New Year Honours

The gong goes to Racing Club Warwick with free admission to Townsend Meadow for the game at home to Uttoxeter Town on Monday 2nd at 3pm.

A name that is familiar to me from growing up in Rugby, partly as their match reports used to feature in the Coventry Pink and also, perhaps, because the Racing Club name sounded quite exotic, The Racers are a thriving community club with all levels of football on offer.

Mentions also to Ilkeston Town for free football on Saturday 7th against AFC Rushden & Diamonds and Havant & Waterlooville where admission is £5 for the National League South clash with Braintree Town on the same afternoon.

There is also League Two football for a fiver on consecutive Saturdays, the 7th and the 14th, with Salford City reducing prices for the visits of Northampton Town and Sutton United.

Free Blog Photos

If At First

I wrote recently about 2022 having been a special year for Worsbrough Bridge Athletic FC as they celebrate 100 years in existence.

That was ahead of a scheduled 'Pay What You Can' game against Retford today, Saturday 17th December, which unfortunately fell foul of the cold weather.

The Briggers have kept the offer in place for the visit of Campion AFC on Friday 30th.

Similarly, Abingdon United had planned to have the first of two 'Pay What You Like' games today but the clash with Cirencester Town was frozen off.

They try again on the 27th against Clanfield with a free hot drink and mince pie for all spectators.

There is also some free football on offer here...

🤩 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗙𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗧𝗕𝗔𝗟𝗟
We're excited to announce our Quarter Final of the Worcestershire Senior Cup against neighbours @Alvechurch1st is FREE entry!

🗓️ Thursday 29th December
⏰ 7:45pm kick off
🏟️ The Trico Stadium, B97 4AU

➡️ https://t.co/s5UIM0N4MO pic.twitter.com/4fTXseuK9B

— Redditch United (@RedditchUtd) December 13, 2022

Work In Progress

 

Building work ongoing at Lesser Hampden a couple of weeks ago as Queen's Park FC prepare for their move to the stadium in the new year.

Having moved rapidly through the leagues in the last couple of years, following the historic decision in 2019 to end their amateur status, top-flight football is realistically on the cards next season.

While work at Lesser Hampden has been ongoing, the club have been ground-sharing with Stenhousemuir but made a temporary return to the main Hampden Park ground at the weekend when nearly 2,000 fans from local school and community groups were part of the crowd watching a comprehensive victory over Hamilton.

Queen's Park remain at the national stadium this Saturday for an SPFL Trust Trophy tie against Montrose for which prices have been reduced to £10 for adults and £5 for concessions (65+) and under 16's.

Hallam FC Versus North Ferriby

 

On the 3rd March 2020, I watched Hallam FC and North Ferriby play out a 1-1 draw at Sandygate, writing at the time '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.'

Just a week later, of course, and the 2019/20 season was stopped in its tracks, the result of the game included on the excellent NCEFL website for historical purposes only.

Both clubs continue to thrive as part of their local communities and now ply their trade a division higher, in the NCEFL Premier where North Ferriby currently sit at the top of the table.

They meet at Sandygate this coming Saturday (scheduled for 3pm but keep an eye for any changes with the England match and freezing temperatures forecast for Sheffield).

The prices and the atmosphere will be the same as way back then!

Bargain At The Briggers

2022 has been a special year for Worsbrough Bridge Athletic FC as they celebrate 100 years in existence.

Currently playing in the Northern Counties East League Division One, The Briggers have survived many ups and down over the years, from floods to stadium disputes, but are looking ahead with confidence to a future as a vital part of the local community.

Their commitment to keeping it affordable is shown by this recent tweet.

🗣️ 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧

As a key part of the community & with the cost of living affecting us all & Christmas creeping up, The Briggers want to give something back.

So on Saturday 17 December v @Retford_FC it will be PAY WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD at the @Pinto_Property Stadium. pic.twitter.com/6uos8TMTBI

— Worsbrough Bridge AFC (@WorsbroughBFC) November 27, 2022

Ring Out The Belles

Ahead of Fulham Women's return to Craven Cottage a few weeks ago, the excellent HammyEnd blog wrote about why it was such an important occasion , especially given the rich history of the club in their previous guise when they were one of the early trailblazers for women's football and the long path back from when Fulham Ladies were dissolved in 2010.

Would we have been in a position to celebrate England's Wembley success at the Euros this summer without clubs such as Fulham and Doncaster Belles and the opportunities they strived to provide at a time when so many avenues remained closed?

Now known as Doncaster Rovers Belles, the six times FA Cup winners have had to rebuild themselves after being squeezed out of the top divisions of the game in recent seasons and now looking to gain promotion into the third tier of the women's football pyramid.

Chief executive Russ Green told the official club website recently: “The Belles were pioneering, incredibly successful across the decades and we are all incredibly proud to be a part of such a historic club. While more recent times have been difficult, we are back on strong foundations and determined to regain our place among the elite in this country."

The Belles will play Lincoln City Women at the Eco-Power Stadium on Sunday 11 December with all school children across the city offered the chance to watch the game for free when accompanied by a paying adult.

General tickets are priced at £5 adults and £1 for under-17's with reductions for Doncaster Rovers and Doncaster Rugby League FC season ticket holders.

