The 1989–90 Area League North was the third 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). It would be the last season the division would be called Area League North as it would be renamed National Division 4 North for the following campaign. The title battle was very strongly contested, but the end it would be Broughton Park who would triumph as league champions despite finishing dead level with runners up Morley, thanks to a far superior points/for against record. Both sides would be promoted to the 1990–91 National Division 3.
At the opposite end of the table it was a different story, with Stoke-on-Trent being the worse side in the division, failing to gain a single point as they finished last. However, Stoke were granted a reprieve as no northern clubs were relegated from the 1989–90 National Division 3 meaning they had another season in the league.
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 SeasonBroughton ParkChelsfield Grove2,000 (400 seats)Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester Runners up (not promoted)Durham CityHollow Drift 3,000 (500 seats) Durham, County Durham 7thKendal Mint Bridge 4,600 (600 seats)Kendal, Cumbria Promoted from North 1 (1st)Lichfield Cooke Fields 5,460 (460 seats) Lichfield, Staffordshire 9thMorley Scatcherd Lane 6,000 (1,000 seats) Morley, West Yorkshire 8thNorthern McCracken Park 1,200 (200 seats)Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear 4thPreston Grasshoppers Lightfoot Green 2,250 (250 seats) Preston, Lancashire 6thStoke-on-Trent Hartwell Lane 2,000Barlaston, Staffordshire10thStourbridge Stourton Park 2,000 Stourbridge, West Midlands 3rdWalsall Broadway 2,500 (500 seats) Walsall, West Midlands Promoted from Midlands 1 (1st)Winnington Park Burrows Hill 5,000 Norwich, Cheshire 5th
League table
Sponsorship Area League North is part of the Courage Clubs Championship and was sponsored by Courage Brewery.
See also 1989–90 National Division 1 1989–90 National Division 2 1989–90 National Division 3 1989–90 Area League South
References