2025–26 United Counties League
| Season | 2025–26 |
|---|---|
← 2024–25 | |
The 2025–26 season is the 119th in the history of the United Counties League, a football competition in England. The United Counties League operates three divisions in the English football league system, the Premier Divisions North and South at Step 5 and Division One at Step 6.
The allocations for Steps 5 and 6 this season were announced by The Football Association on 15 May 2025.[1]
Premier Division North
| Season | 2025–26 |
|---|---|
| Top goalscorer | Matthew Cotton (Boston Town) (23 goals) |
| Biggest home win | Boston Town 7–0 Blackstones (20 September 2025) |
| Biggest away win | Hucknall Town 0–5 Sherwood Colliery (3 September 2025) Harrowby United 0–5 Boston Town (4 October 2025) Kimberley Miners Welfare 2–7 Sherwood Colliery (4 November 2025) Blackstones 0–5 Clay Cross Town (17 January 2026) |
| Highest scoring | Eastwood 7–5 Kimberley Miners Welfare (27 December 2025) |
← 2024–25 2026–27 →
All statistics correct as of 31 January 2026. | |
At the end of the 2024–25 season, four teams left the division:
- Bourne Town, promoted to the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands
- Lincoln United, promoted to the Northern Premier League Division One East
- Shirebrook Town, relegated to Division One
- Sleaford Town, relegated to Division One
Before the 2025–26 season, four teams joined the division:
- Blackstones, promoted from Division One
- Clay Cross Town, promoted from Division One
- Grantham Town, relegated from the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands
- Sherwood Colliery, relegated from the Northern Premier League Division One East
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sherwood Colliery | 33 | 21 | 5 | 7 | 85 | 44 | +41 | 68 | Promotion to the Northern Premier League |
| 2 | Boston Town | 33 | 20 | 6 | 7 | 77 | 38 | +39 | 66 | Qualification for the play-offs |
| 3 | Grantham Town | 32 | 17 | 11 | 4 | 60 | 34 | +26 | 62 | |
| 4 | Newark Town | 33 | 18 | 6 | 9 | 76 | 51 | +25 | 60 | |
| 5 | Belper United | 34 | 19 | 3 | 12 | 67 | 53 | +14 | 60 | |
| 6 | Eastwood | 33 | 16 | 7 | 10 | 53 | 45 | +8 | 55 | |
| 7 | AFC Mansfield | 33 | 16 | 6 | 11 | 59 | 43 | +16 | 54 | |
| 8 | Hucknall Town | 31 | 14 | 6 | 11 | 54 | 50 | +4 | 48 | |
| 9 | Clay Cross Town | 31 | 14 | 4 | 13 | 68 | 54 | +14 | 46 | |
| 10 | Gresley Rovers | 33 | 13 | 5 | 15 | 45 | 49 | −4 | 44 | |
| 11 | Kimberley Miners Welfare | 33 | 12 | 4 | 17 | 53 | 62 | −9 | 40 | |
| 12 | Skegness Town | 32 | 11 | 7 | 14 | 50 | 65 | −15 | 40 | |
| 13 | Newark and Sherwood United | 33 | 10 | 7 | 16 | 36 | 45 | −9 | 37 | |
| 14 | Wisbech Town | 31 | 10 | 7 | 14 | 41 | 54 | −13 | 37 | |
| 15 | Deeping Rangers | 31 | 10 | 6 | 15 | 35 | 54 | −19 | 36 | |
| 16 | Melton Town | 32 | 10 | 5 | 17 | 41 | 61 | −20 | 35 | |
| 17 | Ashby Ivanhoe | 29 | 9 | 5 | 15 | 55 | 52 | +3 | 32 | |
| 18 | Heanor Town | 33 | 8 | 7 | 18 | 44 | 59 | −15 | 31 | |
| 19 | Blackstones | 31 | 8 | 4 | 19 | 29 | 61 | −32 | 28 | Relegation to Division One |
| 20 | Harrowby United | 33 | 8 | 5 | 20 | 29 | 83 | −54 | 26[a] |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[2]
Notes:
- ^ On 11 February 2026, Harrowby United were deducted 3 points for fielding an ineligible player in the match vs. Newark Town on 6 December 2025.
