North Premier was a level five league in the English rugby union system, with the fourteen teams drawn from across Northern England. The other leagues at this level were London & South East Premier, Midlands Premier and South West Premier. The RFU reorganised the level five leagues for season 2022–23, with an increase from four to six and reducing the teams in each from fourteen to twelve.[1] The teams in this league now play in either Regional 1 North East or Regional 1 North West.[2]
Sport | Rugby Union |
---|---|
Instituted | 1987 | (as North Division 1)
Number of teams | 14 |
Country | England |
Holders | Otley (2nd title) (2021–22 (promoted to National Two North) |
Most titles | Bradford & Bingley, Darlington Mowden Park, Huddersfield, Kendal, Morley, Otley and Preston Grasshoppers (2 titles) |
Website | clubs.rfu.com |
Format
editThe fourteen teams in this league were drawn from across northern England with the champions promoted to National League 2 North and the runner-up going into a play-off with the second placed team from Midlands Premier with the winner also being promoted. The league's bottom three teams are relegated to either North 1 East or North 1 West depending on their geographic location. The league was changed at the beginning of the 2009–10 season following reorganisation by the Rugby Football Union when the league was originally known as North Division 1. A further name change from National League 3 North to its final name for the 2017–18 season by the RFU in order to lessen confusion for the series of regional leagues.[1]
The season ran from September to May and comprised twenty-six rounds of matches, with each club playing each of its rivals home and away. The results of the matches contributed points to the league table as follows:
- 4 points are awarded for a win
- 2 points are awarded for a draw
- 0 points are awarded for a loss, however
- 1 losing (bonus) point is awarded to a team that loses a match by 7 points or fewer
- 1 additional (bonus) point is awarded to a team scoring 4 tries or more in a match
2021–22
editNine of the fourteen teams participated in the previous season's competition. They were joined by Otley and Preston Grasshoppers who were relegated from National League 2 North, and promoted sides York (from North 1 East) together with Burnage and Northwich RUFC (both from North 1 West).
The previous season's champions Blaydon were promoted into National League 2 North alongside Harrogate (who won the virtual play-off against Newport runners-up in Midlands Premier), while the relegated teams were Carlisle RFC (to North 1 West) together with Morpeth and Ilkley RFC (both to North 1 East).
The teams competing in 2021–22 achieved their places in the league based on performances in 2019–20, the 'previous season' column in the table below refers to that season not 2020–21.
Twelve of the fourteen teams from 2021–22 were placed into one of the new level five leagues for 2022–23. Alnwick, Billingham, Sandal and York were placed into Regional 1 North East while Blackburn, Burnage, Kirkby Lonsdale, Lymm, Macclesfield, Northwich, Rossendale and Wirral were placed into Regional 1 North West. The top two teams in 2021–22, Otley and Preston Grasshoppers, were promoted to the level four league National League 2 North. No teams were relegated to level six.
Participating teams and locations
editFinal league table
edit
| ||||||||||||||||
Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points | Adj pts | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Otley | 26 | 24 | 0 | 2 | 1076 | 310 | 766 | 20 | 0 | 116 | |||||
2 | Preston Grasshoppers | 26 | 23 | 1 | 2 | 1105 | 299 | 806 | 19 | 0 | 113 | |||||
3 | Blackburn | 26 | 18 | 2 | 6 | 1001 | 526 | 475 | 19 | 3 | 98 | |||||
4 | Billingham | 26 | 18 | 1 | 7 | 837 | 432 | 405 | 16 | 2 | 92 | |||||
5 | Lymm | 26 | 17 | 0 | 9 | 829 | 543 | 286 | 15 | 3 | 86 | |||||
6 | Macclesfield | 26 | 15 | 0 | 11 | 840 | 565 | 275 | 13 | 4 | 77 | |||||
7 | Alnwick | 26 | 14 | 1 | 11 | 854 | 563 | 291 | 12 | 3 | 73 | |||||
8 | Rossendale | 26 | 12 | 1 | 13 | 612 | 669 | −57 | 9 | 2 | 61 | |||||
9 | Wirral | 26 | 11 | 0 | 15 | 562 | 669 | −107 | 8 | 5 | 58 | |||||
10 | York | 26 | 9 | 1 | 16 | 643 | 584 | 59 | 11 | 8 | 58 | |||||
11 | Sandal | 26 | 7 | 2 | 17 | 605 | 853 | −248 | 8 | 3 | 43 | |||||
12 | Burnage | 26 | 5 | 0 | 21 | 545 | 1035 | −490 | 8 | 4 | 32 | |||||
13 | Kirkby Lonsdale | 26 | 3 | 2 | 21 | 298 | 1288 | −990 | 4 | 0 | 20 | |||||
14 | Northwich | 26 | 0 | 1 | 25 | 168 | 1639 | −1471 | 1 | 0 | −2 | −5 | ||||
| ||||||||||||||||
Green background are the promotion places. Pink background are relegation places. Updated: 2 June 2022 Source:[3] |
2020–21
editOn 30th October the RFU announced, that due to the coronavirus pandemic, a decision had been taken to cancel Adult Competitive Leagues (National League 1 and below) for the 2020/21 season meaning North Premier was not contested.[4]
2019–20
editTen of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Macclesfield who were relegated from National League 2 North, and Blackburn, Carlisle and Morpeth who were promoted into the division.[5][6][7][8] Last season's champions Hull were promoted into National League 2 North, while the relegated teams were Vale of Lune and Wilmslow who all drop down into North 1 West and Kendal Rugby Union Football Club, Kendal who were relegated to North 1 East.
