Northern Football League

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Template:Short description Script error: No such module "other uses". Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English Template:Short descriptionScript error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". The Northern League is a British men's football league in north east England. Having been founded in 1889, it is the second-oldest football league in the world still in existence after the English Football League.

It contains two divisions; Division One and Division Two. Division One sits on the ninth tier of the English football league system, five divisions below the Football League. These leagues cover the historic counties of Durham, Northumberland, Cumberland, Westmorland and Yorkshire's North Riding. The champion club of Division One is promoted to the lower division of the Northern Premier League.

History

The Northern league was one of many leagues formed the year after the Football League. In its first season, it consisted of ten clubs that were a mixture of professional and amateur organisations. During its early years, the competition included clubs such as Newcastle United, Middlesbrough and Darlington that would go on to play in the Football League. In 1905, the league split into two divisions, one professional and one amateur. The next year, however, the Northern League made the decision to abolish the professional division and restrict itself to amateur clubs, or at least clubs that claimed to be amateur.

File:Division of Level 9 teams by English Counties (2022–23).svg
The area covered by the Northern League is coloured in red.

Between the World Wars and in the early years following World War II, the Northern League's amateur status meant that they and their equivalent in the London area, the Isthmian League, dominated the old FA Amateur Cup. The two Leagues continued to be separate from the professional game which was dominated by the Football League, Southern League and, from 1968, the Northern Premier League.

The Northern League and Isthmian League (with its feeder leagues) continued to claim amateur status right up until, following pressure, amateur status was abandoned by the Football Association in 1974. This left amateur leagues like the Northern League to find a place in the overall structure of non-League football. Unlike the Isthmian League, which became a feeder to the Alliance Premier League in 1982, the Northern League and its clubs rejected repeated invitations. It was not until 1988 that two Northern League clubs, Bishop Auckland and Whitley Bay, accepted places in the Northern Premier League. Others including Penrith, North Shields and Spennymoor United jumped ship to neighbouring leagues (the North West Counties League and Northern Counties East League).[1]

The Northern League formally became a feeder to the Northern Premier League, but still few clubs took the opportunity of promotion, with only five moving up over the next 20 years (Gretna in 1992, Blyth Spartans in 1994, Whitby Town in 1997, Newcastle Blue Star in 2007 and Durham City in 2008).[1] Since the mid-2010s, FA rules have meant that clubs who are eligible can no longer refuse promotion, and two Northern League clubs are now promoted each season (the champions and the winner of a four-team playoff).

Since 1995, Northern League clubs have competed for the FA Vase, with some success, having won 11 finals, losing 4 finals. There were two all Northern League finals in 2012 (Dunston UTS beat West Auckland Town) and 2020 (Hebburn Town beat Consett).

The League had an unusual sponsorship deal put in place by Brooks Mileson, owner of the Albany Group, who were its sponsors in 2003. In that year, Mileson announced that he had created a trust which would continue to sponsor the league throughout his lifetime and that of his sons. In 2008, however, the league announced that this sponsorship had come to an end, and it held a raffle to determine its next sponsor. Interested parties were invited to buy a stake in the raffle for £250. The winning stake was held by a local training company and the league was known as the skilltrainingltd Northern League from the 2008–09 season until the 2011–12 season.[2] The league is currently sponsored by dehumidifier manufacturer Ebac.[3]

Level 11 clubs from the North Riding Football League, Northern Football Alliance and Wearside Football League may apply for promotion into the Northern League's Second Division (level 10).

Current members

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Division One

Club Home ground
Birtley Town Birtley Sports Complex
Boro Rangers Trinity College, Middlesbrough
Carlisle City Gillford Park
Crook Town The Sir Tom Cowie Millfield Ground
Easington Colliery Welfare Ground (Easington)
Guisborough Town King George V Ground
Horden CW Horden Recreation Ground
Kendal Town F.C. Parkside Road
Marske United Mount Pleasant
Newcastle Benfield Sam Smith's Park
Newcastle Blue Star Scotswood Sports Centre
North Shields Daren Persson Stadium
Northallerton Town Calvert Stadium
Penrith Frenchfields Stadium
Shildon Dean Street
Thornaby Teesdale Park
West Allotment Celtic East Palmersville Sports Pavilion
West Auckland Town The Wanted Metal Stadium
Whickham The Glebe Sports Ground
Whitley Bay Hillheads Park

