2025/26 Season Review

Middlesbrough's first season back in the FA WNL Northern Premier Division is a success.

Newly promoted Middlesbrough entered the third tier for the fist time since their relegation in 2022 with hopes of consolidation and did so much better than their preseason expectations by finishing fifth. Boro went toe to toe with some of the best sides in the third tier of English women's football. Middlesbrough earned a hard fought point when they hosted third place finishers Rugby Borough with a solid defensive display and a world class performance from Ruby Cook in goal against a physically strong, athletic and well organised Rugby. Boro also made history when they defeated last season's title rivals in the division below 4-0 at Bishop Auckland's Heritage Park in the first ever live televised Women's FA Cup First Round tie. While Burnley and Wolves were on another level compared to the rest of the league, Boro more than held their own with wins against established Premier Division sides such as Rugby Borough (in the League Cup), Liverpool Feds and Loughborough Lightning. Despite the upheaval of a managerial change mid-season, Boro's consistency throughout the season, backed by a solid defensive foundation, saw them emerge as a top half side laying the necessary foundations to build on next season. 

Norton & Stockton Ancients broke records as they claimed their highest ever finish in the FA WNL Division 1 North. 

Norton continue to grow and improve every season and this term delivered a double club record points tally and final league placing. Norton had never finished in the top half of the table with seventh their best placing in 2024 with a record 30 points. This season they finished sixth with 35 points thanks to big wins against the likes of Leeds United at Elland Road to knock the West Yorkshire side off top spot. Every season Norton raise their bar and a top half finish will make them hungry for the top half again next term. 

Thornaby claim a second successive promotion to reach the FA WNL for the first time and add a Riverside cup win to cap their season.

Newly promoted from the North East Regional League Northern Division, Thornaby knew they had a squad capable of challenging at the top end of the Premier Division and took Bradford City to the final day to decide the title. With an extra promotion place available, Thornaby seized their opportunity to join the Bantams in the fourth tier of English football for the first time in their history. To add the cherry on the top of an historic season for the club they went to Middlesbrough FC's Riverside Stadium for the North Riding Cup Final. Thornaby had already beaten the FA WNL's York City in the semi-final and faced their Development team in the showpiece as favourites. Few predicted the dominant score of 9-0 to bag their first county cup trophy. Thornaby head into 2026/27 expected to finish around mid-table to top half such is the strength and quality they possess. 

A mixed bag in the NERWFL North as we see a surprise package and a relegation. 

Newly promoted Stockton Town really grew this season having come up from the Durham County League where they finished third last term, they took the NERWFL by surprise and finished the season in third place finishing extremely strongly with eleven straight wins. 

Norton Reserves continued their development with a mid-table finish in sixth. 

Following their great escape last season, Redcar Town has better season mathematically securing their safety by late April. 

Hartlepool United still had a slim chance of survival up to the final week, but a run of one win in their last five games and positive results for Berwick Rangers sealed Pools' fate. 

It was business as usual in the Durham County League Premier Division. 

Pools Youth completed their league fixtures early and had to wait seven weeks to find out their final league position with the rest of the league still having games to play. The Pools recorded league doubles over Bishop Auckland, Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor Town Reserves while also recording a win over Amazons. Pools Youth will be joined be neighbours Hartlepool United and FC Hartlepool next season. 

No back to back North Riding League Premier Division titles for Guisborough as they finish runners-up. 

Guisborough Town began the season as reigning league champions having won the division last season and were expected to be in the mix once again this term. Newcomers Evolution came in intent on disrupting the order and took Guisborough's crown. 

Redcar Athletic had finished third last season and found themselves up against a new power in Evolution and the newly promoted Wigginton Grasshoppers which saw them finish in fifth place this season. 

Newly promoted Boro Rangers found the challenge of the new order in the division as competitive as they might have expected and, despite some very encouraging performances and the win against Guisborough, a draw against Wigginton, very narrow defeats against Guisborough, Northallerton Town and Evolution, looked equipped to be competitive at this level. 

After a good debut campaign last season, Linthorpe Academicals couldn't maintain the same momentum finishing seventh after the withdrawal from the league of Richmond Town. 

Ups and downs in the Durham County League First Division. 

FC Hartlepool claimed the 'Invincible' moniker after completing an unbeaten season to claim promotion to the Premier Division. FC had finished just outside the promotion places in their debut season last term finishing third. This season they were determined to take that next step and did so with three games left to play. 

Stockton Town Reserves made their debut this season and coped excellently eventually finishing in fourth place ahead of other established sides. 

After back to back promotions Seaton Carew entered only their third season in yet another new division. With a number of changes from last season and struggled to score as many goals as they'd previously been used to scoring. While competitive in most games, ultimately, results did not go their way resulting in relegation. 

Mostly positive in the North Riding League Division One. 

Marske United's return proved successful as they earned promotion at the first time of asking. Marske, previously Skelton United, had a year out and used that time productively as they finished just three points behind champions Pickering Town and were the only side to take points from the champions. Marske's success wasn't just in scoring goals and picking up points, they also had the best defensive record. 

TIBS weren't far behind the top two as they finished third. They've consistently proven to be very competitive and among the strongest teams in the division. 

South Park Rangers Belles continued their development with wins against York RI Reserves and Redcar Town Development and rarely losing heavily. 

Redcar Town Development also continued on their development journey. Town Devs avoided a season without points with a 1-3 away win at SPR Belles in February. 

Records in the Durham County League Development Division. 

St Francis held ambitions of promotion this season and have finished second in a promotion place. Unfortunately there is an, as yet incomplete fixture that could alter the league standings. Currently St Francis sit in the second promotion place, but Fishburn's away game at Velocity was abandoned with the hosts leading. If Velocity are awarded the win, they'll take second place from St Francis. Either way, it's been a very good season for the Franny and we may yet see them in the Second Division next season. 

Fishburn have broken their points record this season. Fishburn started only three seasons ago and recorded 10 points and, after a rebuild in their second season, achieved the same milestone. This season they won five and drew one and, with a three point penalty, ended the season on 13 points showing clear progression. 

Overall it's been a successful season for our sides with at least three promotions confirmed (and a couple more likely), three cup finals and one won. With new sides joining the pyramid for next season, the future on Teesside is as bright as it's ever been.