The Evo-Stik League Northern Premier

The Northern Premier Football League was formed in 1968 and has since enjoyed a record of producing a high quality competition and infrastructure for its level within the National Game.

“The Evo-Stik League” has an excellent long-standing reputation within the football community and has, through its paid and voluntary officers, ensured that the traditional high standards have been maintained. Former Northern Premier League clubs to have progressed to the Football League since the NPL’s formation in 1968 are Wigan Athletic, Scarborough, Macclesfield Town, Boston United and 2006 Conference Champions Accrington Stanley. Wigan, of course, have gone on to even greater things achieving Premiership status and appearing in the 2006 Carling Cup Final. Another recent member of the NPL, Gretna, achieved back to back promotions in the Scottish League and also appeared in the 2006 Scottish FA Cup Final prior to their sad demise.

The League has always had a tradition of causing FA Cup upsets going back virtually to its formation and in the second season South Shields knocked out not one but two Football League clubs in Bradford Park Avenue, who were in their last season in the big time, and Oldham Athletic – the latter over two games. The following year Boston United accounted for 4th Division Southport whilst Wigan Athletic beat Peterborough United to earn a crack at Manchester City where they lost 1-0.

Some bigger ties saw Altrincham hold Everton away, Altrincham do similar at White Hart Lane against the mighty Spurs and Northwich Victoria reach the 4th Round in 1976/7. In more recent times Wakefield (then under the name of Emley) were holding a star studded West Ham United side until eight minutes from time and only last season Curzon Ashton and Eastwood Town beat Exeter City and Wycombe Wanderers both of whom went on to gain automatic promotion to League One.

The Northern Premier League dominated the early years of the FA Trophy through the inaugural winners Macclesfield Town in 1970, Stafford Rangers (1972, 1979), Scarborough (1973, 1976, 1977), Morecambe (1974), Matlock Town (1975) and Altrincham (1978) whilst in 2003 village side Burscough brought off the mother of all shocks by winning the coveted silverware.

From its formation in 1968 with just twenty clubs the competition has more than tripled in numbers and has three Divisions having added a second tier in 1987 and a third section two seasons ago.

Season 2010-2011 also sees a new League sponsor thanks to Bostik Ltd under brand name Evo-Stik. The Northern Premier League is proud to be known as The Evo-Stik League and looks forward to what is hoped another record partnership.