The 2016/17 Toolstation NCEL season was brought to a formal end and the 2017/18 campaign begun at Saturday's AGM/Dinner that took place at the Royal Hotel in Scarborough.

The day's proceedings began with the league's AGM where the constitution for the new campaign was rubber-stamped with three teams departing - Cleethorpes Town up to the Evo-Stik League, Teversal across to the East Midlands Counties League and Westella & Willerby down to the Humber Premier League.



The trio replacing them have all come from Step 7 football with East Yorkshire Carnegie, FC Bolsover and Swallownest becoming the 171st, 172nd and 173rd clubs, respectively, to play in the NCEL.

We wish all three sides who have left us all the best for the future and thank them for being fantastic ambassadors to the NCEL whilst they have been in the league and we are looking forward to forging new friendships with the sides joining us for the first time.

Meanwhile, relegation and promotion within the league was confirmed with Hall Road Rangers, Penistone Church and Pontefract Collieries moving up from Division One to the Premier Division whilst Armthorpe Welfare and Retford United go in the opposite direction.

The draws for the first two rounds of the League Cup were also conducted at the AGM and will be announced on our website once they have been fully confirmed.

The evening Dinner was packed with club and league representatives as we all said farewell to the 2016/17 season - one that had varying fortunes each of our 44 sides but they all played their part in another thrilling NCEL campaign.



Cleethorpes Town (above) were the side deservedly in the spotlight after their Premier Division title triumph, Lincolnshire Senior Trophy success and their appearance at Wembley in the final of the FA Vase.

They also picked up the Toolstation NCEL Fair Play Award for the Premier Division with Hemsworth Miners Welfare the runners-up whilst the Division One accolade went to Nostell Miners Welfare (below) just ahead of Penistone Church.



There was also a poignant moment when Brian Gould, who has stepped down as league secretary after ten years, was honoured for his time in the role.

A heartfelt speech and gift presentation from chairman Dave Morrall (below) was followed by a standing ovation for Brian who will still be involved with the league, staying on as treasurer, whilst Matt Jones becomes the newest face at the NCEL as he takes over its secretarial duties.



Many thanks to everyone who helped make the day a success it was and now we can start the countdown to the beginning of the 2017/18 season on Saturday 5th August, 2017, less than seven weeks away.

(Photos courtesy of The Bootiful Game - click here to see more)