Non League Football
Discussion
I've been going back to watching my local team Kettering Town (7th tier) over the past few months and have really enjoyed it.
Sure the football is nowhere near Premier League level but being able to just travel 5 minutes down the road, pay £15 for a ticket, roam the ground at will for most games and even having a pint while watching the match is such an enjoyable experience.
I'm a huge Arsenal fan but the ever rising prices of tickets and the cost of time and travel required these days to attend matches does make me wonder if I'll ever attend a Premier League match again, when for a fraction of the cost you can have just as much fun at your local club.
I suppose my interest has been helped by the fact that Kettering have had a fairly successful season this far, having a decent FA Cup run and potentially winning the League and automatic promotion should they win and Bedford lose this Saturday.
National League South looks very competitive too, with the top 6 teams only separated by 3 points!
Does anyone else here have an interest in the Non League game?
Sure the football is nowhere near Premier League level but being able to just travel 5 minutes down the road, pay £15 for a ticket, roam the ground at will for most games and even having a pint while watching the match is such an enjoyable experience.
I'm a huge Arsenal fan but the ever rising prices of tickets and the cost of time and travel required these days to attend matches does make me wonder if I'll ever attend a Premier League match again, when for a fraction of the cost you can have just as much fun at your local club.
I suppose my interest has been helped by the fact that Kettering have had a fairly successful season this far, having a decent FA Cup run and potentially winning the League and automatic promotion should they win and Bedford lose this Saturday.
National League South looks very competitive too, with the top 6 teams only separated by 3 points!
Does anyone else here have an interest in the Non League game?
brownspeed said:
Absolutely. Long time fan of Trafford FC here. All the reasons you stated and the lack of VAR! However- Not been to a single game this season though to my immense shame.
Yes that's another thing I've totally forgotten to mention! It's refreshing not having to wait several minutes for a foul or goal to be overturned.Kneedragger95 said:
I've been going back to watching my local team Kettering Town (7th tier) over the past few months and have really enjoyed it.
Sure the football is nowhere near Premier League level but being able to just travel 5 minutes down the road, pay £15 for a ticket, roam the ground at will for most games and even having a pint while watching the match is such an enjoyable experience.
I'm a huge Arsenal fan but the ever rising prices of tickets and the cost of time and travel required these days to attend matches does make me wonder if I'll ever attend a Premier League match again, when for a fraction of the cost you can have just as much fun at your local club.
I suppose my interest has been helped by the fact that Kettering have had a fairly successful season this far, having a decent FA Cup run and potentially winning the League and automatic promotion should they win and Bedford lose this Saturday.
National League South looks very competitive too, with the top 6 teams only separated by 3 points!
Does anyone else here have an interest in the Non League game?
Absolutely, for all your reasons above but me and my boy are Spurs fans! We support St Albans city, massive game today against Truro, we could go down….its great being able to sit with away fans and chatting football…Sure the football is nowhere near Premier League level but being able to just travel 5 minutes down the road, pay £15 for a ticket, roam the ground at will for most games and even having a pint while watching the match is such an enjoyable experience.
I'm a huge Arsenal fan but the ever rising prices of tickets and the cost of time and travel required these days to attend matches does make me wonder if I'll ever attend a Premier League match again, when for a fraction of the cost you can have just as much fun at your local club.
I suppose my interest has been helped by the fact that Kettering have had a fairly successful season this far, having a decent FA Cup run and potentially winning the League and automatic promotion should they win and Bedford lose this Saturday.
National League South looks very competitive too, with the top 6 teams only separated by 3 points!
Does anyone else here have an interest in the Non League game?
My son now plays for a team in the Southern League Premier South. He’s played in the Premiership, Leagues1 & 2 and National League.
I’m off to the game this afternoon, Free parking, £12 entry (although free for me)can have a beer and wander round the ground, the quality isn’t great but it’s not bad and I enjoy it more than going to a Premier League game (used to go to most Southampton games and was a Man City Season ticket holder in the 70s/80’s and 90’s.
