2021–22 North West Counties Football League
The 2021–22 North West Counties Football League season is the 40th in the history of the North West Counties Football League, a football competition in England, and the fourth season following the split of the lower level into two geographically separated divisions. 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 18 May 2021,[1] and were subject to appeal. On 8 April, it was announced at the league's Management Committee meeting that the season would start no earlier than Saturday 31 July.[2] The league constitution was adopted on 12 June.[3]
After the abandonment of the 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England, numerous promotions were decided on a points per game basis over the previous two seasons.[4][5][6]
Premier Division
| Season | 2021–22 |
|---|---|
| Biggest home win | Charnock Richard 9-1 Ashton Athletic (August 14) |
| Biggest away win | Winsford United 1-7 Irlam (August 30) |
| Highest scoring | Charnock Richard 9-1 Ashton Athletic (August 14) AFC Liverpool 4-6 Burscough (October 9) |
← 2020–21 | |
The Premier Division comprises 21 teams, 15 of which competed in the previous season's aborted competition.
The following five clubs left the Premier Division before the season:
- 1874 Northwich – promoted to the Northern Premier League
- Bootle – promoted to the Northern Premier League
- Hanley Town – transferred to the Midland League
- Warrington Rylands – promoted to the Northern Premier League
- Whitchurch Alport – transferred to the Midland League
The following six clubs joined the Premier Division before the season:
- AFC Liverpool – promoted from Division One North
- Lower Breck – promoted from Division One North
- Macclesfield – a newly formed phoenix club
- Prestwich Heys – promoted from Division One North
- Vauxhall Motors – promoted from Division One South
- Wythenshawe Town – promoted from Division One South
Congleton Town's initial transfer laterally to the Midland League was successfully appealed and this move was reversed.[7]
Premier Division table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Macclesfield | 23 | 16 | 5 | 2 | 45 | 23 | +22 | 53 | Promotion to the Northern Premier League |
| 2 | Skelmersdale United | 24 | 15 | 6 | 3 | 56 | 25 | +31 | 51 | Promotion to the NPL or qualification for inter-step play-offs[lower-alpha 1] |
| 3 | Charnock Richard | 23 | 13 | 3 | 7 | 69 | 48 | +21 | 42 | |
| 4 | Wythenshawe Town | 23 | 12 | 5 | 6 | 47 | 29 | +18 | 41 | |
| 5 | Burscough | 23 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 49 | 34 | +15 | 39 | |
| 6 | Lower Breck | 23 | 12 | 2 | 9 | 48 | 38 | +10 | 38 | |
| 7 | Avro | 22 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 41 | 31 | +10 | 38 | |
| 8 | Congleton Town | 23 | 10 | 5 | 8 | 40 | 31 | +9 | 35 | |
| 9 | Northwich Victoria | 23 | 10 | 4 | 9 | 48 | 42 | +6 | 34 | |
| 10 | Irlam | 22 | 10 | 2 | 10 | 37 | 40 | −3 | 32 | |
| 11 | Barnoldswick Town | 23 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 42 | 41 | +1 | 31 | |
| 12 | Winsford United | 23 | 8 | 5 | 10 | 46 | 53 | −7 | 29 | |
| 13 | Longridge Town | 21 | 8 | 4 | 9 | 38 | 40 | −2 | 28 | |
| 14 | AFC Liverpool | 22 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 46 | 51 | −5 | 27 | |
| 15 | Squires Gate | 24 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 35 | 42 | −7 | 26 | |
| 16 | Prestwich Heys | 22 | 8 | 1 | 13 | 36 | 50 | −14 | 25 | |
| 17 | Vauxhall Motors | 22 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 34 | 52 | −18 | 25 | |
| 18 | Padiham | 25 | 5 | 9 | 11 | 32 | 45 | −13 | 24 | |
| 19 | Ashton Athletic | 22 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 38 | 56 | −18 | 23 | |
| 20 | Runcorn Town | 24 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 39 | 55 | −16 | 20 | Possible relegation to Step 6[lower-alpha 2] |
| 21 | Litherland REMYCA | 23 | 3 | 1 | 19 | 29 | 69 | −40 | 10 | Relegation to Step 6 |
Updated to match(es) played on 11 December 2021. 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[10]
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[10]
Notes:
