National Premier League
 | |
| Country | Jamaica |
|---|---|
| Confederation | CONCACAF |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Number of teams | 12 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| Relegation to |
KSAFA Super League South Central Confederation Super League Eastern Confederation Super League Western Confederation Super League |
| Domestic cup(s) | JFF Champions Cup |
| International cup(s) |
CFU Club Championship CONCACAF Champions League |
| Current champions |
Montego Bay United (2013–14) |
| Most championships |
Portmore United Santos Tivoli Gardens (5 titles each) |
| Website | PremierLeagueJamaica.com |
 2014–15 season | |
The National Premier League, also known for sponsorship purposes as the Red Stripe Premier League,[1] is the top division for men's association football in Jamaica. Contested between 12 clubs, the two lowest placed teams are relegated to their corresponding local second division league.[2]
History
The National Premier League was formed in 1973 to serve as the top tier of Jamaican professional club football. To date, the league has produced three Caribbean champions, Portmore United (2005) and Harbour View (2004 & 2007).
Competition format
The competition is divided into three stages, with clubs playing each other once during each stage. Following the third stage (33 matches), the teams are divided into two groups based on point totals and enter the fourth round of league play. The top six clubs contend for the championship, with the bottom six teams fighting to avoid relegation. The bottom two finishers are replaced the next season by the top two finishers of the second division regional playoffs.
The top two finishers in a given season qualify for the CFU Club Championship, a regional club tournament held each spring. A top three finish in the CFU Club Championship is the only route for Jamaican teams to enter the CONCACAF Champions League.
Clubs
A total of 12 teams contest the league in the current season, including 10 sides from the 2013–14 season and two promoted from the 2013–14 National Play-off.
| Club | City | Stadium |
|---|---|---|
| Arnett Gardens | Kingston | Tony Spaulding Sports Complex |
| Barbican | Kingston | University Sports Complex |
| Boys' Town | Kingston | Collie Smith Drive Sporting Complex |
| Cavalier | Kingston | Stadium East Field |
| Harbour View | Kingston | Harbour View Stadium |
| Humble Lions | May Pen | Effortville Community Centre |
| Montego Bay United | Montego Bay | Catherine Hall Stadium |
| Reno | Savanna-la-Mar | Frome Sports Club |
| Rivoli United | Spanish Town | Prison Oval |
| Sporting Central Academy | Clarendon Park | Juici Park |
| Tivoli Gardens | Kingston | Railway Oval |
| Waterhouse | Kingston | Waterhouse Stadium |
Champions
Performance by club
| Club | Winners | Runners-Up | Championship Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|
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1973–74, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1979–80 | |
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1992–93, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2007–08, 2011–12 | |
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1982–83, 1998–99, 2003–04, 2008–09, 2011–12 | |
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1999–00, 2006–07, 2009–10, 2012–13 | |
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1983–84, 1985–86, 1988–89 | |
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1989–90, 1990–91, 1994–95 | |
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1977–78, 2000–01, 2001–02 | |
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1986–87, 1996–97, 2013–14 | |
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1993–94, 1995–96 | |
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1997–98, 2005–06 | |
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1987–88, 1991–92 | |
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1984–85 | |
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1980–81 | |
Note: No championship was awarded for the 1978-79 and 1981-82 seasons.
Source: RSSSF
Top scorers
| Year | Player | Team | Goals |
| 2002–03 |  Roen Nelson | Hazard United | 19 |
| 2003–04 | Fabian Taylor | Harbour View | 19 |
| 2004–05 | Christopher Nicholas | Tivoli Gardens | 25 |
| 2005–06 | Kevin Lamey | Waterhouse | 22 |
| 2006–07 | Irvino English | Waterhouse | 18 |
| 2007–08 | Roen Nelson | Portmore United | 16 |
| 2008–09 | Devon Hodges | Rivoli United | 24 |
| 2009–10 | Devon Hodges | Rivoli United | 18 |
| 2010–11 | Kirk Ramsey | Arnett Gardens | 17 |
| 2011–12 | Jermaine Anderson | Waterhouse | 14 |
| 2012–13 | Jermaine Anderson | Waterhouse | 21 |
| 2013–14 | Brian Brown | Harbour View | 19 |
External links and References
- Official Website
- Jamaica - List of Champions, RSSSF.com
- ↑ Red Stripe to serve Jamaica better through football - Sporting Eagle
- ↑ KSAFA teams strong challengers for DPL title - Jamaica Observer
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