The 2021–22 season was the 54th season of the Northern Premier League. The league consists of four divisions, the Premier Division at Step 3 of the National League System, and the West, East and Midlands divisions at Step 4. The NPL continued this season with main sponsors Entain's Pitching In.
As the previous season was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with all results finalised,[1] the Trident Leagues along with The Football Association decided to make the realignment to leagues at Steps 4, 5 and 6.
Source: NPL 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[4] Notes:
^Matlock Town were deducted one point for fielding an ineligible player.
^Stalybridge Celtic were deducted 3 points for fielding an ineligible player.[2]
^Due to expansion of Step 2 divisions and in order to make up the number of clubs in Step 3 and higher divisions, seven clubs at Step 3, all four fourth-from-bottom teams and those placed third-from-bottom that are the top three based on points per game (PPG), were reprieved from relegation.[3]
When the divisions were realigned this became Division One West instead of Division One North West from the previous season. Division One West comprised 20 teams.
Source: NPL 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[4] Notes:
^Marine were deducted 3 points for fielding an ineligible player.
^Four teams played for one spot and promotion to Level 7.
^Ten of the 16 clubs at Step 4, all eight fourth-from-bottom teams and two sides placed third-from-bottom, one at the top and the other in third place on a points per game (PPG) basis, were reprieved from contesting relegation play-offs.[5]
^Kendal Town were deducted one point for fielding an ineligible player.
When the divisions were realigned this became Division One East instead of Division One South East from the previous season. Division One East comprised 19 teams, with a vacancy left due to the withdrawal of Droylsden in the previous campaign.
Team changes
The following six clubs were promoted from Step 5 divisions:
Source: NPL 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[4] Notes:
^Four teams played for one spot and promotion to Level 7.
^The FA relegated Yorkshire Amateur for not meeting Step 4 ground grading standards, sparing Sheffield from the relegation play-offs.[6][7]
^Ten of the 16 clubs at Step 4, all eight fourth-from-bottom teams and two sides placed third-from-bottom, one at the top and the other in third place on a points per game (PPG) basis, were reprieved from contesting relegation play-offs. The FA granted third-placed Sheffield a reprieve after demoting Yorkshire Amateur.[6]
^Pickering Town were deducted 6 points for fielding an ineligible player.
As part of the realignment, the delayed formation of a third Northern Premier League First Division saw the creation of a new Midlands Division, in which it covers the Birmingham area, Nottinghamshire, western Northamptonshire and northern Cambridgeshire regions. The division consists of 20 sides for its inaugural season.
Team changes
The following 2 clubs were promoted from Step 5 divisions:
Source: NPL 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[4] Notes:
^Four teams played for one spot and promotion to Level 7.
^Ten of the 16 clubs at Step 4, all eight fourth-from-bottom placed teams and two sides placed third-from-bottom, one at the top and other in third place on a points per game (PPG) basis, were reprieved.[5]
^Histon contested a one-off play-off match as one of the remaining six third-from-bottom teams with the fewest PPG against Consett, one of six runners-up from Step 5 that also had the fewest PPG at the end of the 2021–22 season.[5]
Seven clubs at Step 3, all four fourth-from-bottom teams and those placed third-from-bottom that are the top three on a points per game (PPG) basis, were reprieved from relegation. The remaining team was relegated to Step 4.[3]
The final points-per-game ranking of the third-from-bottom placed teams in Step 3 divisions was as follows:
Ten of the 16 clubs at Step 4, all eight fourth-from-bottom teams and two sides placed third-from-bottom, one at the top and the other in third place on a points per game (PPG) basis, were reprieved from contesting relegation play-offs. The FA granted third-placed Sheffield a reprieve after Yorkshire Amateur's demotion.[6] The remaining six teams contested one-off matches with six runners-up from Step 5 that had the fewest PPG at the end of the 2021–22 season. Three winners of their matches stayed at Step 4 for the 2022–23 season, while three others lost theirs and were relegated to Step 5.[3]
The final points-per-game ranking of the 3rd-from-bottom-placed teams in Step 4 divisions was also as follows:
For the second successive season, it was announced to member clubs that the League Challenge Cup was cancelled due to any further fixture disruptions that might have occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.
^ abc"[Promotion and relegation for 2021/22]". The Football Association. September 2021. "7 clubs across Step 3 to be reprieved. Reprieves are based on those with the highest PPG, starting with 4th from bottom Clubs, then 3rd from bottom (and so on). As it stands, this would be all four 4th from bottom Clubs and the best three 3rd from bottom Clubs."