Northern Premier League

Association Football league

This article is about the English association football league. For the Tasmanian association football league, see Northern Premier League (Tasmania). For the English rugby union league, see North Premier.

Football league

Northern Premier LeagueFounded| 1968; 57 years ago (1968)

|

Country| England
Number of clubs| 88

* Premier Division: 22
* Division One East: 22
* Division One West: 22
* Division One Midlands: 22

Level on pyramid| 7 and 8
Promotion to| National League North
Relegation to|

* Eastern Counties League
* Midland League
* Northern League
* Northern Counties East League
* North West Counties League
* United Counties League North or South

Domestic cup(s)| National
FA Cup
FA Trophy
League
League Challenge Cup
Current champions| Radcliffe (Premier Division)
Leek Town (Division One West 2023–24)
Hebburn Town (Division One East 2023–24)
Spalding United (Division One Midlands 2023–24)
Website| thenpl.co.uk
Current: 2024–25

The Northern Premier League (NPL), officially known as Pitching In NPL is an English football league that was founded in 1968. It forms the seventh and eighth levels of the English football league system along with the Isthmian League and the Southern League. Collectively these leagues are called the Trident Leagues.

Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England and the northern, central areas of the Midlands, and western parts of East Anglia. Originally a single-division competition, a second division was added in 1987: Division One, and in 2007 a third was added when Division One split into two geographic sections - Division One North and Division One South. In 2018 Division One was re-aligned as East and West Divisions, then North West and South East in 2019. In 2021, the FA restructured the non-League football pyramid and created Division One East, West, and Midlands.

Successful teams at the top of the NPL Premier Division are promoted to level 6 of the pyramid (either National League North or National League South), and at the bottom end of the competition, teams are relegated down to level 9, where several regional feeder leagues promote clubs into the league.

## History

[edit]

The Northern Premier League (NPL) was founded in 1968, as the northern equivalent of the Southern League, decades after the other two leagues at what is now the seventh tier of the English football league system, the Isthmian League and the Southern League. At that time they were the highest level non-League division below the English Football League, the same level as the other league in Northern England, the Cheshire League.[1]

Over the next two decades, the NPL successfully displaced its older rival to become the pre-eminent regional competition in Northern England, with the Cheshire League eventually forced to accept status as feeder league to the NPL. In 1979, upon the creation of the Alliance Premier League (which later became the Conference and is now the National League), the NPL became a feeder league and fell down one level in the English football league system, and with the then-Conference's addition of regional divisions in 2004 the NPL was demoted by a further tier and there are now two levels between it and the English Football League.

From 1992–93 to 1994–95 the league's Division One included two non-English clubs, Caernarfon Town from Wales and Gretna from Scotland, who later joined their countries' league systems. Colwyn Bay, Bangor City, Newtown, and Rhyl have also played in the league.

In 2018, the NPL's member clubs voted 37–27, with one abstention and three clubs' absence, to split Step 4 (level 8) divisions from east to west starting from the 2018–19 season,[2] and one year later, the league published its successful bid to add another division at Step 4 initially in 2020, further altering Division One into northwest and southeast for travel reasons.[3][4] After the Football Association (FA) deferred its implementation of changes to the NLS, the NPL's additional division was created in 2021 instead.[5]

* 1968–69 to 1986–87: Premier Division
* 1987–88 to 2006–07: Premier Division, Division One
* 2007–08 to 2017–18: Premier Division, Division One North, Division One South
* 2018–19: Premier Division, Division One East, Division One West
* 2019–20 to 2020–21: Premier Division, Division One North West, Division One South East
* 2021–22 onwards: Premier Division, Division One West, Division One East, Division One Midlands

### Sponsorship

[edit]

Owing to title sponsorship deals, the league has been billed under various names, including a sixteen-year spell as the Unibond League, the longest such deal in world football.[6] When this deal ended in 2010, a new deal was announced which saw the competition billed as the Evo-Stik League[7][8][9] until the 2017–18 season.[10] The League announced on 8 July 2019 that a two-year deal for seasons 2019-20 and 2020-21 had been agreed with new sponsor BetVictor.[11] This sponsorship agreement with BetVictor was subsequently terminated early in April 2020 with a replacement, Entain's Pitching In, announced as the next sponsor for 2020–21. At the time of announcement, Entain went by its former name GVC Holdings. Under this partnership, the NPL is marketed as one of the three Trident Leagues, alongside its Isthmian and Southern counterparts.[12]

## Structure

[edit]

Since 2021, the NPL has had four divisions: the Premier Division, Division One Midlands, Division One West and Division One East. Prior to 2007 there was just a single Division One,[1] and from 2018 to 2021 Division One was arranged on a north-south, then east-west basis.

