Sheffield Shorts

Some snippets from here in Sheffield where the world's oldest derby returns on 14 January after Hallam FC and Sheffield FC were drawn together in the next round of the quarter-finals of the Sheffield & Hallamshire FA Senior Cup.

Online tickets for the game at Sandygate will be available from Hallam FC shortly (the club have also produced physical tickets as a memento) priced at £6 and £4.

Sheffield FC have, meanwhile, partnered with the Tickets for Good platform to offer discounted tickets to NHS staff, charity workers, teachers and people affected by the Cost of Living crisis for the Boxing Day game against Belper Town.

It is great to see the continuing work of local charity Sheffield Home of Football and today (21 Dec) they honoured a man linked to both clubs, John Charles Shaw, with a blue plaque in the city centre.

Thank you and Merry Christmas to everyone who has taken the time to read the blog this year.

Christmas Crackers

Some matches that may be of interest over the coming weeks.

Crewe Alexandra host Colchester United in League Two action on Friday 20th and tickets for the game have been reduced to £10 for adults and £5 for under-19's (under-11's free).

All tickets are £5 per person and have been going well for Hibs against Kilmarnock on Sunday 29th.

Racing Club Warwick, of the Northern Premier League, are offering free admission for the visit of Boldmere St Michaels on the 21st, the following Saturday you can pay what you want at Beverley Town against Silsden AFC in the NCEL Premier Division and, in the division below, Harrogate Railway Athletic have a two-for-one admission offer as they entertain Swallownest on Saturday 21st.

And, I was really pleased to learn more today about the Steel & Sons Cup, first competed for in 1895/96 and where the final is played on Christmas Day unless that falls on a Sunday.

This year's game between Willowbank and Derriaghy CC kicks off at 10:45am at the Seaview home of Crusaders from where tickets are available, priced at a maximum of £8.

After The Storm

Storm Darragh may have postponed, to a later date, the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park but there is a great chance to watch a game at the famous old stadium this coming Wednesday (December 11th) at 7pm.

Everton's youngsters take on Nottingham Forest in the FA Youth Cup with tickets priced at £5 for adults and £3 for concessions. 

Fair play to the Toffees and all the clubs who have played their third round matches at their main stadium. I had fancied watching the Sky Blues under-18's at Manchester United if that had been scheduled for Old Trafford but it was not to be.

At least that game, to be played at Leigh Sports Village, should still give some sense of occasion for the players and their families, unlike those fixtures that will take place at club training grounds which won't do much to differentiate the youth cup from a normal league match.

There are ties scheduled this coming week, weather permitting, at Carrow Road, Sincil Bank, Brunton Park, Loftus Road and Kenilworth Road.

Easter At Christmas

Testing times for both of the big Edinburgh clubs so far this season, Hearts enjoying some success in Europe but currently at the foot of the Scottish Premiership, one place behind a Hibernian side who have once again managed to flummox their fans with some dismal results and yet another managerial change.

The potential of these two historic institutions, in a city visited by people from around the world, can be seen in the interest that has been shown in them by outside investors such as the Black Knight group who own AFC Bournemouth and took a stake in Hibs earlier this year.

But for the moment it is a battle at the bottom for club legend David Gray, whose side host Kilmarnock at Easter Road on Sunday 29th December.

All tickets for the game have been reduced to just £5, a great opportunity to visit one of the game's famous grounds at a special time of year in Scotland's capital.

Hallam FC v Handsworth FC

 

A Sheffield derby in the NCEL Premier Division on Saturday and with neither United or Wednesday in action it meant a bumper crowd of 730 enjoyed the game between Hallam FC and Handsworth as well as unusually mild temperatures for the final day of November.

And when the weather is like that then Sandygate is a cracking place to watch football with a beer or pie in hand, especially when the two teams produce a game of six goals, four of which went to the visitors for a win they deserved overall for an excellent first 20 minutes and some resolute defending as Hallam pushed to make it 3-3 at the beginning of the second-half.

Hallam continue to work hard to improve facilities at the ground, with an extension to the Shed End next on the agenda, as well as offering good value for money at £6 for adults.

Their next home league fixture is on the 21st December against Penistone Church while Handsworth entertain Beverley Town on Saturday 14th.

December Dates

Keep an eye out in December for FA Youth Cup fixtures, hopefully many of which will be played at the main stadium of the clubs drawn at home, with Premier League and Championship teams joining the competition at this third round stage.

