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 ...

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

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

and

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 *

* Kidderminster Harriers Relegated to 2016–17 National League South * Welling United Promoted to 2016–17 League Two *

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 *

* 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