The new league season starts on Tuesday evening for Ipswich Wanderers FC of the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties Premier Division and they are beginning with a bang as it will be 'Pay What You Like' on the gate.
Kick-off against Walsham Le Willows is at 7.45pm.
There is also 'Pay What You Want' action in Wales as Ton Pentre AFC play Blaenrhondda in a friendly at Ynys Park, kick-off 7:30pm.
Monday, 31 July 2017
Sunday, 30 July 2017
The Big Kick Off
They're underway in Scotland already, of course, but in England the big kick-off is coming this Saturday in many leagues up and down the land and also in the FA Cup, more of which later.
It's a season that ends with the World Cup and although few will want to talk up England's chances at this stage, it has at least been a summer of success for the age group teams that represent the Three Lions with the Under-20's crowned world champions.
Some of the players from that squad are likely to make the step up to the Under 21's this year and there are two matches scheduled before the end of 2017, against Latvia at AFC Bournemouth on Tuesday 5 September and against Scotland at Middlesbrough on Friday 6 October.
Tickets for both games are priced at £10 Adults, £5 Children, Students and OAPS with a family ticket (2+2) available for £20 and discounts for group bookings.
England Women are preparing for their Euro 2017 quarter-final at the time of writing. They open their World Cup 2019 qualifying programme at Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday 19 September when Russia provide the opposition.
Early-bird tickets purchased by 7 August are priced at £7.50 (£10 afterwards) with Children and Concessions priced at £1.
The Championship, Leagues One and Two start this coming Saturday with the Premier League taking the spotlight from the following weekend onwards, international breaks excluded which will hopefully mean a successful Non-League Day 2017 on Saturday 7 October when social media will be alive with special offers, Pay What You Want deals and even more unusual admission arrangements.
While the top-flight doesn't feature too heavily on Affordable Football, the Premier League has managed to draw quite a bit of the sting out of criticism of its ticket prices over the past year or so and the danger for clubs in the EFL is that they begin to look poor value for money in comparison.
Specific examples don't always tell the whole story but, for instance, general sale tickets for West Brom's league opener against AFC Bournemouth are £25 for Adults, the same amount I would be paying at the turnstiles if I turned up on the day for Coventry City against Notts County this Saturday.
That's not to tar all EFL clubs with the same brush as many are very pro-active on ticket prices, Reading being a good example and advance prices for their League Cup tie at home to Gillingham on Tuesday 8 August are £7, £5 and £1 for those aged 17 and under.
The Royals also play a number of their Premier League 2 games at the Madejski Stadium with free admission for all, keep an eye out for these and other similar offers at the likes of Norwich City and Manchester United (at Leigh Sports Village).
And finally for now, 185 extra preliminary round ties will be played in the FA Cup this coming weekend. Wembley may seem a long way away but the £1,500 prize money for winning at this stage can make a huge difference to clubs as they prepare to offer another year of football in their local community.
Try and get along to a match if you can, many will be priced at £5/£6 for Adults and offer a taste of what the famous old competition still means at this level.
It's a season that ends with the World Cup and although few will want to talk up England's chances at this stage, it has at least been a summer of success for the age group teams that represent the Three Lions with the Under-20's crowned world champions.
Some of the players from that squad are likely to make the step up to the Under 21's this year and there are two matches scheduled before the end of 2017, against Latvia at AFC Bournemouth on Tuesday 5 September and against Scotland at Middlesbrough on Friday 6 October.
Tickets for both games are priced at £10 Adults, £5 Children, Students and OAPS with a family ticket (2+2) available for £20 and discounts for group bookings.
England Women are preparing for their Euro 2017 quarter-final at the time of writing. They open their World Cup 2019 qualifying programme at Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday 19 September when Russia provide the opposition.
Early-bird tickets purchased by 7 August are priced at £7.50 (£10 afterwards) with Children and Concessions priced at £1.
The Championship, Leagues One and Two start this coming Saturday with the Premier League taking the spotlight from the following weekend onwards, international breaks excluded which will hopefully mean a successful Non-League Day 2017 on Saturday 7 October when social media will be alive with special offers, Pay What You Want deals and even more unusual admission arrangements.
While the top-flight doesn't feature too heavily on Affordable Football, the Premier League has managed to draw quite a bit of the sting out of criticism of its ticket prices over the past year or so and the danger for clubs in the EFL is that they begin to look poor value for money in comparison.
