Two Cup Finals With A Difference

Let them all come down to The Den for the Premier League International Cup final which takes place on Wednesday 4th May at 7pm.

The competition was introduced to give Under-21 sides from Premier League clubs a taste of what it is like to face European opposition.

All the matches are held in England as the competition is not sanctioned by UEFA and this year the final will be contested by two European clubs as the B teams of PSV Eindhoven and Villareal meet in South London (with a number of Villareal supporters presumably taking in the game before travelling up to Liverpool the following day for the Europa League semi-final).

Tickets at Millwall are priced at £3 Adults and £1 for Under-16’s.

The Teesside League will meet their West Yorkshire counterparts on neutral North Yorkshire territory when the FA Inter League Cup final is held at York City’s Bootham Crescent ground on Sunday 8th May at 2pm.

And it is not only silverware that the two teams will be playing for as the winners will also represent England at the UEFA Regions Cup, the qualifying round for which takes place in Romania in September.

Played for every two years since 2004, The FA website states that the Inter League Cup is the only adult male 11-a-side competition apart from The Emirates FA Cup where the winner qualifies for a UEFA tournament.

Admission to the game is priced at £5 for Adults and £1 for Concessions (U18s/OAPs).

True Blue Day At Chesterfield FC

2015/16 has been quite a slog for Chesterfield FC supporters, the Spireites never quite getting going in League One and still mathematically not safe from relegation going into the final two matches of the campaign.

2010’s move from the historic Saltergate ground to the new b2net (now Proact) Stadium has allowed Chesterfield to revise upwards their own ambitions, however much the old home would be missed, and there is no reason why the club and the town could not emulate the likes of Rotherham United in reaching and staying in the Championship.

Hence the disappointment at a season treading water with relegation still a possibility, although a four-point gap to Blackpool in 21st place should just about ensure safety.

But, onwards and upwards and this Saturday's final home fixture against Bury has been designated as True Blue Day with ticket prices reduced to £10 and £5 in all areas of the ground.

Elsewhere in League One, Scunthorpe United host Port Vale with tickets priced at £5 for Over-18's and free for anyone younger.

Edinburgh City FC

The formation of the Scottish Lowland League in 2013 and the subsequent introduction of a potential route into the Scottish Professional Football League has created an exciting end-of-season finale to the game north of the border.

A two-legged play-off between the winners of the Lowland and Highland Leagues sees the winner take on the bottom club in Scottish League Division Two, again over two legs, for the right to play in the SPFL.

Edinburgh City were the first Lowland League club to have a crack at going up after clinching the 2014/15 title but lost to Brora Rangers of the Highland League with Brora then being beaten by Montrose who retained their SPFL status.

The side from the capital, based at the Meadowbank Stadium (the former home of Meadowbank Thistle before their move to Livingston), retained their Lowland League title again this year and took a huge step towards the final play-off with last Saturday's 3-0 victory against Highland champs Cove Rangers.

City host the second leg this coming Saturday at 3pm and have retained their usual admission prices of £5 Adults and £2 Concessions for the game.

The aggregate winners will then take on East Stirlingshire over two legs.

Over 10,000 At West Ham United, Free At Hull For The Return

Monday night saw a crowd of 10,267 at the Boleyn Ground for the FA Under-21 Premier League Cup final first leg against Hull City as plenty of West Ham United supporters took what may be their last chance to watch under the lights at the famous old stadium and for just £5 (£3 for season ticket holders).

A late goal for the hosts gives them a slender lead to take into next week's second leg at the KC Stadium, a game which kicks off at 7pm on Wednesday 4th May.

And Hull City are looking to get a big crowd in to support the Tigers with free admission for all supporters on the evening.

Fans do not need to collect tickets in advance in order to attend the game and turnstiles will open at 6pm for all supporters.

Hold That Thought...

On the Sheffield & Hallamshire FA Senior Cup Final (see article below) as this match has been cancelled after Shaw Lane Aquaforce, who were facing two matches in two days including a crucial play-off tie on Wednesday, decided to withdraw from the competition.

http://www.sheffieldfa.com/news/2016/apr/senior-cup-final-cancelled

Sheffield & Hallamshire FA Senior Cup Final

The 2016 Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA Senior Cup Final will take place this coming Tuesday at Bramall Lane, kick-off 7pm and with admission priced at £7 Adults and £3 Children/Concessions.