Spotted so far...Norwich City versus Brentford at Carrow Road on Monday 9th (£2 adults, free for under-18's) and Preston North End versus Liverpool at Deepdale on Friday 6th (free for season ticket holders from either club, £5/£1 otherwise.)

Similarly in the Premier League International Cup for under-21 teams, there are scheduled fixtures at Molineux (Wolves v Ajax on Wed 4th, tickets £4, £2 and free for under-17's), Carrow Road (Norwich v PSV Eindhoven on Thu 5th, tickets £2 and free for under-18's) and the Riverside.

Wembley will seem a little closer to those clubs who make it through the FA Vase Third Round, with ties to be played on 7/8th December and the same will be true of Hampden Park after the Women's Scottish Cup fixtures that same weekend.

Bolton Wanderers Women host a Festive Family Fun Day on Sunday 1st with free admission to the game against Preston North End (kick-off 2pm at the home of Atherton Collieries) and plenty of activities taking place, while there is pay what you want admission to Wombwell Town against Selby Town in the Northern Counties East League on Tuesday 3rd after the abandonment of the original fixture.

A Doncaster Date

With England's senior women set for a Bramall Lane fixture against Switzerland on Tuesday 3rd December, it is good to see another South Yorkshire date scheduled for the night before as the under-23's take on Sweden at the Eco-Power Stadium in Doncaster, especially given the significant role that the town has played in the development of the women's game.

Tickets for a 7pm kick-off are available now, priced at £5 for adults, £3 for concessions and £1 for under-14's.

Derby Day

The big game here in Sheffield is fast approaching and Saturday will probably go slowly for supporters of United and Wednesday before the two teams meet at Bramall Lane on Sunday morning.

There are a couple of big derbies in the women's game next weekend; I mentioned Everton versus Liverpool at Goodison Park a couple of weeks ago while in Scotland it is Hearts against Hibs at Tynecastle on Sunday 17th at 4:10pm.

Free tickets are available at the Hearts website.

Football For A Fiver*

*A bit less actually, around £4.35!

I was lucky enough to be in Athens last week and managed to catch a game at A.S.Sourmenon, who play in the top tier of regional football in the capital.

Five Euros for entry and then a beer in the late October sunshine made for a good afternoon with the home side earning a 1-0 victory courtesy of a second-half penalty award that didn't go down too well with the visiting supporters.

Situated just a short walk from Elliniko station, at the end of the red line, on the city's, excellent, Metro system, the ground has the added attraction of a plane at either end, a reminder of the area formerly being the site of Athens' airport.

Back on home soil and a couple of things to look out for this coming weekend; admission is just £5 at Basford United on Saturday (9th Nov) for the home game with Whitby Town while there is free admission for season ticket holders of local professional clubs at Uttoxeter Town as they host Shifnal in the Midlands Premier Division on the same day.

A Long Time Gone - Updated

'Take me home, Highfield Road', sing Sky Blues supporters and, even as the years roll by, there's many a moment when I find myself thinking about a place where I spent so much time between the early 80's and Coventry's move to their new stadium in 2005.

I'm sure Everton fans will feel the same in years to come, however nice their new home is (and it looks fantastic from the videos), and are taking in as many memories as they can this season of the sights and sounds of a matchday at Goodison Park.

If you fancy doing just that then tickets for the women's Merseyside Derby, on Sunday 17th November (kick-off 3pm), will be on general sale later this week, priced at £10/£5 and £2.

Updated 22 October: As well as the derby, Everton Women's game against Chelsea on Sunday 3rd November (6:45pm) will also be at Goodison.

Tickets for that one are also priced at £10 adults, £5 for concessions and £2 for under-18s with special bundle packages also available for both matches.

Free By The Sea

There are probably enough pictures on this blog already of the famous old grandstand at Great Yarmouth Town to post another one but if you want to see the real thing then this coming Wednesday evening is a good opportunity.

Thanks to sponsors HTG-UK there is free admission to everyone for the league game at home to Mulbarton Wanderers.

Thank You Very Much

To Cadbury Athletic FC, currently playing in Division Two of the Midland Football League, for following on X.

Not only a thriving community club in their own right but with the added bonus of their home matches being played against the backdrop of the Cadbury factory in Bournville, Birmingham.

The Chocolate Men have a busy month at first-team level with opportunities every Saturday to catch a home match for £5/£3 and easily accessible by public transport too. 