A Nod To The Future

Just a few minutes away from the magnificent Kelpies, lies the home of Falkirk FC, currently in Scottish League One but making progress towards a brighter future.

The club this week published a very detailed update on the current financial situation, incliding the investment made by fans into the Falkirk Supporters Society.

Prices have been reduced for the home game against Queen of the South, just two days before Christmas, with adult tickets £10 and concessions £5. Under 12's go free and tickets can also be bought and donated to those who may be struggling at this time of year.

Keep An Eye Out

For these upcoming matches as top-flight football prepares for a spell in hibernation.

Thursday 17th Nov: Scotland Under-21's take on Iceland in a friendly at Motherwell's Fir Park. Admission to the 7pm kick-off is completely free for all supporters.

Saturday 19th Nov: Thanks to Loughborough Dynamo FC of the United Counties League for letting me know that prices have been reduced for their home game against St Neots with adult admission a fiver and concessions £3.

On the same day, season ticket holders of Premier League and EFL clubs can watch Sutton United for reduced prices (£10 adults, £7 concessions and £3 for children) when they take on Colchester United in League Two.

Tuesday 22nd Nov: The first of four home games for Harrow Borough FC during the World Cup (the others are on Saturday 26th, Wednesday 7th December and Saturday 10th December). Adult admission for each match has been reduced to £10 and a ticket bundle for all four is available for £28 (concessions £15 and under 16's £3).

Sunday 11th Dec: Tynecastle hosts the Scottish Women's Premier League Cup final with Rangers taking on Hibernian. Tickets for the 12.30pm kick-off are priced at £8 adults and £1 concessions.

Saturday 17th Dec: Family day at Bolton Wanderers with adult tickets priced at £10 for the visit of Exeter City in League One. Over 65's and under 18's tickets are a fiver.

A Deal At 'Dale

Proud members of the Football League since 1921, when many others have had spells out of the league (with some never making it back), Rochdale AFC continue to be a focal point for the local community and also the inspiration for some fantastic books, such as 'Kicking in the Wind' by Derick Allsop and 'The Overcoat Men' by Mark Hodkinson who has also a new book out now, called 'The Longest Winter' which details the 1973/74 season at Spotland against the backdrop of inflation, industrial unrest and more (so very timely).

With many of their near neighbours in the Premier League and Championship set for a winter break once the World Cup begins, 'Dale are offering four games for the price of three between the visit of Mansfield Town on Saturday 12th November and the Boxing Day game against Hartlepool.

Harrogate Town also have a ticket offer for upcoming matches against Leyton Orient on the 12th and Mansfield on the 19th of November and Northampton Town on 10th December.

The 'Festive Football 3 for 2' deal does exactly what it says on the tin and lets supporters watch the third game for free.

November Preview

Start your FA Cup weekend off at Hillsborough where Sheffield Wednesday host Morecambe under the lights on Friday 4th.

Tickets are priced at £10 adults and £5 concessions. Why not come back the following lunchtime for a 12pm start in the FA Youth Cup, where the Owls youngsters take on Burton Albion. Admission for non-season ticket holders is priced at £3 adults and £1 for concessions.

Cardiff City Women are in action at the Cardiff City Stadium on Wednesday 16th, against Abergavenny Town.

Tickets for the 7.30pm kick-off are priced at £5 adults, £2.50 for under 16's and £10 for a family ticket.

For West Bromwich Albion Women there is a Hawthorns clash with Derby County on Sunday 6th at 2pm. Tickets are priced at £5 adults and £3 for under 18's.

The weekend of the 12th/13th sees 64 FA Vase Second Round ties and 56 games scheduled for the FA Women's Cup First Round as these competitions continue on the road to Wembley.

Windsor Park in Belfast hosts the Women's Challenge Cup Final between Glentoran and Sion Swifts on Saturday 5th at 5.30pm. Tickets are priced at £6 adults and £3 for juniors.

And, of course, there's a tournament beginning in Qatar this month which will leave a top-flight-shaped hole in the football schedule, one that clubs lower down will be more than happy to see filled by some additional numbers through the gate.

Update: There also may be some clubs, in the Championship especially, who do not have too many players on World Cup duty and look to arrange a friendly or two during their enforced break.

Millwall, for instance, take on Brondby IF of Denmark at The Den on Saturday 26th with tickets costing a maximum of £10.

Kings For A Day

 

A view from the smart main stand at Butlin Road, home of Rugby Town FC, taken in 2016.

'The Valley' are currently sitting at the top of the United Counties Premier League Division South and host second-placed Coventry Sphinx this coming Saturday (admission £8/£4) at 3pm.

They don't begin their FA Vase campaign until the 2nd Round Proper in a few weeks time but it would be a fitting season in which to land some silverware as next year will mark 40 years since a famous Wembley triumph for the club, then known as VS Rugby.

I was in the stands on that day as Jimmy Knox's side defeated Halesowen Town by a single goal, a landmark occasion that is rightly celebrated every year by the surviving members of the team, while, as the Rugby Observer reported in 2020, paying tribute to Knox and others they have lost as they do so.