Participating teams and locations
edit
|
|
2018–19
editTen of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Blaydon who were relegated from National League 2 North, while Alnwick, Vale of Lune and Wilmslow were promoted into the division.[9][10][11][12] Preston Grasshoppers were promoted as champions into National League 2 North, while the relegated teams were Birkenhead Park (North 1 West), Morley and Pocklington (both North 1 East).
Participating teams and locations
edit
|
|
2017–18
editNine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Preston Grasshoppers and Harrogate who were relegated from National League 2 North, while Pocklington, Kirkby Lonsdale and Birkenhead Park are promoted into the division.[13][14][15][16][17] Huddersfield were promoted as champions into National League 2 North, with Firwood Waterloo and Stockport both relegated to North 1 West and Cleckheaton dropping to North 1 East.[18] In order to address an imbalance of teams at tier 5, Doncaster Phoenix were level transferred to Midlands Premier.[19] This season was the first that Kendal played at the new Mint Bridge Stadium.
Participating teams and locations
edit
|
|
Final league table
edit
| ||||||||||||||||
Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Preston Grasshoppers (P) | 26 | 23 | 1 | 2 | 897 | 410 | 487 | 22 | 2 | 118 | |||||
2 | Hull | 26 | 20 | 3 | 3 | 815 | 340 | 475 | 18 | 2 | 106 | |||||
3 | Harrogate | 26 | 19 | 1 | 6 | 697 | 477 | 220 | 16 | 4 | 98 | |||||
4 | Lymm | 26 | 17 | 2 | 7 | 691 | 382 | 309 | 11 | 5 | 88 | |||||
5 | Rossendale | 25 | 17 | 0 | 8 | 636 | 571 | 65 | 14 | 1 | 83 | |||||
6 | Billingham | 26 | 16 | 1 | 9 | 794 | 501 | 293 | 13 | 3 | 82 | |||||
7 | Ilkley | 25 | 12 | 1 | 12 | 523 | 532 | −9 | 7 | 5 | 62 | |||||
8 | Kirkby Lonsdale | 26 | 10 | 0 | 16 | 565 | 584 | −19 | 7 | 10 | 57 | |||||
9 | Wirral | 26 | 9 | 0 | 17 | 573 | 715 | −142 | 12 | 6 | 54 | |||||
10 | Kendal | 26 | 10 | 1 | 15 | 537 | 635 | −98 | 6 | 5 | 53 | |||||
11 | Sandal | 26 | 7 | 1 | 18 | 528 | 694 | −166 | 8 | 8 | 46 | |||||
12 | Birkenhead Park | 26 | 5 | 1 | 20 | 452 | 874 | −422 | 5 | 6 | 33 | |||||
13 | Morley | 26 | 6 | 1 | 19 | 324 | 715 | −391 | 2 | 3 | 31 | |||||
14 | Pocklington (R) | 26 | 3 | 1 | 22 | 375 | 977 | –602 | 6 | 3 | 23 | |||||
| ||||||||||||||||
Green background is the promotion place. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places. Updated: 22 November 2021 Source: "National League 3 North". England Rugby. |
2016–17
editNine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They are joined by Huddersfield and Sandal who were relegated from National 2 North while Doncaster Phoenix, Morley and Kendal were promoted into the league. Sheffield Tigers were promoted as champions into National 2 North while Burnage and Huddersfield Y.M.C.A. were relegated to North 1 East and Birkenhead Park dropped to North 1 West. In order to address a league imbalance, 7th placed Sheffield were level transferred to National League 3 Midlands.
