As part of the establishment of the national non-league pyramid, the Yorkshire League (founded 1920) and the Midland Counties League (founded 1889) agreed to merge to form a single feeder league to the Northern Premier League. Promotion to the NPL was not automatic initially, the NPL feeder league champions had to apply for election. The lack of automatic promotion and the amount of travelling involved caused a number of the more southerly clubs to defect to the Central Midlands League in the hope of establishing a new level of the pyramid on a par with the NPL. Eventually the CML joined the pyramid as a feeder league to the NCEL. Automatic promotion between the NCEL and NPL was finally agreed in 1987, but only after the NCEL lost six clubs to a new division of the NPL. A number of NCEL champions have since been promoted to the NPL, although it is rare for a clubs to have to make the reverse journey due to withdrawals further up the pyramid. In the late 80s the league gained a number of clubs from the Northern League who were seeking to progress up the pyramid. The influx ceased in the early 90s when the Northern League finally decided to join the pyramid as an NPL feeder league.
The Northern Counties (East) League boasts the two oldest football clubs in the country as members, Hallam FC formed in 1860 and Sheffield FC formed in 1857.
| Midland Counties League Premier Division | Alfreton Town, Appleby Frodingham Athletic, Arnold, Belper Town, Boston, Bridlington Trinity, Eastwood Town, Guisborough Town, Heanor Town, Ilkeston Town, Mexborough Town Athletic, Shepshed Charterhouse, Skegness Town, Spalding United, Sutton Town |
| Yorkshire League Division One | Bentley Victoria Welfare, Emley, Guiseley, Thackley, Winterton Rangers |
| Yorkshire League Division One | Farsley Celtic, Leeds Ashley Road, Liversedge, North Ferriby United, Ossett Albion, Scarborough Reserves, York Railway Institute |
| Yorkshire League Division Two | Bradley Rangers, Bridlington Town, Garford Miners, Hall Road Rangers, Harrogate Town, Hatfield Main, Ossett Town |
| Midland Counties League Premier Division | Brigg Town, Long Eaton United |
| Midland Counties League Division One | Arnold Kingswell, Kimberley Town, Staveley Works |
| Yorkshire League Division One | Frecheville CA, Hallam, Lincoln United, Sheffield |
| Yorkshire League Division Two | BSC (Parkgate), Harworth CI, Maltby MW, Norton Woodseats |
| Yorkshire League Division Three | Denaby United |
| Yorkshire League Division Two | Fryston CW, Grimethorpe MW, Pilkington Recs, Yorkshire Amateur |
| Yorkshire League Division Three | Brook Sports, Collingham, Harrogate Railway Athletic, Phoenix Park (Bradford), Pickering Town, Pontefract Colliery, Selby Town, Tadcaster Albion, Throne Colliery, Rowntree Mackintosh |
| Midland League Division One | Blidworth MW (previously Folk House OB), Borrowash Victoria, Creswell Colliery, Graham St. Prims, Long Eaton Grange, Oakham United, Retford Rail, Rolls Royce (Hucknall) |
| Yorkshire League Division Two | Kiveton Park |
| Yorkshire League Division Three | Stocksbridge Works, Wombell SA, Woolley MW, Worsbrough Bridge MW |
The Northern Counties (East) League covers the South Eastern part of the Northern Premier League area including Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, South East Derbyshire, North Lincolnshire and Humberside.
2 divisions, 36 clubs
Premier Division (20 clubs)
Division One (16 clubs)
In the early seasons the league consisted of a top division and a number of regional lower divisions. In 1986 the league was re-organised in four division, since then a gradual reduction in numbers has caused the lower two divisions to be abandoned.
Alfreton Town, Armthorpe Welfare, Arnold Town, Brigg Town, Brodsworth Welfare, Buxton, Denaby United, Eccleshill United, Garforth Town, Glasshoughton Welfare, Hallam, Harrogate Railway Athletic, Liversedge, Maltby Main, North Ferriby United, Ossett Albion, Selby Town, Sheffield, Staveley MW, Thackley.
Relegated from the Unibond League Division One: Alfreton Town
Promoted from
Division One: Harrogate Railway Athletic, Brodsworth Welfare
Promoted to Unibond League Division One: Osset Town (Champions Osset Albion's ground
did not meet ground grading for promotion)
Relegated to
Division One: Pontefract Collieries, Pickering Town
| 1999 | Ossett Albion |
| 1998 | Hucknall Town |
| 1997 | Denaby United |
| 1996 | Hatfield Main |
| 1995 | Lincoln United |
| 1994 | Stocksbridge Park Steels |
| 1993 | Spennymoor United |
| 1992 | North Shields |
| 1991 | Guiseley |
| 1990 | Bridlington Town |
Borrowash Victoria, Bridlington Town, Glapwell, Goole AFC, Hall Road Rangers, Hatfield Main, Louth United, Mickleover Sports, Parkgate, Pickering Town, Pontefract Collieries, Rossington Main, Tadcaster Albion, Winterton Rangers, Worsbrough Bridge MW & Athletic, Yorkshire Amateur.
Relegated from Division One: Pontefract Collieries, Pickering Town
Elected from East Riding County League: Bridlington Town
Elected from Central Midlands League: Goole AFC, Mickleover Sports
Promoted to Division One: Harrogate Railway Athletic, Brodsworth Welfare
| 1999 | Harrogate Railway Athletic |
| 1998 | Garforth Town |
| 1997 | Eccleshill United |
| 1996 | Selby Town |
| 1995 | Hatfield Main |
| 1994 | Arnold Town |
| 1993 | Lincoln United |
| 1992 | Stocksbridge Park Steels |
| 1991 | Sheffield |
| 1990 | Rowntree Mackintosh |
| 1989 | Sheffield |
Prepared and maintained by James M. Ross
Author: James M. Ross Last updated: 20 Apr 2000Copyright © 1997,2000 James M. Ross
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