Thursday 14th May 2026
The provisional constitution for the 2026-27 Hellenic League Premier Division season has been published by the Football Association, with the allocations for all leagues at steps one through six of the National League System being released.
There are set to be three changes to the division, with Bassett aiming to improve on their 16th place finish in 2025-26 as manager Jonny Aitkenhead enters his second season in charge.
Bassett are set for a further two derbies following the promotion of Devizes Town as Western League Division One champions and Malmesbury Victoria as Hellenic League Division One playoff winners.
One of Wiltshire's most decorated non league sides, Devizes are finally back at step five for the first time since 2008-09. And they will be league rivals of Bassett for the first time since 1966-67 when the teams were together in the Wiltshire League Premier Division.
Devizes were in the same division as Bassett's Development team in 2022-23 when Devizes finished as runners-up in the Wiltshire Senior League Premier Division having fallen to step seven for a single season. Now though they are at a level befitting of their stature and support and we look forward to what hopefully will be two well contested Wiltshire derbies.
Malmesbury, meanwhile, return to step five after a season away, having triumphed in the playoffs for the second time in three years. Set to play at step five for the third time in their history, Malmesbury will be aiming to avoid the same fate they have previously suffered when in the Hellenic Premier, having failed to survive beyond a single season the two previous occasions they have been in the division.
There will be then new opponents for Bassett in the form of Stourport Swifts.
The Worcestershire-based Swifts have been transferred from the Midland League Premier Division where they have spent the past twelve seasons. The Swifts, who played in the Southern League from 2001-02 to 2011-12, finished 14th in 2025-26.
Departing the Hellenic Premier are champions Slimbridge and playoff winners Worcester Raiders, both of who earned promotion to step four.
Heading in the opposite direction are Lydney Town after an eleven season spell at step five. Cribbs earned a reprieve despite finishing 19th as a result of resignations elsewhere.
The full provisional constitution for the 2026-27 Hellenic League Premier Division, featuring 20 sides, is as follows:
Cinderford Town
Cirencester Town
Corsham Town
Cribbs
Devizes Town
Droitwich Spa
Fairford Town
Hallen
Hereford Pegasus
Highworth Town
Longlevens
Malmesbury Victoria
Mangotsfield United
Pershore Town
Roman Glass St. George
Royal Wootton Bassett Town
Stourport Swifts
Thornbury Town
Tuffley Rovers
Westfields
The constitution is, at present, provisional and subject to change.
Last modified on Thursday 14th May 2026 at 12:35.