North West Counties Football League
 | |
| Founded | 1982 |
|---|---|
| Country | England |
| Other club from | Isle of Man |
| Divisions | Premier Division First Division North First Division South |
| Number of clubs | 62 20 (Premier Division) 22 (First Division North) 20 (First Division South) |
| Level on pyramid | Levels 9–10 |
| Feeder to | Northern Premier League Division One West |
| Relegation to | Cheshire Association Football League, Liverpool County Premier League, Manchester Football League, Shropshire County Football League, Staffordshire County Senior League, West Cheshire Amateur Football League, West Lancashire Football League |
| Domestic cup(s) | League Challenge Cup First Division Cup First Division Champions Cup FA Cup FA Vase |
| Current champions | Wythenshawe (Premier Division) Nelson (Division One North) Runcorn Town (Division One South) (2025–26) |
| Website | nwcfl |
| Current: 2026–27 season | |
The North West Counties Football League (NWCFL) is a football league in the North West of England. The current geographic spread of league member clubs includes Isle of Man, Cumbria, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Staffordshire, Shropshire, the northern-western West Midlands, the far west of West Yorkshire, and the High Peak area of Derbyshire. In the past, the league has also hosted clubs from North Wales.
Since the 2018–19 season the league has comprised three divisions: the Premier Division at level nine in the English football league system (EFLS), (Step 5 in the National League System (NLS)); and two geographic based equal ranked First Divisions, North and South, at level ten in the EFLS, (Step 6 in the NLS).
The league is a member of the Joint Liaison Council which administers the northern arm of the National Football System in England.[1]
Member clubs (2026–27)
[edit]The 2026–27 club allocations from the FA Leagues Committee (subject to appeal) were announced on 15 May 2026[2][3] and the constitution of the divisions were adopted at the league's AGM on 20 June 2026.[4]
Premier Division
[edit]| Club | Location | Home ground |
|---|---|---|
| Abbey Hey | Gorton, Manchester | Abbey Stadium |
| AFC Liverpool | Crosby | Rossett Park (Groundshare with Marine) |
| Atherton Laburnum Rovers | Atherton | Crilly Park |
| Barnoldswick Town | Barnoldswick | Greenberfield Lane |
| Burscough | Burscough | Community Stadium |
| Chadderton | Chadderton, Oldham | Andrew Street |
| Charnock Richard | Charnock Richard, Chorley | Mossie Park |
| Droylsden | Droylsden | Butcher's Arms Ground |
| Euxton Villa | Euxton | Jim Fowler Memorial Ground |
| FC Isle of Man |  Douglas |
The Bowl |
| FC St Helens | St Helens | Windleshaw Sports |
| Glossop North End | Glossop | The Amdec Forklift Stadium |
| Irlam | Irlam, Salford | Silver Street |
| Litherland REMYCA | Litherland | Litherland Sports Park |
| Longridge Town | Longridge | Mike Riding Ground |
| Nelson | Nelson | Victoria Park |
| Prestwich Heys | Prestwich, Bury | Adie Moran Park |
| Ramsbottom United | Ramsbottom | The Harry Williams Riverside |
| South Liverpool | Liverpool | Jericho Lane |
| Trafford | Flixton | Shawe View |
Division One North
[edit]| Club | Location | Home ground |
|---|---|---|
| AFC Blackpool | Squires Gate, Blackpool | The Mechanics Ground |
| AFC Knowsley | Knowsley, Merseyside | Lord Derby Pavillion |
| Ashton Athletic | Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan | Brocstedes Park |
| Ashton Town | Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan | Edge Green Street |
| Ashville | Wallasey | Ray Parker Stadium |
| Bacup Borough | Bacup | West View |
| Cammell Laird 1907 | Rock Ferry | Kirklands |
| Colne | Colne | Holt House |
| Daisy Hill | Westhoughton, Bolton | New Sirs |
| Darwen | Darwen | WEC Group Anchor Ground |
| Flixton | Flixton | Valley Road Stadium |
| Fulwood Amateurs | Fulwood | Lightfoot Green |
| Garstang | Garstang | The Riverside |
| Halewood Apollo | Halewood, Merseyside | Volair Halewood |
| Holker Old Boys | Barrow-in-Furness | Rakesmoor |
| Maghull | Maghull | Old Hall Field |
| Maine Road | Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester | Brantingham Road |
| Squires Gate | Squires Gate, Blackpool | Brian Addison Stadium |
| Steeton | Keighley | Marley Stadium |
