The 2021–22 season was the 124th in the history of the Northern Football League, a football competition in England. The league operated two divisions in the English football league system, Division One at step 5, and Division Two at step 6.
The allocations for Steps 5 and 6 this season were announced by the Football Association (The FA) on 18 May 2021,[1] and were subject to appeal.
After the abandonment of the 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England, numerous promotions were decided on a points per game basis over the previous two seasons.[2] [3] [4]
| Competition: | Northern Football League Division One |
| Season: | 2021–22 |
| Winners: | North Shields |
| Promoted: | Consett North Shields |
| Relegated: | Billingham Town |
| Matches: | 380 |
| Total Goals: | 1256 |
| Prevseason: | 2020–21 |
| Nextseason: | 2022–23 |
Division One featured 17 clubs which competed in the division last season, along with three new clubs, promoted from Division Two:
| Club | Stadium | Capacity | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashington | Woodhorn Lane | ||
| Billingham Town | Bedford Terrace | 3,000 | |
| Bishop Auckland | Heritage Park | 1,950 | |
| Consett | Belle View Stadium | ||
| Crook Town | The Sir Tom Cowie Millfield Ground | 1,500 | |
| Guisborough Town | King George V Ground | ||
| Newcastle Benfield | Sam Smith’s Park | 2,000 | |
| Newton Aycliffe | Moore Lane Park | ||
| Northallerton Town | Calvert Stadium | ||
| North Shields | Ralph Gardner Park | 1,500 | |
| Penrith | Frenchfield Stadium | 1,500 | |
| Redcar Athletic | Green Lane | ||
| Ryhope Colliery Welfare | Ryhope Recreation Ground | ||
| Seaham Red Star | Seaham Town Park | ||
| Sunderland RCA | Meadow Park | 1,500 | |
| Thornaby | Teesdale Park | 5,000 | |
| West Allotment Celtic | East Palmersville Sports Pavilion | 1,500 | |
| West Auckland Town | Darlington Road | 2,000 | |
| Whickham | Glebe Sports Ground | 4,000 | |
| Whitley Bay | Hillheads Park | 4,500 |
| Competition: | Northern Football League Division Two |
| Season: | 2021–22 |
| Winners: | Carlisle City |
| Promoted: | Carlisle City Heaton Stannington Tow Law Town |
| Relegated: | Durham City |
| Matches: | 420 |
| Total Goals: | 1640 |
| Prevseason: | 2020–21 |
| Nextseason: | 2022–23 |
Division Two featured 17 clubs which competed in the division last season, along with for new clubs:
| Club | Stadium | Capacity | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedlington Terriers | Welfare Park | 3,000 | |
| Billingham Synthonia | Norton Sports Complex | 1,970 | |
| Birtley Town | Birtley Sports Complex | ||
| Blyth Town | South Newsham Playing Fields | ||
| Boldon Comm Assn | Boldon Colliery Welfare | ||
| Brandon United | Welfare Ground | ||
| Carlisle City | Gillford Park | ||
| Chester-le-Street Town | Moor Park | ||
| Durham City | Hall Lane (groundshare with Willington) | ||
| Easington Colliery | Welfare Park | ||
| Esh Winning | West Terrace | 3,500 | |
| Heaton Stannington | Grounsell Park | ||
| Horden Community Welfare | Welfare Park | ||
| Jarrow | Perth Green | ||
| Newcastle University | Kimberley Park | ||
| Redcar Town | Mo Mowlam Memorial Park | ||
| Ryton & Crawcrook Albion | Kingsley Park | 1,500 | |
| Sunderland West End | Nissan Sports Complex | 1,000 | |
| Tow Law Town | Ironworks Road | 3,000 | |
| Washington | New Ferens Park | ||
| Willington | Hall Lane |