Saturday 29 December 2018

Happy New Year

And thank you to anyone who has read the blog during 2018 or followed or retweeted @AffordableFooty over the course of the year.

Some dates for the diary in January include a trio of free Manchester United Under 23 matches at Leigh Sports Village against Fulham on the 11th, PSV Eindhoven on the 17th and Paris St Germain on the 25th.

Chelsea FC Women have made tickets for their FA WSL match against Everton Ladies on the 6th at Kingsmeadow completely free of charge.

Early-bird tickets, priced at £7.50 Adults and £1 Concessions, are available from the 11th for the FA Women's Continental League Cup Final at Bramall Lane, Sheffield which takes place on Saturday 23rd February.

And the Nathaniel MG Cup Final sees Cardiff Metropolitan University take on Cambrian & Clydach Vale BGC at Jenner Park in Barry on the 19th. Tickets are available from the FAW website priced at £7 Adults, £3 Seniors and Students and £1 for Juniors.

Saturday 22 December 2018

Ten For A Tenner In The FA Cup

£10 Adult tickets are available at all of the following matches over the course of the FA Cup Third Round weekend.

There's been some understandable criticism of the scheduling of ties, with only 10 of the 32 games kicking off at 3pm on Saturday 5th January as part of the FA's new overseas deal for the competition, and I certainly think the number of fixtures that have been moved to Saturday lunchtime starts will have an impact on travelling supporters, so important in creating a good atmosphere.

In many respects it seems that the cup has settled into a nice rhythm in the earlier rounds, especially with the BBC coverage of a live Friday night game, but continues to be the subject of endless tinkering from this stage onwards.

The latest nibble at the edges of the competition is the scrapping of replays in the Fifth Round which has been brought forward from 2019/20 to this season.

But there are some good opportunities to catch a match as follows...

Burnley v Barnsley: Adults £10, Concessions £5

West Bromwich Albion v Wigan Athletic: Adults £10, Concessions £5, Under 18's £1 (if purchased before the day of the game, £5 on matchday)

West Ham United v Birmingham City: Adults from £10, Under 16's from £1

Aston Villa v Swansea City: Adults £10, Concessions, Under 21's £7.50, Under 18's £5

Brentford v Oxford United: Adults £10 on the terraces, Juniors £5

Fleetwood Town v AFC Wimbledon: Adults £10 on the terraces, Concessions £5, Under 16's £1

Newcastle United v Blackburn Rovers: Adults £10, Concessions £5 (prices double on the day of the game)

Norwich City v Portsmouth: Adults £10, Over 65's and Under 21's £5, Under 18's £1

Fulham v Oldham: Adults £10 in the Hammersmith End & Putney Stand, Over 65's and 18-21's £5, 17 and under £1

Preston North End v Doncaster Rovers: Adults £10, Concessions £5, Under 11's (accompanied) £1

Thursday 20 December 2018

A Tweet For The Weekend


Tuesday 18 December 2018

Merry Boxing Day

Not long now until the big day, not that one of course but Boxing Day, surely the best day of the footballing year and one that takes on a truly local feel the further down the football pyramid you go.

It is here that eagerly awaited derbies such as Coventry United against Coventry Sphinx (12pm kick-off at the Butts Arena with admission priced at £7 Adults, £6 Concessions & £1 Under-16's) take place with local pride at stake but also, in most cases, a feeling of mutual respect between clubs, players and officials who will know each other well and also be aware of the commitment involved in keeping clubs alive and kicking.

In the North West Counties Football League two clubs who have moved up into the semi-professional ranks this season lock horns at Hollyhedge Park with Wythenshawe Amateurs taking on Wythenshawe Town for the first time at this level.

My dad has been to both grounds this season, receiving a warm welcome at both and being im-pressed with the facilities on offer both to spectators and the local community.

Amateurs claim to have the lowest admission prices in the league and it will cost you just £3 Adults, £2 Concessions and free for Under-16's for a 3pm kick-off.

