2025–26 North West Counties Football League

Football league season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2025–26 North West Counties Football League season was the 44th in the history of the North West Counties Football League, a regional 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 latter were designated 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 (known as the Edward Case Cup, named after the trophy), a knockout trophy competition for First Division clubs only.

Premier Division

Quick facts Season, Teams ...
North West Counties
Football League
Premier Division
Season2025–26
Teams24
ChampionsWythenshawe
PromotedWythenshawe
Padiham
RelegatedCity of Liverpool
Litherland REMYCA
Matches551
Goals1,996 (3.62 per match)
Top goalscorerEngland Lewis-Simon Byrne
(Chadderton)
(57 goals)
Average attendance218[1]
All statistics correct as of 18 April 2026.
Close

Four clubs had left the division after the previous season:

The 2025–26 Premier Division club allocations from the FA Leagues Committee (subject to appeal) were announced on 15 May 2025[2][3] and was adopted at the league's AGM on 21 June 2025.[4] The division comprised twenty-four clubs, twenty had been members the previous season and they were joined by four additional clubs:

At the end of the season champions Wythenshawe who had been relegated into the division won immediate promotion back to the Northern Premier League Division One West where they were joined by promotion play-off winners (who had finished fourth in the division) Padiham.

After the season three clubs resigned from the league: Stockport Town (citing sustainability considerations[5]), Pilkington (who discontinued their first team[6]) and City of Liverpool (unable to secure a ground[7]). The latter club who had been relegated into the division at the start of the season and occupied a relegation position at its end. They had conceded more goals (187) than any previous Premier Division club (the previous high was 171 by Barnton in the 2017–18 season) and had the division all-time highest negative goal difference (−149). Owing to the resignation of Pilkington, Litherland REMYCA were reprieved from relegation.[8] Also leaving the division, in a lateral transfer directed by the FA Leagues Committee in the 2026–27 club allocations to the Midland League Premier Division, were Cheadle Town and West Didsbury & Chorlton.[7]

League Table

More information Pos, Team ...
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Season End Notes
1 Wythenshawe (C, P) 46 34 4 8 128 52 +76 106 Promotion to the Northern Premier
League Division One West
2 Ramsbottom United 46 29 11 6 105 46 +59 98 Qualification for the promotion play-offs
3 Atherton Laburnum Rovers 46 30 4 12 97 45 +52 94
4 Padiham (O, P) 46 29 4 13 105 62 +43 91 Won promotion play-offs to Northern
Premier League Division One West
5 Chadderton 46 28 5 13 126 66 +60 89 Qualification for the promotion play-offs
6 Irlam 46 26 7 13 108 69 +39 85
7 Prestwich Heys[a] 46 24 10 12 84 45 +39 82
8 FC St Helens 46 22 12 12 84 55 +29 78
9 West Didsbury & Chorlton 46 25 3 18 94 70 +24 78 Transferred to the
Midland League Premier Division
10 Burscough 46 22 5 19 79 62 +17 71
11 AFC Liverpool 46 21 8 17 90 79 +11 71
12 Stockport Town 46 20 10 16 77 63 +14 70 Resigned after season (sustainability[5])
13 Charnock Richard 46 19 9 18 108 83 +25 66
14 Glossop North End 46 18 9 19 76 70 +6 63
15 Longridge Town 46 16 9 21 86 99 −13 57
16 South Liverpool 46 16 8 22 70 88 −18 56
17 Euxton Villa 46 13 15 18 67 79 −12 54
18 Cheadle Town 46 13 11 22 60 81 −21 50 Transferred to the
Midland League Premier Division
19 Barnoldswick Town 46 14 8 24 70 111 −41 50
20 FC Isle of Man[a] 46 12 8 26 72 117 −45 44
21 Abbey Hey 46 10 8 28 68 110 −42 38
22 Pilkington 46 9 3 34 54 148 −94 30 Disbanded after season [6]
23 Litherland REMYCA 46 7 6 33 50 109 −59 27 Reprieved from Relegation[8]
24 City of Liverpool 46 4 5 37 38 187 −149 17 Resigned after season (lack of ground[7])
Close
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]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted
  1. [a]
    FC Isle of Man v Prestwich Heys (25 April 2026): Prestwich Heys declined to play re-arranged match, FC Isle of Man awarded a win and three points[9]