The Premier Division has 22 clubs, with the champions promoted to the National League along with the winners of a playoff between the second to fifth place clubs. Theoretically, clubs from the NPL could be promoted into either of the National League's two regional divisions, but the geographical footprint of the NPL has never overlapped with that of the National League South, so (as of 2015) all promoted NPL clubs have been placed in the National League North. The bottom three teams are usually relegated to Division One North West or South East, but NPL Premier Division clubs in the most southerly locales could be relegated to the Southern League Division One Central.

From the 2019–20 season, Division One North West and South East have 20 clubs each. In each division, the champions are promoted to the Premier Division, along with the winners of a divisional playoff. The bottom two clubs in each division are relegated to one of the feeder leagues below provided there are enough suitable promotion candidates from those leagues. The champions of the three feeder leagues covering the NPL area are promoted each season. These are the Northern League, the Northern Counties East League, and the North West Counties League. Clubs in the northern extremities of the Midland League and the United Counties League may also be promoted to the Northern Premier League.

Should there be an unusually large or small number of clubs relegated to and/or promoted to the level of the NPL from Northern England, the National League System (NLS) Committee can order one or more of the NPL's southernmost clubs to transfer to the Southern League (or vice versa) to maintain numerical balance between the leagues.

Division One North West and South East teams receive a bye to the preliminary round of FA Cup Qualification. Premier Division teams receive a bye to the first round of Qualification.

The league currently runs one cup competition, with all member clubs competing in the League Challenge Cup. In the past, the league has run other competitions, such as the Chairman's Cup, the President's Cup and the Peter Swales Shield.

## Current members

[edit]

### Premier Division

[edit]

Ashton United

Bamber Bridge

Blyth Spartans

FC United of Manchester

Gainsborough Trinity

Guiseley

Hebburn Town

Hyde United

Ilkeston Town

Lancaster City

Leek Town

Macclesfield

Matlock Town

Mickleover

Morpeth Town

Prescot Cables

Stockton Town

Warrington Rylands

Basford United

Whitby Town

Workington

Worksop Town

class=notpageimage|

Locations of the Northern Premier League clubs by division
– Premier Division

Id  | Club  | Home ground  | Ground capacity
1  | Ashton United | Hurst Cross  | 4,250 (250 seated)
2  | Bamber Bridge | Sir Tom Finney Stadium  | 3,000 (554 seated)
3  | Basford United | Greenwich Avenue  | 1,950 (300 seated)
4  | Blyth Spartans | Croft Park | 4,435
5  | FC United of Manchester | Broadhurst Park | 4,400
6  | Gainsborough Trinity | The Northolme | 4,340 (504 seated)
7  | Guiseley | Nethermoor Park | 4,200
8  | Hebburn Town | The Green Energy Sports Ground  | 1,500
9  | Hyde United | Ewen Fields | 4,250 (530 seated)
10  | Ilkeston Town | New Manor Ground  | 3,029
11  | Lancaster City | Giant Axe  | 3,513 (513 seated)
12  | Leek Town | Harrison Park  | 3,600
13  | Macclesfield | Leasing.com Stadium | 5,300 (2,095 seated)
14  | Matlock Town | Causeway Lane  | 2,214
15  | Mickleover | Station Road  | 1,500
16  | Morpeth Town | Craik Park  | 1,950 (300 seated)
17  | Prescot Cables | Valerie Park | 3,200
18  | Stockton Town | Bishopton Road West  | 1,800
19  | Warrington Rylands 1906 | Gorsey Lane  | 1,345
20  | Whitby Town | Turnbull Ground  | 3,500 (505 seated)
21  | Workington | Borough Park | 3,100 (500 seated)
22  | Worksop Town | Sandy Lane  | 2,200 (200 seated)

### Division One West

[edit]