Keep up to date with the Midland Football League through MFL Matters, a bi-monthly magazine dedicated to the league.

It's Only National League (But I Like It)

The Stones are in town, Wealdstone FC that is of the National League and their home game against Braintree on Wednesday 23 October has been dedicated to the club's Community Foundation.

An independent registered charity, the Wealdstone FC Foundation does some brilliant work in the local community.

All tickets for the Braintree game have been reduced to £5, for both home and away supporters, and all proceeds will be donated to the Foundation.

There is also some free football at a favourite National League ground of mine, Altrincham FC's J.Davidson Stadium, when Alty take on Blackburn Rovers' Premier League 2 side in the new National League Cup on Tuesday 8 October at 7:30pm.

Quick Wins

Some details of matches I've come across that may be of interest.

Two Norwich City under-21 games coming up at Carrow Road, against Sparta Praha in the Premier League International Cup on Tue 24th September and Manchester United in Premier League 2 on Fri 27th.

Tickets for each 7pm kick-off are priced at £2 adults and are free for under-18's.

Plenty of free football at the Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld, in early October with three matches for Scotland Women's Under-17s as they bid to qualify for the European Championships and also six games in the Victory Shield for home nation under-16 teams.

England Mens Elite League Squad (formerly the under-20's) have home fixtures against Czechia in Doncaster on Tuesday 14th October, 7pm, and Germany in Chesterfield on Friday 15th November, also 7pm.

Tickets for both games are priced at £5, £3 and £1.

And England Women's U23s take on Portugal in Shrewsbury on Tuesday 29th October (5.30pm) with tickets again priced at £5, £3 and £1.

Grab a Seat

Back in 2013 I wrote a piece on transport to and from games, how having bus or train travel included with the cost of your match ticket, or at a reduced price at least, can make a small positive contribution to what, increasingly, can be an expensive day out.

I highlighted at the time how such an initiative had never really been put in place at the Ricoh Arena (as it was then) despite the presence of a train line running alongside it and plenty of talk about a green travel plan when the stadium first opened.

So, in keeping with the positive moves that have been, made over the past year or so, to improve the matchday experience for Sky Blues' supporters, it is good to see a free shuttle bus service being trialled for the upcoming matches against Tottenham and Swansea.

Any Publicity Is...

If the old saying is true then Barnet FC have had plenty of good publicity this week, the after-match comments of their manager Dean Brennan following the midweek win against Altrincham having reached a worldwide audience.

Having finished second in the National League last season, the Bees are again in the play-off places in the early weeks of the new campaign and Brennan, far from 'losing it' as some of the headlines would have it, seems to be a popular figure at the club and one willing to engage with supporters.

The club have moved quickly on the back of this week's events to offer football for a fiver when AFC Fylde are the visitors to The Hive on Saturday 28th September, so come and see what the fuss is all about!

A Brentford Bargain

Brentford Women will take on Clapton Community at the Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday 29th September, 3pm, and tickets for the game are just £2 for adults and free for under-18's. 

Also coming up this month, Exeter City Women versus Oxford United at St James Park on Sunday 15th, 1pm. Tickets priced at £5/£3 if purchased in advance.

And Cambridge United Women against Dulwich Hamlet at the Abbey Stadium on Sunday 22nd, 2pm. Under-18's free, adult tickets £5.

Updated 8th September: Another good chance to watch a game at Brentford comes in the next round of the Carabao Cup, on Tue 17th Sep, against Leyton Orient.

Adult tickets are priced at £10, concessions £7 and juniors are £5 or free with every full paying adult or concession.

In Brief

I haven't wasted too much time getting to grips with the new Champions League format, any lingering interest I had in the competition now firmly ended by the 'Swiss Model' that has been introduced this season.

Surely if a tournament structure needs explaining in some detail then it loses some of its atractiveness, especially when the changes are so clearly being made in order to accomodate the wishes of the continent's major clubs.

If it was confined to the Champions League then it wouldn't bother me so much but the impact of extra matches in Europe has already been felt domestically, with the scrapping of FA Cup replays and a seeding system now in place for the League Cup which led to a farcical Third Round draw last week.

Hopefully the impact in terms of people getting out to midweek matches lower down the footballing scale will be minimal, keep following on X for games that may be of interest.

Although I could probably be classed as a traditionalist/dinosaur (take your pick), I have sadly gotten out of the habit of buying a local newspaper. Here in Sheffield like many areas, The Star is a shadow of its former self.

