The 2016–17 National League season, known as the Vanarama National League for sponsorship reasons, was the second season under the new title of
National League
National League often refers to:
*National League (baseball), one of the two baseball leagues constituting Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada
*National League (division), the fifth division of the English football (soccer) system ...
, thirteenth season consisting of three divisions and the thirty-eighth season overall.
The National League covers the top two levels of
non-League football
Non-League football describes association football, football leagues played outside the top leagues of a country. Usually, it describes leagues which are not fully professional. The term is primarily used for football in England, where it is ...
in
England
England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...
. The National League is the fifth highest level of the
overall pyramid, while the
National League North
The National League North, officially known as Vanarama National League North for sponsorship reasons, is a professional Association football league in England. National League North is the second division of the National League (English footb ...
and
National League South
The National League South, officially Vanarama National League South, is a professional Association football league in England. National League South is the second division of the National League (English football), National Leagues and step ...
exist at the sixth level. The top team and the winner of the play-off of the Premier division will be promoted to
League Two, while the bottom four are relegated to the North or South divisions. The champions of the North and South divisions will be promoted to the Premier division, alongside the play-off winners from each division. The bottom three in each of the North and South divisions are relegated to the premier divisions of the
Northern Premier League
The Northern Premier League is an English Association football, football league that was founded in 1968. Together with the Isthmian League and the Southern Football League, Southern League it forms levels seven and eight of the English footba ...
,
Isthmian League
The Isthmian League () is a regional Association football, football league covering Greater London, East of England, East and South East England, featuring mostly semi-professional clubs.
Founded in 1905 by amateur clubs in the London area, th ...
or
Southern League. The fixtures were announced on 6 July 2016.
National League
Promotion and relegation
The following teams changed divisions after the 2015–16 season.
Solihull Moors were the first team to be promoted
after
North Ferriby United's 2–0 loss to
Stalybridge Celtic on 13 April 2016 clinched them the
National League North
The National League North, officially known as Vanarama National League North for sponsorship reasons, is a professional Association football league in England. National League North is the second division of the National League (English footb ...
title. This will be their first season in the National League.
Sutton United were promoted on 23 April 2016 after a 2–0 win over
Chelmsford City, returning to the league for the first time in sixteen years.
Dagenham & Redbridge were relegated from
League Two on 16 April 2016 after their 3–2 loss to
Leyton Orient returning to the fifth tier after nine years in the Football League.
York City were relegated on 23 April after their 3–0 loss to
Accrington Stanley, returning to the league for the first time since the
2011–12 season.
North Ferriby United's 2–1 win over
AFC Fylde and
Maidstone United's win on penalties over
Ebbsfleet United made them the
National League North
The National League North, officially known as Vanarama National League North for sponsorship reasons, is a professional Association football league in England. National League North is the second division of the National League (English footb ...
and
National League South
The National League South, officially Vanarama National League South, is a professional Association football league in England. National League South is the second division of the National League (English football), National Leagues and step ...
play-off winners respectively. It is the first time both teams have competed in the league.
The six teams replace
Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town Football Club is a professional association football club based in the town of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England. The team competes in EFL League Two, the fourth level of the English football league system.
Founded in 1887, ...
,
Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town Football Club is a professional association football club based in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, England, that competes in , the fourth level of the English football league system.
Nicknamed "the Mariners", the club was f ...
,
FC Halifax Town,
Altrincham
Altrincham ( , locally ) is a market town in Trafford, Greater Manchester, England, south of the River Mersey. It is southwest of Manchester, southwest of Sale, Greater Manchester, Sale and east of Warrington. At the 2021 United Kingdom ce ...
,
Kidderminster Harriers and
Welling United. Cheltenham Town were promoted back to League Two at their first attempt after beating FC Halifax Town 2–0 on 16 April 2016. Grimsby Town were promoted back to the Football League after beating
Forest Green Rovers 3–1 in the
2015–16 National League play-off final.