So whether it's El Clasico, El Jurassico or El Plastico round your way, enjoy the day and thank you to anyone who has read the Affordable Football blog or visited our Twitter page this year.

Sunday 16 December 2018

Harefield United FC

A fixture in the Spartan South Midlands League that is well worth giving a plug to for next Saturday (22 December) is the game between Harefield United and Broadfields at Preston Park.

Admission will be on a 'Pay What You Want' basis with the money donated at the gate going to the crowdfunding site set up for the family of Luca Campanaro, an Under-15's player with Bedgrove Dynamos who tragically died recently after an accidental collision with a Harefields player.

Other snippets from the week ahead include free admission to Leigh Sports Village on Monday 17th for the FA Youth Cup tie between Manchester United and perennial winners Chelsea, kick-off 7pm, and reduced prices of £10 Adults and £1 Under 16's (accompanied Under 11's free) for the National League North fixture between Nuneaton Borough and Guiseley on Saturday 22nd.

There is also 'Football for a Fiver' at Banbury United with £5 admission for Adults and Concessions and free entry for kids when Rushall Olympic are the visitors on Saturday 22nd.

Wednesday 12 December 2018

Forget The Shopping

And head out to football this weekend.

On Friday evening admission has been reduced to £3 at Barkingside FC of the Essex Senior League as they welcome Walthamstow to Cricklefields for a 7.45pm kick-off.

It is the club's penultimate home match of 2019 and they are hoping to extend a warm welcome to supporters old and new at the game.

Hamworthy United of the Wessex League take on Cowes Sports on Saturday at 3pm and admission is free to anyone wearing a Christmas jumper.

There's mulled wine and mince pies available at the game which will also honour the club's late president David Manuel.

Cheltenham Town Ladies will accept donations to a local foodbank in lieu of an admission fee when they entertain Larkhall Athletic to the DN Fire Stadium on Sunday at 2pm in the Women's National League.

And at the Madejski Stadium there are a host of festive activities including a visit from Santa, all leading up to the Premier League 2 clash between the Under-23 sides of Reading and Manchester United which kicks off at 1pm. 

Admission for non-Season Ticket holders is priced at £3 Adults and £1 Concessions.

Tuesday 11 December 2018

An (Early) Tweet For The Weekend


Saturday 8 December 2018

The Week Ahead

The First Round Proper of the FA Trophy on Saturday 15th sees the entry of National League clubs into the fray and a number of those with home ties have reduced prices.

Aldershot Town host Bedford Town and tickets purchased online before matchday are priced at £10 Adults, £7 Concessions and £5 Under 18's.

All areas of The Hive are priced at £10 Adults, £5 Concessions and £1 Under 17's as Barnet take on Bath City and for Chesterfield against Basford United it is £10 Adults and £5 Concessions.

AFC Fylde have gone a step further and reduced standing prices to £5 Adults and £3 Under 16's as they welcome Stratford Town to Mill Farm.

In League One it is Christmas Family Fun Day at Rochdale for the visit of Plymouth Argyle on Saturday 15th with free admission available for juniors aged 16 and under and if you wear your Christmas jumper to the Wessex League clash between Hamworthy United and Cowes there is free entry to the game.

On the Under-23 front free tickets are available for the Premier League International Cup tie between Norwich City and Wolfsburg at Carrow Road on Thursday 13th at 7pm while there is also a tie scheduled for Goodison Park the night before with Bayern Munich's youngsters the opposition (double check this one before making plans).

Wednesday 5 December 2018

A Tweet For The Weekend

To go alongside permanently reduced matchday prices of £10 Adults, £6 Concessions, £3 for 15-18's and free for Under 15's...

Tuesday 4 December 2018

Community Day 2019 at Coventry City



After the success (off the field) of last season’s Community Day, which attracted a crowd of over 28,000 to the League Two fixture between Coventry City and Accrington Stanley, the Sky Blues will be repeating the event for the game against Gillingham on Saturday 2 February 2019.

