PROGRAMME ARTICLE 02 11

Following an action packed first round of the FA Vase, the Midland Football League has at least 14 teams through to the second round and just 7 games away from a Wembley final. With the strength of our league competition, chances of one of our sides reaching Wembley must be good. Even better, how about an all Midland League final? If that should happen, then a Midland League day out has to be on the cards.
As the competition progresses through the rounds, attendances will increase and interest from local media, supporters, potential supporters should generate much needed publicity for all of our clubs involved. There are some big non-league names in the competition and the Vase has been dominated by the Northern League for many years. The reason for this isn’t too hard to see. Most Northern League clubs choose not to be promoted due to the distances involved with promotion to the Northern Premier League. With only Blyth Spartans and Gateshead, and to a lesser extent, Whitby Town, from the far North East plying their trade in Step 4 and above, most non-league players from the North play in the Northern League. This increases the strength of a number of the teams to such an extent that they could comfortably compete at Step 3 or 4. Does this mean that the MFL is at a disadvantage? Given the strength of our competition this season, there does appear to be more of a level playing field and our clubs should fear no-one in the competition. Who knows, in a couple of months’ time, we could all be celebrating with a trip to the Wembley Arch.