Cheshire County League
Encyclopedia
The Cheshire County League was a football league founded in the north west of England in 1919, drawing its teams largely from Cheshire
, surrounding English counties and North Wales
.
Initially the league was dominated by the reserve teams of Football League clubs, but as the Central League
became established for these teams, the non-league clubs won every title after 1938.
The outbreak of World War II
in 1939 led to the league being split into Eastern and Western sections with the winners of each playing for the overall championship in 1939–40, with the league then closing down for the duration of the combat until re-starting in 1945.
In 1968 the league lost several clubs to the newly formed Northern Premier League
. Despite this the league expanded in 1978 by adding a Division Two, but in 1982 the league ceased to exist after it merged with the Lancashire Combination
to form the North West Counties Football League
.
the previous season.
1920 the League expanded by adding 6 clubs, Ashton National, Congleton Town, Connah's Quay & Shotton, Sandbach Ramblers, Stalybridge Celtic reserves and Tranmere Rovers reserves, the last 2 from the Lancashire Combination
.
1921 Chrichton's Ath changed their name to Saltney Ath. The League extended by 2 clubs, adding Ellesmere Port Cement and Whitchurch. Stockport County reserves replaced Monk's Hall in mid-season.
1922 Middlewich replaced Connah's Quay and Shotton.
1923 Stalybridge Celtic, having resigned from the Football League, replaced their reserves, and Saltney Ath. also departed. The League extended to 22 clubs by admitting Hurst, Wallasey Utd and Port Vale
reserves.
1924 Manchester North End and Ellesmere Port Town replaced Wallasey Utd and Stockport County reserves.
1925 Eccles Utd, from the Lancashire Combination, replaced Ellesmere Port Cement.
1927 Stockport County reserves returned, replacing Ellesmere Port Town.
1928 Stockport County reserves and Eccles Utd. left, reducing the League to 20 clubs.
1929 Connah's Quay & Shotton and Manchester Central joined, bringing membership back to 22.
1930 Hyde United, champions of the Manchester League elected to replace Middlewich.
1931 Chester were elected to the Football League, and were replaced by their reserves. Connah's Quay & Shotton folded in mid-season.
1932 Buxton from the Manchester League and Wigan Athletic, a newly formed club, joined, with Manchester Central leaving.
1933 Prescot Cables joined from the Lancashire Combination, and Stockport County reserves re-entered, while Whitchurch left, as did Port Vale reserves who joined the Birmingham League.
1934 Port Vale reserves returned, replacing Sandbach Ramblers.
1936 Prescot Cables returned to the Lancashire Combination, and were replaced by Rhyl from the Birmingham League.
1938 Wellington Town replaced Nantwich.
1939 Wartime football of two split half-seasons saw Tranmere, Crewe, Wellington, Congleton, Port Vale, Rhyl and Manchester North End fail to complete, with Droylsden joining from the Lancashire Combination to make numbers up to 16 (2 divisions of 8 (East/West)). The second half-season saw the arrival of South Liverpool, replacing Buxton and Stockport County. Macclesfield moved from West division to East, which ran with 7 clubs.
1945 When the League restarted after the war, the membership comprised the following 20 clubs: Buxton, Chester reserves, Crewe Alexandra reserves, Droylsden, Hurst (name changed to Ashton Utd.), Hyde United, Mossley, Northwich Vics., Oldham Ath reserves, Port Vale reserves, Rhyl, Runcorn, South Liverpool, Stalybridge Celtic, Stockport County reserves, Tranmere Rovers reserves, Wellington Town, Wigan Ath., Witton Alb., Wrexham reserves.
1946 The league returned to 22 clubs with the returns of Altrincham, Macclesfield and Congleton Town, and the departure of Oldham Athletic reserves.
1947 Winsford Utd. returned, replacing Wigan Ath., who joined the Lancashire Combination.
1948 Ashton Utd. joined the Lancashire Combination and were replaced by Ellesmere Port Town.
1950 Droylsden joined the Lancashire Combination and were replaced by Bangor City from the Lancashire Combination.
1952 Stafford Rangers from the Birmingham Combination
replaced South Liverpool, who returned to the Lancashire Combination.
1958 Stockport County reserves left and Wellington Town joined the Southern League
.
1959 Oswestry Town from the Birmingham League, and Wigan Rovers replaced Port Vale reserves and Crewe Alexandra reserves.
1960 Membership returned to 22 clubs with the admission of Frickley Colliery from the Midland League and Sankeys (Wellington).
