RETFORD FC MOVE TO NCEL PREMIER DIVISION
The Football Association have announced the allocations for the 2026/27 season and in a shock move, Retford FC have been placed on the Northern Counties East League (NCEL) Premier Division (Step 5).
It was widely expected that the club would naturally progress to the United Counties League (UCL) Premier Division (North) after winning the Division One Championship, but the proposed constitutions released today have both Retford clubs moving back over to the NCEL.
Chris Woodhead said, “To be honest, we were preparing for life in the UCL next season. There had been rumours of being moved but this happens most seasons so you have to wait until the official announcement.”
“A move over to the NCEL changes the way we prepare as we have another pool of players we can look at as travel and other commitments make it difficult for some to travel to games in the UCL (and vice versa in the NCEL) but also we have our pre season schedule organised and teams in the NCEL Premier were going to be our opposition so some late changes to that will have to be made.”
After two successful campaigns in the UCL – as Play Off Finalists in 2024/25 and Champions last season, the club would like to place on record that the UCL and their member clubs have made them feel welcome and wish them all the best for the new season as yet another new challenge awaits in the NCEL Premier Division for 2026/27.
The full list of clubs allocated to the NCEL Premier Division are:
- Albion Sports
- Barton Town
- Bottesford Town
- Campion
- Dearne & District
- Frickley Athletic
- Golcar United
- Handsworth
- Horbury Town
- Keighley Town
- Knaresborough Town
- Parkgate
- Penistone Church
- Pickering Town
- Retford FC
- Retford United
- Rossington Main
- Tadcaster Albion
- Thackley
- Worsbrough Bridge
Full confirmation will be made at the League AGM in June 2026.