2017–18 National League
The 2017–18 National League season, known as the Vanarama National League for sponsorship reasons, is the third season under English football's new title of National League, fourteenth season consisting of three divisions and the thirty-ninth season overall.[1]
The National League covers the top two levels of non-League football in England. The National League is the fifth highest level of the overall pyramid, while the National League North and National League South exist at the sixth level. The top team and the winner of the play-off of the Premier division will be promoted to English Football League Two, while the bottom four are relegated to the North or South divisions. The champions of the North and South divisions will be promoted to the Premier division, alongside the play-off winners from each division. The bottom three in each of the North and South divisions are relegated to the premier divisions of the Northern Premier League, Isthmian League or Southern League.
This is the first season to include a qualifying round for the play-offs in each division. The 4th-7th placed teams will participate, with the two winners playing an away fixture against the 2nd and 3rd placed teams in the semi-finals.[2]
National League
| Season | 2017–18 |
|---|---|
|
← 2016–17 2018–19 → | |
The National League consists of 24 clubs.
Promotion and Relegation
The following teams changed divisions after the 2016–17 season:
A.F.C. Fylde were the first team to be promoted after a 3–0 win against Boston United F.C. on 22 April 2017 clinched them the National League North title. Maidenhead United were promoted on 29 April 2017 after a 3–0 win over Margate, returning to the league for the first time in sixteen years. This will be the first time that both teams compete in the National League. Ebbsfleet United were promoted on 13 May 2017 after beating Chelmsford City 2–1 in the National League South Playoff Final, returning to the league after a four-year absence. On the same day, FC Halifax Town were also promoted after beating Chorley 2–1 in the National League North playoff final, securing them an immediate return to the league.
Leyton Orient were relegated from League Two on 22 April 2017 after their 3–0 loss to Crewe Alexandra ending their 112-year stay in the English Football League. On 6 May 2017, despite a 2–1 victory over Doncaster Rovers on the same day, Hartlepool United became the second team to be relegated from League Two following Newport County's 2–1 victory over Notts County, ending their 96-year stay in the EFL.
The six teams replace Lincoln City, Forest Green Rovers, York City, Braintree Town, Southport and North Ferriby United. Lincoln City were promoted to League Two after beating Macclesfield Town 2–1 on 22 April 2017.[3] Forest Green Rovers were promoted after beating Tranmere Rovers 3–1 in the 2016–17 National League Playoff Final on 14 May 2017. They were the league's longest serving club, completing nineteen seasons in the top-flight. This is a mantle that has now been passed to Wrexham, who enter their tenth season in the league.
After seven years in the National League and surviving relegation battles over several seasons, Southport were unable to escape the drop and they were the first team to be relegated on 21 April 2017 after a 3–0 loss to Dover Athletic. After just one season in the National League, North Ferriby United were relegated three days later after a 3–1 defeat at Barrow. On the final day of the season, Braintree Town were relegated after losing 2–0 to Aldershot, ending their six-year stay in the league, which also confirmed the clubs first relegation in their history. York City's 2–2 draw against Forest Green Rovers was also not enough to save them after Guiseley's last minute equalizer against Solihull Moors confirmed back to back relegations for the Yorkshire club.
Team changes
To National LeaguePromoted from National League North Promoted from National League South Relegated from League Two |
From National LeagueRelegated to National League North Relegated to National League South Promoted to League Two |
Stadia and locations
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aldershot Town | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 6 | Promotion to EFL League Two |
| 2 | Dagenham & Redbridge | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 6 | Qualification for the National League play-offs semi-finals |
| 3 | Ebbsfleet United | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 4 | |
| 4 | Tranmere Rovers | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 4 | Qualification for the National League play-offs qualifying round |
| 5 | Macclesfield Town | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 4 | |
| 6 | Bromley | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 4 | |
| 7 | Eastleigh | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 4 | |
| 8 | Maidenhead United | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | |
| 9 | Sutton United | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 | |
| 10 | Leyton Orient | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| 11 | Wrexham | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | |
| 12 | Gateshead | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | |
| 13 | Dover Athletic | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | |
| 14 | Woking | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 3 | |
| 15 | A.F.C. Fylde | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | |
| 16 | Chester | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| 17 | Boreham Wood | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 1 | |
| 18 | Torquay United | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 1 | |
| 19 | Guiseley | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 1 | |
| 20 | Barrow | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 1 | |
| 21 | Hartlepool United | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 1 | Relegation to National League North or National League South |
| 22 | Maidstone United | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 1 | |
| 23 | F.C. Halifax Town | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | −2 | 1 | |
| 24 | Solihull Moors | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 0 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results [4]
Play-offs
| Qualifying Round | Semi Final | Final | |||||||||||
| 2 | |||||||||||||
| 4 | |||||||||||||
| 7 | |||||||||||||
| 3 | |||||||||||||
| 5 | |||||||||||||
| 6 | |||||||||||||
Results table
Updated to games played on 5 August 2017.