Division Two

Club Home ground
A.F.C. Newbiggin Newbiggin Sports Centre
Alnwick Town St James' Park
Billingham Synthonia Broughton Road
Billingham Town Bedford Terrace
Boldon CA Boldon Colliery Welfare
Chester-le-Street Town Moor Park
Darlington Town Eastbourne Community Stadium
Durham United Graham Sports Centre
Grangetown Boys Club F.C. B&W Lifting Ltd Stadium
Esh Winning West Terrace
FC Hartlepool Grayfields Enclosure
Jarrow Perth Green CA
Newcastle University Kimberley Park (Prudhoe)+
Park View Riverside
Prudhoe Youth Club Kimberley Park
Redcar Town The Vibrant Doors Stadium
Ryton & Crawcrook Albion Kingsley Park
Seaham Red Star Seaham Town Park
Sunderland RCA Meadow Park
Sunderland West End Ford Quarry
Tow Law Town Ironworks Road
Yarm & Eaglescliffe Bedford Terrace (Billingham)+

+ indicates ground share

Champions

File:IronopolisFC.jpg
Middlesbrough Ironopolis were champions three times in a row in the 1890s.

Originally the league comprised a single division. The champions were as follows:[4]

Season Champions
1889–90 Darlington St. Augustine's
1890–91 Middlesbrough Ironopolis
1891–92 Middlesbrough Ironopolis
1892–93 Middlesbrough Ironopolis
1893–94 Middlesbrough
1894–95 Middlesbrough
1895–96 Darlington
1896–97 Middlesbrough

In 1897, the league briefly split into two divisions.[4][5][6][7]

Season Division One Division Two
1897–98 Stockton Howden-le-Wear
1898–99 Bishop Auckland Stockton St. John's
1899–1900 Darlington Whitby

In 1900, the league reverted to a single division.[4]

Season Champions
1900–01 Bishop Auckland
1901–02 Bishop Auckland
1902–03 Newcastle United A
1903–04 Newcastle United A
1904–05 Newcastle United A

In 1905 the league split into two sections, one for professionals and one for amateurs. This lasted for a single season.[4]

Season Professional Amateur
1905–06 Sunderland A Bishop Auckland

In 1906 the league reverted to a single division, a format retained until 1982.[4]

Season Champions
1906–07 Stockton
1907–08 South Bank
1908–09 Bishop Auckland
1909–10 Bishop Auckland
1910–11 Eston United
1911–12 Bishop Auckland
1912–13 Esh Winning Rangers[8]
1913–14 Willington
1914–15 Crook Town
1915–19 Not contested due to World War I
1919–20 South Bank
1920–21 Bishop Auckland
1921–22 South Bank
1922–23 Eston United
1923–24 Tow Law Town
1924–25 Tow Law Town
1925–26 Willington
1926–27 Crook Town
1927–28 Chilton Colliery Recreation
1928–29 Stockton
1929–30 Willington
1930–31 Bishop Auckland
1931–32 Stockton
1932–33 Stockton
1933–34 Shildon
1934–35 Shildon
1935–36 Shildon
1936–37 Shildon
1937–38 Ferryhill Athletic
1938–39 Bishop Auckland
1939–40 Shildon
1940–45 Not contested due to World War II
1945–46 Stanley United
1946–47 Bishop Auckland
1947–48 Ferryhill Athletic
1948–49 Evenwood Town
1949–50 Bishop Auckland
1950–51 Bishop Auckland
1951–52 Bishop Auckland
1952–53 Crook Town
1953–54 Bishop Auckland
1954–55 Bishop Auckland
1955–56 Bishop Auckland
1956–57 Billingham Synthonia
1957–58 Ferryhill Athletic
1958–59 Crook Town
1959–60 West Auckland Town
1960–61 West Auckland Town
1961–62 Stanley United
1962–63 Crook Town
1963–64 Stanley United
1964–65 Whitley Bay
1965–66 Whitley Bay
1966–67 Bishop Auckland
1967–68 Spennymoor United
1968–69 North Shields
1969–70 Evenwood Town
1970–71 Evenwood Town
1971–72 Spennymoor United
1972–73 Blyth Spartans
1973–74 Spennymoor United
1974–75 Blyth Spartans
1975–76 Blyth Spartans
1976–77 Spennymoor United
1977–78 Spennymoor United
1978–79 Spennymoor United
1979–80 Blyth Spartans
1980–81 Blyth Spartans
1981–82 Blyth Spartans

In 1982 the league added a second division.[4]

