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 added a playoff betwen the two Ladies' League divisions. These divisional playoffs were again held at Northern FC and the results were as follows (defending team first, challenging team second):

• Tue 16th April: Men's Division 4/5 playoff - Boldon 4 beat Newbiggin 2  3-2
• Tue 16th April: Men's Division 3/4 playoff - Hexham 2 beat Eldon 3  5-0
• Wed 17th April: Men's Division 2/3 playoff - Primrose 3 lost to Sunderland 3  0-5 **
• Wed 17th April: Men's Division 1/2 playoff - Primrose 2 beat Hexham 1  3-2
• Thu 18th April: Men's Premier/Division 1 playoff - Newcastle University 1B beat Northern 2  4-1
• Thu 18th April: Ladies' Division 1/2 playoff - Tynemouth Ladies 1 beat Northern Ladies 3 4-0

** Congratulations to Sunderland 3 who become the first challenging team to gain promotion through the playoffs!

Full results of all playoff matches can be viewed on League Master here.

There has been a great atmosphere at Northern for these matches with players and spectators alike enjoying the action. Thanks to Dave North for co-ordinating and to Northern for hosting!