AFTER Covid wiped out two seasons I suppose we should be grateful to have local football to look forward to again.

Malvern Town’s well-deserved promotion to Worcester City’s level was hardly unexpected but perhaps followers who do not study the balance of the National League System might be surprised to discover they will play in different leagues.

READ MORE: City's league welcomes nine new teams - but not promoted Malvern Town 

City will head as far north as Congleton Town, more than 80 miles away, while the Hillsiders, 10 miles down the road, will journey to places like Bristol and Wiltshire at the same level.

Imagine the Boxing Day bonanza had they been paired together, reliving that epic 5-5 draw of October 2019.

It was not to be but both clubs have so much to look forward to with fans set to make journeys into uncharted waters in new-look leagues.

With Tim Harris in charge at Claines Lane and Malvern on the up in a revamped ground the future looks bright for both.

Perhaps they will get to face off at the next level soon enough.