The Anglian Combination keeps grassroots football alive across Norfolk and Suffolk. Founded in 1964, it connects over 70 clubs competing across seven divisions at levels 11–13 of the English football pyramid.
Founded: 1964 · Number of clubs: 73 · Number of teams: 106 · Geographic area: Norfolk and north Suffolk · Level in pyramid: Levels 11–13 · Sponsor: Fosters Solicitors
Quick snapshot
- Official fixtures on FA Full Time
- Results updated weekly on the same platform (FA Full Time)
- Third-party aggregator: NonLeagueHQ (FA Full Time)
- Premier Division as the top tier
- Divisions 1 through 5 below
- Division 5 split into North & South
- Founded in 1964 (Fosters Solicitors)
- 73 clubs field 106 teams (Fosters Solicitors)
- Champions listed on Wikipedia (Fosters Solicitors)
- Exact team count per division varies across sources
- Boundaries of Division 5 South
- Full champions list by season
The table below consolidates verified facts about the Anglian Combination from official and cross-checked sources.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1964 |
| Number of clubs | 73 |
| Number of teams | 106 |
| Level in pyramid | Levels 11–13 |
| Geographic area | Norfolk & north Suffolk |
| Sponsor | Fosters Solicitors |
| Official website | fulltime.thefa.com |
How to find Anglian Combination fixtures and results?
The league’s fixtures and results are managed through the FA Full Time platform, the official administrative system for FA-affiliated competitions. This is the primary source for match schedules, with results updated weekly throughout the season.
Third-party aggregators such as NonLeagueHQ also pull Anglian Combination data, offering an alternative interface for fans who prefer different presentation styles. The league’s official social media accounts on Facebook and X share updates and results as matches conclude.
Where to view official fixtures?
- FA Full Time competition page (index code 4780817)
- League X and Facebook accounts with match-day posts
- NonLeagueHQ for aggregated league data
Where to check live results?
- FA Full Time results section updated after each match
- Third-party sites that scrape the same official data
The implication: for live, accurate information, the FA Full Time site should be the first stop, while social channels work well for quick recaps and community discussion.
What is the structure of the Anglian Combination?
The league operates seven divisions, with the Premier Division sitting at the top as a senior division and the only tier eligible for promotion to the Eastern Counties League Division One. According to Wikipedia, the Premier Division occupies level 11 of the English football pyramid.
If a Premier Division club meets FA ground-grading requirements, promotion to the Eastern Counties League is possible — the clearest path from grassroots to semi-professional football in East Anglia.
Below the Premier Division sit Division 1 (also a senior division) through Division 5, with the lowest tier split into North and South regional sections. The promotion and relegation mechanics differ by division level:
- Divisions 1–3: Top two clubs promoted, bottom two relegated
- Division 4: Top two promoted, bottom four relegated
- Division 5: Top two promoted from each regional division (North and South)
The league caps membership at 80 clubs and 132 teams, with a rule preventing more than one team from the same club playing in the same division.
Premier Division
The top tier and senior division. Clubs finishing top may claim the Sterry Cup title alongside their league championship.
Division 1 to Division 5
Junior divisions forming the lower six tiers of the league structure, with Division 5 further split into geographic subsections.
How divisions are organised
Teams play a home-and-away double round-robin format within their division. The geographic spread — clubs must fall within a 50-mile radius of Norwich city centre — keeps travel manageable across Norfolk and northern Suffolk.
The pattern: the seven-division structure creates a clear ladder within a compact geographic zone, making promotion contests meaningful even at the lowest levels.
Which teams play in the Anglian Combination?
As of recent social media posts from the league’s official accounts, the Anglian Combination comprises 73 clubs fielding 106 teams across its divisions. The membership draws entirely from Norfolk and northern Suffolk, a geographic footprint reinforced by the league’s 50-mile radius rule centred on Norwich.
The Norfolk-centric catchment creates a tight-knit local rivalry culture — clubs often share players, supporters cross multiple team affiliations, and derbies carry genuine community weight.
List of current clubs
Wikipedia lists a summary across the league including clubs such as Blofield United (six-time Premier Division champions), Acle United (four consecutive titles), and Wroxham (also four in succession). CNSOBU (City of Norwich School Old Boys Union) holds the distinction of being the first champions in 1965.
However, the exact club count per division in the current season is unclear — a limitation of available secondary sources, since the official FA Full Time page does not expose its full club breakdown in scraped data.
How clubs join the league
New clubs must meet the 50-mile Norwich radius requirement and obtain Norfolk County FA endorsement. Applications are reviewed annually, with the league constitution capping total clubs at 80 to maintain competitive balance.
The catch: clubs outside the geographic footprint or those unable to meet ground-grading standards cannot enter, which protects the league’s local identity but limits expansion into new areas.
Who has won the Anglian Combination?
The league’s history is documented primarily on Wikipedia and community-edited football databases, with a notable gap in comprehensive official records. According to these secondary sources, Blofield United holds the record for most top-flight titles with six Premier Division championships, making it the most successful club in the league’s history.
Acle United and Wroxham each secured four consecutive titles — a streak unmatched by other clubs. CNSOBU claimed the inaugural championship in 1965, the first season after the league formally launched following its 1964 foundation from the merger of the East Anglian League and Norfolk & Suffolk League.