Participating teams and locations
edit
|
|
Final league table
edit
| ||||||||||||||||
Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Huddersfield (P) | 26 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 1180 | 263 | 917 | 20 | 0 | 124 | |||||
2 | Rossendale | 26 | 21 | 0 | 5 | 852 | 443 | 409 | 14 | 1 | 99 | |||||
3 | Hull | 26 | 20 | 0 | 6 | 837 | 460 | 377 | 17 | 0 | 97 | |||||
4 | Wirral | 26 | 18 | 0 | 8 | 814 | 501 | 313 | 16 | 1 | 89 | |||||
5 | Billingham | 26 | 17 | 0 | 9 | 779 | 542 | 237 | 16 | 3 | 87 | |||||
6 | Sandal | 26 | 16 | 0 | 10 | 935 | 556 | 379 | 16 | 5 | 85 | |||||
7 | Kendal | 26 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 548 | 498 | 50 | 7 | 6 | 65 | |||||
8 | Lymm | 26 | 12 | 0 | 14 | 629 | 632 | −3 | 9 | 4 | 61 | |||||
9 | Ilkley | 26 | 11 | 0 | 15 | 571 | 576 | −5 | 7 | 8 | 59 | |||||
10 | Morley | 26 | 8 | 0 | 18 | 577 | 864 | −287 | 10 | 4 | 46 | |||||
11 | Doncaster Phoenix | 26 | 8 | 0 | 18 | 538 | 837 | −299 | 6 | 3 | 41 | |||||
12 | Cleckheaton (R) | 26 | 7 | 0 | 19 | 523 | 739 | –216 | 7 | 4 | 39 | |||||
13 | Firwood Waterloo (R) | 26 | 5 | 0 | 21 | 422 | 1019 | −597 | 4 | 5 | 29 | |||||
14 | Stockport (R) | 26 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 229 | 1504 | −1275 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||
| ||||||||||||||||
Green background is the promotion place. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places. Updated: 29 April 2017 Source: "National League 3 North". England Rugby. |
Promotion play-off
editEach season, the runners-up in the National League 3 North, and National League 3 Midlands participate in a play-off for promotion to National League 2 North. The team with the best playing record, in this case Rossendale, host the match and they lost to their opponents Sheffield 31 – 32.
Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rossendale | 26 | 21 | 0 | 5 | 852 | 443 | 409 | 14 | 1 | 99 |
Sheffield | 26 | 19 | 0 | 7 | 717 | 434 | 283 | 16 | 4 | 96 |
29 April 2017 15:00 |
Rossendale | 31 – 32 | Sheffield |
Marl Pits |
2015–16
editSheffield Tigers, are the champions, winning the league by 16 points. It was Sheffield's second promotion to National 2 North; in 2010–11 they won promotion via the play-off (as Midland representatives), beating Chester. Wirral, the second-placed team lost their play-off match against Hinckley and remain in this league for next season. Three clubs are relegated, Huddersfield YMCA to North East 1, and Birkenhead Park and Burnage, both to North West 1 .
Participating clubs and locations
editNine of the fourteen teams participated in last season's competition. They were joined by two teams relegated from National League 2 North, Hull and Stockport; and by three promoted teams, Birkenhead Park, Ilkley and Sheffield. The teams leaving the league were the 2014–15 champions, Sale who were promoted to National League 2 North, along with the runner-up Sandal, the play-off winner against Hinckley; Morley, South Shields West and Beverley were all relegated to North 1 East.
|
|
Final league table
edit
| ||||||||||||||||
Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sheffield Tigers (C) | 26 | 22 | 0 | 4 | 984 | 314 | 670 | 17 | 4 | 109 | |||||
2 | Wirral | 26 | 19 | 0 | 7 | 677 | 486 | 191 | 13 | 4 | 93 | |||||
3 | Lymm | 26 | 15 | 1 | 10 | 635 | 482 | 153 | 11 | 6 | 79 | |||||
4 | Firwood Waterloo | 26 | 17 | 1 | 8 | 590 | 537 | 53 | 11 | 2 | 78 | |||||
5 | Hull | 26 | 15 | 0 | 11 | 653 | 454 | 199 | 9 | 9 | 78 | |||||
6 | Rossendale | 26 | 14 | 1 | 11 | 720 | 613 | 107 | 13 | 3 | 74 | |||||
7 | Sheffield | 26 | 14 | 2 | 10 | 595 | 502 | 93 | 9 | 4 | 73 | |||||
8 | Ilkley | 26 | 14 | 1 | 11 | 571 | 609 | –38 | 7 | 5 | 70 | |||||
9 | Billingham | 26 | 12 | 0 | 14 | 614 | 594 | 20 | 10 | 6 | 64 | |||||
10 | Cleckheaton | 26 | 11 | 0 | 15 | 508 | 646 | –138 | 6 | 4 | 54 | |||||
11 | Stockport | 26 | 8 | 1 | 17 | 588 | 770 | –182 | 10 | 7 | 51 | |||||
12 | Huddersfield YMCA (R) | 26 | 7 | 1 | 18 | 546 | 813 | –267 | 10 | 7 | 47 | |||||
13 | Birkenhead Park (R) | 26 | 6 | 0 | 20 | 519 | 739 | –220 | 7 | 10 | 41 | |||||
14 | Burnage (R) | 26 | 4 | 0 | 22 | 359 | 1000 | –641 | 1 | 3 | 20 | |||||
| ||||||||||||||||
Green background is the promotion place. Blue background is the play-off place. Pink background are relegation places. Updated: 27 April 2016 Source: "National League 3 North". England Rugby. |
Promotion play-off
editEach season, the runners-up in the National League 3 Midland, and National League 3 North participate in a play-off for promotion to National League 2 North. The team with the best playing record, in this case Hinckley, host the match and their opponents are Wirral.
Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Loss bonus | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hinckley (P) | 26 | 22 | 1 | 3 | 790 | 343 | 447 | 16 | 2 | 108 |
Wirral | 26 | 19 | 0 | 7 | 677 | 486 | 191 | 13 | 4 | 93 |
2014–15
editParticipating clubs
edit- Cleckheaton (promoted from North 1 East)
- Huddersfield Y.M.C.A. (promoted from North 1 East)
- Lymm (transferred from National League 3 Midlands)
- Sheffield Tigers (relegated from National League 2 North)
- Wirral (promoted from North 1 West)
2013–14
editParticipating clubs
edit- Beverley (promoted from North 1 East)
- Huddersfield (relegated from National League 2 North)
- Morley (promoted from North 1 East)
- Sale (promoted from North 1 West)
- Stockport (relegated from National League 2 North)
- Westoe (relegated from National League 2 North)
2012–13
editParticipating clubs
edit- Billingham (promoted from North 1 East)
- Harrogate (relegated from National League 2 North)
- Kendal (relegated from National League 2 North)
- Percy Park (promoted from North 1 East)
2009–10
editParticipating clubs
editInaugural clubs (first season as National 3 North)
- Beverley (now playing in North 1 East)
- Birkenhead Park (still playing in National 3 North)
- Chester (now playing in National 2 North)
- Cleckheaton (still playing in National 3 North)
- Darlington Mowden Park (now playing in National 2 North)
- Middlesbrough (now playing in Durham/Northumberland 1)
- Morley (now playing in North 1 East)
- Penrith (now playing in North 1 West)
- Rochdale (now playing in North 1 West)
- Rossendale (still playing in National 3 North)
- Sheffield Tigers (still playing in National 3 North)
- Stockport (still playing in National League 3 North)
- West Hartlepool (now playing in North 1 East)
- West Park St Helens (now playing in South Lancs/Cheshire 1)
2008–09
editFinal league table
edit
| |||||||||||
Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Points | |||
Westoe | 22 | 19 | 0 | 3 | 737 | 264 | 473 | 38 | |||
Hull | 22 | 18 | 0 | 4 | 702 | 241 | 461 | 36 | |||
Morley R.F.C. | 22 | 16 | 0 | 6 | 497 | 222 | 275 | 32 | |||
Sheffield Tigers RUFC | 22 | 15 | 0 | 7 | 495 | 307 | 118 | 30 | |||
Birkenhead Park | 22 | 14 | 1 | 7 | 373 | 331 | 42 | 29 | |||
Middlesbrough | 22 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 477 | 421 | 56 | 22 | |||
West Hartlepool | 22 | 9 | 0 | 13 | 356 | 420 | –64 | 18 | |||
Stockport R.U.F.C | 22 | 8 | 0 | 14 | 414 | 520 | –106 | 16 | |||
Beverley | 22 | 8 | 0 | 14 | 311 | 425 | –114 | 16 | |||
Cleckheaton | 22 | 5 | 1 | 16 | 293 | 654 | –361 | 11 | |||
West Park St Helens | 22 | 5 | 0 | 17 | 273 | 599 | –326 | 10 | |||
Darlington RFC | 22 | 3 | 0 | 19 | 254 | 769 | –524 | 6 |
Original teams
editWhen league rugby began in 1987 this division contained the following teams:
- Hartlepool Rovers (now playing in Durham/Northumberland 1)
- Harrogate (now playing in National league 2 North)
- Hull & ER (now playing as Hull Ionians in National League 1)
- Kendal (now playing in North 1 West
- Middlesbrough (now playing in Yorkshire 1)
- Otley (now playing in National League 2 North)
- Tynedale (now playing in National League 2 North)
- Widnes
- Wigton
- Winnington Park (now playing in South Lancs/Cheshire 1
- West Park (now playing in Lancs/Cheshire Division 1
North Premier honours
editIn the first season of the English rugby union league pyramid, sponsored by Courage, there was four, tier five leagues. The geographical area for teams in the north of England covered the ceremonial counties of Cheshire, Cumbria, Lancashire Northumberland and Yorkshire There were eleven teams in the league and they played each other once, giving each team ten matches. The other tier five leagues were London Division One, Midlands Division One and South West Division One.[20] This system prevailed for five seasons, and in 1992–93 the number of teams increased from eleven to thirteen. The following season (1993–94) the league was reorganised and the four tier five leagues became two; National 5 North and National 5 South.[21] After three seasons, in 1996–97, a further reorganisation occurred, and there was a return to four, tier five leagues; with North Division One covering the area of northern England.[22] This system prevailed until 2009–10 when the number of teams was increased from twelve to fourteen and renamed National League Three North.