Atherton Collieries

Avro

Bootle

Chasetown

City of Liverpool

Clitheroe

Congleton Town

Hanley Town

Hednesford Town

Kidsgrove Athletic

Mossley

Newcastle Town

Nantwich Town

Runcorn Linnets

Stalybridge Celtic

Stafford Rangers

Trafford

Vauxhall Motors

Widnes

Witton Albion

Wythenshawe

Wythenshawe Town

class=notpageimage|

Locations of the Northern Premier League clubs by division
– Division One West

Club  | Home ground  | Ground capacity
Atherton Collieries | Skuna Stadium  | 2,200
Avro | Whitebank Stadium  | 1,500
Bootle | New Bucks Park  | 2,000
Chasetown | The Scholars Ground  | 2,000
City of Liverpool | New Bucks Park  | 2,000
Clitheroe | Shawbridge  | 2,000
Congleton Town | Cleric Stadium  | 1,450
Hanley Town | Potteries Park  | 1,300
Hednesford Town | Keys Park  | 6,039
Kidsgrove Athletic | Hollinwood Road  | 2,000
Mossley | Seel Park  | 3,000 (200 seated)
Nantwich Town | Swansway Stadium  | 3,500 (300 seated)
Newcastle Town | Lyme Valley Stadium  | 4,000 (300 seated)
Runcorn Linnets | APEC Taxis Stadium  | 1,600
Stafford Rangers | Marston Road | 4,000
Stalybridge Celtic | Bower Fold | 6,500 (1,300 seated)
Trafford | Shawe View  | 1,500
Vauxhall Motors | vanEupen Arena  | 3,300
Widnes | Halton Stadium | 13,350 (all seater stadium)
Witton Albion | Wincham Park | 2,300 (600 seated)
Wythenshawe | Hollyhedge Park  | 1,500
Wythenshawe Town | Ericstan Park  | 1,000

### Division One East

[edit]

Ashington AFC

Belper Town

Bishop Auckland

Bradford (Park Avenue)

Bridlington Town

Brighouse Town

Carlton Town

Cleethorpes Town

Consett AFC

Dunston UTS

Emley AFC

Garforth Town

Grimsby Borough

Heaton Stannington

Liversedge

Newton Aycliffe

North Ferriby

Ossett United

Pontefract Collieries

Sheffield

Sherwood Colliery

Stocksbridge Park Steels

class=notpageimage|

Locations of the Northern Premier League clubs by division
– Division One East

Club  | Home ground  | Ground capacity
Ashington | Woodhorn Lane  | 2,000 (250 seated)
Belper Town | Christchurch Meadow  | 2,650 (500 seated)
Bishop Auckland | Heritage Park  | 1,950 (500 seated)
Bradford (Park Avenue) | Horsfall Stadium | 3,500 (1,800 seated)
Bridlington Town | Queensgate  | 3,000 (542 seated)
Brighouse Town | St Giles Road  | 1,350 (150 seated)
Carlton Town | Bill Stokeld Stadium  | 1,968 (150 seated)
Cleethorpes Town | Linden Club  | 1,300 (180 seated)
Consett | Belle View Stadium  | 3,770 (250 seated)
Dunston UTS | Wellington Road  | 2,500 (150 seated)
Emley | Welfare Ground (Emley)  | 2,000 (305 seated)
Garforth Town | Wheatley Park  | 3,000 (278 seated
Grimsby Borough | Bradley Football Centre  | 1,300 (180 seated)
Heaton Stannington | Grounsell Park  | 2,000
Liversedge | Clayborn  | 2,000
Newton Aycliffe | Moore Lane Park  | 1,300 (100 seated)
North Ferriby | The Dransfield Stadium  | 3,000 (504 seated)
Ossett United | Ingfield  | 1,950 (360 seated)
Pontefract Collieries | Beechnut Lane  | 1,500 (300 seated)
Sheffield | Home of Football Ground  | 2,089 (250 seated)
Sherwood Colliery | Debdale Park  | 1,000
Stocksbridge Park Steels | Bracken Moor  | 3,500 (450 seated)

### Division One Midlands

[edit]

AFC Rushden & Diamonds

Anstey Nomads

Bedworth United

Boldmere St. Michaels

Coleshill Town

Corby Town

Coventry Sphinx

Darlaston Town

Grantham Town

Hinckley LRFC

Long Eaton United

Loughborough Students

Lye Town

Quorn

Racing Club Warwick

Rugby Town

Shepshed Dynamo

Sporting Khalsa

Sutton Coldfield Town

Walsall Wood

Wellingborough Town

Worcester City

class=notpageimage|

Locations of the Northern Premier League clubs by division
– Division One Midlands

