Ben Mapp Journalism

The 2025/26 Isthmian Premier League season is already more than a third complete and has delivered plenty of surprises in its opening months. The division’s classic unpredictability is on full display, with early favourites stumbling, promoted sides impressing, relegated teams struggling, managerial changes shaking things up, and unexpected contenders emerging. This piece highlights eleven teams who have stood out for different reasons. Four sides are exceeding expectations, three pre-season favourites made slow starts but are now finding their rhythm, and four clubs already face significant challenges as they try to turn their season around. It offers a snapshot of the campaign so far and a sense of what might lie ahead as we move into the vital festive period. THE STANDOUT PERFORMERS Folkestone Invicta Invicta have been the team to beat so far. A summer of significant change on and off the pitch saw Jay Saunders assemble a new squad to compete at a revamped Cheriton Road, com...

CHAPTER ONE - THE SCENE-SETTER The ancient oak still stands sentinel in the corner of New Lodge, its branches stretching over the same patch of Blunts Wall Road long before the ground was ever a football pitch. Supporters file through the turnstiles in the same familiar rhythm, having the same conversations with the same people week in, week out. It is always the same, the comfort of a Saturday ritual in deepest Essex. Until it isn’t. Billericay Town Football Club, founded in 1880, carry with them a history and a presence that belie their non-league standing. Their story has spilled far beyond the commuter belt, drawing attention and intrigue from across the English game. For regulars here, though, it is not the headlines that are of interest, but instead the walk down Blunts Wall Road, the sight of the oak, the smell of fresh onions being loaded onto burgers, the first glimpse of blue shirts warming up on the pitch. This week, though, something feels different. There is a buzz, ...

Well, here we are again! Less than a week out from another eight months of elation, deflation, and everything in between. The 2025/26 Isthmian Premier League campaign promises to be another blockbuster season, and with a summer full of managerial changes, squad overhauls, ambitious signings, and some returning names, here’s how I predict the final table to look come April 25 th 2026. 1st – BILLERICAY TOWN After falling just short of promotion last season, the Blues have only sharpened the focus ahead of 2025/26, with Gary McCann determined to get his side over the line. The intention was clear from the outset with recruitment and retentions that signal a gulf in quality compared to others in the division. Despite losing key personnel like Jack Paxman, Bradley Williams, and Decarrey Sheriff, the Blues have kept a strong core, including goalkeeper Sam Donkin and captain Matt Johnson, both named in last year’s Team of the Season. At the other end of the pitch, Elliot Long, Franki...