Results Table

More information Home \ Away, ABB ...
Home \ Away ABB ALV ALR BAR BUR CHA CHR CHT CLV EUX FSH GNE IOM IRL LIT LON PAD PIL PRE RAM SLV STO WDC WYT
Abbey Hey 0–1 1–2 1–1 0–2 2–2 1–7 1–1 4–0 1–2 0–3 2–0 1–2 1–3 6–2 1–2 1–2 3–1 2–1 0–1 2–3 0–3 1–2 1–2
AFC Liverpool 3–0 1–3 3–1 2–1 4–1 1–2 2–2 3–4 2–0 1–5 2–2 5–1 2–3 3–1 2–0 0–2 4–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 4–0 4–1 1–5
Atherton Lab. R 0–1 3–0 2–0 1–0 0–1 1–2 1–0 3–0 2–0 2–1 2–3 3–1 1–4 3–1 3–2 2–1 4–0 2–1 0–0 1–3 5–0 0–1 0–1
Barnoldswick T 2–0 0–7 1–3 1–2 0–6 0–5 3–1 7–0 0–6 1–1 3–1 3–0 0–3 2–2 2–5 2–1 6–1 2–2 1–3 0–0 3–3 0–1 1–6
Burscough 1–1 1–1 0–2 4–2 0–3 3–1 0–1 2–1 3–0 1–2 1–2 5–0 3–0 3–0 2–1 0–2 3–1 1–1 1–0 5–2 0–3 1–0 1–4
Chadderton 5–1 0–1 0–3 3–1 1–0 1–0 3–0 8–0 2–2 4–1 3–6 6–2 1–2 2–0 1–2 2–3 6–1 1–2 3–3 7–2 2–0 1–3 3–2
Charnock Rich. 1–1 2–2 2–2 3–1 2–1 2–4 5–1 4–2 2–2 2–2 1–0 5–4 3–5 3–0 3–1 2–2 4–0 1–2 1–1 4–0 1–2 0–1 2–4
Cheadle Town 3–1 2–0 1–3 2–0 0–0 1–2 1–0 2–2 1–1 0–3 0–1 3–1 1–2 0–3 2–2 2–3 2–0 0–3 1–2 4–2 1–2 0–1 0–1
City of Liverpool 2–3 1–3 0–6 0–3 1–7 0–9 0–8 2–2 0–0 1–2 0–10 1–2 0–6 0–4 2–2 0–3 3–4 0–7 0–8 1–2 0–5 1–4 1–2
Euxton Villa 5–4 0–3 0–5 2–3 0–1 0–1 2–1 1–1 4–0 1–2 3–2 3–3 2–1 3–2 1–1 2–1 1–1 1–1 0–4 3–0 1–4 1–2 0–3
FC St Helens 3–0 0–2 1–3 5–0 1–0 1–0 6–2 1–1 1–0 0–0 0–0 2–0 2–2 1–0 2–1 1–1 3–2 0–2 1–2 3–1 1–1 3–0 0–1
Glossop N E 0–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–2 0–3 2–0 3–1 2–2 1–1 1–3 2–3 2–1 4–1 2–1 3–1 0–4 1–2 1–2 0–1 1–2 1–2 2–2
FC Isle of Man 2–2 5–0 1–5 1–2 0–1 1–2 3–2 1–2 3–1 1–0 2–2 2–3 2–2 0–0 2–2 2–3 1–2 H/W[a] 4–4 3–2 0–4 1–3 2–1
Irlam 3–2 1–0 3–0 1–2 2–1 2–4 2–2 6–0 4–1 1–1 4–1 0–1 4–0 4–0 4–1 2–0 1–2 2–1 3–2 0–2 0–0 2–4 0–2
Litherland R 2–2 1–3 0–4 1–3 1–2 1–2 2–5 4–2 2–0 1–3 2–2 1–2 1–3 0–3 0–2 2–3 4–1 0–2 2–1 0–3 0–6 1–1 1–2
Longridge Town 4–5 2–3 1–0 1–2 4–2 1–7 3–1 2–0 5–0 4–3 2–1 2–1 2–5 5–1 3–0 0–2 4–0 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–2 0–4 0–1
Padiham 4–1 4–0 2–3 3–1 3–0 3–3 2–0 1–4 0–2 2–0 2–1 3–1 4–2 3–3 4–0 4–1 4–1 0–2 3–1 1–0 1–0 1–2 3–0
Pilkington 2–4 0–4 0–1 3–3 2–6 0–2 0–3 1–2 1–3 0–3 3–2 2–0 0–0 1–2 1–0 5–3 1–10 0–1 0–5 1–6 1–2 0–5 1–8
Prestwich Heys 6–0 4–0 0–0 0–2 0–2 1–0 3–3 1–1 7–0 3–1 1–0 0–2 5–0 2–0 2–1 2–0 0–2 2–0 0–3 3–0 1–0 2–1 1–2
Ramsbottom U 4–0 4–1 2–1 4–1 2–0 2–1 3–2 2–1 1–0 0–1 1–1 1–0 4–1 2–2 1–1 2–2 1–0 3–0 3–0 2–0 3–3 3–1 3–0
South Liverpool 5–3 1–1 2–1 3–1 0–3 2–3 3–0 2–2 5–0 1–1 1–2 0–2 3–1 0–3 2–1 2–2 1–0 3–1 0–2 0–2 0–3 0–1 1–3
Stockport Town 2–2 1–2 1–3 2–0 1–3 1–1 0–3 2–1 0–2 1–1 0–4 1–2 3–0 0–3 1–0 1–2 1–2 4–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–0 2–0
W Didsbury & Ch 3–1 4–3 0–1 4–0 3–1 2–3 1–4 1–2 6–1 3–3 1–1 1–2 3–2 2–5 3–0 3–0 1–2 2–5 5–2 1–3 4–0 1–3 0–1
Wythenshawe 3–1 3–1 3–3 3–0 3–1 3–1 3–0 1–3 11–1 2–0 1–4 1–1 4–0 5–1 1–2 7–1 6–2 6–1 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–1 1–0
Close
Source: NWCFL Premier Division Results
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
  1. [a]
    FC Isle of Man v Prestwich Heys (25 April 2026): Prestwich Heys declined to play re-arranged match, FC Isle of Man awarded a win and three points[9]

Promotion play-offs

The 2025–26 Premier Division promotion play-offs, contested by the clubs that finished second to fifth position in the league table, were won by Padiham who had occupied fourth position in the division.

