Dereham Town were crowned champions on 27 April 2013 after a 5–0 win over FC Clacton[2] and were promoted to the Isthmian League for the first time in their history.
For this season only, the FA were to promote a second club from two of the following six Step 5 leagues: Combined Counties League, Eastern Counties League, Essex Senior League, Kent League, Spartan South Midlands League and the Sussex County League. This was to fulfil the expansion of the Isthmian League Divisions One North and South from 22 to 24 clubs each.[3] The two clubs were to be promoted on a points per game basis,[4] and the two runners-up with the best PPG were VCD Athletic (Kent Football League) and Guernsey (Combined Counties League). Three others – Aylesbury United (Spartan South Midlands League), Redhill (Sussex County League) and Barkingside (Essex Senior League) – were also confirmed as promoted by the FA on 17 May, due to resignations and non-promotions elsewhere.
Newmarket Town achieved promotion to the Premier Division on the 13 April 2013.[9] Cambridge University Press withdrew from the league on April 6, 2013.[10]