Season Division One Division Two
1982–83 Blyth Spartans Peterlee Newtown
1983–84 Blyth Spartans Chester-le-Street Town
1984–85 Bishop Auckland Brandon United
1985–86 Bishop Auckland Newcastle Blue Star
1986–87 Blyth Spartans Billingham Synthonia
1987–88 Blyth Spartans Stockton
1988–89 Billingham Synthonia Consett
1989–90 Billingham Synthonia Murton
1990–91 Gretna West Auckland Town
1991–92 Gretna Stockton
1992–93 Whitby Town Dunston Federation Brewery
1993–94 Durham City Bedlington Terriers
1994–95 Tow Law Town Whickham
1995–96 Billingham Synthonia Morpeth Town
1996–97 Whitby Town Northallerton
1997–98 Bedlington Terriers Chester-le-Street Town
1998–99 Bedlington Terriers Durham City
1999–2000 Bedlington Terriers Brandon United
2000–01 Bedlington Terriers Ashington
2001–02 Bedlington Terriers Shildon
2002–03 Brandon United Penrith
2003–04 Dunston Federation Brewery Ashington
2004–05 Dunston Federation Brewery West Allotment Celtic
2005–06 Newcastle Blue Star Consett
2006–07 Whitley Bay Spennymoor Town
2007–08 Durham City Penrith Town
2008–09 Newcastle Benfield Horden Colliery Welfare
2009–10 Spennymoor Town Stokesley
2010–11 Spennymoor Town Newton Aycliffe
2011–12 Spennymoor Town Team Northumbria
2012–13 Darlington Crook Town
2013–14 Spennymoor Town North Shields
2014–15 Marske United Seaham Red Star
2015–16 Shildon South Shields
2016–17 South Shields Stockton Town
2017–18 Marske United Blyth
2018–19 Dunston UTS Billingham Town
2019–20 No champions; season abandoned due to coronavirus pandemic
2020–21 No champions; season abandoned due to lockdown regulations
2021–22 North Shields Carlisle City
2022–23 Newton Aycliffe Boro Rangers
2023–24 Bishop Auckland Blyth Town
2024–25 Redcar Athletic Horden C.W.

number of titles (1890-2024)

rank-club-(titles-last won)

  • 1-Bishop Auckland (20–2024)
  • 2-Blyth Spartans (10–1988)
  • 3-Spennymoor Town (10–2014)(a)
  • 4-Shildon (6–2016)
  • 5-Stockton (5–1933)
  • 6-Crook Town (5–1963)
  • 7-Bedlington Terriers (5–2002)
  • 8-Billingham Synthonia (4–1996)
  • 9-Middlesbrough Ironopolis (3–1893)
  • 10-Middlesbrough (3–1897)
  • 11-Newcastle (3–1905)
  • 12-South Bank (3–1922)
  • 13-Willington (3–1930)
  • 14-Ferryhill Athletic (3–1958)
  • 15-Stanley United (3–1964)
  • 16-Evenwood Town (3–1971)
  • 17-Tow Law Town (3–1995)
  • 18-Whitley Bay (3–2007)
  • 19-Darlington (3–2013)
  • 20-Eston United (2–1923)
  • 21-West Auckland Town (2–1961)
  • 22-Gretna (2–1992)
  • 23-Whitby Town (2–1997)
  • 24-Dunston Federation Brewery (2–2005)
  • 25-Durham City (2–2008)
  • 26-Marske United (2–2018)
  • 27-North Shield (2–2022)
  • 28-Darlington St.Augustine's (1–1890)
  • 29-Sunderland (1–1905)
  • 30-Esh Winning Rangers (1–1913)
  • 31-Chilton Colliery Recreation (1–1928)
  • 32-Brandon United (1–2003)
  • 33-Newcastle Blue Star (1–2006)
  • 34-Newcastle Benfield (1–2009)
  • 35-South Shield (1–2017)
  • 36-Dunston UTS (1–2019)
  • 37-Newton Aycliffe (1–2023)

