The2023–24 North West Counties Football League season was the 42nd in the history of theNorth West Counties Football League, afootball competition inEngland. 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 byThe Football Association on 15 May 2023,[1] and were subject to appeals and FA ratification. Starting this season, the Premier Division (Step 5) in the league promotes two clubs; one as champions and one via a four-team play-off. This replaced the previous inter-step play-off system. For this season only, there was only one club relegated from the division.[2]
| Season | 2023–24 |
|---|---|
| Champions | Wythenshawe |
| Promoted | Wythenshawe Wythenshawe Town |
| Relegated | Skelmersdale United |
2024–25 → | |
The Premier Division comprises 24 teams.
The following seven clubs left the Premier Division before the season:
The following nine clubs joined the Premier Division before the season:
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wythenshawe(C, P) | 46 | 30 | 5 | 11 | 111 | 45 | +66 | 95 | Promotion to theNorthern Premier League |
| 2 | Wythenshawe Town(O, P) | 46 | 29 | 8 | 9 | 95 | 44 | +51 | 95 | Qualification for the play-offs |
| 3 | Bury | 46 | 29 | 8 | 9 | 108 | 50 | +58 | 92[a] | |
| 4 | Charnock Richard | 46 | 22 | 15 | 9 | 107 | 74 | +33 | 81 | |
| 5 | Padiham | 46 | 24 | 8 | 14 | 93 | 63 | +30 | 80 | |
| 6 | Kendal Town | 46 | 24 | 8 | 14 | 105 | 77 | +28 | 80 | Transfer to theNorthern League |
| 7 | Chadderton | 46 | 23 | 11 | 12 | 95 | 75 | +20 | 80 | |
| 8 | Prestwich Heys | 46 | 24 | 8 | 14 | 95 | 77 | +18 | 80 | |
| 9 | FC Isle of Man | 46 | 22 | 6 | 18 | 74 | 77 | −3 | 72 | |
| 10 | Lower Breck | 46 | 20 | 11 | 15 | 83 | 73 | +10 | 71 | |
| 11 | Colne | 46 | 21 | 8 | 17 | 97 | 67 | +30 | 71 | |
| 12 | Litherland REMYCA | 46 | 18 | 8 | 20 | 78 | 96 | −18 | 62 | |
| 13 | Irlam | 46 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 71 | 68 | +3 | 61 | |
| 14 | AFC Liverpool | 46 | 18 | 5 | 23 | 87 | 114 | −27 | 59 | |
| 15 | Cheadle Town | 46 | 18 | 6 | 22 | 75 | 92 | −17 | 57[b] | |
| 16 | West Didsbury & Chorlton | 46 | 14 | 12 | 20 | 73 | 84 | −11 | 54 | |
| 17 | Barnoldswick Town | 46 | 14 | 12 | 20 | 88 | 113 | −25 | 54 | |
| 18 | Ramsbottom United | 46 | 13 | 11 | 22 | 84 | 97 | −13 | 50 | |
| 19 | Longridge Town | 46 | 12 | 8 | 26 | 82 | 107 | −25 | 44 | |
| 20 | Burscough | 46 | 11 | 11 | 24 | 74 | 100 | −26 | 44 | |
| 21 | Glossop North End | 46 | 11 | 10 | 25 | 64 | 83 | −19 | 43 | |
| 22 | Pilkington | 46 | 11 | 10 | 25 | 56 | 97 | −41 | 43 | |
| 23 | Squires Gate | 46 | 12 | 6 | 28 | 74 | 119 | −45 | 42 | |
| 24 | Skelmersdale United(R) | 46 | 9 | 5 | 32 | 54 | 131 | −77 | 32 | Relegation toDivision One North |
| Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||
| 2 | Wythenshawe Town | 1 | |||||||
| 5 | Padiham | 0 | |||||||
| 2 | Wythenshawe Town | 1 (3) | |||||||
| 3 | Bury | 1 (2) | |||||||
| 3 | Bury | 1 | |||||||
| 4 | Charnock Richard | 0 | |||||||
| 30 April | Wythenshawe Town | 1–0 | Padiham | Wythenshawe |
| 19:45 |
| Report | Stadium:Ericstan Stadium Attendance: 658 |
| 30 April | Bury | 1–0 | Charnock Richard | Bury |
| 19:45 |
| Report | Stadium:Gigg Lane Attendance: 4,099 |
| 4 May | Wythenshawe Town | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (3–2p) | Bury | Wythenshawe |
| 15:00 |
| Report |
| Stadium:Ericstan Stadium Attendance: 1,320 |
| Team | Stadium |
|---|---|
| AFC Liverpool | Rossett Park,Crosby (groundshare withMarine) |
| Barnoldswick Town | Greenberfield Lane |
| Burscough | Victoria Park |
| Bury | Gigg Lane |
| Chadderton | MCA Stadium |
| Charnock Richard | Mossie Park |
| Cheadle Town | Park Road Stadium |
| Colne | Holt House |
| Glossop North End | Surrey Street |
| FC Isle of Man | The Bowl,Douglas |
| Irlam | Silver Street |
| Kendal Town | Parkside Road |
| Litherland REMYCA | Litherland Sports Park |
| Longridge Town | Mike Riding Ground |
| Lower Breck | Anfield Sports and Community Centre |
| Padiham | Arbories Memorial Sports Ground |
| Pilkington | Ruskin Drive Sportsground |
| Prestwich Heys | Adie Moran Park |
| Ramsbottom United | Harry Williams Riverside Stadium |
| Skelmersdale United | The Community Ground, Burscough |
| Squires Gate | School Road |
| West Didsbury & Chorlton | Brookburn Road,Chorlton |
| Wythenshawe | Hollyhedge Park |
| Wythenshawe Town | Ericstan Stadium |
| Season | 2023–24 |
|---|---|
| Champions | FC St Helens |
| Promoted | FC St Helens South Liverpool |
2024–25 → | |
Division One North comprises 18 clubs.