Club  | Home ground  | Ground capacity
AFC Rushden & Diamonds | Hayden Road  | 2,000 (257 seated)
Anstey Nomads | Cropston Road  | 1,500 (150 seated)
Bedworth United | The Oval  | 3,000 (300 seated)
Boldmere St Michaels | Trevor Brown Memorial Ground  | 2,000 (230 seated)
Coleshill Town | Pack Meadow  | 2,000
Corby Town | Steel Park  | 3,893 (577 seated)
Coventry Sphinx | Sphinx Drive  | 1,000
Darlaston Town | Bentley Sports Pavilion  | 1,000
Grantham Town | South Kesteven Sports Stadium  | 7,500 (750 seated)
Hinckley LRFC | Leicester Road Stadium  | 4,329 (732 seated)
Long Eaton United | Grange Park  | 1,500 (450 seated)
Loughborough Students | Loughborough University Stadium  | 3,300
Lye Town | Lye Sports Ground  | 1,000
Quorn | Farley Way Stadium  | 1,400 (400 seated)
Racing Club Warwick | Townsend Meadow  | 2,000 (200 seated)
Rugby Town | Butlin Road  | 6,000 (740 seated)
Shepshed Dynamo | The Dovecote Stadium  | 2,500 (500 seated)
Sporting Khalsa | Noose Lane  | 2,250
Sutton Coldfield Town | Central Ground  | 2,000
Walsall Wood | Oak Park  | 1,000 (272 seated)
Wellingborough Town | London Road  | 5,000 (350 seated)
Worcester City | Claines Lane  | 1,400

## Champions

[edit]

1968–87  Season  | Northern Premier League

|

1968–69 | Macclesfield Town
1969–70 | Macclesfield Town
1970–71 | Wigan Athletic
1971–72 | Stafford Rangers
1972–73 | Boston United
1973–74 | Boston United
1974–75 | Wigan Athletic
1975–76 | Runcorn
1976–77 | Boston United
1977–78 | Boston United
1978–79 | Mossley
1979–80 | Mossley
1980–81 | Runcorn
1981–82 | Bangor City
1982–83 | Gateshead
1983–84 | Barrow
1984–85 | Stafford Rangers
1985–86 | Gateshead
1986–87 | Macclesfield Town
1987–2007  Season  | Premier Division  | Division One

|
|

1987–88 | Chorley | Fleetwood Town
1988–89 | Barrow | Colne Dynamoes
1989–90 | Colne Dynamoes | Leek Town
1990–91 | Witton Albion | Whitley Bay
1991–92 | Stalybridge Celtic | Colwyn Bay
1992–93 | Southport | Bridlington Town
1993–94 | Marine | Guiseley
1994–95 | Marine | Blyth Spartans
1995–96 | Bamber Bridge | Lancaster City
1996–97 | Leek Town | Radcliffe Borough
1997–98 | Barrow | Whitby Town
1998–99 | Altrincham | Droylsden
1999–00 | Leigh RMI | Accrington Stanley
2000–01 | Stalybridge Celtic | Bradford Park Avenue
2001–02 | Burton Albion | Harrogate Town
2002–03 | Accrington Stanley | Alfreton Town
2003–04 | Hucknall Town | Hyde United
2004–05 | Hyde United | North Ferriby United
2005–06 | Blyth Spartans | Mossley
2006–07 | Burscough | Buxton
2007–18  Season  | Premier Division  | Division One

|
|

North  | South
2007–08 | Fleetwood Town | Bradford Park Avenue | Retford United
2008–09 | Eastwood Town | Durham City | Retford United
2009–10 | Guiseley | FC Halifax Town | Mickleover Sports
2010–11 | FC Halifax Town | Chester | Barwell
2011–12 | Chester | AFC Fylde | Grantham Town
2012–13 | North Ferriby United | Skelmersdale United | King's Lynn Town
2013–14 | Chorley | Curzon Ashton | Halesowen Town
2014–15 | FC United of Manchester | Salford City | Mickleover Sports
2015–16 | Darlington 1883 | Warrington Town | Stafford Rangers
2016–17 | Blyth Spartans | Lancaster City | Shaw Lane
2017–18 | Altrincham | South Shields | Basford United
2018–Present  Season  | Premier Division  | Division One

|
|

West  | East  | Midlands (2021–present)
2018–19 | Farsley Celtic | Morpeth Town | Atherton Collieries | —
2019–201 | South Shields | Leek Town | Workington | —
2020–212 | Mickleover | Colne | Leek Town | —
2021–22 | Buxton | Warrington Rylands 1906 | Liversedge | Ilkeston Town
2022–23 | South Shields | Macclesfield | Worksop Town | Stamford
2023–24 | Radcliffe | Leek Town | Hebburn Town | Spalding United
2024–25 | Macclesfield | Widnes | Cleethorpes Town | Quorn

1 The 2019–20 season was terminated on 26 March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic; the teams listed here were in first place in the standings at the time of the termination, but were not recognised as champions.

