2021–22 National League

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National League
Season2021–22
2022–23 →

The 2021–22 National League season, known as the Vanarama National League for sponsorship reasons, is the seventh season as English football's National League, the nineteenth season consisting of three divisions, and the forty-third season overall.

Due to the curtailment of the preceding season for North and South and lower levels of competition in the English football pyramid, promotion and relegation between levels 5 and 6, and between level 6 and lower levels were suspended.[1] These, combined with the folding of Macclesfield Town in 2020–21 and the knock-on effects of Bury's collapse in 2019–20, mean that for the 2021–22 season the three divisions have the irregular complement of 23, 22 and 21 teams, respectively;

In 2019, prior to these COVID-19 related impacts, the league had intended the 2021–22 season to be the first using a new structure in which the number of teams in its North and South divisions would increase, resulting in three 24-team divisions. On 1 July 2021, the National League confirmed its intent to achieve this structure for the 2022–23 season; consequently the following adjustments to promotion and relegation are in effect for 2021–22:[2][3]

  • As before, two teams will be promoted from the National League to League Two and replaced by two teams relegated from it;
  • Three teams will be relegated from the National League to the two level 6 divisions, and replaced by four teams (two from each of the National League North and South); and
  • Three teams will be relegated from the two level 6 divisions (two from the National League North and one from the National League South) to the premier divisions of the Northern Premier League, Southern League Central or South, or Isthmian League, and replaced by eight teams (two from each division).

However, for level 6 to have a total of 48 teams next season, the number of relegations from level 6 can be changed to two based on the following:

  • If the three clubs relegated from the National League are all southern or one northern and two southern, the National League North and South can relegate the bottom team in each division, and the 21st-placed northern team can be reprieved from relegation.[citation needed]
  • If the three clubs relegated from the National League are all northern or one southern and two northern, the National League North can relegate its bottom two teams and the National League South can reprieve its last-placed team from relegation.[citation needed]

To maintain numerical balance, one northern team will be moved to the National League South or one southern team to the National League North if the National League relegates all three northern or southern clubs.

National League[]

National League
Season2021–22
Dates21 August 2021 - 21 May 2022
2022–23 →

Promotion and relegation[]

Team changes[]

Grimsby Town became the first former top-flight First Division club to be relegated to the National League twice, and their matches against Notts County will make them the second pairing of clubs to face each other across all top five tiers of English football (after the Luton Town vs Oxford United fixture).

Stadia and locations[]

2021–22 National League is located in England
2021–22 National League
2021–22 National League
2021–22 National League
2021–22 National League
Aldershot Town
Aldershot Town
Altrincham
Altrincham
Boreham Wood
Boreham Wood
Chesterfield
Chesterfield
Dover Athletic
Dover Athletic
FC Halifax Town
FC Halifax Town
Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town
Maidenhead United
Maidenhead United
Notts County
Notts County
Southend United
Southend United
Stockport County
Stockport County
Weymouth
Weymouth
Woking
Woking
Wrexham
Wrexham
Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town
Greater London clubs Barnet Bromley Dagenham & Redbridge Wealdstone
Greater London clubs
Barnet
Bromley
Dagenham & Redbridge
Wealdstone
Locations of the 2021–22 National League clubs (Greater London shown in more detail below)
Locations of the 2021–22 National League clubs (Greater London)
Team Location Stadium Capacity
Aldershot Town Aldershot Recreation Ground 7,200
Altrincham Altrincham Moss Lane 7,700
Barnet London (Canons Park) The Hive Stadium 6,418
Boreham Wood Borehamwood Meadow Park 4,502
Bromley London (Bromley) Hayes Lane 5,300
Chesterfield Chesterfield Proact Stadium 10,504
Dagenham & Redbridge London (Dagenham) Victoria Road 6,078
Dover Athletic Dover Crabble Athletic Ground 5,745
Eastleigh Eastleigh Ten Acres 5,250
FC Halifax Town Halifax The Shay 10,400
Grimsby Town Cleethorpes Blundell Park 9,052
King's Lynn Town King's Lynn The Walks 8,200
Maidenhead United Maidenhead York Road 4,000
Notts County Nottingham Meadow Lane 19,588
Solihull Moors Solihull Damson Park 5,500
Southend United Southend-on-Sea Roots Hall 12,392
Stockport County Stockport Edgeley Park 10,852
Torquay United Torquay Plainmoor 6,500
Wealdstone London (Ruislip) Grosvenor Vale 4,085
Weymouth Weymouth Bob Lucas Stadium 6,600
Woking Woking Kingfield Stadium 6,036
Wrexham Wrexham Racecourse Ground 10,771
Yeovil Town Yeovil Huish Park 9,566