- The 10 runners-up from Step 5 with the most points per game (PPG) will be automatically promoted at the end of the 2021–22 season. The remaining six runners-up will contest one-off inter-step play-off matches with the six third-from-bottom clubs with the fewest PPG from the eight divisions at Step 4. The winner of each match will rise to or stay at Step 4 for the 2022–23 season, while each loser will drop to or remain at Step 5.[8]
- Twelve clubs with the most PPG out of 16 that are second-from-bottom at Step 5 will be reprieved.[9]
Stadia and locations
Locations of the 2021–22 North West Counties Football League Premier Division teams
| Team | Location | Stadium |
|---|---|---|
| AFC Liverpool | Crosby | Rossett Park |
| Ashton Athletic | Ashton-in-Makerfield | Brockstedes Park |
| Avro | Oldham | Whitebank Stadium |
| Barnoldswick Town | Barnoldswick | Greenberfield Lane |
| Burscough | Burscough | Victoria Park |
| Charnock Richard | Charnock Richard | Mossie Park |
| Congleton Town | Congleton | Ivy Gardens |
| Irlam | Irlam | Silver Street |
| Litherland REMYCA | Litherland | Litherland Sports Park |
| Longridge Town | Longridge | Mike Riding Ground |
| Lower Breck | Liverpool | Anfield Sports and Community Centre |
| Macclesfield | Macclesfield | Moss Rose |
| Northwich Victoria | Wincham | Wincham Park |
| Padiham | Padiham | Arbories Memorial Sports Ground |
| Prestwich Heys | Prestwich | Adie Moran Park |
| Runcorn Town | Runcorn | Pavilions Sports Complex |
| Skelmersdale United | Skelmersdale | Valerie Park |
| Squires Gate | Squires Gate | School Road |
| Warrington Rylands | Warrington | Gorsey Lane |
| Vauxhall Motors | Ellesmere Port | Rivacre Park |
| Winsford United | Winsford | St Luke's Barton Stadium |
| Wythenshawe Town | Wythenshawe | Ericstan Stadium |
Division One North
| Season | 2021–22 |
|---|---|
← 2020–21 | |
Division One North comprises 19 clubs, 16 of which were in the division the previous season.
The following four clubs left Division One North before the season, three promoted to the Premier Division:
- AFC Liverpool
- Lower Breck
- Prestwich Heys
- Shelley Community – resigned
The following three clubs joined Division One North before the season:
- Campion – transferred from the Northern Counties East League
- Ilkley Town – promoted from the West Yorkshire League
- South Liverpool – promoted from the West Cheshire League
FC Isle of Man appealed for a move to Division One South for logistical reasons after the initial allocation to this division and the club's request was granted.[3]
Division One North table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Golcar United | 21 | 15 | 3 | 3 | 59 | 38 | +21 | 48 | Promotion to Step 5 |
| 2 | Holker Old Boys | 20 | 14 | 4 | 2 | 40 | 19 | +21 | 46 | Qualification for the play-offs |
| 3 | Bury AFC | 19 | 13 | 6 | 0 | 57 | 21 | +36 | 45 | |
| 4 | Pilkington | 20 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 49 | 40 | +9 | 38 | |
| 5 | AFC Blackpool | 20 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 44 | 32 | +12 | 34 | |
| 6 | Bacup Borough | 19 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 44 | 25 | +19 | 32 | |
| 7 | Nelson | 21 | 9 | 4 | 8 | 48 | 44 | +4 | 31 | |
| 8 | Campion | 23 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 54 | 44 | +10 | 30 | |
| 9 | Garstang | 21 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 50 | 44 | +6 | 28 | |
| 10 | Chadderton | 19 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 27 | 31 | −4 | 28 | |
| 11 | Steeton | 22 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 53 | 53 | 0 | 27 | |
| 12 | South Liverpool | 20 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 38 | 45 | −7 | 27 | |
| 13 | Cleator Moor Celtic | 21 | 8 | 2 | 11 | 48 | 49 | −1 | 23[lower-alpha 1] | |
| 14 | Daisy Hill | 20 | 7 | 2 | 11 | 39 | 45 | −6 | 23 | |
| 15 | Ashton Town | 21 | 6 | 4 | 11 | 40 | 55 | −15 | 22 | |
| 16 | Atherton LR | 21 | 6 | 3 | 12 | 37 | 56 | −19 | 21 | |
| 17 | Ilkley Town | 21 | 6 | 2 | 13 | 44 | 52 | −8 | 20 | |
| 18 | AFC Darwen | 22 | 6 | 0 | 16 | 45 | 67 | −22 | 18 | Possible relegation to feeder leagues |
| 19 | St Helens Town | 23 | 2 | 4 | 17 | 32 | 88 | −56 | 10 |
Updated to match(es) played on 11 December 2021. 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[10]
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[10]
Notes:
- Cleator Moor Celtic were deducted 3 points for failing to field a side against Golcar United on 28 August 2021.