But I did pick up a Carlisle News & Star on a Monday, while travelling to Scotland a couple of weeks ago, and it had a cracking inside back-page report on the weekend's game between Carlisle United and Barrow.

Jon Colman delivered the kind of 'final verdict' on Saturday's action that I used to love when reading either a Saturday Pink or Coventry Evening Telegraph on a Monday when I was younger and his writing on the Brunton Park club is well worth a follow.

Up in Scotland, I caught a game at Strathspey Thistle and also saw the Jags' in North of Scotland Cup action at Clachnacuddin a few days earlier.

There is a sense of space and openness around many Highland League grounds but Grant Street Park, home of Clach, is in a warren of tight streets just away from Inverness city centre and exudes history, Clach having played there since 1886, and atmosphere.

An excellent article on the BBC website from 2020, when the club were forced to temporarily leave their traditional home, gives a flavour of what Clach mean to their local area.

Keep Believing

The beautiful backdrop to football at Seafield Park, Grantown-on-Spey, home of Highland League club Strathspey Thistle last Saturday afternoon as they hosted Formartine United. 

A glance at the league table following this 4-0 defeat for the home side suggests another season of struggle after ending bottom last season and avoiding a relegation play-off only by virtue of no suitable club in the various feeder leagues finishing as champions. 

But new ownership has brought about improvements to the ground and, hopefully, fortunes on the pitch will follow suit. 

One thing remains constant and that is the warmth of the welcome on offer from the club's brilliant volunteers.

If you're reading this on Friday 30th then there is a home match tomorrow against Lossiemouth, after that it is a League Cup tie against Clachnacuddin on Saturday 14th September.

England Take Stock

I caught a glimpse of Edgeley Park on Wednesday evening, from a train that had just pulled out of Stockport station on its way to Sheffield.

When I was home, I was pleased to read that the ground would be hosting England's Men's Elite League Squad (formerly the Under-20's) in a game against Romania on Tuesday 10th September.

Having battled back from the brink in recent years, Stockport County are currently testing themselves in League One following promotion last season.

More than that, however, they have become a focal point in the local community and, from a distance, look like they will be able to survive, and thrive, on their own terms in the years to come, enjoying success when it comes but not needing to chase the dream to the point of financial meltdown.

Tickets for the England game, which kicks off at 7pm, are priced at just £5 for adults, £3 for concessions and £1 for those who are 13 and under.

Premier League 2

The new season fixtures have been announced for the Premier League 2 competition, involving the Under-21 sides of those clubs with Category One Academy status.

It's worth keeping an eye on, purely for the chance to watch a match at one of the big stadiums', usually for just a few pounds and occasionally for nothing, Derby County are one of the clubs who usually offer free entry when they play at Pride Park.

Professional Development League fixtures can also be found using the above link. 

Update Monday 12th: Crystal Palace's Under-21 opener on Friday 16th is at Selhurst Park, 7pm kick-off, with Fulham the visitors. Tickets are priced at £5 for adults and just £1 for juniors (under-18) and seniors.

The Road to Wembley...Updated

 

Begins again this coming Friday evening when five Extra Preliminary Round ties take place, ahead of over 200 matches at the weekend.

Another season, and more changes to the format, means that no replays will take place from the First Round Proper onwards, whether they 'strengthen' the competition as the FA insist they will, remains to be seen but an expanded Champions League will struggle to match the drama provided by some of last season's FA Cup ties, even if I am biased as a Sky Blues supporter!

At this early stage of the season, however, the format remains untouched and the prize, whether financial or sporting, remains something of huge value to all involved.

A great example of this is a Facebook post from Beverley Town FC ahead of their first involvement in the competition since 1919.

The Beavers host Whitley Bay on Sunday 4th August and are encouraging those wishing to attend the game to buy tickets (£6/£4 and free for under-16's) in advance.

Updated Sunday 4th August: Replays may be a thing of the past for Premier League and EFL clubs but there will be plenty this coming midweek.

At Handsworth FC, for example, close to me here in Sheffield, the hosts were denied by an injury-time penalty for South Liverpool FC.

That means a scramble to arrange transport and time off work but Handsworth's after-match tweet didn't moan about fixture congestion, it merely wished their visitors a safe journey home and looked forward to meeting again on Wednesday evening.

A classy reaction, mirrored by the appreciation of South Liverpool for the hospitality they had been shown in South Yorkshire and an example for those higher up the footballing ladder.

