2020–21 North West Counties Football League
Football league season
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2020–21 North West Counties Football League season was the 39th in the history of the North West Counties Football League, a football competition in England.
The league comprised three divisions, the Premier Division (at level 9 of the English football league system, Step 5 National League System) and two regional divisions at level 10 or Step 6: the First Division North and First Division South with the champions of each Division competing in a single match for the First Division Champions Cup. Additionally, there were two cup competitions: the League Challenge Cup (known as the Macron Challenge Cup for sponsorship reasons), a knockout competition open to all the league's clubs; and the First Division Trophy, a knockout trophy competition for First Division clubs only.
On 6 August 2020, it was announced by the League that the season would start no earlier than Saturday 3 October 2020[1] and subsequently that the League Challenge Cup and First Division Trophy competitions would be suspended this season.[2]
The season was later suspended in December 2020 owing to the COVID-19 pandemic in England and was subsequently abandoned on 24 February 2021.[3] Unlike the previous season, also abandoned owing to COVID-19, promotion to implement the National League System restructure plan proposed prior to the previous season[4] was enacted at the end of this season: the promotion of eligible clubs (those who had applied for promotion) was based on the unweighted points per game basis over this and the previous season.[5]
Premier Division
| Season | 2020–21 |
|---|---|
| Teams | 20 |
| Promoted | 1874 Northwich Bootle Warrington Rylands |
| Matches | 57 |
| Goals | 236 (4.14 per match) |
← 2019–20 2021–22 →
All statistics correct as of 26 December 2020 (at abandonment). | |
The Premier Division comprised the same 20 clubs from the previous season's aborted competition.
Rylands changed its name to Warrington Rylands 1906.[6]
In line with the plan to restructure the National League System 5 clubs left the division prior to the commencement of the following season: 3 clubs, 1874 Northwich, Bootle and Warrington Rylands were promoted to the Northern Premier League Division One West using a points per match over this and the previous season basis;[5] and 2 clubs, Hanley Town and Whitchurch Alport were transferred laterally to the Midland League Premier Division.[7] (Congleton Town were initially selected to transfer laterally to the Midland League but successfully appealed against this).[8]
League Table (at abandonment)
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Season End Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Avro | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 23 | 9 | +14 | 16 | |
| 2 | Warrington Rylands (P) | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 4 | +11 | 13 | Promoted to Northern Premier League Division One West |
| 3 | Northwich Victoria | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 9 | +3 | 13 | |
| 4 | Irlam | 9 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 13 | 20 | −7 | 12 | |
| 5 | Runcorn Town | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 7 | +7 | 11 | |
| 6 | Hanley Town | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 9 | +3 | 11 | Transferred to Midland League Premier Division |
| 7 | Winsford United | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 18 | 7 | +11 | 10 | |
| 8 | Congleton Town | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 8 | +1 | 10 | |
| 9 | Bootle (P) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 5 | +9 | 9 | Promoted to Northern Premier League Division One West |
| 10 | 1874 Northwich (P) | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 8 | +4 | 9 | |
| 11 | Burscough | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 5 | +3 | 7 | |
| 12 | Padiham | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 16 | −4 | 7 | |
| 13 | Longridge Town | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 5 | +4 | 6 | |
| 14 | Ashton Athletic | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 16 | −6 | 6 | |
| 15 | Whitchurch Alport | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 19 | −9 | 6 | Transferred to Midland League Premier Division |
| 16 | Barnoldswick Town | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 11 | 26 | −15 | 6 | |
| 17 | Charnock Richard | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 9 | −2 | 4 | |
| 18 | Skelmersdale United | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 9 | −4 | 3 | |
| 19 | Squires Gate | 9 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 15 | 29 | −14 | 3 | |
| 20 | Litherland REMYCA | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 16 | −9 | 1 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results[9]
(P) Promoted
Results (up to abandonment)
Stadia and locations
| Team | Stadium |
|---|---|
| 1874 Northwich | Townfield (groundshare with Barnton) |
| Ashton Athletic | Brockstedes Park |
| Avro | Whitebank Stadium, Oldham |
| Barnoldswick Town | Greenberfield Lane |
| Bootle | New Bucks Park |
| Burscough | Victoria Park |
| Charnock Richard | Mossie Park |
| Congleton Town | Ivy Gardens |
| Hanley Town | Abbey Lane |
| Irlam | Silver Street |
| Litherland REMYCA | Litherland Sports Park |
| Longridge Town | Mike Riding Ground |
| Northwich Victoria | Wincham Park (groundshare with Witton Albion) |
| Padiham | Arbories Memorial Sports Ground |
| Runcorn Town | Pavilions Sports Complex |
| Skelmersdale United | Valerie Park |