List of champions
- Blofield United — six Premier Division titles (record)
- Acle United — four consecutive titles
- Wroxham — four consecutive titles
- CNSOBU — first champions (1965)
Recent winners
The 2024 season marked the league’s 60th anniversary, celebrated by sponsor Fosters Solicitors through a living history project collecting memories from clubs, families, and former players. The exact most recent champions from the 2023–24 season are not confirmed in available research data.
The 2024 anniversary project collected a “living history” from clubs, families, supporters, and players past and present — a testament to the community weight the league carries in East Anglia.
Fosters Solicitors, league sponsor
This season marks a major milestone for grassroots football in Norfolk and Suffolk — the 60th anniversary of the Anglian Combination Football League.
Fosters Solicitors, league sponsor
The league was founded in 1964 and runs seven divisions with 73 clubs and 106 teams.
Anglian Combination, official Facebook page
What is the Lowestoft and District League?
The Lowestoft and District League is a separate local football competition serving the Lowestoft area. It operates independently of the Anglian Combination, though both occupy similar levels in the English football pyramid (roughly levels 11–13).
Unlike the Anglian Combination, which spans Norfolk and northern Suffolk with seven divisions and over 70 clubs, the Lowestoft and District League focuses specifically on clubs in and around Lowestoft, maintaining its own administrative structure and competition format.
The Lowestoft and District League gives local clubs a dedicated peer group closer to home, while the Anglian Combination offers broader competition across a wider region — a choice that shapes club identity and travel obligations.
Relationship with Anglian Combination
The leagues are separate entities with no formal feeder relationship documented in available sources. Clubs in the Lowestoft area may choose to join either competition depending on their preference for local versus regional competition.
How it differs
- Geographic focus: Lowestoft and immediate surroundings vs. Norfolk and northern Suffolk
- Size: Smaller, locally contained vs. seven-division regional structure
- Structure: Independent administration vs. FA-affiliated with clear pyramid placement
The pattern: the Lowestoft and District League prioritizes hyper-local football community, while the Anglian Combination offers a broader competitive tier that connects East Anglian grassroots clubs to the wider non-league pyramid.
What we know and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Founded in 1964 (Fosters Solicitors)
- 73 clubs field 106 teams (Anglian Combination Facebook)
- Covers Norfolk and northern Suffolk
- Sponsored by Fosters Solicitors
- Level 11–13 of English football pyramid
- Feeds into Eastern Counties League Division One
What’s unclear
- Exact team count per individual division
- Complete list of champions by season
- Precise boundaries of Division 5 South
- Current season’s promoted and relegated clubs
- Full terms of ground-grading requirements
Voices from the league
From the league’s foundation in 1964 to the countless unforgettable moments played out on pitches across the region ever since, we’re inviting clubs, families, supporters, and players past and present to help us build a “living history” of the Anglian Combination.
Fosters Solicitors, league sponsor
These statements anchor the league’s self-image — an established institution with strong community roots, not a transient or experimental competition.
For local players and clubs weighing whether to prioritise the Anglian Combination or other regional leagues, the choice comes down to travel versus competition scope. The league’s Norwich-centred 50-mile radius keeps most participants within manageable distances, but the seven-division ladder means clubs can find their level — whether pushing for promotion or competing comfortably at a lower tier. The 60-year track record suggests stability, though the lack of a comprehensive, publicly accessible record of all past champions is a gap the league hasn’t fully addressed.
Related reading: Hellenic League: Level, History & Modern Football
Frequently asked questions
Is the Anglian Combination a professional league?
No. It is a grassroots amateur football competition at levels 11–13 of the English football pyramid. Players are typically unpaid amateurs, and clubs operate with volunteer committees and limited budgets.
How long is the season?
The season runs from August to May, following the standard English football calendar. Fixtures are typically scheduled on Saturdays, with some midweek games in busier periods.
Are there cup competitions in the Anglian Combination?
Yes. The Premier Division winners are awarded the Sterry Cup. The league also runs additional cup competitions for lower divisions, though specific formats vary by season.
How can I watch matches?
Matches are open to the public with no admission charge at most grounds. There is no broadcast coverage, but clubs and supporters often share match updates and photographs on social media.
Can women’s teams join the league?
The Anglian Combination primarily accommodates men’s teams. Women’s and girls’ football operates through separate county FA structures, though some clubs may run affiliated women’s sides in dedicated women’s leagues.
What is the promotion pathway to the Eastern Counties League?
Premier Division clubs finishing top and meeting FA ground-grading requirements may be promoted to the Eastern Counties League Division One. Ground-grading assesses facilities including pitch quality, changing rooms, and spectator infrastructure.
How are fixtures determined?
Fixtures are generated by the league’s administration and published on the FA Full Time platform before the season begins. The home-and-away double round-robin format ensures every team plays each opponent twice.
Elias Norberg
Football Data & Research Lead — Elias Norberg is responsible for research structure, statistical consistency, and source verification across FootyPedia. He focuses on player records, club histories, match context, and the accuracy of dates, names, transfers, and competition details.