Semi-finals Final
            
2 Ramsbottom United 0
5 Chadderton 1
4 Padiham 0 [a] (3 p) [b]
5 Chadderton 0 [a] (2 p) [b]
3 Atherton Laburnum Rovers 0
4 Padiham 2
  1. [a]
    After extra time played
  2. [b]
    Penalty shoot-out

Semifinals

25 April 2026 Ramsbottom United0–1 Chadderton Ramsbottom
15:00 BST Report
  • Byrne 88'
 Stadium: Harry Williams Riverside Stadium
Attendance: 714
Referee: Hadley Warhurst
25 April 2026 Atherton Laburnum Rovers0–2 Padiham Atherton
15:00 BST Report
  • Brownhill 9'
  • Machell 39'
 Stadium: Crilly Park
Attendance: 516
Referee: Daniel Seddik

Final

2 May 2026 Padiham 0–0 (a.e.t.)
(3–2 p)		ChaddertonPadiham
15:00 BST Report Stadium: Arbories Memorial Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,210
Referee: Dylan Costello
Penalties
  • Brownhill football with red X
  • Davies football with red X
  • L Ayres football with check mark
  • Roberts football with check mark
  • Boyd football with red X
  • Machell football with check mark
  • Byrne football with check mark
  • Barlow football with check mark
  • Flynn football with red X
  • Turner football with red X
  • Lowe football with red X
  • football with red X

Stadia and locations

More information Team, Stadium ...
Team Stadium Location
Abbey HeyThe Abbey StadiumManchester (Gorton)
AFC LiverpoolRossett Park (groundshare with Marine)Crosby
Atherton Laburnum RoversCrilly ParkAtherton
Barnoldswick TownGreenberfield LaneBarnoldswick
BurscoughThe Community StadiumBurscough
ChaddertonMCA StadiumChadderton
Charnock RichardMossie ParkCharnock Richard
Cheadle TownPark Road StadiumCheadle
City of LiverpoolThe Community StadiumBurscough
Euxton VillaJim Fowler Memorial GroundEuxton
FC Isle of ManThe BowlDouglas
FC St HelensWindleshaw SportsSt Helens
Glossop North EndSurrey StreetGlossop
IrlamSilver StreetSalford (Irlam)
Litherland REMYCALitherland Sports ParkLitherland
Longridge TownMike Riding GroundLongridge
PadihamArbories Memorial Sports GroundPadiham
PilkingtonRuskin Drive SportsgroundSt Helens
Prestwich HeysAdie Moran ParkWhitefield
Ramsbottom UnitedHarry Williams Riverside StadiumRamsbottom
South LiverpoolJericho LaneLiverpool (Otterspool)
Stockport TownStockport Sports VillageStockport (Woodley)
West Didsbury & ChorltonBrookburn RoadManchester (Chorlton-cum-Hardy)
WythenshaweHollyhedge ParkManchester (Sharston)
Close

First Division North

Quick facts Season, Teams ...
North West Counties
Football League
First Division North
Season2025–26
Teams18
ChampionsNelson
PromotedNelson
Droylsden
Matches306
Goals1,096 (3.58 per match)
Average attendance169[11]
Close

Four clubs had left the division after the previous season:

The 2025–26 First Division North club allocations from the FA Leagues Committee (subject to appeal) were announced on 15 May 2025[2][3] and was adopted at the league's AGM on 21 June 2025.[4] The division comprised eighteen clubs, fourteen had been members the previous season and they joined by four additional clubs:

At the end of the season champions Nelson and promotion play-off winners Droylsden (who had finished second in the division) were promoted to the Premier Division. All three clubs in the relegation positions in the table, Ashton Athletic, Garstang (for the third successive season) and Maine Road, were reprieved from relegation; the former two as their points per game ratio were better than other Step 6 relegation candidates,[7] and the latter (Maine Road), who were initially selected for relegation, were reprieved as an indirect consequence of Pilkington resigning from the Premier Division.[8]

League Table

More information Pos, Team ...
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Season End Notes
1 Nelson (C, P) 34 23 6 5 78 43 +35 75 Promotion to the Premier Division
2 Droylsden (O, P) 34 20 6 8 77 44 +33 66 Won promotion play-offs
to the Premier Division
3 MSB Woolton 34 17 9 8 66 51 +15 60 Qualification for the play-offs
4 Maghull 34 16 9 9 74 55 +19 57
5 Squires Gate 34 15 8 11 61 54 +7 53
6 Darwen 34 14 10 10 59 50 +9 52
7 Thornton Cleveleys 34 15 6 13 70 63 +7 51
8 Ashton Town 34 15 6 13 47 48 −1 51
9 Holker Old Boys 34 14 8 12 67 57 +10 50
10 Bacup Borough 34 13 11 10 59 58 +1 50
11 Daisy Hill 34 12 10 12 66 69 −3 46
12 Fulwood Amateurs 34 12 9 13 70 65 +5 45
13 Steeton 34 11 8 15 55 60 −5 41
14 AFC Blackpool 34 11 5 18 43 59 −16 38
15 Colne 34 8 12 14 63 74 −11 36
16 Ashton Athletic 34 8 4 22 44 75 −31 28 Reprieved from relegation[7][8]
17 Garstang 34 6 10 18 46 87 −41 28
18 Maine Road 34 6 3 25 51 84 −33 21
Close
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]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted

