Preview: North Northumberland League
The North Northumberland League kicks off in September and with 8 teams set to battle over 21 games, the race for the single promotion spot to Level 17 - likely the North East Combination League Division Two - is heating up. Each team will face off three times in a gruelling season and the stakes couldn’t be higher: the champions secure promotion, while there’s no relegation due to the absence of lower local leagues in the North East and surrounding areas. After a 14th-place finish last term, Bransay Athletic are the bookies’ favourites to lift the title, but they’ll face stiff competition from Lowick United, Alnmouth United and a host of other contenders.
Bransay Athletic – 1/91
Bransay Athletic head into the season as favourites, buoyed by a stunning 4-1 pre-season win over Forest Hall and the recent signings of central midfielders Liam Lightfoot, Alex Novak and Ardelan Ameen. The trio join young Bob Wright to form a robust midfield, addressing a key weakness from last season’s campaign. Under new manager Callum Baird, a local lad with a passion for the club, The Irons have adopted a high-tempo, direct 4-4-2 system that’s already showing promise. Striker Marcel Byrne’s hat-trick against Forest Hall highlights their attacking threat, while a more organised defence - led by towering centre-backs Dillon Woodgate and Giorgios Dimosthenous - aims to fix last season’s leaky backline. With the Forge Road faithful behind them, Bransay look poised to challenge for the title and a spot in Level 17, where Killingworth Reserves are currently tipped to win the North East Combination League Division Two.Lowick United – 16/1
Managed by Dillon Moffat, Lowick United are the second favourites and will be a tough test for Bransay. Based in Lowick, they’ve been a consistent force in the North Northumberland League, known for their physical style and strong home record at Lowick Park. Moffat has a knack for getting the best out of his squad and with a settled lineup, Lowick will fancy their chances of securing promotion. Their away form, however, remains a question mark - something Bransay will look to exploit.Alnmouth United – 25/1
Herbie Waldon’s Alnmouth United share equal odds with Longhoughton Rangers but take third spot on our list due to their experience. Alnmouth, a 50-minute drive north to Berwick-upon-Tweed’s ferry, have been a mainstay in the league and Painter’s tactical nous makes them a dangerous outfit. The loss of midfielder Alex Novak to Bransay stings, but Alnmouth have depth and a knack for grinding out results. They’ll need to improve their consistency against top sides to mount a serious title challenge.Longhoughton Rangers – 25/1
Longhoughton Rangers, managed by Wolfgang Brunner, are joint-third favourites with Alnmouth United. Brunner, known for his disciplined approach, has turned Longhoughton into a hard-to-beat side, with a strong defensive setup that frustrates opponents. They lack the firepower of the teams above them, but their organisation and work rate make them a dark horse. A few key additions in the transfer window could see them push for the top spot.Berwick Town – 33/1
Reece Rogers-Taylor’s Berwick Town, are fifth in the pecking order. Rogers-Taylor has brought a sense of stability to the side since their arrival in the league and they’ve shown flashes of quality. However, their reliance on a small core of players could be their undoing over a long season, especially with the three-match schedule against each opponent testing their squad depth.North Sunderland Reserves – 50/1
Managed by Finn Nielsen, North Sunderland Reserves sit sixth in the favourites list. Nielsen has a young squad, but their inexperience at this level might cost them. They’ll need to find a way to balance their attacking flair with defensive solidity if they’re to challenge the top teams. They will also have to contend with having their best players being picked off by their Level 13 first-team as the season progresses.Ellington Under 21s – 50/1
Ellington Under 21s, under the guidance of Mark King, are seventh favourites. Ellington have energy and enthusiasm but lack the experience to compete consistently with the league’s favourites. King will focus on development this season, aiming to upset a few teams while grooming his players for the future and like North Sunderland, they will have their top performers picked away by the Ellington first-team who play against North Sunderland in Level 13. A top-half finish would be a success for Ellington.Swarland – 50/1
Bringing up the rear in the favourites list is Swarland, managed by Peter Shanley. Swarland have struggled in recent seasons and Hale faces an uphill battle to turn things around. They’ll need to find a goal-scoring spark and shore up a porous defence to avoid another tough campaign. Survival in mid-table is the realistic goal, with the lack of relegation offering some breathing room.The Road Ahead
With 21 games to play and only one promotion spot up for grabs, the North Northumberland League promises to be a fiercely contested battle. Bransay Athletic, with their new signings and Callum Baird’s fresh approach, are the team to beat, but Lowick United and Alnmouth United won’t go down without a fight. Longhoughton Rangers could spring a surprise, while Berwick Town and North Sunderland Reserves will look to cause upsets. For Ellington Under 21s and Swarland, it’s about growth and survival. The season kicks off in early August and at Forge Road, the hope is that this could be Bransay Athletic’s year to return to Level 17 football. 1