North Division 1 (1987–1993)
editThe original North Division 1 was a tier 5 league with promotion to Area League 2 North and relegation to North Division 2 (later split into two leagues known as North 1 East and North 1 West).
| |||||||||||||
Season | No of teams | No of matches | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated teams | Reference | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1987–88 | 11 | 10 | Winnington Park | Kendal | Widnes, Middlesbrough | [23] | |||||||
1988–89 | 11 | 10 | Kendal | Tynedale | West Park | [23] | |||||||
1989–90 | 11 | 10 | Otley | Harrogate | No relegation | [23] | |||||||
1990–91 | 11 | 10 | Aspatria | Bradford & Bingley | Halifax | [24] | |||||||
1991–92 | 11 | 10 | Rotherham | Tynedale | Birkenhead Park | [25] | |||||||
1992–93 | 13 | 12 | Bradford & Bingley | Tynedale | Lymm | [26] |
North Division 1 (1993–1996)
editAt the end of the 1992–93 season the top six teams from North Division 1 and the top six from Midland Division 1 were combined to create National 5 North. North Division 1 dropped from a tier 5 league to a tier 6 league for the years that National 5 North was active.
| ||||||||||||||
Season | No of teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated teams | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1993-94[27] | 13 | Wharfedale | Sandal | Hartlepool Rovers, Northern, Vale of Lune | ||||||||||
1994-95 | 13 | Sandal | Stockton | Durham City | ||||||||||
1995-96 | 13 | Manchester | Macclesfield | No relegation[a] | ||||||||||
Green backgrounds are promotion places. |
North Division 1 (1996–2009)
editFor the end of the 1995–96 season National 5 North was discontinued and North Division One returned to being a tier 5 league. Promotion was to National 4 North (later known as National League 2 North), while relegation continued to North Division 2 until 2000–01, and then into either North 2 East or North 2 West (later known as North 1 East / North 1 West) in subsequent seasons.
| |||||||||||||
Season | No of teams | No of matches | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated teams | Reference | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1996–97 | 12 | 22 | Sedgley Park | Tynedale | Bradford & Bingley | [28] | |||||||
1997–98 | 12 | 22 | New Brighton | Doncaster | West Park Bramhope | [29] | |||||||
1998–99 | 12 | 22 | Doncaster | Northern | Bridlington, Broughton Park | [30] | |||||||
1999–00 | 12 | 22 | Tynedale | Hull Ionians | Widnes, Winnington Park | [31] | |||||||
2000–01 | 12 | 22 | Darlington Mowden Park | Blaydon | Northern, Stockton | [32] | |||||||
2001–02 | 12 | 22 | Halifax | Hull Ionians | Wigton, Middlesbrough, Bradford & Bingley | [33] | |||||||
2002–03 | 12 | 22 | Darlington | Macclesfield | Sandal, West Hartlepool | [34] | |||||||
2003–04 | 12 | 22 | Bradford & Bingley | Cleckheaton | Huddersfield, Aspatria, Driffield | [35] | |||||||
2004–05 | 12 | 22 | Preston Grasshoppers | Hull Ionians | Sheffield, Liverpool St Helens, Vale of Lune | [36] | |||||||
2005–06 | 12 | 22 | Morley | West Park St Helens | Whitchurch, Middlesbrough, Longton | [37] | |||||||
2006–07 | 12 | 22 | Caldy | Beverley | New Brighton, Chester, Stockport | [38] | |||||||
2007–08 | 12 | 22 | Kendal | Huddersfield | Penrith, Altrincham Kersal | [39] | |||||||
2008–09 | 12 | 22 | Westoe | Hull | No relegation | [40] |
National League 3 North (2009–2017)
editFor the 2009–10 season North Division One was renamed as National League 3 North following a restructuring of the national leagues leading to changes at all levels.
