# Northern Counties East Football League

The Northern Counties East Football League is a semi-professional English football league. It has two divisions – Premier Division and Division One – which stand at the ninth and tenth levels of the English football pyramid respectively.

## History

The league was formed in 1982 following the merger of the Yorkshire League and Midland League. For its inaugural season, the league consisted of five divisions. Since then, the league has undergone several changes to the point where since 2018 it has two divisions of 20 teams.
The league has maintained promotion and relegation between its divisions since its beginning. In 2015 a series of play-offs were introduced for the first time to determine a third promotee from Division One.
The competition has several feeder leagues at level 11 of the pyramid, which may provide new member clubs each year:
* Central Midlands League North Division
* Humber Premier League Premier Division
* Lincolnshire League
* Sheffield and Hallamshire County Senior League Premier Division
* West Yorkshire League Premier Division
* York League Premier Division
* Yorkshire Amateur League Supreme Division
Clubs are also liable to be transferred to other leagues if the FA deems it geographically suitable to do so.

## Honours
### Champions

| Season | Premier Division | Division One | Division Two | Division Three |
| 1982–83 | Shepshed Charterhouse | North Scarborough Reserves South Lincoln United | North Rowntree Mackintosh South Woolley Miners Welfare |
| 1983–84 | Spalding United | North Pontefract Collieries South Borrowash Victoria | North Harrogate Railway Athletic South Retford Town |
| 1984–85 | Belper Town | Central Armthorpe Welfare North Farsley Celtic South Long Eaton United |
| 1985–86 | Arnold | North Ferriby United | Lincoln United | Collingham |
| 1986–87 | Alfreton Town | Ossett Albion | Frecheville Community Association |
| 1987–88 | Emley | York Railway Institute | Pickering Town |
| 1988–89 | Emley | Sheffield | Ossett Town |
| 1989–90 | Bridlington Town | Rowntree Mackintosh | Winterton Rangers |
| 1990–91 | Guiseley | Sheffield | Hall Road Rangers |
| 1991–92 | North Shields | Stocksbridge Park Steels |
| 1992–93 | Spennymoor United | Lincoln United |
| 1993–94 | Stocksbridge Park Steels | Arnold Town |
| 1994–95 | Lincoln United | Hatfield Main |
| 1995–96 | Hatfield Main | Selby Town |
| 1996–97 | Denaby United | Eccleshill United |
| 1997–98 | Hucknall Town | Garforth Town |
| 1998–99 | Ossett Albion | Harrogate Railway |
| 1999–2000 | North Ferriby United | Goole |
| 2000–01 | Brigg Town | Borrowash Victoria |
| 2001–02 | Alfreton Town | Gedling Town |
| 2002–03 | Bridlington Town | Mickleover Sports |
| 2003–04 | Ossett Albion | Shirebrook Town |
| 2004–05 | Goole | Sutton Town |
| 2005–06 | Buxton | Carlton Town |
| 2006–07 | Retford United | Parkgate |
| 2007–08 | Winterton Rangers | Dinnington Town |
| 2008–09 | Mickleover Sports | Scarborough Athletic |
| 2009–10 | Bridlington Town | Tadcaster Albion |
| 2010–11 | Farsley | Staveley Miners Welfare |
| 2011–12 | Retford United | Handsworth |
| 2012–13 | Scarborough Athletic | Albion Sports |
| 2013–14 | Brighouse Town | Cleethorpes Town |
| 2014–15 | Shaw Lane Aquaforce | Clipstone |
| 2015–16 | Tadcaster Albion | Hemsworth Miners Welfare |
| 2016–17 | Cleethorpes Town | Hall Road Rangers |
| 2017–18 | Pontefract Collieries | Knaresborough Town |
| 2018–19 | Worksop Town | Grimsby Borough |
| 2019–20 | Season abandoned due to coronavirus pandemic | Season abandoned due to coronavirus pandemic |
| 2020–21 | Season curtailed due to local lockdown regulations | Season curtailed due to local lockdown regulations |
| 2021–22 | Grimsby Borough | Hallam |
| 2022-23 | North Ferriby | Campion |
| 2023-24 | Emley | Parkgate |

