Wikipedia

2023–24 North West Counties Football League

The 2023–24 North West Counties Football League season was the 42nd in the history of the North West Counties Football League, a football competition in England.

The league comprised three divisions: the Premier Division (at level 9 of the English football league system, Step 5 National League System) and two regional divisions at level 10 or Step 6. The latter were designated the First Division North and First Division South, with the champions of each division competing in a single match for the First Division Champions Cup. Additionally, there were two cup competitions: the League Challenge Cup (known as the Macron Challenge Cup for sponsorship reasons), a knockout competition open to all the league's clubs; and the First Division Trophy (known as the Edward Case Cup, named after the trophy), a knockout trophy competition for First Division clubs only.

Premier Division

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North West Counties
Football League
Premier Division
Season2023–24
Teams24
ChampionsWythenshawe
PromotedWythenshawe
Wythenshawe Town
RelegatedSkelmersdale United
Matches552
Goals2,023 (3.66 per match)
Average attendance408[1]

Six clubs had left the division after the previous season:

The 2023–24 Premier Division club allocations from the FA Leagues Committee (subject to appeal) were announced on 15 May 2023[3][4] and the constitution of the division was adopted at the league's AGM on 17 June 2023.[5] The division comprised 24 clubs, 16 remaining from the previous season plus 8 additions:

Included in the division were Bury F.C.: they had directly replaced Bury AFC who had merged with Bury FC Supporters' Society (who owned the Bury FC name and Gigg Lane ground) to form the newly constituted club, bringing together the two separate groups of fans of the former Bury FC club (who had been expelled from the Football League in 2019).[7] The inclusion of Bury F.C. (and also relatively well-supported FC Isle of Man and West Didsbury & Chorlton) had a significant effect on attendances in the division: the average per match across the division was a league record 408 (from 341 of the 2021–22 Premier Division) and at their home match versus Prestwich Heys on 26 December 2023 Bury recorded a new Premier Division recognised single match attendance record of 4,833[8] (previously 4,720 at Macclesfield v AFC Liverpool on 2 April 2022) – Bury had recorded an attendance of 5,451 v. Glossop North End on 29 July 22 but the match was declared void as Bury used an ineligible player.[9]

The FA council announced that, with effect from this season across the National League System, the previously used inter-step play-off system for the second promotion place would be replaced with each Step 5 division (including the NWCFL Premier Division) holding a divisional four-team promotion play-off to determine the second club to be promoted to Step 4. Also from next season four clubs were to be relegated from Step 4 into Step 5 feeder league divisions (for this transitional season there was only one club to be relegated from Step 5 divisions).[10] Accordingly champions (and divisional newcomers) Wythenshawe and promotion play-off winners Wythenshawe Town (who had finished as runners-up of the division) were promoted to the Northern Premier League Division One West, and bottom-placed club Skelmersdale United (who had been relegated into the division this season) were relegated to First Division North. Also leaving the division were Kendal Town who were transferred laterally following a failed appeal against the move[11] to the Northern League Division One.[12]

League table

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Season End Notes
1 Wythenshawe (C, P) 46 30 5 11 111 45 +66 95 Promoted to the Northern Premier
League Division One West
2 Wythenshawe Town (O, P) 46 29 8 9 95 44 +51 95 Won the promotion play-offs,
promoted to Northern Premier
League Division One West[a]
3 Bury 46 29 8 9 108 50 +58 92[b] Qualified for the
promotion play-offs
4 Charnock Richard 46 22 15 9 107 74 +33 81
5 Padiham 46 24 8 14 93 63 +30 80
6 Kendal Town 46 24 8 14 105 77 +28 80 Transferred to the
Northern League Division One
7 Chadderton 46 23 11 12 95 75 +20 80
8 Prestwich Heys 46 24 8 14 95 77 +18 80
9 FC Isle of Man 46 22 6 18 74 77 −3 72
10 Lower Breck 46 20 11 15 83 73 +10 71
11 Colne 46 21 8 17 97 67 +30 71
12 Litherland REMYCA 46 18 8 20 78 96 −18 62
13 Irlam 46 15 16 15 71 68 +3 61
14 AFC Liverpool 46 18 5 23 87 114 −27 59
15 Cheadle Town 46 18 6 22 75 92 −17 57[c]
16 West Didsbury & Chorlton 46 14 12 20 73 84 −11 54
17 Barnoldswick Town 46 14 12 20 88 113 −25 54
18 Ramsbottom United 46 13 11 22 84 97 −13 50
19 Longridge Town 46 12 8 26 82 107 −25 44
20 Burscough 46 11 11 24 74 100 −26 44
21 Glossop North End 46 11 10 25 64 83 −19 43
22 Pilkington 46 11 10 25 56 97 −41 43
23 Squires Gate 46 12 6 28 74 119 −45 42
24 Skelmersdale United (R) 46 9 5 32 54 131 −77 32 Relegated to First Division North
Source: "Final Tables, Season 2023/24". nwcfl.com. Retrieved 25 June 2026., "North West Counties League - North West Counties League Premier Division: 2023 – 24: League Table". nonleaguematters.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[13]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ↑ Winner from the four clubs who competed in the promotion play-offs
  2. ↑ Bury were deducted 3 points for fielding an ineligible player on 29 July 2023.[9]
  3. ↑ Cheadle Town were deducted 3 points for fielding an ineligible player on 16 September 2023.

