Counties 4 Midlands West (North) (formerly Midlands 5 West (North)) was a level 10 English Rugby Union league and level 5 of the Midlands League, that was made up of teams from the northern part of the West Midlands region including clubs from parts of Birmingham and the West Midlands, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire and even Cheshire, with home and away matches played throughout the season. Each year some of the clubs in this division took part in the RFU Junior Vase - a level 9-12 national competition.
The league was formed in 2005 and was originally known as Midlands 6 West (North) prior to the Midlands league restructure at the end of the 2008âÂÂ09 season. Promoted teams typically moved up to Counties 3 Midlands West (North) and there was relegation due to it being one of the basement divisions for Midlands rugby. At the end of the 2018âÂÂ19 season the league was discontinued, with the majority of teams transferred to Midlands 5 West (South). However, following the RFU's Adult Competition Review, from season 2022-23 the league was reinstated with the new name Counties 4 Midlands West (North).
Departing were Newport (Salop) III (champions) and St Leonards (runners-up), both promoted to Counties 3 Midlands West (North). Warley (3rd) were promoted to Counties 3 Midlands West (South).
Aldridge re-entered the league having withdrawn from Counties 3 Midlands West (North) in season 2024âÂÂ25.
Departing were Burton III and Stoke-on-Trent II, both promoted to Counties 3 Midlands West (North). Atherstone were promoted to Counties 3 Midlands West (East).
Joining were Newport (Salop) III, Telford Hornets II and Warley.
Whittington (9th in 23âÂÂ24) and Erdington (12th in 23âÂÂ24) started the season but withdrew due to an inability to fulfil fixtures.
Departing were Stone, promoted whilst Longton II (11th) returned to the Staffordshire merit leagues.
Joining were Whittington, Wednesbury and Burntwood II.
This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review with the league adopting its new name of Counties 4 Midlands West (North).
Not contested
When this division was introduced in 2005 as Midlands 6 West (North) it contained the following teams:
Midlands 6 West (North) was introduced ahead of the 2005âÂÂ06 season as a tier 10 league to replace the discontinued North Midlands (North) and Staffordshire 1 leagues. Promotion was to Midlands 5 West (North) and there was no relegation.
Further league restructuring by the RFU meant that Midlands 6 West (North) and their counterparts Midlands 6 West (South-East / South-West) were renamed as Midlands 5 West North and Midlands 5 West (South-East) and Midlands 5 West (South-West), with all leagues remaining at tier 10. Promotion was now to Midlands 4 West (North) (formerly Midlands 5 West (North)) and there was no relegation. At the end of 2018âÂÂ19 season Midlands 5 West (North) was cancelled.