High Stakes at The Valley

An article on the BBC Sport website on Tuesday about 40 years of the play-offs brought back some childhood memories of a radio commentary I recall listening to as Charlton Athletic faced Leeds United in 1987.

I can't remember which of the three games between the sides it was but what was unusual, aside from the need for a replay after a draw over two-legs, was that Charlton were battling to save their place in Division One against a Leeds side looking to go back to the top-flight.

Although long since gone from the play-off structure in the EFL, this season does see a similar situation arise in the WSL and Charlton are once again involved.

This time the Addicks have everything to gain as, after finishing third in WSL2 this season, they can benefit from the expansion of the top division (with Birmingham City and Crystal Palace already promoted automatically) by beating WSL's bottom club Leicester City in a one-off tie at The Valley.

Tickets for the game, which kicks-off at 12.30pm on Saturday 23rd May, are priced at £7 for adults, £5 for over 65's and £2 for under-18's.

Take it to the Bridge

Spotted on the 'Special Offers and Promotions' page of the Non-League Matters forum, Uxbridge FC are not only offering free admission to their home pre-season friendlies this summer but have kept the price of season tickets at an incredible £50 for adults, £5 for concessions, £1 for 16-18 year olds and free for under-16's.

A fantastic offer for football at any level, let alone step 3 of the pyramid (Uxbridge were promoted in 2024/25 and finished 9th in the Southern Premier south division last season, their highest ever placing) and one that also allows season ticket holders to watch Southall FC, groundsharers at Honeycroft next season, for just £1 per game.

Pre-season friendlies start on Saturday 4th July against North Greenford United and will, I'm sure, feature on the brilliant London Football Guide nearer the time.

Promised Land

One of the main themes of this blog, since its inception, has been the fluctuating fortunes of Coventry City FC, the Sky Blues having spent time in Leagues One and Two as well as being exiled to both Northampton and Birmingham since the very first article on Affordable Football in July 2013.

That touched on how the idea came about for starting the blog, the Sky Blues 'football for a fiver' offer during a run to the area final of the Football League Trophy amidst a dispute over the Ricoh Arena that led to the club leaving the city for the first time.

£10 tickets were in place for the homecoming to Coventry in August 2014 but the next few years were punctuated by various crises, so much so that even over 40,000 fans heading to Wembley in March 2017 was only a temporary respite before relegation to League Two.

Community Day and £5 tickets in February 2018 meant that 28,000 watched a League Two fixture against Accrington Stanley but, even as fortunes slowly improved on the pitch, there were to be more twists in the tale as City headed to St. Andrews for a season.

Fast forward to October 2025 and City headed back to the top of the Championship with victory over Blackburn, a position they were only to relinquish very briefly before sealing promotion in style and sparking celebrations across the city.

I wrote after that game that 'the need to tempt people through the turnstiles isn't a problem at present, demand may soon exceed supply in that regard,' and, of course, that will be even more so in the Premier League next season.

Sunday Trading

 

Silverware is up for grabs in Sheffield on Sunday 10th May as Bramall Lane hosts the final of the FA Sunday Cup, to be played this year between Home Bargains and Hartlepool AFC Supporters.

Tickets for the 1pm kick-off are priced at £5. 

The previous day, Leicester City's King Power Stadium hosts the final of the FA's other main grassroots competition, the Inter-League Cup. This is also a 1pm kick-off as the Cheshire Football League and Herts Senior County League battle it out.

Week Ahead - 27th April

Start the week with some free football (club account needed to claim a ticket) at the Swansea.com Stadium as the Swans U21s host Newcastle United in a 7pm kick-off in the Professional Development League play-offs. 

There is another Premier League International Cup tie at Aldershot Town as Real Sociedad and Borussia Dortmund meet in the semi-finals on Wednesday 29th at 7pm. Tickets are priced at £4 for adults, £2 for concessions and free for under-11's.

The previous evening, Woking FC host the other semi-final between the U21s of Real Madrid and Dinamo Zagreb. Admission is priced at £4/£2 for non-season ticket holders at the club.

Back to Wednesday 29th and Kenilworth Road hosts the U18 PDL Cup Final between Luton Town and AFC Wimbledon. Tickets for the 7pm kick-off are priced at £3 and £1.

Week Ahead - 20th April

Free tickets are available to watch Chelsea Women's U21s against Manchester City at Kingsmeadow on Wednesday 22nd, kick-off 7pm.

Also free admission is the Under-18 fixture between Derby County and Burnley at Pride Park on Friday 24th (7pm).

The U18 Premier League Cup final between Crystal Palace and Manchester United is set for Selhurst Park on Wednesday 22nd. Tickets for the 7pm kick-off are priced at £5 for adults and £1 for concessions.

And Salford City have reduced prices for their big, televised, League Two clash with Bromley on Thursday 23rd at 8pm. Adult tickets are £5 and it is £1 for under-18's.