The North Eastern League was a football (soccer)

Football (soccer)

Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...

 league

Sports league

League is a term commonly used to describe a group of sports teams or individual athletes that compete against each other in a specific sport. At its simplest, it may be a local group of amateur athletes who form teams among themselves and compete on weekends; at its most complex, it can be an...

 for teams in the North East of England.

The league was founded in 1906 and was initially successful, with teams defecting from the rival Northern Football Alliance

Northern Football Alliance

The Northern Football Alliance is a football competition based in the Northeast of England and Cumbria. It has three divisions headed by the Premier Division, which sits at step 7 of the National League System...

 to play. Although some members (such as Darlington

Darlington F.C.

Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...

) transferred to join the Football League Third Division North

Football League Third Division North

The Third Division North of The Football League was a tier in the English association football league system from 1921 to 1958. It ran parallel to Third Division South with clubs elected to the League or relegated from a higher division allocated to one or the other according to geographical position...

 in 1921, the North Eastern League absorbed the Northern Alliance in 1925-26

1925-26 in English football

The 1925–26 season was the 51st season of competitive football in England. This marked the year that Huddersfield Town won the League three years running, making them the first team in Football League history to do so.-Honours:-First Division:...

 and split into two divisions. The league spent nine years like this, returning to one division in 1935; clubs from the second division re-forming the Northern Football Alliance, which became a feeder to it.

As years progressed, numbers dwindled and the league initially folded in 1958 after the withdrawal of Football League clubs' reserve sides. The remaining members initially transferred to the Midland Football League

Midland Football League

There have been at least two different football competitions in England which used the name Midland Football League.One existed until 1982 before merging with the Yorkshire League to form the Northern Counties League....

 before founding the Northern Counties League in 1960. The Northern Counties League was renamed the North Eastern League in 1962-63

1962-63 in English football

The 1962–63 season was the 83rd season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*Everton won the League Championship, their first post-war title.*Manchester United won the FA Cup, their first major trophy since the Munich Air Disaster in 1958....

 but folded for a second time in 1964.

Champions

The champions of the league were as follows:

• 1906–07 : Newcastle United
  Newcastle United F.C.
  Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
  
   Reserves
• 1907–08 : Newcastle United
  Newcastle United F.C.
  Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
  
   Reserves
• 1908–09 : Newcastle United
  Newcastle United F.C.
  Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
  
   Reserves
• 1909–10 : Spennymoor United
  Spennymoor United F.C.
  Spennymoor United F.C. was an English association football club based in Spennymoor, County Durham.In 1905, they joined the Northern League and won the league title six times in their history. In the 1936-37 season, they reached the third round of the FA Cup, where they lost to top-flight side West...
  
  
• 1910–11 : Newcastle United
  Newcastle United F.C.
  Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
  
   Reserves
• 1911–12 : Middlesbrough
  Middlesbrough F.C.
  Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
  
   Reserves
• 1912–13 : Darlington
  Darlington F.C.
  Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
  
  
• 1913–14 : South Shields
  South Shields F.C.
  South Shields F.C. are a football club based in South Shields, England. They have a long and complicated history, with three distinct incarnations taking the name...
  
  
• 1914–15 : South Shields
  South Shields F.C.
  South Shields F.C. are a football club based in South Shields, England. They have a long and complicated history, with three distinct incarnations taking the name...
  
  
• 1915–19 : Not contested due to the First World War
• 1919–20 : Middlesbrough
  Middlesbrough F.C.
  Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
  
   Reserves
• 1920–21 : Darlington
  Darlington F.C.
  Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
  
  
• 1921–22 : Carlisle United
  Carlisle United F.C.
  Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
  
  
• 1922–23 : Newcastle United
  Newcastle United F.C.
  Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
  
   Reserves
• 1923–24 : South Shields
  South Shields F.C.
  South Shields F.C. are a football club based in South Shields, England. They have a long and complicated history, with three distinct incarnations taking the name...
  
