| Countries |  England |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1968 |
| Number of teams | 21 |
| Promotion to | Conference North |
| Relegation to | NPL Division One North NPL Division One South |
| Levels on pyramid | Level 7 |
| Domestic cup(s) | FA Cup FA Trophy Challenge Cup |
| Current champions | Eastwood Town (2008–09) |
The Premier Division is the top division of the Northern Premier League. It is at Step 3 (or level 7) of the National League System, placing it six divisions below the FA Premier League. For sponsorship reasons, it is often referred to as the UniBond League Premier Division.
The league was founded in 1968, as the northern equivalent of the Southern League, being the highest level non-League division below The Football League. In 1979, upon the creation of the Alliance Premier League, it became a feeder league and fell down one 'level' in the English football league system. Since then, its prestige has fallen further: there are now two levels between it and the Football League.
The division is at the same level as the Premier Divisions of the Southern League and the Isthmian League. At the end of each season two clubs are promoted to the Conference North: the league champions, and the winners of a play-off competition held between the 2nd through 5th placed clubs. The four lowest placed teams are relegated to the Northern Premier League Division One North or Northern Premier League Division One South, to be replaced by four promoted teams.
All clubs in the Premier Division also compete in the Challenge Cup knockout competition, but not in the other two NPL cup competitions (the President's Cup and the Chairman's Cup) which in 2007–2008 were only open to teams in the lower divisions.
Contents |
Current clubs 2009-10
| Club |
Home Ground | Finishing position 2008-09 |
|---|---|---|
| Ashton United | Hurst Cross | 9th |
| Boston United | Staffsmart Stadium | 16th |
| Bradford Park Avenue | Horsfall Stadium | 7th |
| Burscough | Victoria Park | 21st in Conference North |
| Buxton | The Silverlands | 14th |
| Durham City | The Arnott Stadium | 1st in NPL 1st Division North |
| FC United of Manchester | Gigg Lane | 6th |
| Frickley Athletic | Westfield Lane | 11th |
| Guiseley | Nethermoor Park | 4th (Losing Playoff Semi Finalist) |
| Hucknall Town | Wattnall Road | 22nd in Conference North |
| Kendal Town | Lakeland Radio Stadium | 5th (Losing Playoff Semi Finalist) |
| Kings Lynn | The Walks Stadium | 17th in Conference North |
| Marine | Arriva Stadium | 13th |
| Matlock Town | Causeway Lane | 15th |
| Nantwich Town | The Weaver Stadium | 3rd (Losing Playoff Finalist) |
| North Ferriby United | Church Road | 10th |
| Ossett Town | Ingfield | 12th |
| Retford United | Cannon Park | 1st in NPL 1st Division South |
| Stocksbridge Park Steels | Bracken Moor | 3rd in NPL 1st Division South(Playoff Winners) |
| Whitby Town | Turnbull Ground | 19th (reprieved from relegation) |
| Worksop Town | New Manor Ground | 17th |
Past winners
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References
- ^ Newcastle Blue Star were team number 22, but folded before the season began, with the Unibond not replacing anyone for the coming season
External links
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