It means thousands of tickets will be distributed to local schools and all other tickets, in all areas of the Ricoh Arena, will cost just £5.

Things have certainly improved for City supporters over the past couple of years from the nadir of relegation in 2016.

Mark Robins has presided over two Wembley victories and a promotion and, slowly, attendances at the ground are creeping back up.

Owners SISU remain hugely unpopular for presiding over the decline and, more importantly, the move out of the city to Northampton in 2013.

The spectre of that happening again remains as the current agreement to play at the Ricoh lasts only until the end of the current season and talks with owners Wasps are on hold due to the ongoing legal action being taken by the football club owners.

But those in charge of the day-to-day running of the club are always keen to stress that those matters are not instigated or affected by them and there is no doubt that communication with supporters has improved drastically over the past 18 months.

Not far away and a club that has close ties with Coventry City have come through a difficult period of their own in recent months, Nuneaton Borough facing the very real threat of going out of existence before a recent takeover.

Their National League North fixture against Guiseley on Saturday 22 December has reduced prices of £10 Adults and £1 for Under 16's.

Saturday 1 December 2018

The Week Ahead

Huddersfield Town throw open the doors of the John Smith's Stadium on Wednesday 5th, 7pm, for the FA Youth Cup tie against Peterborough United.

The competition is at the Third Round stage and it's a big night for the youngsters of Cogenhoe United on Thursday 6th as they host Crystal Palace in a 7pm kick-off. Admission is priced at £5 Adults and £3 Concessions.

There are also ties scheduled throughout the week for the main stadiums of QPR, Preston North End, Southampton, Blackpool, Ipswich, Blackburn and Bolton Wanderers.

In the Scottish FA Youth Cup there is free admission to the tie between Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Celtic on Saturday 8th at 2pm. 

There is free Premier League 2 football at Leigh Sports Village on Friday 7th at 7pm as Manchester United Under-23's take on Middlesbrough. 

A double bill of Under-23 action takes place at Woking FC as they host the Premier League 2 game between Reading and Fulham on Monday 3rd (£5 Adults, £3 Concessions) and the Premier League International Cup tie between Paris St Germain and PSV Eindhoven on Thursday 6th (£5/£3 and free for Under 16's).

And it's a big week for Machynlleth FC as the floodlights at Cae Glas are switched on for the first time on Wednesday 5th at 7.30pm with a friendly against Welsh champions TNS. Admission is priced at £3 Adults, £2 OAP's and £1 Under-16's.

Wednesday 28 November 2018

A Tweet For The Weekend


Monday 26 November 2018

Sheffield United Women versus Lewes Women

Sheffield United Women v Lewes Women, FA Women's Championship

The Olympic Legacy Park in Sheffield, situated on part of the site of the old Don Valley Stadium and the new home of Sheffield United Women as they look to establish themselves in the FA Women's Championship.

Facilities at the ground are fairly basic at present but there is a commitment on the part of the Blades to make this a permanent base for their women's team with plans in place for a new stand and terracing for spectators.

Olympic Legacy Park, Sheffield, home of Sheffield United Women


Although I disagreed strongly with the latest in a long line of restructures of the women's game this summer, allowing as it did commercial interests (such as shoehorning a brand new Manchester United side into the Championship) to trump sporting merit, Sheffield United have shown a willingness to invest in their women's teams at all age groups over the past few years and this is clearly continuing.

My son was given free tickets for this game through his school and was excited about seeing both his friends at the match and Blades players Sophie Barker who had made a visit to the school to spread the word.

And we were rewarded with a cracking game that ended 3-2 to the hosts against a spirited Lewes side who left to make the long journey home without a point.

Leicester City are the next visitors to the Olympic Legacy Park for a Continental Cup fixture on 12th December. Prices for home matches are £5 Adults, £3 Concessions. 

