As far as the 2024-25 season goes, the West London Vets’ League (WLVFL) is now turning into the home straight. Some issues have (long since) been clarified, but plenty more remain. Exciting times lie ahead.
Chelsea nudge ahead, but smart money still on the Rams
In terms of the top flight, there were two games over the Easter weekend. Chelsea won 8-3 at Croxley and Ascot United finished their season with a low-octane 2-1 win at Wandsworth.
The win puts Chelsea back top of the pile, a point ahead of West London Rams. The Rams, however, have three games left to play whereas Chelsea have just the two. The title looks like it’s going to be the Rams’ to lose.
By the time that WLR next take the field, however, Chelsea could nonetheless be five points clear. They play Kew Park Rangers on Friday night (25 April). WLR then follow them into action on Saturday 26th; they host already relegated Bank of England. Banana skin in the making, maybe?
Ascot United are now guaranteed third spot, but one of three sides can finish fourth. Two of them, the Whippets and Croxley, meet on Saturday. Claygate entertain the other already relegated side, Wandsworth Borough.
D Day beckons for the Army Crusaders
There was just the one game in Division One over Easter and that took place at the Racecourse Ground in Ascot. The Yellas’ second string played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Nottsborough.
That result sees Ascot’s twos cement their fourth place, whilst it also edges Nottsborough that bit closer to safety. Acton Ealing Whistlers can still catch them, but they’d have to suddenly start winning a lot of games to do so. Nottsboroughsubsequently look like they’ve just done enough to maintain their Div 1 status for another year.
Looking ahead, there’s a full round of Div 1 fixtures this coming weekend. The most eye-catching sees top-of-the-table (and already champions) Actonians host third placed Army Crusaders. The Army will be looking to bounce back from a surprising 3-0 home defeat against Ascot IIs on 12 April, although there couldn’t be a harder place to do that than the impressive Actonians.
Latimer Road will be watching on with interest. A defeat for the Crusaders and a win on Friday night for Latimer against Ascot United and Lats will be seven points clear and almost there in terms of securing a third promotion on the bounce.
Elsewhere Acton Ealing Whistlers look to begin the Great Escape when they host an up and down Polytechnic, whilst West Kensington Kings entertain the already relegated Civil Service. And that despite Civils finding a bit of form of late, a 3-0 win at Nottsborough on 5 April particularly catching the eye.
Can Thames Ditton pull off a miracle in Div 2?
Division Two is now all but done and dusted. Ruislip Rangers are the small matter of 15 points clear, and they could end the season 18 points clear if results on the final day go their way.
Ruislip entertain Thames Ditton. TD are third and they know they can – at least theoretically – still go up. However, in order to do that they’d not only have to beat Ruislip, they’dneed to do so by three goals or more. A tall order.
If TD fail in their quest then it’s Jamrock who’ll be returning to Division One at the first time of asking,
Elsewhere, Old Meads and Old Lyonians will be playing in Division Three in 2025-26. That was finalised on 12 April when Laleham Vets saved their own bacon and beat Old Meads 4-0. Laleham subsequently stay up by one solitary point.
Clapham and Old Tiffs subsequently find themselves playing out the final game in the division this season. They battle it out for the honour of finishing 4th.
Promotion issues settled in Div 3
All promotion issues are settled in Division Three. Claygate will be going up as champions and Croxley IIs will be following them in second place.
Croxley are certainly in decent nick; they’ve won every game they’ve played in 2025 and that has seen them not just go up, but also reach the League Vase final on 10 May.
There are still nonetheless a few games to be played. Croxley themselves welcome mid-table Molesey Lighthouse on Saturday, whilst Putney Vale Rangers look to continue their renaissance when they travel to Bank of England IIs. A win and PVR will be up to fifth, with fourth place very much in their sights.
Ascot Supervets, the new Preston North End!
In terms of the Supervets, Chelsea have had to concede their game at Ascot on Saturday. That means that the Yellas will finish the season with a record of played 14 won 14. No mean feat for the Invincibles of the Supervets division.
Behind them, Claygate and Croxley are battling it out for second spot. Croxley aren’t playing this weekend, but Claygate are. They travel to Cheam.
Go well everyone!