1985–86 Southern Football League

The 1985–86 Southern Football League season was the 83rd in the history of the league, an English football competition.

Welling United won the Premier Division and earned promotion to the Football Conference, whilst RS Southampton and Oldbury United left the league at the end of the season.

Premier Division
The Premier Division consisted of 20 clubs, including 15 clubs from the previous season and five new clubs:
 * Two clubs promoted from the Midland Division:
 * Aylesbury United
 * Dudley Town


 * Two clubs promoted from the Southern Division:
 * Basingstoke Town
 * Gosport Borough


 * Plus:
 * Worcester City, relegated from the Alliance Premier League

The Premier Division was to be expanded in the next season so only two clubs were to be relegated this season, though after RS Southampton resigned from the league, only Gravesend & Northfleet was relegated.

Midland Division
The Midland Division consisted of 21 clubs, including 16 clubs from the previous season and five new clubs:
 * Two clubs relegated from the Premier Division:
 * Gloucester City
 * Leamington


 * Plus:
 * Bilston Town, promoted from the West Midlands (Regional) League
 * Grantham, transferred from the Northern Premier League
 * Mile Oak Rovers, joined from the Midland Combination

Southern Division
The Southern Division expanded up to 21 clubs, including 16 clubs from the previous season and five new clubs:
 * Corinthian
 * Hastings Town, new club replaced the folded Hastings United
 * Ruislip, promoted from the Middlesex County League
 * Trowbridge Town, relegated from the Premier Division

Also, at the end of the previous season Hillingdon merged with London Spartan League club Burnham to form a new club Burnham & Hillingdon, who took over a place in the Southern Football League.