Results table
Stadia and locations
| Club | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFC Mansfield | Mansfield (Forest Town) | Forest Town Stadium | |
| Ashby Ivanhoe | Ashby-de-la-Zouch | NFU Sports Ground | |
| Belper United | Eastwood | Coronation Park | |
| Eastwood | |||
| Blackstones | Stamford | Lincoln Road | 1,000 |
| Boston Town | Boston | Tattershall Road | 6,000 |
| Clay Cross Town | Clay Cross | Mill Lane | |
| Deeping Rangers | Market Deeping | Haydon Whitham Stadium | 2,000 |
| Grantham Town | Grantham | South Kesteven Sports Stadium | 7,500 |
| Gresley Rovers | Church Gresley | Moat Ground | 2,400 |
| Harrowby United | Grantham | Dickens Road | |
| Heanor Town | Heanor | Town Ground | 2,700 |
| Hucknall Town | Hucknall | RM Stadium | 4,000 |
| Kimberley Miners Welfare | Kimberley | Stag Ground | |
| Melton Town | Melton Mowbray | Melton Sports Village | |
| Newark and Sherwood United | Grantham | Dickens Road | |
| Newark Town | Newark-on-Trent | YMCA Sports Village | |
| Sherwood Colliery | Mansfield Woodhouse | Debdale Park | 1,000 |
| Skegness Town | Skegness | Vertigo Stadium | |
| Wisbech Town | Wisbech | Fenland Stadium | 1,118 |
Premier Division South
| Season | 2025–26 |
|---|---|
| Top goalscorer | Kyle Jardine (Nuneaton Town) (25 goals) |
| Biggest home win | Coventry United 9–0 GNG Oadby Town (11 February 2026) |
| Biggest away win | GNG Oadby Town 0–6 Newport Pagnell Town (13 September 2025) Leicester Nirvana 0–6 March Town United (1 November 2025) |
| Highest scoring | Hinckley 8–2 Easington Sports (13 September 2025) |
← 2024–25 2026–27 →
All statistics correct as of 6 March 2026. | |
At the end of the 2024–25 season, two teams left the division:
- St Neots Town, promoted to the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands
- Rugby Borough, promoted to the Northern Premier League Division One East
Before the 2025–26 season, three teams joined the division:
- Atherstone Town, transferred from the Midland League Premier Division
- Moulton, promoted from the Spartan South Midlands Football League Division One
- Nuneaton Town, promoted from the Midland League Division One
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nuneaton Town (T) | 32 | 26 | 4 | 2 | 87 | 28 | +59 | 82 | Promotion to the Northern Premier League |
| 2 | Atherstone Town | 30 | 20 | 4 | 6 | 64 | 35 | +29 | 64 | Qualification for the play-offs |
| 3 | Coventry United | 30 | 19 | 6 | 5 | 71 | 25 | +46 | 63 | |
| 4 | March Town United | 30 | 18 | 6 | 6 | 65 | 32 | +33 | 60 | |
| 5 | Histon | 32 | 18 | 5 | 9 | 73 | 55 | +18 | 59 | |
| 6 | Aylestone Park | 32 | 16 | 7 | 9 | 69 | 52 | +17 | 55 | |
| 7 | Moulton | 34 | 16 | 5 | 13 | 56 | 55 | +1 | 53 | |
| 8 | Lutterworth Town | 32 | 15 | 6 | 11 | 55 | 38 | +17 | 51 | |
| 9 | Newport Pagnell Town | 33 | 14 | 4 | 15 | 69 | 57 | +12 | 46 | |
| 10 | Eynesbury Rovers | 32 | 14 | 4 | 14 | 55 | 55 | 0 | 43[a] | |
| 11 | Leicester Nirvana | 31 | 12 | 7 | 12 | 50 | 59 | −9 | 43 | |
