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Scottish Sun
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Non-league team handed league title despite finishing THIRD… a whole month after season finished
The club's manager has spoken about the turn of events WHY IS THAT? Non-league team handed league title despite finishing THIRD… a whole month after season finished Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A NON-LEAGUE team has been handed their league title despite a third-place finish. Despite all the money and talent in the Premier League and EFL the Combined Counties South Premier League has been more dramatic. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 AFC Whyteleafe have been named winners of the Combined Counties South Premier League Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The league ended on April 22, over a month ago, but it was not yet known who had won the league. Jersey Bulls and Redhill lead the table and were only separated on goal difference. But it was neither of these sides that would enjoy a title celebration. That honour instead has gone to third-placed AFC Whyteleafe due to rule-breaks. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL SOLD TRAFFORD Man Utd put every star up for sale as cup loss leaves 'em in financial ruin Both Jersey Bulls and Redhill were docked three points for fielding ineligible players. Jersey were top with 96 points but played a player who should have been suspended on March 20 in the 4-0 victory over Tooting and Mitcham United. As a result, this catapulted the Surrey side with only 95 points to top spot and promotion to the eighth-tier Isthmian League Division One South East. Jersey and Redhill now have to settle for a place in the play-offs and will face Fleet Town and Cobham, respectively. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS Whyteleafe boss Kelly Waters has spoken about the surprising turn of events. He admitted that he felt for Jersey and Redhill, having gone through it himself in the past. Every Premier League club's most famous and also most surprising fan Whyteleafe's promotion statement Here is the statement that was shared by Whyteleafe on social media followinf their promotion... It read: "AND, JUST LIKE THAT…. "We say farewell to the Combined Counties South Premier League and (finally) farewell to the end of the 24/25 season. "We've thoroughly enjoyed ourselves this season, taking part in one of the most talked about and evenly contested battles for the title (at this level) in the country. "We've built friendships and relationships with clubs, staff, management, players and fans in this league that will last a long, long time. "We'd like to think that, we played our part in bringing some attention to this excellent league and the amazing clubs in it. "We accept the way we did things at times may of upset one or two. But, we got people talking and piqued people's interest and hopefully, encouraged people to come to games to see what all the fuss was about! "We hope the issues that have tainted the end of the season will be remedied by the FA and League as, the teams in this league deserve so much better. "We wish the teams in the play offs the very best of luck, we know how hard this has been for everyone. "And to all the teams, we wish you all the best for the future and look forward to meeting you soon (hopefully at a higher level!). "Thanks for having us." He told the BBC: "I feel great that we've been crowned champions and been promoted to Step Four, but at the same time it's a very strange way to go about it. "I feel quite sorry for Jersey and Redhill in the situation that they've had, I've experienced it myself before when I was managing at Balham and it's painful. "But they have to enforce the rules to make sure people don't use them inappropriately and in the end we've been a beneficiary of that and we couldn't be happier to be back in Step Four." Whyteleafe is a phoenix club of Whyteleafe FC, which folded back in 2021. The current version was formed by Waters, who acts as the chairman and co-manager. The club did reach the final of the FA Vase this season but were beaten 2-1 by Whitstable Town.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Non-league team handed league title despite finishing THIRD… a whole month after season finished
A NON-LEAGUE team has been handed their league title despite a third-place finish. Despite all the money and talent in the Premier League and EFL the Combined Counties South Premier League has been more dramatic. 2 The league ended on April 22, over a month ago, but it was not yet known who had won the league. Jersey Bulls and Redhill lead the table and were only separated on goal difference. But it was neither of these sides that would enjoy a title celebration. That honour instead has gone to third-placed AFC Whyteleafe due to rule-breaks. Both Jersey Bulls and Redhill were docked three points for fielding ineligible players. Jersey were top with 96 points but played a player who should have been suspended on March 20 in the 4-0 victory over Tooting and Mitcham United. As a result, this catapulted the Surrey side with only 95 points to top spot and promotion to the eighth-tier Isthmian League Division One South East. Jersey and Redhill now have to settle for a place in the play-offs and will face Fleet Town and Cobham, respectively. