2017–18 National League
Season in English football
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The 2017–18 National League season, known as the Vanarama National League for sponsorship reasons, was the third season under English football's new title of National League, 14th season consisting of three divisions and the 39th season overall.[1]
The National League covers the top two levels of non-League football in England. The National League is the fifth highest level of the overall pyramid, while the National League North and National League South exist at the sixth level. The top team and the winner of the play-off of the Premier division will be promoted to English Football League Two, while the bottom four are relegated to the North or South divisions. The champions of the North and South divisions will be promoted to the Premier division, alongside the play-off winners from each division. The bottom three in each of the North and South divisions are relegated to the premier divisions of the Northern Premier League, Isthmian League or Southern League.
This is the first season to include six teams in the play-offs for each division, with the 4th-7th placed teams participating in the qualifying round and the 2nd and 3rd placed teams qualifying for the semi-finals.[2]
National League
| Season | 2017–18 |
|---|---|
| Champions | Macclesfield Town |
| Promoted | Macclesfield Town Tranmere Rovers |
| Relegated | Chester Guiseley Torquay United Woking |
← 2016–17 2018–19 → | |
The National League consisted of 24 clubs.
Promotion and Relegation
The following teams changed divisions after the 2016–17 season:
AFC Fylde were the first team to be promoted after a 3–0 win against Boston United on 22 April 2017 clinched them the National League North title. Maidenhead United were promoted on 29 April 2017 after a 3–0 win over Margate, competing in the top tier of non-league for the first time. Ebbsfleet United were promoted on 13 May 2017 after beating Chelmsford City 2–1 in the National League South Playoff Final, returning to the league after a four-year absence. On the same day, FC Halifax Town were also promoted after beating Chorley 2–1 in the National League North playoff final, securing them an immediate return to the league.
Leyton Orient were relegated from League Two on 22 April 2017 after their 3–0 loss to Crewe Alexandra ending their 112-year stay in the English Football League. On 6 May 2017, despite a 2–1 victory over Doncaster Rovers on the same day, Hartlepool United became the second team to be relegated from League Two following Newport County's 2–1 victory over Notts County, ending their 96-year stay in the EFL.
The six teams replace Lincoln City, Forest Green Rovers, York City, Braintree Town, Southport and North Ferriby United. Lincoln City were promoted to League Two after beating Macclesfield Town 2–1 on 22 April 2017.[3] Forest Green Rovers were promoted after beating Tranmere Rovers 3–1 in the 2016–17 National League Playoff Final on 14 May 2017. They were the league's longest serving club, completing nineteen seasons in the top-flight. This is a mantle that has now been passed to Wrexham, who enter their tenth season in the league.
Southport were the first team to be relegated on 21 April 2017 after a 3–0 loss to Dover Athletic, ending their seven-year stay in the league despite surviving several relegation battles over their tenure. North Ferriby United were the second team to be relegated on 24 April 2017 after a 3–1 defeat at Barrow, suffering an immediate return to the National League North. On the final day of the season, Braintree Town were relegated after losing 2–0 to Aldershot, ending their six-year stay in the league, which also confirmed the club's first relegation in their history. York City's 2–2 draw against Forest Green Rovers was also not enough to save them after Guiseley's last minute equalizer against Solihull Moors which confirmed back to back relegations for the Yorkshire club.