Specific examples don't always tell the whole story but, for instance, general sale tickets for West Brom's league opener against AFC Bournemouth are £25 for Adults, the same amount I would be paying at the turnstiles if I turned up on the day for Coventry City against Notts County this Saturday.
That's not to tar all EFL clubs with the same brush as many are very pro-active on ticket prices, Reading being a good example and advance prices for their League Cup tie at home to Gillingham on Tuesday 8 August are £7, £5 and £1 for those aged 17 and under.
The Royals also play a number of their Premier League 2 games at the Madejski Stadium with free admission for all, keep an eye out for these and other similar offers at the likes of Norwich City and Manchester United (at Leigh Sports Village).
And finally for now, 185 extra preliminary round ties will be played in the FA Cup this coming weekend. Wembley may seem a long way away but the £1,500 prize money for winning at this stage can make a huge difference to clubs as they prepare to offer another year of football in their local community.
Try and get along to a match if you can, many will be priced at £5/£6 for Adults and offer a taste of what the famous old competition still means at this level.
Thursday, 27 July 2017
Or Great Yarmouth...
Just after I posted the piece on Squires Gate below I saw a tweet from Great Yarmouth Town about their own 'Pay What You Want' offering this Saturday at the Wellesley Recreation Ground.
And on offer is not just one but two matches as the Bloaters and Sutton Common Rovers meet at both reserve and first team level (kick-offs 1pm and 3.30pm).
The club, who host Diss Town in the FA Cup on Saturday 5 August, have been celebrating the 125th anniversary of their famous grandstand this summer and I'm hoping to get down to the ground at the end of August and catch some action.
In Blackpool This Summer...?
Then try and get along to School Road, the home of Squires Gate FC of the North West Counties Football League.
Formed in 1948 as Squires Gate British Legion, the club have worked very hard on social media this summer to get people watching their pre-season friendlies with this Saturday's visit of Colne FC (kick-off at 1pm to allow the visitors time for a 'team bonding session' in Blackpool afterwards) the fourth consecutive fixture that is Pay What You Want on the gate (minimum £1).
Season tickets are priced at just £50 and £30 for the 2017/18 campaign and before that begins there is a home FA Cup tie with Ashton Athletic on Saturday 5 August.
Formed in 1948 as Squires Gate British Legion, the club have worked very hard on social media this summer to get people watching their pre-season friendlies with this Saturday's visit of Colne FC (kick-off at 1pm to allow the visitors time for a 'team bonding session' in Blackpool afterwards) the fourth consecutive fixture that is Pay What You Want on the gate (minimum £1).
Season tickets are priced at just £50 and £30 for the 2017/18 campaign and before that begins there is a home FA Cup tie with Ashton Athletic on Saturday 5 August.
Tuesday, 25 July 2017
Barnet FC Community Day
This coming Saturday (29 July) sees the doors of The Hive being opened with free admission to the Barnet FC Community Day.
There’s plenty of activities taking place, beginning at 11am and including open training sessions from both FA WSL2 side London Bees, who also play their home matches at the stadium and Barnet Under 23's.
At 3pm Barnet play their final pre-season friendly before the League 2 kick-off when they take on Concord Rangers.
Speaking of open training sessions, clubs often put these on over the school holidays and they provide a decent (usually free) way of allowing children a close up view of their favourites.
A couple of examples I’ve seen in recent days are sessions at Bury's Gigg Lane on 31 July (10:30am), St Johnstone on the same day (session starts 11:15am) and at Swansea City on 2 August (session starts 11am).
Sunday, 23 July 2017
Pick Of The Week
Some good games to get to over the coming seven days, starting with Basingstoke Town FC where optimism has been raised in recent days that football in the Hampshire town will continue as part of a proposed move to the Hampshire FA headquarters at Winklebury.
For now, the Camrose remains home and there is free admission to Tuesday evening's friendly against Southall.
Basingstoke are then one of four teams who will take part in the ONeills Invitation Cup at Farnborough FC over the weekend, Hartley Wintney and Fleet Town also joining in.
All four matches over two days can be watched for £12 Adults, £10 Concession and £6 16-21 year-olds (£8, £6 and £4 for one day).
Last season's table-toppers in their respective divisions of the North West Counties Football League, Atherton Collieries and City of Liverpool FC, meet in the NWCFL Champions Trophy at the home of Colls on Saturday.
Admission is £5 Adults, £3 Concessions & Students and free for Under 12's.
