It has become increasingly apparent over the last few seasons, that the fluid geographical boundaries that define the borders between various leagues are starting to cause concerns for Leagues, Clubs, Players and Supporters alike.

For nearly a decade now The FA have been trying to create the perfect non-league pyramid with a structure that rationalises the expectations for clubs to enter, and then progress, through the National League System. 

This season, the North West Counties League continues to operate with 24 teams in its Step 5 Division, with its Most Southerly members in line with the path of the River Mersey.  We have recently seen Clubs such as Northwich Victoria and Winsford United migrate over to the Midland Football League Premier Division. Clubs such as South Liverpool and City of Liverpool recently were provisionally allocated to the Midland League but, with last minute reprieves, have subsequently left the NWCFL top heavy with member Clubs and the Midland Football League with 18 members.

At Step 6, The NWCFL has clubs on the Wirral Peninsula travelling to places such as Wolverhampton, Telford and Wellington.  Places of which should be synonymous with the Midland Football League.

With resource management, a key part of the operations of the Midland Football League and the NWCFL, we are seeing our Clubs travelling further, we are seeing Clubs, who are appealing every season against their placement in various leagues, struggling financially to keep up with travel requirements and disengagement with Players and local fan bases.  Local derbies are being reduced and as such clubs are seeing evolution with their traditional support being affected.

We are seeing memberships evolve around big cities with clusters of clubs in 10 mile radius’ and regional and provincial clubs becoming more and more in the minority.  With predictions for future club allocations at both Steps Five and Six further clouding over operational areas and with Match Official arrangements already becoming increasingly difficult to source and manage, we feel that the time is right for discussions with The Football Association to talk openly with Leagues about the current and future issues.  Discussions that aren’t limited by a marginalised agenda and discussions that address logistical concerns.

Is a Perfect Pyramid the perfect shape for the National League System? Maybe, maybe not. There is a great case for it by way of a symmetrical shape, but our memberships are not always conveniently located.  There are clubs such as Kendal Town, Carlisle City and Penrith, all heading over to the North East every weekend.  If matters were addressed by simple geographical branding, why would North West Clubs be playing in the North East and this is what we at the NWCFL and Midlands League have been talking about.

In recent discussions between NWCFL Chairman Chris Stirrup and Midland Football League Chairman, Mike Joiner, it has become apparent that both leagues are finding the same operational frustrations regarding Club allocations. 

NWCFL Chairman Chris Stirrup is calling for an exploratory set of talks to take place, stating that “Following recent dialogue with our friends and Counterparts at the Midland Football League, it has become apparent that we are both having the same concerns regarding Club allocations and the knock-on effect that this is having.  Regionally, it is apparent that our respective Steps Five and Six Divisions are covering each other’s area.  We have a situation where in the NWCFL, any team promoted from our Step Six First Division South Division will now go into the Midland Football League Step Five Division, whilst Clubs relegated from the Midland League Step Five could end up playing as far away Runcorn.”

“We have a similar issue at the Northern lying regions of our Step 5 Division, with Clubs being placed into the Northern Leagues.  All of these placements need transport, need match officials, need Players and need Supporters.  Mike Joiner and I would be interested in speaking with other leagues about the effect that club migrations are having on their operations as well as speaking with The FA about how we can support them in finding a more suitable and sustainable way of integrating new clubs into the NLS whilst providing the best possible support, logistics and development opportunities for existing clubs. If the FA is truly For All, then we want to make that happen” 

Mike Joiner, Chairman of the Midland Football League added “In addition to our concerns regarding the current boundaries between the Midland Football League and the North West Counties League, we also have the same concerns regarding movement of clubs between ourselves and both the United Counties League and The Hellenic League. This is also having a detrimental effect on progressive clubs at Step 7 and below, who are unable to effectively plan for their future, when they do not have any guarantees as to which Step 6 Division they will be allocated to. Over the past few years, the FA have spoken on numerous occasions about the sustainability of Clubs at all levels. The current policy of moving clubs each season between leagues, with the extra costs incurred, which they can ill-afford, does not aid the sustainability of clubs towards the bottom of the pyramid.

This is all about opening a dialogue and discussion to continue to support one of the most open and competitive Non-League Systems in word football.  We want to ensure that all clubs have a chance to keep their operational costs down whilst retaining their regional identities.  We want to ensure that Match officials don’t travel wide and varied distances. We want to ensure Players don’t give up on the game due to travelling or lack of games and also, for Supporters to go along and not have to change generational allegiances because a traditional derby opponent has been changed by Administration rather than Competitive football.

​Romulus were looking to build on their encouraging 4-0 win over Warstone Wanderers in the JW Hunt Cup with a result against Whitchurch Alport in the league. The Roms are going through a rebuild under manager Ty Belford at step five but have made some positives steps so far this season.   

They notably beat division one side Bilston Town 7-1 in the league cup a few weeks back to progress to the third round where they will play Cradley Town (Away) on Tuesday 25th November.  

The Roms had been competitive at home with narrow losses to Brocton and AFC Wolverhampton City throughout November.

Whitchurch were looking to bounce back from last weekend’s 6-3 loss to step six side Radford in the FA Vase. The visitors are also rebuilding at step five under new manager Jayson Starkey and have been competitive at this level.

Standout results so far include the 3-0 away win against Coton Green and the 1-1 home draw with 1874 Northwich with both sides challenging for the play offs.   