Results Table

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Home \ Away ALV BAR BRS BRY CHA CHR CHT CLN GNE IOM IRL KEN LIT LON LOW PAD PIL PRE RAM SKE SQG WDC WYS WYT
AFC Liverpool 6–2 0–5 0–2 0–4 2–2 1–3 2–4 3–2 4–4 2–2 6–3 3–2 1–3 1–1 0–1 2–1 2–0 2–3 3–2 3–5 4–3 2–1 1–0
Barnoldswick T 2–4 4–0 0–7 3–1 0–2 3–5 2–5 3–2 5–2 3–4 4–4 2–3 2–4 3–3 2–0 2–2 3–3 1–1 3–1 2–2 1–1 3–0 0–0
Burscough 2–4 2–3 2–2 1–2 0–2 1–4 2–5 2–2 2–3 1–3 2–2 2–2 1–4 3–2 1–0 1–1 1–1 3–3 2–2[a] 3–0 0–2 1–3 0–2
Bury 3–0 1–2 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–1 4–1 1–0[b] 1–0 3–0 2–3 4–2 1–1 2–1 1–2 3–1 2–0 2–1 10–1 1–0 4–3 1–1 4–0
Chadderton 1–1 6–1 3–2 3–2 3–2 1–1 2–2 1–4 0–1 0–1 2–2 3–0 3–0 0–1 1–4 3–0 2–3 2–1 3–2 1–0 3–1 0–0 1–0
Charnock Richard 4–1 2–1 2–3 2–2 0–4 2–4 3–2 2–2 1–1 5–1 2–3 3–1 3–2 2–2 3–2 2–0 0–0 5–1 7–1 6–1 2–2 2–6 5–3
Cheadle Town 3–1[c] 5–0 2–1 0–2 0–3 0–1 1–2 0–1 3–2 2–5 1–3 4–1 2–3 1–0 1–2 2–0 2–4 0–1 2–1 2–4 1–0 0–4 0–4
Colne 5–0 3–3 1–0 1–3 1–1 0–1 7–1 1–1 0–2 0–1 2–0 2–3 2–3 0–3 1–1 1–3 3–4 4–1 1–0 4–0 2–0 0–1 0–2
Glossop NE 1–3 1–1 1–2 2–1 0–1 1–2 1–2 1–2 0–4 1–1 0–1 3–3 2–1 1–2 4–3 2–0 0–1 2–2 0–1 1–3 1–3 0–1 2–2
Isle of Man 3–2 0–1 3–1 0–2 3–2 3–5 0–1 0–2 3–2 1–0 1–1 0–3 3–2 3–2 2–1 1–0 0–2 2–1 3–0 1–3 1–0 1–0 2–0
Irlam 4–0 2–0 1–1 1–0 0–0 1–2 3–3 1–1 3–2 1–1 1–2 1–1 3–3 1–1 1–2 0–1 2–1 0–3 0–3 4–2 2–1 0–1 0–0
Kendal Town 1–0 2–3 2–0 0–2 5–0 1–1 4–1 2–4 3–0 6–1 1–2 3–1 1–0 1–2 1–1 4–2 1–0 1–2 6–1 2–1 0–2 1–3 2–4
Litherland R 4–2 1–3 4–3 0–6 3–4 1–2 4–4 0–2 1–0 1–2 2–1 2–3 3–1 3–1 1–1 1–0 3–2 1–1 3–1 4–1 1–2 1–0 1–0
Longridge Town 3–2 0–2 1–3 1–2 4–4 1–3 1–1 2–3 2–2 0–2 2–2 0–5 1–0 1–2 2–3 4–1 2–2 1–2 6–0 2–1 5–1 1–4 2–3
Lower Breck 2–3 1–1 3–1 2–1 2–1 2–2 0–0 0–0 2–1 1–1 1–1 4–3 0–1 3–1 2–1 3–0 2–5 5–2 3–2 5–3 3–1 0–1 0–0
Padiham 3–1 3–2 6–0 1–2 2–2 3–0 3–1 1–1 0–1 3–1 1–5 0–3 0–0 3–1 3–0 2–2 1–0 5–1 7–0 0–1 5–1 0–2 2–1
Pilkington 3–0 4–2 0–4 2–3 1–3 1–1 2–2 0–7 2–0 3–1 2–1 0–1 0–0 3–0 0–1 1–2 2–3 1–5 2–2 1–4 3–3 1–0 1–1
Prestwich Heys 4–1 3–1 1–3 1–2 5–2 0–6 2–1 1–0 3–2 3–4 1–1 2–2 5–2 3–1 2–1 2–0 3–0 3–0 2–1 4–2 3–1 2–5 0–2
Ramsbottom U 1–2 1–1 3–0 0–0 2–3 1–1 2–0 0–2 2–3 2–1 1–1 2–4 5–1 3–3 3–2 0–3 5–1 2–4 1–2 1–2 2–2 1–2 2–4
Skelmersdale U 0–3 4–1 1–3 2–1 3–3 2–2 0–2 0–6 0–1 2–0 1–4 1–4 2–1 0–1 1–3 1–3 1–2 1–0 2–6 1–0 1–1 0–5 1–4
Squires Gate 3–4 1–2 0–2 0–2 2–4 1–1 1–2 3–5 3–5 3–2 2–1 2–4 3–4 2–1 0–3 1–1 0–2 2–2 3–2 3–2 1–5 0–3 2–2
W. Didsbury & Ch 2–3 2–1 3–1 0–3 1–3 0–0 2–0 3–0 1–2 2–1 1–1 1–1 3–0 4–3 3–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 1–1 0–1 0–3
Wythenshawe 4–0 4–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–1 1–2 2–0 2–1 1–2 3–1 4–0 1–2 7–0 4–2 5–1 4–1 0–1 4–0 3–2 7–0 4–2 1–4
Wythenshawe Tn 1–0 3–1 2–1 2–3 4–0 2–1 4–0 1–0 1–1 0–0 1–0 3–1 4–0 2–0 3–0 2–3 4–0 3–1 2–1 3–0 2–0 3–1 2–1
Source: "Premier Division Results 2023/24". nwcfl.com. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
Notes:
  1. ↑ Burscough v Skelmersdale United: replayed match, original match (26 December 2023, result 3–4) declared void as Skelmersdale United used an ineligible player
  2. ↑ Bury v Glossop North End: replayed match, original match (29 July 2023, result 5–1) declared void as Bury used an ineligible player
  3. ↑ Cheadle Town v AFC Liverpool: replayed match, original match (16 September 2023, result 3–1) declared void as Cheadle Town used an ineligible player