The Magpies of Dereham Town play their first home friendly of the summer against Norwich CBS on Tuesday, 7:45pm.
Admission is £4 Adults, £1 Children and there is also a free match at the club on Sunday as long-serving Matt Henman is rewarded with a testimonial. His XI take on the league winning side of 2012/13 at 1pm.
There is Football for a Fiver at Stourbridge on Tuesday when Redditch United are the visitors to the War Memorial Ground. Those aged 15 and under can come in for free when accompanied by a paying adult.
For now, the Camrose remains home and there is free admission to Tuesday evening's friendly against Southall.
Basingstoke are then one of four teams who will take part in the ONeills Invitation Cup at Farnborough FC over the weekend, Hartley Wintney and Fleet Town also joining in.
All four matches over two days can be watched for £12 Adults, £10 Concession and £6 16-21 year-olds (£8, £6 and £4 for one day).
Last season's table-toppers in their respective divisions of the North West Counties Football League, Atherton Collieries and City of Liverpool FC, meet in the NWCFL Champions Trophy at the home of Colls on Saturday.
Admission is £5 Adults, £3 Concessions & Students and free for Under 12's.
The Magpies of Dereham Town play their first home friendly of the summer against Norwich CBS on Tuesday, 7:45pm.
Admission is £4 Adults, £1 Children and there is also a free match at the club on Sunday as long-serving Matt Henman is rewarded with a testimonial. His XI take on the league winning side of 2012/13 at 1pm.
There is Football for a Fiver at Stourbridge on Tuesday when Redditch United are the visitors to the War Memorial Ground. Those aged 15 and under can come in for free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Saturday, 22 July 2017
The Rams Get It Right For Hoffenheim Clash
I tend to think that, if a Championship club are going to have a home pre-season friendly then they may as well (a) play against a team from a different country if possible instead of a top-flight side and (b) make the match as accessible as possible for supporters to build up a bit of goodwill ahead of the new campaign.
So, fair play to Derby County for inviting TSG 1899 Hoffenheim to Pride Park next Saturday, 29 July at 3pm, and pricing tickets at £5 for all (£1 for Under 12's).
So, fair play to Derby County for inviting TSG 1899 Hoffenheim to Pride Park next Saturday, 29 July at 3pm, and pricing tickets at £5 for all (£1 for Under 12's).
Wednesday, 19 July 2017
FA WSL Hoping For Boost From England Women
England Women start their European Championship campaign against Scotland in Utrecht, Holland, on Wednesday evening.
The game is being televised live on Channel 4 at peak time, therefore giving more valuable exposure to the Women’s game and on a different platform to the BBC where it can usually be found, although as an aside I find the choice of Clare Balding to host the coverage slightly strange when there are many excellent female broadcasters out there whose main focus is football.
England are one of the favourites to lift the trophy and hand a boost to the FA Women’s Super League which kicks off its new season in September, the era of ‘summer football’ having ended and a winter schedule having being introduced for the 2017/18 season.
Helping the national team and those clubs in the Champions League are the headline reasons for the change but, on an everyday level it is also hoped that a more regular schedule of matches throughout the season will lead to an increase in attendances.
The WSL features regularly on these pages and our Twitter feed, matches are affordable to watch and provide a family-friendly environment in which to do so.
But the 2016 season was a disjointed affair with a ‘feast or famine’ schedule of games which sometimes saw teams play two home matches in quick succession and then have a long gap until their next one.
I’ve just finished reading Carrie Dunn’s excellent ‘The Roar of the Lionesses’ book which, for all of the England stars on the front cover, covers many aspects of the Women’s game and the challenges that it faces to build on the huge strides made in recent years.
Positive headlines from Euro 2017 will certainly help in that regard.
The game is being televised live on Channel 4 at peak time, therefore giving more valuable exposure to the Women’s game and on a different platform to the BBC where it can usually be found, although as an aside I find the choice of Clare Balding to host the coverage slightly strange when there are many excellent female broadcasters out there whose main focus is football.
England are one of the favourites to lift the trophy and hand a boost to the FA Women’s Super League which kicks off its new season in September, the era of ‘summer football’ having ended and a winter schedule having being introduced for the 2017/18 season.
Helping the national team and those clubs in the Champions League are the headline reasons for the change but, on an everyday level it is also hoped that a more regular schedule of matches throughout the season will lead to an increase in attendances.
The WSL features regularly on these pages and our Twitter feed, matches are affordable to watch and provide a family-friendly environment in which to do so.
