Ballymena & Provincial Football League
The Ballymena and Provincial Football League[1] is a regional football league in Northern Ireland. The league has a Premier Division with intermediate status and three junior divisions: Junior Divisions 1, 2 and 3.
 | |
| Founded | 1948 |
|---|---|
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Number of teams | 53 (11 in Premier) |
| Level on pyramid | 4 (Premier only) |
| Promotion to | NIFL Premier Intermediate League |
| Domestic cup(s) | Irish Cup IFA Intermediate Cup |
| Current champions | Coagh United (2022–23) |
History
editThe league was formed as the Ballymena and District Junior League in 1948, with twelve founding members, including Moyola Park F.C., the only original member club that still retains membership through its reserve team. In 1983, the name was changed to the Ballymena and District Premier League, and in 1990, intermediate status was granted to the top division and the league was renamed as the Ballymena and Provincial Intermediate League. The league subsequently changed its name again to the current Ballymena and Provincial Football League.[2]
In 2023, the league announced a re-structure of the league in order to expand into two tiers (a Division One and Division Two) for the start of the 2024–25 season.[3]
Intermediate clubs in membership (2023–24)
editCurrently, eighteen teams play in the Intermediate Division. The league champions can be promoted to NIFL Premier Intermediate League, providing they meet the admittance requirements.[3][4]
|
Intermediate League A |
Intermediate League B |
Cups
editCups that are currently available only to clubs in the Ballymena & Provincial Intermediate Leagues are:
- Crawford Cup;
- McReynolds Cup;
- O'Gorman Cup;
- Canada Trophy;
- Linda Welshman Memorial Cup;
Teams in the junior divisions can play in the Irish Junior Cup.[5]
List of champions
edit| Season | Champions |
|---|---|
| 1948-49 | Moyola Park[6] |
| 1949-50 | Moyola Park[6] |
| 1951-1959 | unknown |
| 1959-60 | Moyola Park/Ballymoney United[6] |
| 1961-1973 | unknown |
| 1973-74 | Moyola Park[6] |
| 1976-1976 | unknown |
| 1976-77 | Moyola Park[6] |
| 1977-78 | Moyola Park[6] |
| 1979–2006 | unknown |
| 2006–07 | Raceview |
| 2007–08 | Ballynure Old Boys |
| 2008–09 | Coleraine Crusaders |
| 2009–10 | Raceview |
| 2010–11 | Brantwood |
| 2011–12 | Raceview |
| 2012–13 | Newtowne |
| 2013–14 | Brantwood |
| 2014–15 | Ballynure Old Boys |
| 2015–16 | Newtowne |
| 2016–17 | Coagh United |
| 2017–18 | Glebe Rangers |
| 2018–19 | Bangor[7] |
| 2021–22 | St James' Swifts |
| 2022–23 | Coagh United |
Source: nifootball
References
edit- ^ Ballymena & Provincial Football League Rules[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Ballymena & Provincial League History". Archived from the original on 25 January 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
- ^ a b "General League Announcement". Ballymena & Provincial FootbalL League. 28 July 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
- ^ "Tables - Ballymena & Provincial Football League".
- ^ "Cups". Ni Football. 3 October 2008. Archived from the original on 21 September 2008. Retrieved 3 October 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f "Moyola Park. Club history". Moyola Park FC. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
- ^ nifootball
External links
edit- Ballymena & Provincial League - (Official Website)