As continuing part of non-league restructuring, the Division One South temporarily had 20 teams, while the Division One North contained 21, with a targeted number for both of 22 teams.
This naturally affected the number of relegation slots available during the season, as the league attempted to enlarge the size of the divisions at the end of the season.
President's Cup: Teams from lower 2 divisions.
The 2009 version of the Peter Swales Shield saw the champions of the 2008–09 NPL Premier Division, Eastwood Town, play against the winners of the 2009 NPL Chairman's Cup, Durham City.
Eastwood Town won the match 2–1.