The league has been reduced to 20 teams, with Wythenshawe and Padiham being promoted, Litherland and City of Liverpool being relegated and West Didsbury and Cheadle being laterally moved.

Stockport Town have also resigned from the division.

As a result, the following sides will join us for the new season.

Trafford

Credit: Jon Pidgeon

Last season's division: Northern Premier League Division West
Finished: 23rd
Points: 29
GS: 49
GA: 79

The 'North' suffered relegation after having spent 17 years in the NPL.

Following two years in the Northern Premier League, they dropped back to the Northern Prem West, where they remained until last season.

They'll be looking for a similar season to the last one when they were in the North West Counties Prem, running out title winners on 95 points in 2008.

Longridge have never faced the Manchester based side before, the same cannot be said about the other two new sides so travelling to Trafford will be a brand new experience.

As the only relegated side to be placed in the NWCFL Premier Division, Trafford will look to lead the charge back to the NPLW.

Nelson

Credit: Nelson FC

Last season's division: North West Counties First Division North
Finished: 1st
Points: 75
GS: 78
GA: 43

CHAMPEONES! Nelson were crowned the winners of the First Division North after a stunning season, winning 23 of the 34 league games.

Town suffered a narrow 1-0 pre-season defeat to the 'Admirals' last summer and will face off against them again next season.

This will be the first time the sides have battled competitively since 2020, when the Ridge ran out 6-2 winners during their promotion season.

This will be Nelson's first time back in the NWCFL Premier Division for 16 years.

Fun fact, they were the fist English team to beat Real Madrid, back in 1924.... 4-2 away at the Galactico's' home mind you.

Droylsden

Credit: Lewis Mckenna Photography

Last season's division: North West Counties First Division North
Finished: 2nd (POW)
Points: 66
GS: 79
GA: 44

Speaking about clubs with rich histories', the Bloods were also promotion winners from the NWCFL Premier Division.

For context, Droylsden were in the National League North as recent as 2013, and even spent a season in the National League in 2008.

Three relegations later and the Bloods were stuck in step 6, that was until last season's promotion, which was sealed after a penalty shootout play-off final victory over Maghull.

The two teams met back in 2023, with the Bloods besting Town 5-3 in a Macron Cup tie.

Their incredible season was backed up by a Manchester Premier Cup victory, following a final victory over National League North side Curzon Ashton.

Finishing initially as runners up and one deserved promotion later, Droylsden are now looking to continue their surge back up the pyramid.