Southern Counties (1987–1993) Originally the Southern Counties North and
Southern Counties South leagues were combined in a single division called Southern Counties. It was a tier 7 league with promotion to
South West 2 and relegation to either
Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1 or
Bucks/Oxon 1.
Southern Counties (1993–1996) At the end of the 1992–93 season the top six teams from
London Division 1 and the top six from
South West Division 1 were combined to create
National 5 South. This meant that Southern Counties dropped from a tier 7 league to a tier 8 league for the years that National 5 South was active. Promotion continued to
South West 2 and relegation to either
Berks/Dorset/Wilts 1 or
Bucks/Oxon 1.
Southern Counties North (1996–2000) Restructuring by the
RFU at the end of the 1995–96 season saw Southern Counties split into two separate leagues, Southern Counties North and
Southern Counties South. They reverted to tier 7 leagues due to the cancellation of
National 5 South. Promotion from Southern Counties North was now to the new
South West 2 East while relegation was now only to
Bucks/Oxon 1.
Southern Counties North (2000–2009) Southern Counties North remained a tier 7 league, with promotion continuing to
South West 2 East. However, the transfer of Berkshire clubs from the Dorset/Wilts leagues to the Bucks/Oxon leagues, meant that relegation was now to new
Berks/Bucks & Oxon 1 (formerly Bucks/Oxon 1).
Southern Counties North (2009–2022) Despite widespread league restructuring by the
RFU, Southern Counties North continued as a tier 7 league, with promotion to
South West 1 East (formerly South West 2 East) and relegation to
Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier.
Counties 1 Southern North (2022– ) Following the reorganisation of the leagues, Southern Counties North was renamed Counties 1 Southern North and remained a level seven league. The champions are promoted to
Regional 2 South Central or
Regional 2 Thames and one or two teams (on one occasion five) are relegated, depending on location, to one of the level eight leagues;
Counties 2 Berks/Bucks & Oxon. ==Promotion play-offs==