| Thornton Cleveleys | Thornton-Cleveleys | Gamble Road |
| Uppermill | Mossley, Tameside | Seel Park (groundshare with Mossley) |
| MSB Woolton | Woolton, Liverpool | Camp Hill & Simpson Ground |
Division One South
[edit]| Club | Location | Home ground |
|---|---|---|
| AFC Bridgnorth | Bridgnorth, Shropshire | Crown Meadow |
| Allscott Heath | Allscott | Allscott Sports & Social Club |
| Alsager Town | Alsager | Wood Park Stadium |
| Barnton | Barnton | Creative Hut Stadium |
| Bilston Town | Bilston, West Midlands | Queen Street Stadium |
| Brereton Social | Brereton, Staffordshire | Red Lion Ground |
| Cheadle Heath Nomads | Cheadle Heath | The Heath |
| Crewe | Crewe, Cheshire | The Excel |
| Dawley Town | Dawley, Telford, Shropshire | Theatre of Jockeys |
| Eccleshall | Eccleshall | Pershall Park |
| Foley Meir | Stoke-on-Trent | Whitcombe Road |
| Market Drayton Town | Market Drayton | Greenfields Sports Ground |
| New Mills | New Mills | Church Lane |
| Sandbach United | Sandbach | Sandbach Community Football Centre |
| Shawbury United | Shawbury | New Meadow (Groundshare with Shrewsbury Town) |
| Stafford Town | Stafford | Evans Park |
| Telford Town | Telford | DRM Aggregates Arena |
| Wednesfield Community | Wednesfield, Wolverhampton | Cottage Ground |
| Widnes Town | Widnes, Cheshire | DCBL Stadium Halton |
| Wolverhampton Casuals | Featherstone | Brinsford Lane |
History
[edit]The league was formed in 1982 by the merger of the Cheshire County League and the Lancashire Combination. Originally consisting of 58 eight clubs spread over three divisions, this was reduced to two divisions (comprising 38 clubs) in 1987 when 12 clubs from Division One left to join a newly created division of the higher ranked Northern Premier League (NPL). At the same time, promotion and relegation between the two leagues was introduced, with either the first- or second-placed club in the NWCFL being entitled to a place in the NPL, subject to their ground meeting that league's requirements.[5]
From the 2008-09 season the two divisions, Division One and Two, were renamed the Premier and First Divisions respectively. In 2018, as part of the Football Association's ongoing restructure of the National League System,[6] the single First Division was replaced by two regionalised divisions of equal standing, designated the First Division North and the First Division South;[7] the expansion saw member clubs increase to sixty after fifteen clubs joined from feeder leagues.[8]
There are seven feeder leagues from which clubs are promoted to the First Divisions of the NWCFL theses being the Cheshire Association Football League, Liverpool County Premier League, Manchester Football League, Shropshire County Football League, Staffordshire County Senior League, West Cheshire Amateur Football League and West Lancashire Football League. The champions of each feeder league are eligible for promotion (should they not take promotion lower placed clubs can take their place) subject to the club organisation and its ground grading meeting requirements.[5] After taking account of promotion and relegation criteria the composition and numbers of clubs in the multiple divisions comprising each Step of the National League System (including those of the NWCFL) is decided by the FA Leagues Committee: their deliberations also result in the lateral movement of clubs across leagues to divisions at the same Step level.
Their are two main league cup competitions: the League Challenge Cup which has been contested since the league's inception in 1982, is a knockout competition open to all the league's clubs and has since the 2016–17 season been sponsored by Macron;[9] and for First Division clubs only there is the First Division Cup: this was has been contested since the 1989-90 season (when, owing to the structure of the league, it was known as the Second Division Trophy) and since the 2016–17 season has been known as the Edward Case Cup. Currently a third cup is in place, the First Division Champions Cup: following the splitting of the First Division into North and South sections from the 2018–19 season this is contested by the champions of the two divisions. Previously, from the 1990–91 season until its abandonment mid-competition during the 2000-01 season the midweek Floodlit Trophy competition was contested.