Promotion play-offs

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The 2023–24 Premier Division promotion play-offs, contested by the clubs that finished second to fifth position in the league table, were won by Wythenshawe Town who had been runners-up of the division.

Semi-finals Final
            
2 Wythenshawe Town 1
5 Padiham 0
2 Wythenshawe Town 1 (3 p)
3 Bury 1 (2 p)
3 Bury 1
4 Charnock Richard 0

Source="Premier Division Play-Off Results 2023/24". nwcfl.com. Retrieved 25 June 2026.

Semi-finals

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30 April 2024 Wythenshawe Town 1–0PadihamWythenshawe
19:45
Report Stadium: Ericstan Stadium
Attendance: 658
30 April 2024 Bury 1–0Charnock RichardBury
19:45
Report Stadium: Gigg Lane
Attendance: 4,099

Final

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4 May 2024 Wythenshawe Town 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(3–2 p)		BuryWythenshawe
15:00
Report
Stadium: Ericstan Stadium
Attendance: 1,320

Stadiums and locations

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Locations of 2023–24 North West Counties Premier Division teams (Greater Manchester)
Locations of 2023–24 North West Counties Premier Division team (Isle of Man)
Team Stadium
AFC LiverpoolRossett Park, Crosby (groundshare with Marine)
Barnoldswick TownGreenberfield Lane
BurscoughVictoria Park
BuryGigg Lane
ChaddertonMCA Stadium
Charnock RichardMossie Park
Cheadle TownPark Road Stadium
ColneHolt House
Glossop North EndSurrey Street
FC Isle of ManThe Bowl, Douglas
IrlamSilver Street
Kendal TownParkside Road
Litherland REMYCALitherland Sports Park
Longridge TownMike Riding Ground
Lower BreckAnfield Sports and Community Centre
PadihamArbories Memorial Sports Ground
PilkingtonRuskin Drive Sportsground
Prestwich HeysAdie Moran Park
Ramsbottom UnitedHarry Williams Riverside Stadium
Skelmersdale UnitedThe Community Ground, Burscough
Squires GateSchool Road
West Didsbury & ChorltonBrookburn Road, Chorlton
WythenshaweHollyhedge Park
Wythenshawe TownEricstan Stadium

First Division North

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North West Counties
Football League
First Division North
Season2023–24
Teams18
ChampionsFC St Helens
PromotedFC St Helens
South Liverpool
Matches306
Goals1,143 (3.74 per match)
Average attendance123[14]

Three clubs had left the division after the previous season:

The 2023–24 First Division North club allocations from the FA Leagues Committee (subject to appeal) were announced on 15 May 2023;[4][3] subsequently Shelley were also allocated to the division.[15] The constitution of the division comprising 19 clubs was adopted at the league's AGM on 17 June 2023.[5] However, included club Droylsden were belatedly re-allocated to the First Division South owing to the late withdrawal of Ellesmere Rangers from that division.[16] The final iteration of the First Division North comprised 18 clubs, 15 remaining from the previous season plus 3 additions:

At the end of the season five clubs left the division: champions FC St Helens and promotion play-off winners South Liverpool (who had finished fifth in the division) were promoted to the Premier Division; in the allocations for the following season Runcorn Town were transferred laterally within the league to the First Division South and both Ilkley Town and Shelley had their requests for a lateral transfer to the Northern Counties East League Division One granted. The latter team together with Garstang in common with all Step 6 second and third from bottom clubs were reprieved from relegation as were Nelson who survived as they had one of the better points per game ratio of the Step 6 bottom clubs.[17]

League table

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Season End Notes
1 FC St Helens (C, P) 34 24 5 5 81 36 +45 77 Promoted to the Premier Division
2 Atherton Laburnum Rovers 34 21 5 8 75 44 +31 68 Qualified for the
promotion play-offs
3 Ashton Town 34 20 5 9 84 51 +33 65
4 Euxton Villa 34 20 3 11 74 44 +30 63
5 South Liverpool (O, P) 34 19 6 9 69 49 +20 63 Won the promotion play-offs,
promoted to the Premier Division[a]
6 Ilkley Town 34 18 8 8 67 53 +14 62 Transferred to Northern Counties
East League Division One
7 Holker Old Boys 34 19 4 11 78 53 +25 61
8 Route One Rovers 34 19 1 14 91 81 +10 58
9 Darwen 34 14 8 12 76 71 +5 50
10 Bacup Borough 34 13 6 15 66 60 +6 45
11 Ashton Athletic 34 12 7 15 62 63 −1 43
12 Daisy Hill 34 10 5 19 42 59 −17 35
13 Runcorn Town 34 10 5 19 48 78 −30 34[b] Transferred to First Division South
14 Steeton 34 9 5 20 40 68 −28 32
15 AFC Blackpool 34 9 3 22 51 78 −27 30
16 Garstang 34 7 7 20 57 95 −38 28 Reprieved from relegation
17 Shelley 34 8 4 22 38 81 −43 28 Reprieved from relegation,
transferred to Northern Counties
East League Division One
18 Nelson 34 8 5 21 44 79 −35 26[c] Reprieved from relegation
Source: "Final Tables, Season 2023/24". nwcfl.com. Retrieved 25 June 2026., "North West Counties League - North West Counties League Division One North: 2023 – 24: League Table". nonleaguematters.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[13]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted
Notes:
  1. ↑ Winner from the four clubs who competed in the promotion play-offs
  2. ↑ Runcorn Town were deducted 1 point.
  3. ↑ Nelson were deducted 3 points.