Before then, Sheffield FC Ladies of the FA Women's National League have an FA Cup Second Round tie against Nottingham Forest this Sunday, 2nd December, at 1pm.

Admission prices at the Coach & Horses Ground in Dronfield are £4 Adults and £2 Concessions.

Saturday 24 November 2018

The Week Ahead

Starting with the FA Vase which is now at the Third Round stage with dreams of Wembley very much dominating the thoughts of those clubs still in the competition.

Based in the Birmingham suburb of Bournville, Cadbury Athletic are offering a £9 deal for their home match against Desborough Town on Saturday 1st December which gets you admission to the game, a programme, a sandwich, a hot drink and of course...a chocolate bar.

And a special mention to AVRO FC of Greater Manchester, very active on social media in getting people down to the Vestacare Stadium and with a very attractive Third Round tie against West Auckland FC on Saturday 1st for which admission is priced at £5 Adults, £3 Concessions and free for Under-16's.

In the FA Women's Super League on Sunday 2nd December there is a Merseyside Derby clash between Everton and Liverpool at the home of Southport FC, kick-off 12pm, for which half-price tickets are available priced at just £2.50 Adults and £1.50 Concessions.

At the top of the table Arsenal will look to lay down a title marker at Manchester City.

Kick-off at the Academy Stadium is at 12.30pm and with home matches on consecutive weekends City have a deal in place for Men’s and Women’s Seasoncard holders, Cityzens Matchday Members and previous Women’s ticket buyers who can all save 25% on a bundle for the Arsenal match and the fixture with Birmingham City on Sunday 9th.

Elsewhere on the Non-League front there is'Pay What You Want' admission to watch the Canaries of Hitchin Town take on the Canaries of Barwell at Top Field on Saturday 1st December with a donation made to the Young Minds charity from the money given at the gate.



Thursday 22 November 2018

FA Youth Cup

With just a few second round ties left to be played the FA Youth Cup will soon see the entry of Premier League and Championship clubs into the competition with third round ties all due to be completed by Christmas.

Clubs with Category One status for their Academy can opt to play home matches at this stage away from their main stadium, a shame I feel given the potential opportunities for players to make lifelong memories.

Therefore the tie of the round between Manchester United and Chelsea will be at Leigh Sports Village while Northampton Town’s youngsters miss out on the chance to play at the Emirates Stadium as their game against Arsenal is scheduled for the home of Boreham Wood.

The following matches will be played at the main stadiums of the host club, however, with all being 7pm kick-offs.

Blackburn Rovers against Gillingham on 5th December. £4 Adults, £2 Concessions.

Bolton Wanderers against Newcastle on 5th December. £3 Adults, £1 Concessions.

Burnley against Oxford United on 11th December. £4 Adults, £2 Concessions and £1 for Season Ticket Holders of both clubs.

Huddersfield Town against Peterborough United on 5th December. £5 Adults, £3 Concessions.

Millwall against Tottenham Hotspur on 17th December. £5 Adults & Seniors, £1 for Under-16's.

Queens Park Rangers against Rochdale on 3rd December. £3 Adults/Students, £1 Concessions.

Wolves against Wigan Athletic on 10th December. Adults £3, Over-65's £1 and free entry for Under-18's accompanied by a paying adult.

Wednesday 21 November 2018

Sunday 18 November 2018

A Half-Price Merseyside Derby

It's a derby double on Merseyside on Sunday 2nd December as Anfield hosts the Premier League clash between the Reds and the Blues at 4.15pm.

Earlier in the day there is a 12pm kick-off for Everton Ladies against Liverpool in the FA WSL and tickets for the game, to be played at the home of Southport FC, are currently available for half-price which means just £2.50 for Adults and £1.50 for Concessions.

Staying on the Mersey Beat and another fixture at Southport, this time a Liverpool County FA Senior Cup tie against neighbours Marine on Tuesday 27th November for which prices have been reduced to £5 Adults, £3 Concessions and free for Under-11's.

