UTL Archive

  • Why Does Ground Grading Always Come as a Surprise?

    Why Does Ground Grading Always Come as a Surprise?

    Posted by James Bartaby

    It’s that time of year again. No, not when I write my now seemingly annual article (sorry, I’ll try and get back to it!), but rather the time when clubs anxiously await their fate as to which division they’ll be competing in the following season. Why, though, does it always come to this?

    A wise man once said:

    There are two certainties in life; death and taxes.

    Well, in nonleague football there are three: postponements, reprieves and ground grading.

    And it’s the last item on that list that is the talk of the moment right now. In the National League South and North, three playoff contenders are in danger of falling foul of the Football Association’s strict guidelines regarding the standard of facilities.

    Poole Town and Hungerford Town – fifth and sixth respectively in the South – along with Darlington, fifth in the North, have all been told they cannot compete in the playoffs as they do not meet the requirements for covered seating in the National League. The standard says the following:

    The minimum covered seated accommodation must be 500. These may be located in two stands of which at least 250 shall be seats located in one stand, with no stand having less than 100 seats. These seats may be inclusive of Directors/Committee and press seating.

    All three clubs have appealed their punishments.

    Darlington’s appeal centers around the fact that the ground grading guidelines were amended in May 2016. Prior to then, it was accepted that a club could enter the playoffs with temporary seating, as long as they had planning permission and a detailed plan for the installation of permanent seats. The statement goes on to say:

    This change in the requirement for permanent covered seating was only brought to the Board’s attention in the past couple of months. By the time the Board was fully aware of the requirement, it was not able to act because of the timescales involved and the lack of funds available.

    I’m sorry, what? The board were not aware of the requirements until a couple of months ago? Surely if your club is on such a phenomenal trajectory (they have achieved three promotions since coming into existence in 2012) you would be used to reading these grading documents, and would be aware of any changes to them? Even if you thought you were fully across it, you would read and re-read them just to make sure you passed muster, no?

    Don’t get me wrong. I do feel sorry for The Quakers, as theirs is the latest incredible ‘phoenix club’ story, and hopefully this oversight on their part will serve only as a temporary roadblock on their path back to the Football League.

    In the cases of Poole Town and Hungerford Town, it seems both clubs have been so busy concentrating on meeting the requirements to remain at Step Two that they have failed to prepare for the eventuality of promotion. Both clubs faced the prospect of demotion at the end of the season if they didn’t achieve the B grade required to play at Step Two. Happily, the two clubs did meet the March 31st deadline, but now find themselves being held back in the South.

    In the case of Hungerford, they are some 133 seats short of the requirement (I haven’t been able to find out about Poole), and according to their official statement:

    Our focus has always been on making the ground grading requirements for this league and that alone has been monumental but we assumed that adding extra seats would be arguable.

    Again, what? You assumed the extra seats required would be arguable? Please!

    While all three clubs have appealed the decisions, it’s hard to see how they can hope to win them. The rules are quite clear after all. The ground grading documents can be downloaded from the FA website, and state clearly what is required.

    Apologies to the three clubs mentioned, this article isn’t necessarily aimed at them, but they are the three highest profile clubs currently affected. It happens every year it seems; a club realises it doesn’t meet ground grading and we see frantic appeals and fundraising as they desperately scrabble around to upgrade their ground so they can either take a promotion or remain at their current level.

    Currently, if a club gets promoted, they have until March 31st the following season to ensure their ground is up to scratch for the level they’re competing at. In the case of the National League, you need a Grade B to play in the National North or South, and a Grade A to play in the National League. However, there is something of an anomaly here. For instance, as we have seen in the three cases here, you can compete at Step Two temporarily with a Grade C, as long as you achieve Grade B by the March deadline. Failure to do so will result in your club being demoted back down to Step Three, regardless of your finishing position (one of many reasons we see reprieves for other teams).

    What that means, of course, is that you effectively need to have a Grade A at Step Two if you have any ambitions of reaching nonleague’s top flight. This is a massively expensive undertaking, especially for clubs achieving back to back promotions, or multiple promotions in a short space of time. It has been reported that it will cost upwards of £150,000 just to install the extra seats required, on top of what these clubs have already spent just to meet the requirements for Step Two. As I say, expensive.

    In addition, to play in the top flight you also need a minimum capacity of four thousand, and the ability to increase that to five thousand. I have been unable to ascertain how long clubs get to carry out the necessary work. Currently there are two clubs plying their trade at Step One with capacities less than four thousand – Solihull Moors with 3050, and North Ferriby United with just 2700. Moors have plans in place to increase their capacity, and I know NFU were looking at a potential new home when promotion started looking likely, although they have been relegated after just one season, and there is still a small chance that Moors could join them.

    What needs to be done to avoid this in future?

    The obvious solution to the problem is communication. The FA should make it abundantly clear what is required on a division by division basis, i.e. a circular should be sent at the start of every season to each club stating their current grading, and what – if anything – needs to be done should the club wish to go for promotion. Let’s not forget, promotion isn’t every club’s ambition every season, but for those who do have aspirations of moving up a level, they should be acutely aware of what is required so we can avoid these embarrassing situations in future.

    One other possibility is that the rules are tweaked at the top of the nonleague game, and clubs are allowed to start the season with a Grade B, but must attain Grade A by March 31st. With the extra income from gates and TV, that shouldn’t be a problem. However, this scenario is unlikely due to the very fact that the National League is now broadcast by BT Sport.

    The flipside of that would be to do away with the leeway currently afforded to clubs lower down the ladder, i.e. you have to have the grade before you can get promoted. However, that is totally unworkable in my opinion, and would lump massive and unnecessary expense on clubs, as they would need the grading for the division above even if they have no immediate plans for promotion.

    My final solution would be to have clubs apply for promotion from Steps Two, Three and Four, in the same way they have to from Step Five down. That way, we would all know where we stand from an early stage. However, that immediately encounters a problem: the playoffs. From Step Five downward, only one team gets promoted. There are no playoffs at all. For a club to be promoted, they have to have applied (meaning that they already have the necessary grading), and they must also finish in the top two in their division. That is a recent change, as my local team Bracknell Town finished fifth in the Hellenic Division One East in 2012-13, but were promoted as the highest placed club to have applied. Enough of that tangent though!

    As things stand in the National South, seventh placed Hampton & Richmond Borough (long term readers will know my affection for the mighty Beavers!) will enter the playoffs should Hungerford and Poole fail in their respective appeals, although that has yet to be officially confirmed by the league.

    All in all, it’s a flawed system, but one which is doing the best it can from the FA’s point of view. The whole reason the March 31st deadline exists is to give clubs that leeway in light of a rapid – and often unexpected – rise through the divisions. Clubs shouldn’t be held back because of a few seats, or because the running track is the wrong width (that has happened in the past!), they should be encouraged to achieve and, in some cases, over achieve.