Can’t be bothered with the Premier League any more, non league is much more “real” and authentic.
I’m off to the game this afternoon, Free parking, £12 entry (although free for me)can have a beer and wander round the ground, the quality isn’t great but it’s not bad and I enjoy it more than going to a Premier League game (used to go to most Southampton games and was a Man City Season ticket holder in the 70s/80’s and 90’s.
Can’t be bothered with the Premier League any more, non league is much more “real” and authentic.
Non-league is brilliant, proper football and great vfm nowadays.
I'm about to retire from refereeing Step 3 football, but the feeling amongst those of us involved in the game is it's as strong as it's ever been.
Many of the players in the four Step 3 leagues (Northern Prem, Southern Prem Central & South, Isthmian Prem) are ex-academy and National League, clubs are getting more and more professional and the money in the game is growing through a lot of them investing in 3G pitches. Many of the crowds are multiple hundreds, my game on Saturday in Southern Prem Central was nearly 900. Dulwich Hamlet regularly get 2,500+, Macclesfield the same. The teams have ex-pro players as coaches, some of them even ex-PL players.
I don't think it's an exaggeration to say the standard now is akin to Step 2 maybe 10 years ago, and it's only going to get stronger as players drop down the levels as the money gets better. This feeds down the pyramid so Step 4, 5 etc get stronger as well.
Any club that has a 3G pitch in a community setting is raking it in now, and that goes on player expenses and facilities.
The FA also invest a huge amount in referees (you may not want to believe that), but the fitness standards are getting harder and harder, training and development is demanding and it's a part-time job now.
I'm about to retire from refereeing Step 3 football, but the feeling amongst those of us involved in the game is it's as strong as it's ever been.
Many of the players in the four Step 3 leagues (Northern Prem, Southern Prem Central & South, Isthmian Prem) are ex-academy and National League, clubs are getting more and more professional and the money in the game is growing through a lot of them investing in 3G pitches. Many of the crowds are multiple hundreds, my game on Saturday in Southern Prem Central was nearly 900. Dulwich Hamlet regularly get 2,500+, Macclesfield the same. The teams have ex-pro players as coaches, some of them even ex-PL players.
I don't think it's an exaggeration to say the standard now is akin to Step 2 maybe 10 years ago, and it's only going to get stronger as players drop down the levels as the money gets better. This feeds down the pyramid so Step 4, 5 etc get stronger as well.
Any club that has a 3G pitch in a community setting is raking it in now, and that goes on player expenses and facilities.
The FA also invest a huge amount in referees (you may not want to believe that), but the fitness standards are getting harder and harder, training and development is demanding and it's a part-time job now.
A fantastic Playoff game in the Southern League Central last night despite the 0-0 scoreline. Kettering put in the better performance for pretty much the whole game, just lacking the bite in front of goal. A great attendance of 2700 too. The game finished 4-3 on penalties.
Bring on Telford in the Final on Monday!
Bring on Telford in the Final on Monday!
I go to the odd York match (born here, live here again now but am "officially" a Leeds fan) because I just love watching football, especially live. York have had a great season in the National League - fingers crossed now for the play offs! Might try and go to Wembley if they get there...
I'm a Worthing fan but have been living in County Durham for the past 9 years. I still go down for some games but watch Northern League Divs 1 and 2 at a variety of grounds when I can. £5 or £6 to get in as an old git, £1 for a Bovril and £4 for a pre match pint, what's not to like
I fell out of love with the pro game many years ago and love the stress free watching of a game with no emotional ties to either club.
I fell out of love with the pro game many years ago and love the stress free watching of a game with no emotional ties to either club.
Kenty in Weardale said:
I'm a Worthing fan but have been living in County Durham for the past 9 years. I still go down for some games but watch Northern League Divs 1 and 2 at a variety of grounds when I can. £5 or £6 to get in as an old git, £1 for a Bovril and £4 for a pre match pint, what's not to like
I fell out of love with the pro game many years ago and love the stress free watching of a game with no emotional ties to either club.
