2025/26 League Retrospective

PREMIER DIVISION

For the third season in succession, AFC Preston were crowned Premier Division and Overall Lancashire Sunday Football League Champions. They ended the campaign just three points clear of Fulwood & Broughton, who were newly promoted from Division One. The two sides also met in the Syndicate Trust Challenge Cup final with AFC Preston winning 5-1 at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium. Irongate ended the season in third place but celebrated winning the LFA Sunday Trophy at the County Ground in Leyland with victory against Bowling Green FC. The Premier Division was not without its problems, several teams unexpectedly departed during the season but credit goes to AFC Preston, Fulwood & Broughton, Irongate, Wyresdale Rangers and Ribbleton for maintaining their focus.

Top Goalscorer: Joey Richardson (Irongate)

DIVISION ONE

After a fourth-place finish in 2024-25, Astley & Buckshaw Utd marched up the Division One table in 2025-26 to claim glory by eleven points under the management of Adam Greenwood. Astley & Buckshaw won 18 of their 22 games, earning 56 points. Second place went to Fylde Coast Football and third was AFC Preston (Reds), who celebrated a second successive top three finish. Astley & Buckshaw Utd completed a double, winning the Syndicate Trust Presidents Cup on penalties against AFC Horwich.

Top Goalscorer: Joel Chester (Astley & Buckshaw Utd)

DIVISION TWO

A second promotion since 2022 was the reward for a fantastic season for Chorley Wanderers (Blues) and manager Steve Flux in Division Two. Chorley Wanderers were pushed all the way by Greenlands in second and Penwortham St Teresa’s (Yellows) in third, both clubs just four points behind the league winners. Having claimed top goalscorer honours a year ago in Division Three, Charlie Howarth picked up another award at the end-of-season AGM with 35 goals in just 17 games for Parkfield Ants. Two more players scored over 20 goals, Weslie Bajraliu notched 28 for Greenlands and William Thom contributed 27 for Midgery Court.

Top Goalscorer: Charlie Howarth (Parkfield Ants)

DIVISION THREE

Having been a solid mid-table side for several years, Moor Park Utd found the right combination of players to become Division Three Champions with 40 points from their 18 games. Penwortham St Teresa’s (Whites) were just one point shy of Moor Park, with Buckshaw (Reds) a further point back in third. Penwortham St Teresa’s had impressively defeated Moor Park in one of their final games but were held to a 1-1 draw by ten-men Atletico Clifton to see the Whites miss out on the title. Always a competitive league, Syndicate Trust Presidents Cup semi-finalists Worden Rangers were fourth.

Top Goalscorer: Danny Rowe (Worden Rangers)

DIVISION FOUR

Division Four can often be described as a step into the unknown. New sides enter the Lancashire Sunday Football League, clubs rebuild and redeem themselves in an attempt to earn promotion up the pyramid. AFC Horwich were Division Four Champions in their first season, building on their league momentum to reach the Syndicate Trust Presidents Cup final. Freckleton (U23) came second followed by Buckshaw and Whittle. AFC Bamber improved on three wins and eleven points the previous season to earn nine wins and 29 points in 2025-26.

Top Goalscorer: Adam Cormican (AFC Horwich)

YOUTH DIVISION BLUE

Suffering only one league loss, Longridge Town were crowned Youth Division Blue Champions after a record of ten wins, one draw and a single loss to Grimsargh Village in their last game of the campaign. Trimpell & Bare Rangers ended in second place, followed by Grimsargh.

Top Goalscorer: Joshua Clark (Grimsargh Village)

YOUTH DIVISION RED

Just four points separated the top three with Lostock St Gerards (Whites) in third on 28 points behind Burnley Utd and Chorley FC on 32. Head-to-head results saw the Magpies earn the distinction of Youth Division Red Champions under boss Matthew Swift. Lostock St Gerards (Whites) were Syndicate Trust Youth Cup finalists, while Brinscall Village U18 (Yellows) won the Syndicate Trust Youth Trophy against Blackburn Eagles.

Top Goalscorer: Bobby Harrison & Joseph Redmayne (Chorley FC)

YOUTH DIVISION WHITE

The only 100% league record in the entire league structure was recorded by Lostock St Gerards (U18) in Youth Division White with a perfect 18 wins from 18 played under manager Jonathan Forbes and coach Shane Oldfield. Only eliminated from the LFA Youth Cup in a semi-final penalty shootout, the example is set on the field by skipper Harvey Forbes and the team are coached to play football in the right way, developing the talents of players and exemplified by Syndicate Trust Youth Cup success against their fellow LSG counterparts. Myerscough Athletic were second with 43 points, Chipping third on 40.

Top Goalscorer: Daniel Gee (Chipping)

(Image credit: Laura Wade / For The Love Of Photography)