NIFL Premier Intermediate League
The NIFL Premier Intermediate League (Known as the Playr-Fit NIFL Premier Intermediate League for sponsorship reasons) is the third division of the Irish League, the national association football league in Northern Ireland, and the highest intermediate division in Northern Ireland, occupying level three in the Northern Ireland football league system – below the NIFL Premiership (level 1) and NIFL Championship (level 2).
| Founded | 2016 |
|---|---|
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Number of teams | 14 |
| Level on pyramid | 3 |
| Promotion to | NIFL Championship |
| Relegation to | Ballymena & Provincial League Mid-Ulster Football League Northern Amateur League Northern Ireland Intermediate League |
| Domestic cup(s) | Irish Cup IFA Intermediate Cup |
| League cup(s) | Northern Ireland Football League Cup |
| Current champions | Bangor (2022–23) |
| Current: 2023-24 | |
2016 restructuring edit
Under reforms agreed by the NIFL clubs in 2014, from 2016, when the previous Championship 1 acquired senior status, Championship 2 continued as the Premier Intermediate League, retaining its intermediate status and thus became the top intermediate league in Northern Ireland.[1][2]
2023 restructuring edit
In May 2023, the league was expanded to 14 teams, due to licensing issues with Warrenpoint Town and PSNI not having a league they can seamlessly be relegated into. Rathfriland Rangers will join the league for the 2023-24 season, along with Coagh United. [3]
Current members edit
The Premier Intermediate League consists of 14 teams.
| Club | Location | Stadium | Capacity[4] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armagh City | Armagh | Holm Park | 1,500 |
| Ballymacash Rangers | Lisburn | The Bluebell Stadium | 1,280 |
| Banbridge Town | Banbridge | Crystal Park | 1,500 |
| Coagh United | Coagh | Hagan Park | 1,000 |
| Dollingstown | Dollingstown | Planters Park | 750 |
| Limavady United | Limavady | The Showgrounds | 1,500 |
| Lisburn Distillery | Lisburn | New Grosvenor Stadium | 2,200 |
| Moyola Park | Castledawson | Mill Meadow | 2,000 |
| Portstewart | Portstewart | Seahaven | 1,500 |
| PSNI | Belfast | Newforge Lane | 1,500 |
| Rathfriland Rangers | Rathfriland | Iveagh Park | 1,000 |
| Queen's University A.F.C. | Belfast | Upper Malone | 300 (Approx) |
| Tobermore United | Tobermore | Fortwilliam Park | 1,000 |
| Warrenpoint Town | Warrenpoint | Milltown | 1,450 |
References edit
- ^ "NI Football League - Restructure Proposal". Northern Ireland Football League. nifootballleague.com. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
- ^ Northern Ireland Football League (2014). NI Football League Restructure Proposal.
- ^ "NIFL Include Warrenpoint Town and PSNI in expanded third tier". Belfast Telegraph Sport. 6 June 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
- ^ "Venues - Premier Intermediate League - Northern Ireland - Results, fixtures, tables and news - Soccerway".
General edit
- Malcolm Brodie (ed.), Northern Ireland Soccer Yearbook (various editions)