The 1985–86 season was the 15th in the history of Essex Senior Football League, a football competition in England.[1]
The league featured 16 clubs which competed in the league last season, along with one new club:
Witham Town were champions, winning their second Essex Senior League title, while Wivenhoe Town were promoted to the Isthmian League.
| Competition: | Essex Senior Football League |
| Season: | 1985–86 |
| Winners: | Witham Town |
| Promoted: | Wivenhoe Town |
| Matches: | 272 |
| Total Goals: | 910 |
| Prevseason: | 1984–85 |
| Nextseason: | 1986–87 |