| ||||||||||||||
Season | No of teams | No of matches | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated teams | Reference | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2009–10 | 14 | 26 | Morley | Stockport | West Hartlepool, Cleckheaton, West Park St Helens | [41] | ||||||||
2010–11 | 14 | 26 | Stockport | Chester | Rochdale, Billingham, Middlesbrough | [42] | ||||||||
2011–12 | 14 | 26 | Darlington Mowden Park | Rossendale | Morley, Altrincham Kersal, Beverley | [43] | ||||||||
2012–13 | 14 | 26 | Chester | Harrogate | West Hartlepool, Kendal, Birkenhead Park | [44] | ||||||||
2013–14 | 14 | 26 | Huddersfield | Stockport | Penrith, Percy Park, Bradford & Bingley | [45] | ||||||||
2014–15 | 14 | 26 | Sale FC | Sandal | Beverley, Westoe, Morley | [46] | ||||||||
2015–16 | 14 | 26 | Sheffield Tigers | Wirral | Huddersfield YMCA, Birkenhead Park, Burnage | [47] | ||||||||
2016–17 | 14 | 26 | Huddersfield | Rossendale | Stockport, Firwood Waterloo, Cleckheaton | [48] | ||||||||
Green background are the promotion places. |
North Premier (2017–2022)
editThe division was renamed North Premier for the 2017–18 season in order to make it more obvious that this was a regional division and the top one in the north.
| ||||||||||||||
Season | No of teams | No of matches | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated teams | Reference | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2017–18 | 14 | 26 | Preston Grasshoppers | Hull | Pocklington, Morley, Birkenhead Park | [49] | ||||||||
2018–19 | 14 | 26 | Hull | Blaydon | Wilmslow, Vale of Lune, Kendal | [50] | ||||||||
2019–20 | 14 | 21[b] | Blaydon | Harrogate | Ilkley, Morpeth, Carlisle | [53] | ||||||||
2020–21 | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. | |||||||||||||
2021–22 | 14 | 26 | Otley | Preston Grasshoppers | Awaiting an announcement from the RFU. | |||||||||
Green background are the promotion places. |
Promotion play-offs
editFrom 2000–01 season until 2018–19 there was a play-off, between the league runners-up of North Premier and Midlands Premier, for the third and final promotion place to National League 2 North. The team with the superior league record has home advantage. As of the end of the 2018–19 season the northern teams have been stronger with twelve wins to the Midlands seven, while the home team has won thirteen times compared to the away teams six.
| ||||||||||||||
Season | Home team | Score | Away team | Venue | Attendance | Reference | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2000–01 | Blaydon (N) | 31–12 | Leicester Lions (M) | Crow Trees, Swalwell, County Durham | [54] | |||||||||
2001–02 | Hull Ionians (N) | 35–22 | Walsall (M) | Brantingham Park, Brantingham, East Riding of Yorkshire | [55][56] | |||||||||
2002–03 | Luctonians (M) | 3–17 | Macclesfield (N) | Mortimer Park, Kingsland, Herefordshire | 1,000 | [57][58] | ||||||||
2003–04 | Cleckheaton (N) | 23–10 | Kettering (M) | Cleckheaton Sports Club, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire | 900 | [59][60] | ||||||||
2004–05 | Hull Ionians (N) | 19–18 | Kettering (M) | Brantingham Park, Brantingham, East Riding of Yorkshire | [61][62] | |||||||||
2005–06 | Bedford Athletic (M) | 17–24 | West Park St Helens (N) | Putnoe Woods, Bedford, Bedfordshire | [63][64][65] | |||||||||
2006–07 | Beverley (N) | 7–3 | Dudley Kingswinford (M) | Beaver Park, Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire | [66][67] | |||||||||
2007–08 | Huddersfield (N) | 22–7 | Luctonians (M) | Lockwood Park, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire | [68][69] | |||||||||
2008–09 | Hull (N) | 40–15 | Chester (M) | Ferens Ground, Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire | [70][71] | |||||||||
2009–10 | Stockport (N) | 10–18 | Luctonians (M) | The Memorial Ground, Stockport, Greater Manchester | 350 | [72][73] | ||||||||
2010–11 | Sheffield Tigers (M) | 16–14 | Chester (N) | Dore Moor, Sheffield, South Yorkshire | [74][75] | |||||||||
2011–12 | Dudley Kingswinford (M) | 36–27 | Rossendale (N) | Heath Brook, Kingswinford, West Midlands | 1,000 | [76][77] | ||||||||
2012–13 | Sutton Coldfield (M) | 13–28 | Harrogate (N) | Roger Smoldon Ground, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands | 650 | [78][79][80] | ||||||||
2013–14 | Stockport (N) | 52–22 | Sutton Coldfield (M) | The Memorial Ground, Stockport, Greater Manchester | [81][82] | |||||||||
2014–15 | Sandal (N) | 20–10 | Hinckley (M) | Milnthorpe Green, Sandal Magna, Wakefield, West Yorkshire | 200 | [83][84] | ||||||||
2015–16 | Hinckley (M) | 33–20 | Wirral (N) | Leicester Road, Hinckley, Leicestershire | 650 | [85][86] | ||||||||
2016–17 | Rossendale (N) | 31–32 | Sheffield (M) | Marl Pits, Rawtenstall, Lancashire | 413 | [87] | ||||||||
2017–18 | Hull (N) | 22-31 | Peterborough Lions (M) | Ferens Ground, Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire | [88] | |||||||||
