The 2008–09 North West Counties Football League season (known as the Vodkat League for sponsorship reasons) was the 27th in the history of the North West Counties Football League, a football competition in England.
The league comprised two divisions (at levels 9 and 10 of the English football league system, Steps 5 and 6 of the National League System) known from this season as the Premier and the First Divisions (having previously been designated Division One and Division Two 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 (previously designated the Second Division Trophy), a knockout trophy competition for First Division clubs only. The league also had a reserves team section.
Premier Division
The Premier Division was expanded to 22 clubs (from 20 last season), 18 remained from the previous season plus 4 additions:
AFC Fylde (renamed from Kirkham & Wesham F.C.), promoted as runners-up of Division Two Alsager Town, relegated from the Northern Premier League Division One South Ashton Athletic, promoted as third in Division Two New Mills, promoted as champions of Division Two
At the end of the season the champions AFC Fylde and runners-up New Mills had equal points with the former clinching the title on goal difference – there had not been a tie on points at the top of the table since 1987–88 (between Colne Dynamoes and Rossendale United). AFC Fylde, who had been promoted to this division this season, earned a second successive promotion to the Northern Premier League Division One North. The bottom placed club Atherton Collieries were relegated to the First Division.
League table
First Division
The First Division featured 18 clubs, 15 remaining from the previous season plus 3 additions:
A.F.C. Liverpool, a newly formed club Irlam, from 8th in the Manchester League Wigan Robin Park, promoted as champions of the Manchester League
Two member clubs changed their names this season:
Blackpool Mechanics to AFC Blackpool Castleton Gabriels to Rochdale Town
At the end of the season the champions Bootle and runners-up Padiham were promoted to the Premier Division. League founder member club Darwen left the league as they folded after the end of the season
League table
League Challenge Cup The 2008–09 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 New Mills who defeated Runcorn Linnets 2–0.
Semi-finals and Final
(The semi-finals were decided on aggregate score from two legs played)
Club's division appended to team name: (PD)=Premier Division; (FD)=First Division sources: Semi-finals: ; ; Final:
First Division Trophy The 2008–09 First Division Trophy (previously named the Second Division Trophy) was a knockout competition for First Division clubs only. In the final held at Ashton Athletic F.C. newly formed club and league newcomers A.F.C. Liverpool defeated Padiham 1–0.
Semi-finals and Final
(The semi-finals were decided on aggregate score from two legs played)
sources: Semi-finals: AFC Liverpool, "Norton United v AFC Liverpool," posted on April 6, 2009, YouTube video, 9:50, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fq7tI-SRew8; Final:
Reserves Section Main honours for the 2008–09 season: Reserves Division Winners: Glossop North End Reserves Runners-up: Bootle Reserves
Reserves Division Cup Winners: Glossop North End Reserves Runners-up: Ashton Athletic Reserves
References
External links The official website of the North West Counties Football League Tony's English Football Site: Fixtures, Results, Tables, Attendances, Maps & Mileages, 2008/09