It's a great reminder that playing both the Vase and FA Trophy finals at Wembley means so much to those players, officials and supporters from the teams that make it through so many rounds to get there and that, hopefully, the current policy of both matches taking place in a double-header at the national stadium can continue.

In another 40 years time I'm sure there will be get-togethers for those who played their part in Newport Pagnell Town FC lifting the trophy earlier this year.

The First Round proper of the Vase takes place this weekend and there are 103 ties taking place in total. You'd be hard-pressed to find any that will cost more than a tenner to watch so get along to see your local side if possible.

Northern League Brandon United, for example, have a Family Fun Day around their tie with Thackley AFC on Saturday. Admission is just £5 adults, £3 concessions and free for accompanied Under 16's 

Steel Works

A picture, from a few years back, of the main stand at Bracken Moor, home of Stocksbridge Park Steels FC.

I like this ground and it's jumble of terraces and vantage points from which to change your angle of the game.

Steels enjoyed an excellent 3-0 victory against Cleethorpes Town in the Northern Premier League East last Saturday but are looking to boost numbers through the gate after attracting just 141 to that game.

They are at home to Lincoln United on Tuesday evening, 18th October, and admission prices are £8 adults, £5 concessions and free for under 12's.

Stay On Track

 With a visit to Harrogate Railway Athletic next weekend. The tweet probably says it all...

A Beer Festival like no other “The Rail BeerFest” at Station View, Saturday 15th Oct from 1pm. Just £5 gets you entry to @THERAILFC v @SelbyTown_FC Access to Loads of Real Ale, Rugby Pirates v Leeds Corinthians, Live Music and Food Contact Anne on 07880 491757 pic.twitter.com/191fPT7QyB

— Harrogate Railway Athletic FC (@THERAILFC) October 6, 2022

World Cup Warm-Up

Nearly 12 years after Qatar was named as the host nation, the 2022 World Cup is within touching distance as national team managers prepare to name their squads and top-level clubs and leagues across Europe prepare to shutdown for the duration of the tournament.

Opportunity knocks, hopefully, for those leagues that will continue (from League One downwards in England for instance) and certainly the Saturday before the competition begins, 19th November, has the feel of a day when crowds could increase with top-flight supporters looking elsewhere for a game to go to.

Notts County attracted 12,843 through the Meadow Lane gates last season when offering football for a fiver. They are repeating those prices for the visit of Yeovil on Saturday 19th and there are sure to be some other good offers about.

October Preview

The new edition of When Saturday Comes has an upbeat piece about Cambridge United, the U's having taken back ownership of the Abbey Stadium at a time when their on-field fortunes are looking rosier than for many years.

All under 18's tickets for Port Vale's visit on Saturday 22nd cost just £1, part of a wider push to engage with younger supporters with fans under 12 able to go behind the scenes on the day and try their hand at matchday roles such as commentating alongside the BBC Radio Cambridgeshire team.

Easter Road in Edinburgh hosts a couple of matches that might be of interest during the month.

On Wednesday 5th the Hibernian youngsters take on Molde FK of Norway in a UEFA Youth League tie for which tickets are on sale, priced at £5 adults and free for under 13's.

Then on the 21st it is Friday Night Football for the senior team as St Johnstone come to town. Tickets for the 7.30pm kick-off are priced at £10 adults, £5 concessions.

A new era dawns at Hucknall Town as their new RM Stadium nears completion and they prepare for a final game at Watnall Road. 

This is scheduled for Saturday 15th, against Aylestone Park in the United Counties League, and the club intend to make it free admission on the day as part of a big farewell (thanks to a poster on the Non League Matters forum for this).

And the following day there is an East Midlands derby at the City Ground as Nottingham Forest Women take on Derby County.

Tickets are priced at £5 for adults, £3 for concessions and students and £1 for under 18's.

The Lincs Page

A nice move from Lincoln City, following the postponement of their upcoming League One game with MK Dons due to international call-ups, to schedule a double-header of action at the LNER Stadium this coming Saturday (September 24th).

The Imps' Under-18's will take on Huddersfield Town before Lincoln City Women against Newcastle United in the FA WNL Cup.

Tickets are on sale now, costing £5 for adults and £1 for concessions.

Sincil Bank will of course feature in Pilgrims' Patch, a new book on the football grounds of Lincolnshire, published by Steven Penny of the @LincsFootie twitter page.

There's plenty of @AffordableFooty to discover in this … https://t.co/GK5qWgw04h

— LincsFootie (@LincsFootie) September 12, 2022

I Dream Of Jeanfield (And Other Scottish Cup Ties)

The Scottish Cup First Round takes places this coming weekend with 30 ties scheduled and some intriguing clashes as the Highland and Lowland League clubs enter the fray alongside those victorious in the Preliminary Round.

Brechin City currently top the Highland League as they look to return to the SPFL ranks following their relegation in 2021, the culmination of a dramatic fall through the leagues having been promoted to the second tier Championship in 2017.

The club have worked hard off the field to re-engage with their local community while their on-pitch aspirations for a good cup run will be tested at Perth's Jeanfield Swifts, of the East of Scotland League this Saturday in 12.30pm kick-off.

