Northern Premier League Premier Division Stadiums & Stats
Although there has been a Northern League in England since 1889, making it one of the oldest football leagues in the country, the one I am going to look at today only formed in 1968.
The Northern Premier League consists of four divisions, three of which run in parallel with each other, while the Premier Division operates in parallel with the Southern Leagues South and Central, and the Isthmian League.
This makes the Premier Division part of the 7th tier of the English footballing pyramid, serving as a feeder league to the National League North.
Some of the teams who have come through the Northern Premier League have become mainstays in the EFL and even reached the Premier League, and this is the level at which a club can realistically call itself semi-professional.
This article will focus on the way the league is structured and how it runs, as well as exploring its history and looking at the characteristics of the stadiums you will find in the NPL Premier Division.
Team Stats
| Team | Year Founded | Nickname | Team Owner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blyth Spartans AFC | 1899 | The Spartans, Green Army | Irfan Liaquat |
Ticket Prices
| Stadium | Season Ticket Price (Adult) | Season Ticket Price (Conc) | Season Ticket Price (Junior) | Match Ticket Price (Adult) | Match Ticket Price (Conc) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blyth Spartans AFC | £310.00 - £352.00 | £186.00 - £228.00 | £0.00 - £166.00 | £15.00 - £17.00 | £9.00 - £11.00 |
Northern Premier League Stadiums
All clubs in the English football league pyramid must meet the ground grading requirements laid out by the FA, which means that as a club progresses up the pyramid, so their stadiums must be expanded and improved.
For that reason, all NPL Premier Division stadiums must have a minimum capacity of 1,950, although this can be mainly standing on a hard surface around the sides of the pitch.
NPL stadiums do need seating for at least 250 people though, and a covered area that can contain at least 500 spectators.
You will find that some stadiums in this league actually have more than the minimum requirements, especially those clubs that have previous been promoted but ended up being relegated again. As a general guide though, you will be looking at a well maintained floodlit pitch with one or two small stands, a smattering of seats, and either small uncovered terraces or simply a flat surface behind pitch side hoardings for fans to watch from.
Facilities will be basic, but a medical room and a club house with a few toilets and the ability to serve basics like teas and coffees, chocolates, crisps, and pies. You might also find a burger van or something similar on site.
At least 3 turnstiles are required at this level, and the stadiums must also be fenced off so that it is not possible to watch the game from outside in any way.
About the League
The Northern Premier League is actually made up of four different leagues, with the Premier Division being the top tier of that league.
Underneath that, we have:
- Northern Premier League Division One West
- Northern Premier League Division One East
- Northern Premier League Division One Midlands
In each league the format is standard, whereby all teams play each other twice during the season, once at home, and once away.
At the end of the season, the champions of each league in Division One are promoted to the Northern Premier Division, with another joining them via a playoff. Those relegated fall further down the footballing pyramid into a different league altogether (provided there is a team capable of being promoted from those lower leagues).
The 4 worst performing teams in the Premier Division are relegated to one of the regional Division One competitions, and the league winner is promoted to the National League North, with another joining via playoffs.
It is possible for teams to switch regional divisions too depending on their location and the location of teams being promoted or relegated, but this is always judged on a case by case basis to try and keep things fair and affordable for the clubs involved.
Northern Premier League History
The Northern Premier League Premier Division, commonly known as the NPL Premier Division, is a football league situated in the seventh tier of the English football league system.
It was established in 1968 by a group of non-league clubs as an equivalent to the already established Southern League. The inaugural season of the NPL Premier Division took place in 1968-1969, featuring 30 clubs from Northern England. Telford United emerged as the first champions.
There was actually another much older Northern League already in existence, but the NPL emerged as the more prestigious of the two, with the older Northern League becoming a feeder league to the NPL eventually. The Northern Premier League was bumped down a few levels itself over the years though, firstly in 1979 when what is now the National League was created, then again in 2004 when the National League North and South regional divisions were added.
Over the years, the league has seen clubs like Altrincham, Southport, and Boston United compete, among others, but their most successful graduates are undeniably Wigan Athletic. Wigan were a founding member club of the NPL, before progressing up the leagues and finally enjoying a stint in the Premier League itself between 2005-2013.
Teams from the Northern Premier League have made an impact in the FA Cup too, with several NPL clubs knocking out teams several tiers above them. Perhaps most famous, was the 1998 3rd round game between Emley and a West Ham United team which included Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, and John Hartson, managed by Harry Redknapp. Away from home, Emley held the Hammers to a 1-1 draw until 8 minutes before time when they conceded a second, but it hit the headlines right enough.