2020–21 National League
The 2020–21 National League season, known as the Vanarama National League for sponsorship reasons, is the sixth season under English football's new title of the National League, the eighteenth season consisting of three divisions, and the forty-second season overall.
Season | 2020–21 |
---|---|
← 2019–20 2021–22 → |
The season follows the curtailed 2019–20 season, in which the league phase was uncompleted due to the COVID-19 pandemic[1] and the play-offs only completed by 2 August 2020.[2] Reflecting the late end to the previous season and aiming at maximising the likelihood of fans being present in stadiums when the season starts, the 2020–21 National League began on 3 October 2020.[3] Presuming a season can be played, the planned increase of the North and South divisions to 24 teams will take place for 2021–22, meaning only two from the North and one from the South will be relegated to the premier divisions of the Northern Premier League, Southern League Central or South, or Isthmian League.[4]
National League
Season | 2020–21 |
---|---|
← 2019–20 2021–22 → |
On 16 September 2020, Macclesfield Town folded as a result of debts, and were expelled from the National League on 29 September 2020.[5] As the club folded before the season started, no records were expunged.[6]
Due to Macclesfield's demise, only 23 clubs will take part in the 2020–21 season and a maximum of three clubs will be relegated instead of the usual four.
Team changes
To National LeaguePromoted from 2019–20 National League North Promoted from 2019–20 National League South Relegated from 2019–20 League Two
|
From National LeaguePromoted to 2020–21 League Two Relegated to 2020–21 National League North Relegated to 2020–21 National League South
|
Stadia and locations
Personnel and sponsoring
Managerial changes
Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Barnet | Darren Currie | Resigned | 12 August 2020 | Pre-season | Peter Beadle | 22 August 2020 |
Weymouth | Mark Molesley | Signed by Southend United | 13 August 2020 | Brian Stock | 4 September 2020 | |
Chesterfield | John Pemberton | Sacked | 18 November 2020 | 21st | James Rowe | 26 November 2020 |
Barnet | Peter Beadle | 13 December 2020 | 20th | Tim Flowers | 14 December 2020 | |
Stockport County | Jim Gannon | 21 January 2021 | 4th | Simon Rusk | 27 January 2021 | |
Wealdstone | Dean Brennan | Resigned | 2 February 2021 | 18th |
National League table
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Torquay United | 21 | 13 | 4 | 4 | 41 | 19 | +22 | 43 | Promoted to League Two |
2 | Sutton United | 18 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 30 | 17 | +13 | 34 | Qualified for the National League play-off semi-finals |
3 | Stockport County | 19 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 30 | 20 | +10 | 34 | |
4 | Hartlepool United | 19 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 27 | 20 | +7 | 33 | Qualified for the National League play-off quarter-finals |
5 | Altrincham | 21 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 26 | 23 | +3 | 33 | |
6 | Notts County | 17 | 9 | 3 | 5 | 22 | 13 | +9 | 30 | |
7 | Boreham Wood | 19 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 21 | 14 | +7 | 30 | |
8 | Maidenhead United | 18 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 28 | 26 | +2 | 30 | |
9 | Wrexham | 20 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 26 | 22 | +4 | 29 | |
10 | Eastleigh | 19 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 28 | 22 | +6 | 28 | |
11 | FC Halifax Town | 20 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 32 | 25 | +7 | 27 | |
12 | Aldershot Town | 20 | 8 | 3 | 9 | 28 | 30 | −2 | 27 | |
13 | Bromley | 18 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 29 | 23 | +6 | 26 | |
14 | Solihull Moors | 16 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 21 | 16 | +5 | 26 | |
15 | Chesterfield | 18 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 30 | 23 | +7 | 24 | |
16 | Woking | 19 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 23 | 24 | −1 | 23 | |
17 | Dagenham & Redbridge | 19 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 18 | 25 | −7 | 23 | |
18 | Wealdstone | 18 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 26 | 39 | −13 | 21 | |
19 | Yeovil Town | 18 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 25 | 30 | −5 | 20 | |
20 | Weymouth | 21 | 5 | 3 | 13 | 22 | 34 | −12 | 18 | |
21 | King's Lynn Town | 17 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 21 | 36 | −15 | 18 | Relegated to National League North/National League South |
22 | Dover Athletic | 15 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 12 | 35 | −23 | 10 | |
23 | Barnet | 18 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 14 | 44 | −30 | 9 | |
24 | Macclesfield Town | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0[lower-alpha 1] | Club folded |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results [8]
Notes:
- Macclesfield deducted 17 points for entering into an insolvency event the previous season, before being expelled from the league on 29 September 2020. At the time of their expulsion before the 2020-21 National League Season, they had played no matches.
