MFL Division Three (Season Preview)

AFC Birmingham 

Last Season

League: 3rd (MFL Division Three)

Les James Challenge Cup: First Round

Season Preview

AFC Birmingham will be looking to challenge for the top two and build on the success of previous seasons. It’s been a journey of gradual progression for the Halesowen club with finishes of 7th (22/23) and 3rd (23/24) at step eight. They will be looking to build on last season where they only lost five out of 32 matches in the league. Key players Drew Ricketts and Rahiem Faulder have been retained.     

Upcoming Fixtures:

3/8/24: BNJS (A) (3pm KO) (LJ Challenge Cup, First Round)

7/8/24: Meadow Park (A) (6:30pm KO) (League)

10/8/24: Wake Green (H) (3pm KO) (League)

13/8/24: Birmingham Tigers (H) (6:20pm KO) (League)

17/8/24: BNJS (A) (3pm KO) (League)

24/8/24: Boldmere Falcons (H) (3pm KO) (League)

BNJS

Last Season

League: 15th (MFL Division Three)

Les James Challenge Cup: First Round

Season Preview

BNJS will be looking to build on last season’s 15th place finish which had some positives despite losing 19 out of 32 matches. They were competitive throughout 23/24 and notably drew with Northfield Town both home and away. Key players from last season such as Luke James have been retained. Goal scoring might be an issue with Josh Sarmento and James Reid not part of the squad.    

Upcoming Fixtures:

3/8/24: AFC Birmingham (H) (3pm KO) (LJ Challenge Cup, First Round)

7/8/24: Castle Vale Town (H) (6:30pm KO) (League)

10/8/24: Solihull Sporting (A) (3pm KO) (League)

14/8/24: Gornal (H) (6:20pm KO) (League)

17/8/24: AFC Birmingham (H) (3pm KO) (League)

24/8/24: Feckenham (A) (3pm KO) (League)

Balsall and Berkswell

Last Season

League: 9th (MFL Division Three)

Les James Challenge Cup: Second Round  

Season Preview

The Hornets will be looking to build on the positives of last season. They made Lavendar Hall Lane a bit of a fortress with seven wins and four draws from 15 matches which helped them to a mid-table finish. It’s an experienced squad with the likes of Tommy Black and Zach Featherstone whose leadership should serve them well. They should be capable of pushing for a top half finish.     

Upcoming Fixtures:

3/8/24: Fairfield Villa (A) (3pm KO) (LJ Challenge Cup, First Round)

6/8/24: Wake Green (A) (6:30pm KO) (League)

13/8/24: Leamington Hibernian (A) (6:20pm KO) (League)

17/8/24: Silhill (A) (3pm KO) (League)

24/8/24: Birmingham Tigers (A) (3pm KO) (League)

26/8/24: Feckenham (A) (3pm KO) (League)

Birmingham Tigers

Last Season

League: 17th (MFL Division Three)

Les James Challenge Cup: First Round

Season Preview

Birmingham Tigers will be looking to improve on last season which was a struggle in both the LJ Cup and the league. The main problem was defensively with a total of 159 goals conceded throughout 23/24 which stopped them gaining a foothold in matches. It’s a tough start to the season with a lot of matches against teams looking to compete near the top of the table. 

Upcoming Fixtures:

3/8/24: Wake Green (A) (3pm KO) (LJ Challenge Cup, First Round)

6/8/24: Boldmere Falcons (A) (6:30pm KO) (League)

10/8/24: Silhill (A) (3pm KO) (League)

13/8/24: AFC Birmingham (A) (6:20pm KO) (League)

24/8/24: Balsall and Berkswell (H) (3pm KO) (League)

26/8/24: Kenilworth Sporting (A) (3pm KO) (League)

Boldmere Sports and Social Falcons

Last Season

League: 11th (MFL Division Three)

Les James Challenge Cup: Second Round

Season Preview

Boldmere Falcons have some momentum going into this season and will be looking to challenge at the top half of the table. It’s a squad with a lot of potential and there’s optimism under manager Jordan Lengthorn. Dale Huckfield and Ryan McFadden staying on is huge and there’s been quality additions with Liam Draper and Lamin Barrow joining over the summer to strengthen the squad.  

