Last updated : Sunday, 21 April 2024
Introduction
The Northern Amateur Football League (NAFL) is an amateur football league in Northern Ireland. It was founded in 1923 and currently consists of three divisions of thirteen sections, providing a base for 94 clubs with a total of 179 teams taking part competitively in Intermediate and Junior status competitions.
The league is affiliated to the Irish Football Association (IFA) and its clubs are eligible to compete in the IFA Junior Cup and the IFA Intermediate Cup.
History
The NAFL was founded in 1923 when 16 clubs from the Greater Belfast area obtained permission from the IFA to form a league solely for amateur players. Initially membership was confined to teams from Public Bodies, Private Associations, Schools and Firms.
Over time, the league has grown to become one of the largest amateur football leagues in Northern Ireland. In the 1970s, the league introduced a promotion and relegation system, which has helped to maintain the competitive balance of the league.
Current Structure
The NAFL currently consists of three divisions: Division 1, Division 2 and Division 3. Each division is divided into thirteen sections, with each section containing between four and six teams.
The top two teams from each section in Division 1 are promoted to Division 2 at the end of the season, while the bottom two teams from Division 2 are relegated to Division 3. The top two teams from each section in Division 3 are promoted to Division 2, while the bottom two teams from Division 2 are relegated to Division 1.
Recent Winners
- Division 1: Ballyclare Comrades (2022-23)
- Division 2: Rathfriland Rangers (2022-23)
- Division 3: Kilmore Rec (2022-23)
Sources
- Northern Amateur Football League | IFA
- Northern Amateur Football League | nifootball.net
- Northern Amateur Football League - Wikipedia
