallel divisions, designated simply "A" and "B".
SeasonSenior ASenior BJunior AJunior BReserves AReserve B
1964–65C N S O B UDereham TownYork AthleticSouthwold TownGothic ReservesHenderson Reserves

1965–2003

After the initial transitional season, the first teams in the league were split into four divisions, based on their finishing positions in the 1964–65 season. These became the Premier Division, Divisions 1, 2 and 3. A Division 4 was added for the 1966–67 season. Reserve sides were similarly split into three divisions, Reserve Divisions 1, 2 and 3.
Season PremierOneTwoThreeFourRes OneRes TwoRes Three
1965–66C N S O B UYork AthleticHorsford UnitedPoringlandN/AWatton United ReservesThorpe Village ReservesNorman Old Boys Reserves
1966–67Watton UnitedHorsford UnitedNorth Walsham TownEaton RangersHellesdonWatton United ReservesBungay Town ReservesShipdham Reserves
1967–68Watton UnitedDiss TownEarlham Y CHellesdonBirds Eye Norman Old Boys ReservesReepham Town ReservesHolt United Reserves
1968–69GorlestonSt AndrewsHellesdonBirds Eye Thetford RoversYork Athletic ReservesHolt United ReservesSextons Reserves
1969–70SheringhamHellesdonBirds Eye OverstrandEarlham RangersWatton United ReservesThorpe Village ReservesFakenham Town Reserves
1970–71C N S O B UWymondham TownLakenham Y CBoulton & PaulBodhamSt Andrews ReservesHoveton United ReservesShipdham Reserves
1971–72C N S O B UFakenham TownSouthreppsBeccles TownStagsHoveton United ReservesFakenham Town ReservesHellesdon Reserves
1972–73HellesdonReepham TownThetford RoversSalhouseGorleston ReservesHenderson ReservesWymondham Old Boys ReservesNorwich Lads Club Reserves
1973–74C N S O B UDiss TownSwaffham TownCarrowWells TownNorwich Union ReservesThetford Rovers ReservesAylsham Wanderers Reserves
1974–75C N S O B UBungay TownSouthwold TownNewton FlotmanWortwellSt Andrews ReservesFakenham Town ReservesNewton Flotman Reserves
1975–76St AndrewsSouthwold UnitedWroxhamWortwellYarmouth Town ReservesSt Andrews ReservesNewton Flotman ReservesSprowston Wanderers Reserves
1976–77Diss TownWroxhamNewton FlotmanGorleston ReservesMundham & SeethingSt Andrews ReservesBeccles Town ReservesEarlham Spinney Reserves
1977–78Lowestoft Town ReservesBrundall UnitedWortwellBrandon TownTown HallSt Andrews ReservesSheringham ReservesHolt United Reserves
1978–79Diss TownNewton FlotmanKirkleyLakeford RangersBradenham WanderersWroxham ReservesThetford Rovers ReservesWortwell Reserves
1979–80Lowestoft Town ReservesKirkleyLakeford RangersBradenham WanderersAcle UnitedFakenham Town ReservesC E Y M S ReservesKirkley Reserves
1980–81Hoveton UnitedBungay TownGorleston ReservesHarleston TownSouth WalshamHoveton United ReservesKirkley ReservesBradenham Wanderers Reserves
1981–82WroxhamWymondham TownHarleston TownMundfordMundham & SeethingHoveton United ReservesBradenham Wanderers ReservesAttleborough Reserves
1982–83WroxhamGorleston ReservesBradenham WanderersAcle UnitedHempnallWroxham ReservesC E Y M S ReservesWells Town Reserves
1983–84WroxhamBlofield UnitedSwaffham TownHempnallMulbarton UnitedWroxham ReservesWells Town ReservesEast Harling Reserves
1984–85WroxhamThetford RoversHempnallAshleaNorth Walsham TownWroxham ReservesThetford Rovers ReservesLoddon United Reserves
1985–86Watton UnitedWymondham TownWortwellThurton & AshbyMattishallWatton United ReservesBlofield United ReservesPoringland United Reserves
1986–87St AndrewsAshleaAylsham WanderersTown HallWatton United ReservesWroxham ReservesAylsham Wanderers ReservesLoddon United Reserves
1987–88WroxhamBungay TownTown HallWatton UnitedBeccles CaxtonWroxham ReservesCarrow ReservesHempnall Reserves
1988–89Norwich UnitedKirkleyStalham TownPoringland WanderersWroxham ReservesSt Andrews ReservesOverstrand ReservesAshlea Reserves
1989–90Newton FlotmanDereham HobbiesMulbarton UnitedAttleborough TownNorwich United ReservesBlofield United ReservesLakeford Rangers ReservesStalham Town Reserves
1990–91Blofield UnitedWymondham TownMattishallScole UnitedCortonNewton Flotman ReservesStalham Town ReservesMulbarton United Reserves
1991–92OverstrandHorsford UnitedDiss Town ReservesTown Hall ScriptsSouth WalshamWymondham Town ReservesMulbarton United ReservesReepham Town Reserves
1992–93Mulbarton UnitedWroxham ReservesThorpe VillageSouth WalshamAnglian WindowsCarrow ReservesLoddon United ReservesCaister United Reserves
1993–94Blofield UnitedLowestoft Town ReservesPoringland WanderersAnglian WindowsHalvergate UnitedBlofield United ReservesThorpe Village ReservesC E Y M S Reserves
1994–95Wroxham ReservesThorpe VillageNorth Walsham TownAcle UnitedHingham AthleticSt Andrews ReservesPoringland Wanderers ReservesWortwell Reserves
1995–96Horsford UnitedLoddon UnitedAttleborough TownScole UnitedThetford Town ReservesBlofield UnitedBeccles Town ReservesAnglian Windows Reserves
1996–97Mulbarton UnitedAcle UnitedScole UnitedSwaffham Town ReservesDownham Town ReservesAcle United ReservesBrandon Town ReservesAylsham Wanderers Reserves
1997–98Dereham TownScole UnitedWells TownEast HarlingGreat RyburghAcle United ReservesOulton Broad / L R ReservesThetford Rovers Reserves
1998–99Attleborough TownLakeford RangersSprowston AthleticWatton United ReservesDereham Town ReservesAcle United ReservesCaister United ReservesSaham Toney Reserves
1999–2000KirkleySprowston AthleticNorwich UnionDereham Town ReservesHindringhamAcle United ReservesScole United ReservesWells Town Reserves
2000–01Blofield UnitedGorleston ReservesHalvergate UnitedHolt UnitedGayton UnitedBlofield United ReservesWells Town ReservesWatton United Reserves
2001–02KirkleyBeccles TownHindringhamGayton UnitedFosters AthleticWells Town ReservesHalvergate United ReservesFosters Athletic Reserves
2002–03KirkleyHalvergate UnitedHorsford UnitedSheringhamSouthwold TownKirkley ReservesNorwich Union ReservesCostessey Sports Reserves