Team changes
To National LeaguePromoted from 2016–17 National League North Promoted from 2016–17 National League South Relegated from 2016–17 League Two |
From National LeagueRelegated to 2017–18 National League North Relegated to 2017–18 National League South Promoted to 2017–18 League Two
|
Stadia and locations
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Macclesfield Town (C, P) | 46 | 27 | 11 | 8 | 67 | 46 | +21 | 92 | Promotion to EFL League Two |
| 2 | Tranmere Rovers (O, P) | 46 | 24 | 10 | 12 | 78 | 46 | +32 | 82 | Qualification for the National League play-off semi-finals |
| 3 | Sutton United | 46 | 23 | 10 | 13 | 67 | 53 | +14 | 79 | |
| 4 | Boreham Wood | 46 | 20 | 15 | 11 | 64 | 47 | +17 | 75 | Qualification for the National League play-off quarter-finals |
| 5 | Aldershot Town | 46 | 20 | 15 | 11 | 64 | 52 | +12 | 75 | |
| 6 | Ebbsfleet United | 46 | 19 | 17 | 10 | 64 | 50 | +14 | 74 | |
| 7 | AFC Fylde | 46 | 20 | 13 | 13 | 82 | 56 | +26 | 73 | |
| 8 | Dover Athletic | 46 | 20 | 13 | 13 | 62 | 44 | +18 | 73 | |
| 9 | Bromley | 46 | 19 | 13 | 14 | 75 | 58 | +17 | 70 | |
| 10 | Wrexham | 46 | 17 | 19 | 10 | 49 | 39 | +10 | 70 | |
| 11 | Dagenham & Redbridge | 46 | 19 | 11 | 16 | 69 | 62 | +7 | 68 | |
| 12 | Maidenhead United | 46 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 65 | 66 | −1 | 64 | |
| 13 | Leyton Orient | 46 | 16 | 12 | 18 | 58 | 56 | +2 | 60 | |
| 14 | Eastleigh | 46 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 65 | 72 | −7 | 56 | |
| 15 | Hartlepool United | 46 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 53 | 63 | −10 | 56 | |
| 16 | FC Halifax Town | 46 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 48 | 58 | −10 | 55 | |
| 17 | Gateshead | 46 | 12 | 18 | 16 | 62 | 58 | +4 | 54 | |
| 18 | Solihull Moors | 46 | 14 | 12 | 20 | 49 | 60 | −11 | 54 | |
| 19 | Maidstone United | 46 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 52 | 64 | −12 | 54 | |
| 20 | Barrow | 46 | 11 | 16 | 19 | 51 | 63 | −12 | 49 | |
| 21 | Woking (R) | 46 | 13 | 9 | 24 | 55 | 76 | −21 | 48 | Relegation to National League South |
| 22 | Torquay United (R) | 46 | 10 | 12 | 24 | 45 | 73 | −28 | 42 | |
| 23 | Chester (R) | 46 | 8 | 13 | 25 | 42 | 79 | −37 | 37 | Relegation to National League North |
| 24 | Guiseley (R) | 46 | 7 | 12 | 27 | 44 | 89 | −45 | 33 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results [4]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Play-offs
| Qualifying round | Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||||||
| 2 | Tranmere Rovers | 4 | ||||||||||||
| 5 | Aldershot Town | 1 (4) | 6 | Ebbsfleet United | 2 | |||||||||
| 6 | Ebbsfleet United | 1 (5) | 2 | Tranmere Rovers | 2 | |||||||||
| 4 | Boreham Wood | 1 | ||||||||||||
| 3 | Sutton United | 2 | ||||||||||||
| 4 | Boreham Wood | 2 | 4 | Boreham Wood | 3 | |||||||||
| 7 | AFC Fylde | 1 | ||||||||||||
Qualifying round
| 2 May 2018 | Aldershot Town | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (4–5 p) | Ebbsfleet United | Recreation Ground, Aldershot |
| 19:00 | Kabamba |
Report | Winfield |
Attendance: 3,319 Referee: Allan Young |
| Penalties | ||||
| 3 May 2018 | Boreham Wood | 2–1 | AFC Fylde | Meadow Park, Borehamwood |
| 19:00 | Report | Grand |
Attendance: 1,244 Referee: Joseph Johnson |
Semi-finals
| 5 May 2018 | Tranmere Rovers | 4–2 (a.e.t.) | Ebbsfleet United | Prenton Park, Birkenhead |
| 12:15 | Attendance: 8,898 Referee: P Wright |
| 6 May 2018 | Sutton United | 2–3 | Boreham Wood | Gander Green Lane, Sutton |
| 15:00 | Attendance: 2,730 Referee: Matt Donohue |
Final
| Boreham Wood | 1–2 | Tranmere Rovers |
|---|---|---|
| Andrade |
Report | Cook Norwood |
Results table
Top scorers
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals[5] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tranmere Rovers | 26 | |
| 2 | AFC Fylde | 24 | |
| 3 | Leyton Orient | 22 | |
| 4 | Boreham Wood | 20 | |
| Tranmere Rovers | |||
| 6 | Ebbsfleet United | 18 | |
| 7 | Bromley | 16 | |
| Dover Athletic | |||
| 9 | Dagenham / Boreham Wood | 15 | |
| 10 | Macclesfield | 14 |
Monthly Awards
Each month the Vanarama National League announces their official Player of the Month and Manager of the Month.