It is the first time the final has been staged at the home of Sheffield United FC since 1976 and will be contested by Frickley Athletic FC of the Northern Premier League Premier Division and Shaw Lane Aquaforce of the NPL First Division South.

I saw Frickley beat Hallam FC in the semi-final and they will begin as favourites but Barnsley-based Shaw Lane are an up-and-coming club who could be in the same division as their opponents next season, although that in itself could have a bearing on Tuesday's game.

Shaw Lane are set to play their play-off semi-final at home to Lincoln United just 24 hours later and, with squad rotation not always possible at this level of football, it will mean two games in as many days for many of their players.

Eight Matches For The End Of April

Football for a Fiver at Hampden Park, Stamford Bridge and Upton Park, watch Spurs for free and a double-header at The Den!

Monday 25: Swansea City Under-21’s meet their Aston Villa counterparts in a play-off fixture at the Liberty Stadium. Admission to the 7pm kick-off is priced at £3 Adults and £1 for Children and Season Ticket holders.

A good opportunity to take in one of the final competitive matches at Upton Park as West Ham United Under-21’s host Hull City in the first leg of the Premier League Cup final. Kick-off is at 7pm and tickets are priced at £5 (£3 for season ticket holders).

Atherton Collieries, in common with a number of Non-League clubs, are playing their way through a packed end-of-season schedule and take on Nelson FC in the North West Counties League Premier Division with kick-off 7:45pm and admission 'Pay What You Want'.

Tuesday 26: An Under-21/Development Squad friendly takes place at Ebbsfleet United with a Tottenham Hotspur side providing the opposition. Entrance to the 7pm kick-off is free.

Wednesday 27: Hampden Park hosts the Scottish FA Youth Cup final between Hearts and Motherwell. A cash turnstile is in operation for the 7:30pm kick-off with admission £5 Adults and £2 Concessions.

Stamford Bridge is the venue for the FA Youth Cup final second leg between Chelsea and Manchester City. Tickets must be purchased in advance for the 7:45pm kick-off and are priced at £5 Adults and £3 for Under-20’s and Over-65’s.

Saturday 30: There are a number of FA WSL matches taking place across the week as the competition gets into gear following a break for England internationals and the FA Cup semi-finals.

Millwall Lionesses are in action at The Den on Saturday evening (6:30pm) against Yeovil Town. Tickets are priced at £5 Adults and £2 Concessions but admission will be free to anyone with a ticket from that afternoon’s game between Millwall and Oldham Athletic at the same ground.

And it is #FiveorFree day at Scunthorpe United with the Iron celebrating their final home match of the season against Port Vale and it does exactly as it says on the tin with Over-18’s getting in for £5 and no charge for Under-18’s.

South Manchester Derby At West Didsbury & Chorlton FC

A first ever Friday night home fixture for West Didsbury & Chorlton FC, of the North West Counties League Premier Division, and a derby to boot against Maine Road FC looks like a good way to start your weekend if you are in that particular part of Manchester.

A bumper crowd had been expected for the original game on Easter Bank Holiday Monday but a waterlogged pitch put paid to that and West, with the agreement of other scheduled opponents, have managed to reschedule it for a date that should again see good numbers coming through the turnstiles.

Usual admission prices are £5 Adults, £3 Concessions and accompanied Under-12’s free.

There continues to be plenty of clubs offering special admission deals this coming Saturday as their seasons draw to a close.

I'll update as much as possible on Twitter but quick mentions to Hemsworth Miners Welfare FC and Hyde United where it's Pay What You Want and Halstead Town FC where it is free entry.

Wembley Finals Update

A look ahead to four Wembley finals coming up in May.

Chelsea and Arsenal will contest the SSE Women's FA Cup Final on Saturday 14th at 2pm after contrasting semi-final victories on Sunday.

Holders Chelsea edged out Manchester City 2-1 while the Gunners cruised past Sunderland 7-0.

With two London clubs in the final and Under-16's going free (max 4 children per adult, Adult prices £15, OAP's and Students £5) it should be set fair for an increase on last season's 30,710 attendance as Chelsea defeated Notts County in the first ever Wembley final.

Early-bird ticket sales have now ended for the National League Promotion Final which takes place on Sunday 15th at 4pm.

