MFL Division Three (Season Preview)

​AFC Balsall

Last season

League finish: 7th (MFL Division Three)  

LJ cup: First round

​Season preview

It feels like the start of a new era for AFC Balsall who changed their name over the summer and moved to the Massey Ferguson Sports Ground as their new home. A lot of last season’s squad who secured a top half finish have committed for the new season such as prolific forward Leon Edmond who scored 20 goals in 24/25. Ryan Cranage and Tommy Black have also committed to the Hornets.      

Upcoming fixtures:

2/8/25: BNJS (A) (3pm KO) (League)

5/8/25: Leamington Hibernian (A) (6:35pm KO) (League)

9/8/25: Castle Vale Town (A) (3pm KO) (League)

11/8/25: Solihull Youth Academy (A) (7:45pm KO) (League)

16/8/25: Silhill (A) (3pm KO) (LJ Cup)

23/8/25: Silhill (A) (3pm KO) (League)

AFC Birmingham

Last season

League finish: 5th (MFL Division Three)

LJ cup: Semi finals

Season preview:

AFC Birmingham are looking to build on their momentum from the second half of last season which went a long way in securing a top six finish. They won seven out of eight matches in the league from January to March to climb up the table and secure 5th place. Key players from last season such as Harley Baker have been retained for the upcoming campaign. 

Upcoming fixtures

2/8/25: Castle Vale Town (A) (3pm KO) (League)

9/8/25: Birmingham Tigers (A) (3pm KO) (League)

12/8/25: BNJS (A) (6:25pm KO) (League)

16/8/25: Lane Head (A) (3pm KO) (LJ Cup)

23/8/25: Solihull Sporting (A) (3pm KO) (League)

25/8/25: Coventry Colliery (A) (3pm KO) (League)

BNJS

Last season

League finish: 15th (MFL Division Three)

LJ cup: First round

Season preview:

BNJS will be looking to be competitive in division three this season and cause a few upsets along the way. It was a tough season in 24/25 with two wins from 28 matches on their way to finishing bottom of the division. None the less, they notably beat AFC Birmingham and Continental Star which shows their capable of getting results at step eight when it all clicks.     

Upcoming fixtures

2/8/25: AFC Balsall (H) (3pm KO) (League)

5/8/25: Birmingham Tigers (A) (6:35pm KO) (League)

9/8/25: Coventry Colliery (A) (3pm KO) (League)

12/8/25: AFC Birmingham (H) (6:25pm KO) (League)

16/8/25: Coventry Colliery (A) (3pm KO) (LJ Cup)

23/8/25: Leamington Hibernian (H) (3pm KO) (League)

Birmingham Tigers

Last season

League finish: 14th (MFL Division Three)

LJ cup: First round

Season preview:

Birmingham Tigers will be looking to be competitive at step eight and cause a few upsets in division three across the season. The fixtures against BNJS (League) and Continental Star (LJ cup) feel key for building belief and momentum for the upcoming season if they could pick up a result. They notably did the league double over BNJS in 24/25 who they groundshare the Hadley stadium with.     

Upcoming fixtures

2/8/25: Coventry Colliery (A) (3pm KO) (League)

5/8/25: BNJS (H) (6:35pm KO) (League)

9/8/25: AFC Birmingham (H) (3pm KO) (League)

12/8/25: Walsall Wood (A) (7:45pm KO) (League)

16/8/25: Continental Star (H) (3pm KO) (LJ Cup)

25/8/25: Solihull Youth Academy (A) (3pm KO) (League)

Castle Vale Town

Last season

League finish: 8th (MFL Division Three)

LJ cup: First round

Season preview:

Castle Vale Town will be looking to push on division three following a comfortable mid table finish last time out. The Spitfires are a brilliant side to watch when it all clicks in front of goal. They notably pushed Northfield Town close in the LJ cup before narrowly losing on penalties. Prolific forward Jordan McKenzie has been retained for the upcoming season who scored 22 goals in 24/25. 

Upcoming fixtures

2/8/25: AFC Birmingham (H) (3pm KO) (League)

5/8/25: Coventry Colliery (A) (6:35pm KO) (League)

9/8/25: AFC Balsall (H) (3pm KO) (League)

11/8/25: Gornal (H) (7:45pm KO) (League)

16/8/25: Walsall Wood (A) (3pm KO) (LJ Cup)

23/8/25: Kenilworth Sporting (A) (3pm KO) (League)

Continental Star

Last season

League finish: 6th (MFL Division Three)

LJ cup:  First round

Season preview:

Continental Star emerged as one of the surprise teams in division three last season. They had a brilliant season in 24/25 with fifteen wins from twenty-eight matches on their way to finishing 6th. It was a campaign of real progress for the club who finished 14th in 23/24. Striker Rumal Johnson has been retained for the new season who has scored 37 goals over the last two seasons at this level. 