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS Whyteleafe boss Kelly Waters has spoken about the surprising turn of events. He admitted that he felt for Jersey and Redhill, having gone through it himself in the past. Every Premier League club's most famous and also most surprising fan Whyteleafe's promotion statement Here is the statement that was shared by Whyteleafe on social media followinf their promotion... It read: "AND, JUST LIKE THAT…. "We say farewell to the Combined Counties South Premier League and (finally) farewell to the end of the 24/25 season. "We've thoroughly enjoyed ourselves this season, taking part in one of the most talked about and evenly contested battles for the title (at this level) in the country. "We've built friendships and relationships with clubs, staff, management, players and fans in this league that will last a long, long time. "We'd like to think that, we played our part in bringing some attention to this excellent league and the amazing clubs in it. "We accept the way we did things at times may of upset one or two. But, we got people talking and piqued people's interest and hopefully, encouraged people to come to games to see what all the fuss was about! "We hope the issues that have tainted the end of the season will be remedied by the FA and League as, the teams in this league deserve so much better. "We wish the teams in the play offs the very best of luck, we know how hard this has been for everyone. "And to all the teams, we wish you all the best for the future and look forward to meeting you soon (hopefully at a higher level!). "Thanks for having us." He told the BBC: "I feel great that we've been crowned champions and been promoted to Step Four, but at the same time it's a very strange way to go about it. "I feel quite sorry for Jersey and Redhill in the situation that they've had, I've experienced it myself before when I was managing at Balham and it's painful. "But they have to enforce the rules to make sure people don't use them inappropriately and in the end we've been a beneficiary of that and we couldn't be happier to be back in Step Four." Whyteleafe is a phoenix club of Whyteleafe FC, which folded back in 2021. The current version was formed by Waters, who acts as the chairman and co-manager. The club did reach the final of the FA Vase this season but were beaten 2-1 by Whitstable Town.
The Irish Sun
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Non-league team handed league title despite finishing THIRD… a whole month after season finished
A NON-LEAGUE team has been handed their league title despite a third-place finish. Despite all the money and talent in the Premier League and EFL the Combined Counties South Premier League has been more dramatic. 2 AFC Whyteleafe have been named winners of the Combined Counties South Premier League Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The league ended on April 22, over a month ago, but it was not yet known who had won the league. Jersey Bulls and Redhill lead the table and were only separated on goal difference. But it was neither of these sides that would enjoy a title celebration. That honour instead has gone to third-placed AFC Whyteleafe due to rule-breaks. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL Both Jersey Bulls and Redhill were docked three points for fielding ineligible players. Jersey were top with 96 points but played a player who should have been suspended on March 20 in the 4-0 victory over Tooting and Mitcham United. As a result, this catapulted the Surrey side with only 95 points to top spot and promotion to the eighth-tier Isthmian League Division One South East. Jersey and Redhill now have to settle for a place in the play-offs and will face Fleet Town and Cobham, respectively. Most read in Football JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS Whyteleafe boss Kelly Waters has spoken about the surprising turn of events. He admitted that he felt for Jersey and Redhill, having gone through it himself in the past. Every Premier League club's most famous and also most surprising fan Whyteleafe's promotion statement Here is the statement that was shared by Whyteleafe on social media followinf their promotion... It "We say farewell to the Combined Counties South Premier League and (finally) farewell to the end of the 24/25 season. "We've thoroughly enjoyed ourselves this season, taking part in one of the most talked about and evenly contested battles for the title (at this level) in the country. "We've built friendships and relationships with clubs, staff, management, players and fans in this league that will last a long, long time. "We'd like to think that, we played our part in bringing some attention to this excellent league and the amazing clubs in it. "We accept the way we did things at times may of upset one or two. But, we got people talking and piqued people's interest and hopefully, encouraged people to come to games to see what all the fuss was about! "We hope the issues that have tainted the end of the season will be remedied by the FA and League as, the teams in this league deserve so much better. "We wish the teams in the play offs the very best of luck, we know how hard this has been for everyone. "And to all the teams, we wish you all the best for the future and look forward to meeting you soon (hopefully at a higher level!). "Thanks for having us." He told the BBC: "I feel great that we've been crowned champions and been promoted to Step Four, but at the same time it's a very strange way to go about it. "I feel quite sorry for Jersey and Redhill in the situation that they've had, I've experienced it myself before when I was managing at Balham and it's painful. "But they have to enforce the rules to make sure people don't use them inappropriately and in the end we've been a beneficiary of that and we couldn't be happier to be back in Step Four." Whyteleafe is a phoenix club of Whyteleafe FC, which folded back in 2021. The current version was formed by Waters, who acts as the chairman and co-manager. The club did reach the final of the FA Vase this season but were beaten 2-1 by Whitstable Town. 2 Whyteleafe lost to Whitstable Town in the FA Vase final Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Third-placed team wins title after top two docked points