| Squires Gate | School Road |
| Warrington Rylands | Gorsey Lane |
| Whitchurch Alport | Yockings Park |
| Winsford United | Barton Stadium |
First Division North
| Season | 2020–21 |
|---|---|
| Teams | 19 |
| Promoted | AFC Liverpool Lower Breck Prestwich Heys |
| Matches | 53 |
| Goals | 239 (4.51 per match) |
← 2019–20 2021–22 →
All statistics correct as of 28 December 2020 (at abandonment). | |
The 2020–21 First Division North club allocations from the FA Leagues Committee (subject to appeal) were announced on 21 July 2020[10] The division comprised 20 clubs, 19 of which had competed in the division the previous season plus one addition allocated to the division:
- Bury AFC, a start-up phoenix club founded after the expulsion of Bury F.C. from the English Football League. Although the league accepted the club and had supported their application previously it did not support it at this time on the grounds that it discriminated against clubs in the Feeder Leagues (formerly Step 7) who were not considered for promotion.[11]
However, the division was reduced to 19 clubs when Shelley, after playing a delayed League Challenge Cup semi-final carried over from the 2019–20 season, resigned shortly before the season's league matches began.[12]
In line with the plan to restructure the National League System 3 clubs were promoted to the Premier Division: AFC Liverpool, Lower Breck and Prestwich Heys – all promoted using a points per match over this and the previous season basis.[5][7]
League Table (at abandonment)
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Season End Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bury AFC | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 22 | 11 | +11 | 16 | |
| 2 | Lower Breck (P) | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 3 | +12 | 12 | Promoted to the Premier Division |
| 3 | AFC Darwen | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 20 | 16 | +4 | 12 | |
| 4 | Cleator Moor Celtic | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 21 | 20 | +1 | 12 | |
| 5 | AFC Liverpool (P) | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 7 | +8 | 10 | Promoted to the Premier Division |
| 6 | Prestwich Heys (P) | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 9 | +4 | 10 | |
| 7 | Steeton | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 11 | +2 | 10 | |
| 8 | Golcar United | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 14 | 15 | −1 | 10 | |
| 9 | Ashton Town | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 14 | 18 | −4 | 10 | |
| 10 | Bacup Borough | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | +7 | 9 | |
| 11 | Garstang | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 14 | 19 | −5 | 9 | |
| 12 | Pilkington | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 8 | |
| 13 | AFC Blackpool | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 16 | −4 | 6 | |
| 14 | Chadderton | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 19 | −7 | 5 | |
| 15 | Holker Old Boys | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 10 | −2 | 3 | |
| 16 | Atherton Laburnum Rovers | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | −2 | 3 | |
| 17 | Nelson | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 11 | 19 | −8 | 3 | |
| 18 | Daisy Hill | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 18 | −11 | 3 | |
| 19 | St Helens Town | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 10 | −5 | 1 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results[9]
(P) Promoted
Results (up to abandonment)
Stadia and locations
Locations of the 2020–21 North West Counties Football League First Division North teams
| Team | Stadium |
|---|---|
| AFC Blackpool | The Mechanics |
| AFC Darwen | The Anchor Ground |
| AFC Liverpool | Rossett Park, Crosby (groundshare with Marine) |
| Ashton Town | Edge Green Street |
| Atherton Laburnum Rovers | Crilly Park |
| Bacup Borough | West View |
| Bury AFC | Stainton Park (groundshare with Radcliffe) |
| Chadderton | MCA Stadium |
| Cleator Moor Celtic | McGrath Park |
| Daisy Hill | New Sirs, Westhoughton |
| Garstang | The Riverside |
| Golcar United | Longfield Avenue |
| Holker Old Boys | Rakesmoor Lane, Barrow-in-Furness |
| Lower Breck | Anfield Sports and Community Centre |
| Nelson | Victoria Park |
| Pilkington | Ruskin Drive Sportsground |
| Prestwich Heys | Adie Moran Park |
| St Helens Town | Ruskin Drive Sportsground |
| Steeton | Cougar Park |
First Division South
| Season | 2020–21 |
|---|---|
| Teams | 19 |
| Promoted | Stone Old Alleynians Vauxhall Motors Wythenshawe Town |
| Matches | 64 |
| Goals | 236 (3.69 per match) |
← 2019–20 2021–22 →
All statistics correct as of 26 December 2020 (at abandonment). | |
The 2020–21 First Division South club allocations from the FA Leagues Committee (subject to appeal) were announced on 21 July 2020[10] The division was announced as comprising 20 clubs, 19 of which had competed in the division the previous season plus one addition allocated to the division:
- FC Isle of Man, a recently formed club. Although the league accepted the club and had supported their application previously it did not support it at this time on the grounds that it discriminated against clubs in the Feeder Leagues (formerly Step 7) who were not considered for promotion.[11] Owing to COVID-19 pandemic-related travel restrictions on the Isle of Man in December 2020 the club, who had yet to play a league match, had its playing membership suspended for the season by mutual consent with the league[13] thus reducing the league to 19 playing clubs.