From its beginning in 1982 until 2014 the league operated a Reserves Section comprising up to two divisional levels and associated cup competitions.[10]
Four clubs have won a Premier Division (formerly Division One) championship and League Challenge Cup double:[5] Ashton United in 1992, Kidsgrove Athletic in 1998, F.C. United of Manchester in 2007 and in 2015 Glossop North End. In 2005 Cammell Laird completed a League Challenge Cup, Second Division Trophy and Division Two championship treble; City of Liverpool completed a cup double (League Challenge Cup and First Division Cup) in 2017. The Division Two League championship and Second Division Trophy double has been achieved by two clubs, Fleetwood Freeport in 1999 and Colne in 2004.
Atherton Laburnum Rovers are the only club to have won the same division consecutively, winning Division One in 1993 and 1994. Clitheroe won three different divisions in consecutive seasons, winning Division Three in 1984, Division Two in 1985 and Division One in 1986.
For sixteen years the league's record attendance was 1,353 for a Division Two championship decider between Radcliffe Borough and Caernarfon Town played in 1983 during its inaugural 1982–83 season.[5] This stood until 1999 when a crowd of 2,281 saw Workington's Division One (now Premier Division) championship-deciding match with Mossley at Borough Park. In 2006 a new record was set with 6,023 at Gigg Lane for a Division Two (now First Division) match between FC United of Manchester and Great Harwood Town on 23 April.[5] The following season an evening match attendance record of 4,058 established at Salford City's Division One home game against FC United of Manchester.[5] The league record attendance was extended to 8,719 in 2025 at a Premier Division match, once again at Gigg Lane, between Bury and Burscough.
Three former Football League clubs, Northwich Victoria (Football League members between 1892 and 1894), Nelson (1921 to 1931) and Glossop North End (1899 to 1915, playing as Glossop), are currently members of the league, as well as Darwen F.C., a continuation of Darwen (1891 to 1899). Former league members Accrington Stanley, Fleetwood Town and Salford City currently play in the English Football League, leaving the league via promotion in 1987, 2005 and 2008 respectively.[5]
League Sponsorship
[edit]For the following periods the North West Counties Football League has for sponsorship reasons been known as:–
- 1986 to 1993: Bass North West Counties League (named for the Bass Brewery brand)[11]
- 1993 to 1995: Carling North West Counties League (named for the Carling lager brand)[12]
- 1998–1999: North Western Trains Football League (named for the train operating company North Western Trains)[13]
- 1999–2000 First North Western Trains Football League reflecting the takeover of the then current sponsor by FirstGroup[14]
- 2007 to 2011: Vodkat League (named for the vodka-based drink brand)[15]
- 2016 to 2019: Hallmark Security League (named for the security services business)[16]
Cup Competitions
[edit]League Challenge Cup
[edit]The League Challenge Cup (known for sponsorship reasons since 2016 as the Macron Cup) has been contested since the formation of the league in 1982. It is a knockout competition open to all the league's clubs.
The trophy awarded to the winners of the competition dates from 1893 and was originally the Lancashire Football League Challenge Cup until 1903, after which that league was absorbed by the Lancashire Combination. The cup was transferred to the NWCFL following its formation in 1982 and since then used as the League Challenge Cup trophy.[17]
For the following periods the competition has for sponsorship reasons been known as:–
- 1987 to 1992: the Raab Karcher Challenge cup (named for the building materials supplier)[18]
- 1992–1993: the Bass League cup (incorporating the League sponsor's name)
- 1993 to 1995: the Carling League cup (incorporating the League sponsor's name)
- 1998–1999: the North Western Trains League Cup (incorporating the League sponsor's name)
- 1999–2000: the First North Western Trains League Cup (incorporating the League sponsor's name)
- 2000 to 2003: the Worthington Challenge Trophy, sponsored by Coors Brewery
- 2006–2007: the d-zine League Challenge Cup, sponsored by d-zine (Contractors) Ltd[19]
- 2007 to 2011: the Vodkat League Challenge Cup (incorporating the League sponsor's name)
- 2014 to 2016: the Men United Cup (named for the campaign to raise awareness of prostrate cancer)[20]
- 2016 onwards: the Macron Cup (named for the Macron sportswear brand)[9]
First Division Cup
[edit]The First Division Cup, known as the Edward Case Cup (the name of the trophy awarded to the winner) is contested by clubs at the league's First Division level. From its inauguration in 1989 until 2008 (when the league's divisions were renamed) the competition was known as the Second Division Trophy.