    The ultimate responsibility, though, lies with the clubs themselves. They need to familiarise themselves with what is required of them, not only for the division they are currently competing in, but also for the one above if their short term ambitions include getting promoted. Let’s not have this circus at the end of the season anymore!

    Posted on April 17, 2017, in Opinion, UTL Archive and tagged Darlington 1883, Darlington FC, Featured, Ground Grading, Hungerford Town FC, National League, National League North, National League South, Poole Town FC, Promotion, Relegation, Vanarama National League. Bookmark the permalink. 1 Comment.

    Posted in ,

    Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

  • Under the League Interviews…Wayne Carlisle

    Under the League Interviews…Wayne Carlisle

    Posted by DaveBurin

    The last 17 years have been quite the ride for Northern Irish wing wizard Wayne Carlisle. And the genial, engaging Truro City assistant talks me through a playing career which began at the lofty heights of a packed Selhurst Park and ended with a bittersweet mixture of triumph and early retirement at picturesque Plainmoor. But Wayne’s journey has been about much more than his performances at 3pm on a Saturday.

    There have, of course, been back-to-back promotions to the Football League, with Exeter City and Torquay United. A dramatic end-of-season run which somehow preserved Bristol Rovers’ (then) unbroken run of 83 years in the league. And, of course, success as Steve Tully’s right-hand man at Truro City. But Wayne has also been coaching the next generation of players to succeed, whether in the beautiful game or in the world of business. Here is his story.

    DB: You joined your first club, Crystal Palace as a teenage trainee. How difficult was it leaving your home in Lisburn, Northern Ireland to join the Eagles? And what are your earliest memories of life at the club?

    WC: At 15-years-old, I didn’t find it tough at all. I didn’t look at it in that way, I saw it through a child’s eyes. I was just excited to have the opportunity to play professional football. Looking back on it now I have my own children, and work with children, for someone at that age, moving was a big thing.

    I went into digs with another Irish lad named Kieran Loughran, and we lived together for about three years, so having that company made it a lot easier. And I was a young lad, training every day, and it was all I had ever dreamt of doing. It was a brilliant experience.

    A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man: Wayne in his Palace days.

    A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man: Wayne in his Palace days.

    DB: Your league debut at Palace came against Birmingham City in February 1999, and you became a regular fixture in midfield. What do you remember about your debut? And what was it like playing and training with established stars like Atillio Lombardo and Saša Ćurčić?

    WC: On my debut? I just remember the noise. Walking onto the pitch, having never played in front of so many people before, that was memorable. As soon as any game kicks off, you’re into the action and you play automatically from your habits in training.

    I think I took training with that calibre of player for granted. I was used to it from an early age and assumed that it was just normal. But in retrospect, it was a really big deal and a privilege to get to work alongside people of that quality.

    I definitely tried to learn from them, though. Atillio Lombardo was especially helpful. Obviously, he played the same role [winger] as me, and he would spend time talking me through things – via his interpreter, most of the time! We discussed topics like good positioning, different types of crosses and how to best use them, so he was particularly helpful.

    DB: Scoring a first senior goal is a special moment for any player. Yours came in October of that year, in a 4-0 drubbing of Portsmouth. What was that moment like?

    WC: That was pretty special. As I remember, the ball was on the edge of the box, and I just worked off instinct and hit it on the half-volley. Luckily enough it found its way into the net. It’s a cliché, but, you can’t describe it. It is the best feeling in the world at that age. Experiencing that was a real buzz.
    I didn’t have a celebration planned, though. I wasn’t really that type. Whatever I did to celebrate – I can’t remember exactly – I’m sure it was pretty boring! Not up to the standard you see nowadays!

    DB: Palace at that time were a club who went through managers pretty quickly. You played under the likes of Terry Venables, Steve Coppell, Alan Smith and Steve Bruce. Who got the best out of you as a player, and why?

    WC: My best time at Palace was under Steve Coppell. He was another winger like me, so he was great in giving me individual support about that role, and was not demanding of me. He understood that I was young and finding my feet, and let me develop at a rate which was right for me, without putting me under any pressure.

    Those other managers were more focused on results. Obviously, Steve [Coppell] wanted good results too, but they were more demanding. As a 19-year-old, I maybe wasn’t ready for that kind of pressure. For me personally, Steve [Coppell] was the best man-manager of the bunch.

    DB: You joined Division Two side Swindon Town on loan in the following season, and were an important part of helping the side to a respectable mid-table finish. Did you enjoy your time at the County Ground, and were you keen to head out on loan?

    WC: I loved my time there, actually. I was getting guaranteed first-team football at Swindon, and we were playing in front of decent crowds at a good standard. As a team, we were having a fairly successful spell, as well. At the end of my loan, I actually tried to extend it, but the Palace manager had changed from Steve Bruce to Trevor Francis. He decided to recall all of Palace’s loan players back, to have a look at them.

    Going out on loan was something both I and Palace were keen on. I had been used to first-team football at a young age, and wanted that feeling of training all week and playing on a Saturday. I was desperate to have that again, and the club thought it would be a good idea for me.

    DB: In March 2002, you made a permanent switch to Bristol Rovers. In your first full season, the club avoided relegation from the Football League by just 3 points, winning 3 of their last 4 games to survive. What was that nervy run-in like?

    WC: That was really tough. We had signed a lot of very good players that season, and for some reason, the team just didn’t click. We had so much quality in the squad, so in the latter part of the season, the players were just looking at each other thinking ‘we really shouldn’t be in this situation’.

    We signed Andy Rammell partway through the season, and he was a hugely important addition and scored some crucial goals [including 4 in those final three games]. I pitched in with some goals myself, and we survived. But it wasn’t enjoyable, and certainly not a situation which a club of Bristol Rovers’ stature should have been involved in.

    Wayne was vital to Rovers' survival in 2002-03.

    Wayne was vital to Rovers’ survival in 2002-03.

    DB: In the following campaign, you notched an impressive 8 goals from midfield, and provided the service that helped striker Giuliano Grazioli reach double figures. Do you think that was one of your best seasons in the game?

    WC: I was certainly productive that season, and I did my job well, so it was one of my best years in a personal sense. Rovers’ manager at that time was Ray Graydon – another right winger, funnily enough! So again, he was a manager with a good understanding of what was needed from me, and I fit into his style of play. That obviously made it a lot easier for me to have a successful season.

    DB: You joined Martin Ling’s Orient revolution from Rovers, and played in the first half of the Promotion season of 2005-06, before you were sold to Conference Premier club Exeter City. Do you feel proud to have been part of Orient’s success, or were you unhappy at having missed out on that end-of-season glory?

    WC: No, I wasn’t unhappy about it. I played my part in Orient’s season, and obviously whilst I would have liked to have been there to celebrate at the end, the move to Exeter was a mutual decision. Exeter were looking for someone in my position, and I had worked with [then City manager] Alex Inglethorpe at Leyton Orient previously.

    He said he wanted to take me down there, and as I wasn’t getting guaranteed regular games at Orient at that time, I thought the move would be worthwhile. I wished them all the best, and off I went. And I was just proud of what I achieved in the early days.