But the 2016 season was a disjointed affair with a ‘feast or famine’ schedule of games which sometimes saw teams play two home matches in quick succession and then have a long gap until their next one.
I’ve just finished reading Carrie Dunn’s excellent ‘The Roar of the Lionesses’ book which, for all of the England stars on the front cover, covers many aspects of the Women’s game and the challenges that it faces to build on the huge strides made in recent years.
Positive headlines from Euro 2017 will certainly help in that regard.
Sunday, 16 July 2017
The Toolstation Cup
The Battle of the Leagues is fast becoming a pre-season staple, teams from the Toolstation-sponsored Western and Northern Counties East leagues meeting in a fixture that raises money for charity.
Cribbs FC host this summer's edition with Street FC taking on AFC Mansfield on Saturday 22 July at 3pm.
Admission is £3 (including programme) with all proceeds going to RNLI Flood Rescue Team and the Countess of Brecknock Hospice.
Cribbs FC host this summer's edition with Street FC taking on AFC Mansfield on Saturday 22 July at 3pm.
Admission is £3 (including programme) with all proceeds going to RNLI Flood Rescue Team and the Countess of Brecknock Hospice.
Next Saturday at The Lawns we stage the @ToolstationUK Cup between @fcstreet from @TSWesternLeague v @AFCMansfield from @NCEL 3pm KO. pic.twitter.com/IrPeQEbBCH
— Cribbs Football Club (@CribbsFC) 15 July 2017
Friday, 14 July 2017
In Praise Of Neil Warnock
The Cardiff City manager can divide opinion in the game (and sometimes that division can be unequally weighted) but his name has cropped up twice in the past week in interesting articles I've read, both of which have a connection of sorts to the theme of this blog.
In last Sunday's Non-League Paper, the excellent Ian Ridley, vice-chairman at Salisbury FC where this week's Pay What You Want game against Oldham Athletic attracted nearly 500 spectators, was banging the drum for pre-season friendlies and how they can provide a financial lifeline for many clubs even before the start of the campaign proper.
As it gets increasingly more difficult to persuade managers of Football League and Premier League clubs to bring their sides to local Non-League grounds, Ian cited Neil Warnock as 'one of the exceptions' for his willingness to do so.
I then came across a piece on Wales Online which explained how Friday evening's friendly between Taffs Well FC and Cardiff City came about, basically boiling down to Mr Warnock knocking on the door of the Welsh League club's door and asking for a game as part of his belief that the major club in an area should be rooted in their local community.
A sell-out crowd of close to 3,000 were in attendance and, judging by the Twitter feedback a very enjoyable evening was had by all, one that also helped raise money for two charities as well as the hosts.
In last Sunday's Non-League Paper, the excellent Ian Ridley, vice-chairman at Salisbury FC where this week's Pay What You Want game against Oldham Athletic attracted nearly 500 spectators, was banging the drum for pre-season friendlies and how they can provide a financial lifeline for many clubs even before the start of the campaign proper.
As it gets increasingly more difficult to persuade managers of Football League and Premier League clubs to bring their sides to local Non-League grounds, Ian cited Neil Warnock as 'one of the exceptions' for his willingness to do so.
I then came across a piece on Wales Online which explained how Friday evening's friendly between Taffs Well FC and Cardiff City came about, basically boiling down to Mr Warnock knocking on the door of the Welsh League club's door and asking for a game as part of his belief that the major club in an area should be rooted in their local community.
A sell-out crowd of close to 3,000 were in attendance and, judging by the Twitter feedback a very enjoyable evening was had by all, one that also helped raise money for two charities as well as the hosts.
Wednesday, 12 July 2017
Free Football This Saturday
Next up is the first home pre season match with Maidenhead United. Noon kick off at Stag Meadow with FREE entry. Bouncy castle,Face painting pic.twitter.com/ewPCBTPBfR— Windsor FC (@windsorfc) 12 July 2017
And a mention also to Squires Gate FC where this Saturday's friendly against Clitheroe is 'Pay What You Want' admission (minimum £1).
If you're in the Blackpool area and fancy watching a match, do as the club say and just throw in what you think you should pay to the two lads holding buckets on the gate.
Season tickets for 2017/18 are also on sale, costing just £50 and £30.
Tuesday, 11 July 2017
All In A Good Cause
Pre-season is a time when many Non-League clubs look to combine the serious business of getting ready for the new season with some valuable fundraising for a variety of causes.