The trophy awarded is named for the former chairman (between 1919 and 1952) of the Cheshire County League and dates from 1932 – it was originally awarded to the highest placed side in the league that were not a Football League Club reserve side. On formation of the North West Counties League in 1982 the trophy was awarded until 1987 to the Third Division champions. Following a short gap after the discontinuation of that division it became between 1989 to 2008 the Second Division Trophy, thereafter following the renaming of the league's divisions in 2008 it is now used for the First Division Cup competition.[21]
For the following periods the competition has for sponsorship reasons been known as:–
- 1989 to 1995: the Lamot Pils Trophy[22]
- 2006–2007: the d-zine Second Division Trophy, sponsored by d-zine (Contractors) Ltd[19]
- 2014 to 2017: the Reusch First Division Cup (named for the Reusch sportswear brand)[23]
- 2017–18: LWC Drinks First Division Cup[24]
- 2019 to 2020: the PlayerMatch.com Cup (named for the PlayerMatch.com networking sports platform)[25]
First Division Champions Cup
[edit]The First Division Champions Cup has been contested since the 2018–19 season by the champions of the First Divisions North and South to decide the First Division Champion. It is currently played as a single match at the ground of the eligible club with the best record over the league season.
Floodlit Trophy (discontinued)
[edit]The Floodlit Trophy was a tertiary competition contested from the 1990–91 season until its mid-season abandonment (without conclusion) during the 2000–01 season. It was open to member clubs whose grounds were equipped with floodlights with matches scheduled for week-nights.
League and cup winners
[edit]Divisional champions
[edit]
FC United of Manchester, champions of Division Two in 2005–06
Glossop North End celebrate winning the league title in 2015
Cup winners
[edit]Club records in League Challenge Cup Finals
[edit]Clubs in bold are members of the NWCFL as of 2026–27, clubs in italics are defunct.
| Club | Finals | Wins | Last won | Runners-up | Last lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warrington Town | 4 | 2 | 1988 | 2 | 1990 |
| Burscough | 4 | 2 | 1996 | 2 | 2018 |
| Vauxhall GM | 3 | 2 | 1999 | 1 | 1998 |
| Bacup Borough | 3 | 2 | 2012 | 1 | 2023 |
| Newcastle Town | 3 | 1 | 1997 | 2 | 2004 |
| Skelmersdale United | 3 | 1 | 2000 | 2 | 2005 |
| Cammell Laird / Cammell Laird 1907 | 3 | 1 | 2005 | 2 | 2022 |
| Maine Road | 3 | 1 | 2008 | 2 | 2014 |
| Atherton Collieries | 3 | 1 | 2016 | 2 | 2015 |
| 1874 Northwich | 2 | 2 | 2020 | – | – |
| Charnock Richard | 2 | 2 | 2025 | – | – |
| Darwen | 2 | 1 | 1983 | 1 | 1991 |
| Colne Dynamoes / Colne | 2 | 1 | 1987 | 1 | 2016 |
| Colwyn Bay | 2 | 1 | 1989 | 1 | 1988 |
| Nantwich Town | 2 | 1 | 1995 | 1 | 1993 |
| Formby | 2 | 1 | 2001 | 1 | 2013 |
| Prescot Cables | 2 | 1 | 2002 | 1 | 1999 |
| New Mills | 2 | 1 | 2009 | 1 | 2011 |
| Winsford United | 2 | 1 | 2011 | 1 | 2010 |
| Runcorn Linnets | 2 | 1 | 2013 | 1 | 2009 |
| City of Liverpool | 2 | 1 | 2017 | 1 | 2019 |
| Barnoldswick Town | 2 | 1 | 2024 | 1 | 2017 |
| Trafford | 2 | – | – | 2 | 1997 |
| Clitheroe | 2 | – | – | 2 | 2003 |
| Curzon Ashton | 2 | – | – | 2 | 2007 |
| Ellesmere Port & Neston | 1 | 1 | 1984 | – | – |
| Leek Town | 1 | 1 | 1985 | – | – |
| Knowsley United | 1 | 1 | 1990 | – | – |
| Ashton United | 1 | 1 | 1992 | – | – |
| Rossendale United | 1 | 1 | 1994 | – | – |
| Kidsgrove Athletic | 1 | 1 | 1998 | – | – |
| Mossley | 1 | 1 | 2003 | – | – |
| Salford City | 1 | 1 | 2006 | – | – |
| F.C. United of Manchester | 1 | 1 | 2007 | – | – |
| Abbey Hey | 1 | 1 | 2010 | – | – |
| Ashton Athletic | 1 | 1 | 2014 | – | – |
| Glossop North End | 1 | 1 | 2015 | – | – |
| Widnes | 1 | 1 | 2018 | – | – |
| Congleton Town | 1 | 1 | 2023 | – | – |
| A.F.C. Liverpool | 1 | 1 | 2026 | – | – |
| Stalybridge Celtic | 1 | – | – | 1 | 1984 |
| Radcliffe Borough | 1 | – | – | 1 | 1985 |
| Leyland Motors | 1 | – | – | 1 | 1987 |
| St Helens Town | 1 | – | – | 1 | 1994 |
