Pilkington Resign from North West Counties League

North West Counties Premier Division side Pilkington have informed the NWCFL that they will be resigning their First Team from the league ahead of the 2026/27 season.

This has followed a post season review where they are folding the First Team, with their Under 23's becoming the new First Team in the First Division of the Cheshire League. 

Pilkington played 243 games in the NWCFL having joined the First Division North in the 2019/20 season. Their first two seasons were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, before finishing just outside of the Play-Off's in 2021/22. The following saw them win the First Division North to achieve promotion, but they have found life difficult in the Premier Division.

A club statement said:

"Following a post season review, Pilkington Football Club has made the difficult decision to fold it's Men's First Team and in doing so, withdraw from the North West Counties Football League with immediate effect.

This development forms part of a wholesale reset of our Men's Open Age plan which will see our current U23's squad re-badged as the 'Pilkington FC First Team' and a new, youth-based development team is set to be created for the 2026/27 season, opening the door to a long-term, sustainable pathway for our burgeoning Junior Section.

Both teams will operate in the Cheshire League from next season, with our First Team picking up from last season's near miss on promotion with another crack at the Division 1 title, and the newly formed 'Pilkington FC Reserves' entering the Cheshire Reserve League.

Pilkington FC home match days at the PSD Stadium will continue to be a Saturday afternoon feature, with our Reserve team taking the early kick offs at 12.15pm, and our newly created First Team moving to the 3.00pm slots.

More news to follow as plans develop during this off-season of transition."