Early Start for FA and League Cups

August may only just be upon us but both the FA Cup and League Cup will be getting going over the next week or so.

For many non-league sides, this weekend's FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round ties will be their first competitive action of the season, not ideal in terms of preparation but, as usual, the first step on the road to Wembley will be hard-fought and progress through to the next round much-prized.

A full list of all of the matches can be found on the FA website so please do try and get to a game near you.

In the League Cup, meanwhile, which I may get round to calling the 'EFL Cup' at some point although I'm not a huge fan of the re-branding exercise that has been done for the new season, all of the following matches will cost no more than £10 for Adults and all are scheduled for a 7:45pm kick-off on Tuesday 9th August.

Derby County provide an attractive first trip back in the competition for Grimsby Town and the iPro Stadium game is priced at £10 for Adult non-season ticket holders (£7 for season ticket holders) with various reductions for seniors and juniors.

There is a Lancashire derby at Boundary Park where Oldham Athletic take on their fellow Latics, Wigan. Prices have been set at £10 Adults, £5 for Over-65's and Under-18's and £2 for accompanied Under-12's.

Hartlepool United visit Preston North End with all tickets for the Deepdale clash priced at £10 for those 17 and above and just £1 for those 16 and under.

Reading host Plymouth and, in keeping with their policy over recent seasons, the Royals have significantly reduced prices. Matchday admission is a maximum of £10 but advance adult tickets are £7 and advance prices for those 17 and under are just £1. 

Walsall v Yeovil is £10 Adults, £5 Over-60's and £5 Under-18's.

Bramall Lane season ticket holders can watch Sheffield United take on Crewe Alexandra for free with other prices set at £10 Adults, £5 Concessions and £1 Under-18's.

Whitby Town FC

A week's holiday by the seaside enabled me to take in Tuesday night's pre-season friendly against Marske United at the Turnbull Ground, home of Whitby Town FC, 

The picture shows the main stand, of which the club are justly proud (and which gets a mention on the open-top bus tour of Whitby) while the proximity to the sea means that seagulls are an ever-present throughout the 90 minutes and just occasionally seem in danger from a hefty clearance.

Whitby tuned up for the forthcoming Evo-Stik Northern Premier League season with a 2-0 victory in front of 126 spectators and have two more home friendlies scheduled, against Bishop Auckland this coming Saturday at 3pm and against Scarborough Athletic on Saturday 6th August at 1pm.

Prices for the pre-season friendlies are £6 for adults, £3 for concessions and £2 for under 18s.

Winter Wonderland For Women's Super League?

The recent announcement that the Women’s Super League will revert to a winter season from 2017 is a welcome move, I feel, especially in the light of the hugely disjointed fixture schedule that has made the 2016 WSL campaign a very stop-start affair.

That was predicted by many when the fixtures for the season were announced and there are lots of examples of clubs who have had large gaps between matches followed by a short, busy spell.

Since its formation in 2011 the WSL has been played from March to October and I think that helped to establish the league as something different from what had gone before and truly make it the apex of the women’s game in the UK.

The boost to attendances from the 2015 World Cup was well-documented but this summer has seen the competition slip back a little in the battle for media attention.

Reverting back to a winter season has clear benefits at the top level where clubs have gone into European competition at a disadvantage to their opponents and the changes also have the backing of the national team manager Mark Sampson.

With a settled calendar, where supporters know exactly when and where their team are playing, I don’t see why attendances shoud suffer any dip (and maybe people are more attuned to going to football in the winter months where there are fewer competing attractions.

It could also see stronger links forged with the men’s game, as England striker Eni Aluko said in her column for the BBC website recently, with double-header fixtures or more offers of reduced admission to WSL matches.

Aluko will hope to be involved when England play their final home qualifier for the Euro 2017 (a place at the finals in Holland having already been secured) against Estonia at Notts County’s Meadow Lane ground on Thursday September 15 at 7:05pm. 

Tickets are priced at £7.50 Adults, £3.50 Concessions and a £15 Family ticket (2+2) is available by phone booking only.

The Continental Cup final, meanwhile, will take place at the Academy Stadium home of Manchester City Women on Sunday 2 October at 3pm.

Tickets are priced at £7 Adults, £3 Concessions and £15 Family.

