2021–22 North West Counties Football League

The 2021–22 North West Counties Football League season was 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

North West Counties
Football League
Premier Division
Season2021–22
ChampionsMacclesfield
PromotedMacclesfield
Skelmersdale United
RelegatedRuncorn Town
Biggest home winCharnock Richard 9-1 Ashton Athletic (August 14)
Biggest away winWinsford United 1-7 Irlam (August 30), Vauxhall Motors 0-6 Macclesfield (February 22)
Highest scoringCharnock Richard 9-1 Ashton Athletic (August 14)
AFC Liverpool 4-6 Burscough (October 9)

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:

The following six clubs joined the Premier Division before the season:

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 (C, P) 40 29 7 4 94 38 +56 94 Promotion to the NPL Division One West
2 Skelmersdale United (O, P) 40 24 7 9 94 51 +43 79 Qualification for an inter-step play-off[a]
3 Wythenshawe Town 40 23 9 8 83 43 +40 78
4 Charnock Richard 40 24 6 10 106 69 +37 78
5 Northwich Victoria 40 19 6 15 74 64 +10 63
6 Avro 40 18 8 14 68 62 +6 62
7 Burscough 40 17 8 15 69 62 +7 59
8 Vauxhall Motors 40 18 5 17 63 77 −14 59
9 Congleton Town 40 16 10 14 67 54 +13 58
10 Irlam 40 17 6 17 62 68 −6 57
11 Winsford United 40 15 9 16 73 73 0 54
12 Longridge Town 40 15 7 18 74 83 −9 52
13 Padiham 40 13 11 16 57 65 −8 50
14 AFC Liverpool 40 13 10 17 80 80 0 49
15 Barnoldswick Town 40 11 14 15 63 72 −9 47
16 Prestwich Heys 40 13 6 21 59 79 −20 45
17 Squires Gate 40 10 14 16 52 65 −13 44
18 Ashton Athletic 40 11 10 19 65 97 −32 43
19 Lower Breck 40 12 6 22 63 89 −26 42
20 Litherland REMYCA 40 10 3 27 54 89 −35 33 Reprieve from relegation[b]
21 Runcorn Town (R) 40 5 12 23 53 93 −40 27 Relegation to Division One North
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[11]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ Contested a one-off inter-step play-off match as one of the bottom six runners-up from Step 5 with the most points per game (PPG) against a third-from-bottom club out of six from Step 4 with the fewest PPG. The winner rose to Step 4 for the 2022–23 season, while the loser dropped to Step 5.[8] If a runner-up did not meet the minimum participation criteria, a club in the next eligible position between second and seventh would have played instead.[9]
  2. ^ Reprieved as one of twelve clubs with the most PPG out of 16 that were second-from-bottom at Step 5.[10]

Inter-step play-offs

30 April 2022 Cinderford Town1–5 Skelmersdale United Causeway Ground, Cinderford
15:00 (UTC+01:00) Drew 80' Howard 33', 47', 88', 90+3'
Conteh 65'		 Attendance: 360

Stadia and locations

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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

North West Counties
Football League
Division One North
Season2021–22
ChampionsBury AFC
PromotedBury AFC
Golcar United
RelegatedSt Helens Town

Division One North comprises 19 clubs, 16 of which were in the division the previous season.

The following three clubs left Division One North before the season, three promoted to the Premier Division:

The following three clubs joined Division One North before the season:

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 Bury AFC (C, P) 36 27 8 1 92 32 +60 89 Promotion to the Premier Division
2 Holker Old Boys 36 24 6 6 74 35 +39 78 Qualification for the play-offs
3 Golcar United (O, P) 36 20 6 10 81 65 +16 66
4 AFC Blackpool 36 17 7 12 78 59 +19 58
5 Nelson 36 17 7 12 78 65 +13 58
6 Pilkington 36 16 8 12 76 78 −2 56
7 Bacup Borough 36 15 9 12 78 54 +24 54
8 Daisy Hill 36 15 6 15 69 66 +3 51
9 Cleator Moor Celtic 36 16 4 16 84 75 +9 49[a]
10 Garstang 36 12 13 11 76 70 +6 49
11 Chadderton 36 14 7 15 54 61 −7 49
12 Steeton 36 14 5 17 78 89 −11 47
13 South Liverpool 36 12 9 15 57 67 −10 45
14 Ashton Town 36 12 5 19 60 79 −19 41
15 Ilkley Town 36 12 4 20 73 73 0 40
16 Campion 36 11 7 18 69 75 −6 40 Transfer to the Northern Counties East League
17 AFC Darwen 36 12 3 21 68 92 −24 39 Reprieve from relegation[b]
18 Atherton LR 36 11 4 21 64 91 −27 37
19 St Helens Town (R) 36 4 4 28 55 138 −83 16 Relegation to the Liverpool County League
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[11]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ Cleator Moor Celtic were deducted 3 points for failing to field a side against Golcar United on 28 August 2021.
  2. ^ All third-from-bottom clubs at Step 6 were reprieved from relegation. The top 15 second-from-bottom sides were also reprieved on a PPG basis.[12]

