And On Twitter...

@affordablefooty is our Twitter address, where I try and tweet about all of the ticket offers that I come across whereas here on the blog page I try and go into a bit more detail about those deals that really catch the eye.

Tweets this week include plenty of free football on offer from Tamworth to Falkirk, a reminder about the £5 offers in place for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy games that take place on Tuesday and 'Pay What You Want' for Watford Ladies.

https://twitter.com/AffordableFooty

Three More for Non League Day

The 5th annual Non League Day takes place this year on Saturday 6 September, timed as always to coincide with an international break which gives supporters of Premier League and Championship clubs to chance to watch their local side in action.

The event has grown in size and stature every year and a number of clubs have already announced their plans for the day.

Dulwich Hamlet FC have declared that their home game against Hampton & Richmond Borough will be a 'Pay What You Like' fixture with donations welcome as fans come through the turnstiles in order to cover matchday costs.

It's 'Pay What You Can Afford' day at Handsworth Parramore as they welcome Nostell Miners Welfare to their Sandy Lane ground with anyone matching the usual admission prices of £5 and £3 going into a draw to win a pair of season tickets.

Tividale FC host Mickleover Sports and have cut admission costs to £4 for adults, £2 for concessions and members and also £2 for season ticket holders of the 92 Premier League and Football League clubs.

I've also tweeted offers from Halesowen Town FC, Oxford City FC and Stalybridge Celtic but these are just a few of the hundreds of examples of innovative ideas to boost crowds and profiles that will be announced over the next few weeks. The best place to keep tab of everything is on the Non League Day website where there is an interactive match finder and also on their Twitter page.

Footy for a Fiver in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy

The Johnstone's Paint Trophy presents an excellent chance for clubs to attract families to their grounds and both Preston North End and Stevenage have taken that opportunity.

Both clubs are at home in the opening round of the competition with games against Shrewsbury and Gillingham respectively taking place on Tuesday 2 September.

PNE have pegged prices at £5 and just £1 for under-16's while club ambassadors and Shrews season ticket holders will pay just £4 if purchasing tickets in advance of matchday.

Stevenage tickets will cost £5 for all ages if purchased in advance, under-16's who pay on the night will still be at the same price while other tickets will be £10.

Affordable Football aims to bring you the special offers, reduced ticket prices and family deals that make catching a match anywhere in the country more affordable. You can tweet us @affordablefooty or email affordablefootball@yahoo.com if your club are doing something worth hearing about.

Now Coventry City Are Home I Can Write This Article!

It was Coventry City's decision to offer £5 tickets for their home games in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in 2012/13 that gave me the idea for Affordable Football but the Sky Blues situation since then has meant they haven't featured on the blog since it began.

Some of the prices for City 'home' games last season, especially midweek fixtures, would usually have qualified but because those matches were being played at Northampton's Sixfields Stadium defeated the object in many ways.

Fast forward to Thursday and the long-awaited (but barely believable) announcement that the club are moving back to the Ricoh Arena and in addition to some reasonable season ticket prices Coventry have also reduced prices for the first game back against Gillingham on Friday 5 September.

Adult tickets will cost £10, concessions £5 and under-16's £1.

http://www.ccfc.co.uk/news/article/gillingham-reduced-tickets-ricoh-220814-1860010.aspx

August's Affordable Football

A reminder of what is coming up for the rest of the month.

Arsenal's under-21 game against Derby County at Boreham Wood on Thursday (21st), Gap Connah's Quay Nomads versus Carmarthen Town on Bank Holiday Monday and Maidenhead United's clash with Eastbourne Borough on Saturday 30th are all free admission fixtures.

Also this Thursday there is a big World Cup qualifying clash between Wales and England women which takes place at the Cardiff City stadium. Tickets are priced at £5 and £2.

Kids go free at Bristol Rovers this Saturday while members of the armed forces do not have to pay when MK Dons host Crawley Town on August 30.

The Capital One Cup 2nd round ties take place in the week commencing Monday 25th. Derby County have priced their home game with Charlton Athletic the following evening at just £5 for season ticket holders and £7 for general sale adult tickets. A number of other clubs have also reduced prices for their ties with West Bromwich Albion the latest to come to our attention. It is £10 (£5 for under-17's) to watch the Baggies against Oxford United if ourchased before matchday.

The FA Under-17 international tournament brings together England, Portugal, Italy and Czech Republic with games taking place between Wednesday 27th and Sunday 31st at Kidderminster, Burton, Chesterfield, Tamworth and Burton. All tickets are priced at £3 for adults and £1.50 for under-16's.

