The wait is finally over for our senior local non-league sides.
As July gives way to August, the smell of freshly cut grass, burger vans, and the unmistakable roar of the grassroots game return to Berkshire this weekend as the Combined Counties Football League 2026/27 season hits its stride.
After a gruelling pre-season schedule, our clubs are ready to hit the ground running with a highly anticipated slate of fixtures.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the weekend.
Wokingham Town will have the honour of kicking off the new Combined Counties Premier Division North weekend a day early. The Sumas make the trip to Middlesex to face Hilltop on Friday, July 31st, for a 7:45 pm kick-off, where a win will see them top of the table for at least 20 hours.
Town will be eager to set a positive tone for the new league campaign following a narrow 4-3 defeat to Windsor & Eton FC in the Cherry Red Records Combined Counties Premier Challenge Cup in their last competitive match.
An away trip to Hilltop is never an easy prospect, but bringing three points back to Berkshire under the Friday night lights would be the perfect statement of intent.
Also battling in a highly competitive Premier Division North this year are Reading City (away at Harefield United) and Thatcham Town (away at Penn and Tyler’s Green), both of whom will be looking to establish early dominance in a division packed with talent.
The Cityzens open their campaign on Saturday with an away trip to Harefield United.
In Combined Counties League Division One, Woodley United are looking to build momentum under the fresh guidance of new manager Eliot Whitehouse when they face Bovingdon at Scours Lane in Tilehurst.
The Kestrels officially kicked off their season last weekend by welcoming FC Deportivo Galicia to The Rivermoor, and recording a 1-1 draw, ahead of taking on Berks County at Ascot United on Tuesday evening.
With any opening-day nerves now out of the system, Woodley will be determined to rack up the points and put on a show for the local faithful this weekend.
A strong start in August is vital for anyone harbouring promotion ambitions in Division One, and Woodley certainly has the attacking talent to make waves this season.
Moving over to the Combined Counties Premier Division South, Saturday, August 1st, brings a full schedule of 3pm kick-offs for our surrounding teams.
The standout local fixture sees Eversley & California welcome Balham to the ESA. The Boars will be relying on their strong home support to push them over the line on opening day. A good start at home is vital in this division, and Eversley will be hungry to secure maximum points to get the ball rolling.
Elsewhere in the Premier Division South, Tadley Calleva will host Metropolitan Police in what promises to be a physical and challenging test, and Yateley United hit the road for an away clash against Sheerwater.
With the weather holding up and the new season optimism in full swing, there is no better time to get out and support our local clubs.
Whether you are following Wokingham Town on the road this Friday, catching Woodley United in action, or backing the Boars at home on Saturday, your support on the terraces really does make all the difference.