| Month | Player of the Month | Club | Manager of the Month | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 2017 | Solihull Moors | Dagenham & Redbridge | ||
| September 2017 | Macclesfield Town | Maidstone United | ||
| October 2017 | Bromley | Hartlepool United | ||
| November 2017 | AFC Fylde | Boreham Wood | ||
| December 2017 | Tranmere Rovers | Macclesfield Town | ||
| January 2018 | Eastleigh | Solihull Moors | ||
| February 2018 | Macclesfield Town | Ebbsfleet United | ||
| March 2018 | Dover Athletic | Hartlepool United | ||
| April 2018 | Tranmere Rovers | Maidenhead United |
Team of the Season
At the end of the season, the National League announced its official team of the season.[16]
National League North
| Season | 2017–18 |
|---|---|
| Champions | Salford City |
| Promoted | Salford City Harrogate Town |
| Relegated | North Ferriby United Gainsborough Trinity Tamworth |
← 2016–17 2018–19 → | |
Team changes
To National League NorthPromoted from 2016–17 Northern Premier League Premier Division Promoted from 2016–17 Southern League Premier Division Relegated from 2016–17 National League |
From National League NorthRelegated to 2017–18 Northern Premier League Premier Division Relegated and voluntarily demoted to 2017–18 Midland League Premier Division Transferred to 2017–18 National League South Promoted to 2017–18 National League
|
Stadia and locations
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Salford City (C, P) | 42 | 28 | 7 | 7 | 80 | 45 | +35 | 91 | Promotion to National League |
| 2 | Harrogate Town (O, P) | 42 | 26 | 7 | 9 | 100 | 49 | +51 | 85 | Qualification for the National League North play-off semi-finals |
| 3 | Brackley Town | 42 | 23 | 11 | 8 | 72 | 37 | +35 | 80 | |
| 4 | Kidderminster Harriers | 42 | 20 | 12 | 10 | 76 | 50 | +26 | 72 | Qualification for the National League North play-off quarter-finals |
| 5 | Stockport County | 42 | 20 | 9 | 13 | 75 | 57 | +18 | 69 | |
| 6 | Chorley | 42 | 18 | 14 | 10 | 52 | 39 | +13 | 68 | |
| 7 | Bradford (Park Avenue) | 42 | 18 | 9 | 15 | 66 | 56 | +10 | 63 | |
| 8 | Spennymoor Town | 42 | 18 | 9 | 15 | 71 | 67 | +4 | 63 | |
| 9 | Boston United | 42 | 17 | 9 | 16 | 67 | 66 | +1 | 60 | |
| 10 | Blyth Spartans | 42 | 19 | 2 | 21 | 76 | 69 | +7 | 59 | |
| 11 | York City | 42 | 16 | 10 | 16 | 65 | 62 | +3 | 58 | |
| 12 | Darlington | 42 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 58 | 58 | 0 | 55 | |
| 13 | Nuneaton Town | 42 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 50 | 57 | −7 | 55 | |
| 14 | AFC Telford United | 42 | 16 | 5 | 21 | 55 | 69 | −14 | 53 | |
| 15 | Southport | 42 | 14 | 8 | 20 | 60 | 72 | −12 | 50 | |
