2020–21 North West Counties Football League

The 2020–21 North West Counties Football League season was the 39th in the history of the North West Counties Football League, a football competition in England, and the third season following the split of the lower level into two geographically separated divisions. 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 for season 2020–21 were announced by the Football Association on 21 July,^[1] and were subject to appeal. On 6 August, it was announced by the League that the season would start no earlier than Saturday 3 October.^[2] The season was later suspended in December as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in England. It was subsequently abandoned on 24 February 2021.^[3]

Premier Division

North West Counties
Football League
Premier Division

Season	2020–21
← 2019–20 2021–22 →

The Premier Division comprised 20 teams, the same set of teams which competed in the previous season's aborted competition.

Rylands changed its name to Warrington Rylands 1906.^[4]

Premier Division table

Prior to the first match(es) being played the Pos column shows alphanumeric sequence of teams rather than league position.

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion or qualification
1	Avro	8	5	1	2	23	9	+14	16
2	Warrington Rylands (P)	5	4	1	0	15	4	+11	13	Promotion to the Northern Premier League Division One West
3	Northwich Victoria	7	4	1	2	12	9	+3	13
4	Irlam	9	4	0	5	13	20	−7	12
5	Runcorn Town	6	3	2	1	14	7	+7	11
6	Hanley Town	7	3	2	2	12	9	+3	11	Transfer to the Midland League
7	Winsford United	5	3	1	1	18	7	+11	10
8	Congleton Town	5	3	1	1	9	8	+1	10
9	Bootle (P)	3	3	0	0	14	5	+9	9	Promotion to the Northern Premier League Division One West
10	1874 Northwich (P)	5	3	0	2	12	8	+4	9
11	Burscough	2	2	0	0	6	3	+3	6
12	Padiham	6	2	1	3	12	16	−4	7
13	Longridge Town	4	2	0	2	9	5	+4	6
14	Ashton Athletic	5	2	0	3	10	16	−6	6
15	Whitchurch Alport	7	1	3	3	10	19	−9	6	Transfer to the Midland League
16	Barnoldswick Town	8	2	0	6	11	26	−15	6
17	Charnock Richard	4	1	1	2	7	9	−2	4
18	Skelmersdale United	4	1	0	3	5	9	−4	3
19	Squires Gate	9	1	0	8	15	29	−14	3
20	Litherland REMYCA	4	0	1	3	7	16	−9	1

Source: NWCFL, Non League Matters
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results^[5]
(P) Promoted

Premier Division results

Home \ Away	18N	ASH	AVR	BWT	BTL	BUR	CHR	CON	HAN	IRL	LIT	LON	NWV	PAD	RNT	SKE	SQG	WRY	WHI	WIN
1874 Northwich	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2–3	—	—	—	—	—	3–1	—	—	—	—
Ashton Athletic	—	—	1–5	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1–2	4–0	—	—	—	—
Avro	—	—	—	—	—	—	1–3	—	1–1	5–0	—	—	—	—	—	—	2–1	—	3–1	—
Barnoldswick Town	0–3	—	—	—	—	1–2	—	—	2–3	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	3–2	—	—	—
Bootle	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	3–2	—	—	—	—	7–2	—	—	—
Burscough	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Charnock Richard	—	—	—	—	1–4	2–2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	3–1	—	—	—
Congleton Town	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1–0	—	—	—	—	—	2–2	—	3–2	0–3	—	—
Hanley Town	—	2–4	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	3–0	—	—	2–0	—	—	—	—	—	1–1	—
Irlam	—	—	—	2–1	—	—	2–1	—	—	—	5–2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	0–2
Litherland REMYCA	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Longridge Town	—	—	—	4–0	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Northwich Victoria	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2–1	2–2	2–0	—	—	—	—	—	2–3	—	—
Padiham	0–2	—	1–6	0–2	—	—	—	—	—	—	5–1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	4–4	—
Runcorn Town	—	7–0	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2–0	—	—	—	—	—	0–3	—	—	—	—
Skelmersdale United	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Squires Gate	4–2	—	—	—	—	2–4	—	—	—	—	—	0–3	—	1–2	—	—	—	—	—	—
Warrington Rylands	—	—	1–0	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	7–1	—	—	—
Whitchurch Alport	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	0–2	—	1–1	2–1	—	—	—	—
Winsford United	—	—	—	10–2	—	—	—	—	—	—	4–2	—	1–2	—	—	—	—	1–1	—	—