With Cheltenham Town having clinched the title last week, Forest Green Rovers are the only confirmed participants in the play-offs at present and will be joined by three other teams in the semi-finals.

The first-ever Non-League Finals Day takes place on Sunday 22nd with the coming together of the FA Vase and FA Trophy Finals.

Both competitions have had to fight hard to keep their showpiece occasion at the National Stadium and playing both on the same day is a chance to bring together the wider Non-League community and cement the new initiative into the football calendar.

The FA Vase usually attracts the lower attendance of the two finals but that would not have been the case this season had they been played separately.

That is because of the presence of the reborn Hereford FC, winners against Salisbury in the semi-final, who, at the time of writing, have sold 16,600 tickets (over half of the total sales) for the day.

Tickets are priced at £25 Adults, £10 Concessions and £1 Under-16's. The FA Vase will kick-off at 12:15pm as the Bulls take on Morpeth Town while Grimsby Town and FC Halifax Town meet in the Trophy showdown at 4:15pm.

Five ‘Pay What You Want’ Matches For This Weekend

Saturday 23 April sees a bumper crop of ‘Pay What You Want’ and free admission football to mark the end of the season for many clubs at Non-League level and to also provide a nice reason to celebrate St George’s Day.

Whitby Town FC, looking to secure their safety in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League, have to fit in three home fixures this week with Barwell and Darlington the visitors on Tuesday and Thursday evening respectively.

Supporters can then pay what they want for the game against Skelmersdale on Saturday afternoon.

The Floodlight Fund appeal at Hitchin Town continues in a bid to replace the existing lights at Top Field for the first time in many a year.

Any money raised, over and above the budgeted expenses, from Saturday’s clash against St Neots Town will go into a brighter future for the Canaries who have secured a place in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier play-offs.

Goole AFC, of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division South, host their final home match of the campaign against Newcastle Town on Saturday.

Admission will be on a ‘Pay What You Want’ basis while the club also gave away around 1,000 tickets to local school pupils earlier in the year only to see the games they were valid for postponed due to bad weather.

Those tickets will be valid for the Newcastle match so hopefully a bumper crowd will be in attendance at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds where admission for Under-18’s has been free throughout the season.

Colne FC are currently battling for promotion from the North West Counties League Premier Division and played one of their games in hand on leaders Runcorn Linnets on Monday evening, a 5-0 victory against Winsford closing the gap at the top to two points.

They are offering Pay What You Want admission for the visit of Bootle FC on Saturday 23rd, kick-off 3pm.

I’ve stretched the weekend out to include Atherton Collieries, one place behind Colne in the NCWFL at the time of writing (the two sides are due to meet on Thursday this week) and who host Nelson on Monday 25th at 7:45pm with Pay What You Want admission at the Alder House turnstiles.

#FiveorFree Football Day at Scunthorpe United

A tough season for Scunthorpe United with Mark Robins departing earlier in the campaign after some inconsistent results.

Having improved under their caretaker management duo, the Iron are finishing on a positive note under new boss Graham Alexander and Saturday's 3-2 victory away to relegated Crewe Alexandra keeps them in the top ten in League One and with mathematical hopes still of making the play-offs.

The town itself has had a difficult year and the football club have sought to recognise this, organising the excellent #SaveourSteel day against Southend United in the FA Cup in October.

News this week has been more positive on that front as well, investment firm Greybull Capital agreeing a deal to buy Tata's Scunthorpe plant.

The final home fixture of the season is against Port Vale on Saturday 30 April at 3pm and the club have decided to reduce prices for Adults in all areas of the ground to £5 with all Under-18’s tickets free of charge.

Speaking to the official club website, chairman Peter Swann said: "We want to build on the positivity here at the moment and take that momentum into next season, when we will look to push on even further.”

Goole AFC

The final weeks of the season are upon us and, certainly at Non-League level, it is a time for clubs to reflect back on the campaign and celebrate.

 
That doesn’t have to mean success on the pitch, although of course it is nice if there has been some, but merely the fact that clubs have survived another year and provided a focal point for their community and a place for people to come and enjoy their football at whatever level.

That certainly seems to be the case at Goole AFC of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division South as they prepare for the final home match of the campaign against Newcastle Town on Saturday 23 April.