2018–19 | Luctonians (M) | 31–17 | Blaydon (N) | Mortimer Park, Kingsland, Herefordshire | 1,757 | [89] | ||||||||
2019–20 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner up - Harrogate (N) - promoted instead. | |||||||||||||
2020–21 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. | |||||||||||||
2021–22 | Cancelled due league reorganisation | |||||||||||||
Green background represent the promoted teams. (M) stands for the Midlands teams while (N) stands for the Northern teams. |
Number of league titles
edit- Bradford & Bingley (2)
- Darlington Mowden Park (2)
- Huddersfield (2)
- Kendal (2)
- Morley (2)
- Otley (2)
- Preston Grasshoppers (2)
- Aspatria (1)
- Blaydon (1)
- Caldy (1)
- Chester (1)
- Darlington (1)
- Doncaster (1)
- Halifax (1)
- Hull (1)
- Manchester (1)
- New Brighton (1)
- Rotherham (1)
- Sale FC (1)
- Sandal (1)
- Sedgley Park (1)
- Sheffield Tigers (1)
- Stockport (1)
- Tynedale (1)
- Westoe (1)[c]
- Wharfedale (1)
- Winnington Park (1)
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ Due to RFU restructuring of the English league structure there would be no relegation this season.
- ^ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom the RFU cancelled all rugby below the Premiership with most clubs in North Premier having played 21 games, and a best playing record formula was used to decide the final table.[51][52]
- ^ Currently known as South Shields Westoe.
References
edit- ^ a b "Renaming of RFU National 3 Leagues". Oxfordshire RFU. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
- ^ "League Structure and Leagues for 2022/2023". RFU Community Communications. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
- ^ "North Premier". England Rugby. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
- ^ "RFU Cancels Adult Competitive Leagues for the 2020/21 Season". RFU. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
- ^ "Macc down but leaders march on". The RugbyPaper. No. 551. 7 April 2019. p. 32.
- ^ "Scarborough RUFC battle hard but edged out in play-off at Blackburn". The Scarborough News. 27 April 2019.
- ^ "2018-19 Northern Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
- ^ "2018-19 Northern Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
- ^ "Sale FC crowned champions, Blaydon suffer back to back relegations". NCA Rugby. 30 April 2018.
- ^ "2017-18 Northern Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- ^ "2017-18 Northern Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- ^ "Escapologists Never Say Die". Wimslow RUFC (Pitchero). 12 May 2018.
- ^ "Leicester Lions 40, Grasshoppers 14". Lancashire Post. 8 April 2017.
- ^ "Harrogate relegated from National Two North". Harrogate Advertiser. 1 May 2017. Archived from the original on 22 June 2017. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
- ^ "2016-17 Northern Division". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
- ^ "2016–2017 Northern Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
- ^ "Birkenhead Park promoted back to National League Three after 'winner-take-all' clash with Penrith". Wirral Globe. 30 April 2017.
- ^ "National League 3 North 2015–2016". England Rugby. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
- ^ "National League 3 2017–18". Rolling Maul. 3 May 2017.
- ^ Williams, Tony; Mitchell, Bill (eds.). Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1991–92 (4th ed.). Taunton: Football Directories. ISBN 1-869833-15-5.
- ^ Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1994). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1994–95 (23rd ed.). London: Headline Book Publishing. pp. 163–179. ISBN 0-7472-7850-4.
- ^ Mick Cleary, ed. (1997). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997–98 (26th ed.). London: Headline Book Publishers. ISBN 0-7472-7732-X.
- ^ a b c Williams, Tony; Mitchell, Bill (1990). Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91. Windsor: Burlington Publishing Co Ltd. pp. 213–326. ISBN 1-873057-024.
- ^ Williams, Tony; Mitchell, Bill. Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1991–92. Taunton: Football Directories. pp. 207–342. ISBN 1-869833-15-5.
- ^ Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1992). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1992–93. London: Headline Book Publishing. pp. 170–185. ISBN 0-7472-7907-1.
- ^ Jones, Stephen; Griffiths, John (1993). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1993–94. London: Headline Book Publishing. pp. 151–167. ISBN 0-7472-7891-1.
- ^ "Sheet1 - Wharfedale". Wharfedale RUFC. Wharfedale RUFC. Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
- ^ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1997). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997–98. London: Headline Book Publishing. pp. 87–100. ISBN 0-7472-7732-X.
- ^ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1998). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1998–99. London: Headline Book Publishing. pp. 84–98. ISBN 0-7472-7653-6.
