We’re all raising a toast to Bees!

SOUTHERN LEAGUE AWARDS 2025-26

By John Lyons

SHIELD OF DREAMS: Harborough Town lap up their success

PICTURES: Tony Hickey Photography

It proved a night to remember for Harborough Town when the Pitching In Southern League annual awards took place in Birmingham last Saturday.

The Bees picked up the Premier Division Central winners’ trophy, the enormous Premier Division Champion of Champions shield (awarded on points per game with a total of 2.26) and also the Premier Division Central Fair Play award.

The evening was a fitting celebration of the 2025-26 campaign as the packed house enjoyed good food, entertainment and speeches from Southern League chairman David Martin and former FA board member Jack Pearce.

The following awards were presented on the night:

DIVISIONAL AWARDS

Premier Division Champion of Champions: Harborough Town Premier Central: Champions – Harborough Town; Runners-up and play-off winners – Spalding United Premier South: Champions – Walton & Hersham; Runners-up and play-off winners – Farnham Town Division One Central: Champions – Leighton Town; Runners-up and play-off winners – Hitchin Town. Division One South: Champions – Frome Town; Runners-up – Portishead Town; Play-off winners – Malvern Town.

LEADING GOALSCORERS

Premier Central: Jason Cowley (Halesowen Town, 31) Premier South: Shaquille Gwengwe (Poole Town, 41) Division One Central: Albie Hall (Barton Rovers, 37) Division One South: Toby Holmes (Shaftesbury, 27)

MERIT CUP (MOST LEAGUE GOALS SCORED)

Hertford Town and Portishead Town (110)

FAIR PLAY AWARDS

Premier Central: Harborough Town Premier South: Tiverton Town Division One Central: Ware

Division One South: Westbury United Overall Winner: Westbury United

RESPECT AWARDS

Premier Central: Quorn Premier South: Havant & Waterlooville

Division One Central: Biggleswade FC

Division One South: Frome Town Overall Winner: Biggleswade FC

CHIRPY CANARIES: Hitchin Town take the plaudits

SWAN-DERFUL: Walton & Hersham savour their success