THE North West Counties League has been told that only one team, the Premier Division champions, will be promoted at the end of next season.

This term, it was two.

However there will be an opportunity for a second club to follow rivals that finish top of the table to a higher level when a new play-offs competition is introduced ahead of the 2019-2020 campaign.

Consisting of two rounds, the runners-up in each of the step five leagues will be paired according to their geographical location.

The victors in those ties then face an opponent that classified third-bottom in one of the step four divisions.

A restructure of the National League System means that clubs in the top-flight will play six fewer matches during the 2018-2019 campaign after the section was reduced to 20 teams.

It had 23 this time around.

1874 Northwich, Northwich Victoria and Winsford United are part of the provisional line-up.

Three teams promoted from Division One; Litherland REMYCA, Silsden and Whitchurch Alport, have joined them.

Barnton, who finished second-bottom in the Premier Division, have been allocated a place in the newly-formed Division One South – also 20-strong – along with fellow relegated side Maine Road.

A Division One North of the same size means that the North West Counties League will run with a capacity of 60 clubs for the first time.

That figure includes 17 new arrivals.

“Our initial plan was to start with a minimum of 16 clubs across our two step six divisions, with a three-year plan to get back up to 20 in each,” said Paul Lawler, the league’s chairman.

“To reach that target from the beginning is a fantastic achievement and a reward for all of the ambition and hard work on and off the pitch of the clubs concerned.”

Meanwhile Runcorn Linnets and Widnes, both promoted, were confirmed earlier this month as members of the Northern Premier League’s newly-formed Division One West.

North West Counties League

Premier Division

Provisional line-up for 2018-2019 season*

1874 Northwich

Abbey Hey

Ashton Athletic

Barnoldswick Town

Bootle

Burscough

Charnock Richard

City of Liverpool

Congleton Town

Hanley Town

Irlam

Litherland REMYCA (promoted from North West Counties League Division One)

Northwich Victoria

Padiham

Runcorn Town

Silsden (promoted from North West Counties League Division One)

Squires Gate

West Didsbury & Chorlton

Whitchurch Alport (promoted from North West Counties League Division One)

Winsford United

*To be ratified by members during North West Counties League’s annual meeting in June