Northern Football League

The Northern League is a British men's football league in north east England. Having been founded in 1889, it is the second-oldest football league in the world still in existence after the English Football League.

Northern League
Founded1889; 135 years ago (1889)
CountryEngland
DivisionsDivision One
Division Two
Number of clubs42
Level on pyramidLevels 9 and 10
Promotion toNorthern Premier League
Division One East or West
Relegation toNorthern Football Alliance Premier Division
Wearside League First Division
North Riding League Premier Division
Domestic cup(s)Northern League Challenge Cup
Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup
J. R. Cleator Cup
Current championsNewton Aycliffe (Division One)
Boro Rangers (Division Two)
(2024–25)
WebsiteEbac Northern League
Current: 2024–25

It contains two divisions; Division One and Division Two. Division One sits on the ninth tier of the English football league system, five divisions below the Football League. These leagues cover the historic counties of Durham, Northumberland, Cumberland, Westmorland and Yorkshire's North Riding. The champion club of Division One is promoted to the lower division of the Northern Premier League.

History

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The Northern league was one of many leagues formed the year after the Football League. In its first season, it consisted of ten clubs that were a mixture of professional and amateur organisations. During its early years, the competition included clubs such as Newcastle United, Middlesbrough and Darlington that would go on to play in the Football League. In 1905, the league split into two divisions, one professional and one amateur. The next year, however, the Northern League made the decision to abolish the professional division and restrict itself to amateur clubs, or at least clubs that claimed to be amateur.

 
The area covered by the Northern League is coloured in red.

Between the World Wars and in the early years following World War II, the Northern League's amateur status meant that they and their equivalent in the London area, the Isthmian League, dominated the old FA Amateur Cup. The two Leagues continued to be separate from the professional game which was dominated by the Football League, Southern League and, from 1968, the Northern Premier League.

The Northern League and Isthmian League (with its feeder leagues) continued to claim amateur status right up until, following pressure, amateur status was abandoned by the Football Association in 1974. This left amateur leagues like the Northern to find a place in the overall structure of non-League football. Unlike its southern equivalent, the Isthmian League, who became a feeder to the Alliance Premier League in 1982, the Northern League rejected repeated invitations. Ultimately, the Northern League remained out of the football pyramid until 1991. The league declined throughout the 1980s as its leading clubs defected to other leagues within the football pyramid, such as the Northern Counties East Football League. When the Northern League finally joined the pyramid, it was as a feeder league to the lower division of the Northern Premier League (Level 9).

Since 1995, Northern League clubs have competed for the FA Vase, with some success, having won 11 finals, losing 4 finals. There were two all Northern League finals in 2012 (Dunston UTS beat West Auckland Town) and 2020 (Hebburn Town beat Consett).

The League had an unusual sponsorship deal put in place by Brooks Mileson, owner of the Albany Group, who were its sponsors in 2003. In that year, Mileson announced that he had created a trust which would continue to sponsor the league throughout his lifetime and that of his sons. In 2008, however, the league announced that this sponsorship had come to an end, and it held a raffle to determine its next sponsor. Interested parties were invited to buy a stake in the raffle for £250. The winning stake was held by a local training company and the league was known as the skilltrainingltd Northern League from the 2008–09 season until the 2011–12 season.[1] The league is currently sponsored by dehumidifier manufacturer Ebac.[2]

Level 11 clubs from the North Riding Football League, Northern Football Alliance and Wearside Football League may apply for promotion into the Northern League's Second Division (level 10).

Current members

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Bishop Auckland
 
Crook Town
 
Heaton Stannington
 
Newcastle Benfield
 
North Shields
 
Seaham Red Star
 
Shildon
 
Sunderland Ryhope Community Association
 
Tow Law Town
 
West Allotment Celtic
 
West Auckland Town
 
Whickham
 
Whitley Bay
 
Bedlington Terriers
 
Billingham Synthonia
 
Billingham Town
 
Birtley Town
 
Blyth Town
 
Boldon Community Association
 
Brandon United
 
Chester-le-Street Town
 
Chester-le-Street United
 
Durham City
 
Easington Colliery
 
Esh Winning
 
FC Hartlepool
 
Horden CW
 
Jarrow
 
Newcastle Blue Star
 
Newcastle University and Prudhoe Youth Club
 
Ryton & Crawcrook Albion
 
Sunderland West End
 
Washington
Location of the Northumberland, County Durham and Tyne & Wear clubs in the Northern League by division
  – First Division   – Second Division
 