The beneficiaries can vary, Hanwell Town for instance are supporting Bill Healey, a player for both themselves and Wingate & Finchley after he suffered a serious injury earlier this year.
His former clubs will meet in a friendly on Saturday 29 July at the Powerday Stadium where admission will be £5.
The Sutton Charity Cup is ongoing with eight clubs from the Sutton Coldfield area playing a series of matches over the summer to raise money for local causes.
Admission to each game is via a £2 donation with the Twitter page the best way of keeping up to date with fixtures.
This coming Saturday at Morecambe FC sees 'The Bay Trophy' contested for the first time between the Shrimps and Lancaster City.
A Family Fun Day precedes the action, admission for which is £5 and free for Under 16's with one of the local causes to benefit being the Neil Marshall Memorial Fund which was set up after the untimely passing of the former Lancaster captain.
Cheshunt FC host a Community Cup Fun Day on Saturday 29 July with three 60-minute matches taking place between the hosts, Harlow Town and Hertford Town between 11am annd 5pm and a host of other activities.
Tickets are priced at £10 Adults, £5 Concessions and £1 Children (20% discount when purchased online) and 50% of the profits will help fund an awareness campaign about the dangers of swimming in open water.
That's just a sample of what's out there so please see if there is anything happening locally to you and good luck to all of the clubs involved.
The beneficiaries can vary, Hanwell Town for instance are supporting Bill Healey, a player for both themselves and Wingate & Finchley after he suffered a serious injury earlier this year.
His former clubs will meet in a friendly on Saturday 29 July at the Powerday Stadium where admission will be £5.
The Sutton Charity Cup is ongoing with eight clubs from the Sutton Coldfield area playing a series of matches over the summer to raise money for local causes.
Admission to each game is via a £2 donation with the Twitter page the best way of keeping up to date with fixtures.
This coming Saturday at Morecambe FC sees 'The Bay Trophy' contested for the first time between the Shrimps and Lancaster City.
A Family Fun Day precedes the action, admission for which is £5 and free for Under 16's with one of the local causes to benefit being the Neil Marshall Memorial Fund which was set up after the untimely passing of the former Lancaster captain.
Cheshunt FC host a Community Cup Fun Day on Saturday 29 July with three 60-minute matches taking place between the hosts, Harlow Town and Hertford Town between 11am annd 5pm and a host of other activities.
Tickets are priced at £10 Adults, £5 Concessions and £1 Children (20% discount when purchased online) and 50% of the profits will help fund an awareness campaign about the dangers of swimming in open water.
That's just a sample of what's out there so please see if there is anything happening locally to you and good luck to all of the clubs involved.
Sunday, 9 July 2017
Coming Up
July 11: Paget Rangers host Bromsgrove Sporting in a pre-season friendly. Admission to this game and the fixture against Alvechurch on 22nd July is priced at £3 Adults, £2 Concessions.
Paget are also involved in the Sutton Charity Cup with seven other sides from the Birmingham area. Admission to each match in the competition is by a suggested £2 donation which goes to help local good causes.
July 11: Three home friendlies scheduled for Basingstoke Town as they entertain Eastleigh, Crystal Palace U23's (15th July) and Woking (18th July) and admission priced at £5 Adults, £2.50 Concessions and free for Under 16's.
July 11: Colchester United send an Under-23 side to Top Field, home of Hitchin Town and both this match and the game against Wealdstone on 29th July are set to be 'Pay What You Want' fixtures.
July 11: Marine FC admission prices for pre-season are £5 for all with Under 11's free with a paying adult. They entertain AFC Fylde, Southport (22nd July), Blackburn Rovers (29th July) and Bolton Wanderers (1 August).
July 15: Competitive action begins in Scotland with the opening fixtures in the Betfred League Cup. All of the teams in Group A, Inverness Caley Thistle, Falkirk, Brechin City, Forfar Athletic and Stirling Albion have agreed to mutually reduce prices to £10 Adults, £5 Concessions and Under 16's free for all of their respective fixtures.
July 15: The first of three home friendlies at Southport FC against EFL opposition as Blackpool are the visitors. This game, and those against Wigan Athletic (Tue 18th) and Accrington Stanley (Sat 29th) are priced at £5 Adults, £3 Concessions and free for Under 18's.
