The 1988–89 Area League North was the second full season of rugby union within the fourth tier of the English league system, currently known as National League 2 North, and was the counterpart to Area League South (later National League 2 South). By the end of the season Roundhay were crowned league champions, just 1 point ahead of runners up Broughton Park, gaining promotion to the 1989–90 National Division 3.
At the other end of the table Birmingham were easily the weakest team, failing to register a single point as they suffered a second successive relegation, dropping to Midlands 1. It would be Birmingham's final season as a single entity as they would merge with Solihull (themselves relegated the previous campaign) to form Birmingham & Solihull RFC for the 1989–90 season.
Structure Each team played one match against each of the other teams, playing a total of ten matches each. The champions are promoted to National Division 3 and the bottom team was relegated to either North 1 or Midlands 1 depending on their locality.
Participating teams and locations
TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious SeasonBirminghamSharmans Cross4,000Solihull, West MidlandsRelegated from National 3 (12th)Broughton Park Chelsfield Grove2,000 (400 seats)Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester 6thDurham CityHollow Drift3,000 (500 seats) Durham, County Durham 2nd (not promoted)Lichfield Cooke Fields 5,460 (460 seats) Lichfield, Staffordshire 8thMorley Scatcherd Lane 6,000 (1,000 seats) Morley, West Yorkshire Relegated from National 3 (11th)Northern McCracken Park 1,200 (200 seats)Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear 5thPreston GrasshoppersLightfoot Green 2,250 (250 seats) Preston, Lancashire 4thRoundhayChandos Park 3,000 Roundhay, Leeds, West Yorkshire 3rdStoke-on-TrentHartwell Lane 2,000Barlaston, Staffordshire Promoted from Midlands 1 (1st)Stourbridge Stourton Park 2,000 Stourbridge, West Midlands 7thWinnington Park Burrows Hill 5,000Norwich, Cheshire Promoted from North 1 (1st)
League table
Sponsorship Area League North is part of the Courage Clubs Championship and was sponsored by Courage Brewery.
See also 1988–89 National Division 1 1988–89 National Division 2 1988–89 National Division 3 1988–89 Area League South
References