| 16 | FC United of Manchester | 42 | 14 | 8 | 20 | 58 | 72 | −14 | 50 | |
| 17 | Alfreton Town | 42 | 14 | 7 | 21 | 67 | 71 | −4 | 49 | |
| 18 | Curzon Ashton | 42 | 12 | 13 | 17 | 52 | 66 | −14 | 49 | |
| 19 | Leamington | 42 | 13 | 10 | 19 | 51 | 65 | −14 | 49 | |
| 20 | Gainsborough Trinity (R) | 42 | 14 | 4 | 24 | 47 | 73 | −26 | 46 | Relegation to the Northern Premier League Premier Division |
| 21 | Tamworth (R) | 42 | 11 | 9 | 22 | 55 | 77 | −22 | 42 | Relegation to the Southern League Premier Division Central |
| 22 | North Ferriby United (R) | 42 | 4 | 9 | 29 | 25 | 101 | −76 | 21 | Relegation to the Northern Premier League Premier Division |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results [4]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Play-offs
| Qualifying round | Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||||||
| 2 | Harrogate Town | 2 | ||||||||||||
| 5 | Stockport County | 0 | 6 | Chorley | 1 | |||||||||
| 6 | Chorley | 1 | 2 | Harrogate Town | 3 | |||||||||
| 3 | Brackley Town | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 3 | Brackley Town | 1 | ||||||||||||
| 4 | Kidderminster Harriers | 0 | 7 | Bradford Park Avenue | 0 | |||||||||
| 7 | Bradford Park Avenue | 2 | ||||||||||||
Qualifying round
| 2 May 2018 | Stockport County | 0–1 | Chorley | Edgeley Park, Stockport |
| 19:45 (UTC+01:00) | Report 1 Report 2 | Walker |
Attendance: 6,230 |
| 2 May 2018 | Kidderminster Harriers | 0–2 | Bradford Park Avenue | Aggborough Stadium, Kidderminster |
| 19:45 (UTC+01:00) | Report 1 Report 2 | Boyes Johnson |
Attendance: 2,291 |
Semi-finals
| 6 May 2018 | Harrogate Town | 2–1 | Chorley | Wetherby Road, Harrogate |
| 15:00 (UTC+01:00) | Report | Attendance: 2,307 |
| 6 May 2018 | Brackley Town | 1–0 (a.e.t.) | Bradford Park Avenue | St. James Park, Brackley |
|
Report | Attendance: 923 |
Final
| 13 May 2018 | Harrogate Town | 3–0 | Brackley Town | Wetherby Road, Harrogate |
| 15:00 | Attendance: 3,000 |
Results table
Top scorers
- As of matches played 24 April 2018[19]
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southport | 26 | |
| 2 | Stockport County | 24 | |
| 3 | Brackley Town | 22 | |
| 4 | Darlington | 21 | |
| 5 | Bradford Park Avenue | 20 | |
| York City | |||
| 7 | Nuneaton Town | 19 | |
| Kidderminster Harriers | |||
| Spennymoor Town | |||
| 10 | AFC Telford United | 17 | |
| Salford City | |||
| 12 | Blyth Spartans | 16 | |
National League South
| Season | 2017–18 |
|---|---|
| Champions | Havant & Waterlooville |
| Promoted | Havant & Waterlooville Braintree Town |
| Relegated | Bognor Regis Town Whitehawk Poole Town |
← 2016–17 2018–19 → | |
The National League South consisted of 22 clubs.