July 15: AFC Telford United host a Wolves U23 side at the New Bucks Head. Admission to this game, and the friendly against Hereford FC on 22nd July will be £5 Adults, £3 Concessions, £1 Under 16's.
July 15: A Chelsea XI visit Crawley Town with the hosts launching their new kit and planning a Family Fun Day as well. Advance tickets are just £1.
July 15: Lancaster City visit Morecambe for what both clubs hope will become a regular pre-season meeting. They will play for the 'Bay Trophy' with a Fun Day and Fundraising also taking place for local charities such as the Neil Marshall Memorial Fund which is in memory of the former Lancaster City captain who passed away last year. Admission is £5 for all except Under 16's who can come in for free.
July 15: Tadcaster Albion host Doncaster Rovers at the i2i Stadium with admission £5 Adults, £3 Concessions and £1 for 6-17's. Games are also scheduled against Spennymoor Town and Leeds United and Sheffield United U23 sides.
July 15/16: The SJP Community Cup takes place at Hendon FC. Hemel Hempstead Town, Hitchin Town and Hayes & Yeading join the hosts with two matches on each day. Admission per day is £5 with Under 18's free. Hendon are also offering free entry to the game against Hanwell Town on 11th July.
July 18: Ashton United host Stockport County before a game against FC United of Manchester the following Tuesday (25th). Admission prices are £5 Adults and £3 for Under 16's.
July 18: The first of two Northamptonshire derbies in pre-season at Brackley Town, against Kettering and then against Rushden & Diamonds on 25th July. Admission prices are £5 Adults, £3 Concessions and free for Under-18's.
July 19: The pre-season friendly between Merthyr Town and Newport County will be 'Pay What You Want' admission.
July 22: Three home friendlies at Banbury United begin with a game against Chippenham Town. Admission is priced at £5 Adults, £3 Concessions and £1 Under 16's.
July 25: Rugby Town FC host Banbury United in the first of three planned pre-season friendlies at Butlin Road. Admission to the matches will be £5 Adults and £3 Concessions. Entry to the earlier games on the 3G pitch will be free.
July 25: Pre-season friendlies at Merstham FC are £5 entry with visits planned from an AFC Wimbledon XI, Cray Wanderers (Sat 5th August) and a Crystal Palace XI (Tue 8th August).
July 29: The annual Tony Downes Memorial Trophy match takes place at Droylsden FC with Ashton United the visitors. Admission to the Butchers Arms will be £5 Adults, £3 Concessions and £1 Under 16's.
July 29: Maidstone United host Southend United Under 21's at the Gallagher Stadium. Admission is priced at £5/£3/£2 and free for Under 11's.
July 29: Hoffenheim provide attractive opposition for a friendly at Pride Park and fair play to Derby County for making tickets just £5 (£1 Under 12's).
July 29/30: The O'Neills Invitation Cup takes place at Farnborough FC with four matches across the weekend involving the hosts, Hartley Wintney, Basingstoke Town and Fleet Town. Two-day tickets cost £12 Adults, £10 Concessions, £6 for 16-21's and free for Under 16's.
August 4: The Thanet Derby in pre-season between Ramsgate FC and Margate FC is £5 for Adults, £3 for Concessions, £1 for 12-16's and free for U12's. The same prices apply at Ramsgate's two other home matches, against Balham FC on Tuesday 18th July and Three Bridges on Saturday 29th July.
August 5: There is free entry at Folkestone Invicta for the friendly at home to Thamesmead Town when the two clubs will be playing for the Sid Burvill Cup in honour of Invicta's late groundsman.
August 8: More free football in Kent, this time at Ashford United FC where the doors are open for the final pre-season friendly against Kennington FC.
Paget are also involved in the Sutton Charity Cup with seven other sides from the Birmingham area. Admission to each match in the competition is by a suggested £2 donation which goes to help local good causes.
July 11: Three home friendlies scheduled for Basingstoke Town as they entertain Eastleigh, Crystal Palace U23's (15th July) and Woking (18th July) and admission priced at £5 Adults, £2.50 Concessions and free for Under 16's.
July 11: Colchester United send an Under-23 side to Top Field, home of Hitchin Town and both this match and the game against Wealdstone on 29th July are set to be 'Pay What You Want' fixtures.
July 11: Marine FC admission prices for pre-season are £5 for all with Under 11's free with a paying adult. They entertain AFC Fylde, Southport (22nd July), Blackburn Rovers (29th July) and Bolton Wanderers (1 August).