In line with the plan to restructure the National League System 3 clubs were promoted from the division: Vauxhall Motors and Wythenshawe Town to the Premier Division and Stone Old Alleynians to the Midland League – all promoted using a points per match over this and the previous season basis.[5][7]
League table (at abandonment)
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Season End Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vauxhall Motors (P) | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 6 | +13 | 22 | Promoted to Premier Division |
| 2 | Wythenshawe Town (P) | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 3 | +26 | 21 | |
| 3 | Sandbach United | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 23 | 16 | +7 | 16 | |
| 4 | Stockport Town | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 20 | 6 | +14 | 14 | |
| 5 | West Didsbury & Chorlton | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 18 | 11 | +7 | 13 | |
| 6 | Cheadle Heath Nomads | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 20 | 17 | +3 | 12 | |
| 7 | New Mills | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 11 | |
| 8 | Stone Old Alleynians (P) | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 9 | +4 | 10 | Promoted to Midland League Premier Division |
| 9 | Barnton | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 7 | +3 | 10 | |
| 10 | Abbey Hey | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 11 | +2 | 10 | |
| 11 | Cheadle Town | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 12 | 10 | +2 | 8 | |
| 12 | Alsager Town | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 14 | −6 | 7 | |
| 13 | Cammell Laird 1907 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 10 | −4 | 6 | |
| 14 | Maine Road | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 16 | −7 | 6 | |
| 15 | St Martins | 9 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 29 | −20 | 5 | |
| 16 | Ellesmere Rangers | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 12 | −8 | 3 | |
| 17 | Abbey Hulton United | 7 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 22 | −13 | 3 | |
| 18 | Wythenshawe Amateurs | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 8 | −4 | 2 | |
| 19 | Eccleshall | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 24 | −20 | 1 | |
| 20 | FC Isle of Man | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Suspended from the league[13] |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results[9]
(P) Promoted
Results (up to abandonment)
Stadia and locations
 Locations of 2020–21 North West Counties First Division South teams (Greater Manchester)  Locations of 2020–21 North West Counties First Division South teams (Isle of Man)
|
| Team | Stadium |
|---|---|
| Abbey Hey | The Abbey Stadium, Gorton |
| Abbey Hulton United | Birches Head Road |
| Alsager Town | Wood Park Stadium |
| Barnton | Townfield |
| Cammell Laird 1907 | Kirklands, Birkenhead |
| Cheadle Heath Nomads | The Heath |
| Cheadle Town | Park Road Stadium |
| Eccleshall | Pershall Park |
| Ellesmere Rangers | Beech Grove |
| FC Isle of Man | The Bowl, Douglas |
| Maine Road | Brantingham Road, Chorlton |
| New Mills | Church Lane |
| Sandbach United | Sandbach Community Football Centre |
| St Martins | The Venue, Oswestry |
| Stockport Town | Stockport Sports Village |
| Stone Alleynians | Yarnfield Lane |
| Vauxhall Motors | Rivacre Park, Ellesmere Port |
| West Didsbury & Chorlton | Brookburn Road, Chorlton |
| Wythenshawe Amateurs | Hollyhedge Park |
| Wythenshawe Town | Ericstan Stadium |
League Challenge Cup
The 2020–21 League Challenge Cup (known as the Macron Challenge Cup for sponsorship reasons) was a knockout competition usually open to all the league's clubs except for this season when, owing to irregularities the previous season AFC Darwen had forfeited their place.[14] The competition was initially suspended[2] and eventually cancelled in February 2021.[3]
First Division Trophy
First Division Champions Cup
The 2020–21 First Division Champions Cup would have been played at the end of the season contested by the winners of First Division North and First Division South, however, owing to the abandonment of the league programme it was cancelled in February 2021.[3]