2017–18 National League

2017–18 National League
The 2017–18 National League season, known as the Vanarama National League for sponsorship reasons, was the third season under English football's new title of National League, 14th season consisting of three divisions and the 39th season overall.
The National League covers the top two levels of non-League football in England. The National League is the fifth highest level of the overall pyramid, while the National League North and National League South exist at the sixth level. The top team and the winner of the play-off of the Premier division will be promoted to English Football League Two, while the bottom four are relegated to the North or South divisions. The champions of the North and South divisions will be promoted to the Premier division, alongside the play-off winners from each division. The bottom three in each of the North and South divisions are relegated to the premier divisions of the Northern Premier League, Isthmian League or Southern League.
This is the first season to include six teams in the play-offs for each division, with the 4th-7th placed teams participating in the qualifying round and the 2nd and 3rd placed teams qualifying for the semi-finals.
National League
The National League consisted of 24 clubs.
Promotion and Relegation
The following teams changed divisions after the 2016–17 season:
AFC Fylde were the first team to be promoted after a 3–0 win against Boston United on 22 April 2017 clinched them the National League North title. Maidenhead United were promoted on 29 April 2017 after a 3–0 win over Margate, competing in the top tier of non-league for the first time. Ebbsfleet United were promoted on 13 May 2017 after beating Chelmsford City 2–1 in the National League South Playoff Final, returning to the league after a four-year absence. On the same day, FC Halifax Town were also promoted after beating Chorley 2–1 in the National League North playoff final, securing them an immediate return to the league.
Leyton Orient were relegated from League Two on 22 April 2017 after their 3–0 loss to Crewe Alexandra ending their 112-year stay in the English Football League. On 6 May 2017, despite a 2–1 victory over Doncaster Rovers on the same day, Hartlepool United became the second team to be relegated from League Two following Newport County's 2–1 victory over Notts County, ending their 96-year stay in the EFL.
The six teams replace Lincoln City, Forest Green Rovers, York City, Braintree Town, Southport and North Ferriby United. Lincoln City were promoted to League Two after beating Macclesfield Town 2–1 on 22 April 2017. Forest Green Rovers were promoted after beating Tranmere Rovers 3–1 in the 2016–17 National League Playoff Final on 14 May 2017. They were the league's longest serving club, completing nineteen seasons in the top-flight. This is a mantle that has now been passed to Wrexham, who enter their tenth season in the league.
After seven years in the National League and surviving relegation battles over several seasons, Southport were unable to escape the drop and they were the first team to be relegated on 21 April 2017 after a 3–0 loss to Dover Athletic. After just one season in the National League, North Ferriby United were relegated three days later after a 3–1 defeat at Barrow. On the final day of the season, Braintree Town were relegated after losing 2–0 to Aldershot, ending their six-year stay in the league, which also confirmed the club's first relegation in their history. York City's 2–2 draw against Forest Green Rovers was also not enough to save them after Guiseley's last minute equalizer against Solihull Moors confirmed back to back relegations for the Yorkshire club.
Team changes
To National League
Promoted from 2016–17 National League North
AFC Fylde
FC Halifax Town
Promoted from 2016–17 National League South
Maidenhead United
Ebbsfleet United
Relegated from 2016–17 League Two
Hartlepool United
Leyton Orient
From National League
Relegated to 2017–18 National League North
York City
Southport
North Ferriby United
Relegated to 2017–18 National League South
Braintree Town
Promoted to 2017–18 League Two
Lincoln City
Forest Green Rovers
Stadia and locations
League table
Play-offs
Qualifying round
Semi-finals
Final
Results table
Top scorers
Monthly Awards
Each month the Vanarama National League announces their official Player of the Month and Manager of the Month.
Team of the Season
At the end of the season, the National League announced its official team of the season.
National League North
Team changes
To National League North
Promoted from 2016–17 Northern Premier League Premier Division
Blyth Spartans
Spennymoor Town
Promoted from 2016–17 Southern League Premier Division
Leamington
Relegated from 2016–17 National League
York City
Southport
North Ferriby United
From National League North
Relegated to 2017–18 Northern Premier League Premier Division
Altrincham
Stalybridge Celtic
Relegated and voluntarily demoted to 2017–18 Midland League Premier Division
Worcester City
Transferred to 2017–18 National League South
Gloucester City
Promoted to 2017–18 National League
AFC Fylde
FC Halifax Town
Stadia and locations
League table
Play-offs
Qualifying round
Semi-finals
Final
Results table
Top scorers
National League South
The National League South consisted of 22 clubs.
Team changes
To National League South
Promoted from 2016–17 Southern League Premier Division
Chippenham Town
Promoted from 2016–17 Isthmian League Premier Division
Havant & Waterlooville
Bognor Regis Town
Relegated from 2016–17 National League
Braintree Town
Transferred from 2016–17 National League North
Gloucester City
From National League South
Relegated to 2017–18 Isthmian League Premier Division
Margate
Relegated to 2017–18 Southern League Premier Division
Gosport Borough
Bishop's Stortford
Promoted to 2017–18 National League
Maidenhead United
Ebbsfleet United
Stadia and locations
League table
Play-offs
Qualifying round
Semi-finals
Final
Results table
Top scorers
References
National League (English football) seasons
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