Ben Mapp Journalism

What the Christmas Table Really Tells Us About the Isthmian Premier League Many football supporters use Christmas as the first real marker for judging how their season is unfolding. Often close to the halfway point, the festive period arrives after the optimism of August has faded and reality has set in. League tables begin to feel less theoretical and more instructive, and fans scan the standings not just out of curiosity, but in search of clues about where their campaign might truly be heading. The question, however, remains whether Christmas is genuinely a reliable indicator of how a season will end. The Isthmian Premier League has long carried a reputation as one of the most unpredictable divisions in the non-league system. It is a division shaped by shocks, overperforming and underperforming sides, dramatic swings in form, and post-Christmas upheaval that can leave the final table looking very different from what December appeared to suggest. This article looks back at the las...

The Isthmian Premier League has never been more competitive, blending seasoned pros, experienced veterans, and a growing crop of young talent eager to make their mark in a notoriously tough league. In such a challenging environment, standing out as an U23 player is no small feat, yet this season has seen several young stars rise to the occasion. This article highlights ten of the league’s brightest talents aged 22 and under, players already making an impact and showing they could soon be moving further up the football pyramid.  The following list is in no particular order. Bryan Ifeanyi – 22 – Carshalton Athletic One of the Isthmian Premier League’s most dangerous wingers, Ifeanyi plays with the confidence and composure of a player with a decade of non-league experience. Thriving in Peter Adeniyi’s expansive, free-flowing system, his pace and trickery are a constant headache for even the league’s most stubborn right-backs. Carshalton aren’t shy about giving youngsters their...