Fourteen clubs join maiden Southern Counties East Development League

The fourteen clubs who will take part in the maiden Southern Counties East Football League Development League next season have been named.

Quadruple winners Sheppey United, who have been promoted into the Isthmian League for the first time next season, will field a side in the Development League for under 23 sides, although clubs are allowed to field up to eight over-aged players in matches.

Phoenix Sports and Whitstable Town, who have both been relegated from the Isthmian League and will be playing in the Premier Division of the Southern Counties East Football League next season, have signed up to the new division.

Premier Division sides Bearsted, Hollands & Blair, Holmesdale, Lordswood, Punjab United, Sutton Athletic and Welling Town are also joining.

First Division clubs Snodland Town, Sporting Club Thamesmead and Staplehurst Monarchs will also field sides.

It is expected that Development League games will take place in midweek.