2016–17 National League


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, thirteenth season consisting of three divisions and the thirty-eighth season overall.
The National League covers the top two levels of non-League football in England. The National League is the fifth highest level of the overall pyramid, while the National League North and National League South exist at the sixth level. The top team and the winner of the play-off of the Premier division will be promoted to English Football 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, Isthmian League 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 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 Football 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 A.F.C. Fylde and Maidstone United's win on penalties over Ebbsfleet United made them the National League North and National League South play-off winners respectively. It is the first time both teams have competed in the league.
The six teams replace Cheltenham Town, Grimsby Town, FC Halifax Town, Altrincham, 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.
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's 4–3 win over Torquay United, ending their three-year stay in the league.

Team changes

To National League

Promoted from National League North
Promoted from National League South
Relegated from League Two
Relegated to National League North
Relegated to National League South
Promoted to League Two
TeamLocationStadiumCapacity
Aldershot TownAldershotRecreation Ground7,100
BarrowBarrow-in-FurnessHolker Street5,045
Boreham WoodBorehamwoodMeadow Park4,502
Braintree TownBraintreeCressing Road4,085
BromleyLondon Hayes Lane5,300
ChesterChesterDeva Stadium6,500
Dagenham & RedbridgeLondon Victoria Road6,078
Dover AthleticDoverCrabble Athletic Ground5,885
EastleighEastleighTen Acres5,250
Forest Green RoversNailsworthThe New Lawn5,032
GatesheadGatesheadGateshead International Stadium11,800
GuiseleyGuiseleyNethermoor Park3,770
Lincoln CityLincolnSincil Bank10,120
Macclesfield TownMacclesfieldMoss Rose6,355
Maidstone UnitedMaidstoneGallagher Stadium4,200
North Ferriby UnitedNorth FerribyGrange Lane2,200
Solihull MoorsSolihullDamson Park3,050
SouthportSouthportHaig Avenue7,177
Sutton UnitedLondon Gander Green Lane5,013
Torquay UnitedTorquayPlainmoor6,500
Tranmere RoversBirkenheadPrenton Park16,789
WokingWokingKingfield Stadium6,036
WrexhamWrexhamRacecourse Ground10,771
York CityYorkBootham Crescent8,256

Managerial changes

League table

Results

Play-offs

First leg

Second leg

Final

Top scorers

RankPlayerClubGoals
1 Ricky MillerDover Athletic40
2 Christian DoidgeForest Green Rovers25
3 Andy CookTranmere Rovers23
4 Michael CheekBraintree Town19
4 Byron HarrisonBarrow19
5 Oliver HawkinsDagenham & Redbridge18
5 Danny JohnsonGateshead18
8 James AlabiChester17
8 Gozie UgwuWoking17
9 Richie BennettBarrow15
9 Matt RheadLincoln City15
9 Corey WhitelyDagenham & Redbridge15

National League North

Team changes

To National League North

Promoted from Northern Premier League
Relegated from National League
Relegated to Northern Premier League
Relegated to Isthmian League
Promoted to National League
TeamStadiumCapacity
A.F.C. FyldeMill Farm6,000
Alfreton TownNorth Street3,600
A.F.C. Telford UnitedNew Bucks Head6,300
AltrinchamMoss Lane6,085
Boston UnitedYork Street6,643
Brackley TownSt. James Park3,500
Bradford Park AvenueHorsfall Stadium3,500
ChorleyVictory Park4,100
Curzon AshtonTameside Stadium4,000
Darlington 1883Blackwell Meadows3,000
F.C. Halifax TownThe Shay14,061
F.C. United of ManchesterBroadhurst Park4,400
Gainsborough TrinityThe Northolme4,304
Gloucester CityWhaddon Road 7,066
Harrogate TownWetherby Road3,800
Kidderminster HarriersAggborough6,238
Nuneaton TownLiberty Way4,314
Salford CityMoor Lane5,106
Stalybridge CelticBower Fold6,500
Stockport CountyEdgeley Park10,852
TamworthThe Lamb Ground4,000
Worcester CityVictoria Ground 4,895

League table

Results

Play-offs

First leg

Second leg

Final

Top scorers

RankPlayerClubGoals
1 Danny RoweAFC Fylde47
2 Danny NewtonTamworth28
3 Simon AingeHarrogate Town22
4 Danny LloydStockport County21
5 Joe IronsideNuneaton Town20
6 Luke HopperGloucester City19
7 Dan BradleyAFC Fylde18
7 Mark BeckDarlington 188318
9 Tom DentonFC Halifax Town17

National League South

Team changes

To National League South

Promoted from Isthmian League
Promoted from Southern Football League
Relegated from National League
Relegated to Isthmian League
Relegated to Southern Football League
Promoted to National League
TeamStadiumCapacity
Bath CityTwerton Park8,840
Bishop's StortfordWoodside Park4,525
Chelmsford CityMelbourne Stadium3,019
Concord RangersThames Road3,300
DartfordPrinces Park4,100
Eastbourne BoroughPriory Lane4,151
East Thurrock UnitedRookery Hill4,000
Ebbsfleet UnitedStonebridge Road5,011
Gosport BoroughPrivett Park4,500
Hampton & RichmondBeveree Stadium3,500
Hemel Hempstead TownVauxhall Road3,152
Hungerford TownBulpit Lane2,500
Maidenhead UnitedYork Road3,000
MargateHartsdown Park3,000
Oxford CityCourt Place Farm2,000
Poole TownTatnam Ground2,500
St Albans CityClarence Park4,500
Truro CityTreyew Road3,857
WealdstoneGrosvenor Vale3,607
Welling UnitedPark View Road4,000
Weston-super-MareWoodspring Stadium3,500
WhitehawkThe Enclosed Ground2,175

League table

Results

Play-offs

First leg

Second leg

Final

Top scorers

RankPlayerClubGoals
1 Dave TarpeyMaidenhead United44
2 Jake RobinsonHemel Hempstead Town25
3 Shaun JeffersChelmsford City21
4 Adam CoombesWelling United20
4 Elliott RomainEastbourne Borough20
5 Dayle GrubbWeston-super-Mare19
5 Tom WraightEast Thurrock United19
8 Steve CawleyConcord Rangers18
9 Bradley AshWeston-super-Mare16
9 Elliot BenyonWealdstone16
9 Nicke KabambaHampton & Richmond Borough16
9 Sean MarksMaidenhead United16
9 Danny MillsWhitehawk16