2017–18 North West Counties Football League

The 2017–18 North West Counties Football League season (known as the Hallmark Security League for sponsorship reasons ) was the 36th in the history of the North West Counties Football League, a football competition in England. It was also the last season to have a single Division One. Teams were divided into two divisions: Premier Division and Division One.

The constitution for Step 5 and Step 6 divisions for 2017–18 was announced by the FA on 26 May 2017, and ratified by the league at its AGM on 17 June.

Premier Division
At the end of season 2016–17, the following four teams left the division:
 * Atherton Collieries, promoted to NPL Division One North
 * Cammell Laird 1907, relegated to Division One
 * Nelson, relegated to Division One
 * New Mills, relegated to Division One

The remaining 18 teams, together with the following, formed the Premier Division for season 2017–18:
 * Burscough, relegated from NPL Division One North
 * Charnock Richard, promoted from the First Division
 * City of Liverpool, promoted from the First Division
 * Northwich Victoria, relegated from NPL Division One South
 * Widnes, promoted from the First Division

Stadia and locations

 * Due to ground conditions and acute fixture congestion, 1874 Northwich played some home matches, notably in the latter stages of the FA Vase and the league programme, at Wincham Park, Northwich, home of Witton Albion.

Division One
At the end of season 2016–17, the following four teams left the division: The remaining 18 teams, together with the following, formed Division One for the 2017–18 season:
 * Ashton Town, relegated to the Cheshire Association Football League Premier Division.
 * Charnock Richard, promoted to the Premier Division
 * City of Liverpool, promoted to the Premier Division
 * Widnes, promoted to the Premier Division
 * Abbey Hulton United, promoted from Staffordshire County Senior League
 * Cammell Laird 1907, relegated from the Premier Division
 * Nelson, relegated from the Premier Division
 * New Mills, relegated from the Premier Division

Results

 * Bacup Borough v FC Oswestry Town: visitors failed to fulfil fixture on 5 May, result declared a 3–0 home win
 * St Helens Town v Abbey Hulton United: result declared a draw following investigation

Playoffs
Source for this subsection: NWC website

League Challenge Cup
Also called the Macron Challenge Cup for sponsorship reasons. Source for this section: NWCFL web site

First round
Northern Section

Southern Section

All remaining teams received byes to the second round.

Second round
Northern Section * Played at Padiham, following two postponements ** Played at Ashton, following two postponements *** Played at Crosby, following two postponements **** Played at Prestwich, following two postponements † Padiham and Nelson eliminated, having fielded ineligible players

Southern Section * Played at Abbey Hulton, following two postponements ** Played at Birkenhead, following two postponements

Third round
Northern Section

Southern Section

Final
Played at Highbury Stadium, home of Fleetwood Town.

Division One Trophy
Also called the LWC Drinks First Division Cup for sponsorship reasons. Source for this section: NWCFL web site

First round
Northern Section
 * Played at Carlisle following two postponements

Southern Section

All the remaining First Division teams received a bye to the second round.

Second round
Northern Section

Southern Section

Quarter-finals
Northern Section * Atherton LR disqualified for fielding an ineligible player

Southern Section

Final
Played at the Millbank Linnets Stadium, home of Runcorn Linnets.