Division 1 remained at sixteen teams and Sidley United was promoted from Division 2. Division 2 was decreased to fifteen teams, as Cuckfield and Hove Town left the league but Horsham YMCA joining, from which the winner would be promoted into Division 1.
Division One
The division featured 16 clubs, 15 which competed in the last season, along with one new club:
Sidley United, promoted from last season's Division Two
Source: Non-League Matters Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. The points system until the 1982–83 season: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for losing.
Division Two
The division featured 15 clubs, 14 which competed in the last season, along with one new club:
Source: Non-League Matters Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. The points system until the 1982–83 season: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for losing.