Upcoming fixtures

6/8/25: Silhill (A) (6:35pm KO) (League)

9/8/25: Kenilworth Sporting (A) (3pm KO) (League)

12/8/25: Solihull Sporting (H) (6:25pm KO) (League)

16/8/25: Birmingham Tigers (A) (3pm KO) (LJ Cup)

23/8/25: Gornal (A) (3pm KO) (League)

30/8/25: Walsall Wood (A) (3pm KO) (League)

Coventry Colliery

Last season

League finish: 2nd (Coventry Alliance, Premier Division) (Promoted to step eight)

Stan Oulds Cup: Winners

Season preview:

Coventry Colliery will be looking to a be a force in division three following promotion from the premier division of the Coventry Alliance last time out. The Colliery were impressive with thirteen wins from eighteen matches on their way to finishing in 2nd. Key players such as midfielder Conor Halton and defender John Agbo have committed for the new season. 

Upcoming fixtures

2/8/25: Birmingham Tigers (H) (3pm KO) (League)

5/8/25: Castle Vale Town (H) (6:35pm KO) (League)

9/8/25: BNJS (H) (3pm KO) (League)

12/8/25: Kenilworth Sporting (A) (6:25pm KO) (League)

16/8/25: BNJS (H) (3pm KO) (LJ Cup)

23/8/25: Coventry Dunlop (H) (3pm KO) (League)

Coventry Dunlop

Last season

League finish: 1st (Coventry Alliance, Premier Division)

Stan Oulds cup: Quarter finals

Season preview:

Coventry Dunlop will be embracing the challenge of division three football following promotion from the premier division in 24/25. They were brilliant last season with only two losses from eighteen matches on their way to winning the league. Prolific forward Jack Archer has been retained for the new season who scored 16 goals last time out and will be looking to impress at step eight.   

Upcoming fixtures

5/8/25: Kenilworth Sporting (A) (6:35pm KO) (League)

9/8/25: Gornal (A) (3pm KO) (League)

12/8/25: Leamington Hibernian (A) (6:25pm KO) (League)

16/8/25: Earlswood Town (A) (3pm KO) (LJ Cup)

23/8/25: Coventry Colliery (A) (3pm KO) (League)

25/8/25: Silhill (A) (3pm KO) (League)

Diamonds Academy

Last season

League finish: 7th (MFL U21s South Division)

Challenge Bowl: Group Stage

Season preview:

Diamonds Academy are a new addition to division three this season and will be embracing the challenge of senior football at step eight. Key players from last season’s U21s squad have been retained such as Khye Darlington and Jakub Nagel who started a combined 36 games last time out. The upcoming season is a good opportunity for the squad to gain experience playing at step eight.     

Upcoming fixtures

2/8/25: Kenilworth Sporting (A) (3pm KO) (League)

5/8/25: Walsall Wood (A) (7:45pm KO) (League)

9/8/25: Leamington Hibernian (A) (3pm KO) (League)

12/8/25: Silhill (A) (6:25pm KO) (League)

16/8/25: Kenilworth Sporting (A) (3pm KO) (LJ Cup)

25/8/25: Solihull Sporting (A) (3pm KO) (League)

Gornal

Last season

League finish: 12th (MFL Division Three)

LJ cup: Second round

Season preview:

Gornal will be looking to push on in division three following an encouraging mid table finish at the end of last season. Key players from last season’s squad have been retained such as striker Raman Mohammed who scored ten goals last time out. There’s a sense of continuity going into the new season which could help them, and they can cause sides problems up front.     

Upcoming fixtures:

2/8/25: Silhill (A) (3pm KO) (League)

9/8/25: Coventry Dunlop (H) (3pm KO) (League)

11/8/25: Castle Vale Town (A) (7:45pm KO) (League)

16/8/25: Central Ajax (A) (3pm KO) (LJ Cup)

23/8/25: Continental Star (H) (3pm KO) (League)

25/8/25: AFC Balsall (H) (3pm KO) (League)

Kenilworth Sporting

Last season

League finish: 4th (MFL Division Three)

LJ cup: First round

Season preview:

Kenilworth have had a busy summer over the last couple of months following a 4th place finish at the end of last season. The club have made some eye-catching signings with the aim of challenging for promotion this season. Jordan Powell joins the squad who has valuable experience playing in division two with AFC Coventry Rangers. Lee Stringer has also joined the coaching set up over the summer.       