#### Promoted

Since the league's formation in 1982, the following clubs have won promotion to higher levels of the English football league system – normally to the Northern Premier League –
| Season | Club | Position | Promoted to |
| 1982–83 | Shepshed Charterhouse | 1st | Southern League Midland Division |
| 1986–87 | Alfreton Town Farsley Celtic Sutton Town Harrogate Town Eastwood Town | 1st 2nd 5th 9th 13th | Northern Premier League Division One Northern Premier League Division One Northern Premier League Division One Northern Premier League Division One Northern Premier League Division One |
| 1988–89 | Emley | 1st | Northern Premier League Division One |
| 1989–90 | Bridlington Town | 1st | Northern Premier League Division One |
| 1990–91 | Guiseley | 1st | Northern Premier League Division One |
| 1992–93 | Spennymoor United | 1st | Northern Premier League Division One |
| 1994–95 | Lincoln United | 1st | Northern Premier League Division One |
| 1995–96 | Stocksbridge Park Steels | 2nd | Northern Premier League Division One |
| 1996–97 | Belper Town | 2nd | Northern Premier League Division One |
| 1997–98 | Hucknall Town | 1st | Northern Premier League Division One |
| 1998–99 | Ossett Town | 2nd | Northern Premier League Division One |
| 1999–2000 | North Ferriby United | 1st | Northern Premier League Division One |
| 2000–01 | Ossett Albion | 2nd | Northern Premier League Division One |
| 2001–02 | Alfreton Town | 1st | Northern Premier League Division One |
| 2003–04 | Ossett Albion | 1st | Northern Premier League Division One |
| 2004–05 | Goole | 1st | Northern Premier League Division One |
| 2005–06 | Buxton Harrogate Railway Athletic | 1st 3rd | Northern Premier League Division One Northern Premier League Division One |
| 2006–07 | Retford United Sheffield Carlton Town Garforth Town | 1st 2nd 3rd 4th | Northern Premier League Division One South Northern Premier League Division One South Northern Premier League Division One South Northern Premier League Division One North |
| 2007–08 | Glapwell | 2nd | Northern Premier League Division One South |
| 2008–09 | Mickleover Sports | 1st | Northern Premier League Division One South |
| 2009–10 | Rainworth Miners Welfare | 2nd | Northern Premier League Division One South |
| 2010–11 | Farsley | 1st | Northern Premier League Division One North |
| 2012–13 | Scarborough Athletic | 1st | Northern Premier League Division One South |
| 2013–14 | Brighouse Town | 1st | Northern Premier League Division One North |
| 2014–15 | Shaw Lane Aquaforce | 1st | Northern Premier League Division One South |
| 2015–16 | Tadcaster Albion | 1st | Northern Premier League Division One North |
| 2016–17 | Cleethorpes Town | 1st | Northern Premier League Division One South |
| 2017–18 | Pontefract Collieries Pickering Town AFC Mansfield | 1st 2nd 3rd | Northern Premier League Division One East Northern Premier League Division One East Northern Premier League Division One East |
| 2018–19 | Worksop Town | 1st | Northern Premier League Division One South-East |
| 2019–20 | No promotions | No promotions | No promotions |
| 2020–21 | Bridlington Town Liversedge Yorkshire Amateur | Top 3 | Northern Premier League Division One East |
| 2021–22 | Grimsby Borough | 1st | Northern Premier League Division One East |
| 2022–23 | North Ferriby Winterton Rangers | 1st 2nd | Northern Premier League Division One East Northern Premier League Division One East |
| 2023–24 | Emley Garforth Town | 1st 2nd | Northern Premier League Division One East Northern Premier League Division One East |
* ↑ Ranked according to total points per game between 2019 and 2021.

## Cup competitions
### League Cup

The league currently has one cup competition, the League Cup, which is contested by every club in the league.

#### Finals

| Season | Winner | Result | Runner-up | Venue | Attendance |
| 1982–83 | Shepshed Charterhouse | 1–0 | Sutton Town | | |
| 1983–84 | Ossett Albion | 2–1 | Ilkeston Town | Eastwood | |
| 1984–85 | Alfreton Town | 2–1 | Long Eaton United | Eastwood | |
| 1985–86 | Sutton Town | 1–0 | Bradley Rangers | Denaby | |
| 1986–87 | Harrogate Railway Athletic | 5–0 | Woolley Miners Welfare | Pontfract | |
| 1987–88 | York Railway Institute | 2–1 | Rowntree Mackintosh | Bootham Crescent | |
| 1988–89 | Bridlington Town | 3–1 | Emley | Pontefract | |
| 1989–90 | Ossett Town | 1–0 | Bridlington Town | North Ferriby | |
| 1990–91 | Guiseley | 1–0 | North Ferriby United | Ossett - Ingfield | |
| 1991–92 | North Shields | 5–0 | Armthorpe Welfare | Ossett - Queen's Terrace | |
| 1992–93 | Spennymoor United | 2–1 | Thackley | Ossett - Ingfield | |
| 1993–94 | Hucknall Town | 4–1 | Thackley | Ossett - Ingfield | |
| 1994–95 | Stocksbridge Park Steels | 3–0 | North Ferriby United | Ossett - Queen's Terrace | |
| 1995–96 | Ashfield United | 8–2 | Ossett Albion | Belper | |
| 1996–97 | Hucknall Town | 3–1 | Pontefract Collieries | Millmoor | |
| 1997–98 | Hucknall Town | 1–0 | North Ferriby United | Hatfield | |
| 1998–99 | Denaby United | 1–0 | Selby Town | Garforth | |
| 1999–00 | Garforth Town | 3–1 | Glapwell | Ossett - Queen's Terrace | |
| 2000–01 | Sheffield | 2–1 | Gedling Town | Alfreton | |
| 2001–02 | Alfreton Town | 4–0 | Armthorpe Welfare | Worksop | |
| 2002–03 | Ossett Albion | 3–0 | Sheffield | Brigg | |
| 2003–04 | Hallam | 1–0 | Mickleover Sports | Buxton | |
| 2004–05 | Sheffield | 2–1 | Harrogate Railway Athletic | Ossett - Queen's Terrace | 250 |
| 2005–06 | Liversedge | 5–1(agg) | Sheffield | 1L: Sheffield 2L: Liversedge | 1L: 2L: |
| 2006–07 | Mickleover Sports | 1–1(p) | Garforth Town | Sheffield | 243 |
| 2007–08 | Winterton Rangers | 3–1 | Parkgate | Staveley | 213 |
| 2008–09 | Long Eaton United | 4–0 | Selby Town | Staveley | 260 |
| 2009–10 | Dinnington Town | 5–2 | Armthorpe Welfare | Staveley | 195 |
| 2010–11 | Farsley | 3–0 | Winterton Rangers | Staveley | 235 |
| 2011–12 | Thackley | 3–2 | Shirebrook Town | Parkgate | 272 |
| 2012–13 | Thackley | 3–1 | Louth Town | Staveley | 225 |
| 2013–14 | Knaresborough Town | 2–2(p) | Eccleshill United | Valley Parade | 390 |
| 2014–15 | Handsworth Parramore | 4–3 | Cleethorpes Town | Staveley | 376 |
| 2015–16 | Cleethorpes Town | 3–2 | Tadcaster Albion | Garforth | 423 |
| 2016–17 | Penistone Church | 4–1 | Bridlington Town | Bramall Lane | 485 |
| 2017–18 | Cup withdrawn; final abandoned | Cup withdrawn; final abandoned | Cup withdrawn; final abandoned | Cup withdrawn; final abandoned | Cup withdrawn; final abandoned |
| 2018–19 | Worksop Town | 3–1 | Liversedge | Doncaster | 1,075 |
| 2019–20 | Final not played | Final not played | Final not played | Final not played | Final not played |
| 2020–21 | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled |
| 2021–22 | Barton Town | 3–2 | Garforth Town | Doncaster | 718 |
| 2022–23 | Winterton Rangers | 1–1 | Golcar United | Doncaster | 810 |
| 2023–24 | Parkgate | 3–0 | Emley | Scunthorpe | 667 |

