It does seem a bit odd that having last season beaten Cromford & Swanick Pentrich (Midland Regional Alliance League Premier & Division 1 respectively); Chapel Town (Manchester League Premier) and ultimately Dronfield Town (MRAL Premier) to win the Cup we now find ourselves pitted against Chapel Town Reserves in the early rounds this season.

The vagaries of the DCFA have this season conspired that those Premier 'pyramid' teams ostensibly of a higher standard(!!!) should compete in the Senior Cup, probably not their preference, and against the top semi-pro teams.

This move will no doubt increase concerns that the HVFL is losing ground and it does beg the question as to whether it is now time to take the necessary steps to join the Football League’s pyramid structure to attract and retain clubs rather than to act simply as a stepping stone only to risk losing more of the strongest and best run outfits. 

Had the HVFL been on the Football League's ladder then it might have retained the likes of Rowsley, Dronfield Town, Chapel Town, Parkhouse & Gamesley Etc..... and those together with the top teams currently in the HVFL would have competed comfortably alongside any of those leagues as Whaley continue to demonstrate.