Source: The Vanarama National League
1 ^ The home team is listed in the left-hand column.
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
Top scorers
- As of matches played 8 August 2017[5]
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Shamir Fenelon |
Aldershot Town | 2 |
 Corey Whitely |
Dagenham & Redbridge | ||
National League North
| Season | 2017–18 |
|---|---|
|
← 2016–17 2018–19 → | |
Team changes
To National League NorthPromoted from Northern Premier League Premier Division Promoted from Southern Football League Premier Division Relegated from National League |
From National League NorthRelegated to Northern Premier League Premier Division Demoted to Midland Football League Premier Division Transferred to National League South Promoted to National League |
Stadia and locations
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrogate Town | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 | 6 | Promotion to the National League |
| 2 | Southport | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 6 | Qualification for the National League North play-offs semi-finals |
| 3 | Darlington | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 6 | |
| 4 | Brackley Town | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 6 | Qualification for the National League North play-offs qualifying round |
| 5 | Spennymoor Town | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 6 | |
| 6 | Stockport County | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 3 | |
| 7 | Curzon Ashton | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 3 | |
| 8 | York City | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 | |
| 9 | Alfreton Town | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| 10 | Leamington | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| 11 | Tamworth | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | |
| 12 | Bradford Park Avenue | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | |
| 13 | Chorley | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | |
| 14 | A.F.C. Telford United | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 3 | |
| 15 | Salford City | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 3 | |
| 16 | Boston United | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | −2 | 3 | |
| 17 | Nuneaton Town | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 3 | |
| 18 | Gainsborough Trinity | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | −2 | 0 | |
| 19 | F.C. United of Manchester | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | −2 | 0 | |
| 20 | Kidderminster Harriers | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | −2 | 0 | Relegation to the Northern Premier League, Southern Football League, or Isthmian League |
| 21 | Blyth Spartans | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | −4 | 0 | |
| 22 | North Ferriby United | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | −6 | 0 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results [4]
Play-offs
| Qualifying Round | Semi Final | Final | |||||||||||
| 2 | |||||||||||||
| 4 | |||||||||||||
| 7 | |||||||||||||
| 3 | |||||||||||||
| 5 | |||||||||||||
| 6 | |||||||||||||
Results table
Updated to games played on 7 August 2017.
Source: The Vanarama National League
1 ^ The home team is listed in the left-hand column.
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
National League South
| Season | 2017–18 |
|---|---|
|
← 2016–17 2018–19 → | |
The National League South consisted of 22 clubs.
Team changes
To National League SouthPromoted from Southern Football League Premier Division Promoted from Isthmian League Relegated from National League Transferred from National League North |
From National League SouthRelegated to Isthmian League Premier Division Relegated to Southern Football League Premier Division Promoted to National League |
Stadia and locations
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Truro City | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 6 | Promotion to the National League |
| 2 | Chelmsford City | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 6 | Qualification for the National League South play-offs semi-finals |
| 3 | St Albans City | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 6 | |
| 4 | Chippenham Town | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 4 | Qualification for the National League South play-offs qualifying round |
| 5 | Hungerford Town | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 4 | |
| 6 | Braintree Town | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 4 | |
| 7 | Bognor Regis Town | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 4 | |
| 8 | East Thurrock United | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 4 | |
| 9 | Poole Town | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 4 | |
| 10 | Havant & Waterlooville | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 4 | |
| 11 | Hampton & Richmond Borough | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 4 | |
| 12 | Hemel Hempstead Town | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 3 | |
| 13 | Wealdstone | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| 14 | Concord Rangers | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | |
| 15 | Dartford | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
| 16 | Eastbourne Borough | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | −2 | 0 | |
| 17 | Welling United | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 0 | |
| 18 | Oxford City | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 0 | |
| 19 | Weston-super-Mare | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 0 | |
| 20 | Bath City | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 8 | −4 | 0 | Relegation to the Northern Premier League, Southern Football League, or Isthmian League |
| 21 | Whitehawk | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | −4 | 0 | |
| 22 | Gloucester City | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | −5 | 0 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results [4]
Play-offs
| Qualifying Round | Semi Final | Final | |||||||||||
| 2 | |||||||||||||
| 4 | |||||||||||||
| 7 | |||||||||||||
| 3 | |||||||||||||
| 5 | |||||||||||||
| 6 | |||||||||||||
Results table
Updated to games played on 7 August 2017.
Source: The Vanarama National League
1 ^ The home team is listed in the left-hand column.
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
References
- ↑ "The Official National League Website". nationalleague.org.uk. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
- ↑ http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/the-national-league/big-changes-national-league-play-offs-confirmed/
- ↑ "Premier League and Football League: Ups & downs and European qualification". 2 May 2017 – via www.bbc.com.
- 1 2 3 "The FA Handbook Standardised Rules 2017-2018 (page 539, section 12.2)". The FA. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
- ↑ "Top Scorers - National League - Football". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
- ↑ "York City: Bootham Crescent". Football Ground Guide. Retrieved 28 May 2017.