Stadia and locations

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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

Division One South

North West Counties
Football League
Division One South
Season2021–22
ChampionsWest Didsbury & Chorlton
PromotedWest Didsbury & Chorlton
FC Isle of Man
RelegatedSt Martins

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:

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

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 West Didsbury & Chorlton (C, P) 38 28 7 3 114 29 +85 91 Promotion to the Premier Division
2 FC Isle of Man (O, P) 38 26 8 4 123 54 +69 86 Qualification for the play-offs
3 New Mills 38 25 9 4 112 44 +68 84
4 Abbey Hey 38 26 6 6 102 39 +63 84
5 Wythenshawe Amateurs 38 25 7 6 102 46 +56 82
6 Maine Road 38 19 5 14 99 63 +36 62
7 Cheadle Town 38 17 9 12 87 55 +32 60
8 Sandbach United 38 17 9 12 86 62 +24 60
9 Cheadle Heath Nomads 38 13 11 14 88 86 +2 50
10 Brocton 38 14 8 16 59 72 −13 50
11 Stockport Town 38 14 6 18 77 57 +20 48
12 Stafford Town 38 14 5 19 60 80 −20 47
13 Barnton 38 12 7 19 61 78 −17 43
14 Cammell Laird 38 12 7 19 58 88 −30 43
15 Ellesmere Rangers 38 11 9 18 73 88 −15 42
16 Abbey Hulton United 38 13 3 22 64 82 −18 42
17 Eccleshall 38 11 6 21 51 82 −31 39
18 Alsager Town 38 8 5 25 47 89 −42 29 Reprieve from relegation[a]
19 Rocester 38 8 5 25 48 94 −46 29
20 St Martins (R) 38 0 2 36 21 244 −223 2 Relegation to the Shropshire County League Premier Division
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[11]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ All third-from-bottom clubs at Step 6 were reprieved from relegation. The top 15 second-from-bottom sides were also reprieved on a PPG basis.[12]

Stadia and locations

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Locations of the 2021–22 North West Counties Football League Division One South teams
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 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

  1. ^ "FA Restructure Details Announced". nwcfl.com. 18 May 2021.
  2. ^ "Confirmation of 2021-22 Season Start Date". nwcfl.com. 8 April 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  3. ^ a b "League AGM 2021". nwcfl.com. 12 June 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  4. ^ "Coronavirus: All football below National League to end". BBC Sport. 26 March 2020. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  5. ^ "FA provides update on NLS Steps 3-6". The Football Association. 24 February 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  6. ^ "EXPLAINED: The 2021-22 Non-League restructure". The Non-League Paper. 12 April 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  7. ^ "Congleton Town Win Appeal". nwcfl.com. 24 June 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  8. ^ Miller, Pete. "Non League 21/22 Promotion and Relegation". Google Docs.
  9. ^ "Promotion and Relegation explained for the 2021-22 Season". nwcfl.com. 9 July 2021.
  10. ^ The FA: "12 clubs across Step 5 to be reprieved. Reprieves are based on those with the highest PPG, starting with 2nd from bottom Clubs first, then bottom. As it stands, this would be 12 of the 16 2nd from bottom Clubs."
  11. ^ a b c "The FA Handbook 2020/2021 Part 29 Standardised Rules Section 12.2". The FA.
  12. ^ a b Miller, Pete. "Non League 21/22 Promotion and Relegation: Step 6 Relegation". Google Docs.