2024–25 North West Counties Football League
The 2024–25 North West Counties Football League season is the 43rd 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 2024,[1] and were subject to appeals and FA ratification.
Premier Division
[edit]Season | 2024–25 |
---|---|
← 2023–24 2025–26 → |
The Premier Division comprises 24 teams.
The following four clubs left the Premier Division before the season:
- Kendal Town – transfer to the Northern League Division One
- Skelmersdale United - relegated to Division One North
- Wythenshawe – promoted to the Northern Premier League Division One West
- Wythenshawe Town – promoted to the Northern Premier League Division One West
The following four clubs joined the Premier Division before the season:
- Abbey Hey – promoted from Division One South via play-offs
- FC St Helens – promoted from Division One North
- Stockport Town – promoted from Division One South
- South Liverpool – promoted from Division One North via play-offs
Premier Division table
[edit]
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Bury (C, P) | 46 | 33 | 10 | 3 | 131 | 49 | +82 | 109 | Promotion to the Northern Premier League |
2 | Lower Breck (O, P) | 46 | 33 | 7 | 6 | 122 | 46 | +76 | 106 | Qualification for the play-offs |
3 | Ramsbottom United | 46 | 29 | 10 | 7 | 92 | 42 | +50 | 97 | |
4 | Padiham | 46 | 25 | 12 | 9 | 104 | 72 | +32 | 87 | |
5 | West Didsbury & Chorlton | 46 | 26 | 8 | 12 | 99 | 57 | +42 | 86 | |
6 | Chadderton | 46 | 23 | 8 | 15 | 103 | 86 | +17 | 77 | |
7 | Irlam | 46 | 21 | 12 | 13 | 83 | 65 | +18 | 74[a] | |
8 | FC St Helens | 46 | 21 | 8 | 17 | 86 | 70 | +16 | 71 | |
9 | AFC Liverpool | 46 | 22 | 4 | 20 | 90 | 90 | 0 | 70 | |
10 | Stockport Town | 46 | 19 | 9 | 18 | 65 | 68 | −3 | 66 | |
11 | Burscough | 46 | 20 | 6 | 20 | 69 | 79 | −10 | 66 | |
12 | Charnock Richard | 46 | 18 | 10 | 18 | 98 | 87 | +11 | 64 | |
13 | Abbey Hey | 46 | 18 | 9 | 19 | 80 | 89 | −9 | 63 | |
14 | Cheadle Town | 46 | 18 | 7 | 21 | 62 | 61 | +1 | 61 | |
15 | FC Isle of Man | 46 | 17 | 10 | 19 | 77 | 82 | −5 | 61 | |
16 | Glossop North End | 46 | 16 | 9 | 21 | 67 | 77 | −10 | 57 | |
17 | Barnoldswick Town | 46 | 15 | 12 | 19 | 65 | 82 | −17 | 57 | |
18 | Longridge Town | 46 | 13 | 9 | 24 | 70 | 108 | −38 | 48 | |
19 | Litherland REMYCA | 46 | 12 | 10 | 24 | 64 | 92 | −28 | 46 | |
20 | South Liverpool | 46 | 10 | 11 | 25 | 51 | 98 | −47 | 41 | |
21 | Pilkington | 46 | 10 | 10 | 26 | 67 | 108 | −41 | 40 | |
22 | Prestwich Heys | 46 | 10 | 6 | 30 | 52 | 90 | −38 | 36 | |
23 | Colne (R) | 46 | 9 | 9 | 28 | 50 | 99 | −49 | 36 | Relegation to Division One North |
24 | Squires Gate (R) | 46 | 7 | 8 | 31 | 69 | 119 | −50 | 29 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[2]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
- ^ Irlam were deducted 1 point for fielding an ineligible player on 10 December 2024.
Play-offs
[edit]Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||
2 | Lower Breck | 2 | |||||||
5 | West Didsbury & Chorlton | 1 | |||||||
2 | Lower Breck | 2 | |||||||
4 | Padiham | 0 | |||||||
3 | Ramsbottom United | 1 | |||||||
4 | Padiham | 2 |
Semifinals
[edit]26 April | Lower Breck | 2–1 | West Didsbury & Chorlton | Anfield |
15:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Anfield Sports and Community Centre Attendance: 802 Referee: Adam Sefton |
26 April | Ramsbottom United | 1–2 | Padiham | Ramsbottom |
15:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Harry Williams Riverside Stadium Attendance: 1,182 Referee: Archie Banks |
Final
[edit]3 May | Lower Breck | 2–0 | Padiham | Anfield |
15:00 GMT | Report | Stadium: Anfield Sports and Community Centre Attendance: 646 Referee: David Chisnall |
Results table
[edit]Stadia and locations
[edit]Team | Stadium |
---|---|
Abbey Hey | The Abbey Stadium, Gorton |
AFC Liverpool | Rossett Park, Crosby (groundshare with Marine) |
Barnoldswick Town | Greenberfield Lane |
Burscough | Victoria Park |
Bury | Gigg Lane |
Chadderton | MCA Stadium |
Charnock Richard | Mossie Park |
Cheadle Town | Park Road Stadium |
Colne | Holt House |
Glossop North End | Surrey Street |
FC Isle of Man | The Bowl, Douglas |
FC St Helens | Windleshaw Sports |
Irlam | Silver Street |
Litherland REMYCA | Litherland Sports Park |
Longridge Town | Mike Riding Ground |
Lower Breck | Anfield Sports and Community Centre |
Padiham | Arbories Memorial Sports Ground |
Pilkington | Ruskin Drive Sportsground |
Prestwich Heys | Adie Moran Park |
Ramsbottom United | Harry Williams Riverside Stadium |
South Liverpool | Jericho Lane |
Squires Gate | School Road |
Stockport Town | Stockport Sports Village |
West Didsbury & Chorlton | Brookburn Road, Chorlton |
Division One North
[edit]Division One North comprises 18 teams.
