MFL Division Two (Season Preview)

​AFC Coventry Rangers

Last Season

League: 2nd (MFL Division Two)

Les James Challenge Cup: Second Round

Season Preview

AFC Coventry Rangers will be looking to challenge for the league title this season following consecutive top three finishes in division two over the last two seasons. It’s been a brilliant few years for the club and they will be looking to be up there this season under Kev Kingham. Key players from last season such as defender James Ritson have been retained for another season. 

Upcoming Fixtures:

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

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

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

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

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

24/8/24: Lane Head (A) (3pm KO) (League)

AFC Solihull

Last Season

League: 1st (MFL Division Three)

Les James Challenge Cup: Second Round

Season Preview

AFC Solihull will be looking to establish themselves at step seven following promotion from division three last time out. It was an excellent season at step eight for the club who finished as league champions on 80 points. Key players from that promotion winning season such as Cherno Sey and Owen Williams have been retained. They should be an interesting team to watch at step seven.

Upcoming Fixtures:

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

6/8/24: Earlswood Town (A) (6:30pm KO) (League)

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

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

17/8/24: AFC Coventry Rangers (A) (3pm KO) (League)

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

Birmingham United

Last Season

League: 6th (MFL Division Two)

Les James Challenge Cup: Quarter Finals

Season Preview

Birmingham United are building something under manager Joe Simms and they will be looking to challenge near the top of the table. They have been known for smart recruitment over the last few seasons. This continued over the summer with the signing of Jahvan Howell who was excellent for AFC Solihull. There a club on the up with the Trico a bit of a fortress over the last year.  

Upcoming Fixtures:

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

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

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

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

19/8/24: Inkberrow (H) (7:45pm KO) (League)

24/8/24: Northfield Town (H) (3pm KO) (League)

Bolehall Swifts

Last Season

League: 14th (MFL Division Two)

Les James Challenge Cup: First Round

Season Preview

It’s been a busy summer for Bolehall Swifts who have changed managers and bought in a lot of players. Jon Huckfield has come in as their new manager and signed a lot of players with valuable experience at step six which should strengthen the squad. They have retained key attacking players such as Toby Hulland alongside bringing in the likes of Samuel Dunkley from AFC Coventry Rangers. 

Upcoming Fixtures:

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

7/8/24: Northfield Town (H) (7:45pm KO) (League)

14/8/24: Lane Head (H) (7:45pm KO) (League)

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

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

26/8/24: Fairfield Villa (H) (3pm KO) (League) 

Cadbury Athletic

Last Season

League: 11th (MFL Division Two)

Les James Challenge Cup: First Round

Season Preview

Cadbury Athletic will be looking to build on the promise of last season where they finished comfortably in mid table under new manager Daniel Moses. The Chocolate Men will be looking to challenge for a top half finish this season and have kept key players from the last few seasons. The likes of Fraser Oliver, Callum Devlin and Stuart Cooke have been retained which is encouraging.

Upcoming Fixtures:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Central Ajax

Last Season

League: 9th (MFL Division Two)

Les James Challenge Cup: Semi Finals

Season Preview

Central Ajax will be looking to continue the success of last season where they established themselves at step seven. The Warwickshire side have retained key players such as Shaye Eden who emerged as one of the best strikers in division two last season. They have also got that continuity with Tom Dyke and Jaren Randell staying on board for another season.

Upcoming Fixtures:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Coventrians

Last Season

League: 8th (MFL Division Three)

Les James Challenge Cup: First Round

Season Preview

Coventrians will be looking to continue the successful season they had last time out in division two. It was a really encouraging first season at this level with the only thing missing being a cup run but they finished above the bottom two comfortably. Romano Graham has been retained who emerged as one of the best strikers in the division and Jon Rodney staying on is huge in terms of leadership. 

Upcoming Fixtures:

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

6/8/24: AFC Coventry Rangers (H) (6:30pm KO) (League)

13/8/24: Coventry Alvis (A) (7:30pm KO) (League)

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

24/8/24: Fairfield Villa (A) (3pm KO) (League)

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

Coventry Alvis

Last Season

League: 7th (MFL Division Two) 

Les James Challenge Cup: First Round

Season Preview

It’s been a busy summer for Coventry Alvis with the club appointing Ian Sharman as their new manager. One of the main positives for the Tankmen is having that continuity from last season which helped them achieve a top half finish. The likes of Jagit Aujla and Kyle Jaynes have been retained for another season who impressed at this level last season.   

Upcoming Fixtures:

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

6/8/24: Central Ajax (H) (7:30pm KO) (League)

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

13/8/24: Coventrians (H) (7:30pm KO) (League)

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

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

Earlswood Town

Last Season

League: 12th (MFL Division Two)

Les James Challenge Cup: Quarter Finals

Season Preview

Earlswood will be looking to build on the promise of last season under manager Joel Hughes and challenge for a top half position in division two this season. They have managed to retain key players from last season such as Louis Bridges whose has been an ever present for them with 57 starts over the last two seasons. Their main problem might be up front with Dan Elwell departing.

