2016–17 Northern Football League

The 2016–17 season was the 119th in the history of Northern Football League, a football competition in England. The league has operated two divisions in the English football league system, Division One at step 5, and Division Two at step 6.

Division One
Division One featured 19 clubs which competed in the division last season, along with three new clubs, promoted from Division Two:
 * Chester-le-Street Town
 * Ryhope Colliery Welfare
 * South Shields

Two teams – Bishop Auckland and South Shields applied for promotion to step 4 for the 2017–18 season.

Division Two
Division Two featured 17 clubs which competed in the division last season, along with five new clubs:
 * Bedlington Terriers, relegated from Division One
 * Blyth Town, promoted from the Northern Football Alliance
 * Durham City, relegated from Division One
 * Norton & Stockton Ancients, relegated from Division One
 * Stockton Town, promoted from the Wearside League