2 The 2020–21 season was also terminated on 24 February 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic; the teams listed here were in first place in the standings at the time of the termination, but were not recognised as champions.

### Promoted

[edit]

Since the league's formation in 1968, the following clubs have won promotion to higher levels of the English football league system \-

Seasons  | Promoted to

|

1958–1979 | Football League Fourth Division
1979–1986 | Alliance Premier League
1986–2003 | Football Conference
2003–2005 | Football Conference National
2004–2015 | Football Conference North
2015–Present | National League North
| Season  | Promoted  | To

|
|

1977–78 | Wigan Athletic (2nd) | Football League Fourth Division
1978–79 | Altrincham (2nd)
Scarborough (4th)
Boston United (6th)
Stafford Rangers (8th)
Northwich Victoria (10th)
Bangor City (12th)
Barrow (16th) | All 7 clubs split to form the new Alliance Premier League above the division
1979–80 | Frickley Athletic (3rd) | Alliance Premier League
1980–81 | Runcorn | Alliance Premier League
1981–82 | Bangor City | Alliance Premier League
1982–83 | Gateshead | Alliance Premier League
1983–84 | Barrow | Alliance Premier League
1984–85 | Stafford Rangers | Alliance Premier League
1985–86 | Gateshead | Football Conference
1986–87 | Macclesfield Town | Football Conference
1987–88 | Chorley | Football Conference
1988–89 | Barrow | Football Conference
1989–90 | Gateshead (2nd) | Football Conference
1990–91 | Witton Albion | Football Conference
1991–92 | Stalybridge Celtic | Football Conference
1992–93 | Southport | Football Conference
1994–95 | Morecambe (2nd) | Football Conference
1996–97 | Leek Town | Football Conference
1997–98 | Barrow | Football Conference
1998–99 | Altrincham | Football Conference
1999–00 | Leigh RMI | Football Conference
2000–01 | Stalybridge Celtic | Football Conference
2001–02 | Burton Albion | Football Conference
2002–03 | Accrington Stanley | Football Conference National
Play-offs introduced (2003–present)  Season  | Promoted | Play-off winner  | To

|
|
|

2003–04 | Hucknall Town (1st)
Droylsden (2nd)
Barrow (3rd)
Alfreton Town (4th)
Harrogate Town (5th)
Southport (6th)
Worksop Town (7th)
Lancaster City (8th)
Vauxhall Motors (9th)
Gainsborough Trinity (10th)
Stalybridge Celtic (11th)
Altrincham (12th)
Runcorn (13th)
Ashton United (14th)  | Bradford Park Avenue (17th) | Football Conference North created above the division
2004–05 | Hyde United | Workington (2nd) | Football Conference North
2005–06 | Blyth Spartans | Farsley Celtic (4th) | Football Conference North
2006–07 | Burscough | AFC Telford United (4th) | Football Conference North
2007–08 | Fleetwood Town | Gateshead (3rd) | Football Conference North
2008–09 | Eastwood Town | Ilkeston Town (2nd) | Football Conference North
2009–10 | Guiseley | Boston United (3rd) | Football Conference North
2010–11 | FC Halifax Town | Colwyn Bay (2nd) | Football Conference North
2011–12 | Chester | Bradford Park Avenue (4th) | Football Conference North
2012–13 | North Ferriby United | Hednesford Town (2nd) | Football Conference North
2013–14 | Chorley | AFC Fylde (3rd) | Football Conference North
2014–15 | FC United of Manchester | Curzon Ashton (4th) | National League North
2015–16 | Darlington 1883 | Salford City (3rd) | National League North
2016–17 | Blyth Spartans | Spennymoor Town (2nd) | National League North
2017–18 | Altrincham | Ashton United (2nd) | National League North
2018–19 | Farsley Celtic | — | National League North
2019–20 | No promotion to National League North
2020–21 | Step 3 promotion cancelled
2021–22 | Buxton | Scarborough Athletic (3rd) | National League North
2022–23 | South Shields | Warrington Town (2nd) | National League North
2023–24 | Radcliffe | Marine (3rd) | National League North
2024–25 | Macclesfield | TBC | National League North

