EssexiAir Premier League

EssexiAir Premier League

Countries	Commonwealth of Essexia
Founded	17 February 2021
First season	4 July 2022
Divisions	1
Number of teams	4
Current champions	Danbury United F.C. (1st season)
Most championships	Danbury United F.C. (1)
Top goalscorer	Matt G (4)
TV partners	Dean Network
Website	Website

The EssexiAir Premier League (sometimes referred to simply as the Premier League, or the Essexian Premier League) is the only football league in the Commonwealth of Essexia. It is sponsored by Essexia's national airline EssexiAir, resulting in the competition's namesake. Local Essexian football teams compete for the title of EssexiAir Premier League Champion.

Danbury United F.C. are the current EPL Champions.

History

The EssexiAir Premier League was formed on the 17th February 2021 by Jack D, who also created Danbury United F.C. as Essexia's first non-international football team to compete in the league. The league's inaugural games are set to take place later in 2021, once COVID-19 restrictions have been eased. Great Baddow Rovers F.C. was added on the 18th February, created by Emperor Terry. F.C. United of Michael was founded and added to the league on the 25th February 2021, as the third league team. It was founded by Newton von Uberquie. Former First Minister Finn R formed Danbury Village A.F.C. on the 2nd July 2021 in order to bolster the number of teams in the league, and add a competitive nature within Greater Danbury for which team citizens should support.

2022 League

Danbury United, Great Baddow Rovers and Danbury Village competed at the Old Cormorant Ground in Danbury.

F.C. United of Michael were asked to not compete, in order to ensure there were enough players for all competing teams. Defender Matthew was moved on loan to Danbury Village AFC, whilst Fabio and Newton were unable to play. In addition, Ben S of Danbury United was loaned to Great Baddow Rovers to make up for their lack of players.

Each team played each other once, making for three games in total. Danbury United won against both Great Baddow Rovers and Danbury Village, with Great Baddow Rovers losing both games and Danbury Village winning one. Danbury United were crowned League Cup Champions, and following this all present players organised into two teams to compete for the EPL Cup, which resulted in a penalty shoot-out with Team 2 winning.

2022 Results

2022 League Results

Name	Logo	Final Position	Points
Danbury United F.C.		1st	6
Danbury Village A.F.C.		2nd	3
Great Baddow Rovers F.C.		3rd	0

Essexia Premier League Cup Results

Team	Players	Goals	Penalties
1	Elliot B (DUFC) [Captain] Terry T (GBR) Patrick H (DVAFC) Ben S (DUFC/GBR Loan) Matt S (FCUM/GBR Loan) Ben H (GBR)
2	Will F (DUFC) [Captain] Jack D (DUFC) Finn R (DVAFC) Dharren (DVAFC) Matt G (DUFC) Adam F (DVAFC)

2022 EPL Golden Boots

Name	League Goals	Cup Goals	Total Goals
Matt G (DUFC)	4	0	4
Elliot B (DUFC)	3	1	4
Dharren (DVAFC)	2	2	4
Terry T (GBR)	1	1	2
Finn R (DVAFC)	1	0	1
Will F (DUFC)	1	0	1
Adam F (DVAFC)	1	0	1
Matt S (FCUM/GBR Loan)	1	0	1
Ben H (GBR)	1	0	1

Sleeve patch issued in June 2023.

Sleeve patch for the previous year's Champions.

2023 League

Following the success of the first league competition, it was assumed a second successive season would be held in 2023. In mid June 2023, participants agreed to a provisional date of the 8th July 2023, for the 2023 EPL season. However, DVAFC manager Finn made clear that he likely would not be present to participate due to other committments.

In June 2023, the league introduced official sleeve patches for teams to wear on their kits. This included a blue and white patch for all teams, except the previous year's champions who had their own gold and white 'EPL Champions XXXX' badge.

Rivalries

There is a local rivalry between Danbury Village A.F.C. and Danbury United F.C. due to their close geographical proximity.

