Down Area Winter Football League

The Down Area Winter Football League (DAWFL), is an amateur association football league in County Down, Northern Ireland.^[1] The league was formed in August 1974 in Downpatrick, and currently^[when?] has over 50 clubs affiliated with it. The league runs a winter season from October to March. Teams compete in a number of divisions, as well as cup competitions.^[2]^[3]

A number of players within the league have gone on to play professionally. These include Northern Ireland internationals, such as Steven Davis and Keith Gillespie.^[4] NIFL teams submit their reserve teams to the league.

League format

The league is divided into divisions, with relegation and promotion. The league structure is as follows:

Premier Division
First Division
Second Division
Third Division
Junior divisions (Youth players)

Cup tournaments

Billy Allen Memorial Shield^[5]
Dennis Nash Charity Shield^[6]
Sittlington Cup^[7]

List of DAWFL teams

As of 2025, teams affiliated with the Down Area Winter Football League include:^[8]

3rd Bangor OB
3rd Bangor OB II
43rd Dundonald
43rd Dundonald II
Abbey Villa III
Agape Swifts
Ards Rangers III
Ards Rangers IV
Ballygowan FC
Ballygowan FC II
Ballyhalbert United
Ballynafeigh Breda Star
Ballynafeigh Breda Star II
Bangor Swifts III
Bangor YM III
Blackstaff
Blackstaff FC 2nds
Bloomfield III
Bryansburn Rangers III
Carryduff Colts III
Carryduff Colts IV
Castle Juniors
Castle Juniors II
Clarawood
Comber Rec III
Comber Rec IV
Comber YM
Comber YM II
Cooke Athletic
Cooke Athletic II
Corrymeela
Corrymeela II
Groomsport III
Holywood III
Holywood IV
Lagan Swifts
Lagan Swifts II
Millisle
Millisle II
Newtown Forest
Newtown Forest II
Newtownards RBL
Newtownards RBL II
North Down
North Down II
Queens Grads III
Queens Grads IV
Tullycarnet III
Victoria Athletic
Victoria Athletic II
Vision Athletic
Vision Athletic II

References

^ Fullerton, Gareth (2020-03-12). "Down Area League postpones fixtures as player is tested for Covid-19". Belfast Live. Retrieved 2025-01-28.
^ Brodie, Malcolm; Rosser, Ronald (1972). Northern Ireland Soccer Yearbook (2nd ed.). Northern Ireland: Howard Publications. ISBN 9780903006026.
^ Reporter, Chronicle (2025-01-09). "Castle get past Ballygowan to reach third round | Newtownards Chronicle". Retrieved 2025-01-28.
^ "DAWFL | League Details". www.teamstats.net. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
^ "Down Area Winter Football League round-up September 21". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 2013-09-22. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2025-01-28.
^ "Dennis Nash Charity Shield - Adult - Fixtures". DAWFL. Retrieved 2025-01-28.
^ "Sittlington Cup 24/25 - Adult - Fixtures". DAWFL. Retrieved 2025-01-28.
^ "Meet the teams". DAWFL. Retrieved 2025-01-28.

[1] Fullerton, Gareth (2020-03-12). "Down Area League postpones fixtures as player is tested for Covid-19". Belfast Live. Retrieved 2025-01-28.

[2] Brodie, Malcolm; Rosser, Ronald (1972). Northern Ireland Soccer Yearbook (2nd ed.). Northern Ireland: Howard Publications. ISBN 9780903006026.

[3] Reporter, Chronicle (2025-01-09). "Castle get past Ballygowan to reach third round | Newtownards Chronicle". Retrieved 2025-01-28.

[4] "DAWFL | League Details". www.teamstats.net. Retrieved 2025-01-27.

[5] "Down Area Winter Football League round-up September 21". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 2013-09-22. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2025-01-28.

[6] "Dennis Nash Charity Shield - Adult - Fixtures". DAWFL. Retrieved 2025-01-28.

[7] "Sittlington Cup 24/25 - Adult - Fixtures". DAWFL. Retrieved 2025-01-28.

[8] "Meet the teams". DAWFL. Retrieved 2025-01-28.

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