The following five clubs left Division One North before the season:
- FC St Helens – promoted to the Premier Division
- Ilkley Town – transfer to Northern Counties East League
- Runcorn Town – transfer to Division One South
- Shelley – transfer to Northern Counties East League
- South Liverpool – promoted to the Premier Division via play-offs
The following five clubs joined the Division One North before the season:
- Droylsden – transfer from Division One South
- Maine Road – transfer from Division One South
- Maghull – promoted from the West Cheshire League Division One
- Skelmersdale United - relegated from the Premier Division
- Thornton Cleveleys – promoted from the West Lancashire League Premier Division.
Division One North table
[edit]
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Atherton LR (C, P) | 34 | 25 | 3 | 6 | 77 | 31 | +46 | 78 | Promotion to the Premier Division |
2 | Nelson | 34 | 24 | 1 | 9 | 88 | 38 | +50 | 73 | Qualification for the play-offs |
3 | Droylsden | 34 | 21 | 6 | 7 | 67 | 37 | +30 | 69 | |
4 | Holker Old Boys | 34 | 20 | 8 | 6 | 84 | 42 | +42 | 68 | |
5 | Euxton Villa (O, P) | 34 | 20 | 5 | 9 | 71 | 46 | +25 | 65 | |
6 | Darwen | 34 | 20 | 1 | 13 | 78 | 54 | +24 | 61 | |
7 | Ashton Town | 34 | 15 | 8 | 11 | 62 | 51 | +11 | 53 | |
8 | Maine Road | 34 | 16 | 3 | 15 | 66 | 48 | +18 | 51 | |
9 | AFC Blackpool | 34 | 16 | 4 | 14 | 72 | 68 | +4 | 49[a] | |
10 | Maghull | 34 | 14 | 5 | 15 | 74 | 74 | 0 | 47 | |
11 | Daisy Hill | 34 | 13 | 7 | 14 | 59 | 58 | +1 | 46 | |
12 | Bacup Borough | 34 | 13 | 6 | 15 | 64 | 61 | +3 | 45 | |
13 | Ashton Athletic | 34 | 12 | 6 | 16 | 53 | 69 | −16 | 42 | |
14 | Thornton Cleveleys | 34 | 12 | 2 | 20 | 53 | 75 | −22 | 38 | |
15 | Steeton | 34 | 9 | 5 | 20 | 46 | 73 | −27 | 32 | |
16 | Route One Rovers (R) | 34 | 8 | 4 | 22 | 45 | 82 | −37 | 28 | Relegation to a feeder league |
17 | Garstang (R) | 34 | 6 | 4 | 24 | 32 | 83 | −51 | 22 | |
18 | Skelmersdale United (R) | 34 | 2 | 2 | 30 | 23 | 124 | −101 | 8 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[2]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
- ^ AFC Blackpool were deducted three points.
Promotion playoffs
[edit]Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||
2 | Nelson | 1 (9) | |||||||
5 | Euxton Villa | 1 (10) | |||||||
5 | Euxton Villa | 2 | |||||||
3 | Droylsden | 0 | |||||||
3 | Droylsden | 1 (3) | |||||||
4 | Holker Old Boys | 1 (1) |
Semifinals
[edit]19 April | Droylsden | 1–1 (3–1 p) | Holker Old Boys | Droylsden |
15:00 GMT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Butcher's Arms Ground Attendance: 843 Referee: Alex Phillips |
Penalties | ||||
19 April | Nelson | 1–1 (9–10 p) | Euxton Villa | Nelson |
15:00 GMT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: The Daisy Arena Attendance: 435 Referee: Joseph Morrell |
Penalties | ||||
Final
[edit]26 April | Droylsden | 0–2 | Euxton Villa | Droylsden |
15:00 GMT | Report | Stadium: Butcher's Arms Ground Attendance: 2,568 Referee: Abby Dearden |
Results table
[edit]Stadia and locations
[edit]Team | Stadium |
---|---|
AFC Blackpool | The Mechanics |
Ashton Athletic | Brockstedes Park |
Ashton Town | Edge Green Street |
Atherton Laburnum Rovers | Crilly Park |
Bacup Borough | West View |
Daisy Hill | New Sirs, Westhoughton |
Darwen | The Anchor Ground |
Droylsden | Butcher's Arms Ground |
Euxton Villa | Jim Fowler Memorial Ground |
Garstang | The Riverside |
Holker Old Boys | Rakesmoor Lane, Barrow-in-Furness |
Maghull | Old Hall Field |
Maine Road | Brantingham Road, Chorlton |
Nelson | Victoria Park |
Route One Rovers | Marley Stadium |
Skelmersdale United | The Community Ground, Burscough |
Steeton | Marley Stadium |
Thornton Cleveleys | Gamble Road |
Division One South
[edit]Division One South comprises 18 teams.