   Reserves
• 1924–25 : Sunderland
  Sunderland A.F.C.
  Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
  
   Reserves
• 1925–26 : Newcastle United
  Newcastle United F.C.
  Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
  
   Reserves
• 1926–27 : Sunderland
  Sunderland A.F.C.
  Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
  
   Reserves
• 1927–28 : Sunderland
  Sunderland A.F.C.
  Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
  
   Reserves
• 1928–29 : Sunderland
  Sunderland A.F.C.
  Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
  
   Reserves
• 1929–30 : Sunderland
  Sunderland A.F.C.
  Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
  
   Reserves
• 1930–31 : Middlesbrough
  Middlesbrough F.C.
  Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
  
   Reserves
• 1931–32 : Middlesbrough
  Middlesbrough F.C.
  Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
  
   Reserves
• 1932–33 : Middlesbrough
  Middlesbrough F.C.
  Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
  
   Reserves
• 1933–34 : Sunderland
  Sunderland A.F.C.
  Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
  
   Reserves
• 1934–35 : Middlesbrough
  Middlesbrough F.C.
  Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
  
   Reserves
• 1935–36 : Blyth Spartans
• 1936–37 : Sunderland
  Sunderland A.F.C.
  Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
  
   Reserves
• 1937–38 : Horden Colliery Welfare
  Horden Colliery Welfare A.F.C.
  Horden Colliery Welfare A.F.C. are a football club based in Horden, near Peterlee, County Durham, England. They were formed in 1908 and joined the North Eastern League in 1935. They reached the 2nd round of the FA Cup in the 1938–39 season.-History:...
  
  
• 1938–39 : South Shields
  South Shields F.C.
  South Shields F.C. are a football club based in South Shields, England. They have a long and complicated history, with three distinct incarnations taking the name...
  
  
• 1939–46 : Not contested due to the Second World War
• 1945–46 : Spennymoor United
  Spennymoor United F.C.
  Spennymoor United F.C. was an English association football club based in Spennymoor, County Durham.In 1905, they joined the Northern League and won the league title six times in their history. In the 1936-37 season, they reached the third round of the FA Cup, where they lost to top-flight side West...
  
  
• 1946–47 : Middlesbrough
  Middlesbrough F.C.
  Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
  
   Reserves
• 1947–48 : Sunderland
  Sunderland A.F.C.
  Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
  
   Reserves
• 1948–49 : Middlesbrough
  Middlesbrough F.C.
  Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
  
   Reserves
• 1949–50 : North Shields
  North Shields F.C.
  North Shields F.C. are a football club based in North Shields, England. They reached the 2nd round of the FA Cup twice in their history – in 1933–34 and 1982–83. Currently they are members of the Northern League Division Two...
  
  
• 1950–51 : Stockton
  Stockton F.C.
  Stockton F.C. was an English football club based in Stockton-on-Tees. The club were known as 'The Ancients' because of their long-standing presence in the town. Their traditional colours were red and black quartered shirts with white shorts.-History:...
  
  
• 1951–52 : Middlesbrough
  Middlesbrough F.C.
  Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
  
   Reserves
• 1952–53 : Sunderland
  Sunderland A.F.C.
  Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
  
   Reserves
• 1953–54 : Middlesbrough
  Middlesbrough F.C.
  Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
  
   Reserves
• 1954–55 : Middlesbrough
  Middlesbrough F.C.
  Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
  
   Reserves
• 1955–56 : Middlesbrough
  Middlesbrough F.C.
  Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
  
   Reserves
• 1956–57 : Spennymoor United
  Spennymoor United F.C.
  Spennymoor United F.C. was an English association football club based in Spennymoor, County Durham.In 1905, they joined the Northern League and won the league title six times in their history. In the 1936-37 season, they reached the third round of the FA Cup, where they lost to top-flight side West...
  
  
• 1957–58 : South Shields
  South Shields F.C.
  South Shields F.C. are a football club based in South Shields, England. They have a long and complicated history, with three distinct incarnations taking the name...
  
  
• 1960–61 : North Shields
  North Shields F.C.
  North Shields F.C. are a football club based in North Shields, England. They reached the 2nd round of the FA Cup twice in their history – in 1933–34 and 1982–83. Currently they are members of the Northern League Division Two...
  
   (NCL)
• 1961–62 : Consett (NCL)
• 1962–63 : Scarborough
  Scarborough F.C.
  Scarborough Football Club was an English football club based in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. They were one of the oldest football clubs in England, formed in 1879, before they were wound up on 20 June 2007, with debts of £2.5 million.In the 2006–07 season...
  
  
• 1963–64 : Horden Colliery Welfare
  Horden Colliery Welfare A.F.C.
  Horden Colliery Welfare A.F.C. are a football club based in Horden, near Peterlee, County Durham, England. They were formed in 1908 and joined the North Eastern League in 1935. They reached the 2nd round of the FA Cup in the 1938–39 season.-History:...