Northamptonshire FA Hillier Senior Cup - 2026/27

[Rhodes]

A newly introduced format of the 2026/27 Northamptonshire FA Hillier Senior Cup will see Club's at Step 6 level competing in the competition for the first time in addition to the Northamptonshire FA Les Underwood Junior Cup, however surprisingly only Rothwell Corinthians and Wellingborough Whitworth from the Spartan South Midlands League (SSML) have entered:

[Rhodes]

There are some interesting, sorry, to quote Barry Davies in 1974 at Maine Road, very interesting, comments regarding the new format of the competition, clearly some individuals are not impressed however what is the problem, there's no pleasing some is there:

Think this and other County cups, would be better as a competitive pre-season competition. With the final at Northampton Town on the August bank holiday when the transfer deadline day ends. Nobody is interested in it and would give Club's, and those having trails at Club's, a good chance to see what they are like, least in a semi competitive competition. Think these should be looked at by the FA and why not, give it a go as maybe might get more fans turn up for these, not just in Northamptonshire but up and down the Country. Scotland, they okay the League cup group stages early and it’s over by Christmas so why not trail County cups as a pre- season cup, and you wonder why this cup competition is not respected. Why are there so many byes, why can't these teams play at another time. Maybe that game should be played behind closed doors, that would affect the NFA financially. Why do the Northamptonshire FA never answer these questions from fans.

I thought this was step 5 and above and RC not step 6.

Step 6 teams were invited into the competition and those that accepted the invitation have been included.

Why are Peterborough there, they are not in our County.

Peterborough United have always been eligible due to County border changes, I'm surprised they allowed Peterborough Sports though.

Edited June 4 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 04/06/2026 at 12:59, Rhodes said:

A newly introduced format of the 2026/27 Northamptonshire FA Hillier Senior Cup will see Club's at Step 6 level competing in the competition for the first time in addition to the Northamptonshire FA Les Underwood Junior Cup, however surprisingly only Rothwell Corinthians and Wellingborough Whitworth from the Spartan South Midlands League (SSML) have entered

The draw again:

[Rhodes]

Additionally, Bugbrooke St. Michaels have now joined the Spartan South Midlands League (SSML) for the 2026/27 season and are competing in the Northamptonshire FA Hillier Senior Cup, following a First Round bye they will host AFC Rushden & Diamonds in the Second Round:

Edited June 20 by Rhodes