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Two promotions confirmed following 2025/26 National League North and South playoff finals

We now know the two promotions confirmed following this weekend’s 2025/26 National League North and South playoff finals.

Kidderminster are back in the National League for the first time since they were relegated from it in the 2023/24 season.

Two goals in two minutes proved to be enough for the Harriers, a cross met Kieren Donnelly at the far post to head home on 35 minutes, before Charlie Cooper doubled the scoreline South Shields unable to clear, and hit shot deflects and finds the net.

Kidderminster finished the regular season 3rd with 87 points from 46 games played, then beat Macclesfield 3-1 in the playoff semi final. South Shields meanwhile finished 2nd with 95 points from 46 games played, 5 points behind the champions AFC Fylde, the Mariners then beat Buxton 1-0 i the playoff smei final.

Kidderminster boss Adam Murray said to BBC Hereford and Worcester:

“It’s been a grind, an absolute grind.

“I think these boys have played with unbelievable pressure for the last six months now and I’m so proud of them.

“They had a tough time at the start, we all took some incredible abuse and they’ve stuck together and come through it.

“To finish it off today with that performance I’m just so, so proud.”

Hornchurch finished 2nd with 81 points from 46 games played, 3 points behind champions Worthing. Torquay were 3rd with 80 points. Hornchurch beat Weston-super-Mare 2-0 in the playoff semi final, Torquay beat Dorking 4-2 in theirs.

In the final, a beaut of a volley from Deon Moore put Torquay in front after 15 minutes before Hornchurch levelled from a Dom Poleon penalty on the verge of half time.

The Gulls then went back in front with 10 minutes of the second half to go, that man again, Deon Moore sending it low into the back of the net.

But late drama, as Hornchurch got themselves an equaliser through Henry Hearn on 92 minutes, taking the tie to extra time, then the hosts went and then Sam Ling grabbed a late winner on the 117th minute.

Here’s the social media reaction following two promotions confirmed now that the 2025/26 National League North and South playoff finals have been played out…

ON SOUTH SHIELDS v KIDDERMINSTER:

@JSWC1995: Fylde and Kidderminster, a match made in heaven. You just can’t leave us alone! Big congratulations to Adam and big Meeks on a second promotion together, see you next season folks, enjoy the celebrations!

@richthorndike: So many doubters early part of the season. What an amazing job Muzza has done. I hope they have the courage to come back on here and apologise. Well done Kiddy. Back in the National League!! 🍾

@leesinclair11: Congrats from a shields fan better team from the start think our lot are in chippy or pub still didnt turn up today well done

@aw_2690: Going up again, going up again, going up again ole ole ole 🎶

@simon567778: Lesson learnt for all of those calling for the gaffers head who saod he was clueless. Fools

@baylis_josh: FairPlay Adam Murray 🙌🏻🙌🏻 doubted by many midway through season – me included, happy to say how wrong was I

@bulletsburleigh (on South Shields’ Twitter): Some of the comments on here by fellow toon fans has pissed me right off. It’s not exclusive Sunderland and just because it south of Tyne doesn’t mean they are mackems. Shields is a 50/50 split between the two fan bases. It’s 11 miles from the toon, but Blyth is 18 but they are supported. The ground has been a collective of the toon and safc fans for years. It’s refreshing to have a club that we can all get behind. It’s a sad day for the region. We go again next season. #UTM

@MbwLdurham: As a @Official_HUFC fan, I watched the game hoping you could get up and have a derby game, disappointed you could not get over the line but you look tied and as if you had run out of steam, hopefully you can reset and next season win the league and no need for play offs

@Connor_RiceyGFC: Enjoy Hebburn away lads

@JoeShieldsMag1: Always felt like a tough ask today. Performance was poor and we made it too easy for Kiddy with gifting them two goals. Next season we need to try and build a more physical squad so we are able to win more games away and compete against rough and ready sides like Kiddy.

@ahgfc27588i: TITLE? PLAY-OFFS? HOW ABOUT NEITHER HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

@SCTP1212: Might get slated from other Shields fans but we were a disgrace today from top to bottom. Both management and players need to be assessed to see if they can cut it. On today’s showing all are severely lacking.

@cestrian_10: bottle job that is unfortunately. had all the spending power in the world, players well above the level knocking them in for fun against farmers but froze when it mattered. see you next season.

ON HORNCHURCH v TORQUAY:

@LSpireites (to Hornchurch): From a Chesterfield fan, huge congratulations. Torquay may be a bigger club with a longer history but that means nothing, you have beat them on the pitch which is all that counts. Enjoy your celebrations and good luck next season in the National League! 💙

@Adamo_001: Another Daryl McMahon masterclass, what a manager

@NathanTBatWaver: Fair play Hornchurch. That ground in the national league is gonna be crazy and I kinda love it 😂😂

@ryan_woolnough: Oh dear. Another year in the NLS for the “massive” Torquay 🤣 Glad Hornchurch did it after the bleating from Torquay officials & fans about the final, trying to get it moved and just generally complaining about having to go to The Bridge., The “EFL club” have thrown it away 🤣

@ArgyleMemes on Torquay: Need to have a serious mentality check next season. Too big to be in NLS. You’re not Exeter FFS.

@DanPreston45545: Enjoy the nls boys xoxo – Yeovil fans

@Cardinal27: 😂😂😂😂 probably should have worried more about your own team than the size of Hornchurch’s ground and whether it was suitable enough or not. Enjoy your trip to Farnham next season!!

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