1961 Wigan Rovers left and were replaced by Wigan Athletic from the Lancashire Combination.
1965 Stockport County reserves re-entered, and New Brighton (from the Lancashire Combination replaced Sankeys (Wellington) (to the Birmingham League), and Congleton Town (to the Manchester League).
1968 Seven Cheshire League clubs became founder members of the Northern Premier League
. These were Macclesfield Town, Altrincham, Bangor City, Northwich Vics., Wigan Athletic, Hyde United, and Runcorn. Wrexham reserves and Stockport County reserves also left. Membership was brought up to 20 by admitting Skelmersdale United, Guinness Exports, Horwich RMI, Droylsden and Ashton Utd. all from the Lancashire Combination, and Nantwich Town and Sandbach Ramblers from the Mid-Cheshire League.
1969 Stafford Rangers join the NPL
and Chester reserves resign, replaced by Marine
fom the Lancashire Combination, and Port Vale reserves.
1970 Guinness Exports change their name to Ormskirk. Hyde United return from the NPL, Burscough and Rossendale United join from the Lancashire Combination, along with Oldham Athletic reserves. Tranmere Rovers reserves leave and Frickley Colliery rejoin the Midland League.
1971 Port Vale reserves leave again, and both Skelmersdale United and Ellesmere Port Town join the NPL. The replacements are Formby, from the Liverpool Combination
, and Prestwich Heys and Radcliffe Borough both from the Manchester League.
1972 Mossley joined the NPL, with Chorley moving in the opposite direction.
1973 Champions Buxton joined the NPL, and Leek Town joined from the Manchester League.
1974 Ormskirk folded, and were replaced by New Mills from the Manchester League.
1975 Sandbach Ramblers folded, Oldham Athletic reserves left and Oswestry Town joined the Southern League. They were replaced by Middlewich Athletic from the Mid-Cheshire League, and Darwen and St Helens Town, both from the Lancashire Combination.
1978 The League added a second division to which Prestwich Heys are immediately relegated, to be replaced by the newly formed Fleetwood Town. Kirkby was an original second-division team; it was promoted to Division 1 in 1980, but relegated the following season.
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
, surrounding English counties and North Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
.
Initially the league was dominated by the reserve teams of Football League clubs, but as the Central League
Central League (football)
The Central League , is a football league in England for reserve teams primarily of Football League clubs in the Midlands and North of England....
became established for these teams, the non-league clubs won every title after 1938.
The outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in 1939 led to the league being split into Eastern and Western sections with the winners of each playing for the overall championship in 1939–40, with the league then closing down for the duration of the combat until re-starting in 1945.
In 1968 the league lost several clubs to the newly formed Northern Premier League
Northern Premier League
The Northern Premier League, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the Football Conference featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England, and the northern areas of the Midlands. Originally just one...
. Despite this the league expanded in 1978 by adding a Division Two, but in 1982 the league ceased to exist after it merged with the Lancashire Combination
Lancashire Combination
The Lancashire Combination was a football league founded in the North West of England in 1891–92. It absorbed the Lancashire League in 1903. In 1968 the Combination lost five of its clubs to the newly formed Northern Premier League...
to form the North West Counties Football League
North West Counties Football League
The North West Counties Football League is a football league in North west of England. As of 2011, the league covers Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Southern Cumbria, Northern Staffordshire, the High Peak area of Derbyshire, and the far west of West Yorkshire. In the past, the...
.