Upcoming fixtures

2/8/25: Diamonds Academy (H) (3pm KO) (League)

5/8/25: Coventry Dunlop (H) (6:35pm KO) (League)

9/8/25: Continental Star (H) (3pm KO) (League)

12/8/25: Coventry Colliery (H) (6:25pm KO) (League)

16/8/25: Diamonds Academy (H) (3pm KO) (LJ Cup)

23/8/25: Castle Vale Town (H) (3pm KO) (League)

Leamington Hibernian

Last season

League finish: 13th (MFL Division Three)

LJ cup: First round

Season preview:

Leamington will be looking to be competitive in division three and cause a few upsets across the league campaign. The Hibs had a brilliant end to last season with four wins from their last five matches on their way to finishing in 13th. They will be looking to carry on that momentum with the likes of Ricky Barby being retained who emerged as a real attacking threat with seven goals in 24/25. 

Upcoming fixtures

2/8/25: Solihull Sporting (A) (3pm KO) (League)

5/8/25: AFC Balsall (H) (6:35pm KO) (League)

9/8/25: Diamonds Academy (H) (3pm KO) (League)

12/8/25: Coventry Dunlop (H) (6:25pm KO) (League)

16/8/25: Hampton (A) (3pm KO) (LJ Cup)

23/8/25: BNJS (A) (3pm KO) (League)

Silhill

Last season

League finish: 3rd (MFL Division Three)

Last season: Second round

Season preview:

Silhill had another brilliant campaign in division three last season and agonisingly missed out on promotion by two points to runners up Wake Green Amateurs. The Solihull side were a real force with the best goals conceded record outside the two promoted sides. Key players have been retained including Alfie Merriman, Gilad Grant and Josh Sarmenio who scored a combined 45 goals in 24/25. 

Upcoming fixtures

2/8/25: Gornal (H) (3pm KO) (League)

6/8/25: Continental Star (H) (6:35pm KO) (League)

9/8/25: Solihull Youth Academy (H) (3pm KO) (League)

12/8/25: Diamonds Academy (H) (6:25pm KO) (League)

16/8/25: AFC Balsall (H) (3pm KO) (LJ Cup)

23/8/25: AFC Balsall (H) (3pm KO) (League)

Solihull Sporting

Last season

League finish: 10th (MFL Division Three)

LJ cup: Second round

Season preview:

Solihull Sporting had an interesting summer and changed their manager following the end of last season. Gavin Heath was replaced by Dave Slav in the dugout to lead the team for the new season. It should be interesting to see how they get on throughout the season and if the new coaching staff can push the club to the next level to challenge for a top half finish in 25/26.    

Upcoming fixtures

2/8/25: Leamington Hibernian (H) (3pm KO) (League)

5/8/25: Solihull Youth Academy (H) (6:35pm KO) (League)

9/8/25: Walsall Wood (H) (3pm KO) (League)

12/8/25: Continental Star (A) (6:25pm KO) (League)

16/8/25: Cadbury Athletic (H) (3pm KO) (LJ Cup)

23/8/25: AFC Birmingham (H) (3pm KO) (League)

Solihull Youth Academy

Last season

League finish: 6th (MFL Development division)

Challenge Trophy: Semi finals

Season preview:

Solihull Youth Academy are a new addition to division three and will be making the step up to senior football following an encouraging season in the MFL Development division. They impressed in 24/25 and notably did the league double over Chasetown U23s. Arnaldo Basilo and Daniel Olaloko have both been retained who scored a combined 28 goals last time out.    

Upcoming fixtures

2/8/25: Walsall Wood (A) (3pm KO) (League)

5/8/25: Solihull Sporting (A) (6:35pm KO) (League)

9/8/25: Silhill (A) (3pm KO) (League)

11/8/25: AFC Balsall (H) (7:45pm KO) (League)

16/8/25: Fairfield Villa (A) (3pm KO) (LJ Cup)

25/8/25: Birmingham Tigers (H) (3pm KO) (League)

Walsall Wood

Season preview:

It’s been a busy couple of months for Walsall Wood who have bounced back following their unfortunate resignation from step four last season. Adam ‘Slav’ Pearce has been appointed as their new manager to guide the club in division three. He’s joined in the dugout by Phil Male as part of the new coaching staff. Notable signings include Ronee Hendricks, Ronan Sheehan and Adam Skeldon.      

Upcoming fixtures

2/8/25: Solihull Youth Academy (H) (3pm KO) (League)

5/8/25: Diamonds Academy (H) (7:45pm KO) (League)

9/8/25: Solihull Sporting (A) (3pm KO) (League)

12/8/25: Birmingham Tigers (H) (7:45pm KO) (League)

16/8/25: Castle Vale Town (H) (3pm KO) (LJ Cup)

25/8/25: Leamington Hibernian (H) (3pm KO) (League)

Preview feature written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League