in bold, competing for the 2023–24 season in division one or two

  • (a) with Spennymoor United, ancestor club

League Cup

Season Winner Score Runners–up Venue Notes
Script error: No such module "sort". Cockfield 3–1 Ferryhill Athletic Bishop Auckland [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Willington 2–0 Ferryhill Athletic Bishop Auckland [9][10]
Script error: No such module "sort". Willington 2–0 Crook Town Bishop Auckland [9][10]
Script error: No such module "sort". Stockton 1–1 Bishop Auckland Crook [9][11]
Script error: No such module "sort". Stockton 0–0 Bishop Auckland Bishop Auckland [9][11]
Script error: No such module "sort". Stockton 1–1 Bishop Auckland Stockton [9][11]
Script error: No such module "sort". Stockton 3–0 Bishop Auckland Crook [9][11]
Script error: No such module "sort". Willington 1–1 Chilton Colliery RA Bishop Auckland [9][10]
Script error: No such module "sort". Willington 3–2 Chilton Colliery RA Chilton [9][10]
Script error: No such module "sort". Whitby United 2–1 Chilton Colliery RA Stockton [9][12]
Script error: No such module "sort". Stockton 4–2 Ferryhill Athletic Bishop Auckland [9][11]
Script error: No such module "sort". Willington 3–1 Chilton Colliery RA Bishop Auckland [9][10]
Script error: No such module "sort". Willington 2–2 Whitby United Bishop Auckland [9][10]
Script error: No such module "sort". Willington 2–2 Whitby United Stockton [9][10]
Script error: No such module "sort". Stockton 2–0 Willington Bishop Auckland [9][11]
Script error: No such module "sort". Shildon 3–1 Bishop Auckland Shildon [9][13]
Script error: No such module "sort". Shildon 2–1 Chilton Colliery RA Bishop Auckland [9][13]
Script error: No such module "sort". Evenwood Town 3–2 Trimdon Grange Bishop Auckland [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Crook Town 2–2 Bishop Auckland Shildon [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Crook Town 2–1 Bishop Auckland Willington [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Shildon 1–0 Cockfield Bishop Auckland [9][13]
Script error: No such module "sort". Shildon 2–0 Ferryhill Athletic Bishop Auckland [9][13]
Script error: No such module "sort". Shildon 2–0 Bishop Auckland Shildon [9][13]
Script error: No such module "sort". Crook Colliery Welfare 2–1 Bishop Auckland Shildon [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Stanley United 3–1 Shildon Ferryhill [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". South Bank 3–1 Tow Law Town Bishop Auckland [9][14]
Script error: No such module "sort". Willington 4–2 West Auckland Town Bishop Auckland [9][10]
Script error: No such module "sort". Bishop Auckland 3–1 Shildon Bishop Auckland [9][15]
Script error: No such module "sort". Bishop Auckland 6–2 Ferryhill Athletic Shildon [9][15]
Script error: No such module "sort". Billingham Synthonia 1–1 Tow Law Town Bishop Auckland [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Billingham Synthonia 1–0 Tow Law Town Bishop Auckland [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Shildon 3–3 Evenwood Town Bishop Auckland [9][13]
Script error: No such module "sort". Shildon 3–2 Evenwood Town Bishop Auckland [9][13]
Script error: No such module "sort". Bishop Auckland 4–1 Shildon Bishop Auckland [9][15]
Script error: No such module "sort". Bishop Auckland 6–0 Crook Town Crook [9][15]
Script error: No such module "sort". South Bank 2–0 Bishop Auckland Crook [9][14]
Script error: No such module "sort". Willington 3–0 Evenwood Town Bishop Auckland [9][10]
Script error: No such module "sort". Stanley United 2–1 Durham City Bishop Auckland [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". West Auckland Town 7–0 Crook Town Shildon [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Bishop Auckland 1–0 Penrith Shildon [9][15]
Script error: No such module "sort". Crook Town 2–0 Bishop Auckland Crook [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Stanley United 5–1 West Auckland Town Shildon [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". West Auckland Town 4–0 Crook Town Shildon [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Whitby Town 2–0 West Auckland Town Shildon [9][12]
Script error: No such module "sort". Whitley Bay 1–1 Spennymoor United North Shields [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Whitley Bay 3–1 Spennymoor United North Shields [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Spennymoor United 2–1 Penrith Shildon [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Bishop Auckland 4–0 Tow Law Town Spennymoor [9][15]
Script error: No such module "sort". Spennymoor United 0–0 Whitley Bay Crook [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Spennymoor United 3–2 Whitley Bay North Shields [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". North Shields 2–0 Tow Law Town Spennymoor [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Whitby Town 4–1 Spennymoor United South Bank [9][12]
Script error: No such module "sort". Whitley Bay 4–1 North Shields Blyth [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". North Shields 0–0 Spennymoor United Blyth [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". North Shields 2–1 Spennymoor United Ferryhill [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Blyth Spartans 2–0 Spennymoor United Spennymoor [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Tow Law Town 2–1 Ashington Crook [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Willington 2–1 Bishop Auckland Spennymoor [9][10]
