The 2009–10 North West Counties Football League season (known as the Vodkat League for sponsorship reasons) was the 28th in the history of the North West Counties Football League, a football competition in England.
The league comprised two divisions, the Premier Division and the First Division (at levels 9 and 10 of the English football league system, Steps 5 and 6 of the National League System respectively). Additionally there were two cup competitions: the League Challenge Cup knockout competition (known as the Vodkat League Challenge Cup for sponsorship reasons) open to all the league's clubs; and the First Division Trophy, a knockout trophy competition for First Division clubs only. The league also had a reserves team section.
Premier Division
The Premier Division featured 22 clubs, 20 remained from the previous season plus 2 additions (both promoted from the First Division):
Bootle, promoted as champions Padiham, promoted as runners-up
Over the season the champions Newcastle Town with 37 wins from 42 matches and 114 points created new league records for league wins and points (exceeding the 36 wins and 112 points accrued by F.C. United of Manchester in the 2006–07 season) and also a points difference record to the runners-up of 24 points (greater than the 23 of Atherton Laburnum Rovers from the 1992–93 season).
At the end of the season Newcastle Town were promoted to the Northern Premier. League Division One South and two other clubs left the division: bottom placed Abbey Hey were relegated to the First Division; and Nelson resigned having disbanded their team for financial reasons.
League table
First Division
The First Division featured 17 clubs, 15 remained from the previous season plus 2 additions:
Atherton Collieries relegated from the Premier Division Barnoldswick Town promoted from the West Lancashire League
During the season in October 2009 Oldham Town changed their name to Oldham Boro
At the end of the season the champions Stone Dominoes and runners-up Barnoldswick Town (who had joined the league this season) were promoted to the Premier Division. No other clubs left the division.
League table
League Challenge Cup The 2009–10 League Challenge Cup (known as the Vodkat League Challenge Cup for sponsorship reasons) was a knockout competition open to all the league's clubs. The final, played at Curzon Ashton F.C. between two Premier Division clubs, was won by this season's relegated club Abbey Hey who defeated Winsford United 3–0.
Quarter-finals, Semi-finals and Final
Club's division appended to team name: (PD)=Premier Division; (FD)=First Division source:
First Division Trophy The 2009–10 First Division Trophy was a knockout competition for First Division clubs only. In the final held at Flixton F.C. the winners for the second successive season (and the first two time winners of the trophy) were A.F.C. Liverpool who defeated Cheadle Town 2–1.
Semi-finals and Final
source:
Reserves Section Main honours for the 2009–10 season: Reserves Division Winners: Bootle Reserves Runners-up: Glossop North End Reserves
Reserves Division Cup Winners: Glossop North End Reserves Runners-up: Padiham Reserves
References
External links The official website of the North West Counties Football League