Kidderminster Harriers and Welling United were relegated on the same day after defeats to
Barrow and
Chester
Chester is a cathedral city in Cheshire, England, on the River Dee, Wales, River Dee, close to the England–Wales border. With a built-up area population of 92,760 in 2021, it is the most populous settlement in the borough of Cheshire West an ...
.
On the final day of the season, Altrincham were relegated after losing 3–0 to
Braintree Town, ending their two-year stay in the league. FC Halifax Town's 1–1 draw against
Macclesfield Town was not enough to save them after
Guiseley
Guiseley ( ) is an area in the metropolitan borough of the City of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. Historic counties of England, Historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, it is situated south of Otley and Menston and is now a north-west ...
's 4–3 win over
Torquay United
Torquay United Football Club is a professional association football club based in Torquay, Devon, England. The team currently compete in the National League South, the sixth level of the English football league system. They have played their ho ...
, ending their three-year stay in the league.
Team changes
To National League
Promoted from
2015–16 National League North
*
Solihull Moors
*
North Ferriby United
Promoted from
2015–16 National League South
*
Sutton United
*
Maidstone United
Relegated from
2015–16 League Two
*
Dagenham & Redbridge
*
York City
From National League
Relegated to
2016–17 National League North
*
FC Halifax Town
*
Altrincham
Altrincham ( , locally ) is a market town in Trafford, Greater Manchester, England, south of the River Mersey. It is southwest of Manchester, southwest of Sale, Greater Manchester, Sale and east of Warrington. At the 2021 United Kingdom ce ...
*
Kidderminster Harriers
Relegated to
2016–17 National League South
*
Welling United
Promoted to
2016–17 League Two
*
Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town Football Club is a professional association football club based in the town of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England. The team competes in EFL League Two, the fourth level of the English football league system.
Founded in 1887, ...
*
Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town Football Club is a professional association football club based in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, England, that competes in , the fourth level of the English football league system.
Nicknamed "the Mariners", the club was f ...
Stadia and locations
Managerial changes
League table
Results
Play-offs
First leg
Second leg
Final
Top scorers
National League North
Team changes
To National League North
Promoted from
2015–16 Northern Premier League Premier Division
*
Darlington 1883
*
Salford City
Relegated from
2015–16 National League
*
FC Halifax Town
*
Altrincham
Altrincham ( , locally ) is a market town in Trafford, Greater Manchester, England, south of the River Mersey. It is southwest of Manchester, southwest of Sale, Greater Manchester, Sale and east of Warrington. At the 2021 United Kingdom ce ...
*
Kidderminster Harriers
From National League North
Relegated to
2016–17 Northern Premier League Premier Division
*
Corby Town
*
Hednesford Town
Hednesford Town Football Club is a football club based in Hednesford, Staffordshire, England. They are currently members of the and play at Keys Park. They won the FA Trophy in 2004.
History
The club was established in 1880 as a merger of t ...
Relegated to
2016–17 Isthmian League Premier Division
*
Lowestoft Town
Promoted to
2016–17 National League
*
Solihull Moors
*
North Ferriby United
Stadia and locations
League table
Results
Play-offs
First leg
Second leg
Final
Top scorers
National League South
Team changes
To National League South
Promoted from
2015–16 Isthmian League Premier Division
*
Hampton & Richmond Borough
*
East Thurrock United
Promoted from
2015–16 Southern League Premier Division
*
Poole Town
*
Hungerford Town
Relegated from
2015–16 National League
*
Welling United
From National League South
Relegated to
2016–17 Isthmian League Premier Division
*
Havant & Waterlooville
Relegated to
2016–17 Southern League Premier Division
*
Hayes & Yeading United
*
Basingstoke Town
Promoted to
2016–17 National League
*
Sutton United
*
Maidstone United
Stadia and locations
League table
Results
Play-offs
First leg
Second leg
Final
Top scorers
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:2016-17 National League
National League (English football) seasons
5
Eng