Highland League 2024/25

The big kick-off in the Highland League takes place this coming Saturday (27th) July and, if you are on holiday in the area, I would highly recommend taking in a game.

Not only is the football itself highly competitive, given a fair weather day you can find yourself with some of the most stunning backdrops you will find anywhere in the UK.

Reigning champions Buckie Thistle, who were unable to subsequently take their shot at the promotion play-offs, will wait to begin the defence of their crown as they are involved in Scottish League Cup action at the weekend.

Last season's title race went down to the final game and both Brechin City (away to Keith) and Fraserburgh (on the road to Wick Academy) will be looking to get some early points on the board.

Brora Rangers, who host Turriff United, and Banks O' Dee, who visit Formartine United, will also see themselves as contenders.

There are also matches this Saturday at Lossiemouth, Huntly, Forres Mechanics and Deveronvale.

Tickets generally come in at a tenner for adults. Full fixtures can be found on the BBC website.

New Season...New Links

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.

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, Severn Sport doing a similar job in Gloucestershire.

The excellent She Kicks website has features, stats and regular fixture updates covering all levels of the women's game in the UK.

Scottish Women's Football is a comprehensive resource to the women's game at all levels in Scotland.

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.

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.

Groundhopper 2000 showcases Stephen Lang's excellent photographs of the game in the Scottish borders while Scottish Football Fixtures is a comprehensive guide to matches taking place north of the border.

Pre-season: Apply To Oxford

A return to the National League South for Oxford City this coming season, after relegation last time out, but a club that remains on an upward curve, having come a long way from the testing times of the late 1980's when they had to leave the White House Ground.

Pre-season friendlies at home to Barry Town United (Sat 6th July), Sutton United (Tue 23rd) and Braintree Town (Sat 3rd August) will all be 'Pay what you want' with no minimum amount.

For a great perspective on football across the whole of the county, the Oxon Football website is regularly updated on X.

Pre-season: I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside

And I do like the town of Bridlington as well.

The Northern Premier League club are gearing up for the 2024/25 season, their first under new ownership, with free admission to all of their home friendlies.

These are currently scheduled for Saturday 6th July against Scarborough Athletic, Saturday 20th against Hallam FC and Tuesday 23rd against Beverley Town. 

Pre-season: A Vote Winner In Uxbridge

Lots of positivity surrounding Uxbridge FC this summer, and rightly so as the club, formed in 1871, have made a huge effort to strengthen their community ties and offer themselves as a welcoming, focal point for local people.

Season ticket prices have been cut to just £50 for adults and £5 for concessions with matchday entry priced at £5/£1 and free for under-16's.

Not only that but pre-season friendlies are free admission for people to come and sample the atmosphere at Honeycroft.

Uxbridge will, I'm sure, feature regularly on the brilliant London Football Guide over the coming season. 

Pre-season: Highland Summer

Summer in the north of Scotland is a beautiful time of year to catch some football and it won't be long now until the new Highland League season begins in earnest.

Banff club Deveronvale are warming up for the campaign with four home friendlies, against Tayport (Sat 6th July, 2pm), Lossiemouth United (Tue 9th, 7.30pm), Longside (Sat 13th, 2pm) and Maud (Sat 20th, 2pm).

Admission prices are £5 for those aged 16+, free for anyone younger.

Scottish Football Fixtures has the definitive list of pre-season matches north of the border. 

Pre-season: Super Severn

Pre-season #footballforafiver in Gloucestershire this summer at both Slimbridge AFC and Gloucester City.

Slimbridge host Forest Green Rovers (Tue 9th July, 7pm), Hungerford Town (Sat 13th), Weston-super-Mare (Tue 16th) and Shortwood United (Fri 26th) with admission to each game priced at £5 and free for under-16's.

City have home games scheduled against Longlevens (Tue 2nd July), Yate Town (Fri 19th), Haverfordwest County (Sat 27th) and Truro City (Sat 3rd August).

Adult tickets are £5 with various concessions and a £12 family ticket also available.

Severn Sport is an excellent website and X page covering the game at all levels in the county.

Pre-season: It's A Deal In Kent

Three of the counties' finest offering #footballforafiver over the summer.

Ramsgate FC host Kennington FC (Fri 5th July), Brentwood Town (Sat 27th) and Kingstonian (Sat 3rd August) with admission £5 for adults and free for under-18's.