The following five clubs left Division One South before the season:
- Abbey Hey – promoted to the Premier Division via play-offs
- Brocton – promotion to Midland League Premier Division
- Droylsden – transfer to Division One North
- Maine Road – transfer to Division One North
- Stockport Town – promoted to the Premier Division
The following five clubs joined Division One South before the season:
- Allscott Heath – transfer from the Midland League Division One
- Foley Meir – promoted from the Staffordshire County Senior League
- Runcorn Town – transfer from Division One North
- Shawbury United – transfer from the Midland League Division One
- Wolverhampton Sporting – transfer from the Midland League Division One
Division One South table
[edit]
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Winsford United (C, P) | 34 | 27 | 5 | 2 | 93 | 29 | +64 | 86 | Promotion to the Premier Division |
2 | Abbey Hulton United (O, P) | 34 | 22 | 3 | 9 | 85 | 40 | +45 | 69 | Qualification for the play-offs |
3 | Stafford Town | 34 | 20 | 7 | 7 | 85 | 39 | +46 | 67 | |
4 | Sandbach United | 34 | 20 | 5 | 9 | 62 | 50 | +12 | 65 | |
5 | Eccleshall | 34 | 17 | 6 | 11 | 56 | 45 | +11 | 57 | |
6 | Cheadle Heath Nomads | 34 | 15 | 7 | 12 | 58 | 52 | +6 | 52 | |
7 | Ashville | 34 | 15 | 5 | 14 | 58 | 50 | +8 | 50 | |
8 | Stockport Georgians | 34 | 15 | 4 | 15 | 61 | 66 | −5 | 49 | |
9 | Market Drayton Town | 34 | 14 | 5 | 15 | 70 | 63 | +7 | 47 | |
10 | Cammell Laird 1907 | 34 | 14 | 5 | 15 | 59 | 59 | 0 | 47 | |
11 | Alsager Town | 34 | 13 | 7 | 14 | 61 | 57 | +4 | 46 | |
12 | Runcorn Town | 34 | 11 | 6 | 17 | 63 | 72 | −9 | 39 | |
13 | New Mills | 34 | 11 | 5 | 18 | 39 | 47 | −8 | 38 | |
14 | Barnton | 34 | 10 | 6 | 18 | 44 | 71 | −27 | 36 | |
15 | Allscott Heath | 34 | 9 | 7 | 18 | 46 | 86 | −40 | 34 | |
16 | Foley Meir (R) | 34 | 8 | 6 | 20 | 55 | 81 | −26 | 30 | Relegation to a feeder league |
17 | Shawbury United (R) | 34 | 6 | 9 | 19 | 33 | 67 | −34 | 27 | |
18 | Wolverhampton Sporting (R) | 34 | 7 | 6 | 21 | 42 | 96 | −54 | 27 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[2]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Promotion playoffs
[edit]Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||
2 | Abbey Hulton United | 5 | |||||||
5 | Eccleshall | 0 | |||||||
2 | Abbey Hulton United | 2 (3) | |||||||
3 | Stafford Town | 2 (0) | |||||||
3 | Stafford Town | 5 | |||||||
4 | Sandbach United | 4 |
Semifinals
[edit]19 April | Abbey Hulton United | 5–0 | Eccleshall | Abbey Hulton |
15:00 | Report | Stadium: Drayton Beaumont Park Attendance: 495 Referee: Christopher Cooper |
19 April | Stafford Town | 5–4 | Sandbach United | Stafford |
15:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Evans Park Attendance: 283 Referee: Lewis Gerrard |
Final
[edit]26 April | Abbey Hulton United | 2–2 (3–0 p) | Stafford Town | Abbey Hulton |
15:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Drayton Beaumont Park Attendance: 561 Referee: Kyle Lord | |
Penalties | ||||
Results table
[edit]Stadia and locations
[edit]Team | Stadium |
---|---|
Abbey Hulton United | Birches Head Road |
Allscott Heath | Allscott Sports & Social Club |
Alsager Town | Wood Park Stadium |
Ashville | Villa Park, Wallasey |
Barnton | Townfield |
Cammell Laird 1907 | Kirklands, Birkenhead |
Cheadle Heath Nomads | The Heath |
Eccleshall | Pershall Park |
Foley Meir | Whitcombe Road |
Market Drayton Town | Greenfields Sports Ground |
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 |
Winsford United | Barton Stadium |
Wolverhampton Sporting | Pride Park |