## Cup competitions

[edit]

### League Challenge Cup

[edit]

The league currently runs one cup competition, the League Challenge Cup, which is contested by every club in the league.[13]

#### Finals

[edit]

Season  | Winner  | Result  | Runner-up  | Venue  | Attendance

|
|
|
|
|

1968–69 | Bangor City | 5–2
(agg.) | Runcorn | 1L:
2L:  | 1L:
2L:
1969–70 | Altrincham | 4–3
(agg.) | Macclesfield Town | 1L:
2L: Moss Rose | 1L: 4,400
2L: 6,833
1970–71 | Fleetwood | 1–1
(agg.)
1–0 (rep.) | Macclesfield Town | 1L:
2L: Moss Rose
rep. Springfield Park | 1L: 1,374
2L: 2,457
rep.
1971–72 | Wigan Athletic | 4–2
(agg.) | Gainsborough Trinity | 1L:
2L:  | 1L:
2L:
1972–73 | Northwich Victoria | 3–2
(agg.) | Wigan Athletic | 1L:
2L:  | 1L:
2L:
1973–74 | Boston United | 4–3
(agg.) | Altrincham | 1L:
2L:  | 1L:
2L:
1974–75 | Runcorn | 2–1
(agg.) | Stafford Rangers | 1L:
2L:  | 1L:
2L:
1975–76 | Boston United | 4–3
(agg.) | Mossley | 1L: York Street
2L: Seel Park | 1L: 2,212
2L: 711
1976–77 | Scarborough | 1–0  | Runcorn | Maine Road |
1977–78 | Matlock Town | 3–0  | Boston United | Maine Road |
1978–79 | Mossley | 4–1  | Northwich Victoria | Maine Road | 5,054
1979–80 | Runcorn | 2–0  | Lancaster City | Maine Road |
1980–81 | Runcorn | 4–3  | Marine | Maine Road |
1981–82 | Gainsborough Trinity | 1–0  | Mossley | Maine Road | 1,658
1982–83 | Burton Albion | 2–1  | Macclesfield Town | Maine Road | 2,538
1983–84 | South Liverpool | 1–1 (wp) | Hyde United | Maine Road |
1984–85 | Marine | 3–2  | Goole Town | Maine Road |
1985–86 | Hyde United | 1–0  | Marine | Maine Road |
1986–87 | Macclesfield Town | 2–0  | Burton Albion | Maine Road | 2,037
1987–88 | Goole Town | 2–2 (wp) | Barrow | Maine Road | 1,579
1988–89 | Mossley | 2–1  | Fleetwood | Maine Road | 2,110
1989–90 | Hyde United | 1–0  | Gateshead | Maine Road |
1990–91 | Southport | 4–1  | Buxton | Maine Road | 1,700
1991–92 | Marine | 1–0  | Frickley Athletic | Maine Road |
1992–93 | Winsford United | 1–1 (wp) | Warrington Town | Maine Road |
1993–94 | Spennymoor United | 3–1  | Hyde United | Wetherby Road | 585
1994–95 | Bamber Bridge | 2–1  | Bishop Auckland | Burnden Park |
1995–96 | Hyde United | 1–1 (wp) | Leek Town | Burnden Park | 501
1996–97 | Gainsborough Trinity | 1–0  | Boston United | Sincil Bank |
1997–98 | Altrincham | 2–1  | Gainsborough Trinity | Saltergate |
1998–99 | Stalybridge Celtic | 2–1  | Guiseley |  |
1999–00 | Lancaster City | 1–0  | Worksop Town | Bower Fold | 669
2000–01 | Lancaster City | 2–2 (wp) | Bishop Auckland | Giant Axe | 530
2001–02 | Accrington Stanley | 1–1(wp)
(0-1; 1-0; pens 5-4) | Bradford Park Avenue | 1L: Horsfall Stadium
2L: Crown Ground | 1L: 471
2L: 1,107
2002–03 | Marine | 3–0
(agg.) | Gateshead | 1L: Filtrona Park
2L: Rossett Park | 1L: 184
2L: 425
2003–04 | Droylsden | 4–1
(agg.) | Hucknall Town | 1L: Butcher's Arms Ground
2L: Watnall Road | 1L: 424
2L: 597
2004–05 | Matlock Town | 5–3
(agg.) | Whitby Town | 1L: Causeway Lane
2L: Turnbull Ground | 1L: 547
2L: 490
2005–06 | Farsley Celtic | 1–0  | Stocksbridge Park Steels | Throstle Nest | 507
2006–07 | Fleetwood | 1–0  | Matlock Town | Wincham Park | 426
2007–08 | Eastwood Town | 3–0  | Skelmersdale United | Tameside Stadium | 372
2008–09 | Guiseley | 3–2  | Ilkeston Town | Tameside Stadium | 227
2009–10 | Boston United | 2–0  | Retford United | Ashby Avenue | 503
2010–11 | Ashton United | 1–0 | Northwich Victoria | Wincham Park | 489
2011–12 | North Ferriby United | 4–1 | Rushall Olympic | Coronation Park | 256
2012–13 | North Ferriby United | 1–1 (wp) | Curzon Ashton | Throstle Nest | 179
2013–14 | AFC Fylde | 1–0 | Skelmersdale United | Edgeley Park | 358
2014–15 | Warrington Town | 0–0 (wp) | Farsley | Edgeley Park | 731
2015–16 | Marine | 2–1 | Scarborough Athletic | Throstle Nest | 690
2016–17 | Bamber Bridge | 2–1 | Grantham Town | Harrison Park | 474
2017–18 | Atherton Collieries | 2–1 | Coalville Town | North Street | 374
2018–19 | Trafford | 2–1 | Farsley Celtic | Broadhurst Park | 374
2019–20 | Competition abandoned due to COVID-19
2020–23  | Not contested