Results Table

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Home \ Away ABL ASA AST ATH BAC DAI DAR EUX FSH GAR HOL ILK NEL ROU RUN SHE SLP STE
AFC Blackpool 0–5 1–3 1–3 2–1 1–4 0–3 0–1 0–2 4–1 0–1 1–2 3–2 0–6 4–1 0–1 3–4 1–1
Ashton Ath 1–4 1–4 3–3 1–1 1–1 2–1 2–1 1–3 5–1 2–1 1–1 5–0 3–2 1–1 3–1 0–2 2–0
Ashton Town 1–0 3–0 0–3 0–1 2–0 6–2 2–1 0–0 4–1 2–2 4–3 2–2 5–2 2–4 9–1 0–2 1–1
Atherton L R 4–0 1–4 0–1 3–0 2–2 2–1 3–2 1–3 3–1 4–1 2–2 2–1 3–0 3–2 0–0 1–2 4–0
Bacup Boro' 2–2 0–0 3–2 2–0 4–0 2–5 0–2 0–2 4–1 6–1 1–3 2–0 5–1 3–4 0–2 2–0 3–1
Daisy Hill 0–2 0–5 0–5 2–2 2–3 0–1 3–1 1–2 1–2 2–5 3–1 1–1 0–1 3–0 0–2 1–3 2–1
Darwen 6–1 2–2 1–4 2–1 2–1 0–0 3–2 4–3 2–2 1–2 2–2 3–0 3–3 4–5 3–3 1–2 3–1
Euxton Villa 3–1 3–1 1–2 0–4 5–2 2–0 3–0 2–1 0–2 2–1 1–3 7–1 6–1 4–0 3–0 1–1 2–1
FC St Helens 5–2 3–1 1–3 3–2 1–1 1–0 2–1 2–0 2–0 3–1 3–0 5–1 5–0 3–2 4–1 1–1 5–0
Garstang 0–6 6–2 3–2 2–3 2–2 2–1 3–5 2–3 3–4 0–2 0–2 2–2 1–4 1–1 2–0 1–2 2–4
Holker OB 4–1 2–1 4–2 2–0 3–1 1–0 1–2 2–2 0–1 2–3 5–0 2–1 6–1 7–1 2–2 2–3 0–3
Ilkley Town 2–1 2–1 2–0 2–3 1–1 0–1 5–3 0–2 1–1 4–2 0–2 2–2 2–1 4–1 3–0 2–1 1–1
Nelson 1–5 1–0 1–2 1–2 0–5 0–1 1–1 3–0 0–1 4–1 0–1 1–2 2–4 2–1 4–1 0–3 4–0
Route One R 2–0 4–2 5–2 1–3 2–4 4–2 3–1 0–3 2–1 6–2 4–3 3–4 4–1 4–1 3–2 4–0 3–1
Runcorn Town 0–0 1–0 2–2 1–2 1–0 0–1 2–3 0–2 2–1 2–2 0–3 0–3 3–0 5–3 1–0 0–4 0–1
Shelley 2–1 2–3 1–4 0–3 3–2 0–3 0–1 0–5 0–2 3–3 1–2 0–1 1–2 0–3 1–0 4–3 3–2
Sth Liverpool 2–1 4–0 0–1 0–2 4–1 2–1 3–3 1–1 2–2 3–0 2–5 1–1 4–1 2–1 3–1 2–1 0–2
Steeton 2–3 2–1 0–2 0–1 2–1 0–4 2–1 0–1 1–3 1–1 0–0 2–4 1–2 1–4 2–3 2–0 2–1
Source: "First Division North Results 2023/24". nwcfl.com. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Promotion play-offs

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The 2023–24 First Division North promotion play-offs, contested by the clubs that finished second to fifth position in the league table, were won by South Liverpool who had been fifth-placed in the division.

Semi-finals Final
            
3 Ashton Town 4
4 Euxton Villa 3
3 Ashton Town 0 (1 p)
5 South Liverpool 0 (3 p)
2 Atherton Laburnum Rovers 0
5 South Liverpool 1

Source="First Division North Play-Off Results 2023/24". nwcfl.com. Retrieved 25 June 2026.

Semi-finals

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20 April 2024 Ashton Town 4–3Euxton VillaAshton-in-Makerfield
15:00
Report
Stadium: Edge Green Street
Attendance: 604


Final

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27 April 2024 Ashton Town0–0
(1–3 p)		 South Liverpool Ashton-in-Makerfield
15:00 Report Stadium: Edge Green Street
Attendance: 1,075

Stadia and locations

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Locations of the 2023–24 North West Counties Football League First Division North teams
Locations of 2023–24 North West Counties First Division North teams (Greater Manchester)
Locations of 2023–24 North West Counties First Division North teams (West Yorkshire)
Team Stadium
AFC BlackpoolThe Mechanics
Ashton AthleticBrockstedes Park
Ashton TownEdge Green Street
Atherton Laburnum RoversCrilly Park
Bacup BoroughWest View
Daisy HillNew Sirs, Westhoughton
DarwenThe Anchor Ground
Euxton VillaJim Fowler Memorial Ground
FC St HelensWindleshaw Sports
GarstangThe Riverside
Holker Old BoysRakesmoor Lane, Barrow-in-Furness
Ilkley TownMPM Lane
NelsonVictoria Park
Route One RoversMarley Stadium
Runcorn TownPavilions Sports Complex
ShelleyStorthes Hall Park
South LiverpoolJericho Lane
SteetonMarley Stadium

