Non League Football

[Eddie]

1 hour ago, Hopping Mad said:

When I was at Liverpool University, in the early 80s, we used to go to Runcorn, now and again. Linnets never had the support at Canal Street to sustain a Football League club (or, as it turned out, even a step one club). Another once leading non-league club that folded. Their 'phoenix', Runcorn Linnets, have risen to step four, the West Division of the Northern Prem.

Did you ever go to Holly Park? 

[Jeff Stein]

Just back from a brush with hyperthermia having watched my lot, Brentwood Town, concede an equaliser 5 minutes into injury time to Concord. We will still be well positioned on the table, but a fair few tough games ahead.

[Hopping Mad]

54 minutes ago, Eddie said:

Did you ever go to Holly Park? 

Yes, we used to go there too. Only a short bus ride from our hall of residence. Place was falling to bits. Like Huyton RLFC, South had no end of problems with vandalism (in a city supposedly in love with football).

Edited January 1 by Hopping Mad

[Hopping Mad]

1 hour ago, Eddie said:

Same with Harrogate. 

Harrogate Town's little Football League adventure could be coming to an end. Lost again this afternoon. Haven't won in the league since November 16, and now only two points above the bottom two. The manager, Simon Weaver, is unsackable (daddy pays his wages).

Meanwhile, along the A59, York City won this afternoon to go back to the top of the National League. York in, Harrogate out at the end of the season would be decent business for the Football League.

Edited January 1 by Hopping Mad

[Eddie]

16 minutes ago, Hopping Mad said:

Yes, we used to go there too. Only a short bus ride from our hall of residence. Place was falling to bits. Like Huyton RLFC, South had no end of problems with vandalism (in a city supposedly in love with football).

I watched a lot of games there in the late 80s and early 90s, loved the place but yeah it was an absolute wreck. A chap called Hyder Jawad wrote a 320k word book about the history of South which I think (not 100% sure) is the longest written about any football club - painstakingly researched, I’m a sadsack and have read it twice. 
 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/156516830447

[gingerjon]

A lovely little piece by Harry Pearson in the Guardian (via When Saturday Comes)

https://www.theguardian.com/football/when-saturday-comes-blog/2025/jan/03/characters-crowd-life-non-league-football-faces-names

[The Hallucinating Goose]

Halftime.

Beverley Town 5-1 Eccleshill United. 

[The Hallucinating Goose]

1 hour ago, The Hallucinating Goose said:

Halftime.

Beverley Town 5-1 Eccleshill United. 

Full time

Beverley Town 5-2 Eccleshill United.

We really eased off in the 2nd half which is understandable given the score. Still had a couple of goals ruled out for offside though. Eccleshill's goals were both penalties, they didn't really create one decent chance from open play all game.

279 in attendance, very good considering Hull City were at home to Leeds.

[Eddie]

New stadium for Marine. It’s not quite in Crosby but should be a good move for them, they can progress up the pyramid now at least. https://marinefc.com/marine-fc-announce-edge-lane-stadium-plans/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIQa9xleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHUrfKyYjy8LXwSLShFrXwPEIzKvxuceyPppAtTLtugJdwjOv9gRv0cK0qA_aem_J9p71HWHbRDbk4Nky4Z2vA

[The Hallucinating Goose]

Beverley Town beat East Riding Rangers 6-1 last night in the East Riding Senior Cup to progress to the semis of that competition. Striker Glen Sani got a hat trick including the opener in the 53rd second and winger Luka Suluburik got 2 and the man of the match.

We were obviously going to win against an amateur team, it was just a question of how many goals we were gonna get. 

Only 144 fans turned out for this on a cold, Tuesday evening. 

We've got Winterton Rangers in the league, at home on Saturday, confident about getting the result there with us being at different ends of the table (with us up the top end).

[wilsontown]

Once again the argument that there should be three teams promoted from the National League has resurfaced. I'd like to see it happen but I can't see the EFL clubs being particularly keen.

[gingerjon]

34 minutes ago, wilsontown said:

Once again the argument that there should be three teams promoted from the National League has resurfaced. I'd like to see it happen but I can't see the EFL clubs being particularly keen.

I’d be very keen to incorporate the National League into the EFL - if only to shut down the worst management committee in the non leagues.

[Eddie]

1 hour ago, wilsontown said:

Once again the argument that there should be three teams promoted from the National League has resurfaced. I'd like to see it happen but I can't see the EFL clubs being particularly keen.