Results table
Top scorers
- As of matches played 6 February 2021[9]
Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Michael Cheek | Bromley | 11 |
2 | Sam Barratt | Maidenhead United | 9 |
Tom Denton | Chesterfield | ||
Alex Reid | Stockport County | ||
John Rooney | Stockport County | ||
6 | Kabongo Tshimanga | Boreham Wood | 8 |
Kyle Wootton | Notts County | ||
Danny Wright | Torquay United | ||
9 | Akwasi Asante | Chesterfield | 7 |
Josh Hancock | Altrincham | ||
Danilo Orsi-Dadomo | Maidenhead United | ||
Joe Quigley | Yeovil Town | ||
Monthly awards
Each month the Motorama National League announces their official Player of the Month and Manager of the Month.
Month | Player of the Month | Club | Manager of the Month | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|
October 2020 | Ben House[10] | Eastleigh | Gary Johnson[10] | Torquay United |
November 2020 | Luke Young[11] | Wrexham | Dean Keates[11] | Wrexham |
December 2020 | Luke Summerfield[12] | FC Halifax Town | Luke Garrard[12] | Boreham Wood |
January 2021 | Albi Skendi[13] | Yeovil Town | Neal Ardley[13] | Notts County |
National League North
Season | 2020–21 |
---|---|
← 2019–20 2021–22 → |
The National League North in 2020-21 will consist of 22 teams. Due to the anticipated expansion to 24 teams for 2021–22, only two teams instead of the usual four were expected to be relegated. However, the knock-on effect of the demise of Macclesfield Town may cause the number of relegated teams to be reduced even further.
Team changes
Following the COVID-19 pandemic-related cancellation of the four step 3 leagues' 2019–20 seasons, no teams were promoted to or relegated from the National League North.[14]
To National League NorthRelegated from 2019–20 National League
|
From National League NorthPromoted to 2020–21 National League
|
Stadia and locations
Managerial changes
Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gloucester City | James Rowe | Signed by Chesterfield | 24 November 2020 | 1st | Paul Groves | 8 December 2020 |
Spennymoor Town | Jason Ainsley | Mutual Consent | 10 December 2020 | 9th |
National League North table
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Gloucester City | 17 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 35 | 21 | +14 | 34 | Promoted to the National League |
2 | Chester | 17 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 32 | 24 | +8 | 28 | Qualified for the National League North play-off semi-finals |
3 | AFC Fylde | 14 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 23 | 15 | +8 | 27 | |
4 | Brackley Town | 15 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 22 | 17 | +5 | 27 | Qualified for the National League North play-off quarter-finals |
5 | Kidderminster Harriers | 15 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 24 | 17 | +7 | 25 | |
6 | Boston United | 13 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 20 | 10 | +10 | 23 | |
7 | York City | 12 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 21 | 14 | +7 | 22 | |
8 | Leamington | 15 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 22 | 20 | +2 | 22 | |
9 | Chorley | 17 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 20 | 23 | −3 | 22 | |
10 | Gateshead | 14 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 17 | 15 | +2 | 21 | |
11 | Farsley Celtic | 17 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 21 | 26 | −5 | 21 | |
12 | Spennymoor Town | 13 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 18 | 14 | +4 | 20 | |
13 | AFC Telford United | 17 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 17 | 23 | −6 | 19 | |
14 | Bradford (Park Avenue) | 16 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 26 | 30 | −4 | 18 | |
15 | Hereford | 12 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 18 | 16 | +2 | 17 | |
16 | Curzon Ashton | 17 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 18 | 26 | −8 | 17 | |
17 | Southport | 14 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 16 | 19 | −3 | 16 | |
18 | Kettering Town | 14 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 21 | 23 | −2 | 15 | |
19 | Darlington | 11 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 17 | 11 | +6 | 13 | |
20 | Guiseley | 15 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 17 | 22 | −5 | 12 | |
21 | Alfreton Town | 15 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 15 | 27 | −12 | 12 | Possibly relegated to Northern Premier League/Southern League[15] |