First Division South

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North West Counties
Football League
First Division South
Season2023–24
Teams18
ChampionsBrocton
PromotedBrocton
Abbey Hey
Matches306
Goals1,088 (3.56 per match)
Average attendance157[18]

Five clubs had left the division after the previous season:

The 2023–24 First Division South club allocations from the FA Leagues Committee (subject to appeal) were announced on 15 May 2023;[4][3] Further to this, Winsford United, rather than be subject to a lateral transfer to the Midland League Premier Division took voluntary relegation to this division. Consequently, Uttoxeter Town, who had been transferred to this division, were reprieved from relegation and remained in the Midland League Premier Division.[2] The constitution of the division comprising 18 clubs was adopted at the league's AGM on 17 June 2023.[5] However, owing to the subsequent withdrawal of Ellesmere Rangers from the division Droylsden were re-allocated from the North to South division.[16] The final iteration of the First Division South comprised 18 clubs, 15 remaining from the previous season plus 3 additions:

At the end of the season five clubs left the division. Three were promoted: champions Brocton were transferred laterally in the FA league allocations to the Step 5 Midland League Premier Division; and promotion play-off winners Abbey Hey (who had finished fourth in the division) to the Premier Division where they were joined by the losing promotion play-off finalists Stockport Town (who had been runners-up of the division), who owing to a shortfall of clubs in the Premier Division were awarded a place as a First Division club with the best points per game ratio. In the FA Leagues Committee club allocation for the following season the other two leavers, Droylsden and Maine Road, were transferred laterally to the First Division North.[12] No clubs were relegated with both Winsford United and Market Drayton Town being reprieved.[17]

League table

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Season End Notes
1 Brocton (C, P) 34 25 3 6 96 30 +66 78 Promoted, transferred to the
Midland League Premier Division
2 Stockport Town (P) 34 21 9 4 78 42 +36 72 Losing promotion play-off finalist,
promoted to Premier Division[12]
3 Sandbach United 34 20 5 9 75 51 +24 65 Qualified for promotion play-offs
4 Abbey Hey (O, P) 34 18 8 8 68 55 +13 62 Won the promotion play-offs,
promoted to Premier Division[a]
5 Droylsden 34 18 4 12 75 59 +16 58 Qualified for promotion play-offs.
Transferred to First Division North
6 Cheadle Heath Nomads 34 14 7 13 60 59 +1 49
7 Barnton 34 14 6 14 46 48 −2 48
8 Abbey Hulton United 34 13 6 15 56 69 −13 45
9 Eccleshall 34 11 11 12 51 60 −9 44
10 Maine Road 34 13 5 16 58 72 −14 44 Transferred to First Division North
11 Stafford Town 34 12 6 16 61 67 −6 42
12 Alsager Town 34 10 11 13 59 53 +6 41
13 Cammell Laird 1907 34 10 11 13 56 66 −10 41
14 Stockport Georgians 34 11 7 16 46 59 −13 40
15 Ashville 34 9 11 14 44 53 −9 38
16 New Mills 34 10 6 18 59 77 −18 36
17 Winsford United 34 9 1 24 53 78 −25 28 Reprieved from relegation
18 Market Drayton Town 34 8 3 23 47 90 −43 27
Source: "Final Tables, Season 2023/24". nwcfl.com. Retrieved 25 June 2026., "North West Counties League - North West Counties League Division One North: 2023 – 24: League Table". nonleaguematters.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[13]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted
Notes:
  1. ↑ Winner from the four clubs who competed in the promotion play-offs

