The Down Area Winter Football League (DAWFL), is an amateur association football league in County Down, Northern Ireland. The league was formed in August 1974 in Downpatrick, and currently 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.
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. 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
- Dennis Nash Charity Shield
- Sittlington Cup
List of DAWFL teams
As of 2025, teams affiliated with the Down Area Winter Football League include:
- 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.
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