### Defunct competitions

[edit]

In the past the league has run three other cup competitions - the President's Cup, Chairman's Cup and Peter Swales Shield.[14]

#### Winners

[edit]

Season  | President's Cup  | Chairman's Cup  | Peter Swales Shield

|
|
|

1970–71 | - | - | Wigan Athletic
1971–72 | - | - | Wigan Athletic
1972–73 | - | - | Boston United
1973–74 | - | - | Boston United
1974–75 | - | - | Wigan Athletic
1975–76 | - | - | Boston United
1976–77 | - | - | Boston United
1977–78 | - | - | Matlock Town
1978–79 | - | - | Altrincham
1979–80 | - | - | Runcorn
1980–81 | - | - | Runcorn
1981–82 | Buxton | - | Gainsborough Trinity
1982–83 | King's Lynn | - | Burton Albion
1983–84 | Workington | - | Barrow
1984–85 | Rhyl | - | Stafford Rangers
1985–86 | Worksop Town | - | Gateshead
1986–87 | Macclesfield Town | - | Bangor City
1987–88 | South Liverpool | - | Chorley
1988–89 | Bangor City | - | Mossley
1989–90 | Fleetwood Town | - | Leek Town
1990–91 | Witton Albion | - | Witton Albion
1991–92 | Morecambe | - | Stalybridge Celtic
1992–93 | Winsford United | - | Southport
1993–94 | Guiseley | - | Marine
1994–95 | Lancaster City | - | Marine
1995–96 | Worksop Town | - | Hyde United
1996–97 | Blyth Spartans | - | Gainsborough Trinity
1997–98 | Runcorn | - | Altrincham
1998–99 | Droylsden | - | Altrincham
1999–00 | Trafford | Hyde United | Leigh RMI
2000–01 | Stalybridge Celtic | Barrow | Stalybridge Celtic
2001–02 | Barrow | Worksop Town | Accrington Stanley
2002–03 | Stalybridge Celtic | Hucknall Town | Accrington Stanley
2003–04 | Barrow | Hyde United | Droylsden
2004–05 | Bamber Bridge | Kidsgrove Athletic | Hyde United
2005–06 | Bradford Park Avenue | Blyth Spartans | Blyth Spartans
2006–07 | Buxton | Guiseley | Burscough
2007–08 | FC United of Manchester | Retford United | Fleetwood Town
2008–09 | Trafford | Durham City | Eastwood Town
2009–10 | Belper Town | Mickleover Sports | Guiseley
2010–11 | Lancaster City | - | FC Halifax Town
2011–12 | - | - | Chester
2012–13 | - | - | Skelmersdale United
2013–14 | - | - | Halesowen Town

## See also

[edit]