    I left the O’s on good terms. I actually went back and trained with Martin after breaking my leg, before I rejoined Exeter [in October 2006]. It was actually Paul Tisdale who re-signed me there!

    DB: Your time at St. James’ Park was certainly a successful one. The Grecians reached the Playoffs twice and were promoted to the Football League in 2008, thanks largely to your crucial strikes against Torquay United in the Semi-Finals. Did that feel extra special after what happened with Orient?

    WC: Yes, to an extent. However, Orient’s promotion was not something I was especially conscious of missing out on because I had still played a part in it. The nature of football is also that players move on.

    It was nice to see the journey through with Exeter. Especially so as we had come very close in my first season with the club, losing the final at Wembley [to Morecambe].

    DB: What was Paul Tisdale like to play under?

    WC: Paul is a fantastic gaffer and an especially good man-manager. He understood the players well as individuals and took the time to get to know us. I had a very good relationship with him.

    DB: You repeated the Conference promotion feat the following season with none other than Torquay United, but retired less than a year later, in January 2010. Were injuries, or a new career path the main reason behind retiring at age 30?

    WC: It was a combination of both. I had damaged ligaments in my knee, around Christmastime [of 2009]. The medical advice I received was that the injury was going to seriously inhibit my days of playing football, in the near future. At that point, a job had become available, teaching the game in a college. I had taken on board the advice of the specialist who warned that the injury would stop me playing at Conference level, at some point.

    The game usually spits people out, and I didn’t want that to happen to me. When the opportunity of this college role came about, I decided to leave on my own terms, and in my own way.

    Wayne in action for the Gulls during his promotion-winning stint.

    Wayne in action for the Gulls during his promotion-winning stint.

    DB: Outside of the game, you are still Director of Football at Ivybridge Community College in Devon, and have had the likes of Paul Scholes running a session, as part of your initiative to improve the school’s football academy. So what are the essential things that you think young players need to know about the game?

    WC: They need to understand how the game functions. So they need to realise how invasion games work. Game understanding is a key thing. It is something which the top players possess, and a lot of younger players don’t have. Work ethic is also crucial, as is a passion for actually playing football.

    Players also need to take on information and apply what they have learnt in training and matches as well. But what we try to do at the college is not just about developing footballers. We actually look to develop people. They get strong values from us, so that whether they are in football or business, or whatever route they take in the future, those individuals will have the skills to make a positive contribution.

    DB: In 2011, you returned to play a handful of games for Truro City, and you must have liked the place, as you came back to Treyew Road three years later as Assistant Manager to Steve Tully. How did the move come about? And what was it about Truro City that made this the right club for you?

    WC: When I first took the job, I wasn’t sure it was right for me to be honest! I had seen my pathway after playing as working in youth football. Working with players in that development phase is something I really enjoy.

    The Truro City position came up when Steve Tully – who I had played with at Exeter – contacted me. He said the job had come up and asked if I’d be interested. My initial response was ‘not really’!

    I didn’t think this role was part of my journey, but Steve convinced me to go along and stand with him on a Saturday. And I had to be honest with him, I enjoyed it! It’s a role I’ve been happy with ever since, and the club has had some real success, which has tied me to it.

    Being involved in senior football again has also reignited that competitiveness in me. You kind of lose that when you work in the development phase, because the aim is to develop players in the long-term, and winning a game on a Saturday is not a major focus. You don’t experience those positive short-term results.

    Having played football for 12 years professionally, that competitive spirit is always in me somewhere. It doesn’t just disappear. Joining Truro gave me the opportunity to ignite that fire again and gave me that spark that I had probably missed.

    DB: You and Steve have proved a formidable team, winning promotion from the Southern Premier Division last season, defeating St. Neots Town in the final. But how do you two differ in your approach, tactically and as man-managers?

    WC: We both have our different views on the game, but we’re also pragmatic about our approach. Steve and I both have an idea of how we would like the team to play, but we realise that sometimes our circumstances and the level we’re working at means that can’t always be translated onto the pitch.
    But we don’t let ourselves get bogged down by that because the aim is to win games of football. I think part of the reason we’ve been a successful partnership at Truro is a willingness to sacrifice a bit on our ideals of how we think football should ideally be played.

    Giving his players some vital instructions as Truro assistant.

    Giving his players some vital instructions as Truro assistant.

    DB: That’s fascinating. So how do you think the way Truro line up differs from how you would play ideally?

    WC: We line up to compete with the opposition, first and foremost. Tactically, we set about trying to disrupt their game, and as the match goes on, start to impose how we want to play on them. The pitches at this level dictate what we can do, somewhat. We’d like to ask our players to play the ball out from the back and through midfield, but that isn’t always going to be possible.

    Sometimes we have to be more direct than our ideal style would be, and on occasion, we’re required to be a more physical side as well. Those things are dictated by the opposition, the level and the pitches we’re working on.

    DB: The success Truro City have experienced with you in the dugout is bound to mean that your stock is high. Is the long-term aim to take on a manager’s job within Non-League, or do you prefer the assistant role and having the work at Ivybridge?

    WC: No, that isn’t my aim. Steve [Tully] does all the man-management work, and dealing with the agents – things in that area. I just enjoy being out on the grass with the players, coaching them. I like watching our opposition and coming up with tactical plans. Those are the aspects I’m happy doing, so I don’t think I could see myself going into management.

    Then again, I hadn’t seen being an assistant manager in adult football as part of my career path. So I could never say never, but it would take a lot to get me off the training pitch and away from spending that time teaching players. It’s what I love doing – at any age group and any level.

    DB: What do you enjoy doing outside of football? And was there ever a career you considered, aside from playing the beautiful game?

    WC: Oh dear, I don’t get any time outside of football Dave! [*laughs*]

    I enjoy being with my family. I have two young boys, and I love spending time with them. They’re my release from football.

    With regards to a career outside of football, I wouldn’t have a clue what else to do! It’s been my life since I was 15, and had been all I ever dreamt of doing as a little lad kicking around in Northern Ireland. I feel privileged and proud to have made a career in the game, but I never had any other occupation in my head, and still don’t.

    Thank you to Wayne for his superb insights into a fascinating life in football. Best of luck to Wayne and everyone at Truro City for the rest of the season.

    You can follow Wayne on Twitter, as well as Ivybridge Football Academy, whose website can also be found here.

    All images are accredited in the ‘Description’ section for the photos.

    Posted on February 20, 2016, in Dave Burin Interviews, UTL Archive, Vanarama NL South and tagged Bristol Rovers, Crystal Palace, Exeter City, Featured, Interviews, Leyton Orient, National League South, Non-League, Torquay United, Truro City, Wayne Carlisle. Bookmark the permalink. Leave a comment.