Results Table

More information Home \ Away, ABL ...
Home \ Away ABL ASA AST BAC COL DAI DAR DRO FUL GAR HOL MAG MAI MSB NEL SQU STE THO
AFC Blackpool 2–0 3–0 2–0 2–2 2–4 1–2 0–2 1–0 1–1 3–0 1–2 2–0 2–1 0–2 0–1 1–0 2–2
Ashton Ath. 1–2 2–3 4–0 1–3 0–2 2–2 1–4 2–2 3–0 1–2 0–2 2–1 1–4 0–2 0–2 3–2 3–1
Ashton Town 1–0 1–3 0–1 2–2 2–1 2–0 0–0 2–0 1–0 1–0 2–1 3–1 0–3 2–2 3–1 2–1 4–2
Bacup Boro' 0–1 2–4 3–1 2–1 3–0 1–1 1–2 5–2 4–2 1–1 2–2 2–0 4–0 0–2 2–2 1–1 1–2
Colne 5–1 2–0 1–1 1–2 2–4 4–1 0–3 2–5 2–0 5–3 0–3 3–2 3–3 0–2 2–2 1–0 2–4
Daisy Hill 4–1 0–1 2–1 1–1 3–1 3–2 2–3 2–2 2–2 3–3 2–5 2–2 0–3 0–1 2–1 2–0 3–5
Darwen 0–2 3–1 1–0 1–1 0–0 3–2 2–3 1–1 4–0 3–3 5–2 2–1 2–1 0–2 2–1 2–0 0–0
Droylsden 2–0 3–1 2–3 6–1 2–1 2–0 2–2 1–0 2–0 0–1 2–1 2–1 0–0 3–0 2–0 1–3 0–2
Fulwood Ams 4–0 3–0 3–1 2–3 4–4 2–2 2–2 4–3 2–2 1–4 3–0 4–2 2–1 1–4 5–2 0–2 0–0
Garstang 3–0 2–1 2–2 1–1 3–1 1–1 2–1 2–1 1–7 3–3 2–2 6–1 2–2 1–4 0–4 0–4 1–7
Holker O B 2–2 2–0 0–1 3–0 3–2 2–2 1–2 1–4 2–3 3–0 3–1 3–2 2–2 5–0 0–1 1–2 3–1
Maghull 2–2 2–2 2–1 2–2 3–1 3–0 1–1 4–3 0–3 4–0 2–1 1–0 0–0 5–1 2–2 7–0 2–0
Maine Road 2–1 4–0 1–3 0–1 3–3 2–4 0–1 0–4 3–1 1–0 1–2 1–2 5–0 4–5 1–4 1–1 3–0
MSB Woolton 3–1 2–0 2–1 4–3 3–3 2–2 2–1 4–1 3–1 3–1 0–0 4–2 5–2 1–1 3–1 0–1 2–1
Nelson 2–1 5–0 2–0 1–2 0–0 4–2 1–0 2–2 4–1 2–1 3–1 1–1 4–0 4–0 2–3 1–1 2–1
Squires Gate 3–1 2–2 1–0 1–1 1–1 2–3 2–1 1–1 3–0 5–3 0–1 2–1 1–0 1–2 3–5 2–1 0–2
Steeton 3–1 3–1 2–0 4–4 5–2 1–1 1–2 1–6 0–0 2–2 2–4 1–3 5–2 0–1 1–2 2–2 1–2
Thornton Cle. 3–2 3–2 1–1 1–2 1–1 2–3 3–7 3–3 1–0 4–0 3–2 5–2 5–2 1–0 1–3 1–2 0–2
Close
Source: NWCFL First Division North Results
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Promotion play-offs

The 2025–26 First Division North promotion play-offs, contested by the clubs that finished second to fifth position in the league table, were won by Droylsden who had been runners-up of the division.

Semi-finals Final
            
2 Droylsden 2
5 Squires Gate 1
2 Droylsden 3 [a] (4 p) [b]
4 Maghull 3 [a] (3 p) [b]
3 MSB Woolton 2
4 Maghull 4
  1. [a]
    After extra time played, score at 90 minutes: 3–3
  2. [b]
    Penalty shoot-out

Semifinals

25 April 2026 Droylsden 2–1Squires GateDroylsden
15:00 BST
Report
  • Harries 61'
 Stadium: Butcher's Arms Ground
Attendance: 964
Referee: Oliver Hamilton
25 April 2026 MSB Woolton2–4 Maghull Woolton
15:00 BST
  • Smallwood 67'
  • Harvey 86'
 Report
  • Moffitt 4'
  • Rankin 55'
  • Clark 78' (pen.)
  • Smith 89'
 Stadium: Simpsons Football Ground
Attendance: 295
Referee: Anthony Ross

Final

2 May 2026 Droylsden 3–3 (a.e.t.)
(4–3 p)		MaghullDroylsden
15:00 BST
  • Artwell 12', 80'
  • Cantello 68'
 Report
  • Smith 29'
  • Clark 50' (pen.), 90+7'
 Stadium: Butcher's Arms Ground
Attendance: 1,940
Referee: Sam Fletcher
Penalties
  • football with check mark
  • football with red X
  • football with check mark
  • football with check mark
  • football with red X
  • football with red X
  • football with red X
  • football with check mark
  • football with red X
  • football with check mark
  • football with check mark
  • football with red X
  • football with check mark
  • football with red X
  • football with red X
  • football with red X