Results Table

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Home \ Away AHE AHU ALS ASH BAR BRO CAM CHN DRO ECC MAI MAR NEW SAN STA STG STT WIN
Abbey Hey 3–1 3–3 2–2 2–0 1–0 0–0 0–5 3–1 1–3 2–1 2–1 5–0 1–1 3–1 5–0 1–3 2–1
Abbey Hulton U 1–2 1–0 0–0 1–4 1–3 2–2 3–0 3–1 1–2 3–1 0–2 0–6 3–3 1–4 2–2 1–2 1–1
Alsager Town 3–3 1–2 3–2 2–1 1–2 3–3 5–0 2–2 0–0 3–0 4–3 2–1 0–1 2–2 2–2 1–0 5–0
Ashville 2–2 0–1 2–1 0–2 1–2 0–0 2–1 6–1 2–2 2–1 4–1 1–2 4–0 1–2 0–0 2–2 3–0
Barnton 1–1 1–3 1–0 1–0 2–3 1–1 0–3 1–0 3–0 2–1 2–0 0–2 1–0 2–0 2–0 1–2 4–3
Brocton 5–0 5–0 2–1 0–1 4–0 4–1 4–0 1–2 0–2 2–2 3–0 10–2 2–0 3–1 3–0 1–2 3–0
Cammell L 1907 3–4 2–2 3–2 1–0 1–0 1–5 1–2 0–4 1–1 0–2 4–1 1–3 1–0 0–1 2–1 1–1 4–2
Cheadle Heath N 2–0 1–5 1–3 0–1 4–1 0–1 3–3 1–0 1–1 4–1 4–0 2–2 0–3 4–3 0–1 0–0 2–0
Droylsden 1–2 3–0 1–0 2–2 2–0 0–1 3–0 1–4 5–4 0–3 7–2 6–3 0–3 1–0 2–0 3–1 2–1
Eccleshall 1–1 0–1 0–0 1–1 2–1 1–1 0–4 4–0 1–2 1–3 0–0 2–1 4–3 1–5 2–3 2–1 1–3
Maine Road 0–1 0–2 3–1 1–1 2–1 0–3 3–2 3–3 0–4 3–3 4–0 2–1 1–3 2–1 2–1 0–5 1–3
Market Drayton T 4–0 0–1 2–0 4–0 2–2 0–8 2–1 1–1 3–5 2–3 3–7 3–0 2–6 0–3 0–2 2–3 2–0
New Mills 2–1 1–5 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–1 3–3 4–0 3–3 2–3 2–3 2–0 1–4 0–0 4–0 1–2 1–5
Sandbach United 1–4 4–0 2–1 1–1 1–2 1–4 1–1 1–0 4–3 2–1 4–1 3–2 2–1 3–1 2–2 0–2 4–0
Stafford Town 2–4 4–3 2–2 6–0 3–0 3–3 1–5 0–4 0–3 0–2 3–1 0–1 3–1 1–2 2–1 2–2 2–7
Stockpt Georgians 1–4 1–2 2–0 3–1 2–2 0–1 0–1 1–3 3–1 1–1 2–2 2–1 2–1 1–3 3–0 1–2 2–0
Stockport Town 1–0 4–3 1–1 2–0 0–0 3–2 5–1 3–3 1–1 4–0 4–1 5–1 4–1 2–5 0–0 3–2 2–1
Winsford United 2–3 4–1 2–4 4–0 0–4 1–4 4–2 1–2 1–3 2–0 0–1 2–0 0–2 1–2 0–3 1–2 1–4
Source: "First Division South Results 2023/24". nwcfl.com. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Promotion play-offs

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The 2023–24 First Division South promotion play-offs, contested by the clubs that finished second to fifth position in the league table, were won by Abbey Hey who had been fourth-placed in the division.

Semi-finals Final
            
2 Stockport Town 1
5 Droylsden 0
2 Stockport Town 1 (1 p)
4 Abbey Hey 1 (4 p)
3 Sandbach United 1
4 Abbey Hey 3

Source="First Division South Play-Off Results 2023/24". nwcfl.com. Retrieved 25 June 2026.

Semi-finals

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20 April 2024 Stockport Town 1–0DroylsdenWoodley
15:00
Report Stadium: Stockport Sports Village
Attendance: 690

Final

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27 April 2024 Stockport Town1–1
(1–4 p)		 Abbey Hey Woodley
15:00
Report
Stadium: Stockport Sports Village
Attendance: 904

Stadia and locations

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Locations of the 2023–24 North West Counties Football League First Division South teams in the North West
Locations of 2023–24 North West Counties First Division South teams (Greater Manchester)
Locations of the 2023–24 North West Counties Football League First Division South teams in the North West
Locations of the 2023–24 North West Counties Football League First Division South teams in the West Midlands
Team Stadium
Abbey HeyThe Abbey Stadium, Gorton
Abbey Hulton UnitedBirches Head Road
Alsager TownWood Park Stadium
AshvilleVilla Park, Wallasey
BarntonTownfield
BroctonSilkmore Lane
Cammell Laird 1907Kirklands, Birkenhead
Cheadle Heath NomadsThe Heath
DroylsdenButcher's Arms Ground
EccleshallPershall Park
Maine RoadBrantingham Road, Chorlton
Market Drayton TownGreenfields Sports Ground
New MillsChurch Lane
Sandbach UnitedSandbach Community Football Centre
Stafford TownEvans Park
Stockport GeorgiansCromley Road
Stockport TownStockport Sports Village
Winsford UnitedBarton Stadium

League Challenge Cup

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The 2023–24 League Challenge Cup (known for sponsorship reasons as the Macron Cup) was open to all the clubs from the Premier and First Divisions North and South (indicated in the results listings below by '(PD)', '(FDN)' and '(FDS)' respectively). The final, played at Accrington Stanley F.C., featured two Premier Division clubs and was won 3–0 by Barnoldswick Town who defeated Chadderton.[20]

The initial draw comprised 59 clubs as FC Isle of Man and Barnton had both scratched from the competition. Prior to the first round draw five clubs were allocated byes to the second round. The cup holders usually received a bye however, as Congleton Town had left the league it was the five highest-ranked clubs in the 2022–23 Premier Division that didn't achieve promotion who received a bye. For the first two rounds clubs were drawn into four regional groupings: Groups 1 to 3 comprised fifteen clubs with AFC Liverpool (Group 1), Prestwich Heys (Group 2) and Bury (Group 3) having first round byes; at the time of the draw Group 4 comprised fourteen clubs with West Didsbury & Chorlton and Wythenshawe Town receiving first round byes however, following the late withdrawal of Ellesmere Rangers from the league their first round the opponents, Cheadle Heath Nomads progressed directly to the second round.[21]