    Posted in , ,

    Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

  • Under the League Interviews…Carl Piergianni

    Under the League Interviews…Carl Piergianni

    Posted by DaveBurin

    It was no surprise when Carl Piergianni was named Boston United’s Player of the Year at the end of the last campaign, and it was a given that his face yet again adorned the National League North’s ‘Team of the Year’. A tough, talented and combative force at the heart of ‘The Pilgrims’ defence, Piergianni is as articulate, measured and likeable off the pitch as he is solid and skilful on it.

    We discuss everything from Carl’s early memories as a Peterborough United fan, to learning the ropes in the Northern Premier League with Spalding United, a brief appearance for the first-team of his boyhood heroes, the experience of relegation at Corby Town…and much more. With Boston pushing for promotion again this season, there’s no better time to hear from one of the division’s hottest prospects.

    DB: You’re a Peterborough lad, and spent your youth career with the POSH. What are your memories of supporting the POSH growing up, and what do you remember about being a young player at the club?

    CP: I have really good memories of supporting the club as a youngster. One of the first games I remember going to was when Peterborough played Darlington at Wembley in the playoff final [in 2000]. They won 1-0 and Andy Clarke scored the winner and that was one of many great memories of being a Peterborough fan growing up.

    Being a youth team player at Peterborough United was great as well. To be named Captain during that time was a great honour and then to get offered a pro contract – at my hometown club – was fantastic. It was exactly what I’d always dreamt of.

    A youthful Carl during his Peterborough days.

    A youthful Carl during his Peterborough days.

    DB: Despite coming through the ranks at London Road, your first taste of senior football came 20 miles north at Lincolnshire club Spalding United. Were you keen on heading out on loan to play mens football? And was it tough to adapt to the physicality of the Northern Premier League, as a young player?

    CP: I was very keen to go out on loan, personally. The advice I’d give to any young player now is that it’s vital to go out and get experience of playing in mens football, as early as possible.

    Doing so made me the player I am today. I became a lot stronger, a lot more physical – so I definitely recommend going out and playing first-team games, rather than sitting on the bench or player under-21 matches.

    I enjoyed the toughness of the NPL. I’m quite a physical player and don’t mind getting stuck in. It was important to learn how to use my body in those kinds of games, and also to adapt to a game which actually meant something.

    When you play in reserve games, obviously you want to win, but it doesn’t really mean anything. However, when you go into a club like Spalding and it’s a proper first-team game, the 3 points are vital and the team were trying to survive relegation [from the NPL Division One South]. You quickly learnt that both performances and results really meant something.

    DB: In 2010 you had your first taste of the Football League back at Peterborough, but it was just a single game. What are your memories of that sub appearance against Rochdale? And do you feel you deserved more first-team opportunities at London Road?

    CP: At the time, I don’t think I was ready to be starting games for Peterborough. I wasn’t quite good enough at the time, and I was only a young lad – so I don’t hold a grudge against anybody at the club. There were much better players there than I was at that point. Peterborough were challenging to try and get up into the Championship, so it was difficult for me to get a game.

    With a debut, people always say ‘it’ll happen when you least expect it’. And I remember just being sat on the bench, and [then manager] Gary Johnson suddenly just told me I was going on. So I was suddenly just standing on the sideline, my knees shaking, and just waiting to go on!

    DB: You joined Altrincham on loan later that season, in early 2011. The club’s awful start to that season meant they ended up relegated from the Conference Premier, but you were a regular fixture in the side, as results improved. So was Alty an experience you enjoyed or not?

    CP: Very much so. Altrincham’s a great club. As you said, they had such a bad start to the year that it was hard for them to claw their way back up the table. There was a big gap of points between them and safety at one point, but during the time I was there Alty won a fair percentage of the games we were involved in, so it was actually a period I really enjoyed.

    Credit to Altrincham, they’re back in the National League now and as with Spalding, I felt it was a club which did a lot to help develop my career. The players there were a very close, tight-knit group. Robbie Williams at the back, Sean Densmore (who’s now Alty captain) at full-back, and Damien Reeves – they were really good players, and everyone there ensured I loved my time at Altrincham. There were no cliques in the changing room, which was great – everyone at the club just got along really well.

    DB: Aged 19, you moved to my local club – Stockport County! You played in almost every game that season, as the club stabilized themselves in the Conference Premier. But you had three different gaffers in that one season – Dietmar Hamann, Willie McStay and Jim Gannon. How did they all compare?

    CP: That was an interesting experience. Dietmar Hamann and Jim Gannon were polar opposites. Willie was the assistant under Didi Hamann, so he was familiar to us already, and his management style was similar to Didi’s.

    Didi had a more relaxed approach than Jim Gannon did. He’d change the team a lot, go with different tactical approaches and was very keen on rotating the squad. He was a lot more laid-back in training and gave the players free-reign to play as they wanted to. Jim was at the opposite end of the spectrum. He knew exactly what tactics he wanted to employ in every part of the game, and stuck to a certain way of playing. So, two deeply contrasting managers!

    Carl in action during his season at Edgeley Park.

    Carl in action during his season at Edgeley Park.

    DB: At County, you scored your first league goals in senior football, getting four in total. What do you remember about your first two, both scored in an exciting 3-3 home draw against Hayes and Yeading United.

    CP: I just had a bit of luck and managed to score two! (*Laughs*). The first one just came to my feet and I slotted it in. As for the second, I just remember being completely surprised after scoring again! Sadly I didn’t have a celebration planned, I think I just raised a finger into the air and ran off.

    DB: You moved to Corby Town in October 2012 after just over 12 months at Stockport. You helped the side to some excellent results in that early period, and scored 4 goals in your first 5 games! Why do you think you fit into that side so well? And what caused your sudden goal rush?

    CP: I always thought I was a threat from set-pieces, and having moved down a league, where the defensive marking wasn’t always as good, I found it a bit easier to get goals than I did in the Conference Prem.

    I also had the benefit of a giant centre-half next to me in Paul Malone, so their biggest player would always be marking him and it’d give me a chance to go up against someone a bit smaller! I managed to get on the end of balls quite a lot, and luckily a few of them went in.

    DB: Corby were extremely unlucky to be relegated that season, going down on Goal Difference – and just by a solitary goal – below Histon. As a player, how do you cope with that kind of a setback? And did the club’s drop to the Southern Premier League influence your decision to leave?

    CP: That was a really tough time for me personally, and for everyone at Corby Town. I’d really enjoyed being at Stockport, and I was sad to have to leave the club. I chose Corby because I’d moved back home and wanted a local club, to try and steady myself again.

    That season, I thought all along that Corby would comfortably avoid the drop. We had an okay squad, and I certainly thought we were good enough to compete in the division. We played some good football at times and looked like we were going to avoid the drop, but unluckily went down by such fine margins. All we needed was a point in any of the games that we lost, which was tough to take.

    Once the club went down, I made the decision that I wanted to play in the Conference North (or higher) in the following season. As soon as I spoke to the people at Boston United, I knew that joining them was the right move for my career.