- ^ "North 1 1998–1999". England Rugby. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
- ^ "North 1 1999–2000". England Rugby. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
- ^ "North 1 2000–2001". England Rugby. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
- ^ "North 1 2001–2002". England Rugby. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
- ^ "North 1 2002–2003". England Rugby. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
- ^ "North 1 2003–2004". England Rugby. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
- ^ "North 1 2004–2005". England Rugby. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
- ^ "North 1 2005–2006". England Rugby. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
- ^ "North 1 2006–2007". England Rugby. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
- ^ "North 1 2007–2008". England Rugby. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
- ^ "North 1 2008–2009". England Rugby. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
- ^ "National League 3 North 2009–2010". England Rugby. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ "National League 3 North 2010–2011". Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ "National League 3 North 2011–2012". England Rugby. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ "National League 3 North 2012–2013". England Rugby. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ "National League 3 North 2013–2014". England Rugby. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ "National League 3 North 2014–2015". England Rugby. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ "National League 3 North 2015–2016". England Rugby. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ "National League 3 North 2016–2017". England Rugby. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
- ^ "North Premier 2017–2018". England Rugby. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
- ^ "North Premier 2018–2019". England Rugby. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
- ^ "Following government advice, the RFU will suspend all rugby activity in England, at both professional and community level". England Rugby. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
- ^ "RFU". www.englandrugby.com. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
- ^ "Men's level 5 - 7 leagues 2019–20" (PDF). England Rugby. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
- ^ "North Play Offs 2000–2001". England Rugby. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ "North Play Offs 2001–2002". England Rugby. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ "Rugby Union: Errors end Walsall's hopes of rapid return; Hull Ionians 35 Walsall 22". The Birmingham Post. 13 May 2002.
- ^ "North Play Offs 2002–2003". England Rugby. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ "North/Mid Play off Match overview Luctonians VS Macclesfield". Rugby Statbunker. 26 April 2003.
- ^ "North Play Offs 2003–2004". England Rugby. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ "Cleckheaton 23 Kettering 10". Telegraph & Argus. 26 April 2004.
- ^ "North Play Offs 2004–2005". England Rugby. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ "North/Mid Play off Match overview Hull Ionians v Kettering". Rugby Statbunker. 30 April 2005.
- ^ "Midland Play Offs 2005–2006". England Rugby. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ "Well done to West Park on their fine achievement". Liverpool Echo. 3 May 2006.
- ^ "North/Mid Play off Match overview Bedford Athletic VS West Park St Helens". Rugby Statbunker. 29 April 2006.
- ^ "North Play Offs 2006–2007". England Rugby. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ "DUDLEY-KO'D". Worcester News. 3 May 2007.
- ^ "North Play Offs 2007–2008". England Rugby. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ "Rugby Union: WE'RE GOING UP! Joy as Huddersfield clinch National III berth RUGBY UNION PLAY-OFF". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. 26 April 2008.
- ^ "North Play Offs 2008–2009". England Rugby. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ "Hull clinch promotion". Hull Daily Mail. 27 April 2009.[permanent dead link ]
- ^ "North Play Offs 2009–2010". England Rugby. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ "STOCKPORT FALL AT THE FINAL FENCE". Stockport RUFC. 8 May 2010.
- ^ "North Play Offs 2010–2011". England Rugby. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ "Promotion party as wind-swept Tigers blow away rivals in play-off thriller". The Star. 17 May 2011.
- ^ "North Play Offs 2011–2012". England Rugby. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ "Dudley Kingswinford 36 Rossendale 27". Dudley Kingswinford RFC. 28 April 2012.
- ^ "North Play Offs 2012–2013". England Rugby. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ "Rugby Union: Harrogate secure promotion at Sutton Coldfield". Harrogate Advertiser. 27 April 2013.
- ^ "Where are you going - where did you go? RUGBY UNION". Non League Matters. 27 April 2013.
- ^ "North Play Offs 2013–2014". England Rugby. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ "Sutton's promotion hopes are shattered by solid Stockport". Royal Sutton Coldfield Observer. 1 May 2014. Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
- ^ "North Play Offs 2014–2015". England Rugby. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ "Hinckley go down fighting". Hinckley RFC. 25 April 2015.
- ^ "North Play Off 2015–2016". England Rugby. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ "Hinckley gain promotion to N2N in final countdown". Hinckley RFC. 30 April 2016.
- ^ "National 3 round up". The RUGBYPaper. No. 450. Rugby Paper Ltd. 30 April 2017. p. 33.
- ^ "MATCH REPORT: Lions roar to promotion play-off victory". Peterborough Today. 28 April 2018.
- ^ "Luctonians 31 v 17 Blaydon". Luctonians Sports Club. 27 April 2019.