July 15: Competitive action begins in Scotland with the opening fixtures in the Betfred League Cup. All of the teams in Group A, Inverness Caley Thistle, Falkirk, Brechin City, Forfar Athletic and Stirling Albion have agreed to mutually reduce prices to £10 Adults, £5 Concessions and Under 16's free for all of their respective fixtures.
July 15: The first of three home friendlies at Southport FC against EFL opposition as Blackpool are the visitors. This game, and those against Wigan Athletic (Tue 18th) and Accrington Stanley (Sat 29th) are priced at £5 Adults, £3 Concessions and free for Under 18's.
July 15: AFC Telford United host a Wolves U23 side at the New Bucks Head. Admission to this game, and the friendly against Hereford FC on 22nd July will be £5 Adults, £3 Concessions, £1 Under 16's.
July 15: A Chelsea XI visit Crawley Town with the hosts launching their new kit and planning a Family Fun Day as well. Advance tickets are just £1.
July 15: Lancaster City visit Morecambe for what both clubs hope will become a regular pre-season meeting. They will play for the 'Bay Trophy' with a Fun Day and Fundraising also taking place for local charities such as the Neil Marshall Memorial Fund which is in memory of the former Lancaster City captain who passed away last year. Admission is £5 for all except Under 16's who can come in for free.
July 15: Tadcaster Albion host Doncaster Rovers at the i2i Stadium with admission £5 Adults, £3 Concessions and £1 for 6-17's. Games are also scheduled against Spennymoor Town and Leeds United and Sheffield United U23 sides.
July 15/16: The SJP Community Cup takes place at Hendon FC. Hemel Hempstead Town, Hitchin Town and Hayes & Yeading join the hosts with two matches on each day. Admission per day is £5 with Under 18's free. Hendon are also offering free entry to the game against Hanwell Town on 11th July.
July 18: Ashton United host Stockport County before a game against FC United of Manchester the following Tuesday (25th). Admission prices are £5 Adults and £3 for Under 16's.
July 18: The first of two Northamptonshire derbies in pre-season at Brackley Town, against Kettering and then against Rushden & Diamonds on 25th July. Admission prices are £5 Adults, £3 Concessions and free for Under-18's.
July 19: The pre-season friendly between Merthyr Town and Newport County will be 'Pay What You Want' admission.
July 22: Three home friendlies at Banbury United begin with a game against Chippenham Town. Admission is priced at £5 Adults, £3 Concessions and £1 Under 16's.
July 25: Rugby Town FC host Banbury United in the first of three planned pre-season friendlies at Butlin Road. Admission to the matches will be £5 Adults and £3 Concessions. Entry to the earlier games on the 3G pitch will be free.
July 25: Pre-season friendlies at Merstham FC are £5 entry with visits planned from an AFC Wimbledon XI, Cray Wanderers (Sat 5th August) and a Crystal Palace XI (Tue 8th August).
July 29: The annual Tony Downes Memorial Trophy match takes place at Droylsden FC with Ashton United the visitors. Admission to the Butchers Arms will be £5 Adults, £3 Concessions and £1 Under 16's.
July 29: Maidstone United host Southend United Under 21's at the Gallagher Stadium. Admission is priced at £5/£3/£2 and free for Under 11's.
July 29: Hoffenheim provide attractive opposition for a friendly at Pride Park and fair play to Derby County for making tickets just £5 (£1 Under 12's).
July 29/30: The O'Neills Invitation Cup takes place at Farnborough FC with four matches across the weekend involving the hosts, Hartley Wintney, Basingstoke Town and Fleet Town. Two-day tickets cost £12 Adults, £10 Concessions, £6 for 16-21's and free for Under 16's.
August 4: The Thanet Derby in pre-season between Ramsgate FC and Margate FC is £5 for Adults, £3 for Concessions, £1 for 12-16's and free for U12's. The same prices apply at Ramsgate's two other home matches, against Balham FC on Tuesday 18th July and Three Bridges on Saturday 29th July.
August 5: There is free entry at Folkestone Invicta for the friendly at home to Thamesmead Town when the two clubs will be playing for the Sid Burvill Cup in honour of Invicta's late groundsman.
August 8: More free football in Kent, this time at Ashford United FC where the doors are open for the final pre-season friendly against Kennington FC.
Saturday, 8 July 2017
The FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
The draw for the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round was made earlier this week, the ties set to kick-off the Non-League season when they take place over the weekend of Saturday 5 August.
