Hampshire Premier League Senior Division
Officially formed in 2007, the Hampshire Premier League Senior Division is a comparatively new league on the football pyramid and was born out of the restructuring of the Wessex League which saw the dissolution of the Wessex League Division Three.
As such, clubs that were unable to meet the ground grading requirements for the continuing Wessex League, formed the Hampshire Premier League Senior Division.
This league continues to retain a good relationship with the original Hampshire Football League, which was created in 1896 and its successor; the Hampshire League 2004.
The Hampshire Premier League became the definitive league for the area, at the end of the 2012/13 season, accumulating clubs from the dissolved Hampshire League 2004. As such, this move created the Hampshire Premier League Senior Division and Division One.
Interesting Facts About The League
Often consisting of 16 clubs, the ultimate goal is to win the league, with promotion having been a major point of contention over the years, due to clubs not meeting ground grading requirements to play at a higher level.
Many of the clubs that play in the Hampshire Premier League Senior Division reside and play their football in sleepy, picturesque Hampshire villages and, as a result, infrastructure has proved to be a problem. More often than not most clubs are content to stay at this level and continue to challenge for honours each year.
One of the most successful clubs in the league’s history is Colden Common FC, nicknamed “The Stallions”, with five league titles that includes a historic treble, which was achieved in the 2022/23 season.
| Season | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2015/16 | Baffins Milton Rovers |
| 2016/17 | Bush Hill |
| 2017/18 | Paulsgrove |
| 2018/19 | Bush Hill |
| 2019/20 | Abandoned (COVID-19) |
| 2020/21 | Abandoned (COVID-19) |
| 2021/22 | Colden Common |
| 2022/23 | Colden Common |
| 2023/24 | Colden Common |
| 2024/25 | Colden Common |
Meanwhile, Bush Hill (now Millbrook), were considerably successful in the late 2010s and their dominance eventually saw them become one of the only clubs to move into the next tier. Liphook United have proven to be a consistent force, with the club having won numerous league titles, while maintaining high standards across the board.
The Hampshire Premier Division has also proven to be a great development league for up and coming players who have the ability to push on at a higher level, while sometimes it attracts scouts from clubs in the Football League.
Corporate Recognition And Notable Names
The league has also benefited from a number of established sponsors over the years, which have proven vital from a running costs perspective.
Uhlsport is a long term sponsor with the league becoming known as the Uhlsport Hampshire Premier League, leveraging its branding, while L4 Teamwear has become almost synonymous for providing kit and equipment to the league’s clubs over the years.
Meanwhile, there is also the George Mason Memorial Shield, previously the Supplementary Shield; a cup competition renamed to honour the league’s late chairman who played a pivotal role in the league’s survival.
The league also has links to a couple of alumni, with Dave Diaper (formerly of Scholing), who rose through the Hampshire ranks to reach national prominence in the FA Cup and FA Vase.
In addition, former Southampton, Bournemouth and Trinidad & Tobago international, Jake Thomson has also been involved in the league, in a playing and coaching capacity over the years at clubs like Stoneham AFC.