I would also, there’s no reason to have just two up and two down between those two divisions when almost all others have three or more, other than to protect the FL cartel of the 72.  You’d also think it would benefit the weaker FL clubs in a way, as it would make it easier for them to come back if they’re deservedly relegated. 

[Jeff Stein]

Off to see my lot play a team I have never seen before: Sporting Bengal United. They play out of Mile End in East London and were promoted from the Essex Senior League last season 

[The Hallucinating Goose]

I'll be going down Beverley Town v Winterton Rangers, in a couple of hours. Pretty confident of getting a result, our home form is very good and we're at either ends of the table.

[lucky 7]

On 31/12/2024 at 19:25, Jeff Stein said:

Rugby league remains my first love, but with the degradation of the club I support and the general state of the game in the south, I find myself watching non-league football far more. I used to follow a football league team (Millwall) but stopped going to games, because it was often quite an unpleasant experience (for obvious reasons). I don't pay any attention to the premier league simply because I have enough interests as it is, although I did stop listening to radio 5 and watching MotD because I found the endless guff talked about it grating.

I follow an Isthmian North team. When I started I made it a rule just to go to the games for entertainment and not pay any attention to anything around it. At times I have not even known where we are on the league table. Generally the games have plenty of goals and I can enjoy a pint and a chat. Also, as it is rare for an away game to be any distance away, I can go to places in Essex and the adjacent counties that I probably would not visit otherwise.

So in your estimation, how much would it cost a year to run a club at Isthmian North level?

[Eddie]

On 08/02/2025 at 12:36, The Hallucinating Goose said:

I'll be going down Beverley Town v Winterton Rangers, in a couple of hours. Pretty confident of getting a result, our home form is very good and we're at either ends of the table.

You’re keeping us in suspense here Goose, what happened? 

[Eddie]

10 hours ago, lucky 7 said:

So in your estimation, how much would it cost a year to run a club at Isthmian North level?

I’d wager as much as a League One RL team. 

[Eddie]

On 08/02/2025 at 12:25, Jeff Stein said:

Off to see my lot play a team I have never seen before: Sporting Bengal United. They play out of Mile End in East London and were promoted from the Essex Senior League last season 

Get yourself to Gorleston away when Brentwood play there if you can, sadly they’re groundsharing with Great Yarmouth Town at the moment (long story but some promises were broken and they left their old ground supposedly for a year but that fell through and they’re nomads now), but the Wellesley is a fantastic old ground by the sea with the oldest stand in the country and worth a visit.  Wroxham is a nice place to watch football too. 

Edited February 11 by Eddie

[The Hallucinating Goose]

1 hour ago, Eddie said:

You’re keeping us in suspense here Goose, what happened? 

Wouldn't you like to know??

 

......oh well, I suppose I better tell you. Winterton took the lead in the first minute but due to the reliable head of our captain, James Piercy, and a brilliant penalty from new signing, Elliot Andrew, we managed to take the 3 points in a very hard fought 90 minutes.

[Lucy_1873]

When I was involving in volunteering in Non-League football - I haven't done so this season due to needing to focus on finding a job - I have worked with the following clubs, leagues and associations:

Clubs: Bacton United 89 FC, Stowmarket Town FC, Stowmarket United FC

Leagues: Suffolk & Ipswich League, Suffolk Girls and Women's Football League

Associations: Suffolk County Football Association.

The Grounds I have been to: Greens Meadow Stadium (Stowmarket Town), Bloomfields (Needham Market), Brickwall Meadow (Bacton 89), Humber Doucy Lane (Ipswich Wanderers) George V Playing Fields (Whitton United), Shoemakers Lane (Swaffham Town), Clipbrush Park (Fakenham Town).

I hope that when I get a job I can do a small part to play in the sector again, even if its just registering the youth sides.

[The Hallucinating Goose]

@Eddie We had a very quick turnaround from Saturday and played a rescheduled fixture last night as well, beating playoff chasing rivals Albion Sports. Here is Elliot Andrew's bicycle kick:

 

[lucky 7]

13 hours ago, Eddie said:

I’d wager as much as a League One RL team. 

Which is?

[The Hallucinating Goose]

16 hours ago, The Hallucinating Goose said:

@Eddie We had a very quick turnaround from Saturday and played a rescheduled fixture last night as well, beating playoff chasing rivals Albion Sports. Here is Elliot Andrew's bicycle kick:

 

Elliot himself has posted a video of his goal in normal speed. A 9th division, semi-pro player scoring a goal like that!

 

 

[The Hallucinating Goose]

Full time. Hallam 7-0 Beverley Town.