The following three clubs left Division One North before the season:
The following three clubs joined Division One North before the season:
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FC St Helens(C, P) | 34 | 24 | 5 | 5 | 81 | 36 | +45 | 77 | Promotion to thePremier Division |
| 2 | Atherton LR | 34 | 21 | 5 | 8 | 75 | 44 | +31 | 68 | Qualification for the play-offs |
| 3 | Ashton Town | 34 | 20 | 5 | 9 | 84 | 51 | +33 | 65 | |
| 4 | Euxton Villa | 34 | 20 | 3 | 11 | 74 | 44 | +30 | 63 | |
| 5 | South Liverpool(O, P) | 34 | 19 | 6 | 9 | 69 | 49 | +20 | 63 | |
| 6 | Ilkley Town | 34 | 18 | 8 | 8 | 67 | 53 | +14 | 62 | Transfer to theNorthern Counties East League |
| 7 | Holker Old Boys | 34 | 19 | 4 | 11 | 78 | 53 | +25 | 61 | |
| 8 | Route One Rovers | 34 | 19 | 1 | 14 | 91 | 81 | +10 | 58 | |
| 9 | Darwen | 34 | 14 | 8 | 12 | 76 | 71 | +5 | 50 | |
| 10 | Bacup Borough | 34 | 13 | 6 | 15 | 66 | 60 | +6 | 45 | |
| 11 | Ashton Athletic | 34 | 12 | 7 | 15 | 62 | 63 | −1 | 43 | |
| 12 | Daisy Hill | 34 | 10 | 5 | 19 | 42 | 59 | −17 | 35 | |
| 13 | Runcorn Town | 34 | 10 | 5 | 19 | 48 | 78 | −30 | 34[a] | Transfer to Division One South |
| 14 | Steeton | 34 | 9 | 5 | 20 | 40 | 68 | −28 | 32 | |
| 15 | AFC Blackpool | 34 | 9 | 3 | 22 | 51 | 78 | −27 | 30 | |
| 16 | Garstang | 34 | 7 | 7 | 20 | 57 | 95 | −38 | 28 | |
| 17 | Shelley | 34 | 8 | 4 | 22 | 38 | 81 | −43 | 28 | Transfer to theNorthern Counties East League |
| 18 | Nelson | 34 | 8 | 5 | 21 | 44 | 79 | −35 | 26[b] | Reprieve from relegation |
| Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||
| 2 | Atherton LR | 0 | |||||||
| 5 | South Liverpool | 1 | |||||||
| 3 | Ashton Town | 0 (1) | |||||||
| 5 | South Liverpool | 0 (3) | |||||||
| 3 | Ashton Town | 4 | |||||||
| 4 | Euxton Villa | 3 | |||||||
| 20 April | Atherton LR | 0–1 | South Liverpool | Atherton |
| 15:00 | Report | Stadium:Crilly Park Attendance: 226 |
| 20 April | Ashton Town | 4–3 | Euxton Villa | Ashton-in-Makerfield |
| 15:00 |
| Report | Stadium:Edge Green Street Attendance: 604 |
| 27 April | Ashton Town | 0–0 (1–3p) | South Liverpool | Ashton-in-Makerfield |
| 15:00 | Report | Stadium:Edge Green Street Attendance: 1,075 |
| Team | Stadium |
|---|---|
| AFC Blackpool | The Mechanics |
| Ashton Athletic | Brockstedes Park |
| Ashton Town | Edge Green Street |
| Atherton Laburnum Rovers | Crilly Park |
| Bacup Borough | West View |
| Daisy Hill | New Sirs,Westhoughton |
| Darwen | The Anchor Ground |
| Euxton Villa | Jim Fowler Memorial Ground |
| FC St Helens | Windleshaw Sports |
| Garstang | The Riverside |
| Holker Old Boys | Rakesmoor Lane,Barrow-in-Furness |
| Ilkley Town | MPM Lane |
| Nelson | Victoria Park |
| Route One Rovers | Marley Stadium |
| Runcorn Town | Pavilions Sports Complex |
| Shelley | Storthes Hall Park |
| South Liverpool | Jericho Lane |
| Steeton | Marley Stadium |
| Season | 2023–24 |
|---|---|
| Champions | Brocton |
| Promoted | Brocton Abbey Hey |
2024–25 → | |
Division One South comprises 18 clubs.
