Big calls on Brighouse Town and Ilkley Town as Bradford down

They came second bottom of the eighth-tier Northern Premier League East Division this season, and were set to go down alongside Winterton Rangers.

But with seventh-tier duo Marske United and Nuneaton Borough going bust in the middle of the campaign, so unable to drop into the level below for 2024/25, sides like Brighouse knew a second-bottom finish with a decent points total might be enough to keep them up.

And with a 2-0 home win over Carlton Town on the final day, Brig ended up on a respectable 36 points from 38 games.

There had been a level of expectation that Brighouse might have done enough to survive, but that was only confirmed yesterday.

It means they will now take their place alongside Bradford (Park Avenue) and Liversedge in the NPL East Division for 2024/25.

Avenue had been hoping for the slim possibility of a reprieve themselves after coming fourth-bottom of the NPL Premier Division, but with no clubs having to turn down promotion or take voluntary relegation, they have officially fallen through the trapdoor.

Bradford (Park Avenue)'s relegation has been confirmed. (Image: Martin Taylor.)

As for Brighouse’s rivals Winterton, they have gone down to the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, where they will play Bradford District quintet Thackley, Eccleshill United, Silsden, Campion and Albion Sports.

The latter two came agonisingly close to joining Avenue, Sedge and Brig in the eighth tier for next season, but lost in the play-off semis and final respectively.

Bradford District duo Steeton and Route One Rovers remain in the North West Counties Football League First Division North, but Ilkley Town do not, having been moved laterally to Division One of the NCEL.

Further up the leagues, Guiseley are getting set for a second successive season in the NPL Premier Division, while Farsley Celtic, who avoided relegation on the final day, remain in National League North.