he Northern Ireland Football League Championship is the second level of the Northern Ireland Football League, the national football league in Northern Ireland. Clubs in the Championship can be promoted to the highest national division – the NIFL Premiership, and relegated to the third level – the NIFL Premier Intermediate League.
In its current format, it was founded in 2008 as the Premier Intermediate League for members of the previous IFA Intermediate League that met the new stricter membership criteria, though was marketed as the IFA Championship. In 2009, it was extended to two divisions: Championship 1 and Championship 2 with promotion and relegation between the two. In 2013, the Championship and Premiership became part of the Northern Ireland Football League, independent of the Irish Football Association (IFA).
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has stepped down from his role as joint-chair after being made aware of 'serious historic allegations' that are set to be made public.
Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert issued an apology on Tuesday for orchestrating the "Spygate" scandal, admitting he is responsible for "everything that has happened".
Despite relegation from the Premier League, former West Ham coach Nikola Jurcevic is backing them to bounce straight back from the Championship at the first time of asking.