The 1995–96 North West Counties Football League season was the 14th in the history of the North West Counties Football League, a football competition in England.
The League which was not sponsored this season comprised two divisions, Division One and Division Two (at levels 8 and 9 respectively of the English football league system). There were additionally three cup competitions: the League Challenge Cup knockout competition, open to all the league's clubs; the Second Division Trophy, a knockout trophy competition for Division Two clubs only; and the Floodlit Trophy competition for all the league's clubs with floodlights. The league also had a reserves team section.
Division One
Division One featured 22 clubs, 20 remaining from the previous season plus 2 additions: Flixton, promoted as champions of Division Two (returning to Division One after relegation two seasons previously) Mossley relegated from the NPL Division One
At the end of the season the champions Flixton, earning their second promotion in two seasons, were automatically promoted to the Northern Premier League Division One. As no club was relegated into the league from the Northern Premier League Division One only one club, Skelmersdale United, were relegated to Division Two.
League table
Division Two
Division Two featured featured 18 clubs, 14 remaining from the previous season plus 4 additions:
Bacup Borough, relegated from Division One Middlewich Athletic, joined from the Mid-Cheshire Football League Ramsbottom United, joined from the Manchester Football League Vauxhall GM, joined from the West Cheshire League – returning to the league after stepping down from Division One three years previously.
At the end of the season Vauxhall GM and Atherton Collieries as the champions and runners-up respectively were promoted to Division One. The bottom two clubs, potentially subject to demotion, both remained in the division.
League table
League Challenge Cup The 1995–96 League Challenge Cup was a knockout competition open to all the league's clubs. The final featuring Division One clubs, played at Bury F.C., was won by Burscough who defeated Flixton (denying them a league and cup double) 1–0. Burscough were the second club to win the trophy twice (emulating Warrington Town) having won it three seasons previously.
Semi-finals and Final
The semi-finals were decided on aggregate score from two legs played
Club's division appended to team name: (D1)=Division One sources: Semi-finals: Final:
Second Division Trophy The 1995–96 Second Division Trophy was a knockout competition for Division Two clubs only. The winners were league newcomers Ramsbottom United who defeated Cheadle Town 2–1 in the final played at Darwen F.C.
Semi-finals and Final
The semi-finals were decided on aggregate score from two legs played
sources: Semi-finals: ; Final:
Floodlit Trophy The 1995–96 Floodlit Trophy was a competition open to all the league's clubs with floodlights. In the all Division One club final Newcastle Town defeated Mossley 2–1 in the match played at Altrincham F.C.
Reserves Section Main honours for the 1995–96 season: Reserves Division Winners: Flixton Reserves Runners-up: St Helens Town Reserves
Reserves Division Cup Winners: Castleton Gabriels Reserves Runners-up: Nelson Reserves
References
External links The official website of the North West Counties Football League North West Counties Football League Tables at RSSSF