22 | Blyth Spartans | 14 | 1 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 36 | −26 | 6 | Relegated to Northern Premier League/Southern League |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results [8]
Results
Top scorers
- As of matches played 6 February 2021[16]
Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Matt McClure | Gloucester City | 12 |
2 | Lenell John-Lewis | Hereford | 9 |
Lewis Knight | Bradford (Park Avenue) | ||
Sam Osborne | Leamington / AFC Fylde | ||
5 | Akwasi Asante | Gloucester City | 8 |
Glen Taylor | Spennymoor Town | ||
7 | Danny Elliott | Chester | 7 |
Dominic Knowles | Curzon Ashton | ||
9 | Shane Byrne | Brackley Town | 6 |
Ashley Hemmings | Kidderminster Harriers | ||
Connor Kennedy | Kettering Town | ||
Sean Newton | York City | ||
Callum Powell | Kettering Town | ||
Jimmy Spencer | Farsley Celtic | ||
Ben Tollitt | AFC Fylde |
Monthly awards
Each month the Motorama National League announces their official Player of the Month and Manager of the Month.
Month | Player of the Month | Club | Manager of the Month | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|
October 2020 | Matt McClure[17] | Gloucester City | Jim Bentley[17] | AFC Fylde |
November 2020 | Sam Osborne[18] | Leamington | Jamie Vermiglio[18] | Chorley |
December 2020 | Ross Fitzsimons[19] | Boston United | Kevin Wilkin[19] | Brackley Town |
January 2021 | George Glendon[20] | Chester | Paul Holleran[20] | Leamington |
National League South
Season | 2020–21 |
---|---|
← 2019–20 2021–22 → |
The National League South has consisted of 21 teams. Following Bury's expulsion from the English Football League in 2019, and the completion of the 2019–20 National League with two northern and one southern teams in the relegation zone, the division is left one team short. With the anticipated expansion to 24 teams for 2021–22, only one team is expected to be relegated.
Team changes
Following the COVID-19 pandemic-related cancellation of the four step 3 leagues' 2019–20 seasons, no teams were promoted to or relegated from the National League South.[14]
To National League SouthRelegated from 2019–20 National League
|
From National League SouthPromoted to 2020–21 National League
|
Stadia and locations
Dartford
Dulwich Hamlet
Ebbsfleet United
Hampton & Richmond Borough
Welling United
Managerial changes
Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Braintree Town | George Borg | Resigned | 16 November 2020 | 21st | Ryan Maxwell | 18 November 2020 |
Billericay Town | Jamie O'Hara | Sacked | 3 December 2020 | 15th | Kevin Watson | 7 January 2021 |
Welling United | Bradley Quinton | 13 January 2021 | 21st | Steve Lovell | 14 January 2021 |
National League South table
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Dartford | 18 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 26 | 16 | +10 | 34 | Promoted to the National League |
2 | Dorking Wanderers | 16 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 34 | 17 | +17 | 33 | Qualified for the National League South play-off semi-finals |
3 | St Albans City | 14 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 21 | 9 | +12 | 31 | |
4 | Hampton & Richmond Borough | 16 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 23 | 14 | +9 | 29 | Qualified for the National League South play-off quarter-finals |
5 | Hungerford Town | 18 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 27 | 24 | +3 | 29 | |
6 | Oxford City | 15 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 26 | 16 | +10 | 26 | |
7 | Eastbourne Borough | 16 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 30 | 23 | +7 | 26 | |
8 | Ebbsfleet United | 15 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 19 | 18 | +1 | 22 | |
9 | Havant & Waterlooville | 12 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 24 | 17 | +7 | 20 | |
10 | Maidstone United | 13 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 24 | 18 | +6 | 19 | |
11 | Chelmsford City | 14 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 16 | |
12 | Dulwich Hamlet | 13 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 15 | 17 | −2 | 16 | |
13 | Billericay Town | 16 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 24 | 31 | −7 | 16 | |
14 | Tonbridge Angels | 14 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 16 | 23 | −7 | 16 | |
15 | Chippenham Town | 14 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 13 | 22 | −9 | 16 | |
16 | Hemel Hempstead Town | 16 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 25 | 37 | −12 | 16 | |
17 | Bath City | 13 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 16 | 23 | −7 | 13 | |
