And here's to more affordable football up and down the land in 2018.
Some things to look out for over the next month or so...
January 6: FA Cup Third Round weekend and Ipswich Town have reduced prices to £10 Adults, £5 for 65+ and Under-23's and £2 for Under-19's while Newcastle United have made it £10 and £5 for the visit of Luton Town if tickets are purchased before matchday.
£10 Adult tickets are also available at Wembley where Tottenham take on AFC Wimbledon and Vicarage Road for Watford against Bristol City.
January 14: Manchester City visit Kingsmeadow for a Continental Cup semi-final clash with Chelsea Ladies. Admission to the 2pm kick-off is priced at £3 and £1.
January 20: The New Saints meet Cardiff Met in the Nathaniel MG Cup Final. Tickets are priced at £7 for Adults and £3 for Juniors, Senior Citizens and Students.
March 27: Sheffield United
host the European Championship qualifier between England Under-21's and
Ukraine. Prices are £10 Adults and £5 Concessions with Family tickets
also available and discounts for group bookings and Blades season ticket
holders (until end of January).
April 6: England Women take on Wales in a World Cup qualifier at St Mary's in Southampton.
An early-bird offer is available on adult tickets (£7.50 rather than
£10) if purchased before 31 January. Children and Concessions are just
£1.
Sunday, 31 December 2017
Wednesday, 27 December 2017
The Coventry Derby This Weekend
Although Mark Robins is a popular figure among supporters and has put together a squad capable of challenging for promotion this season, thousands of Coventry City fans are simply out of the habit of going to home matches.
Last Friday, the Sky Blues played Wycombe Wanderers at the Ricoh Arena. Two teams in the play-off places with many people having finished work for the Christmas holidays.
Belatedly, the club put a ticket offer in place for groups of six or more (£15 each) or ten or more (£10 each) but only 7,234 watched an exciting game that ended 3-2 to the hosts.
Even promotion and a change of ownership is unlikely to change anything overnight and the issue has, in my opinion, been compounded in the past year by the abandonment of the £20 maximum ticket price that was introduced for the 2015/16 season and which, together with some exciting football on the pitch for the first half of the campaign, saw a steady increase in crowds.
Of course there are still many who need their football fix and back in the summer I wrote about local Non-League clubs Coventry Sphinx and Coventry United and their efforts to entice Sky Blues supporters with their season ticket prices.
Both sides are going along quite nicely in the Midland Football League at present and meet at Sphinx Drive this Saturday in an eagerly-awaited derby clash which should, with Coventry City away at Carlisle United, attract a very healthy attendance.
Admission is priced at £6 Adults, £4 Concessions and free for Under 16's.
Last Friday, the Sky Blues played Wycombe Wanderers at the Ricoh Arena. Two teams in the play-off places with many people having finished work for the Christmas holidays.
Belatedly, the club put a ticket offer in place for groups of six or more (£15 each) or ten or more (£10 each) but only 7,234 watched an exciting game that ended 3-2 to the hosts.
Even promotion and a change of ownership is unlikely to change anything overnight and the issue has, in my opinion, been compounded in the past year by the abandonment of the £20 maximum ticket price that was introduced for the 2015/16 season and which, together with some exciting football on the pitch for the first half of the campaign, saw a steady increase in crowds.
Of course there are still many who need their football fix and back in the summer I wrote about local Non-League clubs Coventry Sphinx and Coventry United and their efforts to entice Sky Blues supporters with their season ticket prices.
Both sides are going along quite nicely in the Midland Football League at present and meet at Sphinx Drive this Saturday in an eagerly-awaited derby clash which should, with Coventry City away at Carlisle United, attract a very healthy attendance.
Admission is priced at £6 Adults, £4 Concessions and free for Under 16's.
Monday, 25 December 2017
National League Promotion Final
The 2018 National League Promotion Final will take place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 12 May.
With
the winners of the league having already secured their place in the
EFL, a change to the format this season means those teams finishing
between 2nd and 7th will then be
battling it out to join them.
That battle ends at Wembley and, as I can testify having been to the last two finals, it will be a hard-fought occasion.
Supporters
of the victorious club will be happy and their opposite numbers
downcast (particularly as there has been some disquiet about the ticket prices charged for the two finalists).
Neutrals, however, can enjoy the day in some style for just £20 Adults, £10 Seniors
and free for Under 16’s
if they take advantage of the Early Bird ticket offer which runs until
the end of February.
Last season these seats were excellent ones at Level 2 and provided a perfect viewpoint to watch the drama unfold.
Sunday, 24 December 2017
Merry Christmas
A very Merry Christmas to anyone who has ever read the blog, who follows us on Twitter or who has sent through some information about upcoming matches, all of it is much appreciated.
