Northern Premier League Premier Division
| Country | England |
|---|---|
| Other club(s) from | Wales |
| Founded | 1968 |
| 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 | F.C. United of Manchester (2014–15) |
| Most championships | Boston United (4 times) |
| Website | Official website |
 2015–16 |
|
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 2015–16
| Club |
Home Ground | Finishing position 2014–15 |
|---|---|---|
| Ashton United | Michael Jefferson Memorial Arena, Hurst Cross | 3rd |
| Barwell | Kirkby Road | 8th |
| Blyth Spartans | Croft Park | 6th |
| Buxton | The Silverlands | 10th |
| Colwyn Bay | Llanelian Road | Relegated from Conference North, 20th |
| Darlington 1883 | Heritage Park | Promoted via play-offs from NPL Division One North, 2nd |
| Frickley Athletic | Westfield Lane | 19th |
| Grantham Town | South Kesteven Sports Stadium | 12th |
| Halesowen Town | The Grove | 11th |
| Hyde United | Ewen Fields | Relegated from Conference North, 22nd |
| Ilkeston | New Manor Ground | 5th |
| Marine | Arriva Stadium | Reprieved from relegation, 21st |
| Matlock Town | Causeway Lane | 14th |
| Mickleover Sports | Raygar Stadium | Promoted as champions of NPL Division One South, 1st |
| Nantwich Town | Weaver Stadium | 15th |
| Ramsbottom United | Harry Williams Riverside Stadium | 17th |
| Rushall Olympic | Dales Lane | 9th |
| Salford City | Moor Lane | Promoted as champions of NPL Division One North, 1st |
| Skelmersdale United | West Lancashire College Stadium | 7th |
| Stamford | Kettering Road | 20th |
| Stourbridge | War Memorial Athletic Ground | 16th |
| Sutton Coldfield | Central Ground | Promoted via play-offs from NPL Division One South, 4th |
| Whitby Town | Turnbull Ground | 13th |
| Workington | Borough Park | 2nd |
Past winners
References
External links
- REDIRECT Template:Men's football in England
