The 2026 Northern Junior League is set to be an exciting affair, with a thrilling schedule announced! Five clubs will battle it out, promising an intense competition. But here's the twist: the fixture list has an intriguing pattern.
The league involves Ashfield, Berwick, Redcar, West Lothian, and Workington. The fixtures are strategically arranged, with the NJL matches following senior team encounters. This means Ashfield and West Lothian, based in Glasgow and Edinburgh, will have their NJL fixture after their respective senior teams face off.
The season kicks off with a bang! On April 10th, West Lothian welcomes Ashfield, right after the heated Scottish derby between Edinburgh and Glasgow. But here's where it gets interesting: the 2025 champions, Berwick, begin their title defense with an away game at Workington on April 25th. Redcar, on the other hand, starts their campaign with a double-header against West Lothian on April 17th and 24th.
The fixture list:
- April 10th (Friday) - West Lothian vs. Ashfield
- April 17th - Redcar vs. West Lothian
- April 24th - West Lothian vs. Redcar
- April 25th (Saturday) - Workington vs. Berwick
- May 2nd - Berwick vs. Workington
- May 3rd (Sunday) - Ashfield vs. West Lothian
- May 8th - West Lothian vs. Workington
- May 15th - Ashfield vs. Workington
- May 16th - Berwick vs. Redcar
- June 13th - Berwick vs. Ashfield
- June 27th - Workington vs. Ashfield
- July 17th - Ashfield vs. Berwick
- July 17th - Redcar vs. Workington
- July 25th - Workington vs. West Lothian
- August 7th - Redcar vs. Berwick
- August 14th - Ashfield vs. Redcar
- August 15th - Berwick vs. West Lothian
- August 21st - West Lothian vs. Berwick
- August 28th - Redcar vs. Ashfield
- August 29th - Workington vs. Redcar
And this is the part most fans look forward to: the final stretch of the season. With the fixtures carefully planned, every match could be a potential title decider. Will Berwick retain their crown, or will a new champion emerge? The stage is set for an unforgettable season. What's your prediction? Who do you think will rise to the top?