Upcoming Fixtures:

3/8/24: Inkberrow (H) (3pm KO) (Les James Challenge Cup, First Round)

6/8/24: Birmingham Tigers (H) (6:30pm KO) (League)

10/8/24: Leamington Hibernian (H) (3pm KO) (League)

13/8/24: Castle Vale Town (H) (6:20pm KO) (League)

17/8/24: Feckenham (A) (3pm KO) (League)

24/8/24: AFC Birmingham (A) (3pm KO) (League)

Castle Vale Town

Last Season

League: 7th (MFL Division Three)

Les James Challenge Cup: First Round

Season Preview

The Spitfires will be looking to continue the success they had last season where they went from finishing 10th (22/23) to 7th (23/24). The main positive was how good they looked at the back with just 53 goals conceded from 32 matches. There’s loads of attacking quality with Jordan McKenzie, Tarus Zaman and Idris Oyeniyi in the squad who helped them score 67 goals in 23/24. 

Upcoming Fixtures:

3/8/24: Northfield Town (H) (3pm KO) (Les James Challenge Cup, First Round)

7/8/24: BNJS (A) (6:30pm KO) (League)

10/8/24: Meadow Park (A) (3pm KO) (League)

13/8/24: Boldmere Falcons (A) (6:20pm KO) (League)

17/8/24: Kenilworth Sporting (A) (3pm KO) (League)

24/8/24: Silhill (H) (3pm KO) (League)

Continental Star

Last Season

League: 14th (MFL Division Three)

Les James Challenge Cup: First Round

Season Preview

Continental Star will be looking to be competitive in a revamped MFL Division Three this season and cause a few upsets along the way. They played well in parts last season and memorably beat Feckenham away from home. A lot of players from 23/24 have stayed on board such as Rhys Hoyte and Rumal Johnson who impressed. This is positive and helps them build something.    

Upcoming Fixtures:

3/8/24: Meadow Park (A) (3pm KO) (LJ Challenge Cup, First Round)

6/8/24: Gornal (H) (6:30pm KO) (League)

10/8/24: Kenilworth Sporting (A) (3pm KO) (League)

13/8/24: Solihull Sporting (H) (6:20pm KO) (League)

17/8/24: Wake Green (A) (3pm KO) (League)

26/8/24: Meadow Park (H) (3pm KO) (League)

Feckenham

Last Season

League: 5th (MFL Division Three)

Les James Challenge Cup: Second Round

Season Preview

The Millers will be looking to challenge for the top two following an encouraging debut season in the MFL last time out. They ended up finishing in 5th and were involved in a promotion battle with the likes of Northfield and AFC Birmingham. Key players from last season have been retained such as Josh Bowen up front and Ashley Bunn at the back.   

Upcoming Fixtures:

3/8/24: Birmingham United (H) (3pm KO) (LJ Challenge Cup, First Round)

10/8/24: Gornal (A) (3pm KO) (League)

14/8/24: Meadow Park (A) (6:20pm KO) (League)

17/8/24: Boldmere Falcons (H) (3pm KO) (League)

24/8/24: BNJS (H) (3pm KO) (League)

26/8/24: Balsall and Berkswell (H) (3pm KO) (League)

Gornal

Last Season

League: 16th (MFL Division Three)

Les James Challenge Cup: Second Round

Season Preview

Gornal will be looking to build on the positives of last season. Despite finishing in 16th, there was plenty to be positive about and they played well in a lot of games. The departure of Habil Darboe is going to be tough to replace but there’s quality in the squad with Jaden Muckley staying on board. They have a track record of developing players and will be aiming to be competitive this season.  

Upcoming Fixtures:

6/8/24: Continental Star (A) (6:30pm KO) (League)

10/8/24: Feckenham (H) (3pm KO) (League)

14/8/24: BNJS (A) (6:20pm KO) (League)

17/8/24: Solihull Sporting (A) (3pm KO) (League)

24/8/24: Kenilworth Sporting (H) (3pm KO) (League)

26/8/24: Leamington Hibernian (A) (3pm KO) (League)

Kenilworth Sporting

Last Season

League: 1st (Stratford Upon Avon Football Alliance, Division One)

Nursing Home Cup: Runners Up  

Season Preview

Kenilworth will be looking to make an impact in Division Three and join the MFL coming off an incredible run of form in the Stratford Upon Avon Football Alliance. They won thirteen of their 15 league matches and lost just once. Key players from last season such as Luke Comasky have stayed on board to offer continuity. The experience in the squad should help them settle at this level.       

Upcoming Fixtures:

3/8/24: Coventry Alvis (H) (3pm KO) (LJ Challenge Cup, First Round)

6/8/24: Leamington Hibernian (A) (6:30pm KO) (League)

10/8/24: Continental Star (H) (3pm KO) (League)

17/8/24: Castle Vale Town (H) (3pm KO) (League)

24/8/24: Gornal (A) (3pm KO) (League)

26/8/24: Birmingham Tigers (A) (3pm KO) (League)

Leamington Hibernian

Last Season

League: 13th (MFL Division Three)

Les James Challenge Cup: First Round

Season Preview

Leamington Hibernian will be looking to be competitive under manager Kyle King who joined at the back end of last season. Key players from last season such as Jordan Barry and Daniel Ademola have been retained and they will be looking to cause a few cup and league upsets along the way. They have a tough start to the season and play Bolehall Swifts away in the LJ Cup on Saturday. 

