| Competition: | National League |
| Season: | 2020–21 |
| Dates: | 3 October 2020 – 29 May 2021 |
| Winners: | Sutton United |
| Promoted: | Hartlepool United |
| Relegated: | N/A |
| League Topscorer: | Michael Cheek (21 goals) |
| Biggest Home Win: | (12 December 2020) |
| Biggest Away Win: | (20 April 2021) |
| Highest Scoring: | 17 April 2021) |
| Prevseason: | 2019–20 |
| Nextseason: | 2021–22 |
The 2020–21 National League season, known as the Vanarama National League for sponsorship reasons, was the sixth season under English football's new title of the National League, the eighteenth season consisting of three divisions, and the forty-second season overall.
The season followed the curtailed 2019–20 season, in which the league phase was uncompleted due to the COVID-19 pandemic[1] and the play-offs only completed by 2 August 2020.[2] Reflecting the late end to the previous season and aiming at maximising the likelihood of fans being present in stadiums when the season starts, the 2020–21 National League began on 3 October 2020.[3] The planned increase of the North and South divisions to 24 teams was scheduled to take place for 2021–22, meaning only two from the North and one from the South were to be relegated to the premier divisions of the Northern Premier League, Southern League Central or South, or Isthmian League.[4] However, owing to the cessation and voidance of the 2020–21 seasons for the North and South divisions, promotion and relegation was suspended.[5] For that reason, the expansion plans were deferred to 2022–23,[6] when they would be implemented before that season.
| Competition: | National League |
| Prevseason: | 2019–20 |
| Nextseason: | 2021–22 |
On 16 September 2020, Macclesfield Town folded as a result of debts, and were expelled from the National League on 29 September.[7] As the club folded before the season started, no records were expunged.[8]
Due to Macclesfield's closure, only 23 clubs took part in the 2020–21 season and a maximum of three clubs were to be relegated instead of the usual four. However, on 26 March 2021, having not fulfilled a fixture since 30 January, Dover Athletic's results were expunged and the club deducted 12 points for the 2021–22 season. Therefore the season is set to complete with 22 clubs playing fixtures.
Additionally, following the National League North and South divisions being declared null and void on 18 February, no teams were relegated this season.[5]
Promoted from 2019–20 National League North
Promoted from 2019–20 National League South
Relegated from 2019–20 League Two
Promoted to 2020–21 League Two
Relegated to 2020–21 National League North
Relegated to 2020–21 National League South
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aldershot | Recreation Ground | 7,200 | ||
| Altrincham | Altrincham | Moss Lane | 7,700 | |
| Barnet | The Hive Stadium | 6,418 | ||
| Borehamwood | Meadow Park | 4,502 | ||
| Hayes Lane | 5,300 | |||
| Chesterfield | Chesterfield | Proact Stadium | 10,504 | |
| Victoria Road | 6,078 | |||
| Dover | Crabble Athletic Ground | 5,745 | ||
| Eastleigh | Ten Acres | 5,250 | ||
| FC Halifax Town | Halifax | The Shay | 10,400 | |
| Hartlepool | Victoria Park | 7,856 | ||
| King's Lynn | The Walks | 8,200 | ||
| Maidenhead | York Road | 4,000 | ||
| Notts County | Nottingham | Meadow Lane | 19,588 | |
| Solihull | Damson Park | 5,500 | ||
| Stockport | Edgeley Park | 10,852 | ||
| Gander Green Lane | 5,013 | |||
| Torquay | Plainmoor | 6,500 | ||
| Grosvenor Vale | 4,085 | |||
| Weymouth | Bob Lucas Stadium | 6,600 | ||
| Woking | Kingfield Stadium | 6,036 | ||
| Wrexham | Racecourse Ground | 10,771 | ||
| Yeovil Town | Yeovil | Huish Park | 9,566 |
| Team | width-150 | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnet | Darren Currie | Resigned | 12 August 2020 | Pre-season | Peter Beadle | 22 August 2020 | |
| Mark Molesley | Signed by Southend United | 13 August 2020 | Brian Stock | 4 September 2020 | |||
| Chesterfield | John Pemberton | Sacked | 18 November 2020 | 21st | James Rowe | 26 November 2020 | |
| Barnet | Peter Beadle | 13 December 2020 | 20th | Tim Flowers | 14 December 2020 | ||
| Stockport County | Jim Gannon | 21 January 2021 | 4th | Simon Rusk | 27 January 2021 | ||
| Wealdstone | Dean Brennan | Resigned | 2 February 2021 | 18th | Stuart Maynard | 11 March 2021 | |
| Solihull Moors | James Shan | Sacked | 10 March 2021 | 17th | Mark Yates | 11 March 2021 | |
| Barnet | Tim Flowers | 22nd | Simon Bassey | 7 April 2021 | |||
| Notts County | Neal Ardley | 24 March 2021 | 6th | Ian Burchnall | 25 March 2021 | ||
| Bromley | Neil Smith | 25 March 2021 | 7th | Andy Woodman | 29 March 2021 |
See main article: 2021 National League play-off Final.