### President's Cup and Trophy

In the past the league has had additional cup competitions. The Trophy was contested by the Division One clubs and the President's Cup which featured the top eight teams in each division from the previous season, provided they remain in the league.

#### Winners

| Season | President's Cup | Trophy |
| 1990–91 | North Ferriby United |
| 1991–92 | North Shields |
| 1992–93 | Maltby Miners Welfare |
| 1993–94 | Lincoln United |
| 1994–95 | Arnold Town |
| 1995–96 | Belper Town | Pontefract Collieries |
| 1996–97 | Hucknall Town | Garforth Town |
| 1997–98 | Glasshoughton Welfare | Staveley Miners Welfare |
| 1998–99 | North Ferriby United | Yorkshire Amateur |
| 1999–00 | North Ferriby United | Goole |
| 2000–01 | Selby Town | Pickering Town |
| 2001–02 | Alfreton Town | Bridlington Town |
| 2002–03 | Harrogate Railway Athletic | Mickleover Sports |
| 2003–04 | Eastwood Town | Hall Road Rangers |
| 2004–05 | Buxton | Lincoln Moorlands |
| 2005–06 | Buxton | Retford United |
| 2006–07 | Retford United | Parkgate |
| 2007–08 | Liversedge | Hall Road Rangers |
| 2008–09 | Nostell | Staveley Miners Welfare |
| 2009–10 | Winterton Rangers | Staveley Miners Welfare |
| 2010–11 | Tadcaster Albion | Glasshoughton Welfare |
| 2011–12 | Handsworth | Grimsby Borough |

## Member clubs in national competitions
### FA Cup first round

The following NCEL clubs have reached the First Round proper of the FA Cup –
| Season | NCEL Club | Round | Venue | Result | Opponents |
| 1982–83 | Shepshed Charterhouse | 1st | Away | Lost 1–5 | Preston North End |
| 1990–91 | Spennymoor United | 1st | Away | Lost 2–3 | Chesterfield |
| 2001–02 | Brigg Town | 1st | Away | Lost 1–4 | Tranmere Rovers |
| 2002–03 | Harrogate Railway Athletic | 1st 2nd | Away Home | Won 2–1 Lost 1–3 | Slough Town Bristol City |

### FA Vase finalists

The following NCEL clubs have reached the Final of the FA Vase –
| Season | NCEL Club | Result | Opponents |
| 1987–88 | Emley | Lost 0–1 | Colne Dynamoes |
| 1989–90 | Bridlington Town | Lost 0–1 | Yeading |
| 1990–91 | Guiseley | Won 3–1 | Gresley Rovers |
| 1995–96 | Brigg Town | Won 3–0 | Clitheroe |
| 1996–97 | North Ferriby United | Lost 0–3 | Whitby Town |
| 2002–03 | Brigg Town | Won 2–1 | AFC Sudbury |
| 2016–17 | Cleethorpes Town | Lost 0–4 | South Shields |