Essex Olympian League Premier Division

Established in 1966, the Essex Olympian League (EOFL) Premier Division, is considered to be one of the most well-respected at the feeder league stage of non-league football, serving as a primary feeder league to the Essex Senior League, while it is also known for its high technical level and strict ground requirements.

Essentially, the league was formed in order to provide a higher level of competition for the strongest amateur sides from the Mid-Essex, Harlow & District, Southend & District, and Parthenon Leagues.

As a result of this thinking, there were a number of founder clubs (13 in total), which included Billericay Town, Bowers United, Burnham Ramblers, and Sawbridgeworth Town.

Interestingly, from 1986 to 2005, the league was renamed the Essex Intermediate League, reflecting its status as a bridge between “junior” and “senior” football, before reverting to its original Olympian name.

There is a considerable number of alumni associated with EOL, indeed, one of these being Billericay Town; a founder member that rose through football pyramid reaching the National League in addition to winning three Amateur FA Cups, while Concord Rangers are also a notable non-league club that spent time in the EOL.

Meanwhile, a modern success story includes White Ensign; a modern success story, moving from the Olympian League to the Essex Senior League and regularly competing in the FA Vase.

Furthermore, the league is somewhat of a major scouting ground for the “Essex style” of play; physical, fast and technically disciplined, with players often being produced for clubs in the Isthmian League.

Over the decades, the league has also had significant sponsors, including Hambros Bank, which was considered to be a notable name in the late 1980s during the league’s “Intermediate” phase. Meanwhile, there have also been associations with Profit UK; an iconic name providing naming rights and kit sponsorship.

Historical Events

In what is arguably one of the biggest shocks of non-league football, in the 1980s, Basildon Town famously entered their final match needing an 11-goal swing to win promotion and, incredibly, they won 14-0, pipping Hutton to the title on goal difference.

Interestingly, while the league post-dates World War II, many of its clubs (like Burnham Ramblers) remained active during the 1940s in regional “Wartime Groups” to keep local communities engaged and help to boost morale.

Also of intrigue is that the EOFL Premier Division is one of the few Step 7 leagues that requires clubs to have enclosed grounds to compete, a rule that ensures the division maintains a semi-professional atmosphere despite its amateur status.