AFC Totton have been promoted to the National League South. Playing Worthing next season I fell out of love with the pro game many years ago and love the stress free watching of a game with no emotional ties to either club.
I'm a Hemel Hempstead Town (National South) fan. From a really young lad my team has been Watford but as a protest against our owners I haven't attended a game in over 5 years (last game was the Cup Final where we got battered by City).
To fill the void step up my local team. As mentioned love being able to have a beer and mooch from where I like in the stadium. Good burger van and a tiny core of ultras, what more could you want, well for your rivals to get relegated, sorry Itsallicanafford sure the Saints will come marching back up next season.
Due to a family link with Swanage also keep an eye out for them in the Wessex league.
To fill the void step up my local team. As mentioned love being able to have a beer and mooch from where I like in the stadium. Good burger van and a tiny core of ultras, what more could you want, well for your rivals to get relegated, sorry Itsallicanafford sure the Saints will come marching back up next season.
Due to a family link with Swanage also keep an eye out for them in the Wessex league.
Friend of mine has just renewed his Old Trafford season ticket for next year to include CL games! Spoke with him about 2 weeks ago when he also said he was going to get a season ticket for Morpeth Town as he spends a fair bit of time in the NE, cost of season ticket to watch a decent game of football £65, he didn't say what he paid for OT, !!!
gaz132 said:
AFC Totton have been promoted to the National League South. Playing Worthing next season
I'm beginning to feel that Connie S/step 2 is as high as I want my club to go.We've been in the play offs for the last 3 years and while selfishly it would be great for me to be able to see Worthing play at Carlisle/Gateshead/Hartlepool etc thus only having a 1 hr journey to the game, we would get stuffed every week. We just wouldn't have the resources to survive. Add to this segregation for every match, no mixing pre game, much higher prices and I may just as well be watching a EFL/Premisers
t game.Enjoy the season Gaz, the footy's of a good standard and it's still got the non league vibe
We go to watch our local team Hednesford they won promotion this season via a playoff and will now play in Tier 7. We love going and as a senior it’s only £8. Average gate is 1300 but does increase if Wolves Villa and the like are away.They did play in the Conference a fair few years ago, as a result the stadium is modern. There is a new 4g pitch going down as I speak, costing £1m.
Have been a Fulham fan my whole life (inflicted upon my by my father), including the club's nadir years in the 4th Division. Also, I grew up in Windsor, very close to the Windsor & Eton FC ground, and would go to their games when not going up to Fulham. So I consider myself a fan of both clubs.
W&E FC went under in 2011, closed down by the taxman. A new club (Windsor FC) was formed and entered the pyramid at Step 5, which is one lower than the original club had even descended to. It was relegated to Step 6 a few years ago, and this season has gone further down to Step 7. During this time, the club could not afford to re-lease the ground (Stag Meadow stadium) from the Crown Estate (to which it belongs) and a former player, and wealthy local businessman, who was running local youth teams, offered to step in and merge his organization with Windsor FC, in order to keep a senior team alive and playing in the town. Approaches were refused, and the Windsor FC owner concocted a cock and bull story about an American investor who was going to raise them to the professional leagues, in order, presumably, to squeeze money and concessions over ownership/management from the aforementioned businessman. Bullst was smelled, so Mr Businessman approached the Crown Estate with an offer to buy a 25 year lease on the ground for a new senior team for his outfit, and this was agreed. As sufficient time had passed since the old club's demise, the Name Windsor & Eton was allowed to be used again, and, with the permission of the fanbase, the old name was readopted for the new club. Thus keeping senior football alive in the town. They were granted a place at Step 7, and won promotion to 6 in their first season. This season, they have progressed again to be entering Step 5 for next season.
