2024/25 Season Fixtures Released
Tue 23rd July 2024 | Announcements | By Martin Fallon
The remaining fixtures for the 2024/25 Season have now been released by the North West Counties Football League.
As with other seasons, we have to wait for fixture releases to cascade through the National League system, and with the Northern Premier League releasing their fixtures last Thursday, we have managed to turn around fixtures in four days, with half a day spent checking them and allowing clubs half a day to get their own fixtures sorted for social media.
The first two or three games were released at the start of the month to allow clubs to plan their opening fixtures, and with the curtain raiser last weekend of the Reusch Champions Cup, the season itself kicks off this coming weekend. The first game is on Friday evening as Colne host AFC Liverpool, with the rest of the league start the following afternoon.
The Annual Groundhop details will be released shortly and Non-League day this season is scheduled for 22nd March 2024. Unusually this season, there will be no Easter schedule as we have a late Easter next year because of the later spring equinox. Easter Monday is on 21st April.
The final fixtures will be on Saturday 19th April for the Premier Division with the two First Divisions being on Saturday 12th April. The end of season play-off's will follow after this date.
DERBY GAMES
With no Easter programme this season, there is a great opportunity for some derby games to be watched at other times by many people who otherwise wouldn't get to see them.
In the Premier Division, the closest derby sees Pilkington host FC St Helens, that taking place on Saturday 8th February. Barnoldswick Town host Colne in the first midweek on 30th July, with Ramsbottom United hosting Bury on Tuesday 17th September. Stockport Town host Glossop North End on Monday 12th August, with West Didsbury & Chorlton making the short trip to Cheadle Town on Saturday 8th March.
In the North, as well as facing each other in the opening week, Thornton Cleveleys host AFC Blackpool on Tuesday 1st April. Ashton Athletic host Ashton Town on August Bank Holiday Monday, with the reverse fixture on Saturday 5th October. Atherton LR host Daisy Hill on Saturday 12th October, with the reverse being on Saturday 1st March. The Keighley Derby between Steeton and Route One Rovers is on Tuesday 6th August.
In the South, Saturday 19th October sees Cammell Laird 1907 host Ashville, with Saturday 28th September seeing Runcorn Town host Barnton. Saturday 14th September sees Cheadle Heath Nomads travel the short distance to visit Stockport Georgians, whilst in South Cheshire, Winsford United host Sandbach United on Saturday 10th August.
CHRISTMAS PERIOD
The Christmas and New Year period is one that everyone looks forward to, and with Boxing Day being on a Thursday this season, it means two games in the space of three days for all of our clubs.
Many are derby matches, with a St Helens Derby making a welcome return to the calendar as FC St Helens host Pilkington. Bury play host to Ramsbottom United in what could be a bumper attended fixture, with Barnoldswick Town hosting Colne. Maghull against Skelmersdale United is also a tasty looking fixture in the North as well as the Keighley Derby as Route One Rovers host Steeton. In the South, Ashville host Cammell Laird 1907 in what is always a well attended game on the Wirral, with new boys Shawbury United and Wolverhampton Sporting Community facing each other.
THE RUN IN
Its impossible to know at this stage who is going to have successful seasons but eyes are also often drawn to the run in. Bury are tipped by many to do well and they finish the season with a trip to Cheadle Town followed by a home game with Burscough. FC Isle of Man end with two home games, hosting Litherland REMYCA the week before they finish with a home game against West Didsbury & Chorlton.
After a consolidation season, Glossop North End, Ramsbottom United and Colne will be gearing up to return to the NPL. Glossop have two home games to finish, against Burscough and Pilkington, with Ramsbottom United at Chadderton before hosting Barnoldswick Town. Colne travel to AFC Liverpool before hosting Abbey Hey. Chadderton had a good season last season, and they finish with a trip to Litherland REMYCA.
In the North, Skelmersdale United will be looking to bounce back after relegation, and they visit Ashton Town before hosting Bacup Borough in their final game. Ashton were beaten play off finalists last season, and they end with a trip to Daisy Hill. New boys Maghull finish with two home games, against Euxton Villa and Steeton, with fellow newcomers Thornton Cleveleys finishing on the road with trips to Holker Old Boys then Route One Rovers.
The two sides laterally moved from the South play each other in the penultimate week, with Maine Road hosting Droylsden. The final games see Maine Road travel to Darwen with Droylsden at home to Garstang.
In the South, its so wide open with four of last seasons top five no longer in the division. Sandbach United, who have made the play-off's in each of the last two seasons, end with a home game with Runcorn Town before travelling to Stafford Town. New Mills will fancy themselves for a good season after a terrific end to last season, and they end with home games against Allscott Heath and Market Drayton Town.
Looking at the new sides to the league, Wolverhampton Sporting Community end with two home games against Stafford Town and Runcorn Town. Shawbury United likewise have home games against Stockport Georgians and Cheadle Heath Nomads. Allscott Heath's final game is at Eccleshall, whilst Foley Meir host Abbey Hulton United before travelling to Eccleshall.
Lots to play for, lots of permutations, plenty of drama and hopefully no snow. With a bit of luck we will get the season over the line at the proposed dates and we will be able to look back on what will hopefully be an amazing season of competitive football.
All Fixtures are now available on the League Website under the fixtures tab and can also be viewed on each club's individual Club Page.
