1997–98 Northern Premier League
The 1997–98 Northern Premier League season was the 30th in the history of the Northern Premier League, a football competition in England. Teams were divided into two divisions; the Premier and the First. It was known as the Unibond League for sponsorship reasons. Premier Division. The Premier League featured three new teams: Division One. Division One featured five new teams: Promotion and relegation. In the thirtieth season of the Northern Premier League Barrow (as champions) were automatically promoted to the Football Conference. Radcliffe Borough and Alfreton Town were relegated to the First Division; these two clubs  were replaced by relegated Conference sides Gateshead and Stalybridge Celtic, First Division winners Whitby Town and second placed Worksop Town. In the First Division Workington and Buxton left the League at the end of the season and were replaced by newly admitted Hucknall Town and Burscough. Cup results. Challenge Cup: Teams from both leagues. President's Cup: 'Plate' competition for losing teams in the NPL Cup. Peter Swales Shield: Between Champions of NPL Premier Division and Winners of the NPL Cup.