Upcoming Fixtures

3/8/24: Bolehall Swifts (A) (3pm KO) (LJ Challenge Cup, First Round)

6/8/24: Kenilworth Sporting (H) (6:30pm KO) (League)

10/8/24: Boldmere Falcons (A) (3pm KO) (League)

13/8/24: Balsall and Berkswell (H) (6:20pm KO) (League)

17/8/24: Meadow Park (A) (3pm KO) (League)

24/8/24: Solihull Sporting (A) (3pm KO) (League)

Meadow Park

Last Season

League: 10th (MFL Division Three)

Les James Challenge Cup: First Round

Season Preview

Meadow Park will be looking to build on an encouraging first season in the MFL and challenge for a top half finish. There was a lot to be positive about for the Bromsgrove side such as how competitive they were in matches. They have also re-signed players such as Ellis Blakemore who was a key attacking threat for them last season with eight goals.  

Upcoming Fixtures:

3/8/24: Continental Star (H) (3pm KO) (LJ Challenge Cup, First Round)

7/8/24: AFC Birmingham (H) (6:30pm KO) (League)

10/8/24: Castle Vale Town (H) (3pm KO) (League)

14/8/24: Feckenham (H) (6:20pm KO) (League)

17/8/24: Leamington Hibernian (H) (3pm KO) (League)

24/8/24: Wake Green (A) (3pm KO) (League)

Silhill

Last Season

League: 4th (MFL Division Three)

Les James Challenge Cup: Preliminary Round

Season Preview

Silhill had an excellent campaign last time out and were competing near the top of the table. The Solihull side ended up finishing 4th in their debut season in the MFL and will be looking to challenge for promotion this season. Gilad Grant has been retained who scored 20 goals for them last season and Jamie O’Neil offers quality from midfield. It should be an exciting season for Silhill supporters.    

Upcoming Fixtures:

3/8/24: AFC Solihull (H) (3pm KO) (LJ Challenge Cup, First Round)

7/8/24: Solihull Sporting (H) (6:30pm KO) (League)

10/8/24: Birmingham Tigers (H) (3pm KO) (League)

13/8/24: Wake Green (A) (6:20pm KO) (League)

17/8/24: Balsall and Berkswell (H) (3pm KO) (League)

24/8/24: Castle Vale Town (A) (3pm KO) (League)

Solihull Sporting

Last Season

League: 12th (MFL Division Three)

Les James Challenge Cup: First Round

Season Preview

There’s been a lot going on at Solihull Sporting throughout the summer in preparation for the upcoming season. A lot of it has been positive and they will be looking to build on the second half of last season. Gabe Harding staying on for another season is huge with 14 goals last season and it feels like there building something under manager Gavin Heath. They should be an exciting team to watch.

Upcoming Fixtures:

3/8/24: Lane Head (H) (3pm KO) (LJ Challenge Cup, First Round)

7/8/24: Silhill (A) (6:30pm KO) (League)

10/8/24: BNJS (H) (3pm KO) (League)

13/8/24: Continental Star (A) (6:20pm KO) (League)

17/8/24: Gornal (H) (3pm KO) (League)

24/8/24: Leamington Hibernian (H) (3pm KO) (League)

Wake Green Amateur

Last Season

League: 6th (MFL Division Three)

Les James Challenge Cup: First Round

Season Preview

Wake Green have been one of the most consistent teams at this level over the last few seasons with finishes of 5th (22/23) and 6th (23/24). They have retained Ashley Smith and Adam Turner up front for the upcoming season and could be a dark horse for promotion if they can strengthen the defence. It’s an experienced squad which should help them against the likes of Silhill and Feckenham.  

Upcoming Fixtures:

3/8/24: Birmingham Tigers (H) (3pm KO) (LJ Challenge Cup, First Round)

6/8/24: Balsall and Berkswell (H) (6:30pm KO) (League)

10/8/24: AFC Birmingham (A) (3pm KO) (League)

13/8/24: Silhill (H) (6:20pm KO) (League)

17/8/24: Continental Star (H) (3pm KO) (League)

24/8/24: Meadow Park (H) (3pm KO) (League)

Preview feature written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League