Team changes
To National League SouthPromoted from 2016–17 Southern League Premier Division Promoted from 2016–17 Isthmian League Premier Division Relegated from 2016–17 National League Transferred from 2016–17 National League North |
From National League SouthRelegated to 2017–18 Isthmian League Premier Division Relegated to 2017–18 Southern League Premier Division Promoted to 2017–18 National League
|
Stadia and locations
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Havant & Waterlooville (C, P) | 42 | 25 | 11 | 6 | 70 | 30 | +40 | 86 | Promotion to National League |
| 2 | Dartford | 42 | 26 | 8 | 8 | 81 | 44 | +37 | 86 | Qualification for the National League South play-off semi-finals |
| 3 | Chelmsford City | 42 | 21 | 11 | 10 | 68 | 45 | +23 | 74 | |
| 4 | Hampton & Richmond Borough | 42 | 18 | 18 | 6 | 58 | 37 | +21 | 72 | Qualification for the National League South play-off quarter-finals |
| 5 | Hemel Hempstead Town | 42 | 19 | 13 | 10 | 71 | 51 | +20 | 70 | |
| 6 | Braintree Town (O, P) | 42 | 19 | 13 | 10 | 73 | 55 | +18 | 69[a] | |
| 7 | Truro City | 42 | 20 | 9 | 13 | 71 | 55 | +16 | 69 | |
| 8 | St Albans City | 42 | 19 | 8 | 15 | 71 | 58 | +13 | 65 | |
| 9 | Bath City | 42 | 17 | 12 | 13 | 64 | 48 | +16 | 63 | |
| 10 | Welling United | 42 | 17 | 10 | 15 | 68 | 59 | +9 | 61 | |
| 11 | Wealdstone | 42 | 16 | 11 | 15 | 64 | 62 | +2 | 59 | |
| 12 | Weston-super-Mare | 42 | 16 | 7 | 19 | 66 | 73 | −7 | 55 | |
| 13 | Chippenham Town | 42 | 15 | 9 | 18 | 64 | 70 | −6 | 54 | |
| 14 | Gloucester City | 42 | 15 | 8 | 19 | 56 | 70 | −14 | 53 | |
| 15 | East Thurrock United | 42 | 13 | 11 | 18 | 68 | 84 | −16 | 50 | |
| 16 | Oxford City | 42 | 13 | 10 | 19 | 60 | 69 | −9 | 49 | |
| 17 | Concord Rangers | 42 | 12 | 10 | 20 | 46 | 62 | −16 | 46 | |
| 18 | Eastbourne Borough | 42 | 13 | 7 | 22 | 57 | 80 | −23 | 46 | |
| 19 | Hungerford Town | 42 | 12 | 7 | 23 | 45 | 68 | −23 | 43 | |
| 20 | Poole Town (R) | 42 | 11 | 9 | 22 | 47 | 73 | −26 | 42 | Relegation to the Southern League Premier Division South |
| 21 | Whitehawk (R) | 42 | 8 | 10 | 24 | 51 | 89 | −38 | 34 | Relegation to the Isthmian League Premier Division |
| 22 | Bognor Regis Town (R) | 42 | 5 | 12 | 25 | 41 | 78 | −37 | 27 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results [4]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
Play-offs
| Qualifying round | Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||||||
| 2 | Dartford | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 5 | Hemel Hempstead Town | 0 (2) | 6 | Braintree Town | 1 | |||||||||
| 6 | Braintree Town | 0 (3) | 4 | Hampton & Richmond Borough | 1 (3) | |||||||||
| 6 | Braintree Town | 1 (4) | ||||||||||||
| 3 | Chelmsford City | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 4 | Hampton & Richmond Borough | 3 | 4 | Hampton & Richmond Borough | 1 | |||||||||
| 7 | Truro City | 1 | ||||||||||||
Qualifying round
| 2 May 2018 | Hemel Hempstead Town | 0–0 (a.e.t.) (2–3 p) | Braintree Town | Vauxhall Road, Hemel Hempstead |
| 19:45 | Report | Attendance: 1,165 | ||
| Penalties | ||||
| Parkes McCall Shulton Moyo Watt |
||||
| 2 May 2018 | Hampton & Richmond Borough | 3–1 (a.e.t.) | Truro City | Beveree Stadium, Hampton |
| 19:45 | Cook Hudson-Odoi |
Report | Neal |
Attendance: 922 |
Semi-finals
| 6 May 2018 | Dartford | 0–1 | Braintree Town | Princes Park, Dartford |
| Report | Attendance: 1,704 |
| 6 May 2018 | Chelmsford City | 0–1 | Hampton & Richmond Borough | Melbourne Stadium, Chelmsford |
| Report | Attendance: 1,651 |
Final
| 13 May 2018 | Hampton & Richmond Borough | 1–1 (3–4 p) | Braintree Town | Beveree Stadium, Hampton |
| 15:00 | Attendance: 3,127 |
Results table
Top scorers
- As of matches played 24 April 2018[21]
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Thurrock United | 25 | |
| 2 | Dartford | 22 | |
| Havant & Waterlooville | |||
| 4 | St Albans City | 20 | |
| Oxford City | |||
| 6 | Weston-super-Mare | 19 | |
| 7 | Braintree Town | 18 | |
| 8 | Poole Town | 17 | |
| 9 | Weston-super-Mare | 16 | |