Stadia and locations

More information Team, Stadium ...
Team Stadium Location
AFC BlackpoolThe MechanicsBlackpool
Ashton AthleticBrockstedes ParkWigan (Ashton-in-Makerfield)
Ashton TownEdge Green StreetWigan (Ashton-in-Makerfield)
Bacup BoroughWest ViewBacup
ColneHolt HouseColne
Daisy HillNew SirsWesthoughton
DarwenThe Anchor GroundDarwen
DroylsdenButcher's Arms GroundDroylsden
Fulwood AmateursLightfoot GreenPreston (Fulwood)
GarstangThe RiversideGarstang
Holker Old BoysRakesmoor LaneBarrow-in-Furness
MaghullOld Hall FieldLiverpool
Maine RoadBrantingham RoadManchester
MSB WooltonJericho LaneLiverpool
NelsonVictoria ParkNelson
Squires GateBrian Addison StadiumBlackpool
SteetonMarley StadiumKeighley
Thornton CleveleysGamble RoadThornton-Cleveleys
Close

First Division South

Quick facts Season, Teams ...
North West Counties
Football League
First Division South
Season2025–26
Teams18
ChampionsRuncorn Town
PromotedRuncorn Town
Stockport Georgians
Matches306
Goals1,078 (3.52 per match)
Average attendance109[12]
Close

Two clubs had left the division after the previous season:

The 2025–26 First Division South club allocations from the FA Leagues Committee (subject to appeal) were announced on 15 May 2025[2][3] and was adopted at the league's AGM on 21 June 2025.[4] The division initially comprised nineteen clubs, sixteen had been members the previous season and they were joined by three additional clubs:

The division lost one of its members mid-season with the resignation, effective on 3 February 2026, of Wolverhampton Sporting; their playing record (P24 W1 D2 L21 GF23 GA90) was expunged shortly afterwards.[13]

At the end of the season champions Runcorn Town and promotion play-off winners Stockport Georgians (who had finished fourth in the division) were promoted and as decided by the FA League Committee's 2026-27 league allocations were transferred laterally to the Midland League Premier Division. After one season in the division Haughmond were the only club relegated and sent back to the Shropshire County League; Market Drayton Town who finished in a prospective relegation spot were reprieved as their points per game ratio was better than other Step 6 relegation candidates.[7]

League Table

More information Pos, Team ...
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Season End Notes
1 Runcorn Town (C, P) 34 28 5 1 118 24 +94 89 Promotion to the
Midland League Premier Division
2 Eccleshall 34 23 5 6 78 33 +45 74 Qualification for the promotion play-offs
3 New Mills 34 18 9 7 73 36 +37 63
4 Stockport Georgians (O, P) 34 17 12 5 73 42 +31 63 Won promotion play-offs to the
Midland League Premier Division
5 Stafford Town 34 16 9 9 77 54 +23 57 Qualification for the promotion play-offs
6 Sandbach United 34 17 5 12 57 41 +16 56
7 Ashville 34 15 9 10 54 41 +13 54
8 Telford Town 34 15 6 13 54 64 −10 51
9 Cheadle Heath Nomads 34 13 7 14 53 57 −4 46
10 Barnton 34 11 9 14 52 55 −3 42
11 Foley Meir 34 11 7 16 58 66 −8 40
12 Cammell Laird 1907 34 11 7 16 48 64 −16 40
13 Allscott Heath 34 9 12 13 60 65 −5 39
14 Wolverhampton Casuals 34 11 5 18 53 72 −19 38
15 Shawbury United 34 9 4 21 42 93 −51 31
16 Alsager Town 34 8 5 21 40 66 −26 29
17 Market Drayton Town 34 6 9 19 39 75 −36 27 Reprieved from relegation[7]
18 Haughmond (R) 34 4 3 27 49 130 −81 15 Relegated to Shropshire County League
19 Wolverhampton Sporting (R) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Resigned mid-season (record expunged)[a]
Close
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]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. [a]
    On 3 February 2026, Wolverhampton Sporting Community resigned from the league; their record (P24 W1 D2 L21 GF23 GA90) was expunged.[13]