A historic rivalry exists between Danbury United F.C. and Great Baddow Rovers F.C., who were both formed in February 2021 and saw each other as their primary competition. This can be seen in the chants that supporters of both teams sung towards each other during matches in contempt and to demoralise the other side's players.

Competition Format

In the 2022 league, 3 games were played to decide the winners of the league cup. Although originally 6 games were supposed to be played, the heat and subsequent exhaustion forced the managers to reduce this. In order to give players more playing time though, a longer Cup was played where two teams were formed of all the present players.

Clubs

EssexiAir Premier League clubs

Name	Logo	Manager	Formed	2022 Position
Danbury United F.C.		Jack D	17th February 2021	1st (6 points)
Great Baddow Rovers F.C.		Terry	18th February 2021	3rd (0 points)
F.C. United of Michael		Newton von Uberquie	25th February 2021	N/A
Danbury Village A.F.C.		Finn	2nd July 2021	2nd (3 points)

Sponsorship

The league is sponsored by Essexiair, Essexia's national airline and one of the nation's most well known independent entities.

Individual teams are allowed to be sponsored by private companies; CAe Systems and Paddocks Boat Co both sponser Danbury United, whilst Bearing420 sponsors the Baddow Rovers.

Media Coverage

Media rights to broadcast the league games were granted exclusively to Dean Network, who had planned to broadcast live coverage at the first games, possibly with commentary. Dean Network is also responsible for creating publicity for the league and releasing official news. Due to the short notice nature of the 2022 league, broadcasts were unable to be setup.

Managers

EssexiAir Premier League club managers

Name	Club	Started
Jack D	Danbury United F.C.	17th February 2021
Terry	Great Baddow Rovers F.C.	18th February 2021
Newton von Uberquie	F.C. United of Michael	25th February 2021
Finn R	Danbury Village A.F.C.	2nd July 2021

Players

EssexiAir Premier League players

Name	Started	Position	Club
Terry	18/02/2021	Defensive Midfield	Great Baddow Rovers F.C.
Sam G	18/02/2021		Great Baddow Rovers F.C.
Ben H	18/02/2021	Defence	Great Baddow Rovers F.C.
Danny	30/06/2022		Great Baddow Rovers F.C.
Ben S*	04/07/2022	Goalee	Great Baddow Rovers F.C.
Matt S*	04/07/2022		Great Baddow Rovers F.C.
Jack D	17/02/2021	Defence	Danbury United F.C.
Will F	18/02/2021	Defence/Goalee	Danbury United F.C.
Ben S	18/02/2021		Danbury United F.C.
Matt G	03/07/2022	Attacking Midfield	Danbury United F.C.
Elliot	18/02/2021	Attacking Midfiled	Danbury United F.C.
Newton	25/02/2021	Goalee	F.C. United of Michael
Matthew S	25/02/2021	Defence	F.C. United of Michael
Fabio M.	03/08/2021	Striker	F.C. United of Michael
Finn R	02/07/2021	Midfield	Danbury Village A.F.C.
Adam F	02/07/2021	Goalee	Danbury Village A.F.C.
Patrick H	25/07/2021	Midfield	Danbury Village A.F.C.
Dharren	03/07/2022	Attacking Midfield	Danbury Village A.F.C.

^{*On loan}

Awards

The club that wins the league is awarded the title of EssexiAir Premier League Champion. In addition, there are awards for the Best Manager, Best Player and two Golden Boots (most goals).

EssexiAir Premier League Champion Award:

• 2022 - Danbury United F.C.
  • Jack D (Manager/Captain)
  • Elliot B
  • Matt G
  • Will F

Best Manager Award:

• 2022 - Will F (DUFC) (EPL Cup Team 2)

Best Player Award:

• 2022 -Elliot B (DUFC)

Golden Boot Award (League):

• 2022 - Matt G (DUFC), 4 goals in the League

Golden Boot Award (All Comps):

• 2022 - Matt G (DUFC) and Elliot B (DUFC), each having 4 goals across all competitions.

See also

• Commonwealth of Essexia
• Essexiair
• Essexia FC