The Football Association, Nottinghamshire, and of course ourselves at ‘the Nottingham Sport,’ cordially invite you, the football fan, to that of the 2021/22 season, and what fun awaits, in the best way, after a change of goal-posts and a ‘slight’ restructuring of the that beautiful pyramid we call home.

There were disappointments, there always is in this, the beautiful game, with nobody deemed ready to be elevated from either the Central Midlands League, or the Nottinghamshire Senior League; but it matters not, they’ll continue their swashbuckling brand of no-nonsense, all-out, attacking football next season and be ready for when that call comes.

But what of the other clubs within Nottinghamshire’s boundaries, who’s doing what, any movers and shakers?? Well, actually, yes, there is, so let’s take a good old look around and get ready for another, rollercoaster season of derbies and rivalries, road trips and those ever-wonderful groundhoppers.

Affecting Steps Three to Six of the pyramid, there’s been several changes, well at Four, Five and Six anyway, and it is in Step Four, and that of the Northern Premier League East, that we shall begin.

Worksop Town, ably led by Craig Parry, have several new clubs to face next season, including several trips to the good ol’ North-East, three further clubs from that region joining the division to take their quota to five – Dunston UTS, Hebburn Town, Marske United, Shildon, and Stockton Town.

The other three sides joining Worksop come from the Yorkshire region, they being that of Bridlington Town, Liversedge, and Yorkshire Amateurs; immediately after the news was posted of the changes, fans were looking forward to some exciting away trips.

One Worksop fan, Glyn Howarth, posted; “Too many to mention but, Old rivals Taddy and Frickley, Old friends Brid and Cleethorpes, Pickering usually a good hunting ground apart from Hilly getting Red card for abusing their idiot lol. So many good away trips here.”

And down the pyramid we go…

Of the two, Step Five leagues involving Nottinghamshire clubs, then there is the Northern Counties East Premier Division, and the United Counties Premier Division North, sees a few changes.

In the former of the two, AFC Mansfield are joined by the elevation of Sherwood Colliery, whom are based in Mansfield Woodhouse and move up from the East Midlands Counties League, whilst in the latter, a division that sees a number of changes, Eastwood CFC have been elevated and Newark FC moved across.

It’s an exciting time at Eastwood, the Red Badgers, with the usual smiley face emoji included, kept it short and sweet on their socials, saying: “Eastwood CFC are delighted to announce we have now officially been promoted and will be playing in the United Counties Premier Division at Step 5 for the 2021/22 season.”

Other new sides in the division include that of Long Eaton United, and a trip to old Skegness Town, with a little bit of Nirvana, and some Quorn, for added measure, and, whilst thanking the Midlands League for being their hosts in recent times, Newark FC are also looking forward to adventures anew.

They posted: “We confirm we have moved into the step 5 United Counties premier div North as part of the FA restructure. This means less travel for away games & more local derbies & new grounds to look forward.”

Onto Step Six, and there’s even more action down there – it’s like one of those all-you-can-eat buffets, or a bottomless pint of whatever you may desire, just add some old-fashioned football into the mix, and you’re good to go.

In the Northern Counties East, a number of sides have been moved over from the East Midlands Counties Premier to supplement the numbers, and several come from Nottinghamshire, four in fact, joining Retford FC to take the Notts quota up, from one to five.

Retford now find themselves being joined by Clipstone, Ollerton Town, Rainworth Miners Welfare, and Teversal; of those, Ollerton have only been in the league for but a couple of months, a dozen games, and have a new manager to boot, Stephen Bodle joining just over a week ago.

Rainworth MW are of the same thoughts as other clubs to be moved around, more derbies, adding themselves that: “Some great local derbies next season. Welcome to the new clubs in the division!”

Would you believe it, there’s more, just one more division in which to pillage and plunder, and it’s that of the United Counties Division One, and lots upon lots of changes there, with the arrival of thirteen, yes, unlucky, thirteen new clubs.

Of the magnificent thirteen, half a dozen are ours, right here in Notts, with that of the Clifton All Whites, Dunkirk, Gedling Miners Welfare, Hucknall Town, Kimberley Miners Welfare, and West Bridgford (phew, there’s a few for you), all being moved across – so expect a lot of Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire rivalry next season.

One of those sides, the Yellows of Hucknall Town, even celebrated with the welcoming back of fans for a post-season friendly with Ilkeston Town U23s, whilst the latter of the club, West Bridgford, posted: “Following a restructure of Steps 4-6 of the National League System the East Midlands Counties League is no more. Thank you to the league officials for delivering an excellent league over the years. We have now been moved across to the United Counties League Division 1.”

And finally, yes, we’ll add a one of those in because, at the end of the day, they all count in this, the beautiful game, we’ll spare a last minute though for the sides of both the Central Midlands, and Nottinghamshire Senior League’s, neither of whom saw sides depart for pastures new, even with applications being put in.

The CML posted: “We can confirm that no CMFL clubs have been given a berth at Step 6 for next season. Should be two ultra-competitive divisions for next seasons Premier!,” whilst the NSL said: “Seems no teams from the East Midlands Region have been promoted to Step 6. Not a good outcome for those leagues and teams.”

Time to focus on salvaging, and finishing, this season, and prepare for next, and, whatever it may bring, just go out there, and enjoy yourselves, and the beautiful game.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @worksoptownfc the Tigers will be in action in the new NPL East Division next season.