Holder Neil Tooth knows only too well how Step 6 sides can go all the way in the Midland Football League (MFL) Cup having managed Sutton United to glory last season.
The Green Army won the Division One play-off final and achieved a historic double by beating Tooth’s former club Romulus on penalties after a 1-1 draw, United’s Joe Gildea cancelling out Alfie Taylor’s first-half opener for the Roms.
It followed a quarter-final win over Studley and semi-final success at AFC Wolverhampton City, the trio of Premier Division scalps making it “an even bigger achievement” for Tooth.
They followed in the footsteps of Stapenhill reaching the 2025 final, Hinckley AFC lifting the trophy with victory over Whitchurch Alport in 2023 and Division One champions Walsall Wood completing the double in 2018.
“If we get any of the teams from the top half of Division One then we know it is a game that we have to take very seriously,” said Tooth.
“From what I saw last year I don’t think there is a lot of difference between those top-half sides and those in the Premier.
“It is probably the cup that we have a better chance of winning. You’re not going to win the FA Cup, you always want to go as far as possible in the FA Vase, and then you have the Walsall Senior Cup and Birmingham Senior Cup where you know there are teams from higher levels and that you have to do very well to get to the latter rounds.
“This is one that gives you a realistic chance of not only putting some silverware in the cabinet but enjoying a final at an EFL venue as well.”
This season’s competition kicks off with 10 first round ties in September as 42 Premier Division and Division One clubs plot a path to a showpiece to be held at Walsall’s Bescot Stadium.
The draws are regionalised with round one seeing Division Two champions Northfield Town feature in the competition for the first time, facing a challenging trip to Lye Town.
FCV Grace Dieu’s bow is at Kirby Muxloe while GNG Oadby Town’s first taste will be at Division One rivals Lutterworth Athletic.
Laterally-transferred Coalville Town head to Saffron Dynamo, promoted Bustleholme travel to higher-ranked Tividale and Stockport Georgians start on home soil against Premier Division rivals Stone Old Alleynians. Gornal Athletic entertain Dudley Town in a tasty-looking Black Country derby.
Seven round two ties are already set in stone with Sutton United starting their defence at home to Division One newcomers Anstey Town.
West Didsbury & Chorlton head to last season’s beaten play-off finalists Northwich Victoria, while Holwell Sports travel to 2025 finalists Stapenhill.
ROUND ONE
Tuesday, September 29
Coventry Copsewood v Darlaston Town
Gornal Athletic v Dudley Town
Heather St John’s v AFC North Kilworth
Kirby Muxloe v FCV Grace Dieu
Lutterworth Athletic v GNG Oadby Town
Lye Town v Northfield Town
Stockport Georgians v Stone Old Alleynians
Tividale v Bustleholme
Uttoxeter Town v Brocton
Wednesday, September 30
Saffron Dynamo v Coalville Town
ROUND TWO
Monday, October 26
Chelmsley Town v Birmingham OJM
Tuesday, October 27
Abbey Hulton United v Runcorn Town
Boldmere Rangers v AFC Wolverhampton City
Cheadle Town v Winsford United
Northwich Victoria v West Didsbury & Chorlton
Stapenhill v Holwell Sports
Sutton United v Anstey Town
Undecided ties
Copsewood or Darlaston v Gornal or Dudley
Cradley Town v Lye or Northfield
Kirby or Grace Dieu v Ingles
Leicester St Andrews v Heather or North Kilworth
Lutterworth A or Oadby v Birstall United
Saffron or Coalville v Romulus
Sporting Khalsa v Tividale or Bustleholme
Stockport G or Stone v Wythenshawe Town
Uttoxeter or Brocton v Whitchurch Alport
Dates subject to change – please check on Full-Time and/or with clubs before travelling