Personnel and sponsoring[]

Team Manager1 Captain Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
Aldershot Town Danny Searle George Fowler Erreà Bridges Estate Agents
Altrincham Phil Parkinson Jake Moult Puma J Davidson Ltd
Barnet Harry Kewell Jamie Turley EV2[4] TIC Health
Boreham Wood Luke Garrard Mark Ricketts Puma Barnet and Southgate College
Bromley Andy Woodman Vacant Puma Southwark Metals
Chesterfield James Rowe Vacant Puma Technique Learning Solutions
Dagenham & Redbridge Daryl McMahon Kenny Clark Nike West & Coe
Dover Athletic Andy Hessenthaler Sam Wood Kappa GSH Group
Eastleigh Ben Strevens Danny Hollands Kappa Utilita
FC Halifax Town Pete Wild Nathan Clarke Adidas[5] CORE Facility Services (Home)
Nuie (Away)
Grimsby Town Paul Hurst Giles Coke Macron Young's Seafood
King's Lynn Town Ian Culverhouse Aaron Jones Kappa Barsby Produce
Maidenhead United Alan Devonshire Alan Massey Uhlsport G&L Scientific
Notts County Ian Burchnall Kyle Cameron Puma Sharpes of Nottingham
Solihull Moors Neal Ardley Kyle Storer Surridge John Shepherd Estate Agents
Southend United Phil Brown John White Hummel Watchlotto
Stockport County Simon Rusk Sam Minihan Puma VITA Group
Torquay United Gary Johnson Asa Hall Nike No Sponsor
Wealdstone Stuart Maynard Jerome Okimo Macron GPF Lewis
Weymouth Brian Stock Josh McQuoid Umbro Dormeo UK
Woking Alan Dowson Josh Casey Adidas Boz's Fruit & Veg
Wrexham Phil Parkinson Vacant Macron TikTok
Yeovil Town Darren Sarll Vacant Hummel Jurassic Fibre

Managerial changes[]

Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming manager Date of appointment
Solihull Moors England Mark Yates[6] End of interim spell 29 May 2021 Pre-season England Neal Ardley[7] 14 June 2021
Wrexham England Dean Keates[8] End of contract 30 May 2021 England Phil Parkinson[9] 1 July 2021
Barnet England Simon Bassey[10] Resigned 3 June 2021 Australia Harry Kewell[11] 10 June 2021

