Thames Valley Premier League Premier Division

Founded in 1989, the Thames Valley Premier League Premier Division, was originally the Reading Premier League.

Formed courtesy of a merger between two local competitions with deep roots; the Reading & District League and the Reading Combination Leagues, it was rebranded ahead of the 2014/15 to its new name. In doing this, it reflected its wider geographical reach beyond just the town of Reading.

The league was of considerable size in its first season (1989/1990), with 10 divisions, though as the decades passed, it was consolidated into a six-tier structure.

Sitting at the Feeder League level of the English Football League system, this acts as an official feeder division to the Hellenic League Division One in addition to the Combined Counties League Division One, which are both Step 6, while teams are relegated into Division One.

While champions are eligible for promotion, their grounds have to meet Grade H criteria first, which includes facilities for hardstanding and possibly floodlights.

The TVPL and also the Reading League before it has witnessed a number of clubs make a progression up the pyramid with significant success, including Ascot United who won the Reading Senior League in 2006/07 prior to rising up the divisions.

Meanwhile, Reading City (formerly Highmoor IBIS), is also a club that was successful in using the TVLP as a foundation to get to the Hellenic Premier Division and Forest Old Boys were historically the most fruitful club in the history of the Reading Senior League, having won six titles, which saw them dominate the late nineties and early 2000s.

There is also Reading YMCA; renowned for being one of the most stable and successful “pure” amateur football organisations in the region, having won frequent titles, though usually electing to stay at the National Feeder League level.

Furthermore, there is Woodley United, that successfully played at Step 6 and Step 5, following their progression from the TVPL.

Cup Competitions

Clubs in the Premier Division play in The Reading Challenge Cup, with there being a close link between the two competitions, with venues such as Reading FC’s Madejski Stadium often hosting the final.

There is also the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup, which includes all clubs that are affiliated to the Berks & Bucks County FA, while the TVPL also operates a three-tiered League Cup system, which makes sure that clubs in the lower divisions also have a realistic chance of winning knockout silverware.