| 12 | Northampton ON Chenecks | 33 | 12 | 5 | 16 | 48 | 57 | −9 | 41 | |
| 13 | Hinckley | 33 | 12 | 4 | 17 | 69 | 64 | +5 | 40 | |
| 14 | Godmanchester Rovers | 31 | 10 | 7 | 14 | 41 | 57 | −16 | 37 | |
| 15 | Daventry Town | 29 | 10 | 4 | 15 | 41 | 49 | −8 | 34 | |
| 16 | Northampton Sileby Rangers | 32 | 7 | 7 | 18 | 44 | 74 | −30 | 28 | |
| 17 | Yaxley | 33 | 7 | 5 | 21 | 35 | 87 | −52 | 26 | |
| 18 | Easington Sports | 30 | 6 | 6 | 18 | 39 | 71 | −32 | 24 | |
| 19 | Bugbrooke St Michaels | 30 | 7 | 2 | 21 | 34 | 60 | −26 | 23 | Relegation to Division One |
| 20 | GNG Oadby Town | 29 | 4 | 4 | 21 | 37 | 92 | −55 | 16 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[2]
(T) Qualified, but not yet for the particular phase indicated
Notes:
- ^ On 26 January 2026, Eynesbury Rovers were deducted 3 points for fielding an ineligible player in the match vs. Histon on 27 December 2025.
Results table
Stadia and locations
| Club | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atherstone Town | Atherstone | Sheepy Road | |
| Aylestone Park | Leicester | Saffron Lane | 1,128 |
| Bugbrooke St Michaels | Bugbrooke | Birds Close | 2,500 |
| Coventry United | Coventry | Butts Park Arena[a] | 4,000 |
| Daventry Town | Daventry | Elderstubbs | 1,855 |
| Easington Sports | Easington | Addison Road | |
| Eynesbury Rovers | Eynesbury | Alfred Hall Memorial Ground | |
| GNG Oadby Town | Leicester | Riverside | 3,000 |
| Godmanchester Rovers | Godmanchester | Bearscroft Lane | |
| Hinckley | Barwell | Kirkby Road | 2,500 |
| Histon | Impington | Bridge Road | 4,300 |
| Leicester Nirvana | Leicester | Hamilton Park | |
| Lutterworth Town | Lutterworth | Dunley Way | |
| March Town United | March | GER Sports Ground | |
| Moulton | Moulton | Brunting Road | |
| Newport Pagnell Town | Newport Pagnell | Willen Road | 2,000 |
| Northampton ON Chenecks | Northampton | Old Northamptonians Sports Ground | |
| Northampton Sileby Rangers | Fernie Fields | ||
| Nuneaton Town | Nuneaton | The Oval | 4,614 |
| Yaxley | Yaxley | Leading Drove | 1,000 |
| |||
Division One
| Season | 2025–26 |
|---|---|
| Top goalscorer | Lewis Chambers (Retford United) (35 goals) |
| Biggest home win | Gedling Miners Welfare 7–0 Rainworth Miners Welfare (26 July 2025) Retford United 9–2 Sandiacre Town (9 August 2025) South Normanton Athletic 7–0 Rainworth Miners Welfare (19 August 2025) Coalville Town 7–0 Gedling Miners Welfare (22 November 2025) |
| Biggest away win | Rainworth Miners Welfare 0–9 Retford (18 October 2025) Rainworth Miners Welfare 0–9 Clifton All Whites (24 February 2026) |
| Highest scoring | Retford United 9–2 Sandiacre Town (9 August 2025) |
← 2024–25 2026–27 →
All statistics correct as of 6 March 2026. | |
At the end of the 2024–25 season, three teams left the division:
- Blackstones, promoted to the Premier Division North
- Clay Cross Town, promoted to the Premier Division North
- Selston, relegated to the Central Midlands Alliance
Before the 2025–26 season, seven teams joined the division:
- Dronfield Town, transferred from the Northern Counties East League
- FCV Grace Dieu, promoted from the Nottinghamshire Senior League
- Pinchbeck United, transferred from the Eastern Counties Football League
- Shirebrook Town, relegated from Premier Division North
- Sleaford Town, relegated from Premier Division North
- South Normanton Athletic, promoted from the Central Midlands Alliance League
- Swallownest, transferred from the Northern Counties East League
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Retford (T) | 37 | 31 | 3 | 3 | 97 | 25 | +72 | 96 | Promotion to the Premier Division North or Premier Division South |
| 2 | Retford United | 38 | 26 | 9 | 3 | 110 | 30 | +80 | 87 | Qualification for the play-offs |
| 3 | Stapleford Town | 39 | 25 | 8 | 6 | 93 | 54 | +39 | 83 | |
| 4 | Coalville Town | 36 | 24 | 8 | 4 | 83 | 30 | +53 | 77[a] | |
| 5 | South Normanton Athletic | 39 | 22 | 9 | 8 | 79 | 41 | +38 | 75 | |
| 6 | FCV Grace Dieu | 39 | 19 | 14 | 6 | 86 | 45 | +41 | 71 | |
| 7 | Staveley Miners Welfare | 39 | 20 | 7 | 12 | 76 | 44 | +32 | 67 | |
| 8 | Pinxton | 38 | 17 | 5 | 16 | 69 | 66 | +3 | 56 | |
| 9 | Clifton All Whites | 37 | 16 | 5 | 16 | 70 | 75 | −5 | 53 | |
| 10 | Dunkirk | 38 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 64 | 63 | +1 | 52 | |
| 11 | Sandiacre Town | 36 | 15 | 6 | 15 | 54 | 54 | 0 | 51 | |
| 12 | Dronfield Town | 37 | 15 | 6 | 16 | 62 | 71 | −9 | 51 | |
| 13 | Southwell City | 37 | 13 | 9 | 15 | 55 | 60 | −5 | 48 | |
| 14 | Swallownest | 37 | 12 | 7 | 18 | 55 | 71 | −16 | 43 | |
| 15 | Shirebrook Town | 39 | 11 | 8 | 20 | 48 | 76 | −28 | 41 | |
| 16 | West Bridgford | 37 | 11 | 6 | 20 | 45 | 72 | −27 | 39 | |
| 17 | Clipstone | 38 | 13 | 2 | 23 | 57 | 80 | −23 | 38[b] | |
| 18 | Radford | 38 | 8 | 13 | 17 | 48 | 64 | −16 | 37 | |
| 19 | Sleaford Town | 37 | 10 | 5 | 22 | 46 | 69 | −23 | 35 | |
| 20 | Gedling Miners Welfare | 37 | 9 | 7 | 21 | 56 | 85 | −29 | 34 | |
| 21 | Pinchbeck United | 38 | 8 | 10 | 20 | 42 | 73 | −31 | 34 | Possible relegation to a feeder league |
| 22 | Holwell Sports | 38 | 9 | 6 | 23 | 53 | 89 | −36 | 33 | |
| 23 | Rainworth Miners Welfare (R) | 39 | 3 | 3 | 33 | 22 | 133 | −111 | 12 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of matches won; 5) head-to-head results[2]
(R) Relegated; (T) Qualified, but not yet for the particular phase indicated
Notes:
- ^ On 11 February 2026, Coalville Town were deducted 3 points for fielding an ineligible player in the match vs. Holwell Sports on 18 November 2025.
- ^ On 25 February 2026, Clipstone were deducted 3 points for fielding an ineligible player in the match vs. Rainworth Miners Welfare on 27 December 2025.
Results table
Stadia and locations
References
- ^ "The FA releases National League System club allocations for Steps 2-6 in 2025-26 term". The Football Association. 15 May 2025.
- ^ a b c "The FA Handbook 2022/2023 Part 29 Standardised Rules Section 12.2". The FA.
External links
- United Counties League The FA Full-Time