Admission at the Riverside Stadium is priced at £6 adults, £3 concessions and free for under 16's.

Musselburgh Athletic and Newtongrange Star meet at Olivebank on Saturday and the clubs have agreed on free admission for U16's for this one. Adults are £8, concessions £4.

A long trip for Inverness Clachnacuddin as they travel to Dunbar United for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday.

Tickets are priced at £7 for adults, £4 for concessions with under 12's free.

Welling There

The first international break of the new season is almost upon us, a season of course in which there will be an extended period of no top-flight football in England and Scotland during the World Cup.

Plenty of opportunities to come, then, to watch matches lower down the pyramid and Welling United are looking to pack Park View Road for their National League South home game against Havant & Waterlooville on Saturday 24th September.

Tickets are priced at £10 for adults if purchased before the day of the game, alongside the promotion already in place for September fixtures which sees all adult female, concession and under 18 tickets priced at £5. Accompanied under 11's are free.

Update Reduced prices too at Maidenhead United on Saturday 24th for their televised National League clash with Gateshead.

Kick-off at York Road is at 3pm and all adult tickets are a fiver with under 17's free. 

A View From Norfolk

Some footballing views from a week spent in Norfolk, home to my favourite ground of all, the Wellesley, home of Great Yarmouth Town FC and the oldest surviving football grandstand in the country.

The public nature of the ground, just one street away from the seafront, means you can stroll around at almost any time and I always take the opportunity when I can even though my visits haven't coincided with a game for some years.

Next home game in the Eastern Counties League for The Bloaters is on Saturday 17 September when they entertain Haverhill Borough.

I was staying further along the coast at Sheringham where the Shannocks enjoyed one of the biggest wins in their history at the weekend, an FA Cup triumph at Lowestoft Town which earned them a place in the 2nd Qualifying Round and a trip to Needham Market a week on Saturday.

Cabbell Park in Cromer was the venue for an Anglian Combination Division 5 game between Cromer Youth OB and Sprowston Reserves, the home side taking a first-half lead from an excellent free-kick before a seven goal blitz from Sprowston after the break.

The ground itself has seen better days but it is good to see a long tradition (the plaque on the left is on display at the RNLI Henry Blogg Museum) of senior football in the town being carried on, and, more importantly perhaps, Cromer Youth FC is home to a large number of junior teams.

Head west along the coast road and you get to Wells-next-the-Sea and, just across from the harbour, the Beach Road home of Wells Town FC, a very pleasant spot to catch some Anglian Combination action.

Finally, all roads in Norfolk lead to Norwich and the same is true of the football club. The Canary Yellow is in evidence every where you go and it is pleasing to see a network of local buses heading off from the local villages and towns every matchday.

September Preview

The FA Cup continues in September, this weekend seeing the First Qualifying Round take place, followed by Second Round qualifiers on the weekend of the 17th.

Ipswich Wanderers, who had a special offer in place for their league game on Tuesday evening, admission and a pint for a tenner, have a home tie against Hornchurch this coming Saturday.

The road to Wembley also begins in the Women's FA Cup on Sunday 11 September while all paths lead to Hampden Park with the Scottish Cup First Round taking place on the weekend of the 17th.

Some interesting Lowland versus Highland League ties were drawn out of the hat on Monday, including Civil Service Strollers against last season's Highland champions Fraserburgh. BBC Scotland will show the meeting of Pollok and Huntly on Friday 16th.

The Strollers offer great value for their league fixtures, which are usually priced at £8/£5 and free for under 16's.

September 24th sees an international break in the top divisions in England and Scotland and some good opportunities to catch a match lower down the pyramid while before then there is a potentially vital World Cup qualifier for Wales Women, at home to Slovenia at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday 6th. 

Tickets, priced at £8/£6 and £4 are selling fast with a record crowd already confirmed. 

There are also some interesting fixtures in the Premier League International Cup for under 21 teams, including Crystal Palace v PSG, scheduled for the 28th at Selhurst Park and Wolves v Porto two days later at Molineux (these games are sometimes subject to change).

City Are Back

Really good to see Sky Blues supporters finally getting a chance to see the side in action on home soil this season, with the pitch fiasco that has seen three Championship fixtures postponed and a League Cup tie moved now hopefully put to bed following this week's improvement work.

The midweek clash with Preston North End on Wednesday 31August has been given the go-ahead and tickets for the game will cost no more than £20 and I also like the fact that there is no increase on the day and cash turnstiles are available.

That element of deciding to go to a game on the spur of the moment has either been taken away completely or, at the very least, made more difficult at the top levels in recent years but it is something that the Sky Blues have maintained and very welcome it is too.

Thank You

Or more appropriately, Grazie, to Daniele Cinti on Twitter for tagging me in to this message.

AS Giana Erminio (Serie D) will be free entry in the season 22/23. They are based in Gorgonzola, 10 km east of Milan. pic.twitter.com/nr0knkvFdZ

— Daniele Cinti (@danifdl) August 25, 2022

The Club Is The Hub

In his columns in The Non League Paper,  Chairman of the Northern Premier League Mark Harris often provides food for thought on the challenges facing clubs at that level of the game.

