Football league season
The 2016–17 National League season, known as the Vanarama National League for sponsorship reasons, was the second season under the new title of National League, thirteenth season consisting of three divisions and the thirty-eighth 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 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. The fixtures were announced on 6 July 2016.[2]
National League
Football league season
Promotion and relegation
The following teams changed divisions after the 2015–16 season. Solihull Moors were the first team to be promoted
after North Ferriby United's 2–0 loss to Stalybridge Celtic on 13 April 2016 clinched them the National League North title. This will be their first season in the National League. Sutton United were promoted on 23 April 2016 after a 2–0 win over Chelmsford City, returning to the league for the first time in sixteen years.
Dagenham & Redbridge were relegated from League Two on 16 April 2016 after their 3–2 loss to Leyton Orient returning to the fifth tier after nine years in the Football League. York City were relegated on 23 April after their 3–0 loss to Accrington Stanley, returning to the league for the first time since the 2011–12 season. North Ferriby United's 2–1 win over AFC Fylde and Maidstone United's win on penalties over Ebbsfleet United made them the National League North and National League South play-off winners respectively. It is the first time both teams have competed in the league.
The six teams replace Cheltenham Town, Grimsby Town, FC Halifax Town, Altrincham, Kidderminster Harriers and Welling United. Cheltenham Town were promoted back to League Two at their first attempt after beating FC Halifax Town 2–0 on 16 April 2016. Grimsby Town were promoted back to the Football League after beating Forest Green Rovers 3–1 in the 2015–16 National League play-off final.[4] Kidderminster Harriers and Welling United were relegated on the same day after defeats to Barrow and Chester.
On the final day of the season, Altrincham were relegated after losing 3–0 to Braintree Town, ending their two-year stay in the league. FC Halifax Town's 1–1 draw against Macclesfield Town was not enough to save them after Guiseley's 4–3 win over Torquay United, ending their three-year stay in the league.
Team changes
To National League
Promoted from 2015–16 National League North
Promoted from 2015–16 National League South
Relegated from 2015–16 League Two
From National League
Relegated to 2016–17 National League North
Relegated to 2016–17 National League South
Promoted to 2016–17 League Two
Stadia and locations
Locations of the 2016–17 National League clubs (Greater London shown in more detail below)
Locations of the 2016–17 National League clubs (Greater London)
Managerial changes
League table
Source: National League official site
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results [22]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Results
Updated to match(es) played on 29 April 2017. Source: The National League
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
Play-offs
First leg
Second leg
Final
Top scorers
- As of matches played 29 April 2017[23]
National League North
Football league season
Team changes
To National League North
Promoted from 2015–16 Northern Premier League Premier Division
Relegated from 2015–16 National League
From National League North
Relegated to 2016–17 Northern Premier League Premier Division
Relegated to 2016–17 Isthmian League Premier Division
Promoted to 2016–17 National League
Stadia and locations
Locations of the 2016–17 National League North clubs (Greater Manchester shown in more detail below)
Locations of the 2016–17 National League North clubs (Greater Manchester)
League table
Source: National League official site
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results [22]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
- ^ a b c Darlington 1883 were barred from the play-offs due to failing ground size regulations.[24]
- ^ Four teams played for one spot and promotion to the National League.
- ^ Worcester were relegated, and took a further voluntary demotion to the Midland League for financial reasons.[25]
Results
Updated to match(es) played on 29 April 2017. Source: The National League
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
Play-offs
First leg
Second leg
Final
Top scorers
- As of matches played 29 April 2017[26]
National League South
Football league season
Team changes
To National League South
Promoted from 2015–16 Isthmian League Premier Division
Promoted from 2015–16 Southern League Premier Division
Relegated from 2015–16 National League
From National League South
Relegated to 2016–17 Isthmian League Premier Division
Relegated to 2016–17 Southern League Premier Division
Promoted to 2016–17 National League
Stadia and locations
Locations of the 2016–17 National League South clubs (Greater London clubs shown in more detail below)
Locations of the 2016–17 National League South clubs (Greater London)
League table
Source: National League official site
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results [22]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
- ^ Four teams played for one spot and promotion to the National League.
- ^ a b Hungerford Town and Poole Town were barred from the play-offs due to failing ground size regulations.[24]
Results
Updated to match(es) played on 29 April 2017. Source: The National League Official Website
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
Play-offs
First leg
Second leg
Final
Top scorers
- As of matches played 29 April 2017[27]
References
- ^ "The Official National League Website". National League. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
- ^ "Fascinating opening day encounters". National League. 6 July 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-08-07. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
- ^ a b c d "English National League 2016-2017". Statto Organisation.
- ^ "Premier League and Football League: Ups & downs and European qualification". BBC Sport. 30 May 2016.
- ^ "York City: Bootham Crescent". Football Ground Guide. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
- ^ "Chris Todd: Eastleigh sack manager four games into new season". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Ronnie Moore: Eastleigh appoint former Hartlepool and Tranmere manager". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Mark Bower: Guiseley sack manager after five consecutive defeats". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Guiseley: Adam Lockwood named permanent manager following caretaker spell". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Andy Bishop: Southport part company with player-manager". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Steve Burr: Southport appoint ex-Chester boss as manager". BBC Sport.
- ^ a b "Gary Brabin: Tranmere Rovers sack manager after 16 months in charge". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Paul Carden: Tranmere Rovers assistant manager takes interim charge". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Jamie Day: Braintree Town part company with manager". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Hakan Hayrettin: Braintree Town appoint new first-team manager". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Micky Mellon named Tranmere Rovers manager after Shrewsbury Town departure". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Wrexham manager Gary Mills sacked by National League club". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Dean Keates: Former captain appointed Wrexham manager". BBC Sport.
- ^ "York City: Gary Mills named manager but Jackie McNamara stays as CEO". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Ronnie Moore: Eastleigh manager leaves National League club". BBC Sport. 30 November 2016.
- ^ "Steve Burr: Southport sack manager, Liam Watson named interim boss". BBC Sport.
- ^ a b c "The FA Handbook 2016-17 (page 545, section 13.2)". The Football Association. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
- ^ "Top Scorers - National League - Football". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
- ^ a b "National League: Darlington FC, Hungerford Town & Poole Town denied play-off places". BBC Sport. 26 April 2017.
- ^ Allen, Ray. "Worcester City Will Play In Step 5". Pitchero Non-League. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
- ^ "Top Goal Scorers - National North". National League. Archived from the original on 2016-11-07. Retrieved 2017-04-30.
- ^ "Top Goal Scorers - National South". National League. Archived from the original on 2016-11-07. Retrieved 2017-04-30.