Source: results
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Stadia and locations

1874 Northwich

Ashton Athletic

AVRO

Barnoldswick Town

Bootle

Burscough

Charnock Richard

Congleton Town

Hanley Town

Irlam

Litherland REMYCA

Longridge Town

Northwich Victoria

Padiham

Runcorn Town

Skelmersdale United

Squires Gate

Warrington Rylands

Whitchurch Alport

Winsford United

Locations of the 2020–21 North West Counties Football League Premier Division teams

Team	Stadium
1874 Northwich	Townfield (groundshare with Barnton)
Ashton Athletic	Brockstedes Park
Avro	Whitebank Stadium, Oldham
Barnoldswick Town	Greenberfield Lane
Bootle	New Bucks Park
Burscough	Victoria Park
Charnock Richard	Mossie Park
Congleton Town	Ivy Gardens
Hanley Town	Abbey Lane
Irlam	Silver Street
Litherland REMYCA	Litherland Sports Park
Longridge Town	Mike Riding Ground
Northwich Victoria	Wincham Park (groundshare with Witton Albion)
Padiham	Arbories Memorial Sports Ground
Runcorn Town	Pavilions Sports Complex
Skelmersdale United	Valerie Park
Squires Gate	School Road
Warrington Rylands	Gorsey Lane
Whitchurch Alport	Yockings Park
Winsford United	Barton Stadium

Division One North

North West Counties
Football League
Division One North

Season	2020–21
← 2019–20 2021–22 →

Division One North comprised 19 clubs, 18 of which were in the division the previous season.

• Shelley resigned shortly before the season began^[6]
• Emley AFC was transferred back to the Northern Counties East League, having spent just one season in this league
• Bury AFC

Division One North table

Prior to the first match(es) being played the Pos column shows alphabetic sequence of teams rather than league position.

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion
1	Bury AFC	7	5	1	1	22	11	+11	16
2	Lower Breck (P)	4	4	0	0	15	3	+12	12	Promotion to the Premier Division
3	AFC Darwen	7	4	0	3	20	16	+4	12
4	Cleator Moor Celtic	9	3	3	3	21	20	+1	12
5	AFC Liverpool (P)	4	3	1	0	15	7	+8	10	Promotion to the Premier Division
6	Prestwich Heys (P)	5	3	1	1	13	9	+4	10
7	Steeton	7	3	1	3	13	11	+2	10
8	Golcar United	8	3	1	4	14	15	−1	10
9	Ashton Town	8	3	1	4	14	18	−4	10
10	Bacup Borough	3	3	0	0	9	2	+7	9
11	Garstang	7	3	0	4	14	19	−5	9
12	Pilkington	5	2	2	1	11	11	0	8
13	AFC Blackpool	5	2	0	3	12	16	−4	6
14	Chadderton	7	1	2	4	12	19	−7	5
15	Holker Old Boys	3	1	0	2	8	10	−2	3
16	Atherton LR	3	1	0	2	3	5	−2	3
17	Nelson	6	1	0	5	11	19	−8	3
18	Daisy Hill	5	1	0	4	7	18	−11	3
19	St Helens Town	3	0	1	2	5	10	−5	1

Source: NWCFL, Non League Matters
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results^[5]
(P) Promoted

Division One North results

Home \ Away	BLP	DAR	LVP	ASH	ALR	BAC	BUY	CHA	CLE	DSH	GAR	GOL	HOL	LOW	NEL	PIL	PRE	STH	STE
AFC Blackpool	—	2–4	—	—	—	—	—	—	3–1	3–1	1–3	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
AFC Darwen	7–1	—	—	2–0	—	—	—	3–1	—	—	—	2–3	—	0–1	—	—	—	—	—
AFC Liverpool	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2–2	—	5–2	5–1
Ashton Town	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	4–2	—	3–1	—	—	—	—	—	1–3	—	3–1	—
Atherton LR	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	0–3	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Bacup Borough	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	6–2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1–0
Bury AFC	—	6–2	—	—	—	—	—	3–2	—	—	3–1	1–1	—	—	—	—	1–2	—	3–2
Chadderton	—	—	—	—	2–0	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1–1	2–2	—
Cleator Moor Celtic	—	—	—	2–2	—	—	—	—	—	2–3	—	1–2	4–2	—	4–3	2–2	—	—	2–2
Daisy Hill	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2–5	—	—
Garstang	—	—	—	2–1	—	—	1–5	—	1–3	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Golcar United	—	—	2–3	—	—	0–2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	3–4	—	—	—	—	0–2
Holker Old Boys	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	3–4	3–2	—	—
Lower Breck	—	—	—	5–0	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Nelson	—	—	—	—	0–3	—	—	—	—	5–0	3–4	—	—	0–5	—	—	—	—	—
Pilkington	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	0–3
Prestwich Heys	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	3–2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
St Helens Town	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Steeton	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	3–0	—	—	—	—