An army of people will be out and about across the land on Boxing Day getting games on so enjoy your football wherever you may be going.
There's Football for a Fiver at Banbury United and it is 'Pay What You Want' as Saffron Walden Town host Haverhill Rovers and Stowmarket Town welcome Walsham Le Willows to Green Meadows.
An army of people will be out and about across the land on Boxing Day getting games on so enjoy your football wherever you may be going.
There's Football for a Fiver at Banbury United and it is 'Pay What You Want' as Saffron Walden Town host Haverhill Rovers and Stowmarket Town welcome Walsham Le Willows to Green Meadows.
Wednesday, 20 December 2017
Skip The Shopping This Saturday And Head For...
Ashford Town (Middlesex) where admission is free for the visit of Cambridge City.
Chipstead FC Surrey for free entry to the game against Herne Bay.
Hamworthy United and wear your Christmas jumper for free admission as Amesbury Town provide the opposition.
Kirkley & Pakefield FC and Pay What You Want to watch the Royals take on Brantham Athletic.
Winchester City against Shortwood United. Keep your ticket from this game and watch the New Year's Day derby with AFC Totton for £5.
Chipstead FC Surrey for free entry to the game against Herne Bay.
Hamworthy United and wear your Christmas jumper for free admission as Amesbury Town provide the opposition.
Kirkley & Pakefield FC and Pay What You Want to watch the Royals take on Brantham Athletic.
Winchester City against Shortwood United. Keep your ticket from this game and watch the New Year's Day derby with AFC Totton for £5.
Monday, 18 December 2017
Keynsham Town, Hengrove Athletic
A nice example of working together from these two Western League clubs as they look to attract more people through the turnstiles next week.
With the top-of-the-table Championship clash between Bristol City and Wolves having been rescheduled for a 5.30pm kick-off on Saturday 30 December, Keynsham have moved their home fixture with Bishop Sutton to the Friday evening (29th at 7.45pm) and Hengrove have brought forward the visit of Odd Down (Bath) to 1pm on the Saturday.
Bristol City (and Wolves) season ticket holders can then gain entry to those games for just £3 each and the offers also extends to season ticket holders at Bath City and Yeovil Town.
With the top-of-the-table Championship clash between Bristol City and Wolves having been rescheduled for a 5.30pm kick-off on Saturday 30 December, Keynsham have moved their home fixture with Bishop Sutton to the Friday evening (29th at 7.45pm) and Hengrove have brought forward the visit of Odd Down (Bath) to 1pm on the Saturday.
Bristol City (and Wolves) season ticket holders can then gain entry to those games for just £3 each and the offers also extends to season ticket holders at Bath City and Yeovil Town.
Saturday, 16 December 2017
Winchester City FC
Consistently
voted as one of the best places to live in the UK, Winchester should be
looking good on New Year’s Day when the city’s football club have a big local derby to look forward to.
The
Southampton area and beyond seems to be a lively place for football at
all levels and a number of clubs work hard to get people through their
turnstiles, especially when
the Saints are away from home or not in action.
AFC Totton, for example, offered free admission to their game against
Bishops Cleeve this Saturday, combining it with a host of Christmas
activities (and celebrating with a 6-0 win) and I have featured Sholing
FC a number of times on the blog in the past.
Totton
are the visitors to Winchester on 1 January, in the Evo-Stik League South West, and the hosts have a number
of offers in place.
Anyone coming to their game against Shortwood United on 23 December
can come back on New Year’s
Day for £5, season ticket holders at Southampton, Portsmouth,
Bournemouth and Eastleigh will pay the same price and Under 16's are free of charge.
Tuesday, 12 December 2017
Festive Football In The Championship
Three offers for the upcoming Christmas period, starting this Saturday at St Andrew's where Birmingham City host Queens Park Rangers.
For the Blues' 'Festive Fixture' prices have been reduced to £10 for Adults in all areas of the ground while prices for Seniors, Students and 13-18's are £5. Under-13's can come for £1.
Norwich City entertain Brenford on Friday 22 December at 7.45pm and tickets are available from £10 Adults, £5 for 65+ and £1 for Under-18's.
And Reading celebrate 500 matches at the Madejski Stadium when Burton Albion come to town on Saturday 23rd.
Tickets have been priced at 500p (£5) in all areas of the ground, including for away supporters.
For the Blues' 'Festive Fixture' prices have been reduced to £10 for Adults in all areas of the ground while prices for Seniors, Students and 13-18's are £5. Under-13's can come for £1.
Norwich City entertain Brenford on Friday 22 December at 7.45pm and tickets are available from £10 Adults, £5 for 65+ and £1 for Under-18's.