This week he reflected on the cost of living and how that can be both a threat and an opportunity as we head towards the colder months of the year.

A threat for the obvious reasons; costs are going up in all areas, whether that be hiring a coach for an away trip or switching on the floodlights.

But an opportunity because, in addition to matchday itself and the escape that can offer spectators (at an affordable price), many clubs are already hubs for their local community and that will become even more vital this autumn and winter, offering a warm welcome (literally) in the clubhouse before kick-off or a range of different events and activities throughout the week.

I've seen some great things from clubs in recent weeks, such as Newtown AFC of the Cymru Premier reducing their prices to help spectators who may be struggling and this tweet from Worsbrough Bridge FC of the Northern Counties East League.

Local clubs such as @WorsbroughBFC are going to be even more vital to the community this winter. #footballforafiver https://t.co/hzZGAq5Vdk

— Affordable Football (@AffordableFooty) August 16, 2022

The Euros Bounce

Just a few short weeks after the euphoria generated by England's victory in the UEFA Women's Euros, domestic action returns this coming weekend with the opening fixtures in the FA Women's Championship, the second-tier of the club game.

And for a top price of a tenner there are some great matches to choose from in the opening two rounds as the battle begins to win a place in the WSL.

Southampton FC Women get things underway at 12.30pm on Saturday with St Mary's the venue for their game against Charlton. Tickets are priced at £8 and £2.

On Sunday there are local derbies between Durham and Sunderland and London City Lionesses and Crystal Palace, Blackburn Rovers host Sheffield United at Ewood Park and St Andrew's is the venue for Birmingham City against Lewes.

With the ongoing pitch fiasco engulfing the Sky Blues, there will at least be some football in the city this weekend as Coventry United take on Bristol City.

The official FA site has a good guide to the fixtures taking place and links to the various ticket pages.

Newtown, New Saints, New Season

The new Cymru Premier season begins this coming weekend with plenty of competitive football ahead, at affordable prices, and with good media coverage thanks to Sgorio on S4C and websites such as Y Clwb Pel-Droed.

A good article on the BBC Sport website charts the birth of the league and its development as it marks 30 years in existence.

For Newtown AFC and their opponents on Saturday, champions The New Saints, the campaign itself has been underway for some time with both having already played in European competition this summer.

They kick-off at 2.30pm and admission prices have been reduced to just £5 adults, £3 concessions, £2 for under 16's.

The #JDCymruPremier is almost back! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/a19BRNHtvw

— JD Cymru Leagues (@CymruLeagues) August 10, 2022

There May Be Trouble Ahead

Watching a game in the Highland League, especially at this time of year, offers an escape from the thought of harder times ahead.

So it was as Strathspey Thistle entertained Deveronvale on Saturday, those who had made their way to the end of Grantown-on-Spey's handsome main street and turned right towards Seafield Park perhaps looking for something to focus their minds on for 90 minutes, away from headlines which promised little in the way of good news.

The club's hard-working volunteers, my dad counting among their number, were there early, their efforts in spreading the word about the game and getting the ground match-ready rewarded somewhat with a first point of the season for the home side although they were twice pegged-back by their visitors.

A tenner on the gate is pretty much the norm across a league with some of the most stunning scenery as a backdrop to many grounds (click here for a view from the sky) and if you can make it to a game then you're guaranteed a warm welcome and competitive action.

A full fixture card takes place this coming Saturday.

The Hares Are Off And Running

The first FA Cup prices I saw on twitter for this season's Extra Preliminary Round ties were those for the tie between Harefield United FC and Lordswood FC on Saturday 6 August, a 3pm kick-off at Preston Park.

Admission will cost £7 for adults, £3 concessions and free for under 16's, prices that apply to all home matches for the Hares this season.

Founded in 1868, the club proudly claim to be the oldest in Middlesex and seemingly have a thriving set-up at all levels.

They have a good social media presence but also, no doubt thanks to a dedicated volunteer or two, a really informative and up-to-date website with all of the details you could wish to know, from the history of the club to getting to the ground on a matchday.

208 Extra Preliminary Round ties will be taking place over the course of next weekend.

Eyes on the Prize

For England's Women after their rollercoaster ride against Spain on Wednesday evening with the Lionesses now heading here to Sheffield and a semi-final date against either Sweden or Belgium at Bramall Lane on Tuesday evening, a great game for the city to host and a good reward for the way it has embraced the tournament.

 

If you're heading here for the game then take some time to visit the Millenium Gallery in the city centre, where today marked the start of a three-month run for The Football Art Prize, 50 shortlisted works of painting, photography, film and collage.

Admission is free with donations welcome.

Hull City Positivity

I've written many pieces on this blog over the years about a positive feeling among supporters when new owners come in to their club and start on the front foot with better communications and well-received decisions over the cost of watching football.

It doesn't always last of course and some of those I've written about are now long gone but I think it is always worth highlighting when good things are happening, as they seem to be at Hull City this summer under the ownership of Acun Ilicali.

I first noticed it when I saw that prices for this week's pre-season fixture against Leicester City had been priced at just £5 for adults and £2.50 for concessions, just a friendly of course but an attractive one and an evening out for a family of four at £15 is not to be sniffed at.

