Sunday league down to one division

Only nine teams had signed up by the league’s AGM last Sunday, although there may be one more come the start of the campaign in September, leaving the committee with no option but to axe the second tier.

Five of last season’s seven Division One teams, including champions Ore Athletic, have definitely dropped out, but there is some good news with the return of Silverhill Club and addition of Roys Boys.

The possibles are Bo-Peep. They put out two sides last term - one in each division - but the switch to one division means that no club can now field two teams. As it stands, the new line-up contains Bo-Peep Marina.

Another implication of the reshuffle is a change to junior status (the top tier used to be intermediate level) which means clubs will no longer be able to take part in the Sussex Sunday Challenge Cup.

It also means the end of the Observer Cup - which was contested by teams outside Division One - but the Peter Harris Memorial Trophy and Demarco Cup will remain.

Teams will play each other three times and will be restricted to a maximum of three County League players. The league has a new fixture secretary in Steve Brook.

Back in its heyday the league was made up of several divisions and the top flight boasted some strong sides packed with County League players.

But numbers have gradually dwindled over the years and last season the competition had to be restarted partway through after club withdrawals threatened its future.

Provisional PCM Hastings & East Sussex Sunday Football League constitution 2011/12: Acorn United (formerly LG Optical), Bexhill AAC, Bo-Peep Marina, Comet, Iden Park, Peasmarsh, Roys Boys, Silverhill Club, The Duke.