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
• Moat Park Rangers
• 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

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.