With 12,000 memberships sold, the club have also announced their matchday ticket prices for 2022/23.

The stadium has been split into three zones with tickets for behind either goal priced at £20 adults, £13.50 seniors, £10 for 16-22 year-olds, £7 for 11-15 year-olds and £3 for those younger than that.

Quoted on the official club website, Chief Commercial Officer Joe Clutterbrook said: “Everything happening at the club at the moment is focusing on one thing, bringing the buzz and excitement back to a Hull City matchday.

“These matchday ticket prices are another example of that, we want as many people as possible to be able to attend our matches and we are hopeful this pricing structure will allow that to happen."

A quick look at the various messageboards and comments to the local media seem to give both the ticket prices, and the general feeling around the club at the moment, the thumbs-up.

Sheffield, Sweden And Sunshine

 

As my bus trundled into Sheffield town centre around 6:15pm, it was clear there was an extra element to the usual Saturday night fever along West Street as, alongside the regulars were dotted large pockets of yellow and orange as supporters of both Sweden and the Netherlands enjoyed the sunshine, the fanzone and the bars ahead of their Women's Euros opener at Bramall Lane.

Me, my son and his friend got off the bus, as it became bogged down in traffic, and walked down to the ground, the atmosphere building as we got ever closer.

There has been plenty of discussion as to whether the choice of venues for the tournament has been ambitious enough, and also whether the geographical spread is right but the counter-argument has been that local authority buy-in and a willingness from clubs themselves was needed and that was evident on that walk to the ground, from the road closures to the volunteers to the signage and branding that had transformed Sheffield United's ground.

Our choice of who to support was going to be dictated by which fans we were sitting alongside and as we first turned into John Street it seemed as though Holland would be our team as we walked into an orange mass but a couple of turnstiles further on we went and it turned out that our seats were in amongst the Swedish contingent.

Having been persuaded that the kids really needed a couple of big, foam, pointing hands from the official merchandise stall, we settled down to an entertaining game and constant support from the Swedes towards their team, chants we didn't understand but joined in all the same, as they had the better of the first-half and took a lead into the interval before the Dutch came back strongly to earn a share of the spoils that both sides will probably be happy enough with as a tournament opener.

At £30 for the three of us I felt it was good value and a real occasion to remember, perhaps the 8pm kick-off would have put off a few with younger children but very enjoyable all the same for a record crowd for a game not involving a host nation at a Women's Euros.

Here We Go

Last weekend saw a handful of pre-season games being played but the start of July surely marks the official beginning of the new 2022/23 season.

Saturday is very busy with matches and so many clubs, despite the increasing costs that they face, are offering free admission, 'pay what you want' or football for a fiver.

I've tried to retweet as many as possible @affordablefooty but if you're looking for fixtures, here are some sites that have proved invaluable to me over the years.

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.

Football in Berkshire is an excellent not for profit site that doesn't leave a stone unturned when reporting on football at all levels in the county.

The excellent She Kicks magazine also has a website with features, stats and regular fixture updates covering all levels of the women's game in the UK with Scottish Women's Football a great source of information north of the border.

Staying north of the border, if there is a game on then Scottish Football Fixtures will have it listed, similarly Kentish Football for the garden of England.

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 and there are many similar sites covering leagues up and down the country.

And, for the pleasure of having the fixtures actually in your hand, the Non-League Paper is published every Sunday and still costs just £1.80, an incredible achievement. As well as comprehensive coverage of games played the previous day, and the non-league scene generally, they have detailed fixture lists at the back of the paper.

Opening Day At The O's

You don't often see clubs putting on a ticket promotion for the first game of the season but it makes sense in many ways, the weather is more likely to be good and optimism should be in the air for a good campaign ahead.

Leyton Orient are doing just that for the League Two opener against newly-promoted Grimsby Town on Saturday 30 July, match tickets when they go on sale in a couple of weeks will be half-price.

As the club themselves say, it is 'the perfect opportunity to introduce friends and family to Orient' and with the main source of ticket income for the O's perhaps more likely to come from season cards then it is not really a gamble to reduce individual prices in the hope of converting a few more people to what looks to be a friendly and inclusive matchday experience.

Who Gives You Extra?

I do like clubs who at least try and give their season ticket holders a sense of ownership, something a little bit extra when they have made a real financial commitment for the upcoming campaign.

It doesn't have to be much but it can foster a bit of goodwill that takes buying a season ticket beyond just being a straightforward financial transaction, increasingly one that happens online rather than down at the ground.

Something like the upcoming open day at Barnsley FC fits the bill...three different Reds sides will be in action on Saturday 16 July, culminating in the first team on the main Oakwell pitch at 5:30pm, the opposition yet to be confirmed but with admission free for 2022/23 season ticket holders.

Add in a funfair, Fan and Kids Zones and more and it should help give everyone a bit of a lift heading into the League One campaign after relegation last time around.

Cheaper Football At Crawley Town

New owners, new manager and a new start for Crawley Town this summer with WAGMI United having completed a takeover of the Sussex club in April and with Kevin Betsy recently installed into the managerial hot-seat.

