Northern Premier League Premier Division
| Founded | 1968 |
|---|---|
| Country | England |
| Other club(s) from | Wales |
| Number of teams | 24 |
| Level on pyramid | 7 |
| Promotion to | National League North |
| Relegation to | NPL Division One North NPL Division One South |
| Domestic cup(s) | FA Cup FA Trophy Challenge Cup Peter Swales Shield |
| Current champions | Darlington 1883 (2015–16) |
| Most championships | Boston United (4 times) |
| Website | Official website |
| Current: 2016–17 | |
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 Premier League. For sponsorship reasons, it is often referred to as the Evo-Stik 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 National League 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 from the Premier Division also compete in the NPL Challenge Cup and the Peter Swales Shield knockout competition, but not in the other two NPL cup competitions (the President's Cup and the Chairman's Cup). Before 2007–08 Premier Division teams did compete in the Chairman's Cup.
Current clubs 2016–17
| Club |
Home Ground | Finishing position 2015–16 |
|---|---|---|
| Ashton United | Michael Jefferson Memorial Arena, Hurst Cross | 4th |
| Barwell | Kirkby Road | 9th |
| Blyth Spartans | Croft Park | 2nd |
| Buxton | The Silverlands | 11th |
| Coalville Town | Mander Cruickshank Solicitors Stadium | Promoted via play-offs from NPL Division One South, 3rd |
| Corby Town | Steel Park | Relegated from National League North, 22nd |
| Frickley Athletic | Westfield Lane | 7th |
| Grantham Town | South Kesteven Sports Stadium | 18th |
| Halesowen Town | The Grove | 13th |
| Hednesford Town | Keys Park | Relegated from National League North, 21st |
| Ilkeston | New Manor Ground | 14th |
| Marine | Marine Travel Arena | 15th |
| Matlock Town | Causeway Lane | 17th |
| Mickleover Sports | Raygar Stadium | 20th |
| Nantwich Town | Weaver Stadium | 8th |
| Rushall Olympic | Dales Lane | 10th |
| Skelmersdale United | West Lancashire College Stadium | 16th |
| Spennymoor Town | The Brewery Field | Promoted via play-offs from NPL Division One North, 2nd |
| Stafford Rangers | Marston Road | Promoted as champions of NPL Division One South, 1st |
| Stourbridge | War Memorial Athletic Ground | 6th |
| Sutton Coldfield | Central Ground | 12th |
| Warrington Town | Cantilever Park | Promoted as champions of NPL Division One North, 1st |
| Whitby Town | Turnbull Ground | 19th |
| Workington | Borough Park | 5th |
Past winners
References
External links
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Darlington 1883 2016 Champions