Preseason Is Here as Friday Night Lights Return to Stephanian Ottery AFC

By We Are Stephs desk

The wait is finally over. Stephanian Ottery AFC is ready to kick off the 2026 season in style as the much-loved Friday Night Lights make their return, signalling the official start of preseason football across the club.

On Friday, 6 March 2026, the atmosphere around the club will come alive as mini football and girls football take centre stage under the lights. It is an evening that marks more than just the start of preseason fixtures. It is the beginning of another journey built on development, passion, and togetherness.

All teams are scheduled to report at 18:15 in Fish Hoek , with matches getting underway from 19:00 as Stephanian Ottery AFC travels for a full slate of away fixtures. The excitement of evening football, combined with the energy of a new season, promises a special night for players, coaches, and supporters alike.

This preseason opener represents the first real moments of the 2026 campaign. It is where the first touches are taken, the first saves are made, and the first battles of the season are fought. For many players, especially at grassroots level, it is the first chance to pull on their colours again and express themselves on the pitch.

Leading the way on the night will be the club’s Under 7 to Under 10 Mini teams, along with the Girls Under 14s, who open the preseason programme. Their involvement highlights Stephanian Ottery AFC’s continued commitment to youth development and the growth of girls football, both of which remain central pillars of the club’s identity.

With a new season ahead, the focus once again turns to learning, improvement, and enjoying the game. These early fixtures are about building confidence, sharpening skills, and reconnecting as teams after the off season. They also offer an opportunity for coaches to assess progress and begin laying the foundations for what lies ahead.

While the Minis and Girls teams get the ball rolling, excitement is already building for the rest of the club. Junior, Senior, and Veterans preseason fixtures will be announced soon, with momentum gathering quickly as preseason activity ramps up across all divisions.

The club calls on parents, supporters, and the entire Stephs family to be part of the occasion. Bring the energy, bring the noise, and help create the atmosphere that makes Friday Night Lights such a special feature of the Stephanian Ottery AFC calendar. These evenings are about more than results. They are about community, support, and starting the season the right way.

Preseason is here. The lights are on. Football is back.

We Are Stephs.