The 2020–21 North West Counties Football League season was the 39th in the history of the North West Counties Football League, a football competition in England, and the third season following the split of the lower level into two geographically separated divisions. Teams are divided into three divisions: Premier Division, at Step 5, and Divisions One North and South, at Step 6.
The allocations for Steps 5 and 6 for season 2020–21 were announced by the Football Association on 21 July,[1] and were subject to appeal. On 6 August, it was announced by the League that the season would start no earlier than Saturday 3 October.[2] The season was later suspended in December as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in England. It was subsequently abandoned on 24 February 2021.[3]
| Competition: | North West Counties Football League Premier Division |
| Season: | 2020–21 |
| Prevseason: | 2019–20 |
| Nextseason: | 2021–22 |
The Premier Division comprised 20 teams, the same set of teams which competed in the previous season's aborted competition.
Rylands changed its name to Warrington Rylands 1906.[4]
Prior to the first match(es) being played the Pos column shows alphanumeric sequence of teams rather than league position.
| Team | Stadium | |
|---|---|---|
| Townfield (groundshare with Barnton) | ||
| Brockstedes Park | ||
| Whitebank Stadium, Oldham | ||
| Greenberfield Lane | ||
| New Bucks Park | ||
| Victoria Park | ||
| Mossie Park | ||
| Ivy Gardens | ||
| Abbey Lane | ||
| Silver Street | ||
| Litherland Sports Park | ||
| Mike Riding Ground | ||
| Wincham Park (groundshare with Witton Albion) | ||
| Arbories Memorial Sports Ground | ||
| Pavilions Sports Complex | ||
| Valerie Park | ||
| School Road | ||
| Gorsey Lane | ||
| Yockings Park | ||
| Barton Stadium |
| Competition: | North West Counties Football League Division One North |
| Season: | 2020–21 |
| Prevseason: | 2019–20 |
| Nextseason: | 2021–22 |
Division One North comprised 19 clubs, 18 of which were in the division the previous season.
Prior to the first match(es) being played the Pos column shows alphabetic sequence of teams rather than league position.
| Team | Stadium | |
|---|---|---|
| The Mechanics | ||
| The Anchor Ground | ||
| Rossett Park, Crosby (groundshare with Marine) | ||
| Edge Green Street | ||
| Crilly Park | ||
| West View | ||
| MCA Stadium | ||
| McGrath Park | ||
| New Sirs, Westhoughton | ||
| Welfare Ground | ||
| The Riverside | ||
| Longfield Avenue | ||
| Rakesmoor Lane, Barrow-in-Furness | ||
| Anfield Sports and Community Centre | ||
| Victoria Park | ||
| Ruskin Drive Sportsground | ||
| Adie Moran Park | ||
| Ruskin Drive Sportsground | ||
| Cougar Park |
| Competition: | North West Counties Football League Division One South |
| Season: | 2020–21 |
| Prevseason: | 2019–20 |
| Nextseason: | 2021–22 |
Division One South comprised 20 clubs, 19 of which were in the division the previous season.
Prior to the first match(es) being played the Pos column shows alphabetic sequence of teams rather than league position.
| Team | Stadium | |
|---|---|---|
| The Abbey Stadium, Gorton | ||
| Birches Head Road | ||
| Wood Park Stadium | ||
| Townfield | ||
| Kirklands, Birkenhead | ||
| The Heath | ||
| Park Road Stadium | ||
| Pershall Park | ||
| Beech Grove | ||
| The Bowl, Douglas | ||
| Brantingham Road, Chorlton | ||
| Church Lane | ||
| Sandbach Community Football Centre | ||
| The Venue, Oswestry | ||
| Stockport Sports Village | ||
| Yarnfield Lane | ||
| Rivacre Park, Ellesmere Port | ||
| Brookburn Road, Chorlton | ||
| Hollyhedge Park | ||
| Ericstan Stadium |
Also called the Macron Challenge Cup for sponsorship reasons.[8]
Sources for this section: fixtures and results
This competition is open to all teams in the league. However, due to irregularities in the previous season, AFC Darwen forfeited a place in the competition this season[9]
The competition was suspended for this season and eventually cancelled in February 2021.[10]
The competition was also suspended for this season and later cancelled in February 2021.
This would have been played at the end of the season between the winners of Division One North and Division One South. It too was cancelled in February 2021.