Source: results
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Stadia and locations

AFC Blackpool

AFC Darwen

AFC Liverpool

Ashton Town

Atherton LR

Bacup Borough

Bury

Chadderton

Cleator Moor Celtic

Daisy Hill

Garstang

Golcar United

Holker Old Boys

Lower Breck

Nelson

Pilkington & St Helens Town

Prestwich Heys

Steeton

Locations of the 2020–21 North West Counties Football League Division One North teams

Team	Stadium
AFC Blackpool	The Mechanics
AFC Darwen	The Anchor Ground
AFC Liverpool	Rossett Park, Crosby (groundshare with Marine)
Ashton Town	Edge Green Street
Atherton Laburnum Rovers	Crilly Park
Bacup Borough	West View
Chadderton	MCA Stadium
Cleator Moor Celtic	McGrath Park
Daisy Hill	New Sirs, Westhoughton
Emley	Welfare Ground
Garstang	The Riverside
Golcar United	Longfield Avenue
Holker Old Boys	Rakesmoor Lane, Barrow-in-Furness
Lower Breck	Anfield Sports and Community Centre
Nelson	Victoria Park
Pilkington	Ruskin Drive Sportsground
Prestwich Heys	Adie Moran Park
St Helens Town	Ruskin Drive Sportsground
Steeton	Cougar Park

Division One South

North West Counties
Football League
Division One South

Season	2020–21
← 2019–20 2021–22 →

Division One South comprised 20 clubs, 19 of which were in the division the previous season.

• FC Oswestry Town resigned before the start of this season, and subsequently folded.^[7]
• FC Isle of Man's application to join the English football league system was successful, and the team was placed in this division. However, the club agreed to have its playing membership in the league suspended by mutual consent for the rest of this season because of COVID-19 pandemic-related travel restrictions on the Isle of Man.^[8]

Division One South table

Prior to the first match(es) being played the Pos column shows alphabetic sequence of teams rather than league position.

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion
1	Vauxhall Motors (P)	8	7	1	0	19	6	+13	22	Promotion to the Premier Division
2	Wythenshawe Town (P)	7	7	0	0	29	3	+26	21
3	Sandbach United	8	5	1	2	23	16	+7	16
4	Stockport Town	8	4	2	2	20	6	+14	14
5	West Didsbury & Chorlton	6	4	1	1	18	11	+7	13
6	Cheadle Heath Nomads	9	3	3	3	20	17	+3	12
7	New Mills	6	3	2	1	6	5	+1	11
8	Stone Old Alleynians (P)	6	3	1	2	13	9	+4	10	Promotion to the Midland League
9	Barnton	6	3	1	2	10	7	+3	10
10	Abbey Hey	7	3	1	3	13	11	+2	10
11	Cheadle Town	7	2	2	3	12	10	+2	8
12	Alsager Town	7	2	1	4	8	14	−6	7
13	Cammell Laird	7	2	0	5	6	10	−4	6
14	Maine Road	7	2	0	5	9	16	−7	6
15	St Martins	9	1	2	6	9	29	−20	5
16	Ellesmere Rangers	4	1	0	3	4	12	−8	3
17	Abbey Hulton United	7	0	3	4	9	22	−13	3
18	Wythenshawe Amateurs	5	0	2	3	4	8	−4	2
19	Eccleshall	4	0	1	3	4	24	−20	1
20	FC Isle of Man	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Suspension from the league[8]

Source: NWCFL Tables, Non League Matters
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results^[5]
(P) Promoted