2003–2015

In 2003 the league was re-organised, reducing the number of divisions from eight to seven. The reserve divisions were included within the main structure of the league, allowing the reserve teams the possibility of promotion to the divisions containing other clubs' first teams.
Season PremierOneTwoThreeFourFiveSix
2003–04Cromer TownWatton UnitedSheringhamSouthwold TownSprowston Athletic ReservesNorwich Union ReservesHindringham Reserves
2004–05Blofield UnitedSheringhamSouthwold TownNorwich St JohnsKirkley ReservesCromer Town ReservesSprowston Wanderers Reserves
2005–06Cromer TownDersingham RoversMundfordKirkley ReservesBeccles CaxtonThetford RoversFoulsham
2006–07Blofield UnitedHempnallKirkley ReservesWest Lynn SSCCaister United ReservesEast HarlingFreethorpe
2007–08Wroxham ReservesLoddon UnitedCortonNorwich CEYMSBradenham WanderersNorth Walsham Town ReservesGorleston Reserves
2008–09SheringhamSt. AndrewsNorwich St. JohnsMundfordNorth Walsham Town ReservesSheringham ReservesDersingham Rovers Reserves
2009–10Blofield UnitedKirkley & Pakefield ReservesWest Lynn SSCHempnall ReservesBlofield United ReservesHemsbyThetford Athletic
2010–11Cromer TownWells TownNorwich CEYMSHarleston TownUniversity of East AngliaMulbarton WanderersBradenham Wanderers Reserves
2011–12Cromer TownDersingham RoversHarleston TownMarthamMulbarton WanderersSaham ToneyYelverton
2012–13Acle UnitedNorwich CEYMSFoulshamUniversity of East AngliaWaveneyBuxtonRedgate Rangers
2013–14Acle UnitedLong StrattonScole UnitedWaveneyFakenham Town ReservesRedgate RangersMulbarton Wanderers Reserves
2014–15Acle UnitedMulbarton WanderersWaveneyBlofield United ReservesRedgate RangersEarshamScole United Reserves

2015–present

To try and tackle the issue of travel costs for players and clubs at lower levels of the league, the Anglian Combination's bottom two divisions were regionalised into Division 5 North and South for the 2015–16 season. This meant that Division 6 ceased to exist. Travel costs are one of a number of reasons why teams fold in the lower divisions of the league and it is hoped that the new system will help slow and maybe even reverse the negative trend. Generally the A47 road from King's Lynn to Great Yarmouth is the cut off point for determining whether clubs in Division 5 are placed in the North or South division
SeasonPremierOneTwoThreeFourFive Five
2015–16Acle UnitedWaveneyMundfordWatton UnitedSheringham ReservesBradenham Wanderers ReservesGorleston Reserves
2016–17SpixworthBradenham WanderersUniversity of East AngliaGayton UnitedGorleston ReservesAylsham ReservesGreat Yarmouth Town Reserves
2017–18Harleston TownWymondham TownEastonGorleston ReservesBradenham Wanderers ReservesUniversity of East Anglia ReservesBeccles Town Reserves
2018–19SheringhamUniversity of East AngliaGorleston ReservesHeachamCastle Acre SwiftsDussindale RoversBelton

Premier Division league titles by club

Cup competitions

In addition to the league, clubs take part in the following cup competitions:
Single match between the winners of the Senior League Cup and the winners of the Premier Division from the previous season.
Cup competition for all clubs in the Premier Division and Division 1. The two teams drawn together for each tie play one match with extra-time then penalties separating the sides.
Cup competition for any side competing in Divisions 2,3,4,5 and 6 plus the reserve sides of Eastern Counties League clubs competing in the Norfolk or Suffolk county cups. The two teams drawn together for each tie play one match with extra-time then penalties separating the sides.
Cup competition for any of the reserve sides in Divisions 2,3,4,5 and 6.
Norfolk's premier cup competition with all teams from Norfolk that play in the Premier Division, Division 1 and any Norfolk sides that compete in the Eastern Counties League.
Main cup competition for junior sides from Norfolk that compete in Divisions 2,3,4,5 and 6 of the league as well as sides from the lower leagues.
Open to teams from Suffolk that play in the Premier Division and Division 1 as well as Suffolk teams playing in the Eastern Counties League.
Cup competition for teams from Suffolk in Divisions 2,3,4,5 and 6 as well as reserve sides of clubs that are in the Eastern Counties League that are competing in the Suffolk Senior Cup.