News From The 2025 AGM
Tue 24th June 2025 | Announcements | By Martin Fallon
The League's Annual General Meeting took place on Saturday (21st June) at the Imperial Hotel in Blackpool. Representatives of 59 of the 61 member clubs were in attendance as well as six of the seven new member clubs that have been allocated to the League for the new season.
To open the meeting, League Chairman Paul Lawler welcomed all delegates at 11.00am prompt. After apologies were given, the minutes from the previous AGM were raised and adopted prior to moving on to the Chairman's Report.
The report from the Chairman started by reflecting on some sad losses over the last 12 months. There was sadness on the passing of Club Ambassador John Reid, although we are pleased to welcome on board his son Andrew, who has taken on his role and has been welcomed by member clubs. Our accountant, Steve Conway, also passed away a couple of weeks ago and we have lost a lot of people from various clubs. A moment of silence was observed.
Paul said that it has been a memorable season but for positive reasons. We have had perhaps the driest seasons on record, with no fixture backlog. There have been no major controversersies at all throughout the season.
Attendances thoughout the league have once again really impressive, with Bury setting our record crowd of 8,719 which actually beat the attendance record in the National League North that was set in April. Paul believes that it is behaviour on the pitch which has led to this increased attendance, and thanked clubs for this, but warned clubs to watch out for changes that are upcoming with the recent passing of Martyn's Law.
Paul continued: "On the field, congratulations to Premier Division clubs Bury and Lower Breck, who gave us a fantastic run-in. It was nice to see them both get promoted (no offence to Padiham). In the First Division South, Atherton LR went one better than the season before and won the league by five points, and Euxton Villa showed what momentum can do as they were promoted from the Play Offs from fifth place. In the South, Winsford won the league by a whopping 17 points with Abbey Hulton both finishing second and winning the Play-Offs.
"In the FA Cup, Bury had a great run to the last Qualifying Round, and in the FA Vase Atherton LR were the last ones standing. Congratulations to Charnock Richard and Atherton LR, who won our league internal cups, and to Irlam and Route One Rovers for success in their County Cups.
"Sadly we lose several clubs today. First Bury and Lower Breck who move to the Northern Premier League, Winsford United and Abbey Hulton United are promoted but are laterally moved to Midland League, Route One Rovers are laterally moved to the Northern Counties East League, whilst Skelmersdale United are relegated to the Liverpool County Premier League."
We welcome seven new clubs for a total of 61 clubs this season; 24 in the Premier Division, 18 in the First Division North and 19 in the First Division South. Paul reiterated that the allocation of clubs needs addressing and we need to look for change. "Is it fair that one Champion at Step 5 plays 46 league games whilst another plays only 34? It is fair that clubs are being asked to stretch themselves by playing in a league to which they are not geographically matched?"
"At the last AGM I announced I would be stepping down as Chair. Its been an honour and a privilege running this League for the last 10 years. The time, commitment and energy to run a league is immence, and I would like to thank my fellow Management Committee members and Clubs for their support over the last decade.
Administrative procedures were carried out which included adopting of standing orders, adopt the accounts for the financial year as well as reviewing the auditors report. This technically concluded the league business for the 2024/25 season.
Next was the exclusion of clubs (see above) which in a long-standing tradition at the NWCFL, was a chance to say goodbye to the room. Similiarly the new clubs coming in had the opportunity to say hello and outline to the room who they are.
