2025–26 North West Counties Football League
The 2025–26 North West Counties Football League season is the 44th in the history of the North West Counties Football League, a football competition in England. Teams are divided into three divisions: Premier Division, at Step 5, and Divisions One North and South, at Step 6.
The allocations for Steps 5 and 6 this season were announced by The Football Association on 15 May 2025,[1] and were subject to appeals and FA ratification.
Premier Division
| Season | 2025–26 |
|---|---|
← 2024–25 2026–27 → | |
The Premier Division comprises 24 teams.
The following four clubs left the Premier Division before the season:
- Bury - promoted to the Northern Premier League
- Colne - relegated to Division One North
- Lower Breck - promoted to Northern Premier League
- Squires Gate - relegated to Division One North
The following four clubs joined the Premier Division before the season:
- Atherton Laburnum Rovers - promoted from Division One North
- City of Liverpool - relegated from Northern Premier League
- Euxton Villa - promoted from Division One North
- Wythenshawe - relegated from Northern Premier League
Premier Division table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abbey Hey | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Promotion to the Northern Premier League |
| 2 | AFC Liverpool | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Qualification for the play-offs |
| 3 | Atherton Laburnum Rovers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 4 | Barnoldswick Town | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 5 | Burscough | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 6 | Chadderton | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 7 | Charnock Richard | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 8 | Cheadle Town | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 9 | City of Liverpool | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 10 | Euxton Villa | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 11 | FC St Helens | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 12 | FC Isle of Man | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 13 | Glossop North End | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 14 | Irlam | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 15 | Litherland REMYCA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 16 | Longridge Town | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 17 | Padiham | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 18 | Pilkington | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 19 | Prestwich Heys | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 20 | Ramsbottom United | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 21 | South Liverpool | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 22 | Stockport Town | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 23 | West Didsbury & Chorlton | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Relegation to Division One North or Division One South |
| 24 | Wythenshawe | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Source: NWCFL Tables Non League Matters
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[2]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[2]
Results table
Stadia and locations
Greater Manchester
AFC Liverpool
Barnoldswick Town
Burscough
Charnock Richard
City of Liverpool
Euxton Villa
FC St Helens
Litherland REMYCA
Longridge Town
Padiham
Pilkington
South Liverpool
Locations of the 2025–26 North West Counties Football League Premier Division teams
Abbey Hey
Atherton Labernum Rovers
Chadderton
Cheadle Town
Irlam
Prestwich Heys
Ramsbottom United
Stockport Town
West Didsbury & Chorlton
Wythenshawe Town
Locations of 2025–26 North West Counties Premier Division teams (Greater Manchester)
Locations of 2025–26 North West Counties Premier Division team (Isle of Man)
| Team | Stadium |
|---|---|
| Abbey Hey | The Abbey Stadium, Gorton |
| AFC Liverpool | Rossett Park, Crosby (groundshare with Marine) |
| Atherton Laburnum Rovers | Crilly Park, Atherton |
| Barnoldswick Town | Greenberfield Lane |
| Burscough | Victoria Park |
| Chadderton | MCA Stadium |
| Charnock Richard | Mossie Park |
| Cheadle Town | Park Road Stadium |
| City of Liverpool | DCBL Stadium, Huyton |
| Euxton Villa | Jim Fowler Memorial Ground, Euxton |
| FC Isle of Man | The Bowl, Douglas |
| FC St Helens | Windleshaw Sports |
| Glossop North End | Surrey Street |
| Irlam | Silver Street |
| Litherland REMYCA | Litherland Sports Park |
| Longridge Town | Mike Riding Ground |
| Padiham | Arbories Memorial Sports Ground |
| Pilkington | Ruskin Drive Sportsground |
| Prestwich Heys | Adie Moran Park |
| Ramsbottom United | Harry Williams Riverside Stadium |
| South Liverpool | Jericho Lane |
| Stockport Town | Stockport Sports Village |
| West Didsbury & Chorlton | Brookburn Road, Chorlton |
| Wythenshawe | Hollyhedge Park, Wythenshawe |
Division One North
Division One North comprises 18 teams.
