1977–78_Northern_Premier_League
1977–78 Northern Premier League
Football league season
The 1977–78 Northern Premier League was the tenth season of the Northern Premier League, a regional football league in Northern England, the northern areas of the Midlands and North Wales. The season began on 21 August 1976 and concluded on 7 May 1978.[1]
Quick Facts Season, Champions ...
| Season | 1977–78 |
|---|---|
| Champions | Boston United |
| Promoted | Wigan Athletic |
| Relegated | Great Harwood |
| Matches played | 552 |
| Goals scored | 1,648 (2.99 per match) |
| Biggest home win | Gateshead 8–0 South Liverpool[1] (14 February 1978) |
| Biggest away win | South Liverpool 0–5 Northwich Victoria[1] (10 September 1977) Lancaster City 1–6 Wigan Athletic[1] (22 October 1977) |
| Highest scoring | Boston United 7–3 Frickley Athletic[1] (25 February 1978) |
| Longest winning run | 10 matches Bangor City (11 March 1978 – 18 April 1978) |
| Longest unbeaten run | 26 matches Wigan Athletic (11 October 1977 – 5 April 1978) |
| Longest winless run | 12 matches Barrow (27 August 1977 – 22 October 1977) Lancaster City (26 November 1977 – 11 March 1978) |
| Longest losing run | 6 matches Workington (12 October 1977 – 19 November 1977) Buxton (1 April 1978 – 24 April 1978) |
← 1976–77 1978–79 → | |
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The League featured twenty-four teams.
Team changes
The following club left the League at the end of the previous season:
- Gateshead United was Folded. A new club formed Gateshead replaced.
The following club joined the League at the start of the season:
- Workington relegated from Football League Fourth Division
- Gateshead (new club formed) replaced to the Gateshead United (Club Folded).
League table
More information Pos, Team ...
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston United (C) | 46 | 31 | 9 | 6 | 85 | 35 | +50 | 71 | |
| 2 | Wigan Athletic (P) | 46 | 25 | 15 | 6 | 83 | 45 | +38 | 65 | Promoted to Football League Fourth Division |
| 3 | Bangor City | 46 | 26 | 10 | 10 | 92 | 50 | +42 | 62 | |
| 4 | Scarborough | 46 | 26 | 10 | 10 | 80 | 39 | +41 | 62 | |
| 5 | Altrincham | 46 | 22 | 15 | 9 | 84 | 49 | +35 | 59 | |
| 6 | Northwich Victoria | 46 | 22 | 14 | 10 | 83 | 55 | +28 | 58 | |
| 7 | Stafford Rangers | 46 | 22 | 13 | 11 | 71 | 41 | +30 | 57 | |
| 8 | Runcorn | 46 | 19 | 18 | 9 | 70 | 44 | +26 | 56 | |
| 9 | Mossley | 46 | 22 | 11 | 13 | 85 | 73 | +12 | 55 | |
| 10 | Matlock Town | 46 | 21 | 12 | 13 | 79 | 60 | +19 | 54 | |
| 11 | Lancaster City | 46 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 66 | 82 | −16 | 44 | |
| 12 | Frickley Athletic | 46 | 15 | 12 | 19 | 77 | 81 | −4 | 42 | |
| 13 | Barrow | 46 | 14 | 12 | 20 | 58 | 61 | −3 | 40 | |
| 14 | Goole Town | 46 | 15 | 9 | 22 | 60 | 68 | −8 | 39 | |
| 15 | Great Harwood | 46 | 13 | 13 | 20 | 66 | 83 | −17 | 39 | Club Folded. |
| 16 | Gainsborough Trinity | 46 | 14 | 10 | 22 | 61 | 74 | −13 | 38 | |
| 17 | Gateshead | 46 | 16 | 5 | 25 | 65 | 74 | −9 | 37 | |
| 18 | Netherfield | 46 | 11 | 13 | 22 | 50 | 80 | −30 | 35 | |
| 19 | Workington | 46 | 13 | 8 | 25 | 48 | 80 | −32 | 34 | |
| 20 | Worksop Town | 46 | 12 | 10 | 24 | 45 | 84 | −39 | 34 | |
| 21 | Morecambe | 46 | 11 | 11 | 24 | 67 | 92 | −25 | 33 | |
| 22 | Macclesfield Town | 46 | 12 | 9 | 25 | 60 | 92 | −32 | 33 | |
| 23 | Buxton | 46 | 13 | 6 | 27 | 60 | 95 | −35 | 32 | |
| 24 | South Liverpool | 46 | 9 | 7 | 30 | 53 | 111 | −58 | 25 |
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Updated to match(es) played on 7 May 1978. Source: The Football Archives
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. The points system up until the 1982–83 season: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for losing.
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. The points system up until the 1982–83 season: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for losing.