Division One South results

Home \ Away	AHY	AHU	ALS	BNT	CAM	CHN	CHT	ECC	ELL	IOM	MNR	NWM	SAN	STM	STK	SOA	VAU	WDC	WYA	WYT
Abbey Hey	—	4–4	—	—	—	—	—	—	2–3	—	—	—	—	—	1–0	2–1	—	—	—	—
Abbey Hulton United	—	—	—	—	—	2–2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	0–5
Alsager Town	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	4–0	—	—	—	—	—	0–3	—	—	0–1	—	—	—
Barnton	0–4	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	3–0	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Cammell Laird	—	3–0	—	1–0	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	0–1	1–3	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Cheadle Heath Nomads	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1–1	2–4	—	1–4	—	—	—	—	—
Cheadle Town	—	—	1–1	—	—	—	—	—	4–0	—	—	—	—	4–0	—	—	—	—	2–2	—
Eccleshall	—	—	—	—	—	1–8	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1–10	—	—	—	—	—
Ellesmere Rangers	—	—	1–3	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
FC Isle of Man	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Maine Road	—	—	1–0	1–3	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	0–1	4–2	—	—	—	0–2	—	—	—
New Mills	—	—	—	—	—	—	2–1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1–3
Sandbach United	1–0	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	5–1	—	—	—	—	—	—
St Martins	—	—	—	—	—	0–3	—	2–2	—	—	—	0–0	2–3	—	—	1–1	—	—	—	0–8
Stockport Town	—	1–1	—	—	1–0	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	3–0	—	—	—	—	—	—
Stone Old Alleynians	—	—	—	—	3–0	—	—	—	—	—	5–2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2–0	—
Vauxhall Motors	—	4–1	—	1–1	2–1	—	—	—	—	—	3–1	—	2–1	—	—	4–1	—	—	—	—
West Didsbury & Chorlton	—	3–1	7–0	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	4–4	—	2–1	—	—	—	—	—
Wythenshawe Amateurs	—	—	—	—	—	1–1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	0–1	—	1–2
Wythenshawe Town	2–0	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	5–1	—	—

Source: results
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Stadia and locations

Greater Manchester

Abbey Hulton United

Alsager Town

Barnton

Cammell Laird

Eccleshall

Ellesmere Rangers

New Mills

Rylands

Sandbach United

St Martins

Stone Old Alleynians

Vauxhall Motors

Locations of the 2020–21 North West Counties Football League Division One South teams

Abbey Hey Cheadle Town Cheadle HN Maine Road Stockport Town West Didsbury & Chorlton Wythenshawe Amateurs Wythenshawe Town Locations of 2020–21 North West Counties Division One South teams (Greater Manchester) Isle of Man Locations of 2020–21 North West Counties Division One South teams (Isle of Man)

Team	Stadium
Abbey Hey	The Abbey Stadium, Gorton
Abbey Hulton United	Birches Head Road
Alsager Town	Wood Park Stadium
Barnton	Townfield
Cammell Laird 1907	Kirklands, Birkenhead
Cheadle Heath Nomads	The Heath
Cheadle Town	Park Road Stadium
Eccleshall	Pershall Park
Ellesmere Rangers	Beech Grove
FC Isle of Man	The Bowl, Douglas
Maine Road	Brantingham Road, Chorlton
New Mills	Church Lane
Sandbach United	Sandbach Community Football Centre
St Martins	The Venue, Oswestry
Stockport Town	Stockport Sports Village
Stone Alleynians	Yarnfield Lane
Vauxhall Motors	Rivacre Park, Ellesmere Port
West Didsbury & Chorlton	Brookburn Road, Chorlton
Wythenshawe Amateurs	Hollyhedge Park
Wythenshawe Town	Ericstan Stadium

League Challenge Cup

Also called the Macron Challenge Cup for sponsorship reasons.^[9]
Sources for this section: fixtures and results

This competition is open to all teams in the league. However, due to irregularities in the previous season, AFC Darwen forfeited a place in the competition this season^[10]

The competition was suspended for this season and eventually cancelled in February 2021.^[3][11]

Division One Trophy

The competition was also suspended for this season and later cancelled in February 2021.^[3][11]

Division One Champions Cup

This would have been played at the end of the season between the winners of Division One North and Division One South. It too was cancelled in February 2021.^[3]