NPL Awards 2023: Celebrating the league champions & playoff victors

The ceremony, which firstly celebrated the league's top individual players, also paid tribute to each division's championship and playoff-winning teams.

Below is a breakdown of the winners...

Playoff winners

Northern Premier League -

After the disappointment of last season's playoff defeat at the hands of Scarborough Athletic, it was finally Warrington Town’s time for glory as they booked their place in the National League North following a last-gasp 1-0 victory over Bamber Bridge in the Playoff Final.

The Yellows, under the leadership of Mark Beesley, enjoyed an excellent campaign which saw them record a 22-game unbeaten run, finishing second behind South Shields. They now embark on a historic first season at Step 2 of the football pyramid.

NPL East Division -

It’s been a meteoric rise for Long Eaton United over the last two seasons. After being crowned champions of the United Counties League North, they secured promotion to the Northern Premier League. The Blues now find themselves at Step 3 of the football pyramid a season later.

Jamie Walker’s 23 goals helped his side to a fourth-placed finish and two dramatic playoff clashes which both went to penalties saw Ian Deakins’ men win back-to-back promotions for the first time in the club’s history.

NPL Midlands Division -

Halesowen Town’s consistent performances saw them head back up to Step 3 of the football pyramid, however, they will be playing in the Southern League Central Premier Division due to lateral movement.

Paul Smith’s side remained within the top three teams throughout the season, and their on-field success was recognised by their fans, who recorded 15 of the division’s top attendances, culminating in the most significant playoff final attendance across the Northern Premier League.

NPL West Division -

Workington AFC washed away last season’s playoff semi-final disappointment as they booked their spot in the Premier Division this time around, following a thrilling 2-1 victory over Runcorn Linnets, which was won after extra time.

Danny Grainger’s men played out an entertaining football season, with 25 of their matches finishing with three or more goals, and they will be hoping to maintain this as they advance up to Step 3.

League winners

Premier Division League Champions -

Despite consecutive playoff disappointments, South Shields were not dismayed in their attempts to reach the National League. With former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips at the helm for a full season, the Mariners kept the most clean sheets and had the best defensive record in the division, as they steadily marched towards the Premier Division title.

With state-of-the-art facilities, a burgeoning attendance and Julio Arca at the wheel, South Shields will be confident that they build upon last season’s success for their maiden campaign in the National League.

East Division League Champions -

After 11 seasons away, Worksop Town are back in Step 3 following a record-breaking season. The Tigers breezed past their opposition, accumulating 112 goals - the highest throughout the Northern Premier League, breaking the league record for the best PPG. Of those 112 goals, NPL East Player of the Season and Golden Boot winner Liam Hughes scored a staggering 42.

As a barometer for the level Worksop Town were playing last season, they will start the upcoming NPL season just 12 wins away from Arsenal’s 49-game unbeaten run. Craig Parry and his side will look to build on this as they face new opposition at a higher level next season.

Midlands Division League Champions -

It was a closely contested fight for the title in the Midlands Division, with three teams all vying for glory. Second-placed Halesowen Town beat third-placed Spalding United in the playoffs to secure promotion, but it was Stamford who would rise above the rest to claim the ultimate prize.

The Daniels, who will be playing in the Southern League Central Premier Division next season, recorded the most wins (27) and the fewest losses (5) in the league. They boasted a significant attacking threat in Jonathon Margetts, who netted 36 times last season, 25 more than the next-highest goalscorer which earned him the accolades for Player of the Season and Golden Boot.

West Division League Champions -

Macclesfield arrived in the Northern Premier League at the start of the 2022/23 season, and it took just one season for them to secure promotion up to Step 3. It was a dominant season for the Silkmen who remained unbeaten since November, winning 28 games, losing just four.

With over 4,000 fans cheering them on at the Leasing.com Stadium, Macclesfield posted the highest league average attendance, backed by regular appearances on BT Sport Score thanks to their director Robbie Savage, the Silkmen are in a prime position to replicate the success of their two previous seasons as they look to move up the football pyramid.

Photo credit: Darren Murphy