Stadia and locations
Locations of the 2021–22 North West Counties Football League Division One North teams
| Team | Location | Stadium |
|---|---|---|
| AFC Blackpool | Blackpool | The Mechanics |
| AFC Darwen | Darwen | The Anchor Ground |
| Ashton Town | Ashton-in-Makerfield | Edge Green Street |
| Atherton Laburnum Rovers | Atherton | Crilly Park |
| Bacup Borough | Bacup | West View |
| Bury AFC | Radcliffe | Stainton Park |
| Campion | Bradford | Scotchman Road |
| Chadderton | Chadderton | MCA Stadium |
| Cleator Moor Celtic | Cleator Moor | McGrath Park |
| Daisy Hill | Westhoughton | New Sirs |
| Garstang | Garstang | The Riverside |
| Golcar United | Golcar | Longfield Avenue |
| Holker Old Boys | Barrow-in-Furness | Rakesmoor Lane |
| Ilkley Town | Ilkley | MPM Lane |
| Nelson | Nelson | Victoria Park |
| Pilkington | St Helens | Ruskin Drive Sportsground |
| South Liverpool | Liverpool | Jericho Lane |
| St Helens Town | St Helens | Ruskin Drive Sportsground |
| Steeton | Steeton | Marley Stadium |
Locations of the 2021–22 North West Counties Football League Division One North teams (West Yorkshire)
Division One South
| Season | 2021–22 |
|---|---|
← 2020–21 | |
Division One South comprises 20 clubs, 16 of which were in the division the previous season.
The following three clubs left Division One South before the season:
- Stone Old Alleynians – promoted to the Midland League
- Vauxhall Motors – promoted to the Premier Division
- Wythenshawe Town – promoted to the Premier Division
The following four clubs joined Division One South before the season, three transferred from the Midland League:
Wem Town, previously allocated from the West Midlands (Regional) League, resigned from this league. To fill the vacancy, FC Isle of Man, returning from membership suspension for the rest of last season and initially assigned to Division One North, requested for a transfer to this division and the FA granted it.
Division One South table
Prior to the first match(es) being played the Pos column shows alphabetic sequence of teams rather than league position.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Didsbury & Chorlton | 22 | 17 | 5 | 0 | 60 | 14 | +46 | 56 | Promotion to Step 5 |
| 2 | New Mills | 21 | 16 | 3 | 2 | 68 | 25 | +43 | 51 | Qualification for the play-offs |
| 3 | Abbey Hey | 22 | 16 | 2 | 4 | 63 | 23 | +40 | 50 | |
| 4 | FC Isle of Man | 22 | 13 | 6 | 3 | 75 | 37 | +38 | 45 | |
| 5 | Wythenshawe Amateurs | 22 | 14 | 3 | 5 | 57 | 31 | +26 | 45 | |
| 6 | Cheadle Town | 23 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 52 | 30 | +22 | 39 | |
| 7 | Sandbach United | 22 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 48 | 36 | +12 | 35 | |
| 8 | Stafford Town | 23 | 10 | 3 | 10 | 44 | 47 | −3 | 33 | |
| 9 | Stockport Town | 23 | 10 | 2 | 11 | 49 | 34 | +15 | 32 | |
| 10 | Cheadle Heath Nomads | 23 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 55 | 58 | −3 | 31 | |
| 11 | Ellesmere Rangers | 22 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 50 | 47 | +3 | 30 | |
| 12 | Maine Road | 22 | 9 | 2 | 11 | 51 | 39 | +12 | 29 | |
| 13 | Abbey Hulton United | 22 | 8 | 2 | 12 | 39 | 50 | −11 | 26 | |
| 14 | Cammell Laird | 21 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 30 | 48 | −18 | 25 | |
| 15 | Alsager Town | 23 | 7 | 3 | 13 | 37 | 48 | −11 | 24 | |
| 16 | Barnton | 22 | 7 | 3 | 12 | 34 | 49 | −15 | 24 | |
| 17 | Brocton | 22 | 7 | 3 | 12 | 35 | 60 | −25 | 24 | |