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted
Results
More information Home \ Away, ALT ...
| Home \ Away | ALT | BAN | BRW | BOS | BUX | FRK | GAI | GAT | GOO | GHA | LNC | MAC | MAT | MOR | MOS | NET | NOR | RUN | SCA | SLI | STA | WIG | WRK | WOK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altrincham | 3–3 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 0–0 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 5–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 3–2 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 0–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–0 | 5–1 | 4–0 | |
| Bangor City | 2–2 | 1–0 | 0–1 | 1–0 | 5–2 | 4–1 | 4–2 | 2–1 | 5–1 | 1–0 | 6–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 4–0 | 1–0 | 2–1 | 1–2 | 6–0 | 1–0 | 0–0 | 3–1 | 3–0 | |
| Barrow | 1–2 | 0–2 | 0–1 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 2–1 | 1–0 | 1–0 | 7–0 | 1–0 | 3–0 | 0–1 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 0–0 | 4–2 | 0–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 0–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–0 | |
| Boston United | 1–0 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 7–3 | 1–0 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 4–2 | 1–3 | 1–0 | 2–1 | 5–2 | 0–1 | 2–0 | 0–1 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 6–0 | 4–0 | |
| Buxton | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–1 | 0–3 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 5–1 | 4–3 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 1–0 | 3–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–3 | 3–1 | 0–3 | 2–2 | 0–1 | 7–0 | |
| Frickley Athletic | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–0 | 0–3 | 4–3 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 7–1 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 0–3 | 0–0 | 0–1 | 4–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 1–2 | 0–0 | |
| Gainsborough Trinity | 0–2 | 0–0 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 0–1 | 2–2 | 3–2 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 1–0 | 1–2 | 0–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 0–1 | 4–2 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 3–2 | |
| Gateshead United | 5–1 | 1–2 | 3–0 | 0–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–1 | 2–4 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 3–2 | 1–3 | 1–0 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 8–0 | 0–3 | 0–3 | 2–3 | 1–1 | |
| Goole Town | 0–1 | 1–0 | 0–0 | 1–1 | 6–0 | 3–4 | 0–1 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 3–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 3–0 | 0–2 | |
| Great Harwood | 0–2 | 7–2 | 1–1 | 0–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–0 | 1–3 | 5–2 | 1–2 | 4–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 0–0 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 3–1 | 3–0 | |
| Lancaster City | 2–1 | 1–1 | 4–3 | 2–2 | 0–1 | 1–4 | 1–0 | 2–1 | 0–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–0 | 1–3 | 3–3 | 1–0 | 3–2 | 1–2 | 0–0 | 2–0 | 0–0 | 1–6 | 1–0 | 2–0 | |
| Macclesfield Town | 3–3 | 0–2 | 5–0 | 0–1 | 3–0 | 0–3 | 1–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 0–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 0–1 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–0 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 2–1 | |
| Matlock Town | 3–4 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 1–0 | 3–0 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 0–0 | 5–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–0 | 4–0 | 2–1 | 0–1 | 3–1 | 2–1 | |
| Morecambe | 0–1 | 0–1 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 1–0 | 5–1 | 2–1 | 4–2 | 2–2 | 0–1 | 1–5 | 4–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 3–5 | 0–3 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 3–3 | 2–2 | |
| Mossley | 1–1 | 1–0 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 3–2 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 0–1 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 5–4 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–0 | 2–1 | 0–1 | 1–3 | 5–0 | 2–1 | |
| Netherfield | 2–1 | 3–2 | 1–2 | 0–1 | 1–2 | 2–4 | 2–0 | 1–0 | 0–1 | 2–1 | 2–5 | 4–1 | 0–1 | 1–2 | 3–2 | 0–0 | 0–3 | 0–3 | 2–2 | 0–0 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–0 | |
| Northwich Victoria | 1–0 | 1–1 | 1–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 5–4 | 4–0 | 2–1 | 0–0 | 5–2 | 3–0 | 2–5 | 3–0 | 1–0 | 1–1 | 0–0 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 5–2 | |
| Runcorn | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–0 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 0–3 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 0–0 | 6–0 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 0–0 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 1–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–0 | 2–0 | |
| Scarborough | 0–1 | 0–2 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 0–1 | 2–1 | 0–0 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 0–0 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 1–0 | 6–0 | 5–3 | 1–0 | 2–1 | 6–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 4–0 | |
| South Liverpool | 0–1 | 0–4 | 2–4 | 1–2 | 4–3 | 3–2 | 2–3 | 0–1 | 0–2 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 3–2 | 3–3 | 2–1 | 1–2 | 0–1 | 0–5 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 0–1 | 1–0 | |
| Stafford Rangers | 0–1 | 4–1 | 1–0 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 3–1 | 5–0 | 0–1 | 1–0 | 2–0 | 3–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–0 | 0–0 | 2–0 | 0–0 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 2–3 | 2–2 | 1–0 | 3–0 | |
| Wigan Athletic | 1–0 | 2–1 | 4–1 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 1–0 | 2–1 | 1–0 | 2–0 | 0–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 0–0 | 1–1 | 0–0 | 2–4 | 2–0 | 1–0 | 4–1 | 3–0 | |
| Workington | 2–1 | 0–1 | 2–0 | 0–1 | 0–2 | 0–1 | 4–1 | 0–1 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 0–0 | 2–1 | 0–3 | 4–1 | 1–2 | 4–0 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–3 | 1–4 | 0–0 | |
| Worksop Town | 1–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–1 | 0–1 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 0–1 | 3–5 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–0 | 1–1 | 1–0 | 2–1 | 1–2 | 3–2 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 0–0 |
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Updated to match(es) played on 7 May 1978. Source: The Football Archives
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
Stadia and locations
Locations of the 1977–78 Northern Premier League teams
More information Team, Stadium ...