 
Boro Rangers
 
Guisborough Town
 
Northallerton Town
 
Redcar Athletic
 
Redcar Town
 
Thornaby
 
Yarm & Eaglescliffe
Location of the North Yorkshire clubs in the Northern League
 
 
Penrith
 
Carlisle City
Location of the Cumbria clubs in the Northern League

Division One

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Club Home ground
Birtley Town Birtley Sports Complex
Bishop Auckland Heritage Park
Boro Rangers Trinity College, Middlesbrough
Carlisle City Gillford Park
Crook Town The Sir Tom Cowie Millfield Ground
Guisborough Town King George V Ground
Heaton Stannington Grounsell Park
Newcastle Benfield Sam Smith's Park
North Shields Daren Persson Stadium
Northallerton Town Calvert Stadium
Penrith Frenchfields Stadium
Redcar Athletic Green Lane
Seaham Red Star Seaham Town Park
Shildon Dean Street
Sunderland RCA Meadow Park
Tow Law Town Ironworks Road
West Allotment Celtic East Palmersville Sports Pavilion
West Auckland Town The Wanted Metal Stadium
Whickham The Glebe Sports Ground
Whitley Bay Hillheads Park

Division Two

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Club Home ground
Bedlington Terriers Dr Pit Welfare Park
Billingham Synthonia Broughton Road
Billingham Town Bedford Terrace
Blyth Town Gateway Park
Boldon CA Boldon Colliery Welfare
Grangetown Boys Club F.C. B&W Lifting Ltd Stadium
Chester-le-Street Town Moor Park
Chester-le-Street United Riverside Sports Complex
Easington Colliery Welfare Ground (Easington)
Esh Winning West Terrace
FC Hartlepool Grayfields Enclosure
Horden CW Horden Recreation Ground
Jarrow Perth Green CA
Newcastle Blue Star Scotswood Sports Centre
Newcastle University Kimberley Park (Prudhoe)+
Prudhoe Youth Club Kimberley Park
Redcar Town The Vibrant Doors Stadium
Ryton & Crawcrook Albion Kingsley Park
Sunderland West End Ford Quarry
Thornaby Teesdale Park
Washington Northern Area Football Fields
Yarm & Eaglescliffe Bedford Terrace (Billingham)+

+ indicates ground share

Champions

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Middlesbrough Ironopolis were champions three times in a row in the 1890s.

Originally the league comprised a single division. The champions were as follows:[3]

Season Champions
1889–90 Darlington St. Augustine's
1890–91 Middlesbrough Ironopolis
1891–92 Middlesbrough Ironopolis
1892–93 Middlesbrough Ironopolis
1893–94 Middlesbrough
1894–95 Middlesbrough
1895–96 Darlington
1896–97 Middlesbrough

In 1897, the league briefly split into two divisions.[3][4][5][6]

Season Division One Division Two
1897–98 Stockton Howden-le-Wear
1898–99 Bishop Auckland Stockton St. John's
1899–1900 Darlington Whitby

In 1900, the league reverted to a single division.[3]

Season Champions
1900–01 Bishop Auckland
1901–02 Bishop Auckland
1902–03 Newcastle United A
1903–04 Newcastle United A
1904–05 Newcastle United A

In 1905 the league split into two sections, one for professionals and one for amateurs. This lasted for a single season.[3]

Season Professional Amateur
1905–06 Sunderland A Bishop Auckland

In 1906 the league reverted to a single division, a format retained until 1982.[3]

