Four Of Clubs Royals and Racers Who would be a fixture secretary !!!
The Uhlsport Hellenic league Div 2 has 29 of it’s 37 teams ground share across 14 divisions.
...a quick glance down the constitution for Hellenic D2, shows only 14 'First Teams' - who ought to have their own pitch/ground - but may not necessarily play there. A few of these have 'lodged' in recent past - such as Chalvey Sports/Mortimer/Chalfont Wasps etc - and according to the league 'blurb' only 7 (SEVEN) of the 37 DO NOT ground-share?
They don't need to struggle for grading to get promoted either - as the Hellenic Div 2 is not an official feeder-league to the NL Pyramid.
Though oddly enough a few STEP05/06 Leagues do unoffically regard them as such and will accept them.
For 2023-24 the clubs voted to reduce to THREE divisions: West, Central & East from the 4 divisions last season (N,E,S & W.) - the 'footprint' is too large to reduce it still further and be viable - one of it's main criticisms from outside.
Some notable
'absences' of former 'members' -
perhaps still seeking 'direct' promotion - include Kintbury, Lambourn, Launton, Newbury, Old Woodstock & Woodcote -
- the last of these cited ongoing non-availability of match officials, as a key reason for their move back to the North Berks League - which is also
not classed as an official NL 'feeder' league - though again regarded by many 'unofficially' as STEP08.
The first teams listed
before the season starts are:
- D2 West (2 of 12) : Shipston Excelsior and Uni of Bristol
- D2 Central (3 of 13) : Headington Amateurs, Letcombe, Watlington
- D2 East (9 of 12): Britwell, Chalfont Wasps, Chalvey Sports, Chinnor, FC Beaconsfield, Hazlemere Sports, Mortimer, Prestwood, Taplow Utd
...so
IF the League site is correct only HALF of
these could be playing at their 'own grounds'.
... may do a spot of 'delving' as there's a few up there (potentially) I've not 'ticked'.