Counties 3 Midlands West (North) (formerly Midlands 4 West (North)) is a level 9 English Rugby Union league and level 4 of the Midlands League, made up of teams from the northern part of the West Midlands region including Shropshire, parts of Birmingham and the West Midlands and occasionally Cheshire, with home and away matches played throughout the season. Each year some of the clubs in this division also take part in the RFU Junior Vase - a level 9-12 national competition.
Formed for the 2005-06 season, the division was originally known as Midlands 5 West (North) but changed to its present name for the 2008âÂÂ09 season due to league restructuring. Further restructuring followed in the wake of the RFU's Adult Competition Review and from season 2022-23 it has been known by its current name.
Promoted teams move up to Counties 2 Midlands West (North) while relegated teams drop to Counties 4 Midlands West (North).
Departing were Leek II and Newcastle (Staffs) II, promoted to Counties 2 Midlands West (West). Stoke-on-Trent II (11th) were relegated to Counties 4 Midlands West (North).
Handsworth (6th) left on a level transfer to Counties 3 Midlands West (East).
Departing were Aston Old Edwardians and Trentham, promoted to Counties 2 Midlands West (East) and Counties 2 Midlands West (West) respectively. Cleobury Mortimer (6th) went on a level transfer to Counties 3 Midlands West (South). Shrewsbury II (11th) and Ludlow II (12th) were relegated into the Shropshire merit leagues.
Joining were Burton III, Handsworth, Rugeley, Stoke-on-Trent II and Uttoxeter.
Aldridge (10th in 2023-24) started but did not complete the season leaving eleven sides to contest the remaining fixtures.
Departing were Willenhall and Rugeley, both promoted to Counties 2 Midlands West (West). Wednesbury (9th) and Warley (10th) were relegated to Counties 4 Midlands West (North) and Counties 4 Midlands West (South) respectively.
Joining were Aldridge, Cleobury Mortimer, Stone, Leek II, Shrewsbury II and Newcastle (Staffs) II.
Departing were Oswestry and Market Drayton, both promoted to Counties 2 Midlands West (North). Birmingham Exiles (10th) departed on a level transfer to Counties 3 Midlands West (South). Essington (12th) were relegated to Counties 4 Midlands West (North). Yardley & District (8th) did not return for the new season.
Joining were Cannock, Eccleshall, Ludlow II
Cannock who finished 12th in 2019-20 were relegated to Midlands 5 West (South) with their place taken by Oswestry who were level transferred from Lancs/Cheshire 2 which was disbanded before the start of the 2021-22 season.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020âÂÂ21 season was cancelled.
When this division was introduced in 2005 as Midlands 5 West (North), it contained the following teams:
Midlands 5 West (North) was introduced ahead of the 2005âÂÂ06 season as a tier 9 league to replace the discontinued North Midlands (North) and Staffordshire 1 leagues. Promotion was to Midlands 4 West (North) and relegation to Midlands 6 West (North).
Further league restructuring by the RFU meant that Midlands 5 West (North) and Midlands 5 West (South) were renamed as Midlands 4 West (North) and Midlands 4 West (South), with both leagues remaining at tier 9. Promotion was now to Midlands 3 West (North) (formerly Midlands 4 West (North)) and relegation to Midlands 5 West (North) (formerly Midlands 6 West (North)) until that league was discontinued at the end of the 2018âÂÂ19 season.