    DB: In May 2013, you headed to York Street, home of your current club, Boston United. In that first season, the club finished 6th in the Conference North, and you were part of a formidable defensive unit, alongside the likes of Scott Garner, Conor Marshall and Netan Sansara. What were those guys like to play alongside?

    CP: It was interesting, because when I signed for Boston I was the only centre-half at the time, and then the gaffer told me he was bringing in Scott, who’d been captain at Cambridge United the year before. Playing alongside Garns* [*Scott Garner] was great, and he’s challenged me and brought my game on a hell of a lot. I’ve really enjoyed playing alongside him, and the other lads you’ve mentioned.

    DB: Going back to the beginning of that season, your competitive debut for The Pilgrims was in a 4-1 win away at Edgeley Park, home of your former employers Stockport County. Is it extra sweet to beat one of your old clubs, or is it no different to any other 3 points?

    CP: There’s always something extra there when you play an old club. You want to try and show that club what they’re missing! The main thing is always getting the win, but personally it was really special to do that at Edgeley Park.

    DB: Last season Boston improved on that 6th placed finish, ending the season in 3rd place – before the narrowest of play-off losses to Chorley. The Pilgrims have been a little inconsistent so far this season, but do you feel this squad has the quality for another play-off finish…or maybe more?

    CP: Definitely. I think we’ll achieve at least a play-off spot this year. We’ve been a bit hit and miss at times, but the quality across this group of players is good enough to be up there. It’s about getting a sustained run of form. We’d gone five games unbeaten – with four wins in there – before the North Ferriby game [a 4-3 loss on 7th November]. But when you have those frustrating results, you need to bounce back. That’s absolutely vital if we want to finish in the play-offs.

    scelt7

    Boston’s defensive dynamo in action against Stalybridge Celtic.

    DB: Absolutely. And alongside yourself, who would you say are the main danger men for Boston. Who should we all be watching out for?

    CP: In terms of goals, you can’t look past Dayle Southwell. He’s already on 12 for the season. But he’s only one of the really good strikers here. Mark Jones is so hardworking up top, and he’s something of an unsung hero for us. We’re certainly not short of options in attack.

    From set-pieces, me and Scott Garner chip in with quite a few goals, so I think as a side, we always pose a threat – whoever we’re up against!

    DB: You’ve made it into the Conference North/National League North ‘Team of the Year’ two years running, and at 23, you still have a long career ahead of you. Are you looking to stay with Boston in the long-term, or is the aim to keep performing well and hopefully interest a Football League side.

    CP: I always hope that one day a Football League side will be interested in me. But Boston have treated me so well, and I’ve always had good dealings with everyone at the club. I couldn’t ever envisage leaving for another club at this level. For me to even consider moving, the interest would have to be from a club at the top end of the National League [Premier], at the very least.

    Living here is important for me, as well. I’m close to home, I have work outside of the game and there’s football at a club I really enjoy being a part of. When it comes to Football League interest, though, I don’t think anyone [at this level] would be able to turn it down.

    DB: We’ve talked about the National League North. It’s a division with some lovely old grounds and some pretty impressive new stadiums. Is there an away trip you especially enjoy – either for the results you get there, the location or what kind of away support the Pilgrims fans bring?

    CP: Stockport’s probably the best away ground I’ve played at. When we played at Edgeley Park on the opening day of this season [a 2-1 defeat for Boston] the atmosphere was electric, and as a player, it’s great to be involved on the field when the ground is like that.

    Tamworth is another trip I always enjoy. We always get an excellent away following there, and [The Lamb Ground] is a really tight ground, the fans are right alongside the pitch, and it’s a fixture where that traveling support always makes a lot of noise!

    DB: I know from Twitter that you like a bit of Ibiza. So what else do you enjoy away from football, aside from soaking up the sun? And what job you do outside of playing the beautiful game?

    CP: I like to travel. And not just to Ibiza! I’ve been around Asia and traveling is always something I’m looking to do come the end of the season. I try and save my money so I can see as much of the world as possible. I always like pre-season but we stay here, which isn’t quite as exotic!

    Outside of football, I work for Molson-Coors, the Brewery, as a sales rep. I go into convenience stores and Co-Ops as an account manager for them. And it keeps the money in that I need, as someone playing football part time.

    Aside from all that, I like the gym – though that’s also a necessity when you’re playing football – and like everyone, I enjoy a bit of golf in the summer!

    Thanks to Carl, and best of luck to him and everyone at Boston United for the rest of the season. You can find the Pilgrims defensive rock on Twitter @CarlPidge.

    Posted on November 17, 2015, in Dave Burin Interviews, UTL Archive, Vanarama NL North and tagged Altrincham, Boston United, Carl Piergianni, Featured, Interview, National League North, Spalding United, Stockport County. Bookmark the permalink. Leave a comment.

    Posted in , ,

    Tags: , , , , , , ,

  • Under the League Interviews…Darren Williams

    Under the League Interviews…Darren Williams

    Posted by DaveBurin

    It’s no surprise that Darren Williams has made a splash as manager of ‘The Catch’. Now four years into his tenure as Whitby Town boss, the friendly and genuine Teessider has seen it all during more than two decades in the game. In a storied career, Williams has played in the Premier League, every division of the Football League, and earnt his stripes as a veteran defensive rock and acute manager in Non-League football.

    Discussing everything from playing in York City’s famous 3-0 triumph over Manchester United, to scoring his first goals for Sunderland, his respect for the hardworking professionals of the Northern Premier League and much more, Darren talks me through his fascinating journey, with honesty and heart.

    DB: Hi Darren. You grew up in Middlesbrough during the ’80s, which was a difficult period throughout the North East with the pit closures & unemployment. What was life like as a kid in ‘Boro at that time?

    DW: I think it was difficult for the town at that time, and that was reflected in Middlesbrough F.C.. For the club, it was more a case of survival than anything else. From a financial point of view, obviously clubs like that have academies now, but the youth policy at Boro then was very different.

    As young footballers, we were training in a gymnasium – about 30 or 40 kids at a time. It resulted in too many players with ability being overlooked.

    DB: You joined York City’s youth setup in 1993 and made your debut for the club in December 1994 after superb performances for City’s ‘intermediate’ side. What do you remember about your early time at Bootham Crescent and making your professional debut in a 4-0 win over Blackpool?

    DW: I joined as a YTS, and had to do everything from cleaning the stands to scrubbing hallways and toilets. It was a proper YTS experience, and a lot of the players who went through that came out the other end as better people. I still think young players should have those duties; I never saw a reason why it should have changed.

    Leading up to my first-team debut, I played for the youth team in the morning and then dashed back to the ground to be on the bench against Blackpool, and I came on as a sub. I played two games in one day, but thankfully we were at home, so I didn’t have to travel too far!

    DB: On 20th September 1995, you played in arguably York City’s most famous victory of all time. The Minstermen won 3-0 away at Manchester United (City eventually went through 4-3 on aggregate). Were you confident before the first-leg that you could overcome a footballing power like United? And what was the atmosphere like at Bootham Crescent for the return?