| Player | For | Against | Result | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5–2 | 13 October 2020 | ||||
| Danny Parish | 3–2 | 27 October 2020 | |||
| 3–1 | 31 October 2020 | ||||
| 5–0 | 31 October 2020 | ||||
| 5–1 | 14 November 2020 | ||||
| 6–0 | 12 December 2020 | ||||
| 3–1 | 23 February 2021 | ||||
| 4–2 | 23 February 2021 | ||||
| 4–2 | 5 April 2021 | ||||
| 4–0 | 13 April 2021 | ||||
| 7–2 | 17 April 2021 | ||||
| 6–0 | 20 April 2021 | ||||
| 5–1 | 24 April 2021 | ||||
| 3–0 | 27 April 2021 | ||||
| 5–1 | 3 May 2021 | ||||
| 4–2 | 8 May 2021 | ||||
| 4–0 | 11 May 2021 |
Each month the Motorama National League announces their official Player of the Month and Manager of the Month.
| Month | Player of the Month | Club | Manager of the Month | Club | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2020 | Ben House[11] | Eastleigh | Torquay United | ||
| November 2020 | Luke Young[12] | Wrexham | Dean Keates | Wrexham | |
| December 2020 | Luke Summerfield[13] | FC Halifax Town | Luke Garrard | Boreham Wood | |
| January 2021 |  Albi Skendi[14] | Yeovil Town | Neal Ardley | Notts County | |
| February 2021 | Craig Eastmond[15] | Sutton United | Matt Gray | Sutton United | |
| March 2021 |  Ángelo Balanta[16] | Dagenham & Redbridge | James Rowe | Chesterfield | |
| April 2021 | Gavan Holohan[17] | Hartlepool United | Gary Johnson | Torquay United | |
| May 2021 | Rúben Rodrigues[18] | Notts County | Andy Woodman | Bromley |
| Competition: | National League North |
| Prevseason: | 2019–20 |
| Nextseason: | 2021–22 |
The National League North in 2020-21 consisted of 22 teams. Due to the initially anticipated expansion to 24 teams for 2021–22, only two teams instead of the usual four were expected to be relegated. However, the knock-on effect of Macclesfield Town's closure might have caused the number of relegated teams to be reduced even further.
The league was declared null and void on 18 February 2021. As a result, all records were expunged and no teams were promoted or relegated.[5]
Following the COVID-19 pandemic-related cancellation of the four step 3 leagues' 2019–20 seasons, no teams were promoted to or relegated from the National League North.[19]
Relegated from 2019–20 National League
Promoted to 2020–21 National League
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFC Fylde | Wesham | Mill Farm Sports Village | 6,000 |
| AFC Telford United | Wellington | New Bucks Head | 6,300 |
| Alfreton Town | Alfreton | North Street | 3,600 |
| Blyth Spartans | Blyth | Croft Park | 4,435 |
| Boston | Boston Community Stadium | 5,000 | |
| Brackley | St. James Park | 3,500 | |
| Bradford | Horsfall Stadium | 3,500 | |
| Chester | Deva Stadium | 6,500 | |
| Chorley | Victory Park | 4,100 | |
| Ashton-under-Lyne | Tameside Stadium | 4,000 | |
| Darlington | Darlington | Blackwell Meadows | 3,300 |
| Farsley Celtic | Farsley | The Citadel | 3,900 |
| Gateshead | Gateshead International Stadium | 11,800 | |
| Meadow Park | 3,600 | ||
| Guiseley | Nethermoor Park | 4,200 | |
| Hereford | Edgar Street | 5,213 | |
| Kettering Town | Burton Latimer | Latimer Park (groundshare with Burton Park Wanderers) | 2,400 |
| Kidderminster | Aggborough Stadium | 6,238 | |
| Leamington | New Windmill Ground | 2,300 | |
| Southport | Haig Avenue | 6,008 | |
| Spennymoor Town | Spennymoor | The Brewery Field | 4,300 |
| York | Bootham Crescent | 8,256 | |
| Team | width-150 | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gloucester City | James Rowe | Signed by Chesterfield | 24 November 2020 | 1st | Paul Groves | 8 December 2020 | |
| Spennymoor Town | Jason Ainsley | Mutual consent | 10 December 2020 | 9th | Tommy Miller | 10 December 2020 |
| Player | For | Against | Result | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6–1 | 17 October 2020 | ||||
| 4–1 | 21 November 2020 | ||||
| 4–0 | 2 January 2021 |
Each month the Motorama National League announces their official Player of the Month and Manager of the Month.