FA Amateur Cup Anniversary At Skelmersdale United

The FA Amateur Cup, as the name suggests, began life in 1893 as an alternative to the FA Cup for those clubs with amateur status.

It ran until 1974 by which time the lines between professional, semi-professional and amateur had become blurred at most levels of the game, clubs in Non-League football moving on to play in either the FA Trophy or FA Vase.

Northern League and Isthmian League sides dominated the Amateur Cup but Lancashire's Skelmersdale United also enjoyed some great runs in the competition.

Skem won at Wembley in 1971, beating Dagenham & Redbridge 4-1 but it is their first visit to the Twin Towers that they are marking next week.

Around 75,000 watched the 1967 final between United and Enfield which ended in a goalless draw before Enfield emerged triumphant in a replay held at Manchester City's Maine Road.

The two clubs are celebrating the upcoming 50th anniversary with games to be held this pre-season and next and it is Skelmersdale who will host the first, next Saturday (30 July) at 3pm.

Players from both clubs who featured in the original matches have been invited along for an anniversary that is well worth marking.

Admission is priced at £5 Adults, £3 Concessions and free for Under-16's.

Other matches to look out for over the next week or so...

Stirling Albion have reduced prices for their Betfred Cup clash against Elgin City on Tuesday 26th, kick-off 7:45pm, to £5 Adults, Seniors & Students, £2 Under-16's and free for Under-12's.

Oxford United's Family Fun Day will take place on Sunday July 31st at the Northcourt Road home of Abingdon United, starting at 11am.

There are a host of activities planned and entry includes a ticket to see the WSL2 clash between Oxford United Women and London Bees which kicks-off at 2pm. Advance prices are £4 Adults, £1.50 for 65+ and Under-16's and £10 for a family.

Trafford FC

It’s been a while since I’ve been to two matches in two days but I followed up Monday’s opener at Hallam FC with a trip to Shawe View on Tuesday for the pre-season meeting of Trafford FC and Altrincham.

The warm weather was matched by the welcome of those on the gate and selling raffle tickets and a healthy crowd was able to indulge in the simple pleasures of the Non-League game, clutching pints on the terraces, moving from sun to shade according to their preference and lounging on the grass banks.

There was no lounging on the pitch, however, and after another scorching day of sunshine the preparation and effort that the teams put into the match was a credit to them both.

Trafford host Chorley FC this Saturday and have two further friendlies against FC United of Manchester and a Blackburn Rovers Under-21 side. Admission for all pre-season matches is priced at £5 Adults, £3 Concessions and £2 Juniors.

A busy weekend of action is coming up and a few things to keep an eye out for include the Invitation Cup tournament at Hendon FC with two matches on Saturday and the same again on Sunday. Carshalton Athletic, Farnborough and Slough Town are the other competing teams.

Admission is priced at just £5 per day for Adults and £1 for Under-18's.

Handsworth Parramore and Odd Down AFC contest the Toolstation Cup 2016 at Sandy Lane in Worksop with free admission for all spectators.

Maidstone United, meanwhile, host Concord Rangers in a 3pm kick-off and have made the game ‘Pay What You Want’ on the turnstiles.

Twitter Update

Taken from our Twitter page @AffordableFooty these are some snippets which may be of interest for the season ahead.

West Yorkshire continues to earn its reputation for innovative season ticket pricing with Thackley AFC following in the footsteps of neighbours Bradford City whose £149 offer for the new campaign ended on Sunday (as at this time last week, 14,500 had been sold).

The Dennyboys, of the Northern Counties East League, will charge just £50 Adults, £25 Concessions and £10 for Age 12-16 in 2016/17 while Under-12's season tickets are free.

Under-18's can claim a free season ticket at Kingstonian FC for the upcoming Ryman Premier League campaign. the fifth consecutive season that the K's have been able to offer this deal.

Half-price entry is on offer throughout the season at Long Eaton United to Notts County season ticket holders which means Magpies supporters can get into Grange Park for just £3 throughout the year.

Swindon Supermarine featured on these pages last summer when a sponsorship deal allowed them to reduce admission prices to £5 Adults and £3 Concessions.

That offer is still in place for the new season if you obtain a free membership card from the club.

Hallam FC

My season usually seems to start at Hallam FC these days and the oldest ground in the world was bathed in sunshine on Monday evening for the visit of a Sheffield Wednesday XI who ran out comfortable winners.