National League table[]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Chesterfield 7 5 2 0 14 4 +10 17 Promotion to EFL League Two
2 Dagenham & Redbridge 7 5 1 1 17 9 +8 16 Qualication for the National League play-off semi-finals
3 Grimsby Town 6 5 1 0 13 5 +8 16
4 Notts County 7 4 3 0 15 7 +8 15 Qualification for the National League play-off quarter-finals
5 Boreham Wood 7 4 2 1 10 7 +3 14
6 FC Halifax Town 7 4 1 2 14 8 +6 13
7 Wrexham 7 3 3 1 10 8 +2 12
8 Solihull Moors 6 3 2 1 13 10 +3 11
9 Yeovil Town 5 3 0 2 7 5 +2 9
10 Weymouth 7 2 2 3 11 13 −2 8
11 Stockport County 7 2 2 3 4 9 −5 8
12 Bromley 5 2 1 2 11 9 +2 7
13 Torquay United 7 2 1 4 9 16 −7 7
14 Woking 4 2 0 2 8 5 +3 6
15 Altrincham 4 2 0 2 6 6 0 6
16 Maidenhead United 6 2 0 4 8 11 −3 6
17 Wealdstone 7 1 3 3 8 11 −3 6
18 Eastleigh 6 1 2 3 8 12 −4 5
19 Southend United 7 1 2 4 6 10 −4 5
20 King's Lynn Town 5 1 1 3 6 9 −3 4
21 Aldershot Town 7 1 1 5 9 14 −5 4 Relegation to National League North/National League South
22 Barnet 7 0 2 5 7 19 −12 2
23 Dover Athletic 6 0 2 4 4 11 −7 −10[a]
Updated to match(es) played on 18 September 2021. Source: National League official site
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results[13]
Notes:
  1. ^ Dover Athletic deducted twelve points for failing to complete fixtures during the 2020–21 season.[12]


Results table[]

Home \ Away ALD ALT BRN BOR BRO CHE DAG DOV EAS HAL GRI KIN MDH NOT SOL SOU STO TOR WEA WEY WOK WRE YEO
Aldershot Town 0–2 1–2 1–2
Altrincham 3–2
Barnet 0–2 1–1 2–2 0–5
Boreham Wood 1–0 0–0
Bromley 2–0 2–3 3–0
Chesterfield 4–2 2–2 2–0
Dagenham & Redbridge 4–2 2–2 4–2
Dover Athletic 0–1 0–0
Eastleigh 4–1 3–3 0–2
FC Halifax Town 2–0 1–2 3–1 3–0
Grimsby Town 4–3 2–0 1–0 3–1
King's Lynn Town 0–2 1–2 0–1
Maidenhead United 2–0 0–2 3–4
Notts County 3–2 1–0 1–1 3–2
Solihull Moors 1–1 3–1 2–1 3–4 2–2
Southend United 2–3 2–2
Stockport County 1–3 0–0 0–3
Torquay United 1–3 1–3 1–0 0–4
Wealdstone 2–2 1–0 0–0 1–2
Weymouth 0–2 1–1 3–1 1–1
Woking 2–3
Wrexham 1–0 1–1 1–0
Yeovil Town 0–2 1–0 1–2
Updated to match(es) played on 18 September 2021. Source: National League Results Grid
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.

Top scorers[]

[14]

Rank Player Club Goals
1 Joe Sbarra Solihull Moors 6
Kabongo Tshimanga Chesterfield
Billy Waters FC Halifax Town
4 Michael Cheek Bromley 5
Joe Quigley Yeovil Town
Kyle Wootton Notts County
7 Paul McCallum Dagenham & Redbridge 4
Callum Roberts Notts County
Josh Umerah Wealdstone
Josh Walker Dagenham & Redbridge

National League North[]

National League North
Season2021–22
Dates14 August 2021 - 7 May 2022

The National League North consists of 22 teams for the final time.

Team changes[]

Following the COVID-19 pandemic-related cancellation of the four Step 3 leagues' 2020–21 seasons, no teams were promoted to or relegated from the National League North.[15]

Stadiums and locations[]