And Reading celebrate 500 matches at the Madejski Stadium when Burton Albion come to town on Saturday 23rd.
Tickets have been priced at 500p (£5) in all areas of the ground, including for away supporters.
Sunday, 10 December 2017
Cirencester Town FC
The Centurions will be hosting their annual free entry match this coming Tuesday (12th December) when North Leigh are the visitors to the Corinium Stadium.
Collections will take place for Macmillan Cancer Support with the aim of breaking the £2,500 that two previous fundraising games have generated.
Collections will take place for Macmillan Cancer Support with the aim of breaking the £2,500 that two previous fundraising games have generated.
Saturday, 9 December 2017
Non-League Finals Day
Dreams of Wembley are now tantalisingly real for those clubs who negotiated the Third Round of the FA Vase last weekend.
The Fourth Round fixtures, from Newport in the Isle of Wight to Newcastle Benfield, will take place on the first weekend of 2018 and there are a number of interesting stories to watch out for, such as whether record-breaking goalkeeper Paul Bastock can reach the final with Wisbech Town.
Both the FA Vase and FA Trophy finals will take place on the same day, for the third succesive year, at Wembley on Sunday 20 May 2018 and tickets for the double-header are available now, priced at £25 for Adults, £10 for Concessions and £1 for Under-16's.
The First Round Proper of the FA Trophy takes place this coming Saturday with National League clubs entering the fray.
Wrexham have reduced prices for the visit of Harrogate Town (£10, £5 and £1 for Over 80/Under 18) while terrace tickets just up the road at Chester are £8, £5 and £2 as they host AFC Fylde.
The Fourth Round fixtures, from Newport in the Isle of Wight to Newcastle Benfield, will take place on the first weekend of 2018 and there are a number of interesting stories to watch out for, such as whether record-breaking goalkeeper Paul Bastock can reach the final with Wisbech Town.
Both the FA Vase and FA Trophy finals will take place on the same day, for the third succesive year, at Wembley on Sunday 20 May 2018 and tickets for the double-header are available now, priced at £25 for Adults, £10 for Concessions and £1 for Under-16's.
The First Round Proper of the FA Trophy takes place this coming Saturday with National League clubs entering the fray.
Wrexham have reduced prices for the visit of Harrogate Town (£10, £5 and £1 for Over 80/Under 18) while terrace tickets just up the road at Chester are £8, £5 and £2 as they host AFC Fylde.
Thursday, 7 December 2017
Ipswich Good, Coventry Bad In The FA Cup Pricing Stakes
Monday evening saw the Third Round draw for the 2017/18 FA Cup take place with Premier League and Championship sides entering the competition at this stage.
19 clubs from the top two divisions have been drawn at home and many will reduce prices for their respective fixtures.
Ipswich Town were quick off the mark to announce that their game against Sheffield United will be priced at £10 for Adults, £5 for Seniors 65+ and Under-23's and £2 for Under-19's.
My very own Sky Blues may be in the basement division but they are charging a minimum of £22 for the visit of Stoke City to the Ricoh Arena.
Normal league match prices (which have attracted plenty of criticism in themselves) are in operation and my annoyance at that, when a maximum of £20 would have been plenty, has been compounded by how it was announced by the club.
"We're delighted to have been able to agree tickets prices at the level we normally would have for a League Two game for the visit of Premier League Stoke City, and thank the Potters for their co-operation," said chief executive Dave Boddy, quoted on the official website.
It is hard to imagine that Stoke would have objected to tickets being priced at £20, especially when their supporters will be handing over £25 if they opt to pay cash on the day.
Update: Newcastle United host Luton Town in the Third Round and tickets purchased before matchday are priced at £10 Adults and £5 for Juniors, Seniors and Students.
19 clubs from the top two divisions have been drawn at home and many will reduce prices for their respective fixtures.
Ipswich Town were quick off the mark to announce that their game against Sheffield United will be priced at £10 for Adults, £5 for Seniors 65+ and Under-23's and £2 for Under-19's.
My very own Sky Blues may be in the basement division but they are charging a minimum of £22 for the visit of Stoke City to the Ricoh Arena.
Normal league match prices (which have attracted plenty of criticism in themselves) are in operation and my annoyance at that, when a maximum of £20 would have been plenty, has been compounded by how it was announced by the club.
"We're delighted to have been able to agree tickets prices at the level we normally would have for a League Two game for the visit of Premier League Stoke City, and thank the Potters for their co-operation," said chief executive Dave Boddy, quoted on the official website.
It is hard to imagine that Stoke would have objected to tickets being priced at £20, especially when their supporters will be handing over £25 if they opt to pay cash on the day.
