Severn Sport's 5 Hellenic League Players To Watch - 25/26 Season

To conclude the 2025/26 season previews on Severn Sport, Butler takes a look at the five players to watch in the Hellenic League this campaign.

Following on from the Ultimate Gloucestershire Season Preview post, we take a look at the four individuals named and a bonus player that Butler will be keeping an eye on during the season.

Alex Knight – Longlevens

This season could be a huge season for a player that I rate very highly. Knight has been the Longlevens U18s Captain and after a strong second half of last season, which saw him not just only break into the first team, but establish himself in the side, Knight could be set to kick on from here.

Over the last two years of watching him play, I have seen the obvious grow in confidence in not just the player, but the man and by committing to Levens this season, he is surrounded by experienced, quality players who will play a big part in furthering his development.

It may be a massive statement to make, but Knight reminds me of Harry Emmett when he broke through at Longlevens. Fearless on the ball and works hard off it. Hopefully, I haven’t just jinxed the lad!

Toby Soule – Slimbridge

For a number of years people were telling me about Toby Soule and just how good he is.

After stints with Cheltenham Saracens and Bishops Cleeve, Soule found himself at Slimbridge last season and 32 appearances later, is set for a key role in a new-look Swans squad.

Last season showed me how good he can be and now I am being told he can be even better! He has all the tools in the arsenal to help drive the Swans to improve on a disappointing second half of the season last time out.

With a midfield of Soule and Kang providing support and a sold anchor, the former can play a massive role this season.

Dan Grieve – Fairford Town

Grieve makes my list as he is one of the many new recruits at Cinder Lane and before the incomings were announced, we knew that Jamal Lawrence had left the club, leaving the question, who will replace his goals?

In comes Grieve, who has been tasked with playing his part in replacing a forward line of Lawrence and Charlie Holliday, who also departed in the summer.

Grieve has had a good record of scoring against our sides whilst at the likes of Highworth Town and he impressed me during his time at Cirencester Town

I for one was really pleased to see him join Fairford, as not only does that mean goals, it also sees a quality player joining one of our sides and hopefully it can inspire one of the Gloucestershire sides to really push for promotion once again.

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Oakley James – Cheltenham Saracens

Oakley stood out for me as a player to watch a couple of years ago, after racking up a number of appearances for the Sarries first team, whilst starring for their U18s side.

Now, he is more experienced and even more important to Sarries – particularly this season.

After a change of personnel both on the pitch and in the dugout over the summer, Sarries have a mixture of youthful exuberance and experience and James ticks both boxes.

During pre-season he has worn the armband and been a leader on the pitch and with Luke Finch now back at the club in a coaching role, James has a chance to really establish himself as a top talent in the area and if he can inspire Sarries to a higher finish than 14th in the Hellenic One table.

Brad Bevan – Tuffley Rovers

Bevan is my wildcard selection.

He made 40 appearances last season for a Tuffley side who came so close to breaking their points record in the Hellenic Premier and he will be that year more developed as a footballer and will have learned a lot from those games.

This season is another big one for Rovers and they haven’t added a huge deal to an established squad, so there is a chance for a new name to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and Bevan has looked lively as ever during pre-season.

We all know how good Karnell Chambers and Kieran Alder are and how important they are to Neil Mustoe’s side, plus is Oli Barnes can recapture his form pre-injury woes at Westfields, then chances and goals will come for him too – but it feels like there is a huge opportunity for the likes of Connor Walters and Brad Bevan to really leave a mark on this season.

The Hellenic Premier season starts on Tuesday 29 July, with live updates from Slimbridge vs Cirencester Town by Sam Yapp, whilst Butler will be at Tuffley Rovers vs Cribbs, with updates on the Severn Sport Twitter account.