The 2017–18 season was the 115th in the history of the Southern League since its establishment in 1894. It was also the last to have a single Premier Division. From the 2014–15 season onwards, the Southern League is known as Evo-Stik League Southern, following a sponsorship deal with Evo-Stik.
The league constitution was announced in May 2017.[1]
At the end of the season a new division was to be created at step 3. Also, the number of clubs in step 3 divisions was reduced from 24 to 22. To make up the number of clubs at step 3 only one Premier Division club was to be relegated this season.
The Premier Division consisted of 24 clubs, including 18 clubs from the previous season, and six new clubs:
Updated to match(es) played on 28 April 2018. Source: Southern League Website Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results [3] Notes:
Updated to match(es) played on 28 April 2018. Source: The Evo-Stik Southern Football League Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For this season, Division One Central was renamed Division One East.
At the end of the season a new division was to be created at step 3. To make up the number of clubs at step 3 two clubs from each step 4 division, one club with best points-per-game among the step 4 division clubs and six play-off winners were to be promoted this season. Also, a new division were to be added at step 4 within the Isthmian League, while the number of clubs in every step 4 division was decreased to 20. To make up the number of clubs only one club was to be relegated.
Division One East consisted of 22 clubs, including 16 clubs from the previous season Division One Central, and six new clubs:
Updated to match(es) played on 1 May 2018. Source: Southern League Website Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results [3] Notes:
^Four teams played for one spot and promotion to Level 7.
^Aylesbury United were deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player in their win over Ashford Town on 23 January.[2]
Updated to match(es) played on 1 May 2018. Source: The Evo-Stik Southern Football League Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For this season, Division One South & West was renamed Division One West.
At the end of the season a new division was to be created at step 3. To make up the number of clubs at step 3 two clubs from each step 4 division, one club with best points-per-game among the step 4 division clubs and six play-off winners were to be promoted this season. Also, a new division were to be added at step 4 within the Isthmian League, while the number of clubs in every step 4 division was decreased to 20. To make up the number of clubs only one club was to be relegated.
Updated to match(es) played on 2 May 2018. Source: Southern League Website Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results [3] Notes:
The 2017–18 Southern League Cup (billed as The BigFreeBet.com Challenge Cup) was the 80th edition of the Southern League Cup, the cup competition of the Southern Football League.