League champions
| Season | Champions |
|---|---|
| 1919–20 | Runcorn |
| 1920–21 | Winsford United Winsford United F.C. Winsford United Football Club is a semi-professional football club based in Winsford, Cheshire, England. The club was founded in 1883 and is nicknamed The Blues... |
| 1921–22 | Chester Chester City F.C. Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the... |
| 1922–23 | Crewe Alexandra Crewe Alexandra F.C. Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club... reserves |
| 1923–24 | Crewe Alexandra Crewe Alexandra F.C. Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club... reserves |
| 1924–25 | Port Vale Port Vale F.C. Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as... reserves |
| 1925–26 | Chester Chester City F.C. Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the... |
| 1926–27 | Chester Chester City F.C. Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the... |
| 1927–28 | Port Vale Port Vale F.C. Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as... reserves |
| 1928–29 | Port Vale Port Vale F.C. Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as... reserves |
| 1929–30 | Port Vale Port Vale F.C. Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as... reserves |
| 1930–31 | Port Vale Port Vale F.C. Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as... reserves |
| 1931–32 | Macclesfield Macclesfield Town F.C. Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium... |
| 1932–33 | Macclesfield Macclesfield Town F.C. Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium... |
| 1933–34 | Wigan Athletic Wigan Athletic F.C. Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW... |
| 1934–35 | Wigan Athletic Wigan Athletic F.C. Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW... |
| 1935–36 | Wigan Athletic Wigan Athletic F.C. Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW... |
| 1936–37 | Runcorn |
| 1937–38 | Tranmere Rovers Tranmere Rovers F.C. Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system... reserves |
| 1938–39 | Runcorn |
| 1939–40 | Runcorn |
| 1940–45 | No competition due to World War II World War II World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis... |
| 1945–46 | Wellington Town Telford United F.C. Telford United F.C. was an English football club based in Telford, Shropshire.The club existed under various names for a total of 132 years from its formation in 1872. The club was founder members of the Alliance Premier League in 1979 and played at this level for 25 years before being wound up in... |
| 1946–47 | Wellington Town Telford United F.C. Telford United F.C. was an English football club based in Telford, Shropshire.The club existed under various names for a total of 132 years from its formation in 1872. The club was founder members of the Alliance Premier League in 1979 and played at this level for 25 years before being wound up in... |
| 1947–48 | Rhyl Rhyl F.C. Rhyl Football Club is a Welsh football club, playing in the Cymru Alliance.The club was founded in 1882 and the team plays its home matches at Belle Vue, Rhyl, which can accommodate 3,000 spectators.- History :Few clubs in the Welsh Premier League have as distinguished a past as Rhyl's... |
| 1948–49 | Witton Albion Witton Albion F.C. Witton Albion F.C. are a football club based in Northwich, England. They were founded in 1887. They have won the Cheshire Senior Cup 11 times since 1902. Their most recent success in this competition was in 2006, when they defeated Stalybridge Celtic in the final. They have also reached the FA Cup... |
| 1949–50 | Witton Albion Witton Albion F.C. Witton Albion F.C. are a football club based in Northwich, England. They were founded in 1887. They have won the Cheshire Senior Cup 11 times since 1902. Their most recent success in this competition was in 2006, when they defeated Stalybridge Celtic in the final. They have also reached the FA Cup... |
| 1950–51 | Rhyl Rhyl F.C. Rhyl Football Club is a Welsh football club, playing in the Cymru Alliance.The club was founded in 1882 and the team plays its home matches at Belle Vue, Rhyl, which can accommodate 3,000 spectators.- History :Few clubs in the Welsh Premier League have as distinguished a past as Rhyl's... |
| 1951–52 | Wellington Town Telford United F.C. Telford United F.C. was an English football club based in Telford, Shropshire.The club existed under various names for a total of 132 years from its formation in 1872. The club was founder members of the Alliance Premier League in 1979 and played at this level for 25 years before being wound up in... |
| 1952–53 | Macclesfield Town Macclesfield Town F.C. Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium... |
| 1953–54 | Witton Albion Witton Albion F.C. Witton Albion F.C. are a football club based in Northwich, England. They were founded in 1887. They have won the Cheshire Senior Cup 11 times since 1902. Their most recent success in this competition was in 2006, when they defeated Stalybridge Celtic in the final. They have also reached the FA Cup... |
| 1954–55 | Hyde United |
| 1955–56 | Hyde United |
| 1956–57 | Northwich Victoria Northwich Victoria F.C. Northwich Victoria Football Club are an English football club who play at the Victoria Stadium in Wincham, Northwich, Cheshire in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, the seventh tier of the English football league system.Northwich are an old club, founded in 1874 and named in honour of... |