The following five clubs left Division One South before the season:
The following three clubs joined Division One South before the season:
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brocton(C, P) | 34 | 25 | 3 | 6 | 96 | 30 | +66 | 78 | Promotion to theMidland League |
| 2 | Stockport Town(P) | 34 | 21 | 9 | 4 | 78 | 42 | +36 | 72 | Qualification for the play-offs, then promotion to the Premier Division |
| 3 | Sandbach United | 34 | 20 | 5 | 9 | 75 | 51 | +24 | 65 | Qualification for the play-offs |
| 4 | Abbey Hey(O, P) | 34 | 18 | 8 | 8 | 68 | 55 | +13 | 62 | Promotion to the Premier Division |
| 5 | Droylsden | 34 | 18 | 4 | 12 | 75 | 59 | +16 | 58 | Qualification for the play-offs, then transfer to Division One North |
| 6 | Cheadle Heath Nomads | 34 | 14 | 7 | 13 | 60 | 59 | +1 | 49 | |
| 7 | Barnton | 34 | 14 | 6 | 14 | 46 | 48 | −2 | 48 | |
| 8 | Abbey Hulton United | 34 | 13 | 6 | 15 | 56 | 69 | −13 | 45 | |
| 9 | Eccleshall | 34 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 51 | 60 | −9 | 44 | |
| 10 | Maine Road | 34 | 13 | 5 | 16 | 58 | 72 | −14 | 44 | Transfer to Division One North |
| 11 | Stafford Town | 34 | 12 | 6 | 16 | 61 | 67 | −6 | 42 | |
| 12 | Alsager Town | 34 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 59 | 53 | +6 | 41 | |
| 13 | Cammell Laird | 34 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 56 | 66 | −10 | 41 | |
| 14 | Stockport Georgians | 34 | 11 | 7 | 16 | 46 | 59 | −13 | 40 | |
| 15 | Ashville | 34 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 44 | 53 | −9 | 38 | |
| 16 | New Mills | 34 | 10 | 6 | 18 | 59 | 77 | −18 | 36 | |
| 17 | Winsford United | 34 | 9 | 1 | 24 | 53 | 78 | −25 | 28 | |
| 18 | Market Drayton Town | 34 | 8 | 3 | 23 | 47 | 90 | −43 | 27 |
| Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||
| 2 | Stockport Town | 1 | |||||||
| 5 | Droylsden | 0 | |||||||
| 2 | Stockport Town | 1 (1) | |||||||
| 4 | Abbey Hey | 1 (4) | |||||||
| 3 | Sandbach United | 1 | |||||||
| 4 | Abbey Hey | 3 | |||||||
| 20 April | Stockport Town | 1–0 | Droylsden | Woodley |
| 15:00 |
| Report | Stadium:Stockport Sports Village Attendance: 690 |
| 20 April | Sandbach United | 1–3 | Abbey Hey | Sandbach |
| 15:00 |
| Report | Stadium:Sandbach Community Football Centre Attendance: 514 |
| 27 April | Stockport Town | 1–1 (1–4p) | Abbey Hey | Woodley |
| 15:00 |
| Report |
| Stadium:Stockport Sports Village Attendance: 904 |
| Team | Stadium |
|---|---|
| Abbey Hey | The Abbey Stadium,Gorton |
| Abbey Hulton United | Birches Head Road |
| Alsager Town | Wood Park Stadium |
| Ashville | Villa Park,Wallasey |
| Barnton | Townfield |
| Brocton | Silkmore Lane |
| Cammell Laird 1907 | Kirklands,Birkenhead |
| Cheadle Heath Nomads | The Heath |
| Droylsden | Butcher's Arms Ground |
| Eccleshall | Pershall Park |
| Maine Road | Brantingham Road,Chorlton |
| Market Drayton Town | Greenfields Sports Ground |
| New Mills | Church Lane |
| Sandbach United | Sandbach Community Football Centre |
| Stafford Town | Evans Park |
| Stockport Georgians | Cromley Road |
| Stockport Town | Stockport Sports Village |
| Winsford United | Barton Stadium |