Marine themselves offer half-price Adult admission (£5) for league matches to season ticket holders of Everton, Liverpool, Tranmere Rovers and AFC Liverpool and have a home fixture against Warrington Town on the Saturday before the big derby clash.

Thursday 15 November 2018

Beaconsfield Town, Brockenhurst FC

Two matches that are very much worth a mention this coming weekend with both of them helping a worthy cause.

Beaconsfield Town of the Evo-Stik Southern Premier League host Farnborough at 3pm on Saturday and anyone bringing a Christmas present for the children at Wycombe Hospital will get free admission to the game.

And it is 'Pay What You Want' to watch Brockenhurst FC take on Alresford Town in the Sydenhams Wessex League with all proceeds going to the Oakhaven Hospice.

Tuesday 13 November 2018

Clipstone FC

90 years of football is being celebrated in 2018 at Clipstone FC, the Nottinghamshire club starting life as Clipstone Combine in 1928 and having played at their present home, the Lido Ground, since winning promotion to the Notts Alliance League in the 1950's.

The pit may have long gone from the village but a classy new logo was unveiled for the present campaign that incorporate both the year of formation and the headstocks that still dominate the Clipstone landscape.

Now members of the East Midlands Counties League, the Cobras are planning a big 90th anniversary celebration at the game against Belper United on Saturday 24th November and have been given permission by the league to offer free admission to all on the day.

Saturday 10 November 2018

The Week Ahead

An international-themed week coming up and an important World Cup build-up match for Scotland Women as they take on current holders the USA on Tuesday 13th, kick-off 7.15pm.

Tickets for the match, at the home of Saint Mirren, are priced at £5 Adults and £2 Concessions.

There are six free international matches in North Wales over the next week as Rhyl FC and Bangor City host the UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifying group containing Wales, Scotland, Sweden and San Marino.

Two matches take place on Wednesday 14th and two on Saturday 17th (with two the following Tuesday).

Sticking with the international theme there is free admission to the Premier League International Cup tie between Norwich City and Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday 14th at 7pm.

And with there being no Premier League or Championship action in England then there are sure to be some Non-League clubs who offer reduced price admission for season ticket holders of top-flight or EFL teams.

I'll update throughout the week on Twitter.

Wednesday 7 November 2018

A Tweet For The Weekend



Monday 5 November 2018

2019 Women's World Cup Build-Up Continues

There is just over a month to go before the draw for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup takes place and both England and Scotland continue their preparations for the tournament over the next week or so.

Having qualified in dramatic circumstances for their first ever World Cup, Scotland will test themselves against current holders the USA on Tuesday 13th November at the Simple Digital Arena in Paisley.

Ticket prices for the 7.15pm kick-off are £5 Adults and £2 Concessions with a Group offer also available.

And England will also look to lay down a marker when they host Sweden on Sunday 11th at the New York Stadium in Rotherham.

Tickets are priced at £10 Adults and £1 for Concessions for the 1.30pm kick-off.

Saturday 3 November 2018

The Week Ahead

The FA Cup First Round takes place over the weekend with a number of League One, Two and National League clubs reducing prices for their ties.

£10 Adult tickets are available for the games at Swindon Town, Tranmere Rovers, Barnet and Chesterfield on Saturday 10th.

The SSE Women's FA Cup is also at the same stage with 15 ties set for Sunday 11th and including an eagerly-awaited local derby between Cambridge City and Cambridge United.

Aggborough Stadium hosts the game between Kidderminster Harriers and Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday 11th, kick-off 2pm, with admission priced at £3 Adults and £1 Concessions.

It is Remembrance Weekend, of course, and there are many clubs offering free or reduced admission to current and former members of the Armed Forces such as Hanley Town FC of the North West Counties Football League when they take on Winsford United on Saturday 10th.

