Preview: 2026/27 Northern Premier League

On August 8, the new Northern Premier League season will begin.

Following a 14th-place finish last season, the Yellows will once again compete for a spot in the National League North alongside 21 other teams as they seek a return to Step 2. 

Below, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about who Paul Carden’s side will face over the coming months. 

Alfreton Town

• Nickname: The Reds 
• Stadium: Impact Arena
• Capacity: 3,600 (1,500 seated)
• Last season’s league position: 22nd, National League North (relegated)
• Distance to Cantilever Park: 68 miles
• Last season’s results: N/A

The Reds will be determined to bounce back at the first opportunity, having suffered the agonising fate of relegation on the final day back in April. 

This ended a spell of 11 consecutive seasons in the National League North.

Jake Buxton’s side have been boosted by several new signings - including Tom Solanke, Jakub Kruszynski, Connor Dixon, Charlie Finney and Daniel Odunaiya. A huge summer overhaul saw 17 players released.

Ashton United

• Nickname: The Robins
• Stadium: Hurst Cross
• Capacity: 4,500 (250 seated)
• Last season’s league position: 10th, NPL Premier
• Distance to Cantilever Park: 29 miles
• Last season’s results: Won 2-1 (H), Lost 1-0 (A)

A middling campaign for the Robins saw them finish in tenth, 10 points adrift of Stockton Town in the final play-off spot. 

Despite losing forward Jason Gilchrist and Players’ Player of the Season Callum Rowe to Chorley, Steve Cunningham’s men have shown they mean business with several high-profile arrivals. 

Former Oldham, Chester and York City frontman Kurt Willougby brings a wealth of higher-level experience, as do Macclesfield winger Justin Johnson and full-back John Lufudu. 

Supporters at Hurst Cross will believe promotion is a genuine possibility, in what is their eight successive season in the NPL Premier Division.

Avro

• Nickname: The Ro
• Stadium: The Vestacare Stadium
• Capacity: 1,320 (250 seated)
• Last season’s league position: Second, NPL West Division (promoted via play-offs)
• Distance to Cantilever Park: 30 miles
• Last season’s results: N/A

Pipped to the title by Bury, despite hitting 88 points, Grant Shenton’s men regrouped to secure promotion to the NPL Premier for the first time in their 90-year history. 

First beating Lower Breck in a dramatic semi-final penalty shootout, they again came from behind to defeat Stalybridge Celtic 4-2 in the final in front of an ecstatic home crowd. 

While an exciting challenge awaits for the Oldham-based side, they will be without prolific striker Kyle Hawley. The 26-year-old has made the switch to Radcliffe in the National League North after striking 25 league goals, capturing the Golden Boot and Player of the Season accolades in the process.

Bamber Bridge

• Nickname: The Brig
• Stadium: Irongate
• Capacity: 2,624 (508 seated)
• Last season’s league position: 12th, NPL Premier
• Distance to Cantilever Park: 31 miles
• Last season’s results: Won 2-1 (A), Lost 2-0 (H)

A mixed campaign in 2025/26 saw Jamie Milligan’s side finish 12th. 

But for an awful run of results at the end of the season, where they won only one of their final 14 fixtures, promotion was a genuine possibility. 

To bolster the squad, the Brig have recently secured the signatures of Regan Riley and Ben Fyles. Gaffer Milligan has also opted to stay on despite that disappointing run of form, meaning he will lead them for an eighth consecutive season.

Bury

• Nickname: The Shakers
• Stadium: Gigg Lane
• Capacity: 11,800
• Last season’s league position: Champions, NPL West Division
• Distance to Cantilever Park: 23 miles
• Last season’s results: N/A

Another brilliant season saw the Shakers crowned champions for the second successive year, clinching the title with a 3-0 victory at Atherton Collieries on the final day. 

After the upheaval of the club’s expulsion from the EFL in 2019, before their subsequent reformation in 2023, Anthony Johnson’s side will be desperate for even higher honours as they go into the new campaign as one of the favourite for the title. 

