National League (English football)

National League
Founded1979 (1979) (as Alliance Premier League)
2004 (2004) (North & South)
CountryEngland (72 clubs)
DivisionsNational League
National League North and South
Number of teams24 National League
24 North & 24 South
Level on pyramid5–6
Promotion toEFL League Two
Relegation toNorthern Premier League Premier Division
Isthmian League Premier Division
Southern League Premier Divisions
Domestic cup(s)FA Cup
FA Trophy
League cup(s)Conference League Cup (defunct)
Current championsChesterfield (National League)
Tamworth (North)
Yeovil Town (South)
(2023–24)
TV partnersTNT Sports[1]
NLTV (2015–present)
Websitethenationalleague.org.uk
Current: 2023–24 National League

The National League (named Vanarama National League for sponsorship reasons) is an association football league in England consisting of three divisions, the National League, National League North, and National League South. It was called the "Alliance Premier League" from 1979 until 1986. Between 1986 and 2015, the league was known as the "Football Conference".[2]

Most National League clubs are fully professional (only three are not in the 2023–24 lineup), while a growing number of National League North and National League South clubs are also professional. Some professional clubs were previously in the English Football League (EFL), as opposed to clubs that have always been non-League. The National League is the lowest of the five nationwide professional football divisions in England, below the Premier League and the three divisions of the EFL, and is the top tier of the National League System of non-League football. The National League North and National League South form the sixth tier of professional English football. The National League consisted of only one division until 2004, but expanded as part of an extensive restructuring of the National League System beginning with the 2004–05 season.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference BT Sport was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ ""Football Conference to be renamed as National League". BBC Sport. 6 April 2015.

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