Widnes

Widnes withdrew from the Northern Premier League in June 2025 after failing to find a suitable ground, following disputes with Halton Borough Council, the owners of the Halton Stadium . Town secured tenancy at the DCBL Stadium, and were able in February 2026 to apply to join the National League System directly as a phoenix club . They were subsequently placed into the North West Counties Football League First Division South for the 2026-27 season .

Widnes played their first match on 22nd August 2026, a 7-0 defeat to Allscott Heath . After failing to win any of their first five matches across all competitions, original manager Paul McNally resigned and was replace by Gary Taylor-Fletcher, who described the club as requiring an entirely new squad of players . In November 2026 former Premier League player Emmerson Boyce joined Widnes as first team coach .