Update: Newcastle United host Luton Town in the Third Round and tickets purchased before matchday are priced at £10 Adults and £5 for Juniors, Seniors and Students.
Monday, 4 December 2017
Well Worth A Visit
The following sites have been invaluable to me in writing this blog and are well worth a visit.
The London Football Guide - James Doe is the man behind Non-League Day and set up TLFG to provide a comprehensive guide to football (at all levels) in the capital and its suburbs. On a weekly basis he runs through all of the fixtures of note and is also happy to answer queries from anyone coming to London and looking to catch a match.
With its focus on a similar patch geographically, The Cold End combines news and match previews with reports, highlights and some great photographs of Non-League football in London, Hertfordshire & Beyond.
If there is anything you need to know about football in Oxfordshire then the Oxon Football blog covers everything from Oxford United downwards while Football in Bracknell is an excellent not for profit site that doesn't leave a stone unturned when reporting on football at all levels in the Berkshire town.
Women’s football features regularly on these pages and the excellent She Kicks website has features, stats and regular fixture updates covering all levels of the game in the UK with Scottish Women's Football performing a similar function in its area.
The official FA WSL site also has an easy-to-navigate fixture list with ticket info and links.
Non-League Matters is a good resource for fixtures, tables and stats from all levels of the game below the Football League and the Forum part of the site has a section where special ticket offers, free and reduced admission and ‘Pay What You Want’ fixtures can be publicised.
The Northern Counties East Football League is my local Step 5 league and the home of Hallam FC who have featured regularly on the site. The NCEFL website is an excellent resource for results and fixtures while many of the clubs in the league feature on the Non League Yorkshire website which has a wealth of news, match reports and opinion from across the county.
North of the border, Scottish Football Fixtures does exactly what it says in the title with day-by-day fixtures from all levels of the Scottish game and regular Twitter updates.
And a quick word for Partizan Bristle and it's cracking tales of groundhopping in the West County and beyond.
The London Football Guide - James Doe is the man behind Non-League Day and set up TLFG to provide a comprehensive guide to football (at all levels) in the capital and its suburbs. On a weekly basis he runs through all of the fixtures of note and is also happy to answer queries from anyone coming to London and looking to catch a match.
With its focus on a similar patch geographically, The Cold End combines news and match previews with reports, highlights and some great photographs of Non-League football in London, Hertfordshire & Beyond.
If there is anything you need to know about football in Oxfordshire then the Oxon Football blog covers everything from Oxford United downwards while Football in Bracknell is an excellent not for profit site that doesn't leave a stone unturned when reporting on football at all levels in the Berkshire town.
Women’s football features regularly on these pages and the excellent She Kicks website has features, stats and regular fixture updates covering all levels of the game in the UK with Scottish Women's Football performing a similar function in its area.
The official FA WSL site also has an easy-to-navigate fixture list with ticket info and links.
Non-League Matters is a good resource for fixtures, tables and stats from all levels of the game below the Football League and the Forum part of the site has a section where special ticket offers, free and reduced admission and ‘Pay What You Want’ fixtures can be publicised.
The Northern Counties East Football League is my local Step 5 league and the home of Hallam FC who have featured regularly on the site. The NCEFL website is an excellent resource for results and fixtures while many of the clubs in the league feature on the Non League Yorkshire website which has a wealth of news, match reports and opinion from across the county.
North of the border, Scottish Football Fixtures does exactly what it says in the title with day-by-day fixtures from all levels of the Scottish game and regular Twitter updates.
And a quick word for Partizan Bristle and it's cracking tales of groundhopping in the West County and beyond.
Saturday, 2 December 2017
Cray Wanderers FC
Tracing their history back to 1860, the Wands describe themselves as the oldest association football club in London and, in a nice link to my local club, took part in a three-team tournament of the oldest football clubs in the world with Hallam FC and Sheffield FC in 2010.
The focus at the moment is very much on the future and the continuing pursuit of a new home ground (Cray currently share Hayes Lane with Bromley) at the Flamingo Park site.
Next Saturday, 9 December, sees the club launch their new planning application with free entry to the league game against Hythe Town, accompanied by an exhibition of plans for the stadium and activities such as a bouncy castle and children able to train on the pitch with the first team.
The focus at the moment is very much on the future and the continuing pursuit of a new home ground (Cray currently share Hayes Lane with Bromley) at the Flamingo Park site.
Next Saturday, 9 December, sees the club launch their new planning application with free entry to the league game against Hythe Town, accompanied by an exhibition of plans for the stadium and activities such as a bouncy castle and children able to train on the pitch with the first team.
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