Season Champions
1906–07 Stockton
1907–08 South Bank
1908–09 Bishop Auckland
1909–10 Bishop Auckland
1910–11 Eston United
1911–12 Bishop Auckland
1912–13 Esh Winning Rangers[7]
1913–14 Willington
1914–15 Crook Town
1915–19 Not contested due to World War I
1919–20 South Bank
1920–21 Bishop Auckland
1921–22 South Bank
1922–23 Eston United
1923–24 Tow Law Town
1924–25 Tow Law Town
1925–26 Willington
1926–27 Crook Town
1927–28 Chilton Colliery Recreation Athletic
1928–29 Stockton
1929–30 Willington
1930–31 Bishop Auckland
1931–32 Stockton
1932–33 Stockton
1933–34 Shildon
1934–35 Shildon
1935–36 Shildon
1936–37 Shildon
1937–38 Ferryhill Athletic
1938–39 Bishop Auckland
1939–40 Shildon
1940–45 Not contested due to World War II
1945–46 Stanley United
1946–47 Bishop Auckland
1947–48 Ferryhill Athletic
1948–49 Evenwood Town
1949–50 Bishop Auckland
1950–51 Bishop Auckland
1951–52 Bishop Auckland
1952–53 Crook Town
1953–54 Bishop Auckland
1954–55 Bishop Auckland
1955–56 Bishop Auckland
1956–57 Billingham Synthonia
1957–58 Ferryhill Athletic
1958–59 Crook Town
1959–60 West Auckland Town
1960–61 West Auckland Town
1961–62 Stanley United
1962–63 Crook Town
1963–64 Stanley United
1964–65 Whitley Bay
1965–66 Whitley Bay
1966–67 Bishop Auckland
1967–68 Spennymoor United
1968–69 North Shields
1969–70 Evenwood Town
1970–71 Evenwood Town
1971–72 Spennymoor United
1972–73 Blyth Spartans
1973–74 Spennymoor United
1974–75 Blyth Spartans
1975–76 Blyth Spartans
1976–77 Spennymoor United
1977–78 Spennymoor United
1978–79 Spennymoor United
1979–80 Blyth Spartans
1980–81 Blyth Spartans
1981–82 Blyth Spartans

In 1982 the league added a second division.[3]

Season Division One Division Two
1982–83 Blyth Spartans Peterlee Newtown
1983–84 Blyth Spartans Chester-le-Street Town
1984–85 Bishop Auckland Brandon United
1985–86 Bishop Auckland Newcastle Blue Star
1986–87 Blyth Spartans Billingham Synthonia
1987–88 Blyth Spartans Stockton
1988–89 Billingham Synthonia Consett
1989–90 Billingham Synthonia Murton
1990–91 Gretna West Auckland Town
1991–92 Gretna Stockton
1992–93 Whitby Town Dunston Federation Brewery
1993–94 Durham City Bedlington Terriers
1994–95 Tow Law Town Whickham
1995–96 Billingham Synthonia Morpeth Town
1996–97 Whitby Town Northallerton
1997–98 Bedlington Terriers Chester-le-Street Town
1998–99 Bedlington Terriers Durham City
1999–2000 Bedlington Terriers Brandon United
2000–01 Bedlington Terriers Ashington
2001–02 Bedlington Terriers Shildon
2002–03 Brandon United Penrith
2003–04 Dunston Federation Brewery Ashington
2004–05 Dunston Federation Brewery West Allotment Celtic
2005–06 Newcastle Blue Star Consett
2006–07 Whitley Bay Spennymoor Town
2007–08 Durham City Penrith Town
2008–09 Newcastle Benfield Horden Colliery Welfare
2009–10 Spennymoor Town Stokesley
2010–11 Spennymoor Town Newton Aycliffe
2011–12 Spennymoor Town Team Northumbria
2012–13 Darlington Crook Town
2013–14 Spennymoor Town North Shields
2014–15 Marske United Seaham Red Star
2015–16 Shildon South Shields
2016–17 South Shields Stockton Town
2017–18 Marske United Blyth
2018–19 Dunston UTS Billingham Town
2019–20 No champions; season abandoned due to coronavirus pandemic
2020–21 No champions; season abandoned due to lockdown regulations
2021–22 North Shields Carlisle City
2022–23 Newton Aycliffe Boro Rangers
2023–24 Bishop Auckland Blyth Town

number of titles (1890-2024)