Results Table

More information Home \ Away, ALL ...
Home \ Away ALL ALS ASH BAR CAM CHN ECC FOL HAU MDR NEW RUN SAN SHA STA STG TEL WLC
Allscott Heath 3–3 3–1 1–2 2–2 1–1 1–6 1–3 2–1 2–2 0–3 0–4 1–1 3–3 0–1 0–1 1–1 1–1
Alsager Town 2–2 1–1 0–1 1–2 2–3 0–1 0–3 4–3 1–0 1–2 0–4 0–1 2–0 0–4 0–2 0–1 0–1
Ashville 3–0 2–1 2–2 0–0 3–0 1–0 2–0 3–2 2–0 1–0 0–2 1–1 4–1 1–1 0–1 1–2 1–1
Barnton 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 0–0 0–3 2–1 2–1 1–2 1–2 0–2 3–1 1–2 2–2 0–0 1–2 4–2
Cammell L 1907 2–0 1–3 2–1 0–5 3–3 0–2 3–2 2–3 2–0 1–3 0–3 2–5 1–0 1–4 0–1 1–1 4–1
Cheadle Heath N 1–4 0–2 0–1 0–2 3–1 1–2 3–0 7–0 2–3 2–1 0–1 2–0 3–2 3–2 1–0 3–1 2–1
Eccleshall 1–0 3–1 1–0 3–1 2–3 4–1 2–1 6–2 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–0 3–0 1–2 2–0 1–0 5–0
Foley Meir 2–3 2–1 2–4 1–2 2–2 1–4 2–3 4–0 2–0 1–1 1–5 1–1 2–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–3
Haughmond 0–5 0–3 2–2 4–3 1–2 5–0 3–3 1–4 1–5 3–5 2–4 1–9 1–2 1–2 1–6 1–4 2–3
Market Drayton T 1–3 1–4 0–3 2–1 0–1 0–0 0–0 0–3 5–2 0–4 0–7 0–4 3–3 3–3 3–1 2–2 2–2
New Mills 1–3 1–1 2–2 4–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–3 8–0 3–1 0–1 1–0 7–0 0–0 0–1 5–1 3–2
Runcorn Town 3–2 6–0 0–0 3–1 2–1 1–1 4–3 5–1 8–0 4–0 2–2 1–2 6–0 6–1 3–1 12–0 4–0
Sandbach United 4–1 1–0 2–0 1–0 1–0 1–0 0–2 1–1 3–1 2–1 0–1 0–2 2–1 2–1 2–3 6–0 0–1
Shawbury United 0–6 2–3 0–3 0–3 2–1 1–1 0–5 1–3 1–3 3–2 2–0 0–2 1–0 2–6 1–1 1–3 2–5
Stafford Town 2–2 3–0 2–3 4–1 3–0 1–3 2–0 3–2 2–2 3–0 1–2 1–3 2–2 5–0 4–6 1–3 2–1
Stockpt Georgians 3–3 3–1 4–1 0–0 2–1 4–1 2–2 5–1 5–0 1–1 1–1 2–2 4–0 1–2 1–1 2–2 4–4
Telford Town 2–1 2–1 0–3 2–2 3–2 4–1 0–2 0–1 3–0 1–0 0–2 0–1 3–0 1–2 0–2 0–2 3–2
Wolverhampton C 1–2 4–1 3–1 3–0 0–2 2–0 1–3 2–0 3–0 0–0 0–3 1–3 1–2 1–4 0–3 1–2 0–5
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Source: NWCFL First Division South Results
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Promotion play-offs

The 2025–26 First Division South promotion play-offs, contested by the clubs that finished second to fifth position in the league table, were won by Stockport Georgians who had occupied fourth position in the division.

Semi-finals Final
            
2 Eccleshall 5
5 Stafford Town 1
2 Eccleshall 1 [a] (4 p) [b]
4 Stockport Georgians 1 [a] (5 p) [b]
3 New Mills 0
4 Stockport Georgians 1
  1. [a]
    After extra time played, score at 90 minutes: 1–1
  2. [b]
    Penalty shoot-out

Semifinals

25 April 2026 Eccleshall 5–1Stafford TownEccleshall
15:00 BST
  • Fishman 7'
  • Parker 10', 87'
  • Warren 42'
  • Lazenby 51'
 Report
  • Dunkley 50'
 Stadium: Pershall Park
Attendance: 323
Referee: Shaun Currall
25 April 2026 New Mills0–1 Stockport Georgians New Mills
15:00 BST Report
  • Kyobe 23'
 Stadium: Church Lane
Attendance: 465
Referee: James Gerring

Final

2 May 2026 Eccleshall1–1 (a.e.t.)
(4–5 p)		 Stockport Georgians Eccleshall
15:00 BST
  • Glover 10'
 Report
  • Winthrop 90+3'
 Stadium: Pershall Park
Attendance: 560
Referee: Kyle Rowlands
Penalties
  • football with check mark
  • football with check mark
  • football with check mark
  • football with red X
  • football with check mark
  • football with red X
  • football with check mark
  • football with check mark
  • football with check mark
  • football with check mark
  • football with red X
  • football with check mark

Stadia and locations

More information Team, Stadium ...
Team Stadium Location
Allscott HeathAllscott Sports & Social ClubAllscott
Alsager TownWood Park StadiumAlsager
AshvilleVilla ParkWallasey
BarntonTownfieldBarnton
Cammell Laird 1907KirklandsBirkenhead
Cheadle Heath NomadsThe HeathCheadle
EccleshallPershall ParkStafford
Foley MeirWhitcombe RoadStoke-on-Trent (Meir)
HaughmondShrewsbury Sports VillageShrewsbury
Market Drayton TownGreenfields Sports GroundMarket Drayton
New MillsChurch LaneHigh Peak
Runcorn TownViridor Community StadiumRuncorn
Sandbach UnitedSandbach Community Football CentreSandbach
Shawbury UnitedNew Meadow Community 3GShawbury
Stafford TownEvans ParkStafford
Stockport GeorgiansCromley RoadStockport (Woodsmoor)
Telford TownDRM Aggregates ArenaTelford
Wolverhampton CasualsBrinsford LaneWolverhampton
Wolverhampton SportingPride ParkGreat Wyrley
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League Challenge Cup