* Isthmian League
* Southern Football League

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "The Evo-Stik League Northern Premier History". The Evo-Stik League Northern Premier. Pitch Hero Ltd. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
2. ^ "Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Vote For East/West Split". Pitchero.com. 9 March 2018.
3. ^ "NPL to expand with additional division at Step 4". The Evo-Stik League. Pitch Hero Ltd. 24 April 2019.
4. ^ "2019/20 Club Allocations Confirmed". The Evo-Stik League. Pitch Hero Ltd. 19 May 2019.
5. ^ "Update on non-League, women's & grassroots football seasons". The Football Association. 26 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
6. ^ Allcock, Alan (2 May 2010). "Evo-Stik New Sponsors From 2010–2011". The Evo-Stik League Website. Pitch Hero Ltd. Archived from the original on 8 March 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
7. ^ Kirkbride, Philip (1 May 2010). "Northern Premier League secures new sponsor". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
8. ^ Watters, David (18 May 2012). "Sponsor commits to three more years on night of national honours and celebration". The Evo-Stik League Northern Premier. Pitch Hero Ltd. Archived from the original on 22 June 2012. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
9. ^ Watters, David (22 December 2013). "Christmas comes early for League!". The Evo-Stik League Northern Premier. Pitch Hero Ltd. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
10. ^ "Evo-Stik Continue Northern Premier League Backing". Pitchero.com. 17 June 2017.
11. ^ "New League sponsor". BetVictor Northern Premier. NPL. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
12. ^ "Introducing 'Pitching In' - the new partner of the Northern Premier League". Whitby Town FC. 3 September 2020. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
13. ^ "CUP WINNERS CHALLENGE CUP". The UniBond League. Archived from the original on 23 July 2004. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
14. ^ Snee, Tom (22 June 2011). "League Statement: President's Cup". The Evo-Stik League Northern Premier. Pitch Hero. Archived from the original on 27 June 2011. Retrieved 7 November 2014.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Northern Premier League

2024–25
clubs|

| Premier Division|

* Ashton United
* Bamber Bridge
* Basford United
* Blyth Spartans
* FC United of Manchester
* Gainsborough Trinity
* Guiseley
* Hebburn Town
* Hyde United
* Ilkeston Town
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* Macclesfield
* Matlock Town
* Mickleover
* Morpeth Town
* Prescot Cables
* Stockton Town
* Warrington Rylands 1906
* Whitby Town
* Workington
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|

Division One East|

* Ashington
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* Bridlington Town
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* Consett
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* Pontefract Collieries
* Sheffield
* Sherwood Colliery
* Stocksbridge Park Steels

Division One Midlands|

* AFC Rushden & Diamonds
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* Bedworth United
* Boldmere St Michaels
* Coleshill Town
* Corby Town
* Coventry Sphinx
* Darlaston Town (1874)
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* Quorn
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* Sutton Coldfield Town
* Walsall Wood
* Wellingborough Town
* Worcester City

Division One West|

* Atherton Collieries
* Avro
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* City of Liverpool
* Clitheroe
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* Hanley Town
* Hednesford Town
* Kidsgrove Athletic
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Seasons|

* 1968–69
* 1969–70
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* 1971–72
* 1972–73
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* 1974–75
* 1975–76
* 1976–77
* 1977–78
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* 1979–80
* 1980–81
* 1981–82
* 1982–83
* 1983–84
* 1984–85
* 1985–86
* 1986–87
* 1987–88
* 1988–89
* 1989–90
* 1990–91
* 1991–92
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* 1993–94
* 1994–95
* 1995–96
* 1996–97
* 1997–98
* 1998–99
* 1999–2000
* 2000–01
* 2001–02
* 2002–03
* 2003–04
* 2004–05
* 2005–06
* 2006–07
* 2007–08
* 2008–09
* 2009–10
* 2010–11
* 2011–12
* 2012–13
* 2013–14
* 2014–15
* 2015–16
* 2016–17
* 2017–18
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2020–21
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* 2024–25

* v
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Football in England

The Football Association

National teams|

* England
* B
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League competitions|

| Level 1|

* Premier League

|

Levels 2–4|

* English Football League
* EFL Championship
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Levels 5–6|

* National League
* National League (division)
* National League North
* National League South

Levels 7–8|

* Isthmian League
* Northern Premier League
* Southern League

Levels 9–10|

* Combined Counties League
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* Essex Senior League (level 9 only)
* Hellenic League
* Midland League
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Cup competitions|

| FA cups|

* FA Cup
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|

League cups|

* EFL Cup
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County cups|

* List of county cups

Others|

* National League System
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Lists|

* Appearances (500+)
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* Venues
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