Affordable Football aims to bring you the special offers, reduced ticket prices and family deals that make catching a match anywhere in the country more affordable. You can tweet us @affordablefooty or email affordablefootball@yahoo.com if your club are doing something worth hearing about.

Capital One Cup: Derby County Lead the Way

The draw for the second round of the Capital One Cup was made last week and threw up some interesting ties.

While Manchester United's visit to MK Dons won't need any reduced prices, judging by the queue for tickets when they went on sale, plenty of clubs have already announced special offers.

Derby County, always on the ball with affordable offers for their supporters, have cut prices to £5 for season ticket holders and £7 for other adults when they host Charlton Athletic on Tuesday 26 August. Under-16's can attend for just £1.

Much of the focus on the cost of watching Premier League football this season has fallen on London clubs such as West Ham United but the Hammers did offer plenty of concessions for cup ties last year and have done so again for the visit of Sheffield United.

Adults, Under-21's and Over-65's can attend for £10 if tickets are purchased in advance while Under-16's tickets are priced at £5.

Watford host Doncaster Rovers and tickets are priced at £10 for adults, £5 for young adults (16-19), students and over-65's. Under-16's tickets are just £1.

Under-16's tickets for Aston Villa's home tie with Leyton Orient are all priced at £5 with adult tickets in the North Stand/Family Stand costing £10.

Affordable Football aims to bring you the special offers, reduced ticket prices and family deals that make catching a match anywhere in the country more affordable. You can tweet us @affordablefooty or email affordablefootball@yahoo.com if your club are doing something worth hearing about.

Free Season Tickets at Potters Bar Town FC

The Guardian's 'Talking Sport' section carried an interesting article this week on Potters Bar Town and their initiative for the 2014/15 season which will allow fans to claim a free season ticket simply by taking a voucher along to any home game before the end of September.

Chairman Mark Martyn, an Arsenal season ticket holder, has some interesting things to say in the article and states that the offer has been very popular to date.

One well worth supporting if you live in the local area and haven't been to the ground before, even if you can only get down to a handful of games but buy a drink or programme at the ground.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/aug/14/potters-bar-town-football-club-free-season-tickets

 

Affordable Football aims to bring you the special offers, reduced ticket prices and family deals that make catching a match anywhere in the country more affordable. You can tweet us @affordablefooty or email affordablefootball@yahoo.com if your club are doing something worth hearing about.

 

Free Football at Maidenhead United & Gap Connahs Quay

A couple of cracking free football offers for the Bank Holiday week...

Conference South side Maidenhead United officially opened their 500 seater stand before the opening league game of the season against Sutton United last Saturday and anyone wishing to take at look at the revamped York Road ground can do so for free on Saturday 30 August.

To mark a sponsorship agreement with local newspaper the Maidenhead Advertiser the game against Eastbourne Borough on that day has been designated as free entry for all fans.

Welsh Premier League side Gap Connah's Quay Nomads FC meanwhile play their first home league game of the campaign against Carmarthen Town on Monday 25 August (2.30pm) and not only is it free admission but spectators will get a free programme as well.

http://www.the-nomads.co.uk/news/2014/august/Free-football-at-Deeside-Stadium-this-Bank-Holiday/

Affordable Football aims to bring you the special offers, reduced ticket prices and family deals that make catching a match anywhere in the country more affordable. You can tweet us @affordablefooty or email affordablefootball@yahoo.com if your club are doing something worth hearing about.

Non League Day Update

The 5th annual Non League Day takes place this year on Saturday 6 September, timed as always to coincide with an international break which gives supporters of Premier League and Championship clubs to chance to watch their local side in action.

The event has grown in size and stature every year and a number of clubs have already announced their plans for the day.

Boldmere St Michaels’ of the Midland Football League, for instance, are aiming to get 200 fans through the gates for their Premier Division game against Brocton with admission priced at £2 (200 pence) for adults and concessions and under-12’s going free.

AFC Totton have reduced admission prices to £5 for their game against Stratford Town and are hoping to see plenty of Southampton and Bournemouth fans in attendance.

Grantham Town have announced £6 entry for season ticket holders of any Premier League or Football League club who comes to the home game against Ashton United.

These are just a few of the hundreds of examples of innovative ideas to boost crowds and profiles that will be announced over the next few weeks. The best place to keep tab of everything is on the Non League Day website where there is an interactive match finder and also on their Twitter page.

