Northern Counties East League
The Northern Counties East League is an English association football league that was founded in 1982 by the merger of the former Yorkshire League and Midland Counties League. Its two divisions are on the fourth and fifth levels of the football pyramid. Another division consisting entirely of reserve teams is not part of the pyramid.It includes three of the oldest teams in England, with Sheffield F.C (founded 1857) generally regarded as oldest in the world. Hallam F.C have played at the world's oldest football ground, Sandygate, since their establishment in 1860. Finally, former league champions and two-time FA Vase winners Brigg Town F.C date to 1864.
Should they meet the relevant ground standards, league champions are promoted to the Northern Premier League's lower division. In the event of a winner not meeting the ground requirements, the runner-up may be granted promotion. Within the league, the bottom two Premier Division and top two First Division clubs exchange places each season.
There are 20 teams in the higher Premier Division and 16 in the First Division.
The Central Midlands League currently ranks below the NCE League in the Pyramid.