Market Drayton Town will lock horns with FA Cup heroes Chasetown – and their Shropshire manager – next season after the two were placed in the same league.

Simon Line’s men, Midland Alliance champions last season, will also have some intriguing derbies against Staffordshire opposition in the shape of Kidsgrove and Leek in UniBond League division one south.

Witton Albion, who AFC Telford United defeated in the 2007 UniBond League premier division play-off final, are also into the 22-strong league.

But it is the name of Chasetown, who reached the third round of the FA Cup last year and are managed by Albrighton-based Charlie Blakemore, which will resonate loudest amongst Drayton officials.

They have been playing in the BGB Midlands Division, but have been moved following an FA meeting over league re-organisation.

“I’m really pleased with the make-up of the league,” said Drayton manager Simon Line.

“There are some great teams in three and Chasetown are the kind of model we can build ourselves on.

“They came from a similar position to us with gates of around 100 and, helped by the exposure of the FA Cup, have built themselves up to be a promising strong football club with regular gates of between 300 and 400.”

Fixture list

The world’s oldest football club, Sheffield FC, are also on Drayton’s fixture list.

The full league is: Belper Town, Brigg Town, Carlton Town, Cammell Laird, Chasetown, Glapwell, Goole, Grantham Town, Kidsgrove Athletic, Leek Town, Lincoln United, Loughborough Dynamo, Market Drayton Town, Mickleover Sports, Quorn, Rushall Olympic, Sheffield FC, Shepshed Dynamo, Spalding United, Stamford, Willenhall Town, Witton Albion.

• Drayton have also had a backroom reshuffle, with Shropshire FA County Development Manager Mick Murphy moving from director of football at Greenfields to first team coach. Steve McCormick will remain as assistant to Line.

By JAMES GARRISON