I'm not going to pretend I know much about WAGMI's business of cryptocurrency and NFT's, and there have been some doubts voiced as to how things may play out but one of the first moves of the new owners has been to bring down the cost of watching League Two football in this coming season.

That means a reduction of up to 34% on season tickets and, more relevant to this blog perhaps, a drop in matchday ticket prices which now start at £15 for an adult on the terraces.

More accompanied children can now go free following a change to the age limit on such tickets from  under 11 to under 16.

Co-chairman Preston Johnson told the official club website: "We want the matchday experience to be as vibrant as it can possibly be. 

"To help make that happen, we want to make it easier for families with kids to come down to the stadium and make a day of it."

Early sales have been good, with Johnson telling the Crawley Observer: “It has been positive and just great to meet many of the fans coming into the club the last few days as well."

I have plenty of sympathy with those people tasked with making League Two clubs both financially sustainable while making progress on the pitch.

It's a level where clubs have lots of regulatory burdens which prevent them from having the easy-going feel of a day watching non-league football while also being squeezed from above, certainly by the Premier League where the broadcast income allows for policies such as the price cap on away tickets.

WAGMI had previously shown an interest in buying Bradford City and their success in selling season tickets has continued this summer with over 14,000 already gone.

Elsewhere in League Two, Salford City have held their matchday prices which means a maximum of £15.

A Football Pioneer

The Egri Erbstein Tournament, to be held this summer at the home of Corinthian Casuals, celebrates the Hungarian coach who masterminded the great Torino team of the 1940's after surviving the Holocaust, before being killed in the Superga air crash of 1949.

Erno Egri Erbstein's former club Budapesti Atletikai Klub were reformed in 2018 and, together with the Casuals, formed the tournament to honour him.

Both clubs will be in action on July 23 and 24 together with the world's oldest club Sheffield FC and Fall River Marksmen of the USA.

More details at the tournament website.

Tickets for the weekend, covering all four matches are priced at £15 for adults, day tickets cost £10 for adults, £5 concessions and just £1 for under 18's.

A Century of Football

Having first hosted a game in August 1921, a centenary of football at Borough Briggs will be marked later this month as Elgin City host a pre-season tournament featuring themselves, Peterhead, Fraserburgh and Inverurie Loco Works.

That first fixture was a Highland League one and the line-up for the tournament has past and present members of a league that has endured just as successfully as Borough Briggs.

Both Elgin and Peterhead moved up from the Highland League to the Scottish Football League in 2000 and remain there, Peterhead in League One and Elgin in League Two, although the tournament hosts endured a nervy 2021/22 season as they finished one place off the bottom of the table.

Filling that final position were Cowdenbeath who subsequently lost their league status to Bonnyrigg Rose, Lowland League champions and victors over their Highland League equivalent Fraserburgh in the promotion play-off.

That leaves Fraserburgh looking to retain their title and have another shot at promotion, although the three b's, Brora, Brechin and Buckie, will have other ideas.

Inverurie, meanwhile, will seek to build on an encouraging seventh place finish.

The tournament takes place over the weekend of 25/26 June, a beautiful time of year to be in the Highlands, with tickets available both for single days (family £20, adult £10 and concessions £7.50 for ground entrance) and the whole weekend (£30, £15, (£10).

An Early Start

With their European campaign to prepare for, Cymru Premier champions The New Saints have pre-season matches already pencilled in for Saturday June 11 and Saturday June 26.

Ellesmere Rangers provide the first opposition (kick-off 2pm) before Cliftonville, with their own European adventure in mind, travel across for a 1:45pm start on the 26th.

Admission to both matches will be free for all spectators.

Last year, author Michael Grimes was kind enough to speak to the blog about his book 'From Saints to Druids' in which he travelled around the Welsh top division.

A limited edition, hardback copy of the book is now available from the publishers.

The Bromley Boys

After making history with their FA Trophy victory at Wembley on Sunday, Bromley FC have launched a fantastic offer for the new season of National League football at Hayes Lane.

To mark the 97 minutes that were played against Wrexham at the weekend, season tickets will be priced at £97 for the same number of hours, starting at 12pm on Friday 27th May and ending at 1pm on Tuesday 31st.

More details on the club website here.

Something Missing

As the final pieces of the 2021/22 season jigsaw fall into place, thoughts begin to turn towards pre-season friendlies and the important dates for the campaign ahead.

Four years on from Russia 2018, however, something is missing as we wait and see what a winter World Cup will look like.

For those clubs where the bar is a thriving venue, and crucial income generator, there will be a big World Cup-shaped hole this summer, money that could have been banked for the uncertain times ahead.

The prospect of the top divisions of the game being shut down, for a month or longer, for Qatar 2022, is an opportunity for clubs across the country to continue attracting new spectators as so many have done over the past season.

At a time when the cost of living is the number one thing on people's minds, and with leisure spending perhaps first in line to be cut back, those clubs will, I'm sure, continue to offer an affordable afternoon in friendly surroundings.

But rising prices have an impact across the board and the cost of heating a clubhouse, turning on the floodlights or filling up the team coach will all have gone up sharply in recent months.

I've often highlighted the informative weekly bulletin provided by Hitchin Town FC secretary Roy Izzard in this blog, and this week he confirms that adult matchday admission prices have had to go up for next season for those very reasons. 