Affordable Football aims to bring you the special offers, reduced ticket prices and family deals that make catching a match anywhere in the country more affordable. You can tweet us @affordablefooty or email affordablefootball@yahoo.com if your club are doing something worth hearing about.

 

Chelsea versus Manchester City - Free Friday Football!

Following on from the piece about the link between Boreham Wood and Arsenal last week, another club forging close ties with a Premier League giant are Aldershot Town.

The Shots will host a number of Chelsea fixtures this season in the under-21 Premier League, the UEFA Youth Cup and the FA Youth Cup with Town season ticket holders entitled to free entry to all of these.

This Friday, however, it is free entry to everyone as Chelsea host Manchester City in the opening game of the under-21 league season which kicks off at 7:05pm and is being televised on Sky Sports.

Also this Friday, Leigh Sports Village hosts Manchester United versus Norwich City under-21's (7pm) and has a form on its website to fill in and claim free tickets.

http://www.leighsportsvillage.co.uk/manchester-united-vs-norwich-city/

It All Starts Again This Weekend!

Football League clubs begin their competitive campaigns this weekend with hopes high across the country as league tables show everyone on zero points, the sun shining and new signings making their debuts across the land.

Here at Affordable Football it's set fair for another season of innovative offers, cut-price tickets and 'pay what you want' matches. There may not be too many of these in the opening weeks, for the reasons outlined above but they will kick into effect over the weeks and months ahead.

Over the summer we have seen a number of clubs try and build their season ticket fanbases up with Bradford City (old hands at the game now) again showing the way and selling around 12,000. The certainty of income that that gives a club means they are in some ways immune from the vagaries of results on the pitch which do so much usually to determine attendances.

In League Two Hartlepool United look to have followed a similar path with season tickets having been sold at a maximum of £200 throughout the entire summer (and up to the eve of their first home game a week on Saturday) and over 3,000 fans having purchased so far.

Some events that are fast becoming a tradition include 'Pay What You Want' at Brentford and 'Football for a Fiver' at Charlton Athletic and the push to attract the supporters of tomorrow through the turnstiles continues with various free and reduced price season ticket offers for children and those in full-time education such as at Morecambe FC where all Year 11 pupils in the area were entitled to watch the Shrimps for free throughout 2014/15

Affordable Football aims to bring you the special offers, reduced ticket prices and family deals that make catching a match anywhere in the country more affordable. You can tweet us @affordablefooty or email affordablefootball@yahoo.com if your club are doing something worth hearing about.

Want More Football for Your Arsenal Season Ticket? Get Down to Boreham Wood FC

The price of Premier League season tickets, especially at clubs in London, has been the subject of much press debate in the past week or so and it's usualy Arsenal who are held up as one of the 'worst' examples of the cost of watching the game at the top level.

That's a debate for another place (and there won't be too many empty seats at the Emirates for most games this season) but, if you have any spare cash after buying your Gunners' ticket for 2014/15 then Boreham Wood FC will give you a warm welcome at Meadow Park with half price entry on offer to all Conference South fixtures starting with the visit of Farnborough this Saturday.

It's part of a growing connection between the two clubs with Boreham Wood hosting Arsenal’s Ladies, Development squad and Under-19's Champions League squad this coming season.

International Football in the Midlands and a World Cup Showdown in Wales

The FA Under-17 international tournament will take place later this month across five venues within easy reach of St George's Park in Burton and England's Young Lions are in action three times.

They take on the Czech Republic on Wednesday 27 August at Aggborough, home of Kidderminster Harriers, Portugal two days later at Chesterfield's Proact Stadium and finish off on Sunday 31 August against Italy at the Pirelli Stadium, home of Burton Albion.

The three other games in the tournament will take place at Alfreton Town (two matches) and Tamworth FC. Tickets for all fixtures are priced at £3 for adults and £1.50 for under-16's.

Also taking place shortly, England Under-20’s against their Romanian counterparts at AFC Telford on Friday 5 September which is also priced at £3 and £1.50.

Full details on the various official club websites.

Qualification for the 2015 Women's World Cup in Canada is coming down to the crucial fixtures and Cardiff City host one of these on Thursday 21 August when Wales meet England in Group Six.

England (impressive friendly winners against Sweden on Sunday) have a 100% record to date and can seal their place at the finals with a victory but the hosts still have hopes of their own and know that a win will take the battle for top spot to the final round of games.

The FAW hope to attract a record crowd for a women's international and tickets are priced at just £5 for adults and £2 for juniors and senior citizens.

