Who are the greatest teams in National League history?

The quality and the competitiveness of the National League have spiked in recent seasons, with record points, Hollywood owners and high-profile managers increasing the spotlight on England’s fifth tier.

Perhaps the ultimate reward of EFL football is the reason for such a closely fought division, with Luton Town and Wrexham demonstrating two contrasting routes to the upper echelons of the football pyramid.

But who are the greatest teams to ever grace the National League? Here, DAZN News showcases the Non-League’s best, from record points tallies to sheer dominance.

Barnet boast the most National League titles

Last season, Barnet notched their fourth National League title, finishing the campaign six points clear of second-placed York City. The Bees went on a devastating run of form from gameweek 16, losing just once to Braintree in their remaining 31 matches.

The North London outfit previously triumphed in the fifth tier in 1990-91, 2004-05 and 2014-15, securing one more title than Macclesfield. Furthermore, their 24-25 points tally of 106 points is the highest in the club’s history and the third-highest total in National League records.

 

 

Wrexham achieve record points tally to reach League Two

The buzz around the National League reached fever pitch during the 2023-24 season as Wrexham and Notts County slogged it out to the penultimate day. 

Having lost only their second game of the campaign to Halifax Town in gameweek 42, the Red Dragons faced off against The Magpies the following match in what was branded the biggest clash in Non-League history. Add a sprinkling of Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney and one of the oldest clubs in English football, and the recipe was made for a mouth-watering contest.

Of course, the occasion did not disappoint, with just under 10,000 fans witnessing a National League classic. Wrexham entered the final minutes of the game 3-2 up, only for Notts County to be awarded a penalty in the 97th minute, with Ben Foster saving Cedwyn Scott’s spotkick.

After triumphing in North Wales, the celebrity-owned club went on to win the National League title with a record 111 points, while County finished the season with the second-highest total of 107. Despite the disappointment of missing out on automatic promotion, the East Midlands outfit reached League Two via the play-offs after overcoming Chesterfield 4-3 on penalties at Wembley Stadium.

Now a Championship team, Wrexham are striving to become only the second side to rise from the National League to the Premier League.

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Notts County pip Wrexham to break National League goalscoring record

The 2022-23 season not only produced a record points tally by Wrexham, but it also saw the highest number of goals scored in a National League campaign, with Notts County totalling 117.

Unlike the battle for promotion, the race to be the division’s top goalscorers did go down to the final day, with The Magpies pipping the Red Dragons by one goal. Ironically, both teams finished the campaign with 1-1 draws to bring the curtain down on an epic term.

Unsurprisingly, it was Wrexham’s Paul Mullin and Notts County’s Macaulay Langstaff who blitzed the division by some margin. However, it was the latter who clinched the golden boot after ending the campaign with 41 goals, just three more than Mullin.

 

 

Luton Town the most successful promoted team

The ceiling has never been higher for National League teams, with Luton Town reaching the pinnacle of English football within a decade of promotion from the fifth tier.

In 2013-14, the Hatters waltzed the division, finishing the campaign 19 points clear of second-placed Cambridge United with 101 points. Not only that, but the Bedfordshire club ended the season with a goal difference of 67.

Nine years later, Luton secured their place in the Premier League after defeating Coventry City on penalties, a team that had Viktor Gyokeres spearheading their attack. By finishing third, and 10 points clear of the Sky Blues, Rob Edwards’ side will feel they earned their glory.

(C)Getty Images

While the Hatters were relegated from the top flight at the first attempt, they put up a respectable fight, finishing 18th on 26 points. Moreover, they took a point off Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool at Kenilworth Road.

Although their demise to League One has been swift, Luton have shown the National League sides exactly what can be achieved when you gather momentum in the EFL.

 

How to watch The National League exclusively on DAZN

You can watch the whole of the 2025-26 season with a National League TV DAZN subscription at a special offer price of £79.99! 

Every game in the National League, and selected matches in National League North and National League South, is available on DAZN, either live and/or on-demand*. That's over 600 games all in one place.

NLTV on DAZN is available on any device, including Smart TVs, mobile devices, tablets, streaming devices, games consoles, and, for viewers in the UK, your Sky box.

If you do not have the App already then just follow these instructions....

Download the free DAZN App from your normal App store on your TV, phone, tablet, or streaming device
On a laptop or PC, visit www.DAZN.com/home
Select 'Get started' or 'log in'
Enter your email address, or sign up via the Apple, Google or Facebook options
You then have access to all of DAZN's free content, including the Matchroom boxing channel, LIV Golf and FIFA+
Then find the National League page and click 'buy now'

For more information and to sign up, head here now.

*3pm Saturday kick-offs subject to TV blackout restrictions, but available to watch later on Saturday on-demand