Non-League Paper

PILKS SPLIT WAS NOT SO SUDDEN

by
The Non-League Football Paper Team
7 June 2026

Chief: Quitting protects club’s future
By Andrew Simpson

IN a brief announcement published last Sunday, Pilkington ended a seven-year stay in the semi-pro ranks by pulling out of the North West Counties League.
The decision’s timing, made public a fortnight after the FA confirmed club allocations for next season, has attracted criticism online because it risks leaving the competition’s Premier Division at Step 5 – reduced already from 24 members to 20 – a further team light with only 19.
However, The NLP can reveal officials running the St Helens-based...

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