Virtual Game of the Week: Cowdenbeath v Stenhousemuir

As clubs up and down the land face up to the reality of no football for the foreseeable future (and those below the National League left to contemplate the - truly - gobsmacking decision of the FA to void the entire 2019/20 campaign) ,many are looking at ways in which they can keep some income coming in to stave off the threat of proud histories being similarly expunged.

I like the idea of virtual admission, where supporters pay what would they normally would on a matchday if at all possible, such as at Cowdenbeath this coming Saturday for what would have been a home game at Central Park against Stenhousemuir, one of four remaining home fixtures in the Scottish League Two campaign.

An excellent article on the club website recently sums up the challenge involved in keeping Cowdenbeath afloat, an ongoing task that has been accelerated by recent events while for anyone looking for a slightly different book for the days and nights indoors then I can heartily recommend Black Diamonds and the Blue Brazil by Ron Ferguson.

The Strangest Week

Was it really just one week ago today that some football was played in England, the National League and others below offering what may yet be the final opportunity to get out and watch a match in the 2019/20 season.

In the top leagues, of course, the stated desire is to get the campaign finished but as measures to stop the spread of coronavirus ramp up by the day it may be that more decisions have to be taken like that of the Highland League earlier today when they decided enough was enough and that Brora Rangers would be declared champions.

Those decisions will not be taken lightly, balanced as they are by the need to try and get back to playing as soon as possible in order to bring some kind of money in.

Usually, even when a series of matches are postponed due to the weather, those clubs where the bar or social club is the central focus are still able to generate revenue while planning can still go on for the next season in terms of season tickets and the like.

This most unexpected turn of events has cut off every source of income possible and has no end date in sight that can be predicted with any kind of certainty.

Some clubs have already made it clear that they will struggle to carry on, insignificant of course when set against the loss of life that has already occurred but, as I saw in one quote earlier this week, it is in such clubs that the fightback of communities will begin.

Testing Times Ahead

Friday saw a series of announcements regarding the football schedule in the UK with the Premier League and EFL delaying their respective seasons and a blanket ban on all matches played under the auspices of the Scottish FA.

There was an initial flurry of thought that the postponement of top-level fixtures in England may bring a temporary boost to the non-league game in the shape of some increased attention and numbers through the turnstiles but as the day progressed a number of leagues in the pyramid followed the lead of those above and cancelled their fixtures (the decisions on what happened outside of the Premier League, EFL and FA Women's Super League and Championship being left to the leagues themselves which put many in a difficult position.)

These latest developments come on top of what has been a hugely testing season for many clubs at non-league level with the weather in particular having caused a large number of postponements in addition to storm and water damage.

Clubs have issued pleas for help, financially and otherwise, and another sustained period of inactivity could be a tipping point for many, insignificant of course when set against potential loss of life but significant in its own way in their role as community hubs and a social lifeline for so many.

Much of the talk at the top has been when, or even if, the season will finish and of course that matters lower down as players, coaches, staff and volunteers have worked hard all year to win titles, promotion and cup glory.

But the continuing existence of these clubs is what matters more than anything and I've seen a number of articles, posts and tweets this season that talk about the increasing administrative burden that is being placed on people who are largely giving up their spare time for free to keep the game going up and down the land.

Something has to change and yet the FA's decision not to take a lead on non-league football and try to offer some kind of reassurance that it has the interests of these clubs at its heart seems in keeping, somehow, with the tone of the era that we live in.

Game of the Week: Bristol Manor Farm v Basingstoke Town

I've been meaning to mention the 'Farmy Army' for some time as I have always been taken by the pictures of their ground, 'The Creek', close to the river and with trains chugging past on what is meant to be quite a scenic journey from Bristol Temple Meads to the nearby Sea Mills station.

There are actually some pictures on the club's twitter account at the moment of flooding all around the area of the ground although the pitch itself is clear and Saturday's game is on as I write.

The club offer discounts for anyone arriving by train and there are also discounts on the standard admission prices this Saturday for Bristol City season ticket holders.

Basingstoke arrive just two points off the foot of the Southern League Division One South but with more pressing matters off the field having left their home at the Camrose last summer and with uncertainty over whether they will be able to return to the town next season.

The club website has a number of updates on plans to upgrade the Hampshire FA complex at Winklebury.

Welwyn Garden City FC

These are good times for Welwyn Garden City FC, currently playing at Step 4 of the non-league pyramid for the first time in their history and battling for promotion from the Southern League Division One Central.

Founded in 1921 the history page on the club’s official website includes the wonderful information that in the 1930’s they amalgamated with Shredded Wheat FC, a works team in the town.

A proud community based, not-for-profit club, Welwyn have reduced admission for all of their remaining home matches this season to £5 Adults, £3 12-18’s and free for Under 12’s.

That was in place for today’s clash with North Leigh, unfortunately a 0-1 defeat, and continues on Tuesday evening (10th March) when Daventry Town are the visitors.

Honours Even at Hallam

Having seen the original game fall foul of the weather just after Christmas, and with the seemingly endless rain of recent weeks, it was good to get out to Hallam versus North Ferriby in the Northern Counties East League on Tuesday evening at Sandygate.

There was a warm welcome at the world's oldest ground, £5 adult admission and a good atmosphere in the bar as supporters of both sides mixed.

It was also positive to see just how many fans followed the re-born North Ferriby side across to Sheffield, testament to the community spirit that the new club have sought to establish.

A hard-fought game in difficult conditions ended 1-1. Both sides are at home this coming Saturday, Hallam against Ollerton Town and North Ferriby hosting Hall Road Rangers.

Game(s) of the Week: North West Counties League Groundhop

Not just one but seven potential matches this weekend as fixtures in the North West Counties League have been staggered to allow for interested parties to take in a host of games from Friday evening at Sandbach to Winsford United on Sunday afternoon.

Full details of the groundhop are available on the NWCFL website but even if you are not going to every match there are plenty of opportunities to double up and get 180 minutes of football for around a tenner.

On Saturday, for example, Wythenshawe Amateurs host West Didsbury & Chorlton at 11am (adult admission £4) before Wythenshawe Town take on Abbey Hey with a 1.45pm start.