The 2025–26 NWCFL League Challenge Cup (known for sponsorship reasons as The Macron Cup) was open to all 61 clubs from the Premier and First Divisions North & South (indicated in the results listings below by '(PD)', '(FDN)' and '(FDS)' respectively). The final, played at Accrington Stanley F.C. and contested by Premier Division clubs, was won 3–1 by AFC Liverpool who defeated West Didsbury & Chorlton.[14]

The cup holders, Charnock Richard, together with the two highest-ranked clubs in the 2024–25 Premier Division that didn't achieve promotion, Ramsbottom United and Padiham, were allocated byes to the second round. For the first two rounds clubs were drawn into four regional groupings: Group 1 comprised sixteen all First Division South clubs; Group 2 included fifteen clubs one of whom, Padiham, were in receipt of a first round bye; Group 3 originally comprised fifteen clubs[15] including cup holders Charnock Richard with a first round bye however, owing to the non-participation of FC Isle of Man in the competition Maghull also passed directly to the second round; Group 4 comprised fifteen clubs including Ramsbottom United with a bye to the second round.[16]

First round

Tie Home team (division) Score Away team (division)
Group One
1Allscott Heath (FDS)2–1Alsager Town (FDS)
2Ashville (FDS)0–1Foley Meir (FDS)
3Eccleshall (FDS)3–1Market Drayton Town (FDS)
4Runcorn Town (FDS)1–0Barnton (FDS)
5Sandbach United (FDS)4–0Haughmond (FDS)
6Shawbury United (FDS)0–2Wolverhampton Casuals (FDS)
7Stafford Town (FDS)1–1 (4–5 p)Cammell Laird 1907 (FDS)
8Telford Town (FDS)7–1Wolverhampton Sporting (FDS)
Group Two
9Bacup Borough (FDN)0–0 (3–5 p)AFC Blackpool (FDN)
10Darwen (FDN)0–0 (3–4 p)Garstang (FDN)
11Euxton Villa (PD)5–0Holker Old Boys (FDN)
12Fulwood Amateurs (FDN)1–1 (3–4 p)Nelson (FDN)
13Longridge Town (PD)1–3Barnoldswick Town (PD)
14Squires Gate (FDN)2–4Colne (FDN)
15Thornton Cleveleys (FDN)4–0Steeton (FDN)
Group Three
16AFC Liverpool (PD)3–1South Liverpool (PD)
17Ashton Athletic (FDN)2–3FC St Helens (PD)
18Ashton Town (FDN)3–4City of Liverpool (PD)
19Daisy Hill (FDN)0–0 (2–4 p)Burscough (PD)
20Litherland REMYCA (PD)2–2 (2–4 p)MSB Woolton (FDN)
21Pilkington (PD)0–1Atherton Laburnum Rovers (PD)
Group Four
22Abbey Hey (PD)2–1Stockport Georgians (FDS)
23Cheadle Town (PD)3–2Glossop North End (PD)
24Droylsden (FDN)1–2Maine Road (FDN)
25Irlam (PD)0–3Chadderton (PD)
26Stockport Town (PD)2–3Prestwich Heys (PD)
27West Didsbury & Chorlton (PD)4–0Cheadle Heath Nomads (FDS)
28Wythenshawe (PD)1–2New Mills (FDS)

Second round

Tie Home team (division) Score Away team (division)
Group One
1Cammell Laird 1907 (FDS)3–2Wolverhampton Casuals (FDS)
2Eccleshall (FDS)1–3Telford Town (FDS)
3Foley Meir (FDS)0–5Sandbach United (FDS)
4Runcorn Town (FDS)1–0Allscott Heath (FDS)
Group Two
5AFC Blackpool (FDN)3–0Barnoldswick Town (PD)
6Colne (FDN)1–3Euxton Villa (PD)
7Garstang (FDN)2–3Thornton Cleveleys (FDN)
8Padiham (PD)0–6Nelson (FDN)
Group Three
9AFC Liverpool (PD)3–1Maghull (FDN)
10Atherton Laburnum Rovers (PD)1–1 (3–5 p)Burscough (PD)
11City of Liverpool (PD)2–2 (1–3 p)Charnock Richard (PD)
12FC St Helens (PD)0–2MSB Woolton (FDN)
Group Four
13New Mills (FDS)0–1Chadderton (PD)
14Maine Road (FDN)1–2Cheadle Town (PD)
15Ramsbottom United (PD)3–2Prestwich Heys (PD)
16West Didsbury & Chorlton (PD)4–0Abbey Hey (PD)

Third round

From this round onwards the competition was no longer organised in regional groups. The draw comprised 8 (from an initial 23 participating) Premier Division, 4 (from 18) First Division North and 4 (from 19) First Division South clubs.

Tie Home team (division) Score Away team (division)
1Burscough (PD)3–1AFC Blackpool (FDN)
2Cammell Laird 1907 (FDS)1–3AFC Liverpool (PD)
3Cheadle Town (PD)2–1Chadderton (PD)
4Euxton Villa (PD)3–3 (4–3 p)Charnock Richard (PD)
5MSB Woolton (FDN)0–5Thornton Cleveleys (FDN)
6Ramsbottom United (PD)1–2West Didsbury & Chorlton (PD)
7Sandbach United (FDS)1–3Nelson (FDN)
8Telford Town (FDS)4–0Runcorn Town (FDS)

Quarter-finals

The quarter-final draw comprised 5 Premier Division, 2 First Division North and 1 First Division South clubs. In the only all First Division level tie Nelson heavily defeated Telford Town 10–1.

