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: 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.

League table

Midland Division

The Midland Division consisted of 21 clubs, including 16 clubs from the previous season and five new clubs:

League table

Southern Division

The Southern Division expanded up to 21 clubs, including 16 clubs from the previous season and five new clubs: 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.

League table