The 2021–22 North West Counties Football League season was the 40th in the history of the North West Counties Football League, a football competition in England, and the fourth season following the split of the lower level into two geographically separated divisions. Teams are divided into three divisions: Premier Division, at Step 5, and Divisions One North and South, at Step 6.
The allocations for Steps 5 and 6 this season were announced by The Football Association on 18 May 2021,[1] and were subject to appeal. On 8 April, it was announced at the league's Management Committee meeting that the season would start no earlier than Saturday 31 July.[2] The league constitution was adopted on 12 June.[3]
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.[4] [5] [6]
| Competition: | North West Counties Football League Premier Division |
| Winners: | Macclesfield |
| Promoted: | Macclesfield Skelmersdale United |
| Relegated: | Runcorn Town |
| Highest Scoring: | Charnock Richard 9-1 Ashton Athletic (August 14) AFC Liverpool 4-6 Burscough (October 9) |
| Biggest Away Win: | Winsford United 1-7 Irlam (August 30), Vauxhall Motors 0-6 Macclesfield (February 22) |
| Biggest Home Win: | Charnock Richard 9-1 Ashton Athletic (August 14) |
| Biggest Draw: | Winsford United 4-4 Macclesfield (August 3) |
| Season: | 2021–22 |
| Prevseason: | 2020–21 |
| Nextseason: | 2022–23 |
The Premier Division comprises 21 teams, 15 of which competed in the previous season's aborted competition.
The following five clubs left the Premier Division before the season:
The following six clubs joined the Premier Division before the season:
Congleton Town's initial transfer laterally to the Midland League was successfully appealed and this move was reversed.[7]
| Team | Location | Stadium | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rossett Park | |||
| Brockstedes Park | |||
| Whitebank Stadium | |||
| Greenberfield Lane | |||
| Victoria Park | |||
| Mossie Park | |||
| Ivy Gardens | |||
| Silver Street | |||
| Litherland Sports Park | |||
| Mike Riding Ground | |||
| Anfield Sports and Community Centre | |||
| Arbories Memorial Sports Ground | |||
| Adie Moran Park | |||
| Pavilions Sports Complex | |||
| Valerie Park | |||
| School Road | |||
| Gorsey Lane | |||
| Rivacre Park | |||
| St Luke's Barton Stadium | |||
| Ericstan Stadium |
| Competition: | North West Counties Football League Division One North |
| Season: | 2021–22 |
| Winners: | Bury AFC |
| Promoted: | Bury AFC Golcar United |
| Relegated: | St Helens Town |
| Prevseason: | 2020–21 |
| Nextseason: | 2022–23 |
Division One North comprises 19 clubs, 16 of which were in the division the previous season.
The following three clubs left Division One North before the season, three promoted to the Premier Division:
The following three clubs joined Division One North before the season:
FC Isle of Man appealed for a move to Division One South for logistical reasons after the initial allocation to this division and the club's request was granted.[3]
| Team | Location | Stadium | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Mechanics | |||
| The Anchor Ground | |||
| Edge Green Street | |||
| Crilly Park | |||
| West View | |||
| Stainton Park | |||
| Scotchman Road | |||
| MCA Stadium | |||
| McGrath Park | |||
| New Sirs | |||
| The Riverside | |||
| Longfield Avenue | |||
| Rakesmoor Lane | |||
| MPM Lane | |||
| Victoria Park | |||
| Ruskin Drive Sportsground | |||
| Jericho Lane | |||
| Ruskin Drive Sportsground | |||
| Marley Stadium |
| Competition: | North West Counties Football League Division One South |
| Season: | 2021–22 |
| Winners: | West Didsbury & Chorlton |
| Promoted: | West Didsbury & Chorlton FC Isle of Man |
| Prevseason: | 2020–21 |
| Nextseason: | 2022–23 |
Division One South comprises 20 clubs, 16 of which were in the division the previous season.
The following three clubs left Division One South before the season:
The following four clubs joined Division One South before the season, three transferred from the Midland League:
Wem Town, previously allocated from the West Midlands (Regional) League, resigned from this league. To fill the vacancy, FC Isle of Man, returning from membership suspension for the rest of last season and initially assigned to Division One North, requested for a transfer to this division and the FA granted it.
| Team | Location | Stadium | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Abbey Stadium | |||
| Birches Head Road | |||
| Wood Park Stadium | |||
| Townfield | |||
| Silkmore Lane | |||
| Kirklands | |||
| The Heath | |||
| Park Road Stadium | |||
| Pershall Park | |||
| Beech Grove | |||
| The Bowl | |||
| Brantingham Road | |||
| Church Lane | |||
| Hillsfield | |||
| Sandbach Community Football Centre | |||
| Park Hall | |||
| Evans Park | |||
| Stockport Sports Village | |||
| Brookburn Road | |||
| Hollyhedge Park |