The FA has released its allocations for Step 5 and Step 6 of the National League System, confirming the line-up for the Northern League Second Division — our division — for the 2026/27 season.
Seaton Carew join the league for the first time, promoted from the Wearside League and bringing National League System football to their Hornby Park ground for the very first time. They are joined by Stokesley Sports Club, who return to the Northern League from the North Riding Football League after a decade away — their last spell in the division ended with relegation at the close of 2015/16.
There is also good news for two clubs who looked to be facing the drop: Boldon C.A. and Prudhoe YC Seniors have both been given reprieves from relegation, having finished third-bottom and second-bottom respectively. That means we say goodbye to Esh Winning, who drop down to the regional feeder leagues for next season.
With these changes, Step 6 — the Northern League Second Division — will run with 20 teams in 2026/27.
League chairman Glenn Youngman said: the league is delighted to welcome the new and returning clubs, and is confident they will be made to feel very welcome as they settle into Step 6 football. He also sent best wishes to the clubs stepping up to the Northern Premier League, and to Esh Winning, with hopes that the club can thrive in the feeder leagues and return to the Northern League before too long.
For us, it means a settled second season at Step 6 — and a fresh set of fixtures against new opposition to look forward to as the new campaign approaches.

Season 2026 / 2027 - Division Two Fixtures
We expect to receive the new season fixture list on Saturday morning for publication - look out on Facebook for early viewing...last season we opened up with a home game, will it be Home or Away for our lads?

FA announces opening rounds of the Isuzu FA Vase

The FA has also confirmed the round dates for the Emirates FA Cup and the Isuzu FA Vase for 2026/27. The opening two qualifying rounds of the Vase are set for:
First Round Qualifying — Saturday 15 August 2026
Second Round Qualifying — Saturday 12 September 2026
It's never too early to start looking ahead — the Vase is always a highlight of the season, and we'll have more on our own cup campaign as the summer progresses.

Fair Play award for Durham United

At the Annual Ebac NL Awards evening at Ramside Hall we're delighted to share some great news from the night.
Durham United have been named joint winners of the Division Two Fair Play award, sharing the honour with Esh Winning. The award, worth £300, is based on on-field discipline over the course of the season, with the winners accruing the fewest points for cautions, dismissals and misconduct.
It's a fantastic reflection of how this young squad has conducted itself throughout a demanding first season at Step 6 — balancing academic commitments, a two-competition fixture list, and the step up in standard, all while representing the club with real credit. Well done to every player and to the management team for instilling those standards.