Northern Premier League Premier Division
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Countries |  England |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1968 |
| Number of teams | 22 |
| Promotion to | Conference North |
| Relegation to | NPL Division One North NPL Division One South |
| Levels on pyramid | Level 7 |
| Domestic cup(s) | FA Cup FA Trophy Challenge Cup |
| Current champions | Eastwood Town (2008–09) |
The Premier Division is the top division of the Northern Premier League. It is at Step 3 (or level 7) of the National League System, placing it six divisions below the FA Premier League. For sponsorship reasons, it is often referred to as the UniBond League Premier Division.
The league was founded in 1968, as the northern equivalent of the Southern League, being the highest level non-League division below The Football League. In 1979, upon the creation of the Alliance Premier League, it became a feeder league and fell down one 'level' in the English football league system. Since then, its prestige has fallen further: there are now two levels between it and the Football League.
The division is at the same level as the Premier Divisions of the Southern League and the Isthmian League. At the end of each season two clubs are promoted to the Conference North: the league champions, and the winners of a play-off competition held between the 2nd through 5th placed clubs. The four lowest placed teams are relegated to the Northern Premier League Division One North or Northern Premier League Division One South, to be replaced by four promoted teams.
All clubs in the Premier Division also compete in the Challenge Cup knockout competition, but not in the other two NPL cup competitions (the President's Cup and the Chairman's Cup) which in 2007–2008 were only open to teams in the lower divisions.
[edit] Current clubs
| Club |
Home Ground | Finishing position 2007-08 |
|---|---|---|
| Ashton United | Hurst Cross | 10th |
| Boston United | Staffsmart Stadium | 10th in the Conference North |
| Bradford Park Avenue | Horsfall Stadium | 1st in the NPL Division 1 North |
| Buxton | The Silverlands | 5th |
| Cammell Laird | Kirklands Stadium | 2nd in the NPL Division 1 South |
| Eastwood Town | Coronation Park | 4th |
| FC United of Manchester | Gigg Lane | 2nd in the NPL Division 1 North |
| Frickley Athletic | Westfield Lane | 14th |
| Guiseley | Nethermoor Park | 6th |
| Hednesford Town | Keys Park | 8th |
| Ilkeston Town | New Manor Ground | 17th |
| Kendal Town | Lakeland Radio Stadium | 11th |
| Leigh Genesis | Hilton Park | 22nd in the Conference North |
| Marine | Arriva Stadium | 7th |
| Matlock Town | Causeway Lane | 16th |
| Nantwich Town | The Weaver Stadium | 3rd in the NPL Division 1 South |
| North Ferriby United | Church Road | 15th |
| Ossett Town | Ingfield | 18th |
| Prescot Cables | Valerie Park | 13th |
| Whitby Town | Turnbull Ground | 12th |
| Witton Albion | Wincham Park | 2nd |
| Worksop Town | New Manor Ground | 9th |
[edit] Past winners
|
|
|
|
