WORCESTER City will face no fewer than NINE new league opponents next season after the FA’s reorganization of the National League system brought some surprises with it.
Many predictions had paired City with teams in the southeast Midlands for the 2021-22 season, but the Midland Football League Premier Division has drawn clubs all the way north City of Congleton in Cheshire – more than 80 miles away.
As expected, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire heavyweights like Newark and Long Eaton United have been moved sideways, but the task of getting the Claines Lane outfit back into the pyramid is with Congleton and. not easier Hanley Town among the big guns heading south from the North West Counties League.
Newark, Long Eaton United, Gresley, Heather St. John’s and Selston were all transferred to the United Counties League Premier Division North while Coventry United and Coventry Sphinx Off to the Premier Division South.
Sporty Khalsa have been promoted from City’s level as they have had the best record in the past two incomplete seasons, meaning eight clubs will leave. A ninth gap was created in 2020-21 after the resignation of. a loophole has been closed South Normanton Athletic.
Congleton and Hanley were in the top six in the division led by Warrington Rylands, Wembley finalists for this year’s FA Vase.
“I think you have to keep an eye on things,” said City boss Tim Harris.
“When I checked before the leagues were released, we were partnered with clubs like Newark, Long Eaton and Selston that were similar, if not farther, distances.
“What you lose with one, you gain with another, and from my point of view it doesn’t make much difference if you’re used to going to places like Barrow or King’s Lynn on a Tuesday night.
“We’re going to go to places we’ve never been before and it’s going to be an interesting exercise, we have to respect all opponents.
“There are some good clubs joining us, we have also lost some good clubs, but we have to play against everyone and we are looking forward to the challenge.”
Congleton and Hanley entered the Midland Football League from Whitchurch Alport, North Shropshire.
The other six positions are filled with promoters from three different leagues.
Most famous is Bewdley Town, a regular City preseason opponent in recent years, and a team led by ex-Kidderminster Harriers gaffer Phil Mullen.
Bewdley is one of three well-funded graduates from the West Midlands (Regional) League City of Shifnal drive alongside Wolverhampton Casuals.
City of light field and City of Uttoxeter Promotion from the Midland Football League Division One and another trip north was put on the agenda.
Stone Old Alleynians – the club that played their first FA Cup game in their history against City in August 2019 – are coming from the North West Counties League Division One to complete the line-up.
One of the more notable elements is that while City will make round trips of more than 160 miles, it won’t take them Malvern city only 10 miles away.
The Hillsiders were promoted from the Hellenic League Division One West but were placed in the Premier Division of the same league with a presence in Herefordshire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and areas of Bristol.