First round

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Tie Home team (division) Score Away team (division)
Group One
1Atherton Laburnum Rovers (FDN)5–0Ashton Athletic (FDN)
2Burscough (PD)1–0AFC Blackpool (FDN)
3Charnock Richard (PD)2–0Euxton Villa (FDN)
4Garstang (FDN)4–0Squires Gate (PD)
5Holker Old Boys (FDN)4–2Daisy Hill (FDN)
6Longridge Town (PD)5–1Ashton Town (FDN)
7Skelmersdale United (PD)1–3Kendal Town (PD)
Group Two
8Irlam (PD)0–0
(4–3 p)		South Liverpool (FDN)
9Litherland REMYCA (PD)1–0Pilkington (PD)
10Lower Breck (PD)1–2Glossop North End (PD)
11Maine Road (FDS)0–2Ashville (FDS)
12Runcorn Town (FDN)3–1FC St Helens (FDN)
13Winsford United (FDS)0–1Chadderton (PD)
14Wythenshawe (PD)3–1Cammell Laird 1907 (FDS)
Group Three
15Colne (PD)3–4Barnoldswick Town (PD)
16Darwen (FDN)0–0
(3–2 p)		Padiham (PD)
17Droylsden (FDS)5–1Abbey Hey (FDS)
Match moved to Abbey Hey following two postponements at Droylsden
18New Mills (FDS)2–0Bacup Borough (FDN)
19Ramsbottom United (PD)3–0Nelson (FDN)
20Route One Rovers (FDN)2–1Steeton (FDN)
21Shelley (FDN)2–0Ilkley Town (FDN)
Group Four
22Abbey Hulton United (FDS)4–4
(1–2 p)		Stafford Town (FDS)
23Alsager Town (FDS)4–3Eccleshall (FDS)
24Cheadle Heath Nomads (FDS)W–xEllesmere Rangers (FDS)
Ellesmere Rangers withdrew from the league, match awarded to Cheadle Heath Nomads
25Cheadle Town (PD)1–1
(5–4 p)		Sandbach United (FDS)
26Market Drayton Town (FDS)3–4Stockport Georgians (FDS)
27Stockport Town (FDS)1–4Brocton (FDS)

Second round

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Tie Home team (division) Score Away team (division)
Group One
1Atherton Laburnum Rovers (FDN)6–1AFC Liverpool (PD)
2Burscough (PD)0–5Kendal Town (PD)
3Garstang (FDN)1–2Longridge Town (PD)
Match moved to Longridge Town following two postponements at Garstang
4Holker Old Boys (FDN)1–2Charnock Richard (PD)
Group Two
5Glossop North End (PD)2–3Ashville (FDS)
6Litherland REMYCA (PD)3–4Chadderton (PD)
7Prestwich Heys (PD)2–2
(7–6 p)		Wythenshawe (PD)
8Runcorn Town (FDN)2–4Irlam (PD)
Group Three
9Droylsden (FDS)2–1Darwen (FDN)
10New Mills (FDS)0–2Route One Rovers (FDN)
Match moved to Route One Rovers following two postponements at New Mills
11Ramsbottom United (PD)2–2
(5–6 p)		Bury (PD)
12Shelley (FDN)0–4Barnoldswick Town (PD)
Group Four
13Brocton (FDS)2–3Alsager Town (FDS)
14Cheadle Heath Nomads (FDS)2–1Stafford Town (FDS)
15Stockport Georgians (FDS)2–1Wythenshawe Town (PD)
16West Didsbury & Chorlton (PD)0–3Cheadle Town (PD)

Third round

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The groupings from the previous rounds were discontinued. Neither of the two First Division North clubs who played in this round survived: three First Division South (from five who played) and five Premier Division (from nine) clubs progressed to the quarter-finals.

Tie Home team (division) Score Away team (division)
1Alsager Town (FDS)2–0Cheadle Town (PD)
2Barnoldswick Town (PD)4–0Route One Rovers (FDN)
3Bury (PD)0–1Charnock Richard (PD)
4Cheadle Heath Nomads (FDS)1–3Chadderton (PD)
5Droylsden (FDS)5–3Longridge Town (PD)
6Irlam (PD)1–3Prestwich Heys (PD)
7Kendal Town (PD)4–4
(4–1 p)		Atherton Laburnum Rovers (FDN)
8Stockport Georgians (FDS)0–2Ashville (FDS)

Quarter-finals

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Of the three First Division South clubs in the draw two were drawn together and the other defeated Premier Division opposition to leave two clubs each from the First Division South and Premier Division to contest the semi-finals.

Tie Home team (division) Score Away team (division)
1Alsager Town (FDS) 0–0 (a.e.t.)
(3–2 p)		Prestwich Heys (PD)
2Barnoldswick Town (PD)2–1Charnock Richard (PD)
3Droylsden (FDS)1–0Ashville (FDS)
4Kendal Town (PD)2–3Chadderton (PD)

Semi-finals

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Both ties pitched First Division South and Premier Division clubs against each other. The two Premier Division clubs advanced to the final.

Tie Home team (division) Score Away team (division)
1Barnoldswick Town (PD)4–2Alsager Town (FDS)
2Chadderton (PD)W–xDroylsden (FDS)
Match awarded to Chadderton: Droylsden won 4-1 but were disqualified (ineligible player)[22]

Final

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11 May 2024 Barnoldswick Town (PD)3–0Chadderton (PD)Accrington
15:00 BST
  • Andrew Hill 28'
  • Luke Stowe 29'
  • Oliver Roberts 77'
 Report Stadium: Accrington Stanley F.C. (Wham Stadium, Crown Ground)
Attendance: 911

source: "League Challenge Cup Results: 2023/24 Season". nwcfl.com. Retrieved 25 June 2026.

First Division Trophy

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The 2023–24 First Division Trophy (known as the Edward Case Cup, the name of the trophy) was open to all clubs from the First Divisions North and South. The final, contested by two First Division North clubs, was played at Wythenshawe Town F.C. where Bacup Borough defeated Euxton Villa 2–1.[23] Bacup Borough were the third club to win the cup in consecutive seasons (after AFC Liverpool in 2010 and Sandbach United in 2020).

