The divisional playoffs were introduced last season as an innovation in the Men's League, whereby the team finishing just below the automatic promotion places in each division challenges the team finishing just above the automatic relegation place(s) in the division above, with an extra promotion / relegation place at stake.

This season we have added a playoff betwen the two Ladies' League divisions. These divisional playoffs will again be held at Northern FC (all 7pm starts) and the schedule is as follows:

• Tue 16th April: Men's Division 4/5 playoff - Boldon 4 v Newbiggin 2
• Tue 16th April: Men's Division 3/4 playoff - Hexham 2 v Eldon 3
• Wed 17th April: Men's Division 2/3 playoff - Primrose 3 v Sunderland 3
• Wed 17th April: Men's Division 1/2 playoff - Primrose 2 v Hexham 1
• Thu 18th April: Men's Premier/Division 1 playoff - Newcastle University 1B v Northern 2
• Thu 18th April: Ladies' Division 1/2 playoff - Tynemouth Ladies 1 v Northern Ladies 3

The captains of the teams involved will be sent the relevant invitations when all the teams are known. All playoff fixtures can be viewed on League Master here.

An important point to note is that under League rules 5.2 and 5.3, in order to be eligible to play in the playoffs, a player must have played at least three team matches for the relevant club during the season, and must not have become tied to a higher team (by playing 'up' for a higher team in more than three league matches in the second half).

It should be a great atmosphere at Northern for these playoff matches and all spectators are welcome to attend!