The Football Association has today released the list of teams allocated to Steps 5 and 6 of the National League System for the 2023-24 season, including for the Ebac Northern Football League’s two divisions.
With Newton Aycliffe and Ashington promoted into Step 4, relegated duo North Shields and Shildon will join Division One along with Boro Rangers and Birtley Town, who were both promoted from the second division. Pickering Town have been transferred to the Northern Counties East League.
While the first division remains at 20 teams, Division Two has expanded to 22 teams for the new season. Thornaby were relegated from the NL’s top tier and they will be joined by the newly-promoted trio of FC Hartlepool, Newcastle Blue Star and Yarm & Eaglescliffe from the Wearside, Northern Alliance and North Riding leagues respectively.
Willington were the only club to be relegated from the second division with reprieves for Sunderland West End and Washington.
The allocations are subject to FA Council ratification.
Blue Star are based at Scotswood, Hartlepool play at the Grayfields Enclosure and Yarm will share Billingham Town’s Bedford Terrace.
The new campaign is expected to begin on Saturday 29th July with the fixtures due to be released soon after the league’s AGM, which is scheduled to be held on Saturday 17th June.
Ebac Northern League Division One: Birtley Town, Bishop Auckland, Boro Rangers, Carlisle City, Crook Town, Guisborough Town, Heaton Stannington, Newcastle Benfield, Northallerton Town, North Shields, Penrith, Redcar Athletic, Seaham Red Star, Shildon, Sunderland RCA, Tow Law Town, West Allotment Celtic, West Auckland Town, Whickham, Whitley Bay.
Ebac Northern League Division Two: Bedlington Terriers, Billingham Synthonia, Billingham Town, Blyth Town, Boldon CA, Brandon United, Chester-le-Street Town, Chester-le-Street United, Easington Colliery, Esh Winning, FC Hartlepool, Horden CW, Jarrow, Newcastle Blue Star, Newcastle University, Prudhoe YC Seniors, Redcar Town, Ryton & Crawcrook Albion, Sunderland West End, Thornaby, Washington, Yarm & Eaglescliffe.