Two teams locked level on points and separated only by goal difference at the top of the league at the end of a 38-game season - yet the title is won by a side one point below is the story in the Combined Counties Premier South, where the top two have been docked three points each for both fielding an illegible player and the title has instead gone to Surrey side AFC caps an amazing season for the club, who were only formed four years ago but reached the FA Vase final earlier this month, where they were beaten 2-1 by Whitstable Town at Bulls finished top with 96 points but were docked three points for fielding a player who should have been suspended in their 4-0 win over Tooting and Mitcham United on 20 Redhill were then set for the title having finished below the Channel Islands side on goal difference but have now also been deducted three points for the same means the trophy has gone to Whyteleafe, who would have finished third with 95 points, and the club have been awarded automatic promotion to the Isthmian League Division One South Jersey will take on Fleet Town and Redhill will face Cobham in the play-offs. "I feel great that we've been crowned champions and been promoted to Step Four, but at the same time it's a very strange way to go about it," Whyteleafe boss Kelly Waters told BBC Radio Surrey."I feel quite sorry for Jersey and Redhill in the situation that they've had, I've experienced it myself before when I was managing at Balham and it's painful."But they have to enforce the rules to make sure people don't use them inappropriately and in the end we've been a beneficiary of that and we couldn't be happier to be back in Step Four."The original Whyteleafe FC folded in 2021 and the current version of the club was formed shortly after by chairman and co-manager Waters.'Leafe entered the Surrey South Eastern Combination League in 2021-22. The club are now back at the same level Whyteleafe FC had been at at the time it folded.
BBC News
10-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Whyteleafe's Wembley final is 'once in a lifetime opportunity'
AFC Whyteleafe players are looking to make the most of a "once in a lifetime opportunity" as they seek to clinch the FA Vase final at will be the first time playing in the final of the competition for the Surrey club and their opponents, Whitstable Town FC, from Whyteleafe have enjoyed a rampant few years since joint-manager and chairman Kelly Waters took over in 2021 after Whyteleafe FC said: "We started in the parks, in the mud, step-eight football, now we're hoping to go up four leagues in four seasons." The FA Vase is competed by teams in steps nine and 10 of the English football is known as one of the most prestigious cups for non-professional footballers. AFC Whyteleafe captain Helge Orome said: "We're talking the home of football. This is Wembley we're talking about. As kids, everybody growing up, it's a boy's dream to play at Wembley."Teenage goalkeeper George Hill added: "I don't think I've stopped talking about it for the last few weeks. "There's not a lot of people who can say they've played there. It's something I'll be bragging about for a long time." Joint-manager Enzo Gonnella added: "What we've done is just given everyone the faith and put happiness back in Whyteleafe."Waters said: "You hold it [Wembley] up there in your dreams and you think you're never going to play there, certainly didn't expect to coach or manage there, and now we get to do that on Sunday." Orome said that it was a day mainly for the fans and "once in a lifetime opportunity" for the club. "Obviously we'd want to do it again, but for now its never been done in the history of the club," he captain said the players wanted to give the fans more than just a day out at Wembley."We want to actually put our names in history and actually win it, so that will mean something more and it will always be there forever," he added. 'Unfinished business' Orome, who also played for Whyteleafe FC, said: "The situation we're in right now, never in a million years would I've imagined it, especially going through that heartbreak of the club folding and the fans not knowing where they we're going to watch their football."The captain added: "To have a majority of that squad come back and be a part of this journey, it's unfinished business really."To get back on track and to obviously do what we've done this year is just amazing really, it's just part of the story." Hill, 17, who only made his debut for the club midway through the current season, is set to start at Wembley on said: "I've enjoyed every moment of it. It's unbelievable to be in this position."I've been to Wembley a few times, I saw my QPR win the play-off final there. I've seen England play there. I never even imagined I could play there."Hill, who has received 150 ticket requests from family and friends, is balancing doing college work and exams with his date with destiny.