Sheffield United are scheduled to visit on Tuesday 26 July at 7:30pm and you will always find a good welcome, cold beer in the clubhouse (which you can take outside) and admission for £5 Adults.

The Toolstation Cup 2016

Once again, the Toolstation Cup brings together two sides from the leagues that are sponsored by the company for a pre-season friendly that offers free admission to supporters and the chance to raise money for two very worthy causes.

Sandy Lane, Worksop is the venue on Saturday 23 July (kick-off 2:30pm) as Handsworth Parramore, runners-up in the Toolstation Northern Counties East League (NCEL) last season, take on Toolstation Western League champions Odd Down AFC.

If you go along to the game, entrance is free but please support the half-time raffle from which all proceeds will be donated to the RNLI Flood Rescue Team and Sheffield’s Weston Park Cancer Charity.

Thanks to the Non-League Paper for this story.

Spartans FC

A regular on these pages since I started Affordable Football, Spartans FC are gearing up for what should be a hugely competitive season in the Scottish Lowland League.

As I wrote recently about Edinburgh City, the fact that there is now a route into the Scottish Football League that is dependent on footballing prowess alone means that well-run clubs such as Spartans now have a genuine prize to aim for.

Two new clubs have been admitted to the Lowland League for the new season, Hawick Royal Albert and Civil Service Strollers, while East Stirlingshire will be looking to bounce back into the SPFL at the first opportunity.

Spartans, despite increasing running costs, have managed to freeze season ticket prices for the 12th year in a row at £50 Adults, £25 Concessions and free for Under-16's.

You can take 50% off those prices if you are a season ticket holder at any other SPFL club and wish to follow Spartans as well when your team is away from home or not in action.

Before the competitive action begins on Friday 29 July there is also the 'Battle of the Spartans' on Saturday 23 July as Blyth cross the border to take on their namesakes.

Weekend Double Headers

There are a few chances this weekend to watch two matches, either at the same venue or on the same day or both.

Tenants Cambridge City and landlords St. Ives Town will both take on MK Dons’ sides at Westwood Road on Saturday 16th with kick-offs scheduled for 1pm and 4pm.

Combined admission to both matches is priced at £10 Adults, £8 Concessions and £4 Under-16’s as the Dons prepare for life back in League One following their relegation last season.

Tranmere Rovers’ supporters also have a chance to watch their side twice in one day on Saturday 16th as the Merseysiders send teams out locally to West Cheshire League clubs Heswall FC (12pm kick-off) and Vauxhall Motors (4pm).

The Heswall game is priced at £5 Adults and £3 for Under-16's while the Vauxhall Motors clash is £5 Adults, £3 Concessions and £2 Under-16's. 

The Select Security Stadium in Widnes plays host to Liverpool Ladies on Saturday 16th as they play Notts County in FA WSL1. Kick-off is set for 5:30pm and advance admission is £5 Adults and £2.50 for Under-16’s and Concessions.

It is Everton Ladies turn on Sunday 17th when Yeovil Town are the visitors to Widnes in WSL2 for a 2pm start. Tickets are priced at £6 Adults and £3 Concessions on the turnstiles but buy in advance online and it is £4/£2. 

The Sutton Charity Cup is a pre-season tournament that is being contested by Sutton Coldfield Town, Sutton United FC, Romulus FC, Paget Rangers and Boldmere St Michaels. 

Admission to all matches is priced £2 and proceeds go to the John Taylor Hospice. 

Saturday 16th sees two games scheduled at the Coles Lane home of Sutton Coldfield Town as they entertain Romulus at 3pm while Paget Rangers take on Sutton United in a 12noon kick-off.

The Lowestoft Town Beer Festival 2016 takes place across the weekend with plenty of entertainment, music and free football on both Saturday and Sunday.

First up, the Trawlerboys take on Wroxham at 3pm and then the following day, Lowestoft Town Ladies host West Ham United in a 1pm start.

Back in Town! Darlington to Host Newcastle and Sunderland

Darlington 1883 are preparing for the new season when the Quakers will be playing in a hugely competitive National League North after their third promotion in four seasons was achieved in April when they lifted the Northern Premier League Premier Division title.