| Flixton | 1 | – | – | 1 | 1996 |
| Bootle | 1 | – | – | 1 | 2008 |
| Runcorn Town | 1 | – | – | 1 | 2020 |
| Chadderton | 1 | – | – | 1 | 2024 |
| Stafford Town | 1 | – | – | 1 | 2025 |
| West Didsbury & Chorlton | 1 | – | – | 1 | 2026 |
References
[edit]- ↑ "League History". North West Counties Football League. Archived from the original on 16 August 2011. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
- ↑ "National League System club allocations – Steps 5/6, Season 2026–27" (PDF). The FA. 14 May 2026 – via The Non-League Paper.
- ↑ Martin Fallon (14 May 2026). "2026–27 FA League Allocations Announced". nwcfl.com. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
- ↑ Martin Fallon (21 June 2026). "News from the 2026 AGM". nwcfl.com. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "League History 1982-2022". Retrieved 5 February 2024.
- ↑ "National League System: FA chiefs restructure non-league game". BBC Sport. 19 June 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ↑ "FA Announcement: New Step 6 Divisions allocated". NWCFL. 8 October 2017. Archived from the original on 12 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
- ↑ "FA National League System Restructure – season 2018/19". NWCFL. 18 July 2017. Archived from the original on 12 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
- 1 2 Paul Lawler (7 June 2016). "The Hallmark Security League announces 4-year partnership deal with Macron". The NWCFL. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
- ↑ "News from the League AGM". NWCFL. Archived from the original on 12 September 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
- ↑ "£27,000 Bass boost for league". Manchester Evening News. Manchester. 9 May 1986. p. 79.
- ↑ "Morris pledges his future". Manchester Evening News: The Pink. Manchester. 26 June 1993. p. 6.
- ↑ "Full steam ahead for league". Formby Times. Southport. 21 May 1998. p. 87.
- ↑ "Tough task ahead for Blues: The First North Western...". The Clitheroe Advertiser and Times. Burnley. 8 July 1999. p. 26.
- 2004 to 2006: Moore & Co Solicitors (named for the construction solicitors business)<ref>"North West Counties Football League News July: League Announce League Sponsorship". nwcfl.co.uk. July 2004. Archived from the original on 4 August 2004. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
- ↑ "Vodkat League – Press Release". nwcfl.co.uk. 22 June 2007. Archived from the original on 20 July 2007. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
- ↑ "The NWCFL agree headline sponsorship deal with Hallmark Security". The NWCFL. 6 June 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
- ↑ "NWCFL MacronChallenge Cup – In Profile". The NWCFL. 6 May 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
- ↑ "Challenge Cup gets new title". Formby Times. Southport. 16 July 1987. p. 40.
- 1 2 "North West Counties Football League: Sponsors of the League Cup Competitions". nwcfl.co.uk. 2007. Archived from the original on 17 February 2007. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
- ↑ "Introducing the Men United Cup". The NWCFL. 12 September 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
- ↑ "Edward Case Cup – In Profile". The NWCFL. 30 April 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
- ↑ "County ground is first port of call for Harwood". Accrington Observer. Accrington. 28 July 1989. p. 22.
- ↑ "Introducing the Reusch First Division Cup". The NWCFL. 10 November 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
- ↑ Paul Lawler (3 July 2017). "The Hallmark Security League agrees partnership deal with LWC Drinks". The NWCFL. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
- ↑ Paul Lawler (31 August 2019). "Announcement: PlayerMatch.com becomes Official Partner of The North West Counties Football League". NWCFL. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
External links
[edit]- The Official Website of The North West Counties League
- NWCL at Non League UK Archived 8 November 2014 at the Wayback Machine
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