| Team | Stadium |
|---|---|
| Altrincham | Moss Lane |
| Bangor City | Farrar Road |
| Barrow | Holker Street |
| Boston United | York Street |
| Buxton | The Silverlands |
| Frickley Athletic | Westfield Lane |
| Gainsborough Trinity | The Northolme |
| Gateshead United | Gateshead Youth Stadium |
| Goole Town | Victoria Pleasure Ground |
| Great Harwood | The Showground |
| Lancaster City | Giant Axe |
| Macclesfield Town | Moss Rose |
| Matlock Town | Causeway Lane |
| Morecambe | Christie Park |
| Mossley | Seel Park |
| Netherfield | Parkside |
| Northwich Victoria | Drill Field |
| Runcorn | Canal Street |
| Scarborough | Athletic Ground |
| South Liverpool | Holly Park |
| Stafford Rangers | Marston Road |
| Wigan Athletic | Springfield Park |
| Workington | Borough Park |
| Worksop Town | Central Avenue |
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Challenge Cup
Main article: Northern Premier League Challenge Cup
More information Home Team, Score ...
| Home Team | Score | Away Team |
|---|---|---|
| Matlock Town | 3–0 | Boston United |
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Northern Premier League Shield
Main article: Northern Premier League Shield
Between Champions of NPL Premier Division and Winners of the NPL Cup.
More information Home Team, Score ...
| Home Team | Score | Away Team |
|---|---|---|
| Matlock Town | beat | Boston United |
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FA Cup
Main article: 1977–78 FA Cup
Out of the twenty-four clubs from the Northern Premier League, only two teams reached the second round:
Second Round
More information Home Team, Score ...
| Home Team | Score | Away Team | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crewe Alexandra | 0–0 | Scarborough | |
| Scarborough | 2–0 | Crewe Alexandra | Replay |
| Hartlepool United | 4–2 | Runcorn |
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Third Round
More information Home Team, Score ...
| Home Team | Score | Away Team |
|---|---|---|
| Brighton & Hove Albion | 3–0 | Scarborough |
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FA Trophy
Main article: 1977–78 FA Trophy
Out of the twenty-four clubs from the Northern Premier League, two teams reached the fourth round:
Fourth Round
More information Home Team, Score ...
| Home Team | Score | Away Team |
|---|---|---|
| Altrincham | 4–2 | Winsford United |
| Merthyr Tydfil | 0–0 | Runcorn |
| Runcorn | 3–2 | Merthyr Tydfil |
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Semi-finals
More information Stage, Home Team ...
| Stage | Home Team | Score | Away Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Leg | Altrincham | 0–0 | Runcorn |
| 2nd Leg | Runcorn | 0–1 | Altrincham |
| Aggregate | Altrincham | 1–0 | Runcorn |
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Final
More information Home Team, Score ...
| Home Team | Score | Away Team |
|---|---|---|
| Altrincham | 3–1 | Leatherhead |
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At the end of the tenth season of the Northern Premier League, Wigan Athletic who was put forward for election, received enough votes, on the second round of voting, to be promoted to the Football League. Great Harwood folded Great Harwood Town replaced in Lancashire Combination
Football League elections
Alongside the four Football League teams facing re-election, two non-League teams, one from the Northern Premier League and the other from the Southern League, applied to be elected. Three out of the four Football League teams were re-elected. Wigan Athletic from the Northern Premier League tied with Southport from the Football League on the first round of voting. A second round was then implemented with Wigan Athletic gaining promotion, replacing Southport from the Football League as they did not receive enough votes. Southport was subsequently relegated to the Northern Premier League.[2]
More information Club, League ...
| Club | League | First round votes | Second round votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| York City | Football League Division Four | 49 | |
| Rochdale | Football League Division Four | 39 | |
| Hartlepool United | Football League Division Four | 37 | |
| Wigan Athletic | Northern Premier League | 26 | 29 |
| Southport | Football League Division Four | 26 | 20 |
| Bath City | Southern League | 23 |
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Promotion and relegation
The number of clubs reduced from twenty-four clubs to twenty-three clubs for the following season.
The following two clubs left the League at the end of the season:
- Wigan Athletic promoted to Football League Fourth Division
- Great Harwood folded
The following club joined the League the following season:
- Southport demoted from Football League Fourth Division
- "The Football Archives 77–78". The Football Archives.