Affordable Football aims to bring you the special offers, reduced ticket prices and family deals that make catching a match anywhere in the country more affordable. You can tweet us @affordablefooty or email affordablefootball@yahoo.com if your club are doing something worth hearing about.

The First Manchester Derby of the Season

With the Manchester Senior Cup final having been postponed last season it means that Hyde FC will host a tasty derby clash between Manchester City and Manchester United this Thursday (7pm).

Admission is £3 for adults and £1 for concessions with the Under-21 sides of the two clubs going head-to-head.

http://www.hydefc.co.uk/news/city-vs-united--robinsons-brewery-manchester-cfa-senior-cup-1263935.html

Family Feel For Capital One Cup

With the Football League season kicking off this weekend and the opening round of the Capital One Cup next week it is a busy time for clubs up and down the land.

With the school summer holidays in full swing the League Cup ties provide a great chance to take your kids to a competitive game as the competition sponsors have teamed up with all clubs involved so that adult fans can buy up to five childrens' tickets for each game at only £1 each.

In addition a number of clubs have reduced prices for their home games to £10 for adults so check out your local team's official website to see what is happening.

Affordable Football aims to bring you the special offers, reduced ticket prices and family deals that make catching a match anywhere in the country more affordable. You can tweet us @affordablefooty or email affordablefootball@yahoo.com if your club are doing something worth hearing about.

Just £10 to See Hull City Make History

What a great move from Hull City as they prepare for their first ever home fixture in European competition against FK AC Trencin at the KC Stadium (7:30pm).

Tickets have been priced at just £10 for adults and £5 concessions for the second leg of the Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round tie which stands poised at 0-0 after the first game in Slovakia.

Purchases made before Monday lunchtime also receive a free commemorative programme and as of Saturday evening demand had been so high that the club had decided to open up the South Stand of the ground.

Prices will rise to £15 for adults should any tickets remain available on the night of the game but hopefully a packed KC will be able to roar the Tigers to victory.

Affordable Football aims to bring you the special offers, reduced ticket prices and family deals that make catching a match anywhere in the country more affordable. You can tweet us @affordablefooty or email affordablefootball@yahoo.com if your club are doing something worth hearing about.

Update - the game was announced as a sell-out on Tuesday morning

Five Games for £5 (or Less) This Weekend

Once again this is just a sample of the action that is taking place across the country. Please tweet with what is happening locally to you.

One of the most pleasing things to see at the lower levels of the game during pre-season is the number of games that are played in memory of club and league stalwarts. One such is the Dave Jose Memorial Trophy, named after a man who devoted a lot of time and effort in the cause of Bashley FC.

Normally played against teams from the local area, Kettering Town will provide the opposition this year in recognition of the support that club’s supporters have given in Bashley’s recent fight for survival. Kick off is at 1pm and admission is £4 for adults and free for under-16’s.

Now it's hard to resist a game that is being billed as a meeting of the two worst clubs in the country last season. Presumably Droylsden FC and Hyde FC will be running out to the strains of 'Things Can Only Get Better' when they meet at the Butchers Arms on Saturday afternoon after a season in which both were relegated from their respective divisions with months still remaining in the campaign.

Hyde's plight in the Conference made national headlines (which the club have taken advantage of to build up a large following on Twitter) but pre-season brings new hope and the two sides contest the Tony Downes Trophy at 3pm. All of Droylsden's pre-season friendlies have been priced at £5 for adults, £3 for concessions and £1 for under-16’s.

There is free football on offer at Basingstoke Town's newly-renamed Soccer AM Stadium on Saturday (2pm) with the friendly against Woking part of the launch of a sponsorship agreement with the Sky TV programme. Some of the stars of the show will be at the game and a host of attractions are planned for the day.

Watford FC's ownership links with Serie A side Udinese sees the two sides meet at Vicarage Road on Saturday.

Without the costs that are sometimes involved in bringing a team over from abroad for a friendly the Hornets have priced tickets at just £3 for adults, £2 for concessions and £1 for under-16’s if purchased in advance of the game (on the day these increase to £5/£3 and £2). All net profits from the hosting of the fixture will go to the Royal British Legion.

And on Sunday England's senior women are in action against Sweden, kicking-off at 2pm at Hartlepool United's Victoria Park ground.

As with all England international tickets are priced at £5 for adults and £2.50 for concessions and although this is classed as a friendly game, the quality of the opposition means England will be in for a tougher test than anything they have currently faced in their World Cup qualifying group.