Admission will be on a ‘Pay What You Want’ basis while the club also gave away around 1,000 tickets to local school pupils earlier in the year only to see the games they were valid for postponed due to bad weather.

Those tickets will be valid for the Newcastle match so hopefully a bumper crowd will be in attendance at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds where admission for Under-18’s has been free throughout the season.

The remainder of April is a really busy time for free admission and ‘Pay What You Want’ matches in the Non-League game. 

I posted an article a few days ago about Colne FC, Chipstead FC and Hertford Town FC and there are also details on Twitter of games at New Mills AFC, Carterton FC, Kidlington FC and Atherton Collieries.

FA Women's Cup Semi-Finals

The Women's Super League season may only just have started but the final four in the SSE FA Women's Cup will meet this coming Sunday (April 17) for the right to meet at Wembley in May.

WSL1 teams join at the 5th Round stage and the semi-finalists all come from the top division as Arsenal have home advantage against Sunderland and holders Chelsea host Manchester City.

The Gunners clash takes place at Boreham Wood FC, kick-off 2pm. Tickets are shown as being £6 and £3 on the Arsenal Ladies site but going through to the online ticket system shows an advance price of £5 and £2.

Staines Town FC is the venue for Chelsea's meeting with City, kick-off again at 2pm and with tickets priced at £5 and £2.

Going forward, there looks to be scope for more of an occasion to be made of the semi-finals, perhaps playing them as a double-header at the same venue with a maxium ticket price of £10 Adults and other offers for children and families.

The Wembley final, kick-off 2pm on Saturday 14 May, is free for children with Adult tickets priced at £15 and Concessions (OAP/Student) at £5.

Colne FC, Hertford Town FC, Chipstead FC

A triple bill of action for Saturday 23rd April.

Formed in 1996, Colne FC brought football back both to the Lancashire town after the demise of Colne Dynamoes in 1990 (a good article on the Dynamoes is available on the When Saturday Comes website) and to the Holt House Stadium.

They are currently battling for promotion from the North West Counties League Premier Division having gained an important victory over leaders Runcorn Linnets on Saturday, and are offering ‘Pay What You Want’ admission for the visit of Bootle FC on Saturday 23rd, kick-off 3pm.

Down in Hertfordshire, Hertford Town FC are currently in the Spartan South Midlands Football League and have been playing their football at Hertingfordbury Park since 1908

To celebrate St George’s Day they are offering free admission to their game against Wembley (fitting opponents) on Saturday 23rd and have designed a nice 1966 World Cup-style poster to publicise the fixture.

Chipstead FC have been in existence since 1906. The Surrey club currently ply their trade in the Ryman League Division One South and should be doing so again next season after Saturday's important victory at Chatham.

Walton Casuals are the visitors to The High Road on Saturday 23rd and, again as a St George’s Day special, there is free entry for all with a BBQ and the FA Cup semi-final live in the clubhouse afterwards.

Hallam FC

Thursday night at Sandygate Road, the oldest football ground in the world and the home of Hallam FC, as the hosts took on Frickley Athletic in the semi-final of the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup.

Frickley, the holders of the competition after their success at Rotherham United’s New York Stadium last season and a few divisions higher than Hallam in the pyramid, took control of the game in the first-half with three goals.

They were wobbled a little by a spirited home side after the break but struck twice more to win 5-1 and set up a meeting with the winners of the tie between Shaw Lane Aquaforce and Handsworth Parramore in the final (venue and date TBA).

Hallam’s next scheduled home fixture is against Knaresborough Town on Saturday 16 April at 3pm and at just £5 admission for Adults, Sandygate Road offers an excellent clubhouse for a pre-match drink and a lovely location to watch a game of football.

Positive News From Aston Villa Shock!

Yes it’s true, there is some positive news coming out of Villa Park amidst the current turmoil.

The club’s Under-21’s are looking to win promotion from Division 2 of the Premier League set-up and face a big game against West Ham United on Monday 11 April at 7pm.

This fixture will be played at Villa Park and a group of supporters are looking to publicise the game, attract a big crowd and get people to have a positive experience from watching a side in the Claret & Blue shirts.

The Birmingham Mail this week spoke to fans behind the @SupportThe21s page on Twitter and quoted one as saying: “We hope everyone will join us to create something special for the lads, give them the support they deserve and ultimately generate a larger interest in U21 fixtures of the future.

