Cheshire League Premier Division

The Cheshire Association Football League is a football league based in Cheshire, England. Prior to 2007, it was known as the Mid-Cheshire Association Football League.

As of 2017, the league has contained four separate divisions, the Premier Division, Divisions One and Two, and a Reserve Division.

The Premier Division is a feeder league in the National League System, and the 11^th level of the English football pyramid overall.

What else is there to know about the Cheshire Association Football League?

The league dates back to 1948, and until season 2014/15 had just two divisions. In fact, from 1983 until 1987, the league was just one division. Division Two returned after a four-year hiatus for season 1987/88. Division Three was added in 2014. The only club that has been an ever-present in the league’s three divisions is Knutsford.

Two founder members of the league, Whitchurch Alport and Barnton, left the league in 2012 and 2014, respectively.

The league is a feeder to the North West Counties League. Currently, teams that finish top of the table are eligible to apply for promotion to Division One South of the North West Counties League.

However, any club hoping to win promotion must meet the minimum requirements of the higher league. If the champions don’t meet those needs, then the team that finishes highest in the league, up to fifth place, can apply for promotion. If none of the top-five finishers meet the criteria, then no club is promoted.

Clubs relegated from Division Three of the league then play their football in the Hope Valley Amateur League Premier Division.

Which clubs have been the most successful in the Premier Division?

Many clubs have thrived in the Cheshire Association Football League Premier Division since the 1979/80 season.

One team that had an illustrious history in the league was Barnton, who won 11 Premier Division titles, including winning the title in seven straight seasons from 1997 to 2003. Since being promoted to the North West Counties League in 2014, they haven’t dropped back into the league.

Unsurprisingly, considering their long-standing in the league, Knutsford have also been successful, winning the Premier Division title on five occasions. Their most recent title triumph came in the 2017/18 season.

Clubs such as Middlewich Town and Grove United have also claimed the top-tier title on three occasions.

Recent title winners in the Premier Division