Highland League 2024/25

The big kick-off in the Highland League takes place this coming Saturday (27th) July and, if you are on holiday in the area, I would highly recommend taking in a game.

Not only is the football itself highly competitive, given a fair weather day you can find yourself with some of the most stunning backdrops you will find anywhere in the UK.

Reigning champions Buckie Thistle, who were unable to subsequently take their shot at the promotion play-offs, will wait to begin the defence of their crown as they are involved in Scottish League Cup action at the weekend.

Last season's title race went down to the final game and both Brechin City (away to Keith) and Fraserburgh (on the road to Wick Academy) will be looking to get some early points on the board.

Brora Rangers, who host Turriff United, and Banks O' Dee, who visit Formartine United, will also see themselves as contenders.

There are also matches this Saturday at Lossiemouth, Huntly, Forres Mechanics and Deveronvale.

Tickets generally come in at a tenner for adults. Full fixtures can be found on the BBC website.

New Season...New Links

The following sites have been invaluable to me in writing this blog and are well worth a visit.

The London Football Guide - James Doe is the man behind Non-League Day and set up TLFG to provide a comprehensive guide to football (at all levels) in the capital and its suburbs. On a weekly basis he runs through all of the fixtures of note and is also happy to answer queries from anyone coming to London and looking to catch a match.

With its focus on a similar patch geographically, The Cold End combines news and match previews with reports, highlights and some great photographs of Non-League football in London, Hertfordshire & Beyond.

Football in Berkshire is an excellent not for profit site that doesn't leave a stone unturned when reporting on football at all levels in the county, Severn Sport doing a similar job in Gloucestershire.

The excellent She Kicks website has features, stats and regular fixture updates covering all levels of the women's game in the UK.

Scottish Women's Football is a comprehensive resource to the women's game at all levels in Scotland.

Non-League Matters is a good resource for fixtures, tables and stats from all levels of the game below the Football League and the Forum part of the site has a section where special ticket offers, free and reduced admission and ‘Pay What You Want’ fixtures can be publicised.

The Northern Counties East Football League is my local Step 5 league and the home of Hallam FC who have featured regularly on the site. The NCEFL website is an excellent resource for results and fixtures.

I've always enjoyed Neil Jensen's writings in the Non-League Paper (the print edition of which is a great source for upcoming fixtures) but they are just the tip of the iceberg of his wonderful Game of the People website which has features and views on football in all corners of the globe.

Groundhopper 2000 showcases Stephen Lang's excellent photographs of the game in the Scottish borders while Scottish Football Fixtures is a comprehensive guide to matches taking place north of the border.

Pre-season: Apply To Oxford

A return to the National League South for Oxford City this coming season, after relegation last time out, but a club that remains on an upward curve, having come a long way from the testing times of the late 1980's when they had to leave the White House Ground.

Pre-season friendlies at home to Barry Town United (Sat 6th July), Sutton United (Tue 23rd) and Braintree Town (Sat 3rd August) will all be 'Pay what you want' with no minimum amount.

For a great perspective on football across the whole of the county, the Oxon Football website is regularly updated on X.

Pre-season: I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside

And I do like the town of Bridlington as well.

The Northern Premier League club are gearing up for the 2024/25 season, their first under new ownership, with free admission to all of their home friendlies.

These are currently scheduled for Saturday 6th July against Scarborough Athletic, Saturday 20th against Hallam FC and Tuesday 23rd against Beverley Town. 

Pre-season: A Vote Winner In Uxbridge

Lots of positivity surrounding Uxbridge FC this summer, and rightly so as the club, formed in 1871, have made a huge effort to strengthen their community ties and offer themselves as a welcoming, focal point for local people.

Season ticket prices have been cut to just £50 for adults and £5 for concessions with matchday entry priced at £5/£1 and free for under-16's.

Not only that but pre-season friendlies are free admission for people to come and sample the atmosphere at Honeycroft.

Uxbridge will, I'm sure, feature regularly on the brilliant London Football Guide over the coming season. 

Pre-season: Highland Summer

Summer in the north of Scotland is a beautiful time of year to catch some football and it won't be long now until the new Highland League season begins in earnest.

Banff club Deveronvale are warming up for the campaign with four home friendlies, against Tayport (Sat 6th July, 2pm), Lossiemouth United (Tue 9th, 7.30pm), Longside (Sat 13th, 2pm) and Maud (Sat 20th, 2pm).

Admission prices are £5 for those aged 16+, free for anyone younger.

Scottish Football Fixtures has the definitive list of pre-season matches north of the border. 

Pre-season: Super Severn

Pre-season #footballforafiver in Gloucestershire this summer at both Slimbridge AFC and Gloucester City.

Slimbridge host Forest Green Rovers (Tue 9th July, 7pm), Hungerford Town (Sat 13th), Weston-super-Mare (Tue 16th) and Shortwood United (Fri 26th) with admission to each game priced at £5 and free for under-16's.

City have home games scheduled against Longlevens (Tue 2nd July), Yate Town (Fri 19th), Haverfordwest County (Sat 27th) and Truro City (Sat 3rd August).

Adult tickets are £5 with various concessions and a £12 family ticket also available.

Severn Sport is an excellent website and X page covering the game at all levels in the county.

Pre-season: It's A Deal In Kent

Three of the counties' finest offering #footballforafiver over the summer.

Ramsgate FC host Kennington FC (Fri 5th July), Brentwood Town (Sat 27th) and Kingstonian (Sat 3rd August) with admission £5 for adults and free for under-18's.

Not too far away, at Margate FC there are home friendlies scheduled against Whitstable (Sat 6th July), Dover (Tue 9th), Concord Rangers (Sat 13th) and Dover (Tue 16th) with prices £5 for adults and £3 for concessions.

And Deal Town welcome Whitstable (Tue 2nd July), Canterbury (Fri 5th), Kennington (Mon 8th), Bearsted (Fri 12th), a Gillingham XI (Tue 16th) and Faversham StrikeForce (Sat 27th). Like at Ramsgate it is £5 adults and free for under-18's.

The superb website Kentish Football has a comprehensive list of fixtures.