The 2025 Zone Football League regular season has ended with three clubs confirming promotion to higher divisions.
Newcastle Croatia, Croudace Bay United and Greta Branxton FC were each promoted from their respective competitions, while Hamilton Azzurri and Mayfield United Junior SFC were relegated.
Northern NSW Football, Newcastle Football, Macquarie Football and Hunter Valley Football announced in 2023 that the men’s Hunter football pyramid would be connected for the first time from the NPL Men’s NNSW and HIT106.9 Northern League One competitions through to Zone League One, Two and Three, allowing for the return of promotion and relegation from 2024.
In Zone League One, Newcastle Croatia have been promoted to HIT106.9 Northern League One for 2026 after being crowned premiers.
Newcastle Croatia sat at the top of the table and were favourites to be promoted after round nine at the end of May.
They were promoted at the end of August after they defeated Swansea FC 3-0 in a midweek match, with two games remaining.
This saw them secure their second promotion in as many years.
Newcastle Croatia ended the season with 59 points, eight points ahead of Newcastle Suns in second and 18 points ahead of Kotara South in third.
At the other end of the table, Hamilton Azzurri finished in last position and were relegated to Zone League Two.
Croudace Bay United were promoted to Zone League One after a dominant season.
The Crabs were undefeated all season in Zone League Two, not dropping points until September when they had a 1-1 draw with North United Wolves in a rescheduled round 18 match.
They finished the season on 62 points, 13 points ahead of Norths in second.
Mayfield United Junior were relegated to Zone League Three after winning just two games and losing 20.
In Zone League Three, Greta Branxton FC secured promotion into Zone League Two in their second last game of the season.
Greta Branxton were neck-and-neck with Kurri Kurri FC but secured a 3-3 draw with Rutherford FC in round 22, while Kurri Kurri went down 2-0 to Southern Lakes United.
The draw was enough to separate the two with Greta Branxton having a game in hand.
They finished the season on 50 points, just four points ahead of Kurri Kurri.
In the NPL Men’s NNSW competition, Broadmeadow Magic were crowned premiers, while New Lambton FC were relegated to HIT106.9 Northern League One.
Valentine FC finished the season in 11th position on the table and fought for their survival in the Promotion/Relegation Play-Off final against West Wallsend SFC.
Valentine were victorious 4-0 and will remain in NPL Men’s NNSW next season.
HIT106.9 Northern League One premiers Kahibah FC were promoted to NPL Men’s NNSW next season after finishing nine points clear of Toronto Awaba FC in second place.
Thornton Redbacks finished the season at the bottom of the table with 19 points and were relegated to Zone League One on goal difference.
The relegation battle came down to the last second as South Cardiff FC escaped relegation with a 1-0 win over Singleton Strikers in the final minutes to put Wallsend FC at risk of relegation. But a goal in stoppage time secured Wallsend’s spot in the competition.
Cessnock City Hornets finished the season in ninth place with a minus eight goal difference and sent 10th-placed Thornton down with a minus 12 goal difference.
