# 2023–24 North West Counties Football League

The 2023–24 North West Counties Football League season was the 42nd in the history of the North West Counties Football League, a football competition in England. 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 by The Football Association on 15 May 2023, 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.

## Premier Division

The Premier Division comprises 24 teams.
The following seven clubs left the Premier Division before the season:
* Ashton Athletic – relegated to Division One North
* Avro – promoted to the Northern Premier League Division One West
* Bury AFC – merged with Bury
* Congleton Town – transferred to the Midland League Premier Division
* Northwich Victoria – transferred to the Midland League Premier Division
* Vauxhall Motors – promoted to the Northern Premier League Division One West
* Winsford United – requested relegation to Division One South due to financial implications of the FA allocating the club to the Midland League
The following nine clubs joined the Premier Division before the season:
* Bury – merged with Bury AFC
* Chadderton – promoted from Division One North
* Cheadle Town – promoted from Division One South
* Colne – relegated from the Northern Premier League Division One West
* Glossop North End – relegated from the Northern Premier League Division One West
* Pilkington – promoted from Division One North
* Ramsbottom United – relegated from the Northern Premier League Division One West
* Skelmersdale United – relegated from the Northern Premier League Division One West
* Wythenshawe – promoted from Division One South, changed name from Wythenshawe Amateurs

### Premier Division table

| 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 the Northern 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 | Qualification for the play-offs |
| 4 | Charnock Richard | 46 | 22 | 15 | 9 | 107 | 74 | +33 | 81 | Qualification for the play-offs |
| 5 | Padiham | 46 | 24 | 8 | 14 | 93 | 63 | +30 | 80 | Qualification for the play-offs |
| 6 | Kendal Town | 46 | 24 | 8 | 14 | 105 | 77 | +28 | 80 | Transfer to the Northern 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 | |
| 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 to Division One North |
* ↑ Bury were deducted 3 points for fielding an ineligible player on 29 July 2023.
* ↑ Cheadle Town were deducted 3 points for fielding an ineligible player on 16 September 2023.

### Play-offs

| Semi-finals | Semi-finals | Semi-finals | Final | Final | Final |
| 2 | Wythenshawe Town | 1 | | | |
| 5 | Padiham | 0 | | | |
| 5 | Padiham | 0 | 2 | Wythenshawe Town | 1 (3) |
| | | | 3 | Bury | 1 (2) |
| 3 | Bury | 1 | 3 | Bury | 1 (2) |
| 4 | Charnock Richard | 0 | | | |

#### Final
### Stadiums and locations

| Team | Stadium |
| AFC Liverpool | Rossett Park, Crosby (groundshare with Marine) |
| 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 |

## Division One North

Division One North comprises 18 clubs.
The following three clubs left Division One North before the season:
* Chadderton – promoted to the Premier Division
* Cleator Moor Celtic – relegated to the West Lancashire League
* Pilkington – promoted to the Premier Division
The following three clubs joined Division One North before the season:
* Ashton Athletic – relegated from the Premier Division
* Route One Rovers – promoted from the Yorkshire Amateur League Premier Division
* Shelley – promoted from the West Yorkshire League Premier Division

### Division One North table

| 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 the Premier 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 | Qualification for the play-offs |
| 4 | Euxton Villa | 34 | 20 | 3 | 11 | 74 | 44 | +30 | 63 | Qualification for the play-offs |
| 5 | South Liverpool (O, P) | 34 | 19 | 6 | 9 | 69 | 49 | +20 | 63 | Qualification for the play-offs |
| 6 | Ilkley Town | 34 | 18 | 8 | 8 | 67 | 53 | +14 | 62 | Transfer to the Northern 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 | 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 the Northern Counties East League |
| 18 | Nelson | 34 | 8 | 5 | 21 | 44 | 79 | −35 | 26 | Reprieve from relegation |
* ↑ Runcorn Town were deducted 1 point.
* ↑ Nelson were deducted 3 points.

### Play-offs

| Semi-finals | Semi-finals | Semi-finals | Final | Final | Final |
| 2 | Atherton LR | 0 | | | |
| 5 | South Liverpool | 1 | | | |
| 5 | South Liverpool | 1 | 3 | Ashton Town | 0 (1) |
| | | | 5 | South Liverpool | 0 (3) |
| 3 | Ashton Town | 4 | 5 | South Liverpool | 0 (3) |
| 4 | Euxton Villa | 3 | | | |

#### Final
### Stadia and locations

| 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 |

## Division One South

Division One South comprises 18 clubs.
The following five clubs left Division One South before the season:
* Cheadle Town – promoted to the Premier Division
* Ellesmere Rangers - resigned
* Foley Meir - relegated to the Staffordshire County Senior League
* Rocester - relegated to the Staffordshire County Senior League
* Wythenshawe – promoted to the Premier Division
The following three clubs joined Division One South before the season:
* Droylsden – returned three seasons after withdrawal from the Northern Premier League
* Market Drayton Town – relegated from the Midland League Premier Division
* Winsford United – relegated from the Premier Division

### Division One South table

| 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 the Midland 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 | |

### Play-offs

| Semi-finals | Semi-finals | Semi-finals | Final | Final | Final |
| 2 | Stockport Town | 1 | | | |
| 5 | Droylsden | 0 | | | |
| 5 | Droylsden | 0 | 2 | Stockport Town | 1 (1) |
| | | | 4 | Abbey Hey | 1 (4) |
| 3 | Sandbach United | 1 | 4 | Abbey Hey | 1 (4) |
| 4 | Abbey Hey | 3 | | | |

#### Final
### Stadia and locations

| 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 |