There are also two Games of Remembrance set to take place in Nottingham on Thursday 8th between the British and German Armed Forces.

Notts County host the Womens fixture at 12pm and then it is across the river to the City Ground for the Mens game at 7pm with tickets starting at just £2.50 for Under-16's, Students, Uniformed Workers and OAPs.

And Sunday 11th also sees England Women in action against Sweden at the New York Stadium, home of Rotherham United. Tickets are priced at £10 Adults, £1 Concessions.

Wednesday 31 October 2018

A Tweet For The Weekend


Monday 29 October 2018

Altrincham versus Ashton United

Moss Lane, home of Altrincham FC ahead of game against Ashton United

Moss Lane, or the J Davidson Stadium, ahead of Saturday's National League North game against Ashton United, a match that never quite flowed but where the home side did enough to secure a 3-0 victory that keeps the Robins handily in mid-table in their first season back at this level.

On the right of the picture above is the Community Sports Hall which opened in 2015. A busy bar on matchdays, the hall is a thriving multi-use venue throughout the week and has cemented the club's place as a key part of the local community.

The ground itself offers a number of different vantage points to watch the action from, especially when the game is unsegregated and you can wander around at leisure.

Altrincham FC supporters during the National League game against Ashton United

And it is a busy ground in the run-up to Christmas with Manchester United 17's and Women's Development team both in action there.

Altrincham host Nuneaton Town in the National League North on Tuesday evening before an FA Youth Cup tie against Oldham Athletic on Thursday at 7.45pm for which admission is priced at £3 Adults and £1 Concessions.

Saturday 27 October 2018

The Week Ahead

Sunday 4th November sees the SSE Scottish Women's Cup Final take place at Firhill, kick-off 4.10pm.

Hibs Ladies will be favourites to retain the cup when they take on Motherwell. Tickets for the game are priced at just £5 Adults, £2 Concessions and free for Under 16's.

There is quite a bit of Under-23 action with free admission to Leigh Sports Village on Friday 2nd for Manchester United against Newcastle United in Premier League 2 at 7pm and a Vicarage Road outing for Watford against QPR on Monday 29th October at 2pm (£3/£1 general admission with free entry for season ticket holders.

The fixtures section of the Premier League website has a good guide to all of the upcoming matches in the various Under-23 leagues.

It is the Second Round Proper stage of the FA Vase, win this one and Wembley will begin to feel within touching distance.

There was an excellent atmosphere at Hallam FC in the last round and two coachloads of Hebburn Town supporters are on the way to Sandygate on Saturday 3rd which should ensure another big occasion, especially when it is Football for a Fiver at the World's oldest ground.

64 ties in total will be taking place across the weekend with a very handy £900 available for all winning sides. 

Elsewhere on the Non-League front, Basford United have some special offers in place for the visit of North Ferriby United on Saturday 3rd November, including Family admission for £10 and four Adults for £25.

Friday 26 October 2018

Sites You Might Like

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 while The Fitba Nomad has some great pieces on days out at Scottish grounds big and small.

I've always enjoyed Neil Jensen's writings in the Non-League Paper (the print edition of which is a great source for upcoming fixtures) but they are just the tip of the iceberg of his wonderful Game of the People website which has features and views on football in all corners of the globe.

Monday 22 October 2018

More Than Football For Your Fiver!

In week where there are a reported 87 live matches legally being televised or streamed in the UK there is plenty to debate as to whether the constant bombardment of small screen action is having a detrimental effect on attendances.

The focus so far has mainly been on the Championship and Leagues One and Two but the loss of even a small number of people coming through the turnstiles lower down can be more keenly felt when the takings are added up at the end of the 90 minutes.

That so many lower level clubs continue to offer such a welcoming environment, acting as a hub for the local community in many ways, is testament to the continuing efforts of people behind the scenes at every ground, manning the turnstiles, selling the raffle tickets and (ever more crucially given the increasing demands on their time) completing all of the paperwork required for the respective leagues and the FA.

