The Northern Counties East League is an English association football league that was founded in 1982 by the merger of the former Yorkshire League and Midland Counties League. Its two divisions are on the ninth and tenth levels of the football pyramid. Another division consisting entirely of reserve teams is not part of the pyramid.

The NCEL has in recent years included three of the oldest teams in England, with Sheffield F.C. (founded 1857) generally regarded as oldest in the world. Hallam F.C. have played at the world's oldest football ground, Sandygate, since their establishment in 1860. Finally, former league champions and two-time FA Vase winners Brigg Town F.C. date to 1864 (they are being promoted for the 2004/2005 season).

Should they meet the relevant ground standards, league champions are promoted to the Northern Premier League's lower division. In the event of a winner not meeting the ground requirements, the runner-up may be granted promotion. Within the league, the bottom two Premier Division and top two First Division clubs exchange places each season.

The League's First Division received a great deal of press attention during the early part of the 2004/05 season when Garforth Town F.C. signed the legendary Brazilian striker Sócrates on a month-long contract, and singed Lee Sharpe on a permanent basis.

There are 20 teams in the higher Premier Division and 16 in the First Division.

The Central Midlands League,West Riding League,and West Yorkshire League currently rank below the NCE League in the Pyramid.

External link

• official site of the league (http://www.ncel.org.uk/)