The Northern Premier League, known in recent years as the UniBond League under a title sponsorship contract, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the regional conference. Due to restructuring, from 2005 onwards its champions have been promoted to the Conference North division rather than the Conference National.

The Northern Premier League was founded in 1968, decades after the other two leagues at what is now the seventh tier of the English football league system - the Southern League and Ryman Isthmian League. At that time it was considered to share the fifth tier with these leagues as well as the established Northern League.

Over the next two decades, the NPL successfully displaced its older rival to become the preeminent regional competition in northern England, with the Northern League eventually forced to accept status as feeder league to the NPL. The creation of what is now the Conference in 1979 and the Conference's addition of regional divisions in 2004 have effectively "demoted" the NPL by two tiers.

More on [ Northern Premier League ]

NYT > Soccer

Pledging Allegiance to the U.S.
By DAN FROSCH Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:35:32 -0000
After a rule change, Edgar Castillo, who plays soccer professionally in Mexico, said he now wants to play internationally for the U.S. team.
Sports Briefing | Soccer: U.S. Loss a TV Success
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Wed, 01 Jul 2009 06:53:16 -0000
The United States’ 3-2 loss to Brazil in the Confederations Cup final was seen by 3.9 million people on ESPN, the most-viewed non-World Cup game for the American team on the cable network. ESPN said Sunday’s game received a 2.6 cable rating and was seen in 2.6 million homes. The audience was the third largest to watch the team on ESPN, trailing the audience for the 1-0 quarterfinal loss to Germany at the 2002 World Cup and the 2-1 victory over Colombia in the first round of the 1994 World Cup.
More Assertive Donovan Drives U.S. Dreams
By JERÉ LONGMAN Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:36:23 -0000
Despite the U.S. soccer team’s loss in the Confederations Cup final, Landon Donovan demonstrated that he belongs among the international elite.

L.A. Times - Soccer

El Salvador, Canada win in Gold Cup
Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700
El Salvador upsets Costa Rica, 2-1, and Canada edges Jamaica, 1-0, at the Home Depot Center. Fans piled into the stadium hours before the match, clogging the streets surrounding the Home Depot Center at least a mile behind.
Up next for the Galaxy: Saturday vs. New England
Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700
Landon Donovan rejoins the team. Galaxy tonight VS. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION Time: 8.
U.S. has an extra advantage in Gold Cup
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700
Under pressure from the U.S., CONCACAF is allowing the U.S. to draw from a 30-man roster while the other 11 teams in the three-week tournament are limited to 23 players. If the national soccer coaches and players of Grenada, Honduras and Haiti are griping today, they have good reason.

USATODAY.com Soccer - Top Stories

Salt Lake ties Earthquakes 1-1
Sat, 04 Jul 2009 05:27:32 -0000
San Jose kicked in an own-goal in second-half injury time, allowing Real Salt Lake to tie the Earthquakes 1-1 on Friday night.
Owen joins Man United with two-year deal
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:21:41 -0000
Michael Owen joined English champion Manchester United on a two-year contract Friday, a striking reversal of fortunes for an ...
Ten years after soccer World Cup win, women's sports gain respect
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:21:52 -0000
We're in the midst of a historic sports anniversary, but if you're thinking hard about what it might be and coming up empty, ...

ESPNsoccernet

Owen joins Man Utd
soccernet.com Sat, 04 Jul 2009 11:25:26 -0000
Michael Owen has been confirmed as a Manchester United player.
Dalglish thanks Benitez for his second coming
soccernet.com Sat, 04 Jul 2009 10:56:48 -0000
Returning hero Kenny Dalglish has promised to make the most of his second chance with Liverpool.
Milan chief admits interest in Huntelaar, Fabiano
Reuters Sat, 04 Jul 2009 09:23:26 -0000
AC Milan are targeting Real Madrid striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Sevilla's Luis Fabiano, chief executive Adriano Galliani told reporters late on Friday.

FOXSPORTS.com.au | Football

Sturridge signs for Chelsea
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:53:00 -0000
Chelsea have signed teenage striker Daniel Sturridge from Barclays Premier League rivals Manchester City on a four-year deal after the player's contract at Eastlands expired.
Coyne leaves Glory guessing
Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:29:00 -0000
Perth Glory coach Dave Mitchell hopes to know by Monday whether the A-League club have been successful in luring Socceroos defender Chris Coyne.
Kenny Dalglish back at Liverpool
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:56:00 -0000
Liverpool great Kenny Dalglish is returning to Anfield to take up a role in their academy and become a global ambassador for the Barclays Premier League club.

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