In previous Regions' Cups, the FA had nominated a team to take part; in the 2002–03 season it was a Kent County League XI. UEFA decreed that in the future all Regions' Cup entrants must have won a national competition, and so the NLS Cup was formed.
The second final was held on 7 May 2006 at Cambridge United's Abbey Stadium, and saw the Cambridgeshire County League and Isle of Man Football League compete. The Isle of Man comfortably won the fixture with four goals in the second half and claimed the trophy with a final score of 4–0. The team travelled to the Czech Republic in April 2007 for the Intermediary Round of the UEFA Regions' Cup. After a 1–2 defeat to the Bratislava team (Slovakia) a 3–2 win over the hosting Hradec Králové team left the side with a chance of qualifying for the finals. Unfortunately a 0–1 loss to Northern Ireland's Eastern Region ended their hopes.
The 2008 final was held at Coventry City's Ricoh Arena on Saturday 3 May. The Southern Amateur League won the competition at the first attempt after winning a penalty shoot-out 4–2 following a 1–1 draw.[1] The SAL team travelled to Turin in October 2008 for the Intermediary Round of the UEFA Regions' Cup where they took on representatives from Italy, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. The team finished second on goal difference, having not conceded any goals in their 3 group matches.
The competition returned in 2024, with the final taking place on Sunday 5th May 2024 between the Arthurian League and West Yorkshire Association Football League at Lincoln City FC's Sincil Bank Stadium. The Arthurian League won the final 1 - 0 after extra time and will now represent England at the 2024/25 UEFA Regions Cup.