The constitution of the league was then agreed, with 24 clubs in the Premier Division, 18 in the First Division North and 19 in the First Division South. As Paul pointed out, we have no choice these days but to accept it as it is decided nationally by the FA! The full make up of all three of our divisions for 2025/26 at this present time is as follows:
PREMIER DIVISION
AFC Liverpool, Abbey Hey, Atherton LR, Barnoldswick Town, Burscough, Chadderton, Charnock Richard, Cheadle Town, City of Liverpool, Euxton Villa, FC Isle of Man, FC St Helens, Glossop North End, Irlam, Longridge Town, Litherland Remyca, Padiham, Pilkington, Prestwich Heys, Ramsbottom United, South Liverpool, Stockport Town, West Didsbury & Chorlton, Wythenshawe
DIVISION ONE NORTH
AFC Blackpool, Ashton Athletic, Ashton Town, Bacup Borough, Colne, Daisy Hill, Darwen, Droylsden, Fulwood Amateurs, Garstang, Holker Old Boys, Maghull, Maine Road, MSB Woolton, Nelson, Steeton, Squires Gate, Thornton Cleveleys
DIVISON ONE SOUTH
Allscott Heath, Alsager Town, Ashville, Barnton, Cammell Laird 1907, Cheadle Heath Nomads, Eccleshall, Foley Meir, Haughmond, Market Drayton Town, New Mills, Runcorn Town, Sandbach United, Shawbury United, Stafford Town, Stockport Georgians, Telford Town, Wolverhampton Casuals, Wolverhampton Sporting Community
The next item was the Life Members and the Election of Management Committee members. With no new persons nominated, the Management Committee remains unchanged for the forthcoming season. There is one vacancy on the Management Committee so if anybody is interested then please contact us. We would prefer somebody from the southern part of the league if possible so that we can fully represent people from that area of the league.
There was one change to Members though. The President position has been vacant for a number of years. With Paul Lawler stepping down, the League Committee nominated him for this position which he accepted. Congratulations Paul.
Administration for the new season was addressed with the FA Standardised Rules reviewed and agreed. One chance is that postponed games must be rearranged within 35 days now and not 42 days.
The fees tariffs and fine tariffs were both agreed, with no changes made. Next was confirmation of the League Insurance Scheme which was the same as last season. This was followed by the re-appointment of auditors which was agreed.
Paul then closed the meeting at 11.53am. The draws for the opening rounds of the cups were made immediately following the AGM and can be found here (Macron Cup) and here (Edward Case Cup).
News From The 2025 AGM
Tue 24th June 2025 | Announcements
By Martin Fallon
The League's Annual General Meeting took place on Saturday (21st June) at the Imperial Hotel in Blackpool. Representatives of 59 of the 61 member clubs were in attendance as well as six of the seven new member clubs that have been allocated to the League for the new season.
To open the meeting, League Chairman Paul Lawler welcomed all delegates at 11.00am prompt. After apologies were given, the minutes from the previous AGM were raised and adopted prior to moving on to the Chairman's Report.
The report from the Chairman started by reflecting on some sad losses over the last 12 months. There was sadness on the passing of Club Ambassador John Reid, although we are pleased to welcome on board his son Andrew, who has taken on his role and has been welcomed by member clubs. Our accountant, Steve Conway, also passed away a couple of weeks ago and we have lost a lot of people from various clubs. A moment of silence was observed.
Paul said that it has been a memorable season but for positive reasons. We have had perhaps the driest seasons on record, with no fixture backlog. There have been no major controversersies at all throughout the season.
Attendances thoughout the league have once again really impressive, with Bury setting our record crowd of 8,719 which actually beat the attendance record in the National League North that was set in April. Paul believes that it is behaviour on the pitch which has led to this increased attendance, and thanked clubs for this, but warned clubs to watch out for changes that are upcoming with the recent passing of Martyn's Law.
Paul continued: "On the field, congratulations to Premier Division clubs Bury and Lower Breck, who gave us a fantastic run-in. It was nice to see them both get promoted (no offence to Padiham). In the First Division South, Atherton LR went one better than the season before and won the league by five points, and Euxton Villa showed what momentum can do as they were promoted from the Play Offs from fifth place. In the South, Winsford won the league by a whopping 17 points with Abbey Hulton both finishing second and winning the Play-Offs.
"In the FA Cup, Bury had a great run to the last Qualifying Round, and in the FA Vase Atherton LR were the last ones standing. Congratulations to Charnock Richard and Atherton LR, who won our league internal cups, and to Irlam and Route One Rovers for success in their County Cups.