    DW: No, we weren’t confident going there that we could beat Man United. At that time, they had some fantastic players and a massive squad. We just went to enjoy the occasion. Most of the lads hadn’t played at Old Trafford before, and it was a big occasion for us. York had a great support at the time who travelled down to Manchester, and we played really well for them on the night and managed to come away with a 3-0 victory.

    Bootham Crescent was packed to the rafters for the second-leg, and Man United had included some of their top players. Fortunately, we got a goal just before half-time and it was enough to take us through.

    1409057720980_wps_1_DARREN_WILLIAMS_OF_YORK_C (credit): Daily Mail

    Williams gets to grips with the Man United attack, in their 3-0 win over the footballing giants.

    DB: Despite that famous cup win and York City narrowly avoiding the drop to Division Three, you left to join Sunderland in Summer 1996. Why did you decide to leave Bootham Crescent? And did you get other offers as well as Sunderland’s?

    DW: Yeah, there were a couple of offers. However, my Youth Team manager at York, Ricky Sbragia had gone to Sunderland, and he recommended me to Peter Reid. At the time, it was an offer to jump from Division Three to the Premiership, so from a career point of view it was a no-brainer really.

    DB: Did you find the transition of moving up to a bigger club like Sunderland quite easy, or was it a difficult one?

    DW: I think I adapted quite quickly to be fair. I didn’t expect myself to, I thought it would take quite a bit of time to settle in there and to appear in the first team. I didn’t have to wait too long to play, actually, and the whole transition was quite smooth.

    DB: In your first season at Sunderland, the club were sadly relegated from the Premier League. However, on a personal note, you scored your first professional goal in a 1-1 draw with Leicester and scored the winner away at your hometown club Middlesbrough. Tell me about those moments.

    DW: The one at Leicester came out of the blue! Martin Smith got to the byline, pulled the ball back and fortunately enough I arrived at the right time to volley it into the bottom corner. Being my first goal, in the Premiership, was special. I wasn’t a natural goalscorer, I’ve always been more of a defensive player, but at Sunderland they played me in a slightly more advanced position [than York had], so it allowed me to get forward a bit more.

    The goal against Boro was vital at the time, as we were scrapping for points – and the fact they were my hometown club made it extra special. The funny this is that I was supposed to be marking Juninho, but I ended up with a free role in the first-half because they’d left him on the bench!

    darrenwilliams1

    In full flow: Williams on the move for Sunderland, his club from 1996-2004.

    DB: In 1999, Sunderland won the old Division One to return to the Premier League. The year before you’d played in that incredible, heartbreaking play-off final where Charlton won on penalties after a 4-4 draw. Do you think the hurt of losing that final spurred yourself and the whole squad on for the following season?

    DW: I don’t think it was the hurt of losing that season. It was the experience of that [1997-98] season, where we should have gone up automatically. There was one night at the Stadium of Light where we were 2-0 up against QPR, and ended up drawing 2-2, which effectively knocked us out of second place.

    We learnt from that experience, and took that whole season on board. In the following campaign we pushed on and dominated the league from start to finish.

    DB: You left Sunderland in 2004, but after a brief stint at Cardiff City, you headed back North to Hartlepool United. In your second season, the club were promoted to League One with Danny Wilson in charge. Danny’s perceived as a tough, no-nonsense manager. How did you find playing for him?

    DW: I got on okay with Danny. We fell out on the odd occasion, but I found Danny to be a nice bloke and a decent manager, to be fair. We didn’t argue over anything personal, it was just football-related stuff, and we always got on fine any disagreement.

    That’s how it is in football, you have your run-ins and then once the matter’s done and dusted, it’s forgotten about. You’re always likely to clash at some point in your career, with somebody – and unfortunately I’ve experienced that on a couple of occasions myself!

    DB: Shortly before making the transition into playing Non-League football, you joined Dundee, pairing up with your old Sunderland teammate Alex Rae, who was then player-manager at Dens Park. Did you enjoy your experience of Scottish football? And was it tough to have a manager who you’d previously played with instead of for?

    DW: No, it wasn’t tough to have a manager that I’d previously played with, because I respected Alex and we’d got on really well when we were at Sunderland. He called me and asked me to go up and play at Dens Park, and it was a decision I wasn’t too sure about – but I went up there.

    I enjoyed the football side of things, but not life there. No disrespect, but Dundee isn’t the greatest of places and that area is quite remote. That was hard, and unfortunately Alex got the sack shortly after, and another guy I’d worked with, Jocky Scott took over. I got on okay with Jocky, but I’d moved up there to play for Alex, really.

    DB: You joined Gateshead, in the Conference Premier in 2009. I believe that deal took a while to happen, because you were still hoping for a professional club to come in. So was it tough to accept that you were playing at a lower level than you had been earlier in your career?

    DW: It wasn’t tough to accept, but I was looking around for a while, hoping that I’d get an offer from a League club. Obviously though, the longer you wait the harder it gets to find a club. Joining Gateshead was a decision I should have made a little bit earlier. I enjoyed playing for them, and being at a local club, but I just didn’t see eye-to-eye with Ian Bogie, the manager.

    I was a senior pro and I had a view of how things should be done, and I thought some of the decisions he made were just not right.

    DB: Whitby Town, where you arrived in 2011, was your first foray into management; as player manager. You’ve done a superb job, establishing a pretty small club as Northern Premier League mainstays. How would you describe your man-management style and the way you want your teams to play?

    DW: We’re an attractive footballing side and we have players with good footballing pedigree. That’s how I’ve always wanted us to play. In terms of man-management, dealing with players is something I think I do really well. I’ve had positive feedback from players I’ve previously coached, as well. Dealing with individuals is all part-and-parcel of management and I consider it one of my strengths.

    DB: At Whitby Town, you have players in your squad like Lee Bullock – who you played with at Hartlepool – and Mark Robinson – who you played with at Gateshead and Gainsborough Trinity. Why do you think it’s so important to have former teammates at the club with you?

    DW: It’s good to have people you know around you, because that mutual respect is already there. You know their character, and that they are honest lads. If they have a problem, or you make decisions that they don’t agree with, then those guys will come out and say so. What I wouldn’t like are players who didn’t agree with something I did, and then talked behind my back about it.

    whitby_town_-_tp_12-13

    Darren (far left, front row) and his Whitby Town charges, in 2012.

    DB: In Non-League, players and managers move between clubs a lot, more frequently than in the higher echelons of the game. What is it that you’ve enjoyed so much about Whitby Town to keep you at the club for 4 years (and counting)?

    DW: I’ve enjoyed working with the players that I’ve had. What I think a lot of people forget is that these lads have jobs, they’re working day-in, day-out and then the club may train on a Tuesday night or a Thursday night, and we often have a midweek game. That might be away at King’s Lynn or Colwyn Bay.