"We urge the fans who attend to leave the negatives at the gates and roar the Young Lions to promotion."

Tickets are available on the day and are free for season-ticket holders. Adults are charged just £2 and £1 for Concession.

As I wrote last week, with the season coming to an end and the weather getting (slightly) better, a number of clubs are scheduled to play Under-21 fixtures at their main ground over the next few weeks.

The official Premier League website has a full list of fixtures and this shows games due to be played at the Emirates, Old Trafford, White Hart Lane and St James’ Park among others over the next week or so.

These fixtures can always be changed at short notice so please keep checking on the official channels of the clubs concerned (also to check whether you need a ticket in advance or can pay on the gate). 

Trafford FC

A first visit to Shawe View, home of Trafford FC, on Saturday and a very warm welcome from everyone at the turnstile and selling programmes and raffle tickets.

Visitors Farsley Celtic probably shaded the first-half but the introduction of the wily Aaron Burns in attack inspired Trafford to a 3-0 victory which keeps alive their play-off hopes in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division North.

The last scheduled home fixture of the season takes place on Tuesday 12 April when Glossop North End are the visitors for a 7:45pm kick-off.

A Double Bill of Free Football in Hampshire

Two Tuesday night matches, both very important in their own way, will be free for all spectators to attend in Hampshire later this month.

Eastleigh FC, aiming to make the play-offs in the National League, host Barrow AFC at the Silverlake Stadium on Tuesday 12th (kick-off 7:45pm) and with free admission are hoping to break the 3,000 barrier through the turnstiles.

One week later, on Tuesday 19th, there is a Portsmouth Senior Cup semi-final at Havant and Waterlooville FC where the hosts will take on Gosport Borough.

An exciting local derby could be on the cards between the National League South rivals and a decent crowd should take up the offer of free entry.

Havant are also through to the Hampshire Senior Cup Final and will play Winchester City FC under the lights at St Mary's Stadium on Tuesday April 12th at 7:45pm. Tickets (which must be purchased from the two teams involved before the game) are priced at £10 Adults and £5 Concessions (over 65's and under 16's).

And, staying in the area, a quick word on United Services Portsmouth FC, of the Wessex League, who have sent me lots of messages this season on Twitter about upcoming games and offers (such as reduced price entry for Portsmouth FC fans).

They have quite a few home matches to get through before the end of the season, starting with the visit of Hythe & Dibden on Tuesday evening.

Start The Week With Free Football at Old Trafford & Carrow Road

As the season draws to a close and with the worst of the weather now over, clubs do tend to increase the number of Under-21 matches they play at their home stadium and both Manchester United and Norwich City are offering free admission to their respective fixtures this coming Monday, April 4th.

Old Trafford hosts the Under-21 clash between the Reds and the Blues of Chelsea with kick-off at 7:45pm and turnstiles open from 6:45pm.

The MUFC website also lists the game against Middlesbrough on Monday 11th as being played at Old Trafford.

In their other fixture at the stadium this season, United put seven goals past Norwich City. The Canaries will be hoping for a better result when they entertain Everton at Carrow Road on Monday.

Kick-off is at 7pm and supporters can claim free tickets via the official club website.

Also next week there are ‘Pay What You Want’ matches at Herne Bay FC, on Tuesday 5th against Ramsgate with all proceeds going to the Kent Air Ambulance, and at Stocksbridge Park Steels and Frome Town FC on Saturday 9th.

Birmingham City have a trio of Tuesday evening matches in April and anyone buying a ticket for the matches against Brighton on the 5th and Leeds (12th) will receive a free brief for the Preston game on the 19th.

It is 'Kids for a Quid' at Oldham Athletic when they take on Swindon Town in League One on Tuesday 5th and there are two important qualifiers for the UEFA Women's European Championship.

England Women play Belgium at Rotherham United on Friday 8th, 7:55pm. Admission is priced at £5 Adults, £2.50 Children and £10 for a Family (2+2). England head coach Mark Sampson named his squad for the game earlier this week.

And Scotland take on Slovenia at the Paisley 2021 Stadium home of St Mirren FC, same date and with kick-off at 7:45pm. Prices for this one are £5 Adults and £2 Concessions with a 2 for 1 offer on pre-sale tickets.