2024/25 Season Fixtures Released
Tue 23rd July 2024 | Announcements
By Martin Fallon
The remaining fixtures for the 2024/25 Season have now been released by the North West Counties Football League.
As with other seasons, we have to wait for fixture releases to cascade through the National League system, and with the Northern Premier League releasing their fixtures last Thursday, we have managed to turn around fixtures in four days, with half a day spent checking them and allowing clubs half a day to get their own fixtures sorted for social media.
The first two or three games were released at the start of the month to allow clubs to plan their opening fixtures, and with the curtain raiser last weekend of the Reusch Champions Cup, the season itself kicks off this coming weekend. The first game is on Friday evening as Colne host AFC Liverpool, with the rest of the league start the following afternoon.
The Annual Groundhop details will be released shortly and Non-League day this season is scheduled for 22nd March 2024. Unusually this season, there will be no Easter schedule as we have a late Easter next year because of the later spring equinox. Easter Monday is on 21st April.
The final fixtures will be on Saturday 19th April for the Premier Division with the two First Divisions being on Saturday 12th April. The end of season play-off's will follow after this date.
DERBY GAMES
With no Easter programme this season, there is a great opportunity for some derby games to be watched at other times by many people who otherwise wouldn't get to see them.
In the Premier Division, the closest derby sees Pilkington host FC St Helens, that taking place on Saturday 8th February. Barnoldswick Town host Colne in the first midweek on 30th July, with Ramsbottom United hosting Bury on Tuesday 17th September. Stockport Town host Glossop North End on Monday 12th August, with West Didsbury & Chorlton making the short trip to Cheadle Town on Saturday 8th March.
In the North, as well as facing each other in the opening week, Thornton Cleveleys host AFC Blackpool on Tuesday 1st April. Ashton Athletic host Ashton Town on August Bank Holiday Monday, with the reverse fixture on Saturday 5th October. Atherton LR host Daisy Hill on Saturday 12th October, with the reverse being on Saturday 1st March. The Keighley Derby between Steeton and Route One Rovers is on Tuesday 6th August.
In the South, Saturday 19th October sees Cammell Laird 1907 host Ashville, with Saturday 28th September seeing Runcorn Town host Barnton. Saturday 14th September sees Cheadle Heath Nomads travel the short distance to visit Stockport Georgians, whilst in South Cheshire, Winsford United host Sandbach United on Saturday 10th August.
CHRISTMAS PERIOD
The Christmas and New Year period is one that everyone looks forward to, and with Boxing Day being on a Thursday this season, it means two games in the space of three days for all of our clubs.
Many are derby matches, with a St Helens Derby making a welcome return to the calendar as FC St Helens host Pilkington. Bury play host to Ramsbottom United in what could be a bumper attended fixture, with Barnoldswick Town hosting Colne. Maghull against Skelmersdale United is also a tasty looking fixture in the North as well as the Keighley Derby as Route One Rovers host Steeton. In the South, Ashville host Cammell Laird 1907 in what is always a well attended game on the Wirral, with new boys Shawbury United and Wolverhampton Sporting Community facing each other.
THE RUN IN
Its impossible to know at this stage who is going to have successful seasons but eyes are also often drawn to the run in. Bury are tipped by many to do well and they finish the season with a trip to Cheadle Town followed by a home game with Burscough. FC Isle of Man end with two home games, hosting Litherland REMYCA the week before they finish with a home game against West Didsbury & Chorlton.
After a consolidation season, Glossop North End, Ramsbottom United and Colne will be gearing up to return to the NPL. Glossop have two home games to finish, against Burscough and Pilkington, with Ramsbottom United at Chadderton before hosting Barnoldswick Town. Colne travel to AFC Liverpool before hosting Abbey Hey. Chadderton had a good season last season, and they finish with a trip to Litherland REMYCA.
In the North, Skelmersdale United will be looking to bounce back after relegation, and they visit Ashton Town before hosting Bacup Borough in their final game. Ashton were beaten play off finalists last season, and they end with a trip to Daisy Hill. New boys Maghull finish with two home games, against Euxton Villa and Steeton, with fellow newcomers Thornton Cleveleys finishing on the road with trips to Holker Old Boys then Route One Rovers.
The two sides laterally moved from the South play each other in the penultimate week, with Maine Road hosting Droylsden. The final games see Maine Road travel to Darwen with Droylsden at home to Garstang.
In the South, its so wide open with four of last seasons top five no longer in the division. Sandbach United, who have made the play-off's in each of the last two seasons, end with a home game with Runcorn Town before travelling to Stafford Town. New Mills will fancy themselves for a good season after a terrific end to last season, and they end with home games against Allscott Heath and Market Drayton Town.
Looking at the new sides to the league, Wolverhampton Sporting Community end with two home games against Stafford Town and Runcorn Town. Shawbury United likewise have home games against Stockport Georgians and Cheadle Heath Nomads. Allscott Heath's final game is at Eccleshall, whilst Foley Meir host Abbey Hulton United before travelling to Eccleshall.
Lots to play for, lots of permutations, plenty of drama and hopefully no snow. With a bit of luck we will get the season over the line at the proposed dates and we will be able to look back on what will hopefully be an amazing season of competitive football.
All Fixtures are now available on the League Website under the fixtures tab and can also be viewed on each club's individual Club Page.