Script error: No such module "sort". Bishop Auckland 2–1 Ashington Blyth [9][15]
Script error: No such module "sort". Whitby Town 3–1 Durham City Spennymoor [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Blyth Spartans 5–1 Willington North Shields [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Blyth Spartans 4–3 Consett Spennymoor [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Spennymoor United 2–1 North Shields Consett [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Spennymoor United 2–0 Consett Blyth [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Blyth Spartans *1–1 South Bank Bishop Auckland [9]*2–1(pens)
Script error: No such module "sort". Norton & Stockton Ancients 2–1 Whitby Town Horden [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Horden Colliery Welfare 2–0 Blyth Spartans North Shields [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Whitby Town 2–1 North Shields Spennymoor [9][12]
Script error: No such module "sort". Blue Star 2–0 Durham City Spennymoor [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Spennymoor United 2–1 Easington Colliery Shildon [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Billingham Synthonia 2–1 Shildon Spennymoor [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Guisborough Town 2–1 Tow Law Town Spennymoor [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Billingham Synthonia 5–2 Whitby Town Guisborough [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Gretna 1–0 Newcastle Blue Star Newcastle (Blue Star) [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Blyth Spartans 1–0 Consett Murton [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Seaham Red Star *2–2 Brandon United Billingham (Town) [9]*3–0 (pens)
Script error: No such module "sort". Northallerton Town 2–0 Blyth Spartans Brandon [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Consett 2–0 Whitby Town Crook [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Whitby Town 1–0 Dunston Fed Brewery Billingham (Synthonia) [9][12]
Script error: No such module "sort". Bedlington Terriers 3–0 Billingham Synthonia Dunston [9]
Script error: No such module "sort". Dunston Fed Brewery 3–2 Tow Law Town Durham [16]
Script error: No such module "sort". Dunston Fed Brewery 4–1 Jarrow Roofing Peterlee [16]
Script error: No such module "sort". Dunston Fed Brewery 4–0 Durham City Jarrow [16]
Script error: No such module "sort". Bedlington Terriers 4–1 Marske United West Auckland [16]
Script error: No such module "sort". Durham City *3–2 Shildon Durham [16] aet *gg
Script error: No such module "sort". Shildon *3–2 Billingham Synthonia Darlington (Feethams) [13][16] aet *gg
Script error: No such module "sort". Dunston Fed Brewery *2–1 Durham City Whitley Bay [16] aet *gg
Script error: No such module "sort". Bedlington Terriers *2–2 Dunston Fed Brewery Durham [16]*7–6(pens)
Script error: No such module "sort". Newcastle Blue Star 1–0 Dunston Fed Brewery Durham City [16] aet
Script error: No such module "sort". Newcastle Benfield 1–0 Sunderland Nissan Dunston [16]
Script error: No such module "sort". Billingham Town 2–1 Shildon Seaham [16]
Script error: No such module "sort". Newcastle Benfield 2–0 West Allotment Celtic West Allotment [16]
Script error: No such module "sort". South Shields *2–2 Ashington Dunston [16]*6–5 (pens)
Script error: No such module "sort". Newcastle Benfield 3–1 Spennymoor Town Dunston [16] aet
Script error: No such module "sort". Team Northumbria 4–1 West Auckland Town Newcastle (Coach Lane) [16]
Script error: No such module "sort". Spennymoor Town 1–0 Newcastle Benfield Consett [16]
Script error: No such module "sort". Marske United 2–1 Whitley Bay Newcastle (St.James' Park) [16] aet
Script error: No such module "sort". Shildon 2–0 Newton Aycliffe Bishop Auckland [16]
Script error: No such module "sort". Shildon *1–1 Marske United Billingham (Synthonia) [16]*4–3 (pens)
Script error: No such module "sort". South Shields 5–0 North Shields Whitley Bay [16]
Script error: No such module "sort". Dunston UTS 1–0 Bishop Auckland Consett [17]
Script error: No such module "sort". West Auckland Town *0–0 Newcastle Benfield Seaham [16]*4–3 (pens)
Script error: No such module "sort". Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
Script error: No such module "sort". Cancelled due to COVID-19 local lockdown regulations
Script error: No such module "sort". Cancelled
Script error: No such module "sort". Cancelled
  • gg = Golden goal

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

  1. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ a b c d e f Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ a b c d e f Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ a b c d e Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ a b c d e f g h Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ a b c d e f g Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

External links

Template:Northern League (football) Template:Football in England table cells

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