In what was a dramatic turn of events in the Combined Counties Premier South, it has seen a football club that finished third handed the title and earn their third promotion in four years in extraordinary circumstances.
The division’s top two sides – Jersey Bulls and Redhill both finished first and second respectively, only separated by goal difference, while third place AFC Whyteleafe finished just one point behind them.
HELLO STEP 4 👀 pic.twitter.com/Qsf28lIGp7
— AFC Whyteleafe 🏆🏆 (@AFCWhyteleafe) May 21, 2025
However, after an investigation it was found that both of the top two clubs had both fielded an ineligible player during a game in the season and have now been docked three points each.
It means that the Surrey-based club who were only formed four years ago have been awarded the title and automatic promotion to the eighth tier of the English football pyramid – the Isthmian League Division One South East.
Promotion Makes Up For Wembley Woes
It has been a good season overall for newly-promoted AFC Whyteleafe after they reached the FA Vase final in early May where they were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Whitstable Town at Wembley.
The story goes that the original Whyteleafe folded and then re-formed in 2021 and started in the Surrey South Eastern Combination League for the 2021/22 season and have since enjoyed a rise through the leagues.
All focus now turns to the next step of the club’s journey and whether they can continue their meteoric rise up the football pyramid.
How Exactly Were They Awarded Promotion?
While the club was unlucky to finish just one point off the top two, they still looked favourable hopefuls for the play-offs.
However, it was found the firstly Jersey Bulls had fielded an ineligible player, who was marked as suspended during the club’s 4-0 victory over Tooting and Mitcham United on March 20. Meanwhile, Redhill were punished for the same offence.
Both clubs finished the regular season tied on 96 points, with Whyteleafe just below on 95 points. It has also meant a reconfiguration of the play-off fixtures, with Jersey now set to play Fleet Town and Redhill will face Cobham.
Meanwhile, Whyteleafe will be watching with interest to which club joins them in the next tier of the English football league.
Who Are AFC Whyteleafe?
Re-formed in 2021 (as briefly mentioned above), AFC Whyteleafe are based in Surrey. The original club was founded in 1946, though had to fold, following the sale of its Church Road ground to Irama Sports – a company based in Singapore.
As such, it meant that the club lost its tenancy and also its Isthmian League status. Inspired by the AFC Wimbledon story, Kelly Waters re-instituted the club and merged with local side Balham FC B Team to increase the number of registrations and get up and running in less than a month.
The club has swiftly risen through the divisions and are now back where they were when the club folded. Interestingly, Waters attempted to buy the Church Road ground, though narrowly missed out.