Tie Home team (division) Score Away team (division)
1AFC Liverpool (PD)3–0Euxton Villa (PD)
2Burscough (PD)4–0Cheadle Town (PD)
3Nelson (FDN)10–1Telford Town (FDS)
4West Didsbury & Chorlton (PD)voidThornton Cleveleys (FDN)
Original match declared void after player eligibility dispute[17] (original result 1–1 (4–2 p) )
Replay
4West Didsbury & Chorlton (PD)4–1Thornton Cleveleys (FDN)

Semi-finals

The semi-final draw comprised 3 Premier Division and 1 First Division North clubs; two Premier Division clubs progressed to the final.

Tie Home team (division) Score Away team (division)
1AFC Liverpool (PD)3–1Nelson (FDN)
2Burscough (PD)0–0 (4–5 p)West Didsbury & Chorlton (PD)

Final

4 May 2026 (2026-05-04) AFC Liverpool (PD) 3–1 West Didsbury & Chorlton (PD) Accrington
15:00 BST
  • Taylor 48', 61'
  • Jones 85'
 Report
  • Elliot 66'
 Stadium: Accrington Stanley F.C., Wham Stadium (Crown Ground)
Attendance: 1,648

First Division Cup

The 2025–26 NWCFL First Division Cup (known as The Edward Case Cup, the name of the trophy) was open to all 37 clubs from the First Divisions North and South. The final, played at Euxton Villa F.C., was won 3–2 by Runcorn Town from the First Division South who defeated Darwen from the North division.[18]

Until the quarter-finals the competition was organised in North and South sections (per the divisions). It commenced with a preliminary round for ten clubs (4 North and 6 South First Division clubs) which comprised the four newly promoted and those with lowest league positions from the 2024–25 season.[19]

Preliminary round

Tie Home team Score Away team
North Group
1Steeton0–3Fulwood Amateurs
2MSB Woolton5–1Garstang
South Group
3Shawbury United1–3Wolverhampton Sporting
4Foley Meir3–2Allscott Heath
5Telford Town6–0Haughmond

First round

Tie Home team Score Away team
North Group
1Ashton Town4–1Fulwood Amateurs
2Bacup Borough1–0Holker Old Boys
3Daisy Hill2–0Ashton Athletic
4Darwen4–0Colne
5Droylsden1–3AFC Blackpool
6Nelson2–1MSB Woolton
7Squires Gate0–2Maghull
8Thornton Cleveleys1–2Maine Road
South Group
9Alsager Town2–4Sandbach United
10Ashville2–1Wolverhampton Casuals
11Foley Meir1–4Stockport Georgians
12New Mills2–3Cheadle Heath Nomads
13Runcorn Town1–1 (4–3 p)Cammell Laird 1907
14Stafford Town5–2Market Drayton Town
15Telford Town1–1 (4–3 p)Eccleshall
16Wolverhampton Sporting1–1 (2–4 p)

Barnton

Second round

Tie Home team Score Away team
North Group
1Ashton Town2–3Darwen
2Daisy Hillx–WNelson
Match awarded to Nelson (original result 3–2 to Daisy Hill)
3Maghull2–2 (5–4 p)Bacup Borough
4Maine Road0–0 (4–2 p)AFC Blackpool
South Group
5Barnton2–0Ashville
6Runcorn Town2–1Stafford Town
7Sandbach United2–1Cheadle Heath Nomads
8Telford Townx–WStockport Georgians
Match awarded to Stockport Georgians (original result 3–0 to Telford Town)

Quarter-finals

This round saw the end of the separation of clubs into North and South groups. Clubs from First Divisions North and South are indicated by '(N)' and '(S)' respectively in the results listings below.

Tie Home team (division) Score Away team (division)
1Barnton (S)2–2 (2–4 p)Darwen (N)
2Maghull (N)4–5Stockport Georgians (S)
3Nelson (N)1–1 (4–2 p)Maine Road (N)
4Sandbach United (S)1–2Runcorn Town (S)

Semi-finals

Both ties featured clubs from each of the North and South Divisions.

Tie Home team (division) Score Away team (division)
1Darwen (N)1–0Stockport Georgians (S)
2Nelson (N)0–2Runcorn Town (S)

Final

30 April 2026 (2026-04-30) Darwen (N) 2 – 3 Runcorn Town (S) Euxton
19:45 BST
  • Bruno De Almeida Severino 51'
  • Joshua Abbott 76'
 Report
  • Edward Burthem 54'
  • Connor Spiers 56'
  • Matthew Vickers 79'
 Stadium: Euxton Villa F.C. (Jim Fowler Memorial Ground)
Attendance: 414
Referee: Anthony Ross

First Division Champions Cup

The cup is contested as a single match between the winners of the First Division North and the First Division South and played at the ground of the club with the highest points from the season. The 2025–26 First Division Champions Cup winners were the First Division South champions Runcorn Town.

25 April 2026 (2026-04-25) Runcorn Town (S) 3 – 1 Nelson (N) Runcorn
15:00 BST
  • Edward Burthem 6'
  • Kieran Alley 37'
  • Liam Kennington 90+5' (pen.)
 Report
  • Max Cane 58'
 Stadium: Runcorn Town F.C. (Viridor Community Stadium)
Attendance: 133
Referee: Matthew Pointer

References

External links

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