West Lancashire Football League


The West Lancashire Football League is a football competition based in northern England, consisting of five divisions – three for first teams, and two for reserve teams. The league is currently sponsored by Lancaster-based radio station The Bay. The top division, the Premier Division, sits at step seven of the National League System and is a feeder league for the North West Counties Football League, although promotion and relegation is based upon application to the National League System Panel.

History

The league was formed in 1904, although 1905–06 was the first season. It was originally known as the Preston & District Combination, with member clubs having to be within ten miles of Preston. It became the West Lancashire League in 1908, and over the years the qualification area was gradually extended. At first it was a competition for minor non-league football clubs, but from the 1920s the membership changed with the league including several Football League club's 'A' teams. This continued through to the early 1950s. However, the creation of the Lancashire League meant that some of the Football League clubs changed their allegiance. The West Lancashire League struggled along for a few years, until 1954 when it was closed down.
The league was re-established in 1959, with a small membership of clubs from the Blackpool area. Steadily the league grew, and in 1964–65 it expanded to two divisions. The league had a rapidly changing membership, but continued to prosper, with a third senior division being formed for the 1998–99 season. The league now covers the whole of modern Lancashire, plus areas of Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, and even West Yorkshire.
In past seasons the league has included former Football League club Nelson and the forerunners of current Football League side Morecambe.

Current members (2019-20)

The constitution for season 2019-20 is as follows:

Premier Division

Member clubs progressing to higher standard leagues

ClubLeft LeagueComments
Blackpool Mechanics1962Left to join the Lancashire Combination. Currently play in North West Counties League Premier Division and now known as AFC Blackpool.
Blackpool Wren Rovers1972Left to join the Lancashire Combination, and later played in the North West Counties League. Now back playing in the West Lancashire League.
Colne Dynamoes1975Left to join the Lancashire Combination, and later played in the North West Counties League and the Northern Premier League. Folded in 1990.
Holker Old Boys1991Left to join the North West Counties League. Currently play in North West Counties Football League First Division.
Squires Gate1991Left to join the North West Counties League. Currently play in the North West Counties Football League Premier Division.
Nelson1992Returned to the North West Counties League. Resigned from the North West Counties Football League Premier Division in 2010. Rejoined NWCFL in 2011, and currently play in the North West Counties Football League First Division.
Padiham2000Returned to the North West Counties League. Currently play in the North West Counties Football League Premier Division having spent three seasons in the Northern Premier League Division One North between 2013 and 2016.
Kirkham & Wesham2007Left to join the North West Counties League. Currently play in National League, known as AFC Fylde.
Barnoldswick Town2009Left to join the North West Counties League. Currently play in North West Counties Football League Premier Division.
AFC Darwen2010Returned to the North West Counties League. Currently play in North West Counties Football League Division One North.
Charnock Richard2016Left to join the North West Counties League. Currently play in North West Counties Football League Premier Division.
Longridge Town2018Left to join the North West Counties Football League. Currently play in North West Counties Football League Division One North.
Garstang2018Left to join the North West Counties Football League. Currently play in North West Counties Football League Division One North.