| Month | Player of the Month | Club | Manager of the Month | Club | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2020 | Matt McClure[21] | Gloucester City | Jim Bentley | AFC Fylde | |
| November 2020 | Sam Osborne[22] | Leamington | Jamie Vermiglio | Chorley | |
| December 2020 | Ross Fitzsimons[23] | Boston United | Kevin Wilkin | Brackley Town | |
| January 2021 | George Glendon[24] | Chester | Paul Holleran | Leamington |
| Competition: | National League South |
| Prevseason: | 2019–20 |
| Nextseason: | 2021–22 |
The National League South consisted of 21 teams. Following Bury's expulsion from the English Football League in 2019, and the completion of the 2019–20 National League with two northern and one southern teams in the relegation zone, the division was left one team short. With the initially anticipated expansion to 24 teams for 2021–22, only one team was expected to be relegated.
The league was declared null and void on 18 February 2021. As a result, all records were expunged and no teams were promoted or relegated.[5]
Following the COVID-19 pandemic-related cancellation of the four step 3 leagues' 2019–20 seasons, no teams were promoted to or relegated from the National League South.
Relegated from 2019–20 National League
Promoted to 2020–21 National League
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bath City | Twerton Park | 8,840 | |
| Billericay Town | Billericay | New Lodge | 3,500 |
| Braintree | Cressing Road | 4,085 | |
| Chelmsford City | Chelmsford | Melbourne Stadium | 3,019 |
| Chippenham | Hardenhuish Park | 3,000 | |
| Canvey Island | Thames Road | 3,300 | |
| Dartford | Dartford | Princes Park | 4,100 |
| Dorking Wanderers | Dorking | Meadowbank Stadium | 3,000 |
| Champion Hill | 3,000 | ||
| Eastbourne Borough | Eastbourne | Priory Lane | 4,151 |
| Ebbsfleet United | Northfleet | Stonebridge Road | 4,800 |
| London | Beveree Stadium | 3,500 | |
| Havant & Waterlooville | Havant | West Leigh Park | 5,300 |
| Hemel Hempstead | Vauxhall Road | 3,152 | |
| Hungerford Town | Hungerford | Bulpit Lane | 2,500 |
| Maidstone | Gallagher Stadium | 4,200 | |
| Court Place Farm | 2,000 | ||
| Slough | Arbour Park | 2,000 | |
| St Albans | Clarence Park | 4,500 | |
| Tonbridge Angels | Tonbridge | Longmead Stadium | 3,000 |
| London | Park View Road | 4,000 | |
| Team | width-150 | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braintree Town | George Borg | Resigned | 16 November 2020 | 21st | Ryan Maxwell | 18 November 2020 | |
| Billericay Town | Jamie O'Hara | Sacked | 3 December 2020 | 15th | Kevin Watson | 7 January 2021 | |
| Welling United | Bradley Quinton | 13 January 2021 | 21st | 14 January 2021 |
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jason Prior | Dorking Wanderers | 15 |
| 2 | Ryan Seager | Hungerford Town | 14 |
| 3 | Jake Robinson | Billericay Town | 12 |
| 4 | James Roberts | Oxford City | 11 |
| Chris Whelpdale | Eastbourne Borough | ||
| 6 | Rakish Bingham | Ebbsfleet United | 9 |
| Shaun Jeffers | St Albans City | ||
| Charlie Sheringham | Chelmsford City / Dartford | ||
| 9 | Harvey Bradbury | Oxford City | 8 |
| Tommy Wright | Havant & Waterlooville |
| Player | For | Against | Result | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4–1 | 3 November 2020 | |||
| Tonbridge Angels | 4–1 | 14 November 2020 | ||
| Tommy Wright | 3–1 | 5 December 2020 | ||
| 3–0 | 12 January 2021 | |||
Each month the Motorama National League announces their official Player of the Month and Manager of the Month.
| Month | Player of the Month | Club | Manager of the Month | Club | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2020 | Mike Jones[26] | Hungerford Town | Steve King | Dartford | |
| November 2020 | Jason Prior[27] | Dorking Wanderers | Ian Allinson | St Albans City | |
| December 2020 | Tommy Wright[28] | Havant & Waterlooville | David Oldfield | Oxford City | |
| January 2021 | Ben Dudzinski | Oxford City | Robbie Simpson[29] | Chelmsford City |