A couple of examples from this coming weekend where the game on the pitch will just be part of a wider day of activities take place in the North West Counties Football League.

Whitchurch Alport host Charnock Richard on Saturday in the Premier Division at Yockings Park and £5 will not only get you into that game but also into the club's Spooktacular Beer Festival with a host of activities lined up throughout the day.

And Wythenshawe Town have a race night taking place after Saturday's clash with Vauxhall Motors with £5 again the Adult price for both events.

Saturday 20 October 2018

Coming Up In November

There is free admission to Leigh Sports Village when Manchester United Under 23's take on Newcastle in a 7pm kick-off on Friday 2nd. 

At the same venue it is also free to watch the UEFA Youth League game between United's Under 19's and Young Boys at 1pm on Tuesday 27th and there are also two matches scheduled during the month for Manchester United Women, against Tottenham on Sunday 4th at noon and against Millwall on Sunday 25th at noon. Tickets for these matches are priced at £5 Adults and £2.50 for Under 16's and Over 65's.

The Scottish Women's Cup Final will be played at Firhill on Sunday 4th, with tickets priced at £5 Adults, £2 Concessions and free for Under 16's. 

Hibs Ladies will be the favourites as they look to win the competition for a third successive year when they take on Motherwell, Hibs having beaten perennial rivals Glasgow City in the semi-finals.

The British Army Football Association take on their German counterparts in a Game of Remembrance at Nottingham Forest on Thursday 8th. Two Adults and two Children can watch the game for £10 and Concession tickets are available for £2.50.

First Round ties in the FA Cup take place over the weekend of 9/10/11th. League One and Two clubs come into the competition at this stage and many of those drawn at home are likely to reduce their usual admission prices

England Women continue their World Cup preparations with a friendly against Sweden at the New York Stadium, home of Rotherham United on Sunday 11th. Adult tickets are priced at £10 with Concessions just £1.

Package tickets for the 2019 Women's World Cup are on sale now, starting at €25 for three matches in one stadium.

Leyton Orient have their second 'Football for a Fiver' match of the season on Saturday 17th when Bromley are the visitors in the National League.


Wednesday 17 October 2018

A Tweet For The Weekend


Monday 15 October 2018

Hallam FC Versus Charnock Richard

Sandygate, Hallam FC, ahead of FA Vase tie with Charnock Richard

A bright, but extremely breezy, day at Sandygate on Saturday afternoon as over 400 people watched the FA Vase tie between Hallam FC and Charnock Richard on Non-League Day.

Kick-off was delayed by around 30 minutes as the visitors from Lancashire were delayed by an accident on the Snake Pass road, the North West Counties League side shaking the coach ride out of their legs with a warm-up on the pitch before going on to have the better of the first-half.

Charnock Richard players warm up at Sandygate ahead of their FA Vase tie with Hallam FC

Playing down the slope but with the wind against them, Charnock got themselves into a number of good positions in and around the penalty area but would have been disappointed to head into half-time with just a single goal advantage although they did appear to have a good shout for a handball off the line turned down following a goalmouth scramble.



Located high above Sheffield in the Crosspool district, Sandygate is a ground where the seasons feel amplified. I was here the night before England's World Cup semi-final for the friendly against a Sheffield Wednesday Under-23 side when the summer seemed as if it would go on for ever.

On Saturday, although surprisingly warm, it was most defintely Autumn with the leaves falling on to the pitch and the wind swirling around.

Hallam bombed down the slope with renewed purpose after the break, benefitting from the wind dropping slightly and conjuring a well-worked equaliser just after the hour mark.

With the crowd behind them there was no stopping the hosts and two further goals earned them a second successive scalp from Step 5 of the pyramid, a very handy £825 from the prize fund and a place in Monday's Second Round draw where they were handed another home tie, this time against Hebburn Town, which will be played on Saturday 3rd November and where I'm sure you will get good value for your £5 admission fee.