    The players will finish work, jump on a bus, get there, compete for 90 minutes and sometimes won’t get back until 1 o’clock or 2 o’clock the next morning. Then most of them have to be up again for work a few hours later. I have massive respect for the lads at this level. They don’t get paid the fortunes that the Premier League players do, but they still show such commitment to the game.

    DB: Last season Town finished 13th and you’ve had a tough start to this season. Realistically, what are The Catch aiming to achieve in this campaign?

    DW: We’re hoping to achieve a play-off place. We’ve had a difficult start, losing six defenders in the first seven games! The team has had to be shuffled around a lot, because of that. We’ve also lost our regular goalkeeper [Shane Bland] so we’ve had to get a replacement in for him, as well. Despite all this disruption at the start of the season, we still have high hopes of a play-off spot.

    DB: You’re still only 38, so a young manager. Do you have a long-term plan for where you want to be in management in 5 or 10 years, or are you just focused on the here and now with Whitby?

    DW: I’m focusing on the present with Whitby, but obviously one day I want to be coaching in the Football League. I want to move up and progress. As a player I started at the bottom and worked my way up, which is how I see my managerial career going. Working at this level [Northern Premier League] is a great grounding. You learn to deal with awkward situations like players who can’t get off work or having to shuffle about a small squad.

    I want a gradual progression as a manager, and the learning curve here at Whitby will stand me in good stead for that.

    darren_williams_0

    Darren coaches the footballing elite of the future at East Durham College.

    DB: Finally, what do you enjoy doing outside of football? And is there ever a career you considered aside from the beautiful game?

    DW: Outside of football, I enjoy time with my family. I coach quite a lot, and that’s an area I think I’ll stay in. It’s what I know. I coach with Evolution, and at East Durham College, and I’ll always enjoy the coaching side of the game!

    Posted on September 13, 2015, in Dave Burin Interviews, UTL Archive, York City and tagged Darren Williams, Dundee FC, Featured, Interviews, Northern Premier League, Sunderland, Whitby Town, York City. Bookmark the permalink. Leave a comment.

    Posted in ,

    Tags: , , , , , , ,

  • The Strangest Match Ever Played?

    The Strangest Match Ever Played?

    Posted by James Bartaby

    January 27th 1994 saw possibly the most bizarre match ever played. The match in question took place between Barbados and Grenada during qualification for the Carribbean Cup. Barbados went into the match needing to win by at least two goals to top the three team group on goal difference. Any other result would see Grenada progress. In a bizarre tournament rule, group games were not allowed to end in a draw, and would enter a period of golden goal extra time if level after ninety minutes. Oh, and if a golden goal was scored, it would count as two goals!

    And here begins one of those stories that were it in a film, you would dismiss it as implausible in the extreme!

    All was progressing along nicely, and according to plan for Barbados. Going into the latter stages, they had the required 2-0 lead, and were on course to progress. And then, with 83 minutes on the clock, Grenada scored to halve the deficit, and with it put themselves in pole position.

    Barbados – now on the verge of elimination – realised that with the bizarre rule about the golden goal, they would stand a better chance of breaking down the mass defensive ranks in front of them during a thirty minute extra time period rather than the seven minutes that were left. So, after a spell of passing between a defender and his goalkeeper, the defender lashed the ball into the net to level at 2-2.

    A screenshot from the youtube video of the moment that a Barbados defender scores a deliberate own goal

    A screenshot from the youtube video of the moment that a Barbados defender scores a deliberate own goal

    Grenada suddenly realised the situation aswell, and were desperate to avoid extra time. A goal at either end of the pitch in the remaining minutes would see them through! And so, spectators were witness to one of the most incredible spectacles in football history; one team desperately trying to score at both ends, while the other frantically tried to prevent it by defending both goals!

    As it goes, Barbados did manage to keep the score at 2-2, and force the extra time they craved. And it only took them around five minutes to score the decisive golden goal, giving them a 4-2 win, and progression to the final tournament. Quite a match!

    Oh, and in case you were wondering, Barbados finished third in their four team group in the finals, drawing with Guadeloupe and Dominica, but losing to hosts and eventual winners Trinidad & Tobago.

    Posted in

    Tags: , , ,

  • The Rise & Rise Of Non-League Football

    The Rise & Rise Of Non-League Football

    Posted by James Bartaby

    Alan Jessup-Peacock gives us the lowdown on why he has fallen in love with non-league football.

    Football as a sport has been around for generations, the majority of fans follow teams in the professional leagues, but the “non-league” set up below has been slowly developing teams & players for all that time.

    For the past 3 years my interest and involvement in non-league has grown immeasurably and with that I’ve been able to see first hand how the sport at this level has grown in popularity across the country. I also appreciate the set-up of non-league, it’s differences to the pro game and the effort, drive & passion that goes into it at this level. When i first saw non-league games as a young child, it was just football, it was all the same to me, but I realise & appreciate that it’s not. That’s no bad thing, don’t get me wrong! But the way I see it in my head is almost as a different sport to the top flights, and i follow Concord Rangers with as much emotion & passion as i do West Ham.

    Basically non-league football is the game in leagues outside the four top divisions in the English game, from the Blue Square Bet Premier, then through various regional divisions 3, 4 or even 5 steps further down. The popularity of these leagues, and the games within them, seems to be increasing quicker by the month, and for me I feel it’s because of a couple of main reasons.

    The first is exposure, quite simply the game at this level is getting so much more coverage in the mainstream media, for example local papers feature large double page spreads to the number of teams in their areas. Social media has also played a part in this, look for 5 minutes on Facebook or Twitter and you’ll find fan pages & accounts dedicated to these clubs, all full of passionate supporters willing to follow their club! Not just social media, but blogs such as this one, and plenty more besides offer thoughts, opinions and coverage of the game. Add to that the ever faithful Non League Paper and you see how the exposure continues to grow.

    The success of non-league teams in national cup competitions also plays a big part in how the game is seen. The FA Cup can offer very small clubs the chance to make it to a big stage, none more recent than Ryman League team Hastings having an away match against Middlesborough in the 3rd round! These smaller clubs are getting better investment, even in this tough climate, as entry prices are lower more fans attend, which boosts the funds at the club & in turn helps them move forward. The playing talent at this level is always improving too, former league players who just missed out can be found across the country plying their trade at this level, competition for places increases because of it.

    Of course, one huge reason why the focus on non league has increased was with the creation of “Non League Day” a few years back. Normally a day during October when the top flight are on an international break, this is a day where the focus is on going to see and cheer on your local non-league team. The day is widely promoted & has grown more and more each year. Obviously there’s massive benefits to seeing these local games, cost is one, atmosphere is another, being able to stand there with a beer right on the sideline is something that can be enjoyed at this level! Add to that the fact that although the players are paid (not much at all) they are there for the love of the game, and it’s there for all to see at every game.

    I am a convert, without doubt, the past 3 years have helped make an unbreakable bond with the sport at this level. It’s something i love being a part of, and with how things are going I know i will not be the only one!

