Jamaican National Premier League

The Jamaican National Premier League is the first division football league in the nation of Jamaica. Twelve teams currently compete in the league, which is mainly sponsored by Digicel. [ [http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/html/20080920T220000-0500_140373_OBS_KSAFA_TEAMS_STRONG_CHALLENGERS_FOR_DPL_TITLE.asp KSAFA teams strong challengers for DPL title] - Jamaica Observer]

The competition is divided in three stages in which every team plays another once; after the third stage (i.e. after 33 games) the top six teams will be placed in one group and the bottom six in another. The top six teams will play against each other in the fourth round, with the top team being crowned champions. The bottom six teams will also only play against each other with no chance of winning the title. The bottom 2 are then relegated and 2 teams from a play-off of the 4 regional league winners are promoted.

The top two teams from the league qualify for the CFU Club Championship, and the bottom two are relegated at the end of the season. To date, the NPL has produced three Caribbean championships by Portmore United F.C. (2005) and Harbour View F.C. (2004 & 2007).

Member teams 2008/09

* Arnett Gardens F.C.
* Boys' Town F.C.
* Harbour View F.C.
* Portmore United F.C. (Champions)
* Meadhaven United (Promoted) [cite news|url=http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20080605/sports/sports1.html|title=Meadhaven advance to NPL|last=Frater|first=Adrian|date=2008-06-05|publisher=Jamaica Gleaner|language=e|accessdate=2008-06-22]
* Reno F.C.
* Rivoli United F.C. (Promoted) [cite news|url=http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20080609/sports/sports1.html|title=Rivoli hammer Wadadah 11-0 - St Catherine team march storm into NPL|last=Walters|first=Ainsley|date=2008-06-09|publisher=Jamaica Gleaner|accessdate=2008-06-22]
* Sporting Central Academy
* St. George's SC
* Tivoli Gardens F.C.
* Village United F.C.
* Waterhouse F.C.

Member teams 2007/08

* Arnett Gardens F.C.
* August Town F.C.
* Boys' Town F.C.
* Harbour View F.C.
* Portmore United F.C.
* Reno F.C.
* Seba United F.C.
* Sporting Central Academy
* St. George's SC
* Tivoli Gardens F.C.
* Village United F.C.
* Waterhouse F.C.

Relegated in 2007/08

* August Town F.C.
* Seba United F.C.

Champions

* 1973/1974 Santos F.C.
* 1974/1975 Santos F.C.
* 1975/1976 Santos F.C.
* 1976/1977 Santos F.C.
* 1977/1978 Arnett Gardens F.C.
* 1978/1979 abandoned
* 1979/1980 Santos F.C.
* 1980/1981 Cavaliers F.C.
* 1981/1982 no competition
* 1982/1983 Tivoli Gardens F.C.
* 1983/1984 Boys' Town F.C.
* 1984/1985 Jamaica Defence Force
* 1985/1986 Boys' Town F.C.
* 1986/1987 Seba United F.C.
* 1987/1988 Wadadah F.C.
* 1988/1989 Boys' Town F.C.
* 1989/1990 Reno F.C.
* 1990/1991 Reno F.C.
* 1991/1992 Wadadah F.C.
* 1992/1993 Hazard United F.C.
* 1993/1994 Violet Kickers F.C.
* 1994/1995 Reno F.C.
* 1995/1996 Violet Kickers F.C.
* 1996/1997 Seba United F.C.
* 1997/1998 Waterhouse F.C.
* 1998/1999 Tivoli Gardens F.C.
* 1999/2000 Harbour View F.C.
* 2000/2001 Arnett Gardens F.C.
* 2001/2002 Arnett Gardens F.C.
* 2002/2003 Hazard United F.C.
* 2003/2004 Tivoli Gardens F.C.
* 2004/2005 Portmore United F.C.
* 2005/2006 Waterhouse F.C.
* 2006/2007 Harbour View F.C.
* 2007/2008 Portmore United F.C.Source: [http://www.rsssf.com/tablesj/jamchamp.html RSSSF]

Top scorers

External links and References

* [http://www.golocaljamaica.com/premierleague/ Official Website]