As many know, the National League can be a difficult division to play in. Winning promotion is not easy in the fifth tier of English football. However, down the years, certain teams have thrived and been highly successful at picking up points in the division. Here are the clubs that have picked up the most points in the National League since season 2010/11:
Wrexham (984 points)
The Wrexham story is now a much-told one courtesy of the club takeover by Hollywood’s Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds. In season 2022/23, the Welsh team finally earned promotion back to the EFL after 15 years in the fifth tier with a league-record 111 points from their 46 games.
When they won promotion, the Dragons were the longest-serving club in the fifth tier. That had a big say in Wrexham picking up a total of 984 points in the National League. That points tally was achieved over 592 games, which included 277 wins, 153 draws and 162 defeats. A goal difference of 262 is an impressive one.
At the time of writing, the Welsh team is looking to achieve back-to-back promotions as they are currently in the play-off spots in League Two.
Gateshead F.C. (668 points)
Some way behind Wrexham in the points stakes are north east outfit Gateshead United, who have claimed 668 points in the National League. The club was formed in 1977 to replace the dissolved Gateshead United.
They have since spent much of their existence in the fifth tier, although they have also spent time in the sixth tier of the English game. The north east team has never played in the EFL in their current guise. However, their points tally in the fifth tier is a respectable one, and they have enjoyed relatively successful campaigns in the non-League game.
Woking FC (613 points)
The Cardinals have become a non-League mainstay in recent years, illustrated by the fact that they have accrued the third most points of any of the teams on our list.
Although Woking have accrued 613 points in their 465 National League matches, they have suffered more losses than wins. They have lost 196 games, compared to their record of 172 wins and 96 draws. They are also one of only two teams on our list with a minus goal difference, which stands at -30.
Woking have featured in the National League for ten of the last 11 seasons, having only suffered relegation once.
FC Halifax Town (602 points)
The Yorkshire club was established as a replacement for Halifax Town in 2008. They have picked up 602 points in the fifth tier, recording 161 wins, 119 draws, and 141 defeats with a goal difference of 33.
The Shaymen have done well to return to the National League after starting their journey in the eighth tier of the English game. They returned to the fifth tier in season 2013/14 after winning promotion from the Conference North.
Eastleigh (596 points)
After spending much of their history in the lower divisions of non-league football, Eastleigh returned to the National League in season 2016/17 and are currently in its seventh straight season in the fifth tier of the English game.
Their highest-ever finish in the National League came in season 2014/15 when Eastleigh finished fourth place in the table and exited in the play-off semi-final, which came in their first season back in the fifth tier after promotion from the Conference South.
Aldershot Town (585 points)
Since winning promotion to the National League in season 2003/04, Town have spent much of their time in the fifth tier, collecting 585 points in their time in the National League. However, Town won promotion to League Two in season 2007/08 and stayed in the fourth tier for five seasons before they suffered relegation back to the National League season 2012/13.
Aldershot have spent the last decade in the fifth tier, with their best finish in the table in seasons 2016/17 and 2017/18 when they finished fifth place in the table, losing in the play-offs. They have struggled in recent seasons in the fifth tier, with 15th place being their highest finish in the last five seasons.
Grimsby Town (559 points)
The Mariners have spent most of their existence in the English Football League. In fact, since 1912, Grimsby have spent just seven seasons in the National League, with their longest spell in the fifth tier being from 2010 until 2015.
The fact that Town managed to pick up 559 points in just seven years at that level of the game is quite impressive. The club has played 333 National League games, claiming a solid 156 victories, 91 draws, and 86 defeats. Their goal difference of 179 is the second-best of all the teams on this list after Wrexham. Grimsby are currently in League Two after winning promotion to the fourth tier in season 2021/22.
Bromley FC (549 points)
The Ravens have spent their history in the fifth and sixth tiers of the English game. They have spent the last nine years in the National League, having collected 549 points in the fifth tier. Bromley has a decent record in the fifth tier, as they have played 375 games in the division, recording 150 wins, 99 draws and suffering 126 defeats, with a goal difference of 51.
Their most successful campaigns in recent years have been in seasons 2020/21 and 2022/23, when they finished seventh place in the table and lost in the play-offs.