Cleethorpes Town

• Nickname: The Owls
• Stadium: HPS Plant Hire Stadium
• Capacity: 2,200
• Last season’s league position: Ninth, NPL Premier
• Distance to Cantilever Park: 130 miles
• Last season’s results: Drew 0-0 (H), Lost 4-1 (A)

Following a brilliant season in 2024/25, where they won the NPL East Division title by 12 points, Craig Rouse’s side more than just competed at a higher-level last time out. 

With standout victories against FC United and Rylands, they have realistic aspirations of pushing for promotion in 2026/27. 

The club have been boosted by the signings of centre-back Jamie Bramwell, winger Billy Fewster, centre-midfielder Liam Ravenhill and full-back Nathan Newall.

Curzon Ashton

• Nickname: The Nash
• Stadium: Tameside Stadium
• Capacity: 4,000
• Last season’s league position: 21st, National League North (relegated)
• Distance to Cantilever Park: 28 miles
• Last season’s results: N/A

Finishing on 52 points from 46 fixtures last season, Curzon were relegated on goal difference after a final day 3-3 draw with fellow NPL newcomers Alfreton Town. 

This ended a run of 11 years in the National League North for Adam Barton’s side, who will be looking to bounce back at the first opportunity. 

The Yellows’ last meeting with Curzon in April 2025 finished 1-0 at Tameside Stadium. Isaac Sinclair, now at Accrington Stanley, scored the only goal that day for the hosts. 

Emley AFC

• Nickname: The Pewits
• Stadium: Fantastic Media Welfare Ground
• Capacity: 2,000 (250 seated)
• Last season’s league position: Third, NPL East Division (promoted via play-offs)
• Distance to Cantilever Park: 50 miles
• Last season’s results: N/A

In front of over 1700 passionate fans at their home ground, Emley wrote a new chapter in their history with a 5-4 penalty shootout victory against Bradford (Park Avenue) in the play-off final. 

Local lad Joe Clegg scored the winning spot-kick in the shootout, securing a first-time leap to the NPL Premier Division for Richard Tracey’s side. 

Finishing third in the regulation season behind Matlock Town and Redcar Athletic, Emley first defeated Dunston in the semi before clawing their way past Avenue.

FC United of Manchester

• Nickname: The Reds
• Stadium: Broadhurst Park
• Capacity: 4,900
• Last season’s league position: Third, NPL Premier
• Distance to Cantilever Park: 25 miles
• Last season’s results: Drew 2-2 (A), Won 3-0 (H)

Despite an excellent campaign where they finished seven points behind eventual champions Hebburn Town, clinching a play-off spot in third position, they narrowly missed out on the play-off final. 

Jan Palinkas put Mark Beesley’s side ahead after only two minutes in the semi-final, before Rylands levelled on 41 minutes. Though Declan Evans restored the lead just before half-time, two Rylands’ second-half goals broke United hearts. 

After losing star forward Jay Fitzmartin to recently-promoted Hednesford Town, they completed the signing of former Yellows forward Niall Watson and go into the season hotly-tipped to enjoy a strong campaign. 

Gainsborough Trinity

• Nickname: The Holy Blues
• Stadium: KAL Group Stadium
• Capacity: 4,304 (500 seated)
• Last season’s league position: Seventh, NPL Premier
• Distance to Cantilever Park: 97 miles
• Last season’s results: Lost 2-0 (A), Lost 3-0 (H)

An impressive campaign for Russ Wilcox’s saw them finish seventh on 59 points, just four points adrift of Stockton Town in the final play-off place. 

However, the Lincolnshire side will have been disappointed to miss out, winning just one of their final eight league fixtures. 

The Holy Blues have bolstered their squad ahead of the 2026/27 season with the signings of Callum Hawkins and Elliot Whitehouse, despite losing rising star Sisa Tuntulwana to Buxton in the league above.