| 18 | Eccleshall | 23 | 5 | 2 | 16 | 28 | 60 | −32 | 17 | Possible relegation to feeder leagues |
| 19 | Rocester | 23 | 4 | 3 | 16 | 28 | 54 | −26 | 15 | |
| 20 | St Martins | 23 | 0 | 2 | 21 | 19 | 132 | −113 | 2 |
Updated to match(es) played on 11 December 2021. 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[10]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[10]
Stadia and locations
Locations of the 2021–22 North West Counties Football League Division One South teams
Locations of 2021–22 North West Counties Division One South teams (Shropshire)
Locations of 2021–22 North West Counties Division One South teams (Staffordshire)
|
Locations of 2021–22 North West Counties Division One South teams (Greater Manchester) |
Locations of 2021–22 North West Counties Division One South teams (Isle of Man)
|
| Team | Location | Stadium |
|---|---|---|
| Abbey Hey | Gorton | The Abbey Stadium |
| Abbey Hulton United | Abbey Hulton | Birches Head Road |
| Alsager Town | Alsager | Wood Park Stadium |
| Barnton | Barnton | Townfield |
| Brocton | Brocton | Silkmore Lane |
| Cammell Laird 1907 | Birkenhead | Kirklands |
| Cheadle Heath Nomads | Stockport | The Heath |
| Cheadle Town | Cheadle | Park Road Stadium |
| Eccleshall | Eccleshall | Pershall Park |
| Ellesmere Rangers | Ellesmere | Beech Grove |
| FC Isle of Man |  Douglas | The Bowl |
| Maine Road | Chorlton-cum-Hardy | Brantingham Road |
| New Mills | New Mills | Church Lane |
| Rocester | Rocester | Hillsfield |
| Sandbach United | Sandbach | Sandbach Community Football Centre |
| St Martins | Oswestry | Park Hall |
| Stafford Town | Stafford | Evans Park |
| Stockport Town | Stockport | Stockport Sports Village |
| West Didsbury & Chorlton | Chorlton-cum-Hardy | Brookburn Road |
| Wythenshawe Amateurs | Wythenshawe | Hollyhedge Park |
References
- "FA Restructure Details Announced". nwcfl.com. 18 May 2021.
- "Confirmation of 2021-22 Season Start Date". nwcfl.com. 8 April 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
- "League AGM 2021". nwcfl.com. 12 June 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
- "Coronavirus: All football below National League to end". BBC Sport. 26 March 2020. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
- "FA provides update on NLS Steps 3-6". The Football Association. 24 February 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
- "EXPLAINED: The 2021-22 Non-League restructure". The Non-League Paper. 12 April 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
- "Congleton Town Win Appeal". nwcfl.com. 24 June 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
- Bayliss, Ollie [@Ollie_Bayliss] (2 November 2021). "One of the other significant changes is promotion from Step 5 to Step 4. At Step 5, the best 10 second-placed teams now go up automatically. The other second-placed teams at Step 5 will play a play-off against a club third-bottom in Step 4" (Tweet). Retrieved 4 December 2021 – via Twitter.
- Bayliss, Ollie [@Ollie_Bayliss] (2 November 2021). "As a result of gaps in the non-league pyramid, the FA has clarified its position on promotions & relegations this season: ♦ Just 1 club per division will be relegated from the National League North & South ♦ Just 9 [recte 8] Step 3 clubs will be relegated (rather than 16 [recte 15])" (Tweet). Retrieved 2 December 2021 – via Twitter.
- "The FA Handbook 2020/2021 Part 29 Standardised Rules Section 12.2". The FA.
External links
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