Founded | 1893 |
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Divisions | Premier Division Division One |
Number of teams | 30 |
Levels on pyramid | Level 11–12 |
Feeder to | North West Counties League |
Promotion to | North West Counties League First Division |
Current champions | AVRO (Premier) West Didsbury & Chorlton (Division One) (2010–11) |
Website | Official website |
The Manchester Football League, currently known under terms of sponsorship as Bridgewater Office Supplies Football League, is a football league in England, covering a 20-mile radius from Manchester Town Hall. It was formed in 1893, although play ceased between 1912 and 1920. The 2010–11 champions are AVRO. They successfully defended their trophy as champions and will be defending their trophy again after choosing not to progress to the North West Counties Football League Division One.
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The league consists of five divisions: the Premier Division and Division One are exclusively for first teams, while Divisions Two, Three, and Four consist of reserve and lower teams of clubs in the top two divisions. Reserve teams of clubs whose first teams play in other leagues are not permitted to join.
The Premier Division has a promotion/relegation arrangement with the North West Counties Football League, placing it at level 11 of the English football league system. However, the NWCFL's ground requirements are considerably higher than those of the Manchester League, so meeting them usually requires expensive improvements, and consequently few teams take up the opportunity of promotion. Ashton Athletic took the step up in 2006, despite only finishing 4th in Division One. Teams such as Salford City, Maine Road and Northern Nomads have all played in the league at some point.
For the 2011-12 season, 28 clubs are competing in the League.
Season | Premier Division | Division One |
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1982-83 | Maine Road | Mount Pleasant |
1983-84 | Maine Road | Shell (Carington) |
1984-85 | Maine Road | Coldhurst United |
1985-86 | Maine Road | Adswood Amateurs |
1986-87 | Adswood Amateurs | Castleton Gabriels |
1987-88 | Stockport Georgians | Prestwich Heys |
1988-89 | Abbey Hey | Avro |
1989-90 | Wythenshawe Amateurs | Greater Manchester Police |
1990-91 | Abbey Hey | Ramsbottom United |
1991-92 | East Manchester | Woodley Sports |
1992-93 | Wythenshawe Amateurs | Atherton Town |
1993-94 | Abbey Hey | Winton United |
1994-95 | Abbey Hey | Highfield United |
1995-96 | Little Hulton United | Stand Athletic |
1996-97 | Highfield United | Prestwich Heys |
1997-98 | Springhead | Urmston |
1998-99 | Stand Athletic | Willows |
1999-00 | Stand Athletic | Sacred Heart |
2000-01 | Stand Athletic | Leigh Athletic |
2001-02 | Stockport Georgians | Royton Town |
2002-03 | Wythenshawe Amateurs | Breightmet United |
2003-04 | Royton Town | Avro |
2004-05 | Prestwich Heys | AFC Blackley |
2005-06 | Prestwich Heys | Whitworth Valley |
2006-07 | Prestwich Heys | Walshaw Sports |
2007-08 | Wigan Robin Park | Chapel Town |
2008-09 | Gregorians | Dukinfield Town |
2009-10 | AVRO | Bury Amateurs |
2010-11 | AVRO | West Didsbury & Chorlton |
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