The Overdue Hallam FC Piece

Many congratulations to Hallam FC, not just for a fantastic season where they topped the Northern Counties East Football League Division One, scoring 160 goals and topping a century of points in the process, but also for the amazing crowds that they attracted to Sandygate.

An average of 614 spectators came through the gates for home games, attracted by football for a fiver, a warm welcome, a bit of history and the chance to chat, drink and mingle along the touchline and in the stand, a simple pleasure that had been badly missed by many over the preceeding couple of years.

I've been going to the ground at least a couple of times a season since starting the blog back in 2013 and the improvement in facilities that has taken place since is a testament to the hard work of all concerned and also means the club has become more firmly rooted in its local community, witness the people taking advantage of the club bar over the recent holiday weekend.

Although the club will be playing at a higher level next season, matchday prices have been kept at £5 for adults and £3 concessions with Under 12's free. Season ticket prices are also frozen.

Another positive development on the Sheffield sporting scene is the opening of the new Community Stadium at the Olympic Legacy Park, sited on the old Don Valley Stadium.

Sheffield Eagles Rugby League team will be the primary tenants but a Hallam FC Legends team is taking on a Sheffield Legends XI on Sunday 15th May, in aid of the Roundabout charity.

A Falkirk Double-Header

 

I loved The Kelpies when I visited recently, brilliant in their own right but also easily accessible, physically and financially to locals and visitors alike.

Just a short distance away, the Falkirk Stadium hosts a double-header of Scottish Women's Cup semi-finals on Sunday 1 May.

Hearts take on Celtic at 12pm, followed by Partick Thistle versus Glasgow City at 4.30pm.

Tickets cover both games and cost just £5 for adults, £2 concessions and are free for accompanied under 12's. 

Snookered for a Game?

 

How about the final of the fourth oldest surviving cup competition in the world?

Maltby Main take on Worksop Town in the Sheffield and Hallamshire FA Senior Cup Final.

The game takes place at the Eco-Power Stadium in Doncaster on Saturday 30th, kick-off 7.30pm, with tickets priced at £8 adults, £5 seniors and £1 under-17's.

Wembley Memories at Whitby

Good memories of a pre-season friendly at Whitby Town in 2016.

The club are welcoming back players from both the 1965 FA Amateur Cup and 1997 FA Vase Finals to Saturday's game with Gainsborough Trinity.

A special programme will be on sale and admission will be on a pay what you want basis.

The High(land) Life

 

Two matches in the Highland League this week, starting in the sunshine (after an earlier stint of wind, rain and hail) at Lossiemouth on Saturday where the hosts were pegged back by a late Strathspey Thistle penalty.

Lossie end their campaign with a home game against Brechin City this coming Saturday (April 16th).

Then, on Wednesday evening, Strathspey Thistle welcomed Fort William to Seafield Park for what was a 'home' game for the Fort, who have spent the season on the road due to problems with their own pitch.

Despite already being confirmed as finishing bottom of the league and facing a play-off later this month, Fort William gained a first win of the season with a 4-2 success.

Strathspey are also at home this Saturday, welcoming Inverurie Locos.

No Excuse Needed

To dig out some pictures of the Wellesley Recreation Ground, home of Great Yarmouth Town, and no excuse not to visit this coming Saturday if you're spending Easter in the area.

Admission to The Bloaters' final home game of the season on Saturday, against Framlingham Town, is on a Pay What You Want basis.

Quite a few clubs are throwing open their doors this weekend, including Sutton Coldfield Town for the visit of Histon and Racing Club Warwick as they entertain Stone Old Alleynians.

Turin Break?

With Barcelona's Women set to break yet another attendance record in the home leg of their Champions League semi-final, tickets for the final itself are now on sale.

The Juventus Stadium hosts the showpiece event on 21 May, with Barca, Wolfsburg, Lyon and PSG still in the running to lift the trophy.

Tickets are available from €10 (€5 for under-12's) with discounted family packages also on sale.

Down to the Wire

 

Two teams sweeping all before them, just one point separating them as the season reaches its finale, I can only be talking about the Highland League of course where Fraserburgh and Buckie Thistle have just two matches left in their battle for the title.

I've spent some time at various Highland League grounds over the past couple of years and hope to take in another couple of games over the next week or so.

Admission around the league doesn't go above £10 at clubs who are genuinely in the heart of their community.

Once the season ends, the North of Scotland Football Review will chronicle it all and you can pre-order a copy here.

The Final Countdown

Is on for this summer's UEFA Women's European Championships with less than 100 days to go before England kick-off the tournament against Austria on 6 July.

General sale tickets have now begun for all matches with prices from £5.

To get into the mood before then, here are some games that may be of interest.

Leeds United Women will play at Elland Road on Sunday 10th April, tickets for the visit of Alnwick Town are on sale now, priced at £5/£2.50.

Sunday 1st May marks the  first ever game at St James' Park for Newcastle United Women, cash admission to the fixture against Barnsley is priced at £3 adults and free for under 16's and concessions.

And tickets are available for Tottenham Hotspur Women against Leicester City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday 8th May, with a family package available for £13.