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rank-club-(titles-last won)

  • 1-Bishop Auckland (20–2024)
  • 2-Blyth Spartans (10–1988)
  • 3-Spennymoor Town (10–2014)(a)
  • 4-Shildon (6–2016)
  • 5-Stockton (5–1933)
  • 6-Crook Town (5–1963)
  • 7-Bedlington Terriers (5–2002)
  • 8-Billingham Synthonia (4–1996)
  • 9-Middlesbrough Ironopolis (3–1893)
  • 10-Middlesbrough (3–1897)
  • 11-Newcastle (3–1905)
  • 12-South Bank (3–1922)
  • 13-Willington (3–1930)
  • 14-Ferryhill Athletic (3–1958)
  • 15-Stanley United (3–1964)
  • 16-Evenwood Town (3–1971)
  • 17-Tow Law Town (3–1995)
  • 18-Whitley Bay (3–2007)
  • 19-Darlington (3–2013)
  • 20-Eston United (2–1923)
  • 21-West Auckland Town (2–1961)
  • 22-Gretna (2–1992)
  • 23-Whitby Town (2–1997)
  • 24-Dunston Federation Brewery (2–2005)
  • 25-Durham City (2–2008)
  • 26-Marske United (2–2018)
  • 27-North Shield (2–2022)
  • 28-Darlington St.Augustine's (1–1890)
  • 29-Sunderland (1–1905)
  • 30-Esh Winning Rangers (1–1913)
  • 31-Chilton Colliery Recreation (1–1928)
  • 32-Brandon United (1–2003)
  • 33-Newcastle Blue Star (1–2006)
  • 34-Newcastle Benfield (1–2009)
  • 35-South Shield (1–2017)
  • 36-Dunston UTS (1–2019)
  • 37-Newton Aycliffe (1–2023)