It's sad what happened to the interim club, and they now play at Beaconsfield but are essentially reduced to being a feeder/reserve team for Beaconsfield Town. Meanwhile the town of Windsor has moved on and locals have embraced the new club - to the extent that it set a national record attendance for Step 7 of 1,022. Stag Meadow is being renovated and the facilities are improving leaps and bounds. It's a lovely place to watch a game again. I hope the club becomes sustainable in its own right - it's not great to be reliant on the largesse of a single individual. Sadly it appears this was not going to be achievable under the Windsor FC model.
I'm now attending more and more games and enjoying the camaraderie and value for money more than I do on my occasional and swingeingly expensive visits to Craven Cottage.
So, 'Up the Royalists'. We've got a great squad and I'm sure there will be additions over the summer, and I hope they are competing at the top of table next season - it would be wonderful to see them up in the Isthmian league, where I believe they belong.
Sorry to hear of Kingstonian's travails above here in this thread - there's a grand old club who have been treated appallingly by pretty much everyone and everything for decades now. They deserve far better. I lived in Kingston for a while and used to grace them with my presence.
W&E FC went under in 2011, closed down by the taxman. A new club (Windsor FC) was formed and entered the pyramid at Step 5, which is one lower than the original club had even descended to. It was relegated to Step 6 a few years ago, and this season has gone further down to Step 7. During this time, the club could not afford to re-lease the ground (Stag Meadow stadium) from the Crown Estate (to which it belongs) and a former player, and wealthy local businessman, who was running local youth teams, offered to step in and merge his organization with Windsor FC, in order to keep a senior team alive and playing in the town. Approaches were refused, and the Windsor FC owner concocted a cock and bull story about an American investor who was going to raise them to the professional leagues, in order, presumably, to squeeze money and concessions over ownership/management from the aforementioned businessman. Bulls
t was smelled, so Mr Businessman approached the Crown Estate with an offer to buy a 25 year lease on the ground for a new senior team for his outfit, and this was agreed. As sufficient time had passed since the old club's demise, the Name Windsor & Eton was allowed to be used again, and, with the permission of the fanbase, the old name was readopted for the new club. Thus keeping senior football alive in the town. They were granted a place at Step 7, and won promotion to 6 in their first season. This season, they have progressed again to be entering Step 5 for next season.It's sad what happened to the interim club, and they now play at Beaconsfield but are essentially reduced to being a feeder/reserve team for Beaconsfield Town. Meanwhile the town of Windsor has moved on and locals have embraced the new club - to the extent that it set a national record attendance for Step 7 of 1,022. Stag Meadow is being renovated and the facilities are improving leaps and bounds. It's a lovely place to watch a game again. I hope the club becomes sustainable in its own right - it's not great to be reliant on the largesse of a single individual. Sadly it appears this was not going to be achievable under the Windsor FC model.
I'm now attending more and more games and enjoying the camaraderie and value for money more than I do on my occasional and swingeingly expensive visits to Craven Cottage.
So, 'Up the Royalists'. We've got a great squad and I'm sure there will be additions over the summer, and I hope they are competing at the top of table next season - it would be wonderful to see them up in the Isthmian league, where I believe they belong.
Sorry to hear of Kingstonian's travails above here in this thread - there's a grand old club who have been treated appallingly by pretty much everyone and everything for decades now. They deserve far better. I lived in Kingston for a while and used to grace them with my presence.
Edited by Skodillac on Wednesday 14th May 14:46
Fellow footy fans. TFL have decided in their wisdom to schedule engineering works at Wembley park to coincide with the national League playoff final. This has lead to the tickets being restricted to 17,500 each. Both Oldham and Southend are well supported clubs who could each probably take 25,000 to this match given half the chance. This petition seeks to get more tickets released. Please sign if you can, it might not make any difference, but not doing it definitely won't! https://www.change.org/p/give-fans-more-tickets-fo...
BBC article - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c79el1v028wo.a...
BBC article - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c79el1v028wo.a...
Edited by TheGroover on Saturday 24th May 19:58
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