    Many thanks to Alan, who gave us permission to recycle this article, which was originally published on his own excellent blog. You can follow him on twitter: @BullJet

    Posted on December 31, 2012, in UTL Archive and tagged Non League Day, Non-League. Bookmark the permalink. Leave a comment.

    Posted in

    Tags: ,

  • England C – An Introduction

    Posted by James Bartaby

    Welcome to a new section on the site, dedicated to the England ‘C’ team. You may or may not be aware of such an entity, but the England C team was formed in 1979, and represents the semi-professional and non-league sections of the game. For players to be eligible, they have to be 23 or under at the start of the season, i.e. if a player turns 24 during the season, he is still eligible as he was 23 at the start of the season.

    They are currently managed by ex-Barnet manager Paul Fairclough, who took over in 2003. As you can imagine, with the restrictions regarding age and the non-league only representation, there is a high turnover of players in the squad, but it can be a springboard for players in their careers, with many going on to enjoy careers in the Football League. Notable former England C internationals include ex-Arsenal legend Alan Smith, Craig Mackail-Smith and Norwich City striker Steve Morison. David Stockdale, the current Fulham goalkeeper, has also worn the semi-pro Three Lions shirt.

    There are not many ‘C’ internationals in a season, with Fairclough only overseeing two matches so far this season. There is one match left in 2011-12, against Russia in Moscow. Fairclough has named his squad, which can be found on the FA website, and has included eight new faces for the trip.

    The team play their matches at various Football League and non-league grounds, so if they do roll up at a ground near you, get down and show your support.

    Posted on May 16, 2012, in UTL Archive and tagged England C, Paul Fairclough. Bookmark the permalink. Leave a comment.

    Posted in

    Tags: ,

  • Why I Love Non-League Football

    Posted by James Bartaby

    I am approaching the end of my first season as a non-league football supporter, and I have been reflecting on what it is about the semi-pro game that I love so much.

    I took in my first non-league game as recently as September 2011, when my chosen club, Hampton & Richmond Borough, had a home game against Chelmsford City. It’s a good job I didn’t let that result affect me; Hampton were thrashed 4-0! Before I go any further, though, maybe I should provide a bit of backstory.

    I am 33 years of age, and have supported my hometown club Huddersfield Town for more than twenty largely unsuccessful years, ever since my dad took me to watch them play Southend United in 1989 (Town won 3-2 so I am not always a jinx! Mind you, they were three up at one point!). I have always preferred the lower leagues as a result. I also have a three year old son who loves to kick a ball around. I decided this season that I would like to take him to some live matches, and get him hooked on our wonderful game from an early age. This led me to a dilemma. As I now reside in Middlesex, taking him to Huddersfield wasn’t feasible, and anyway they are not his hometown club. It would be unfair to inflict them on him!

    The nearest professional club to us is Brentford, but this presented problems of it’s own. For starters, they play in the same division as Huddersfield, and have done for a lot of those twenty-odd seasons that I have supported Town. There is no way that I could fake enthusiasm or support for The Bees. Add to that the growing cost of going to league games, not to mention living, and Griffin Park was ruled out as our footballing home. That of course meant only one thing; we would have to take in a non-league club. That gave me the problem of picking which of the multitude of clubs in the area we should support.

    I have always had a soft spot for Hampton & Richmond Borough (nicknamed The Beavers), partly because I work with one of their former strikers, and partly because it lies on the bus route from my house to Kingston-Upon-Thames, making the journey to games that bit easier. I could have chosen Staines Town, but that would mean driving to home games. I could have chosen any number of clubs, but I settled on finally getting to a match at Hampton’s delightful Beveree Stadium.

    And so we come to that overcast day in September 2011, and our first taste of non-league. I should at this stage point out that I was finally persuaded to get along to the game by the guys from the excellent Two Footed Tackle podcast, who are vehement supporters of non-league football, and of the brilliant Non-League Day, which is held a couple of times a year when there are no Premier League matches being played, usually on International weekends. The idea being that because England play on a Friday night now, then supporters should take the opportunity to get along to a local non-league club on the Saturday afternoon.

    Even with the scoreline at the end of the game, both myself and my son had had a great afternoon. We were made very welcome by the locals, and the friendly stewards and staff, and from then on we were both Beavers. We have since been to plenty of games, both home and away, and have no intention of stopping anytime soon. I have also now taken on a second non-league club, in the shape of Ashford Town(Middlesex). This occurred one Saturday afternoon when we were planning on going to watch Hampton’s reserve team. This game was called off, and so I put a call out on twitter for recommendations. Ashford responded via their webmaster Gareth, and so we headed off there, and can be found there fairly regularly, depending on my shifts and Hampton’s fixtures.

    So that brings us to the title of the article: Why I Love Non-League Football. There are so many reasons. Firstly, the supporters. They really support the club, they know all the history, all the players. This is their club, their passion. A lot of them don’t support another club aswell; Hampton, or Ashford, are it. Then there is the whole matchday experience, which is where it really matters. going to a non-league game reminds me so much of when I first started going to Huddersfield games at the fantastic old Leeds Road ground. You can change ends at half time, something which I hadn’t been able to do for years since the advent of all-seater atmospehere-less stadiums. There is also no fan segregation; you can spend the whole game stood next to a rival fan and not hide who you support. The key word in that last sentence being stood. It is amazing just to be able to stand at a game these days.

    There are no bans on alcohol at pitchside, so you can stroll into the clubhouse at any point during the game, get yourself a pint, and take it back out onto the terrace to enjoy whilst watching the match. You can even smoke if you want! You also get to hear pretty much everything that goes on on the pitch. You can hear the refs, the players, the managers. You can even have banter with the opposition goalkeeper when the ball is at the other end! And after the game, you can go into the clubhouse and actually speak to the management and the players, and congratulate/commiserate/berate as appropriate!

    Two of my other favourite things involve the match ball. Growing up, I had always, always wanted to catch the match ball when it was kicked into the stands. Alas, this never happened. While I’ve been going to non-league matches, I have caught or touched the match ball on numerous occasions. The other thing is a little game to play if the match is a little dull: counting how many balls go out of the ground! My personal best was recently set at Ashford Town, a non too shabby seven balls exited the ground from clearances. Not bad!

    I am now a fully converted non-league fan. I didn’t want my son to grow up blindly supporting Chelsea, or Arsenal, or whichever club his school friends support. I want him to appreciate football from inside the ground, and if he still supports a big club but wants to continue watching Hampton, then that is fine with me. I cannot recommend non-league strongly enough. There is a huge community of fans and clubs and journalists on twitter, all of whom will interact with you and share their views. It really is one of the best things I have done regarding football, and I urge you all to get down to as many non-league games as you can.

    I may not always live in Middlesex, but wherever I find myself in the future, you can be sure that I will be on the terraces of one of the local non-league teams. I will always be a Beaver though!

    Posted on March 23, 2012, in UTL Archive and tagged Hampton & Richmond Borough, Non League Day, Non-League. Bookmark the permalink. 7 Comments.

    Posted in

    Tags: , ,