The following four clubs left Division One North before the season:
- Atherton Laburnum Rovers - Promoted to Premier Division
- Euxton Villa - Promoted to Premier Division
- Route One Rovers - Reprieved from relegation, then transferred to the Northern Counties East League
- Skelmersdale United - Relegated to Liverpool County Premier League
The following four clubs joined Division One North before the season:
- Cheadle Heath Nomads - transfer from Division One South
- Colne - Relegated from Premier Division
- Fulwood Amateurs - promoted from West Lancashire League
- Squires Gate - relegated from Premier Division
Division One North table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AFC Blackpool | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Promotion to the Premier Division |
| 2 | Ashton Athletic | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Qualification for the play-offs |
| 3 | Ashton Town | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 4 | Bacup Borough | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 5 | Cheadle Heath Nomads | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 6 | Colne | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 7 | Daisy Hill | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 8 | Darwen | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 9 | Droylsden | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 10 | Fulwood Amateurs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 11 | Garstang | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 12 | Holker Old Boys | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 13 | Maghull | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 14 | Maine Road | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 15 | Nelson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 16 | Squires Gate | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Relegation to a feeder league |
| 17 | Steeton | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 18 | Thornton Cleveleys | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Source: NWCFL Tables
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[2]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[2]
Results table
Stadia and locations
Greater Manchester
AFC Blackpool
Bacup Borough
Darwen
Fulwood Amateurs
Garstang
Holker Old Boys
Maghull
Nelson
Thornton Cleveleys
Steeton
Locations of the 2025–26 North West Counties Football League Division One North teams
Ashton Athletic
Ashton Town
Cheadle Heath Nomads
Daisy Hill
Droylsden
Maine Road
Locations of 2025–26 North West Counties Premier Division teams (Greater Manchester)
Steeton
Locations of 2025–26 North West Counties Premier Division teams (West Yorkshire)
| Team | Stadium |
|---|---|
| AFC Blackpool | The Mechanics |
| Ashton Athletic | Brockstedes Park |
| Ashton Town | Edge Green Street |
| Bacup Borough | West View |
| Cheadle Heath | The Heath |
| Daisy Hill | New Sirs, Westhoughton |
| Darwen | The Anchor Ground |
| Droylsden | Butcher's Arms Ground |
| Fulwood Amateurs | Lightfoot Green |
| Garstang | The Riverside |
| Holker Old Boys | Rakesmoor Lane, Barrow-in-Furness |
| Maghull | Old Hall Field |
| Maine Road | Brantingham Road, Chorlton |
| Nelson | Victoria Park |
| Squires Gate | Brian Addison Stadium |
| Steeton | Marley Stadium |
| Thornton Cleveleys | Gamble Road |
Division One South
Division One South comprises 18 teams.
The following three clubs left Division One South before the season:
- Abbey Hulton United - promoted to the Midland League
- Cheadle Heath Nomads - Tranferred to Division One North
- Winsford United - promoted to the Midland League
The following four clubs joined Division One South before the season:
- Haughmond - promoted from Shropshire County League
- MSB Woolton - promoted from Liverpool County Premier League
- Telford Town - promoted from West Midlands League
- Wolverhampton Casuals - relegated from the Midland League Premier Division
Division One South table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Allscott Heath | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Promotion to the Midland League |
| 2 | Alsager Town | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Qualification for the play-offs |
| 3 | Ashville | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 4 | Barnton | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 5 | Cammell Laird 1907 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 6 | Eccleshall | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 7 | Foley Meir | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 8 | Haughmond | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 9 | Market Drayton Town | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 10 | MSB Woolton | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 11 | New Mills | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 12 | Runcorn Town | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 13 | Sandbach United | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 14 | Shawbury United | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 15 | Stafford Town | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 16 | Stockport Georgians | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 17 | Telford Town | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Relegation to a feeder league |
| 18 | Wolverhampton Casuals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 19 | Wolverhampton Sporting Community | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Source: NWCFL Tables
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[2]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[2]
Results table
Stadia and locations
Greater Manchester
Allscott Heath
Alsager Town
Ashville
Barnton
Cammell Laird 1907
MSB Woolton
Runcorn Town
Sandbach United
Telford Town
Locations of the 2025–26 North West Counties Football League Division One South teams in the North West
Stockport Georgians
Locations of 2025–26 North West Counties Division One South teams (Greater Manchester)
Allscott Heath
Eccleshall
Foley Meir
Haughmond
Market Drayton Town
MSB Woolton
New Mills
Shawbury United
Stafford Town
Telford Town
Wolverhampton Casuals
Wolverhampton Sporting Community
Locations of the 2025–26 North West Counties Football League Division One South teams in the West Midlands
| Team | Stadium |
|---|---|
| Allscott Heath | Allscott Sports & Social Club |
| Alsager Town | Wood Park Stadium |
| Ashville | Villa Park, Wallasey |
| Barnton | Townfield |
| Cammell Laird 1907 | Kirklands, Birkenhead |
| Eccleshall | Pershall Park |
| Foley Meir | Whitcombe Road |
| Haughmond | Shrewsbury Sports Village |
| Market Drayton Town | Greenfields Sports Ground |
| MSB Woolton | Camp Hill |
| New Mills | Church Lane |
| Runcorn Town | Pavilions Sports Complex |
| Sandbach United | Sandbach Community Football Centre |
| Shawbury United | New Meadow Community 3G |
| Stafford Town | Evans Park |
| Stockport Georgians | Cromley Road |
| Telford Town | DRM Aggregates Arena |
| Wolverhampton Casuals | Brinsford Lane |
| Wolverhampton Sporting | Pride Park |