| 1957–58 | Ellesmere Port Town Ellesmere Port Town F.C. Ellesmere Port Town F.C. were an English football club from the town of Ellesmere Port, The Wirral.-History:The club was originally formed in 1924 as Ellesmere Port F.C. and joined the Cheshire County League. After three season, in which they finished bottom twice, the club folded. They reformed as... |
| 1958–59 | Ellesmere Port Town Ellesmere Port Town F.C. Ellesmere Port Town F.C. were an English football club from the town of Ellesmere Port, The Wirral.-History:The club was originally formed in 1924 as Ellesmere Port F.C. and joined the Cheshire County League. After three season, in which they finished bottom twice, the club folded. They reformed as... |
| 1959–60 | Ellesmere Port Town Ellesmere Port Town F.C. Ellesmere Port Town F.C. were an English football club from the town of Ellesmere Port, The Wirral.-History:The club was originally formed in 1924 as Ellesmere Port F.C. and joined the Cheshire County League. After three season, in which they finished bottom twice, the club folded. They reformed as... |
| 1960–61 | Macclesfield Town Macclesfield Town F.C. Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium... |
| 1961–62 | Ellesmere Port Town Ellesmere Port Town F.C. Ellesmere Port Town F.C. were an English football club from the town of Ellesmere Port, The Wirral.-History:The club was originally formed in 1924 as Ellesmere Port F.C. and joined the Cheshire County League. After three season, in which they finished bottom twice, the club folded. They reformed as... |
| 1962–63 | Runcorn |
| 1963–64 | Macclesfield Town Macclesfield Town F.C. Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium... |
| 1964–65 | Wigan Athletic Wigan Athletic F.C. Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW... |
| 1965–66 | Altrincham Altrincham F.C. Altrincham Football Club is an English association football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Conference North, having been relegated from the Conference National at the end of the 2010–11 season.-History:... |
| 1966–67 | Altrincham Altrincham F.C. Altrincham Football Club is an English association football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Conference North, having been relegated from the Conference National at the end of the 2010–11 season.-History:... |
| 1967–68 | Macclesfield Town Macclesfield Town F.C. Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium... |
| 1968–69 | Skelmersdale United Skelmersdale United F.C. Skelmersdale United F.C. are a football club from Skelmersdale, West Lancashire competing in the Northern Premier League Division One North. The club is a member of both the Liverpool F.A. and the Lancashire County Football Association.-The first 75 years:... |
| 1969–70 | Skelmersdale United Skelmersdale United F.C. Skelmersdale United F.C. are a football club from Skelmersdale, West Lancashire competing in the Northern Premier League Division One North. The club is a member of both the Liverpool F.A. and the Lancashire County Football Association.-The first 75 years:... |
| 1970–71 | Rossendale United Rossendale United F.C. Rossendale United F.C. was an English football club based in Newchurch, near Rawtenstall, Lancashire. The club was formed in 1898 but was expelled from the North West Counties League Premier Division on 18 June 2011.... |
| 1971–72 | Rhyl Rhyl F.C. Rhyl Football Club is a Welsh football club, playing in the Cymru Alliance.The club was founded in 1882 and the team plays its home matches at Belle Vue, Rhyl, which can accommodate 3,000 spectators.- History :Few clubs in the Welsh Premier League have as distinguished a past as Rhyl's... |
| 1972–73 | Buxton Buxton F.C. Buxton Football Club are an English football club based in Buxton, Derbyshire. They were established in 1877 and joined the Combination League in 1891. They then joined the Manchester League in 1899 and won the championship in 1932. They reached the 3rd round of the FA Cup in the 1951-52 season.... |
| 1973–74 | Marine Marine F.C. Marine Football Club is an English football club in Crosby, Merseyside. The club, which was founded in 1894, is a member of both the Liverpool County and Lancashire County Football Associations, and currently plays in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.Marine is notable for having the... |
| 1974–75 | Leek Town Leek Town F.C. Leek Town Football Club is an English football club based in Leek, Staffordshire, currently playing in the Northern Premier League Division One South... |
| 1975–76 | Marine Marine F.C. Marine Football Club is an English football club in Crosby, Merseyside. The club, which was founded in 1894, is a member of both the Liverpool County and Lancashire County Football Associations, and currently plays in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.Marine is notable for having the... |
| 1976–77 | Winsford United Winsford United F.C. Winsford United Football Club is a semi-professional football club based in Winsford, Cheshire, England. The club was founded in 1883 and is nicknamed The Blues... |
| 1977–78 | Marine Marine F.C. Marine Football Club is an English football club in Crosby, Merseyside. The club, which was founded in 1894, is a member of both the Liverpool County and Lancashire County Football Associations, and currently plays in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.Marine is notable for having the... |
