Fourteen clubs elected to L&C for 2025-26 season

2024-25 season saw a significant turnover in the membership of the L&C, with us losing nineteen teams since September 2024, but with the same amount joining at the AGM, numbers remain stable and we are excited by the new crop of teams coming onboard.

Salford Victoria and Trafford Reserves leave the L&C with our very best wishes for the future following moves to the Manchester League and Cheshire League respectively, and we are pleased to hear that Dom Doyle will be continuing in Saturday morning football. Irlam Steel Rangers have also withdrawn their reserve team.

Hattersley, who were forced to resign in March this year due to the loss of players, return with impressive plans for a reboot of the club, focussed on bringing younger players through.

AFC Oldham have added a new first team, with James Curley bringing his squad from Manchester League Hollinwood and they are sure to launch a challenge for honours.

There is a similar tale over at Boothstown as the former L&C members rejoin the League with their ex-manager Kevin Pescott returning to the club with his team from AFC Monton, who have resigned as a consequence.

We are also pleased to welcome Oldham Hulmeians back to the L&C, though not even Geoff Garnett can remember their last campaign with us in 1929-30 season. The club have moved across from the LAL and we are delighted to welcome such a well-established organisation to the League, bringing two teams.

Another club moving to the L&C are Oldham-based Moorside Sports Club, who play at Churchill Playing Fields in Greenfield and join from the Huddersfield and District League. They join the growing number of Oldham teams in the L&C

After achieving success in Sunday football, Manchester South End take their first steps on Saturdays well-prepared for the challenges ahead. Based in Old Trafford, this is another club showing belief in the quality of their younger players as the foundation for the future.

Two clubs join the L&C with familiar faces at the helm in East Manchester Galaxy and Withington Wanderers, where Daniyal Gakhar and Karthik Shyamsundar respectively bring plenty of L&C experience with them for their new clubs. Both will be based at Hough End, Galaxy on grass and Wanderers on the 4G.

The biggest story of the closed season has been the purchase and investment in the reformed Flixton club, with their Valley Road stadium being upgraded for home fixtures starting in October. With ambitious plans to return the club to its place in semi-professional football, they may not be with us for long but will certainly make their mark.

Another club entering the L&C with a reformed first team are Heyside, who were members of the Manchester League only a few seasons ago and are based at Crompton House School in Shaw. Having already played a few L&C teams before the end of season and held their own, they have prepared well and look likely to make a splash.

Manchester Rose are fronted by former Man United starlet Febian Brandy and are looking to provide competitive football for younger players new to open-age football, having previously established Skouted. They will be based at St Bede’s on Brantingham Road in Chorlton.

Two local junior clubs with excellent pedigrees are entering open-age teams in the L&C, AFC Urmston Meadowside and Cheadle and Gatley, and we are excited to monitor their progress in open-age football. C&G deferred an application made a year ago, and we are delighted to welcome them now, their team being based at the Seashell Trust in Cheadle Hulme. Urmston Meds will be based at Woodsend Road in Flixton.

Three newly formed clubs who will also be making their debuts are Manchester Victoria and Silver Birch.

Silver Birch hail from Middleton and will be playing at Heywood Sports Village, having been formed by players with L&C playing experience, so look likely to hit the ground running.

Manchester Victoria draw their players from central Manchester and will be based at the Manchester Academy in Moss Side having initially applied to join twelve months ago. A warm welcome to all our new and returning clubs!

Pro Utd, Hazel Grove and Stafford Argyle have all folded in the close season after the loss of key personnel, following Dukinfield Athletic, Hillgate, Sale Amateurs, FC Babylon and Milnrow Juniors Firgrovia.

Heywood St James and Mellor both lost their first teams at the start of last season, together with the reserve teams of Bury Amateur and Richmond Rovers.