The Northern Counties East Football League is a semi-professional English football league. It has two divisions – Premier Division and Division One – which stand at the ninth and tenth levels of the English football pyramid respectively.

History

The league was formed in 1982 following the merger of the Yorkshire League and Midland League. For its inaugural season, the league consisted of five divisions. Since then, the league has undergone several changes to the point where since 2018 it has two divisions of 20 teams. The league has maintained promotion and relegation between its divisions since its beginning. In 2015 a series of play-offs were introduced for the first time to determine a third promotee from Division One. The competition has several feeder leagues at level 11 of the pyramid, which may provide new member clubs each year: Clubs are also liable to be transferred to other leagues if the FA deems it geographically suitable to do so.

Current clubs (2024–25)

Premier Division

Division One

Honours

Champions

Promoted

Since the league's formation in 1982, the following clubs have won promotion to higher levels of the English football league system – normally to the Northern Premier League –

Cup competitions

League Cup

The league currently has one cup competition, the League Cup, which is contested by every club in the league.

Finals

President's Cup and Trophy

In the past the league has had additional cup competitions. The Trophy was contested by the Division One clubs and the President's Cup which featured the top eight teams in each division from the previous season, provided they remain in the league.

Winners

Member clubs in national competitions

FA Cup first round

The following NCEL clubs have reached the First Round proper of the FA Cup –

FA Vase finalists

The following NCEL clubs have reached the Final of the FA Vase –