| 1978–79 | Horwich RMI Leigh RMI F.C. Leigh Genesis Football Club, formerly known as Horwich Railway Mechanics Institute F.C. and Leigh Railway Mechanics Institute F.C. , was an English semi-professional association football team that folded after relegation from the Northern Premier League in 2011... |
| 1979–80 | Stalybridge Celtic Stalybridge Celtic F.C. Stalybridge Celtic are an English full time professional football club from Stalybridge, Greater Manchester in North West England. The club, which plays its home matches at Bower Fold, is currently in the Conference North in the sixth tier of the English football league system... |
| 1980–81 | Nantwich Town Nantwich Town F.C. Nantwich Town Football Club is a semi-professional football club based in Nantwich, Cheshire, England. The club was founded in 1884 and is nicknamed The Dabbers. The club is currently a member of the Northern Premier League Premier Division, with home matches played at the Weaver Stadium.Nantwich... |
| 1981–82 | Hyde United |
Division Two Champions
| Season | Champions |
|---|---|
| 1978–79 | Bootle Bootle F.C. Bootle Football Club is an English football club based in Bootle, Merseyside. The club are currently members of the North West Counties League Premier Division and play at New Bucks Park.-Previous clubs in Bootle:... |
| 1979–80 | Prescot Town Prescot Cables F.C. Prescot Cables F.C. is a football club based in Prescot, Merseyside. It was established in 1884 and has also been known as Prescot and Prescot Town... |
| 1980–81 | Accrington Stanley Accrington Stanley F.C. Accrington Stanley is an English association football club from Accrington in Lancashire, in the North West of England, who play in Football League Two, the fourth-highest division in the English football league system.... |
| 1981–82 | Congleton Town Congleton Town F.C. Congleton Town F.C. is a football club based in Congleton, Cheshire, England. They currently play in the North West Counties Football League Premier Division and are full members of the Cheshire County Football Association... |
Membership History
Founder members of the League in 1919 were Altrincham, Chester, Crewe Alexandra reserves, Crichtons Athletic, Macclesfield, Monks Hall, Mossley, Nantwich, Northwich Vics, Runcorn, Winsford Utd & Witton Albion. Altrincham, Mossley, Northwich and Witton had been members of the Lancashire CombinationLancashire Combination
The Lancashire Combination was a football league founded in the North West of England in 1891–92. It absorbed the Lancashire League in 1903. In 1968 the Combination lost five of its clubs to the newly formed Northern Premier League...
the previous season.
1920 the League expanded by adding 6 clubs, Ashton National, Congleton Town, Connah's Quay & Shotton, Sandbach Ramblers, Stalybridge Celtic reserves and Tranmere Rovers reserves, the last 2 from the Lancashire Combination
Lancashire Combination
The Lancashire Combination was a football league founded in the North West of England in 1891–92. It absorbed the Lancashire League in 1903. In 1968 the Combination lost five of its clubs to the newly formed Northern Premier League...
.
1921 Chrichton's Ath changed their name to Saltney Ath. The League extended by 2 clubs, adding Ellesmere Port Cement and Whitchurch. Stockport County reserves replaced Monk's Hall in mid-season.
1922 Middlewich replaced Connah's Quay and Shotton.
1923 Stalybridge Celtic, having resigned from the Football League, replaced their reserves, and Saltney Ath. also departed. The League extended to 22 clubs by admitting Hurst, Wallasey Utd and Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
reserves.
1924 Manchester North End and Ellesmere Port Town replaced Wallasey Utd and Stockport County reserves.
1925 Eccles Utd, from the Lancashire Combination, replaced Ellesmere Port Cement.
1927 Stockport County reserves returned, replacing Ellesmere Port Town.
1928 Stockport County reserves and Eccles Utd. left, reducing the League to 20 clubs.
1929 Connah's Quay & Shotton and Manchester Central joined, bringing membership back to 22.
1930 Hyde United, champions of the Manchester League elected to replace Middlewich.
1931 Chester were elected to the Football League, and were replaced by their reserves. Connah's Quay & Shotton folded in mid-season.
1932 Buxton from the Manchester League and Wigan Athletic, a newly formed club, joined, with Manchester Central leaving.
1933 Prescot Cables joined from the Lancashire Combination, and Stockport County reserves re-entered, while Whitchurch left, as did Port Vale reserves who joined the Birmingham League.
1934 Port Vale reserves returned, replacing Sandbach Ramblers.
1936 Prescot Cables returned to the Lancashire Combination, and were replaced by Rhyl from the Birmingham League.
1938 Wellington Town replaced Nantwich.
1939 Wartime football of two split half-seasons saw Tranmere, Crewe, Wellington, Congleton, Port Vale, Rhyl and Manchester North End fail to complete, with Droylsden joining from the Lancashire Combination to make numbers up to 16 (2 divisions of 8 (East/West)). The second half-season saw the arrival of South Liverpool, replacing Buxton and Stockport County. Macclesfield moved from West division to East, which ran with 7 clubs.