Guiseley

• Nickname: The Lions
• Stadium: Nethermoor
• Capacity: 4,000
• Last season’s league position: 13th, NPL Premier
• Distance to Cantilever Park: 60 miles
• Last season’s results: Won 2-0 (H), Lost 4-0 (A)

A middling campaign littered with inconsistency culminated in a 13th-place finish for Ian Richards’ side, 15 points adrift of the top five. 

The Lions delivered statement wins against champions Hebburn Town and play-off finalists Rylands, but stuttered through key points of the season to end the campaign with 18 league defeats to their name.

Hyde United

• Nickname: The Tigers
• Stadium: Project Solar Stadium
• Capacity: 4,200 (520 seated)
• Last season’s league position: 15th, NPL Premier
• Distance to Cantilever Park: 27 miles
• Last season’s results: Won 2-1 (H), Won 4-1 (A)

Despite a poor campaign which saw them finish five points above the relegation zone, Tigers fans can be buoyed by their results at the latter end of the campaign. 

Michael Clegg’s side went unbeaten in their final, winning three and drawing two to ensure their survival. The Greater Manchester side have bolstered their squad with a number of new signings this summer and will be keen to look up the division rather than over their shoulders.

Ilkeston Town

• Nickname: The Robins
• Stadium: Microlise New Manor Ground
• Capacity: 3,029
• Last season’s league position: 11th, NPL Premier
• Distance to Cantilever Park: 75 miles
• Last season’s results: Drew 1-1 (A), Won 1-0 (H)

The Robins’ third successive campaign in the NPL Premier culminated in a mid-table finish, ending with 52 points from 40 fixtures. 

Having only been formed in 2017, the Derbyshire side have made huge strides up the non-league pyramid to become a well-oiled NPL machine. 

Tris Whitman’s side have done some good business in the transfer window, bringing in a host of new signings, as they look to be in-and-around the play-off picture. 

Lancaster City

• Nickname: The Dolly Blues
• Stadium: Giant Axe
• Capacity: 3,500 (513 seated)
• Last season’s league position: Sixth, NPL Premier
• Distance to Cantilever Park: 60 miles
• Last season’s results: Won 2-1 (A), Won 3-2 (H)

An impressive season for Jimmy Marshall’s team ended in sixth place, just one point behind Stockton in the final play-off spot. 

They were unlucky to miss out having gone unbeaten in the last six. However a draw with Stockton in their penultimate fixture cost them. 

The 2025/26 campaign was a major improvement for the Dolly Blues, who narrowly avoided relegation from the NPL Premier in the previous season.

Leek Town

• Nickname: The Blues
• Stadium: Harrison Park
• Capacity: 3,600 (625 seated)
• Last season’s league position: Eighth, NPL Premier
• Distance to Cantilever Park: 34 miles
• Last season’s results: Drew 1-1 (H), Lost 3-1 (A)

This was a major improvement for Josh Brehaut’s side, who leaped seven places from 15th in 2024/25 to eighth in 2025/26. 

Their impressive season ended with six consecutive victories as they finished only five points adrift of the play-offs. 

The Staffordshire side secured promotion back to the NPL after a 16-year absence in 2023/24, winning the NPL West Division title by 10 points.

Quorn

• Nickname: The Methodists
• Stadium: Farley Way
• Capacity: 1,952
• Last season’s league position: Eighth, Southern League Premier Division Central (transferred)
• Distance to Cantilever Park: 88 miles
• Last season’s results: N/A

A brilliant 2024/25 campaign which saw Quorn promoted to Step 3 for the first time in their history was followed by an eighth-place finish in the Southern League Premier Division Central, only five points adrift of Halesowen Town in the final play-off spot. 

Led by former player Ryan Beswick, the Leicester side have been laterally moved by the FA to play further north this season. 

Given their appeal to the controversial decision was subsequently denied, the Methodists will face 15 opponents for the first time ever. 

Our previous meeting with Quorn in January 2008 ended 1-1 at Cantilever Park. Our only other meeting was a 2-1 victory on the road in August 2007.