Up to the Quarter-finals the competition was organised into North and South sections (per the divisions at the time of draw for the competition). When the draw was made the two First Divisions comprised a total of 37 clubs and therefore five preliminary round ties were arranged, the ten clubs involved comprised the three clubs promoted to the divisions and the seven clubs (3 North and 4 South Division clubs) with the lowest league positions from the 2022–23 season.[21] The subsequent late withdrawal of Ellesmere Rangers from the South Division who had been drawn into the first round meant that their prospective opponents Barnton progressed directly to the second round. At the time of the draw newly admitted club Droylsden had been allocated to the First Division North and therefore featured in the North section of the draw; however, as a consequence of the withdrawal of Ellesmere Rangers they played the season in the First Division South.

Preliminary round

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Tie Home team Score Away team
North Group
1Daisy Hill5–1Runcorn Town
2Droylsden3–0Shelley
3Route One Rovers0–2Ashton Town
South Group
4Abbey Hey1–3Cammell Laird 1907
5Stafford Town1–6Alsager Town

First round

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Second round

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Quarter-finals

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This round saw the end of the separation of clubs into North and South groups. Clubs from North and South divisions are indicated in the results listings below by '(N)' and '(S)' respectively (note Droylsden had been allocated to the North group of the initial draw but played in the First Division South, creating an imbalance of divisional representation in this round)

Tie Home team (division) Score Away team (division)
1Ashville (S)0–0
(2–3 p)		South Liverpool (N)
2Bacup Borough (N)4–1Sandbach United (S)
3Droylsden (S)1–0Stockport Georgians (S)
4Euxton Villa (N)1–1
(3–2 p)		Winsford United (S)

Semi-finals

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The last remaining South Division club, Droylsden, were eliminated in this round creating a final contested by First Division North clubs.

Tie Home team (division) Score Away team (division)
1Bacup Borough (N)2–0South Liverpool (N)
2Euxton Villa (N)2–0Droylsden (S)

Final

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6 May 2024 Bacup Borough (N)2–1Euxton Villa (N)Wythenshawe
15:00 BST
  • Lewis-Simon Byrne 30'
  • Malachi Clarke 47'
 Report
  • Rajwinder Uppal 86'
 Stadium: Wythenshawe Town F.C. (Ericstan Park)
Attendance: 729

source: "Edward Case Cup Results: 2023/24 Season". nwcfl.com. Retrieved 25 June 2026.

First Division Champions Cup

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The 2023–24 First Division Champions Cup was contested by the champions of each of the First Divisions North and South. In the final played at Brocton (the participant with the best record over the league season) the winners were First Division North champions FC St Helens.

20 April 2024 Brocton (S)0–1FC St Helens (N)Stafford
15:00 BST
  • Ethan Van-Aston 1'
 Stadium: Brocton F.C., Old Police Sports Ground
Attendance: 203

source: "First Division Champions Cup Results: 2023/24 Season". nwcfl.com. Retrieved 25 June 2026.

References

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  1. ↑ "North West Counties League - North West Counties League Premier Division: 2023 – 24: Attendance Statistics". nonleaguematters.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  2. 1 2 Gary Langley (14 June 2023). "Winsford United and Uttoxeter Town League re-allocation". nwcfl.com. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 "National League System club allocations – Steps 5/6, Season 2023–24" (PDF). The FA. 15 May 2023 – via The Non-League Paper.
  4. 1 2 3 Gary Langley (15 May 2023). "2023–24 FA League Allocations Announced". nwcfl.com. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 Martin Fallon (17 June 2023). "News from the AGM". nwcfl.com. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  6. ↑ Gary Langley (2 June 2023). "Wythenshawe Amateurs Re-name and drop the Amateurs suffix". nwcfl.com. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  7. ↑ "Bury FC and Bury AFC vote to merge and bring football back to Gigg Lane". BBC Sport. 5 May 2023. Archived from the original on 12 February 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  8. ↑ "Bury Results 2023/24 season". nwcfl.com. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  9. 1 2 "League Statement on Bury FC points deduction". nwcfl.com. 3 November 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  10. ↑ "Step 5 to 4 promotion/relegation update". The FA. 16 March 2023.
  11. ↑ Jon Coleman (19 May 2024). "Cumbrian club hits out at being moved into different league". News and Star. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  12. 1 2 3 "National League System club allocations – Steps 5/6, Season 2024–25" (PDF). The FA. 17 May 2024 – via The Non-League Paper.
  13. 1 2 3 "The FA Handbook 2022/2023 Part 29 Standardised Rules Section 12.2". The FA.
  14. ↑ "North West Counties League - North West Counties League Division One South: 2023 – 24: Attendance Statistics". nonleaguematters.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  15. ↑ Gary Langley (19 May 2023). "Shelley FC Promoted to Step 6 and will Return to the NWCFL". nwcfl.com. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  16. 1 2 Gary Langley (28 June 2023). "Changes to Division One following Ellesmere Rangers Resignation". nwcfl.com. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  17. 1 2 Martin Fallon (17 May 2024). "2024-2025 League Allocations Announced". nwcfl.com. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  18. ↑ "North West Counties League - North West Counties League Division One North: 2023 – 24: Attendance Statistics". nonleaguematters.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  19. ↑ "Ellesmere Rangers to leave the NWCFL". nwcfl.com. NWCFL. 27 June 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  20. ↑ "Barnoldswick Win The Macron Cup". nwcfl.com. 11 May 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  21. 1 2 "NWCFL Cup Dates Announced". The NWCFL. 22 July 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  22. ↑ Martin Fallon (10 May 2024). "Macron Cup Final". nwcfl.com. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  23. ↑ Jay Cooper (8 May 2024). "Bacup Borough win the Edward Case Cup!". The NWCFL. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
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