"Sadly we lose several clubs today. First Bury and Lower Breck who move to the Northern Premier League, Winsford United and Abbey Hulton United are promoted but are laterally moved to Midland League, Route One Rovers are laterally moved to the Northern Counties East League, whilst Skelmersdale United are relegated to the Liverpool County Premier League."
We welcome seven new clubs for a total of 61 clubs this season; 24 in the Premier Division, 18 in the First Division North and 19 in the First Division South. Paul reiterated that the allocation of clubs needs addressing and we need to look for change. "Is it fair that one Champion at Step 5 plays 46 league games whilst another plays only 34? It is fair that clubs are being asked to stretch themselves by playing in a league to which they are not geographically matched?"
"At the last AGM I announced I would be stepping down as Chair. Its been an honour and a privilege running this League for the last 10 years. The time, commitment and energy to run a league is immence, and I would like to thank my fellow Management Committee members and Clubs for their support over the last decade.
Administrative procedures were carried out which included adopting of standing orders, adopt the accounts for the financial year as well as reviewing the auditors report. This technically concluded the league business for the 2024/25 season.
Next was the exclusion of clubs (see above) which in a long-standing tradition at the NWCFL, was a chance to say goodbye to the room. Similiarly the new clubs coming in had the opportunity to say hello and outline to the room who they are.
The constitution of the league was then agreed, with 24 clubs in the Premier Division, 18 in the First Division North and 19 in the First Division South. As Paul pointed out, we have no choice these days but to accept it as it is decided nationally by the FA! The full make up of all three of our divisions for 2025/26 at this present time is as follows:
PREMIER DIVISION
AFC Liverpool, Abbey Hey, Atherton LR, Barnoldswick Town, Burscough, Chadderton, Charnock Richard, Cheadle Town, City of Liverpool, Euxton Villa, FC Isle of Man, FC St Helens, Glossop North End, Irlam, Longridge Town, Litherland Remyca, Padiham, Pilkington, Prestwich Heys, Ramsbottom United, South Liverpool, Stockport Town, West Didsbury & Chorlton, Wythenshawe
DIVISION ONE NORTH
AFC Blackpool, Ashton Athletic, Ashton Town, Bacup Borough, Colne, Daisy Hill, Darwen, Droylsden, Fulwood Amateurs, Garstang, Holker Old Boys, Maghull, Maine Road, MSB Woolton, Nelson, Steeton, Squires Gate, Thornton Cleveleys
DIVISON ONE SOUTH
Allscott Heath, Alsager Town, Ashville, Barnton, Cammell Laird 1907, Cheadle Heath Nomads, Eccleshall, Foley Meir, Haughmond, Market Drayton Town, New Mills, Runcorn Town, Sandbach United, Shawbury United, Stafford Town, Stockport Georgians, Telford Town, Wolverhampton Casuals, Wolverhampton Sporting Community
The next item was the Life Members and the Election of Management Committee members. With no new persons nominated, the Management Committee remains unchanged for the forthcoming season. There is one vacancy on the Management Committee so if anybody is interested then please contact us. We would prefer somebody from the southern part of the league if possible so that we can fully represent people from that area of the league.
There was one change to Members though. The President position has been vacant for a number of years. With Paul Lawler stepping down, the League Committee nominated him for this position which he accepted. Congratulations Paul.
Administration for the new season was addressed with the FA Standardised Rules reviewed and agreed. One chance is that postponed games must be rearranged within 35 days now and not 42 days.
The fees tariffs and fine tariffs were both agreed, with no changes made. Next was confirmation of the League Insurance Scheme which was the same as last season. This was followed by the re-appointment of auditors which was agreed.
Paul then closed the meeting at 11.53am. The draws for the opening rounds of the cups were made immediately following the AGM and can be found here (Macron Cup) and here (Edward Case Cup).