1945 When the League restarted after the war, the membership comprised the following 20 clubs: Buxton, Chester reserves, Crewe Alexandra reserves, Droylsden, Hurst (name changed to Ashton Utd.), Hyde United, Mossley, Northwich Vics., Oldham Ath reserves, Port Vale reserves, Rhyl, Runcorn, South Liverpool, Stalybridge Celtic, Stockport County reserves, Tranmere Rovers reserves, Wellington Town, Wigan Ath., Witton Alb., Wrexham reserves.
1946 The league returned to 22 clubs with the returns of Altrincham, Macclesfield and Congleton Town, and the departure of Oldham Athletic reserves.
1947 Winsford Utd. returned, replacing Wigan Ath., who joined the Lancashire Combination.
1948 Ashton Utd. joined the Lancashire Combination and were replaced by Ellesmere Port Town.
1950 Droylsden joined the Lancashire Combination and were replaced by Bangor City from the Lancashire Combination.
1952 Stafford Rangers from the Birmingham Combination
Birmingham Combination
The Birmingham Combination was an English football competition for teams in Birmingham and the surrounding areas, active from 1892 until 1954.-History:...
replaced South Liverpool, who returned to the Lancashire Combination.
1958 Stockport County reserves left and Wellington Town joined the Southern League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
.
1959 Oswestry Town from the Birmingham League, and Wigan Rovers replaced Port Vale reserves and Crewe Alexandra reserves.
1960 Membership returned to 22 clubs with the admission of Frickley Colliery from the Midland League and Sankeys (Wellington).
1961 Wigan Rovers left and were replaced by Wigan Athletic from the Lancashire Combination.
1965 Stockport County reserves re-entered, and New Brighton (from the Lancashire Combination replaced Sankeys (Wellington) (to the Birmingham League), and Congleton Town (to the Manchester League).
1968 Seven Cheshire League clubs became founder members of the Northern Premier League
Northern Premier League
The Northern Premier League, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the Football Conference featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England, and the northern areas of the Midlands. Originally just one...
. These were Macclesfield Town, Altrincham, Bangor City, Northwich Vics., Wigan Athletic, Hyde United, and Runcorn. Wrexham reserves and Stockport County reserves also left. Membership was brought up to 20 by admitting Skelmersdale United, Guinness Exports, Horwich RMI, Droylsden and Ashton Utd. all from the Lancashire Combination, and Nantwich Town and Sandbach Ramblers from the Mid-Cheshire League.
1969 Stafford Rangers join the NPL
Northern Premier League
The Northern Premier League, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the Football Conference featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England, and the northern areas of the Midlands. Originally just one...
and Chester reserves resign, replaced by Marine
Marine F.C.
Marine Football Club is an English football club in Crosby, Merseyside. The club, which was founded in 1894, is a member of both the Liverpool County and Lancashire County Football Associations, and currently plays in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.Marine is notable for having the...
fom the Lancashire Combination, and Port Vale reserves.
1970 Guinness Exports change their name to Ormskirk. Hyde United return from the NPL, Burscough and Rossendale United join from the Lancashire Combination, along with Oldham Athletic reserves. Tranmere Rovers reserves leave and Frickley Colliery rejoin the Midland League.
1971 Port Vale reserves leave again, and both Skelmersdale United and Ellesmere Port Town join the NPL. The replacements are Formby, from the Liverpool Combination
Liverpool County Football Combination
The Liverpool County Football Combination was a football league based in Merseyside, England. It was founded in 1908 and had its first season in 1909-10...
, and Prestwich Heys and Radcliffe Borough both from the Manchester League.
1972 Mossley joined the NPL, with Chorley moving in the opposite direction.
1973 Champions Buxton joined the NPL, and Leek Town joined from the Manchester League.
1974 Ormskirk folded, and were replaced by New Mills from the Manchester League.
1975 Sandbach Ramblers folded, Oldham Athletic reserves left and Oswestry Town joined the Southern League. They were replaced by Middlewich Athletic from the Mid-Cheshire League, and Darwen and St Helens Town, both from the Lancashire Combination.
1978 The League added a second division to which Prestwich Heys are immediately relegated, to be replaced by the newly formed Fleetwood Town. Kirkby was an original second-division team; it was promoted to Division 1 in 1980, but relegated the following season.