The 2011–12 North West Counties Football League season was the 30th in the history of the North West Counties Football League, a football competition in England.
The league comprised two divisions, the Premier Division and the First Division (at levels 9 and 10 of the English football league system, Steps 5 and 6 of the National League System respectively). Additionally there were two cup competitions: the League Challenge Cup knockout competition open to all the league's clubs; and the First Division Trophy, a knockout trophy competition for First Division clubs only. The league also had a reserves team section.
Premier Division
The Premier Division featured 22 clubs, 19 remained from the previous season plus 3 additions (all from the First Division):
A.F.C. Blackpool, promoted as champions Runcorn Town, promoted as runners-up A.F.C. Liverpool, promoted from fourth position
One league match was not played: Bacup Borough refused to play a fixture versus Colne (scheduled for one day prior to Bacup's appearance in the League Challenge Cup final) and were subsequently fined and had three points deducted with Colne awarded three points.
At the end of the season the champions Ramsbottom United were promoted to the Northern Premier League First Division North. Two other clubs left the division: Flixton who resigned; and Atherton Laburnum Rovers who were relegated to the First Division. Owing to Flixton's resignation St Helens Town (who had been ever present in the league's top division) were reprieved from relegation.
League table
Results
Locations
First Division
The First Division featured 18 clubs, 15 remained from the previous season plus 3 additions:
Formby, demoted from the Premier Division Nelson, a re-formed team returning to the league (having resigned from the 2009–10 Premier Division) Northwich Villa, from 9th in the Cheshire Football League First Division
At the end of the season the champions Wigan Robin Park and runners-up Norton United were promoted to the Premier Division. No other clubs left the division.
League table
Results
Locations
League Challenge Cup The 2011–12 League Challenge Cup was a knockout competition open to all the league's 40 clubs. The final, played at Curzon Ashton F.C. between Premier Division clubs, was won by Bacup Borough who defeated Maine Road 5–0 – the largest winning margin in a League Challenge Cup final and the first occasion a club was credited with 5 goals in the 90 minute match. It was the second occasion Bacup had won the cup (previously in the 2003–04 season), the fourth club to achieve the this.
Quarter-finals, Semi-finals and Final
(The semi-finals were decided on aggregate score from two legs played)
Club's division appended to team name: (PD)=Premier Division; (FD)=First Division source:
First Division Trophy The 2011–12 First Division Trophy was a knockout competition for the 18 First Division clubs only. The final between the division's top two clubs, held at Ramsbottom United F.C., was won 3–1 after extra time (score at 90 minutes: 1–1) by Norton United who defeated Wigan Robin Park who were thus denied a First Division league and cup double.
Semi-finals and Final
(The semi-finals were decided on aggregate score from two legs played)
source:
Reserves Section Main honours for the 2011–12 season: Reserves Division Winners: Wigan Robin Park Reserves Runners-up: New Mills Reserves
Reserves Division Cup Winners: Padiham Reserves Runners-up: Silsden Reserves
References
External links The official website of the North West Counties Football League 2010–11 League Rules