2021–22 National League is located in England
AFC Fylde
AFC Fylde
AFC Telford United
AFC Telford United
Boston United
Boston United
Bradford (Park Avenue)
Bradford (Park Avenue)
Chorley
Chorley
Curzon Ashton
Curzon Ashton
Darlington
Darlington
Gloucester City
Gloucester City
Hereford
Hereford
Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers
Leamington
Leamington
Southport
Southport
York City
York City
Locations of the National League North 2021–22 teams
Team Location Stadium Capacity
AFC Fylde Wesham Mill Farm 6,000
AFC Telford United Telford New Bucks Head 6,300
Alfreton Town Alfreton North Street 3,600
Blyth Spartans Blyth Croft Park 4,435
Boston United Boston Boston Community Stadium 5,000
Brackley Town Brackley St. James Park 3,500
Bradford (Park Avenue) Bradford Horsfall Stadium 3,500
Chester Chester Deva Stadium 6,500
Chorley Chorley Victory Park 4,100
Curzon Ashton Ashton-under-Lyne Tameside Stadium 4,000
Darlington Darlington Blackwell Meadows 3,300
Farsley Celtic Farsley The Citadel 3,900
Gateshead Gateshead Gateshead International Stadium 11,800
Gloucester City Gloucester Meadow Park 3,600
Guiseley Guiseley Nethermoor Park 4,200
Hereford Hereford Edgar Street 5,213
Kettering Town Kettering Latimer Park (groundshare with Burton Park Wanderers) 2,400
Kidderminster Harriers Kidderminster Aggborough 6,238
Leamington Leamington New Windmill Ground 2,300
Southport Southport Haig Avenue 6,008
Spennymoor Town Spennymoor The Brewery Field 6,000
York City York York Community Stadium 8,500

National League North table[]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 AFC Fylde 6 5 1 0 14 5 +9 16 Promoted to National League
2 Brackley Town 7 5 1 1 8 5 +3 16 Qualified for the National League North play-off semi-finals
3 Curzon Ashton 6 4 1 1 12 5 +7 13
4 Spennymoor Town 6 4 0 2 15 8 +7 12 Qualified for the National League North play-off quarter-finals
5 Kidderminster Harriers 6 3 2 1 11 6 +5 11
6 Gateshead 6 3 2 1 13 10 +3 11
7 Kettering Town 6 3 2 1 8 5 +3 11
8 Chorley 5 3 0 2 14 5 +9 9
9 Blyth Spartans 6 2 3 1 7 6 +1 9
10 Leamington 5 3 0 2 7 7 0 9
11 York City 5 2 0 3 9 11 −2 6
12 Boston United 5 2 0 3 5 7 −2 6
13 Farsley Celtic 6 1 3 2 7 14 −7 6
14 Alfreton Town 6 2 0 4 8 10 −2 6
15 Guiseley 6 1 2 3 6 10 −4 5
16 Chester 6 1 2 3 8 15 −7 5
17 Darlington 5 1 1 3 9 10 −1 4
18 AFC Telford United 4 1 1 2 4 5 −1 4
19 Bradford (Park Avenue) 5 1 1 3 4 7 −3 4
20 Gloucester City 6 1 1 4 8 17 −9 4
21 Southport 6 0 3 3 9 12 −3 3 Possibly relegated to Northern Premier League/Southern Football League[a]
22 Hereford 5 0 2 3 2 8 −6 2 Relegated to Northern Premier League/Southern Football League
Updated to match(es) played on 14 September 2021. Source: National League official site
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results[13]
Notes:
  1. ^ If no or one northern club is relegated from the National League, the 21st-placed National League North team can be reprieved from relegation. But if two or all three clubs relegated from the National League are northern, the two bottom National League North teams will be relegated.

Results table[]

Home \ Away FYL TEL ALF BLY BOS BRA BRD CHE CHO CUR DAR FAR GAT GLO GUI HER KET KID LEA SOU SPE YOR
AFC Fylde 1–0 2–1
AFC Telford United 3–0 0–0
Alfreton Town 3–1 0–1 0–1
Blyth Spartans 2–0 2–0 0–0 2–2
Boston United 2–1 1–2
Brackley Town 1–3 2–1 1–0
Bradford (Park Avenue) 0–2 1–2 1–1
Chester 3–2 0–3 1–1
Chorley 0–1 4–1 9–0
Curzon Ashton 2–1 1–1
Darlington 2–3 1–2
Farsley Celtic 1–1 2–2
Gateshead 2–1 3–1
Gloucester City 1–2 0–2 4–0
Guiseley 2–4 2–1 0–2 0–0
Hereford 1–4 0–1 0–2
Kettering Town 1–1 1–0 1–1
Kidderminster Harriers 3–0 3–1 2–3
Leamington 2–0 0–3 2–1 2–1
Southport 3–3 2–2 1–1
Spennymoor Town 6–0 3–2 1–3
York City 1–2 4–2 1–2
Updated to match(es) played on 14 September 2021. Source: National League North results grid
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Top scorers[]

