Member clubs are usually affiliated with the Sheffield & Hallamshire FA, which covers almost all of South Yorkshire, and outlying areas of West Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

The competition was formed in 1983 as the result of a merger between two long standing competitions - - The Hatchard League, formed in 1894 and named after a local politician who donated the trophy to the Sheffield & Hallamshire FA.

In 2011 the Football Association awarded the league's top division Step 7 status (level 11 overall) in the English football league system.

As a Regional Feeder League, one Premier Division club per season can gain promotion to Step 6 (usually the Northern Counties East League), but the applying club must finish inside the top five at the end of the season and achieve the required ground grading standard.

Reserve teams of clubs higher up the league pyramid play in the league, but only a maximum of three are allowed to play in the Premier Division.