A notable number of away supporters made the trip to Sutton Coldfield for yesterday’s match at Coles Lane which was impressive given the weather conditions.     

​Starting line ups

The starting line up for Romulus included Callum Smith starting in goal and Raphael Johnson captaining the team at centre back. The formation looked like a 4-3-3 with a front two of Brad Mansell and Logan Trainer being supported by Alfie Taylor in the number ten role.

There were two changes from their match against Warstone Wanderers on Tuesday with Logan Trainer coming into the team and playing as part of a front two.

The starting line up for Whitchurch included Jack Sheward starting in goal and Freddie Bishton captaining the team at centre back. The formation looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Ollie Holden playing up front and being supported by Theo Knight and Alex Hughes on the wings.

There were four changes from their match against Radford last weekend with Tom Messham coming into the team and playing at left back. 

​First Half

Romulus got off to a good start in the opening stages of the first half and were taking the game to Whitchurch. They looked sharp out of possession and were pressing high up the pitch to stop the visitors playing out from the back.  

They were building some momentum going forward and took the lead on 6 minutes. Logan Trainer found some space down the left-hand side before playing a low ball to Brad Mansell at the back post who finished into the bottom left corner for 1-0.

Whitchurch gradually grew into the game as the first half went on and created some decent chances in front of goal. They had a good chance for an equaliser when Alex Hughes ran through on goal before firing wide of the right-hand post on 12 minutes.

Romulus came close to making it 2-0 on 17 minutes when Alfie Taylor struck a free kick from the edge of the box that was tipped over by the bar by Jack Sheward.

The visitors found an equaliser that came out of nowhere a few minutes later. Tom Messham made a good run down the left-hand side from full back before playing a cross that looped over Callum Smith and into the top right corner for 1-1 on 21 minutes.    

Whitchurch were building some momentum following the equaliser and looked more of a threat going forward. Alex Hughes was causing problems down the left-hand side and making things happen for the Shropshire side. Theo Knight has a proven track record at this level and made some promising runs down the right throughout the first half.  

Romulus showed character to not let the equaliser affect them and they kept going at 1-1. They stood up to the Whitchurch pressure well with Charlie Gardener and Angelo Njong working tirelessly off the ball to break up promising attacks from midfield.

The Roms produced a moment of quality to take the lead on 38 minutes. Reece Nunn showed good technique to get the ball down before playing a well weighted through ball to Brad Mansell who produced a quality finish into the top right corner for 2-1.

The visitors responded well and found an equaliser a few minutes later to make it 2-2. Alex Hughes reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box before cutting inside and finding the bottom right corner.

It was a fantastic finish by Whitchurch’s all time leading goalscorer who impressed yesterday on his return to the club following a prolific first spell.    

Romulus reacted well and found a huge goal just before half time from a well delivered corner into the box. Charlie Gardener found some space before heading into the top left corner for 3-2 to cap off an impressive first half for the Roms.

Second Half

The second half was a lot cagier than the first with both sides cancelling each other out for large spells.

Whitchurch shaded it and were building some momentum on the Romulus goal.

They found an equaliser on 62 minutes following a mix up at the back which allowed Alex Hughes through on goal. He made no mistake and produced a composed finish into the bottom left corner for 3-3.     

The visitors were going for the win following the equaliser and started to commit more players forward. They also changed to a back three with George Carpenter moving deeper and joining Freddie Bishton and Josh Madeley at the back.    

It was not quite clicking for Romulus in the second half, but they still created some good chances in front of goal. Reece Nunn made a promising late run into the box before firing over the bar on 73 minutes.

Alex Hughes had a brilliant game for Whitchurch yesterday and was making things happen in the final third. He had a shot from the edge of the box tipped round the post by Callum Smith on 75 minutes.

Whitchurch had a guilt edged chance to win it on 82 minutes when Adam Jasper ran through on goal with just Callum Smith to beat. The Romulus keeper stepped up and made an instinctive double save to keep it at 3-3.

Romulus created some momentum late on with Kyle Perry coming on and making a difference up front. He found some space in the box before having his shot saved by Jack Sheward on 89 minutes.

The Roms battled well with Whitchurch throughout the second half and did an underrated job of not letting the match get away from them. Ethan Green made some good blocks at centre back and read the danger well with Charlie Gardener and Angelo Njong helping to shield the back four from midfield.   

The visitors came close to a winner late on when Alex Hughes had a deflected free kick go narrowly wide of the right-hand post.

Both sides were able to hold on for a point in an entertaining match at Coles Lane yesterday afternoon.  

On the balance of play it’s probably a fair result with Romulus shading the first half and Whitchurch looking the better side in the second half.

Upcoming fixtures

Romulus have a busy run of fixtures coming up and travel to Northwich Victoria on Tuesday evening before playing Lye Town at home next Saturday.  

They then travel to Cradley Town in the MFL League Cup on Tuesday 25th November before returning to league action with an away game against Tividale on Saturday 29th November.  

Whitchurch have a tough run of games coming up over the next month. They travel to Stone Old Alleynians on Saturday 29th November before a run of homes games against play off challengers Northwich Victoria (Saturday 6th December) and Coton Green (Saturday 13th December).   

They then have a run of away games over the festive period against Dudley Town (Saturday 20th December) and Winsford United (Friday 26th December).         

FT score: Romulus 3-3 Whitchurch Alport

Man of the match: Alex Hughes (Whitchurch Alport)

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League