in bold, competing for the 2023–24 season in division one or two

  • (a) with Spennymoor United, ancestor club

League Cup

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Season Winner Score Runners–up Venue Notes
1923-24 Cockfield 3–1 Ferryhill Athletic Bishop Auckland [8]
1924-25 Willington 2–0 Ferryhill Athletic Bishop Auckland [8][9]
1925-26 Willington 2–0 Crook Town Bishop Auckland [8][9]
1926-27 Stockton 1–1 Bishop Auckland Crook [8][10]
1926-27 (R) Stockton 0–0 Bishop Auckland Bishop Auckland [8][10]
1926-27 (R2) Stockton 1–1 Bishop Auckland Stockton [8][10]
1926-27 (R3) Stockton 3–0 Bishop Auckland Crook [8][10]
1927-28 Willington 1–1 Chilton Colliery RA Bishop Auckland [8][9]
1927-28 (R) Willington 3–2 Chilton Colliery RA Chilton [8][9]
1928-29 Whitby United 2–1 Chilton Colliery RA Stockton [8][11]
1929-30 Stockton 4–2 Ferryhill Athletic Bishop Auckland [8][10]
1930-31 Willington 3–1 Chilton Colliery RA Bishop Auckland [8][9]
1931-32 Willington 2–2 Whitby United Bishop Auckland [8][9]
1931-32 (R) Willington 2–2 Whitby United Stockton [8][9]
1932-33 Stockton 2–0 Willington Bishop Auckland [8][10]
1933-34 Shildon 3–1 Bishop Auckland Shildon [8][12]
1934-35 Shildon 2–1 Chilton Colliery RA Bishop Auckland [8][12]
1935-36 Evenwood Town 3–2 Trimdon Grange Bishop Auckland [8]
1936-37 Crook Town 2–2 Bishop Auckland Shildon [8]
1936-37 (R) Crook Town 2–1 Bishop Auckland Willington [8]
1937-38 Shildon 1–0 Cockfield Bishop Auckland [8][12]
1938-39 Shildon 2–0 Ferryhill Athletic Bishop Auckland [8][12]
1939-40 Shildon 2–0 Bishop Auckland Shildon [8][12]
1945-46 Crook Colliery Welfare 2–1 Bishop Auckland Shildon [8]
1946-47 Stanley United 3–1 Shildon Ferryhill [8]
1947-48 South Bank 3–1 Tow Law Town Bishop Auckland [8][13]
1948-49 Willington 4–2 West Auckland Town Bishop Auckland [8][9]
1949-50 Bishop Auckland 3–1 Shildon Bishop Auckland [8][14]
1950-51 Bishop Auckland 6–2 Ferryhill Athletic Shildon [8][14]
1951-52 Billingham Synthonia 1–1 Tow Law Town Bishop Auckland [8]
1951-52 (R) Billingham Synthonia 1–0 Tow Law Town Bishop Auckland [8]
1952-53 Shildon 3–3 Evenwood Town Bishop Auckland [8][12]
1952-53 (R) Shildon 3–2 Evenwood Town Bishop Auckland [8][12]
1953-54 Bishop Auckland 4–1 Shildon Bishop Auckland [8][14]
1954-55 Bishop Auckland 6–0 Crook Town Crook [8][14]
1955-56 South Bank 2–0 Bishop Auckland Crook [8][13]
1956-57 Willington 3–0 Evenwood Town Bishop Auckland [8][9]
1957-58 Stanley United 2–1 Durham City Bishop Auckland [8]
1958-59 West Auckland Town 7–0 Crook Town Shildon [8]
1959-60 Bishop Auckland 1–0 Penrith Shildon [8][14]
1960-61 Crook Town 2–0 Bishop Auckland Crook [8]
1961-62 Stanley United 5–1 West Auckland Town Shildon [8]
1962-63 West Auckland Town 4–0 Crook Town Shildon [8]
1963-64 Whitby Town 2–0 West Auckland Town Shildon [8][11]
1964-65 Whitley Bay 1–1 Spennymoor United North Shields [8]
1964-65 (R) Whitley Bay 3–1 Spennymoor United North Shields [8]
1965-66 Spennymoor United 2–1 Penrith Shildon [8]
1966-67 Bishop Auckland 4–0 Tow Law Town Spennymoor [8][14]
1967-68 Spennymoor United 0–0 Whitley Bay Crook [8]
1967-68 (R) Spennymoor United 3–2 Whitley Bay North Shields [8]
1968-69 North Shields 2–0 Tow Law Town Spennymoor [8]
1969-70 Whitby Town 4–1 Spennymoor United South Bank [8][11]
1970-71 Whitley Bay 4–1 North Shields Blyth [8]
1971-72 North Shields 0–0 Spennymoor United Blyth [8]
1971-72 (R) North Shields 2–1 Spennymoor United Ferryhill [8]
1972-73 Blyth Spartans 2–0 Spennymoor United Spennymoor [8]
1973-74 Tow Law Town 2–1 Ashington Crook [8]
1974-75 Willington 2–1 Bishop Auckland Spennymoor [8][9]
1975-76 Bishop Auckland 2–1 Ashington Blyth [8][14]
1976-77 Whitby Town 3–1 Durham City Spennymoor [8]
1977-78 Blyth Spartans 5–1 Willington North Shields [8]
1978-79 Blyth Spartans 4–3 Consett Spennymoor [8]
1979-80 Spennymoor United 2–1 North Shields Consett [8]
1980-81 Spennymoor United 2–0 Consett Blyth [8]
1981-82 Blyth Spartans *1–1 South Bank Bishop Auckland [8]*2–1(pens)
1982-83 Norton & Stockton Ancients 2–1 Whitby Town Horden [8]
1983-84 Horden Colliery Welfare 2–0 Blyth Spartans North Shields [8]
1984-85 Whitby Town 2–1 North Shields Spennymoor [8][11]
1985-86 Blue Star 2–0 Durham City Spennymoor [8]
1986-87 Spennymoor United 2–1 Easington Colliery Shildon [8]
1987-88 Billingham Synthonia 2–1 Shildon Spennymoor [8]
1988-89 Guisborough Town 2–1 Tow Law Town Spennymoor [8]
1989-90 Billingham Synthonia 5–2 Whitby Town Guisborough [8]
1990-91 Gretna 1–0 Newcastle Blue Star Newcastle (Blue Star) [8]
1991-92 Blyth Spartans 1–0 Consett Murton [8]
1992-93 Seaham Red Star *2–2 Brandon United Billingham (Town) [8]*3–0 (pens)
1993-94 Northallerton Town 2–0 Blyth Spartans Brandon [8]
1994-95 Consett 2–0 Whitby Town Crook [8]
1995-96 Whitby Town 1–0 Dunston Fed Brewery Billingham (Synthonia) [8][11]
1996-97 Bedlington Terriers 3–0 Billingham Synthonia Dunston [8]
1997-98 Dunston Fed Brewery 3–2 Tow Law Town Durham [15]
1998-99 Dunston Fed Brewery 4–1 Jarrow Roofing Peterlee [15]
1999-00 Dunston Fed Brewery 4–0 Durham City Jarrow [15]
2000-01 Bedlington Terriers 4–1 Marske United West Auckland [15]
2001-02 Durham City *3–2 Shildon Durham [15] aet *gg
2002-03 Shildon *3–2 Billingham Synthonia Darlington (Feethams) [12][15] aet *gg
2003-04 Dunston Fed Brewery *2–1 Durham City Whitley Bay [15] aet *gg
2004-05 Bedlington Terriers *2–2 Dunston Fed Brewery Durham [15]*7–6(pens)
2005-06 Newcastle Blue Star 1–0 Dunston Fed Brewery Durham City [15] aet
2006-07 Newcastle Benfield 1–0 Sunderland Nissan Dunston [15]
2007-08 Billingham Town 2–1 Shildon Seaham [15]
2008-09 Newcastle Benfield 2–0 West Allotment Celtic West Allotment [15]
2009-10 South Shields *2–2 Ashington Dunston [15]*6–5 (pens)
2010-11 Newcastle Benfield 3–1 Spennymoor Town Dunston [15] aet
2011-12 Team Northumbria 4–1 West Auckland Town Newcastle (Coach Lane) [15]
2012-13 Spennymoor Town 1–0 Newcastle Benfield Consett [15]
2013-14 Marske United 2–1 Whitley Bay Newcastle (St.James' Park) [15] aet
2014-15 Shildon 2–0 Newton Aycliffe Bishop Auckland [15]
2015-16 Shildon *1–1 Marske United Billingham (Synthonia) [15]*4–3 (pens)
2016-17 South Shields 5–0 North Shields Whitley Bay [15]
2017-18 Dunston UTS 1–0 Bishop Auckland Consett [16]
2018-19 West Auckland Town *0–0 Newcastle Benfield Seaham [15]*4–3 (pens)
2019–20 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2020–21 Cancelled due to COVID-19 local lockdown regulations
2021–22 Cancelled
2022–23 Cancelled
  • gg = Golden goal