Friday 12 October 2018

Something Different At The City Ground

Good times on the banks of the River Trent and not just because Nottingham Forest have been moving purposely up the Championship table in recent weeks.

Season tickets were very competitively priced in the summer, with a new price band introduced for 18-23 year-olds of just £100, and attendances have been very healthy indeed.

The City Ground will also host two other matches in the next few weeks, both with an admirable purpose but which should be competitive on the pitch.

On Sunday 28th October Nottingham Forest Ladies will take on the senior Jamaican national team, the Reggae Girlz, in a 3pm kick-off which is intended to celebrate the Windrush generation and of Caribbean culture in Nottingham and the Midlands.

Tickets are priced at £5 for Adults and free for Under 16's.

On Thursday 8th November, at 7pm, the British Army Football Association will meet the German Bundeswehr (Armed Forces) in a Game of Remembrance to mark the centenary of Armistice Day.

Entry for two Adults and two Children costs £10 with Concessions tickets priced at £2.50.

Full details for both matches are available on the official NFFC website.

Thursday 11 October 2018

A Tweet For The Weekend

Enjoy Non-League Day wherever you go...

Tuesday 9 October 2018

More Non-League Day Offers

Loads and loads going on this coming Saturday including...

£8 admission (and a free drink) at Altrincham FC, where Alfreton are the visitors, for anyone who is a season ticket holder at a Premier League or EFL club or with a ticket for either the Manchester Storm versus Coventry Blaze Ice Hockey game or the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford on Saturday evening.

Pay What You Want entry at Cheshunt FC as they entertain Tooting & Mitcham Utd (minimum £1).

Chairman Dean Williamson told his club's website: "We are delighted to offer our first Pay What You Want game. 

"We have a fantastic club, with great facilities and a real sense of community that you do not find in the professional game. We want as many people as possible to experience the passion and excitement of non-league football, with the aim of attracting new, long-lasting fans to Cheshunt FC."

There is £2 off admission to anyone with a season ticket or ticket stub from this season at any Premier League or EFL club to watch Rushall Olympic against Lowestoft Town with food and drink offers as well and a free family ticket is available to print off on the Oxford City website ahead of their game against Concord Rangers.

And of course clubs up and down the country will be offering what they normally do week after week, good value football in a friendly environment where supporters are trusted to have a beer on the sidelines and mix with the opposition fans.

Enjoy your day wherever you are heading and keep up with all of the offers at Non-League Day on Twitter.

Monday 8 October 2018

Saturday 13th October - Non-League Day

Marine FC always offer £5 admission to season ticket holders of both Everton and Liverpool but 'football for a fiver' on Non-League Day this coming Saturday (for the visit of Whitby Town) will also be available to members of the Armed forces, Civil Servants, NHS & Sefton Council staff, Merseyside Police & Fire Service and Liverpool University Students.

Chairman Paul Leary told the club website:  "I am sure first time visitors to the Marine Travel Arena will be impressed with the family friendly atmosphere in what is an excellent non–league football ground."

Admission to Burgess Hill Town against Haringey Borough will be just £1 with Under-18's free (a regular offer at the Green Elephants Stadium).

General Manager John Rattle said: "We want as many people as possible to come and watch football at their local football club."

Also in Sussex admission is £5 for everyone at Whitehawk FC where Brightingsea Regent are the visitors to the Terrapura Ground and you will pay the same price in Kent if you arrive at Tonbridge Angels before 2.15pm for the game against Bognor Regis Town.

That's just a taster of what's on offer with a host of sides offering reduced admission for season ticket holders of Premier League and EFL clubs (£5 at Eastbourne Borough for the visit of Torquay United) and free entry to armed forces members and public sector workers (Alsager Town among others).

Keep up to date by following Non-League Day on Twitter and enjoy your day wherever you go.