Redcar Athletic

• Nickname: The Steelmen
• Stadium: Green Lane 
• Capacity: 1,000
• Last season’s league position: Champions, NPL East Division
• Distance to Cantilever Park: 129 miles
• Last season’s results: N/A

Claiming a second successive promotion to continue their meteoric rise through the non-league pyramid, winning the NPL East by a huge margin of 17 points, the Steelmen are now operating at the highest level since their formation in 1993. 

As reward for their magnificent performances in 2025/26, Oscar Fletcher, Joseph Bartliff, Louis Johnson and star striker Adam Boyes were named in the NPL East Team of the Season. 

Boyes, 35, will be incredibly important to Carl Jarrett’s side this season, having netted 41 goals last term.

Stockton Town

• Nickname: The Anchors
• Stadium: MAP Group UK Stadium
• Capacity: 2,200 (600 seated)
• Last season’s league position: Fifth, NPL Premier
• Distance to Cantilever Park: 130 miles
• Last season’s results: Lost 2-1 (A), Won 2-0 (H)

Michael Dunwell’s side missed out on promotion via the play-offs for the second season running, losing 2-0 to eventual winners Hednesford Town at Keys Park. 

Defender Arjun Purewal was sent off in the 40th minute, before goals from Montel Gibson and Ollie Harrison snatched victory for the hosts. 

The previous season saw the Anchors expelled from the play-off final against Worksop Town after fielding an ineligible player. 

Despite such disappointments, the side from the north-east will be among the favourites for promotion once again. 

Rylands

• Nickname: The Blues
• Stadium: Gorsey Lane
• Capacity: 1,924
• Last season’s league position: Fourth, NPL Premier
• Distance to Cantilever Park: 2 miles
• Last season’s results: Lost 1-0 (H), Drew 1-1 (A)

A positive campaign for Rylands ended in fourth place last season, earning them a trip to FC United for the play-off semi-final. 

Passing that stern test with a 3-2 comeback victory at Broadhurst Park, Neil Reynolds’ side travelled to Hednesford Town for the final. 

Clive Smith headed the visitors in front early into the second half. However, George Williams ensured the game entered extra-time with a stoppage-time equaliser. 

Both sides failed to capitalise and claim a winner, meaning penalties would decide the contest. When George Waring saw his effort crash against the bar, Joe Doyle-Charles stepped up and took advantage to break the Blues’ hearts. 

Whitby Town

• Nickname: The Seasiders
• Stadium: Towbar Express Stadium
• Capacity: 3,500
• Last season’s league position: 17th, NPL Premier
• Distance to Cantilever Park: 133 miles
• Last season’s results: Lost 2-0 (H), Lost 4-0 (A)

Finishing with 43 points from 40 fixtures, the Seasiders were lucky to avoid relegation after winning only one of their final 10 matches, claiming six points in the process. 

Bidding to change their fortunes, the club have appointed Lee Bullock as manager following the departure of Jason Kennedy. Bullock, 45, is familiar to Whitby fans having served as assistant manager and joint-manager. 

His prestigious playing career, which included spells at York, Bradford City and Hartlepool United, ended at Whitby in 2015. 

Workington

• Nickname: The Reds
• Stadium: Derwent Park
• Capacity: 3,101 (500 seated)
• Last season’s league position: 18th, NPL Premier
• Distance to Cantilever Park: 141 miles
• Last season’s results: Lost 3-2 (H), Drew 1-1 (A)

Against all odds, Workington live to fight another day in the NPL Premier. 

Despite being nine points adrift of safety at the turn of the year, Billy Barr’s side secured survival with a game to spare after a brilliant 3-2 comeback victory against Warrington Town at Cantilever Park. Much credit must go to Barr, 57, for completing the great escape. 

Having taken over from Darren Edmondson in November 2025, Barr guided the Reds to seven crucial victories. 

The club have recruited well and will now prepare for a new era at Derwent Park, having said farewell to Borough Park at the end of last season.

While their former home is being demolished to make way for the new Cumberland Sports Village, the Reds will play their home fixtures at rugby league side Workington Town’s ground.