References

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  1. ^ Anthony Vickers (8 August 2008). "League's new name". Evening Gazette. Retrieved 8 August 2008.
  2. ^ Steve Brown (4 June 2012). "The Northern League has a new sponsor – County Durham-based dehumidifier manufacturer Ebac Ltd". Sunday Sun. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "England – Northern League". RSSSF. 7 February 2007. Retrieved 2 July 2008.
  4. ^ "HOWDEN-LE-WEAR". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
  5. ^ "STOCKTON ST JOHN'S". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
  6. ^ "WHITBY". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
  7. ^ "ESH WINNING RANGERS". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb Hunt, Brian (2000). Northern Goalfields Revisited, A Millennium History of the Northern Football League. pp. 514–15. ISBN 1897585578.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Willington AFC, Club Details". Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  10. ^ a b c d e f D.Dale & P.Livingstone. "Stockton Football Club, Giants of the Amateur Game". Archived from the original on 26 September 2007.
  11. ^ a b c d e "Whitby Town FC Club History". Archived from the original on 9 February 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h "Shildon AFC, Club History". Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  13. ^ a b "South Bank Football Club, History". Archived from the original on 12 June 2011. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g "Bishop Auckland AFC, History". Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "Northern League Official Website (Archive)". Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  16. ^ "Fixtures/Results 1718". Northern League. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
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