The Northern Football Alliance was founded in 1890 as a single league, with a membership of seven teams.

It disbanded in 1964 due to lack of membership, but reformed just one season later, in 1965–66.

Under a sponsorship agreement it is billed as the Bay Plastics Northern Football Alliance.

The league's teams chiefly come from Tyneside as well as Northumberland, with teams from further south preferring to play in the Wearside League, but there are exceptions, for example Prudhoe Town F.C.

from Northumberland competed in the Wearside League, whilst Coundon and Leeholme from near Bishop Auckland in southern County Durham compete in the Alliance.