A total of 185 matches are available to watch up and down the country and many of them will cost little more than a fiver to attend.
As the draw is done on a regional basis at these early stages there are inevitably plenty of local derbies but two in particular stand out with one already making national headlines.
That is the meeting of Northwich Victoria and 1874 Northwich, the club formed by disillusioned Vics fans five years ago,
On a personal level, the most interesting tie involves another recently formed club, Coventry United who were established in 2013 when Coventry City began playing matches in Northampton, albeit not as a breakaway club.
United, who have season tickets on sale for £99, will play their matches at the Butts Park Arena from this summer onwards, the home of Coventry Rugby Club often mentioned as the most likely new home for the Sky Blues where they ever to leave the Ricoh.
And that will be the venue for their FA Cup tie against my hometown club Rugby Town.
A total of 185 matches are available to watch up and down the country and many of them will cost little more than a fiver to attend.
As the draw is done on a regional basis at these early stages there are inevitably plenty of local derbies but two in particular stand out with one already making national headlines.
That is the meeting of Northwich Victoria and 1874 Northwich, the club formed by disillusioned Vics fans five years ago,
On a personal level, the most interesting tie involves another recently formed club, Coventry United who were established in 2013 when Coventry City began playing matches in Northampton, albeit not as a breakaway club.
United, who have season tickets on sale for £99, will play their matches at the Butts Park Arena from this summer onwards, the home of Coventry Rugby Club often mentioned as the most likely new home for the Sky Blues where they ever to leave the Ricoh.
And that will be the venue for their FA Cup tie against my hometown club Rugby Town.
Wednesday, 5 July 2017
Pick Of The Weekend Friendlies
The first full weekend of friendlies across the country and there's plenty of action going on.
Pre-season for Erith Town FC starts with the visit of a Margate XI to the Erith Stadium and there is free admission to the 3pm kick-off.
Chadderton Town are very active on Twitter, looking to spread the word among the local community, and they have free admission to this Saturday's friendly against Maine Road which kicks-off at 2:30pm.
The opening friendly of the summer at Northallerton Town is 'Pay What You Want' for the visit of Knaresborough.
Football League clubs in action include Rotherham United, who make the short trip to Parkgate FC for a 2pm kick-off on Saturday with admission priced at £6 Adults and £4 Concessions, Bolton Wanderers begin preparations for the Championship at Chorley FC where entry is £5 with accompanied Under 12's free and MK Dons visit Aylesbury FC (kick-off also at 2pm) with admission £5 Adults, £2 Concessions.
There are four matches in two days just across the Scottish border as Gretna FC host the Raydale Cup. Workington AFC, Annan Athletic and a Carlisle United Youth team also take part.
Weekend tickets are priced at £12, day tickets at £7 with the action starting at 12pm on Saturday.
Rhyl FC host an open morning at the Corbett Sports Stadium between 9am and 12pm on Saturday with the chance for supporters to have a look behind the scenes at the club. This is followed by a 3pm friendly against City of Liverpool FC for which admission is priced at £5 Adults, £3 Concessions and £2 Juniors.
Pre-season for Erith Town FC starts with the visit of a Margate XI to the Erith Stadium and there is free admission to the 3pm kick-off.
Chadderton Town are very active on Twitter, looking to spread the word among the local community, and they have free admission to this Saturday's friendly against Maine Road which kicks-off at 2:30pm.
The opening friendly of the summer at Northallerton Town is 'Pay What You Want' for the visit of Knaresborough.
Football League clubs in action include Rotherham United, who make the short trip to Parkgate FC for a 2pm kick-off on Saturday with admission priced at £6 Adults and £4 Concessions, Bolton Wanderers begin preparations for the Championship at Chorley FC where entry is £5 with accompanied Under 12's free and MK Dons visit Aylesbury FC (kick-off also at 2pm) with admission £5 Adults, £2 Concessions.
There are four matches in two days just across the Scottish border as Gretna FC host the Raydale Cup. Workington AFC, Annan Athletic and a Carlisle United Youth team also take part.
Weekend tickets are priced at £12, day tickets at £7 with the action starting at 12pm on Saturday.
Rhyl FC host an open morning at the Corbett Sports Stadium between 9am and 12pm on Saturday with the chance for supporters to have a look behind the scenes at the club. This is followed by a 3pm friendly against City of Liverpool FC for which admission is priced at £5 Adults, £3 Concessions and £2 Juniors.
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