[16]

Rank Player Club Goals
1 Nick Haughton AFC Fylde 6
Macaulay Langstaff Gateshead
Glen Taylor Spennymoor Town
Adam Thomas Curzon Ashton
5 Callum Powell Kettering Town 5
6 Marcus Carver Southport 4
Ashley Hemmings Kidderminster Harriers
Rob Ramshaw Spennymoor Town
Cedwyn Scott Gateshead

National League South[]

National League South
Season2020–21
Dates14 August 2021 - 7 May 2022

The National League South has consisted of 21 teams since the 2019–20 season and will do so for the final time.

Team changes[]

Following the COVID-19 pandemic-related cancellation of the four Step 3 leagues' 2020–21 seasons, no teams were promoted to or relegated from the National League South.[15]

Stadia and locations[]

Locations of the National League South 2021–22 teams (Greater London shown in more detail below)
Locations of the National League South 2021–22 teams (Greater London clubs)
Team Location Stadium Capacity
Bath City Bath (Twerton) Twerton Park 8,840
Billericay Town Billericay New Lodge 3,500
Braintree Town Braintree Cressing Road 4,085
Chelmsford City Chelmsford Melbourne Stadium 3,019
Chippenham Town Chippenham Hardenhuish Park 3,000
Concord Rangers Canvey Island Thames Road 3,300
Dartford Dartford Princes Park 4,100
Dorking Wanderers Dorking Meadowbank Stadium 3,000
Dulwich Hamlet London (East Dulwich) Champion Hill 3,000
Eastbourne Borough Eastbourne Priory Lane 4,151
Ebbsfleet United Northfleet Stonebridge Road 4,800
Hampton & Richmond London (Hampton) Beveree Stadium 3,500
Havant & Waterlooville Havant West Leigh Park 5,300
Hemel Hempstead Town Hemel Hempstead Vauxhall Road 3,152
Hungerford Town Hungerford Bulpit Lane 2,500
Maidstone United Maidstone Gallagher Stadium 4,200
Oxford City Oxford (Marston) Court Place Farm 2,000
Slough Town Slough Arbour Park 2,000
St Albans City St Albans Clarence Park 4,500
Tonbridge Angels Tonbridge Longmead Stadium 3,000
Welling United London (Welling) Park View Road 4,000

National League South table[]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Dartford 6 5 1 0 15 4 +11 16 Promoted to National League
2 Maidstone United 6 4 2 0 13 7 +6 14 Qualified for the National League South play-off semi-finals
3 Concord Rangers 6 3 2 1 10 8 +2 11
4 Oxford City 6 2 3 1 14 11 +3 9 Qualified for the National League South play-off quarter-finals
5 Havant and Waterlooville 5 3 0 2 8 5 +3 9
6 Bath City 6 3 0 3 9 11 −2 9
7 Dulwich Hamlet 5 2 2 1 12 6 +6 8
8 Hampton & Richmond Borough 6 2 2 2 12 6 +6 8
9 Chippenham Town 5 2 2 1 6 5 +1 8
10 Dorking Wanderers 6 2 2 2 10 10 0 8
11 Chelmsford City 6 2 2 2 8 8 0 8
12 St Albans City 5 2 1 2 12 9 +3 7
13 Ebbsfleet United 5 2 1 2 9 7 +2 7
14 Braintree Town 5 1 3 1 9 7 +2 6
15 Hungerford Town 4 2 0 2 8 8 0 6
16 Eastbourne Borough 6 1 3 2 12 16 −4 6
17 Tonbridge Angels 5 1 2 2 6 9 −3 5
18 Slough Town 5 1 1 3 5 9 −4 4
19 Welling United 5 1 1 3 5 15 −10 4
20 Billericay Town 5 0 1 4 5 13 −8 1
21 Hemel Hempstead Town 6 0 1 5 5 19 −14 1 Possibly relegated to Southern Football League/Isthmian League[a]
Updated to match(es) played on 12 September 2021. Source: National League official site
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results[13]
Notes:
  1. ^ If no or one southern club is relegated from the National League, the last-placed National League South team can be reprieved from relegation. But if two or all three clubs relegated from the National League are southern, the bottom National League South team will be relegated.