Often described as a 'Phoenix Club', followers of Darlo, a supporter-owned club, see themselves as a continuation of Darlington FC and the official website states 'the club was formed in 1883 and has over 125 years of history'.

Recent history has been made away from the town of Darlington itself, at Heritage Park in Bishop Auckland after the much-loved Feethams made way for something slightly less likely to arouse affection among fans.

Known as the Reynolds Arena when it opened in 2003, the stadium, with its capacity of 25,000, was seen for many years as the ultimate football folly,  crowds rattling around inside as Darlington headed towards the foot of the Football League.

But, all credit to Darlington Mowden Park RFC who have strived to make the venue something that the town can be proud of, England’s Senior Women’s Rugby team having played there and the All Blacks having used it as a base for the 2015 World Cup.

And now, Newcastle and Sunderland will send teams to the Northern Echo Arena for friendlies against Darlington on Saturday 16 and Tuesday 19 July respectively as the football club make plans to return home permanently to a site at Blackwell Meadows.

Tickets for both games will be priced at £10 Adults and £6 Concessions (U16, Over 65, Armed Forces and Students). A combined ticket can be bought in advance for £15 Adults and £10 Concession.

Bradford Park Avenue & Newcastle United Honour Donald Bell

Donald Simpson Bell is described as 'Football's Greatest War Hero' after becoming the first professional player to enlist in the British Army and subsequently being awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions, 100 years ago today at the Somme.

Killed five days later, Bell was buried where he fell but his memory lives on with the Professional Footballer's Association buying his medal for over £200,000 in 2010 and handing it to the National Football Museum for display.

Henry Winter's 2014 article for The Telegraph tells more of the story, and of a visit to Bell's grave by a number of notable footballing figures.

And more than 30 members of Donald Bell's family will be in attendance on Sunday 10 July as two of his former clubs, Bradford Park Avenue and Newcastle United meet in a pre-season friendly fixture.

Park Avenue will also depict Bell on their matchday programme throughout the forthcoming season while their new kit, which will be worn for the first time against Newcastle, also carries a tribute.

Admission prices have been reduced to a superb £5 for Adults and £2 for Under-18's for the 3pm kick-off.

Next Week's Affordable Football

The week commencing Monday 4th July really sees pre-season fixtures getting into full gear up and down the country. The following matches are just a flavour of what's out there so please check with your local clubs if you fancy catching a match.

I've covered the weekend tournaments (Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th) taking place at Corinthian Casuals and Gretna in another article, with the chance to watch four games at both venues over the course of the weekend.

There is free entry for all spectators to Lowestoft Town on Tuesday 5th at 7:15pm as the Trawlerboys host Waveney, the Suffolk Senior Cup winners from last season meeting the county's Premier Cup winners.

The home of Rhyl FC hosts Europa League action for the second week running, this time with Bala Town playing their home tie against AIK Solna of Sweden.

Tickets are priced at £10 Adults and £5 for Concessions and Under-16's.

West Auckland Town of the Northern League have two friendlies scheduled for consecutive days, against Willington on Friday 8th and against Easington on Saturday 9th.

All pre-season matches are priced at £3 Adults and £1.50 Concessions.

Liverpool Ladies FC host Reading in WSL1, kick-off 5:30pm on Saturday 9th at the Select Security Stadium in Widnes.

Tickets bought online in advance are £5 Adults, £2.50 Under-16's & Concessions and £12.50 for a family of two adults and two children.

The same stadium also hosts a match the following day, Sunday 10th, when Widnes FC of the North West Counties League host Altrincham in a pre-season friendly. Admission to the 2pm kick-off is priced at just £1 for Adults and Concessions and free for accompanied Under-16's.

And a couple of Championship clubs kick-off their 2016/17 preparations with local friendlies. Rotherham United are sending a team to Parkgate FC on Saturday 9th for a 12pm kick-off which will cost £6 Adults, £4 Concessions and £2 for accompanied Under-10's.

Bristol City, meanwhile, play their annual Community Match at Hengrove Athletic on Sunday 10th at 2pm. Admission to Norton Lane is priced at £7 Adults and £5 for Under-16's with proceeds split between the host club and the Bristol City Community Trust.

I'll post a separate article at the start of the week about an interesting fixture to come at Bradford Park Avenue on Sunday 10th.