1985–86 Northern Football League

The 1985–86 Northern Football League season was the 88th in the history of Northern Football League, a football competition in England.

Division One
Division One featured 16 clubs which competed in the division last season, along with four new clubs, promoted from Division Two:
 * Bedlington Terriers
 * Billingham Town
 * Brandon United
 * Hartlepool United reserves

Division Two
Division Two featured 14 clubs which competed in the division last season, along with six new clubs.
 * Clubs relegated from Division One:
 * Horden Colliery Welfare
 * Shildon
 * Clubs joined from the Wearside Football League:
 * Blue Star
 * Easington Colliery
 * Stockton
 * Plus:
 * Guisborough Town, transferred from the Northern Counties East League