Results table[]

Home \ Away BAT BIL BRA CHE CHI CON DAR DOR DUL EAB EBB HAM H&W HEM HUN MAI OXF SLO STA TON WEL
Bath City 3–0 1–2 1–3
Billericay Town 2–2 2–5
Braintree Town 1–3 2–2 1–1
Chelmsford City 2–2 0–0 1–2
Chippenham Town 2–3 1–0
Concord Rangers 1–0 2–1 1–0
Dartford 3–1 3–0 1–1
Dorking Wanderers 2–1 1–2 3–2
Dulwich Hamlet 1–1 0–2 3–1
Eastbourne Borough 2–2 0–5 2–2
Ebbsfleet United 1–2 3–1 5–1
Hampton & Richmond Borough 3–0 1–2 1–1
Havant & Waterlooville 1–2 3–0
Hemel Hempstead Town 0–3 0–6 2–2
Hungerford Town 1–3
Maidstone United 1–0 2–2 4–2
Oxford City 5–1 3–3 1–3
Slough Town 1–0 0–1 2–3
St Albans City 1–1 1–3 5–0
Tonbridge Angels 0–1 1–1
Welling United 2–1 1–4 2–2
Updated to match(es) played on 12 September 2021. Source: National League official site
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Top scorers[]

[16]

Rank Player Club Goals
1 Shaun Jeffers St. Albans City 8
2 Cody Cooke Bath City 5
3 Adebayo Azeez Dartford 4
Luke Holness Braintree Town
Dominic Poleon Ebbsfleet United

References[]

  1. ^ Osborn, Oliver (18 February 2021). "National League Statement | Outcome Of Written Resolutions". Vanarama National League. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  2. ^ Jones, Laurence; Edkins, Matt; Frost, Mark (17 April 2019). "EXCLUSIVE: FA outline second phase of Non-League restructuring" (Interview). Interviewed by The Non-League Paper. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  3. ^ Osborn, Oliver (1 July 2021). "National League Statement | OAGM Round-Up". Vanarama National League. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  4. ^ "EV2 Sportswear Barnet FC Announcement Tweet". Twitter.
  5. ^ "Online Shop for FC Halifax Official Merchandise". FC Halifax Town Online Store.
  6. ^ "Chairman's notes vs Eastleigh". Solihull Moors FC. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  7. ^ "Neal Ardley appointed as new Moors boss". Solihull Moors FC. 14 June 2021.
  8. ^ "Dean Keates: Manager leaves Wrexham after failing to make National League play-offs". BBC Sport. 30 May 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  9. ^ "Phil Parkinson takes charge at Wrexham AFC". Wrexham AFC. 1 July 2021.
  10. ^ "Club Statement: Simon Bassey departs for new role". Barnet Football Club. 3 June 2021.
  11. ^ "Harry Kewell: Barnet appoint former Liverpool and Leeds forward as head coach". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  12. ^ "Dover Athletic: National League club hit with fine, points deduction and results expunged". BBC Sport. 26 March 2021.
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b c "The FA Handbook 2020/2021 Part 29 Standardised Rules Section 12.2". The FA. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  14. ^ "National League Top Scorers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  15. ^ Jump up to: a b "FA Update On Steps 3-6". 24 February 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  16. ^ Jump up to: a b "National League South Top Scorers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
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