18 | Concord Rangers | 13 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 15 | 23 | −8 | 13 | |
19 | Braintree Town | 16 | 4 | 1 | 11 | 19 | 34 | −15 | 13 | |
20 | Slough Town | 12 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 16 | 24 | −8 | 12 | |
21 | Welling United | 12 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 14 | 22 | −8 | 9 | Relegated to Southern League/Isthmian League |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results [8]
Results table
Top scorers
- As of matches played 6 February 2021[21]
Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Jason Prior | Dorking Wanderers | 14 |
Ryan Seager | Hungerford Town | ||
2 | Jake Robinson | Billericay Town | 12 |
4 | Shaun Jeffers | St Albans City | 9 |
Charlie Sheringham | Chelmsford City / Dartford | ||
6 | James Roberts | Oxford City | 8 |
Chris Whelpdale | Eastbourne Borough | ||
Tommy Wright | Havant & Waterlooville | ||
9 | Rakish Bingham | Ebbsfleet United | 7 |
Alex Wall | Concord Rangers |
Monthly awards
Each month the Motorama National League announces their official Player of the Month and Manager of the Month.
Month | Player of the Month | Club | Manager of the Month | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|
October 2020 | Mike Jones[22] | Hungerford Town | Steve King[22] | Dartford |
November 2020 | Jason Prior[23] | Dorking Wanderers | Ian Allinson[23] | St Albans City |
December 2020 | Tommy Wright[24] | Havant & Waterlooville | David Oldfield[24] | Oxford City |
January 2021 | Ben Dudzinski[25] | Oxford City | Robbie Simpson[25] | Chelmsford City |
References
- "Update on non-League, women's & grassroots football seasons". The Football Association. 26 March 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- "National League: Play-off schedule confirmed for three divisions". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
- "EFL rejects Macclesfield request to stop their relegation to National League". Sky Sports. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
- Jones, Laurence; Edkins, Matt; Frost, Mark (17 April 2019). "EXCLUSIVE: FA outline second phase of Non-League restructuring". The Non-League Paper (Interview). Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54341314
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54177582
- "Online Shop for FC Halifax Official Merchandise". www.fchtshop.com. FC Halifax Town.
- "The FA Handbook 2020/2021 Part 29 Standardised Rules Section 12.2". The Football Association. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- "National League Top Scorers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
- "October's National League Monthly Award Winners Confirmed!". www.thenationalleague.org.uk. 9 November 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
- "National League's November Monthly Award Winners Revealed!". www.thenationalleague.org.uk. 7 December 2020.
- "National League's December Monthly Award Winners Revealed!". www.thenationalleague.org.uk. 11 January 2021.
- "National League's January Monthly Award Winners Revealed!". www.thenationalleague.org.uk. 8 February 2021.
- "Barrow promoted back to English Football League after National League vote". BBC Sport. 17 June 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- Because of the knock-on effects from Macclesfield Town's bankruptcy, one team may be reprieved for numerical reasons.
- "National League Top Scorers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
- "National League North's October Monthly Award Winners Revealed!". www.thenationalleague.org. 9 November 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
- "Trio celebrate November's National League North Accolades". www.thenationalleague.org.uk. 7 December 2020.
- "Trio Celebrate December's National League North Accolades". www.thenationalleague.org.uk. 11 January 2021.
- "The National League North's Awesome Foursome Grab Gongs". www.thenationalleague.org.uk. 8 February 2021.
- "National League South Top Scorers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
- "Trio Celebrate October's National League South Accolades". www.thenationalleague.org. 9 November 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
- "November's National League South Monthly Award Winners Confirmed!". www.thenationalleague.org. 7 December 2020.
- "December's National League South Monthly Award Winners Confirmed!". www.thenationalleague.org.uk. 11 January 2021.
- "Trio Celebrate January's National League South Accolades". www.thenationalleague.org.uk. 8 February 2021.