Upcoming Fixtures:

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

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

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

13/8/24: Littleton (A) (7:45pm KO) (League)

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

24/8/24: Central Ajax (H) (3pm KO) (League)

Fairfield Villa

Last Season

League: 16th (MFL Division Two)

Les James Challenge Cup: Runners Up

Season Preview

It’s been a busy summer for Fairfield Villa who have been making a number of eye-catching signings in the build up to the season. The Swans were reprieved from relegation at the end of last season and have made some encouraging moves to bounce back this season. Manager GJ Singh has stayed on for another season. They have also signed Ricardo Richards and Dan Elwell to bolster their attack.   

Upcoming Fixtures:

3/8/24: Balsall and Berkswell (H) (3pm KO) (LJ Challenge Cup, First Round)

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

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

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

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

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

Hampton

Last Season

League: 5th (MFL Division Two)

Les James Challenge Cup: Semi Finals

Season Preview

Hampton have been one of the most consistent teams at step seven over the last few years and were duly rewarded last season by winning the Coventry Charity Cup. The Solihull side have achieved consecutive top half finishes over the last two seasons and will be looking to continue that success this season. Prolific striker Ciaran Lawless has been retained who scored 17 goals last season. 

Upcoming Fixtures:

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

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

10/8/24: Inkberrow (H) (3pm KO)

14/8/24: Cadbury Athletic (H) (6:20pm KO)

17/8/24: Lane Head (H) (3pm KO)

24/8/24: Coventry Alvis (A) (3pm KO)

Inkberrow

Last Season

League: 13th (MFL Division Two)

Les James Challenge Cup: First Round

Season Preview

Inkberrow will be looking to build on the momentum they had in the second half of last season and use it as a platform for success this time out. Players such as Jack Turner and George Thomas have been retained for the upcoming season. The Worcester side had a slow start to last season which prevented them going on a cup run. They will be looking to make amends this season.   

Upcoming Fixtures:

3/8/24: Boldmere Sports and Social Falcons (A) (3pm KO) (LJ Challenge Cup, First Round)

6/8/24: Littleton (A) (7:45pm KO) (League)

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

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

19/8/24: Birmingham United (A) (7:45pm KO) (League)

24/8/24: Bolehall Swifts (A) (3pm KO) (League)

Knowle

Last Season

League: 3rd (MFL Division Three)

Les James Challenge Cup: Winners

Season Preview

Knowle will be looking to challenge for the league title this season alongside the likes of AFC Coventry Rangers and Birmingham United. The Robins have been one of the standout teams in step seven over the last few seasons with consecutive LJ Cups and top three finishes at this level. Quality players such as Nathan Corry and George Seeley have been retained for another season.

Upcoming Fixtures:

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

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

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

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

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

24/8/24: Cadbury Athletic (H) (3pm KO) (League)

Lane Head

Last Season

League: 10th (MFL Division Two)

Les James Challenge Cup: Second Round

Season Preview

Lane Head will be looking to be competitive in division two this season and avoid being involved in a relegation battle near the bottom of the table. They did an excellent job last season and finished comfortably in mid table. Their main problem going into this season is goalscoring with Josh Lewis and Craig Tuckley not part of the squad. Claudio Shimmer might play a bigger role this season up front.   

Upcoming Fixtures:

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

7/8/24: Cadbury Athletic (H) (6:30pm KO) (League)

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

14/8/24: Bolehall Swifts (A) (7:45pm KO) (League)

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

24/8/24: AFC Coventry Rangers (H) (3pm KO) (League)

Littleton

Last Season

League: 15th (MFL Division Two)

Les James Challenge Cup: Quarter Finals

Season Preview

Littleton will be looking to bounce back from last season where they narrowly missed out on finishing above the bottom two. They ultimately got a reprieve from relegation to step eight. It’s been a busy summer with club legend Andy Robbins coming in as their new manager. Goalscoring was a problem last season, and they have bought in Adam Taylor and Kevin Ingram up front to strengthen the attack.   

Upcoming Fixtures:

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

6/8/24: Inkberrow (H) (7:45pm KO) (League)

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

13/8/24: Earlswood Town (H) (7:45pm KO) (League)

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

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

Northfield Town

Last Season

League: 2nd (MFL Division Three)

Les James Challenge Cup: First Round

Season Preview

It’s been a busy summer for Northfield Town since promotion from division three at the end of last season. Ryan Smith has been appointed as their new manager and key players from last season’s promotion winning squad such as Patrick Behan and Ethan Green have re-signed. They have also signed James Ward and Daniel Wells who featured for promotion winning side Redditch Borough.     

Upcoming Fixtures:

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

7/8/24: Bolehall Swifts (A) (7:45pm KO) (League)

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

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

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

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

Preview feature written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League