Not too far away, at Margate FC there are home friendlies scheduled against Whitstable (Sat 6th July), Dover (Tue 9th), Concord Rangers (Sat 13th) and Dover (Tue 16th) with prices £5 for adults and £3 for concessions.

And Deal Town welcome Whitstable (Tue 2nd July), Canterbury (Fri 5th), Kennington (Mon 8th), Bearsted (Fri 12th), a Gillingham XI (Tue 16th) and Faversham StrikeForce (Sat 27th). Like at Ramsgate it is £5 adults and free for under-18's.

The superb website Kentish Football has a comprehensive list of fixtures.

UEFA U-19 Euros

If you fancy seeing some of the top young international stars in action this summer then Northern Ireland is hosting the UEFA Under-19 European Championships.

The hosts are joined by seven other nations with matches taking place in Belfast and Larne between 15-28 July, the semi-finals and final taking place at Windsor Park.

Tickets are on sale now and are well-priced at £5/£2 for the group stages (£12 family); £6/£3 (£15 family) for the semi-finals and £8/£4 (£20 family).

Here Comes The Summer

 

An outside seat on the pitch at Hallam FC last weekend, looking over to Hallam Cricket Club and a game in full swing, but still time to catch up on the final acts of the 2023/24 season in the non-league game in England.

Enjoy the summer, keep up-to-date with friendlies and any other matches going on, over on X

Bank Holiday International Football

Something a little different this coming Bank Holiday Monday (May 6th) as the England C team, drawn from players outside of the EFL, take on the national side of Nepal at the home of Aldershot Town FC.

Having battled their way past Laos in the first round of Asian qualification for the 2026 World Cup, Nepal have lost all four of their matches in the next stage and won't be making it to the USA, Canada and Mexico but Italian coach Vincenzo Annese has named a strong squad for the game in England and it is clearly an occasion that the Nepalese are looking forward to, with a farewell ceremony for the players ahead of their journey.

Plenty of terrace tickets are still available for the 3pm kick-off, priced at £10 adults and £5 for juniors, from the official Aldershot FC website.

Sunday Best

Wembley Stadium around 45 minutes before the start of the FA Cup semi-final between Coventry City and Manchester United last Sunday.

It was to be an occasion that will live long in the memory of both Sky Blues supporters and neutrals too, judging by the number of messages I received afterwards from friends who follow other teams.

Affordable Football? Ticket-wise I would argue that yes it was, with plenty of price categories and I don't think too many Coventry fans would say they didn't get value for money out of the day although of course the relatively pressure-free atmosphere going into the game as huge underdogs was a factor in that.

For those cheering on the Reds it was obviously less of a novelty, before the logistics and costs of getting to and from the stadium (with the game not finishing until around 6:30pm on a Sunday evening after that unexpected 30 minutes of extra-time and penalties) to factor in.

From that perspective it is a positive move to see United subsidising season ticket holding under-16's for the final and for the kick-off time to be set at 3pm once again.

National League Promotion Final

Prior to the pandemic, my dad and I had a good run of attending the National League Promotion Final at Wembley Stadium, attracted by an Early Bird ticket offer that allowed you to sit in a really nice part of the ground at a reduced price.

We saw emotional returns to the Football League for Grimsby Town and Tranmere Rovers, the celebrations after these matches showing just how much it meant to the supporters and officials involved with those famous old clubs.

For fans of the two teams who actually make it to the final, Wembley isn't perhaps the ideal choice given that ticket prices for their respective ends have been much higher and because of the short window to arrange travel as well.

But for the neutral, the National League offer of £20 for adults, £10 for concessions and free for Under 16's (one per adult/concession, additional tickets £5 each), which runs until 23rd April is a good one.

Take A Seat

Take a seat this coming Saturday in the oldest stand in world football, dating back to 1892, at the Wellesley Recreation Ground, home of Great Yarmouth Town FC.

Admission for an important game at the top of the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League First Division, against Stanway Pegasus, is on a Pay What You Want basis.

In the area on Friday evening? The Premier League 2 Under-21 game between Norwich City and West Ham United at Carrow Road (kick-off 7pm) has free tickets available.

Game On!

 

'Game on' - Probably the two most welcome words in football across the UK at this moment as leagues and clubs battle the elements to get season's finished and promotion/relegation issues sorted as soon as they can.

This was the scene at Turriff United on Saturday, their Highland League fixture against Strathspey Thistle going ahead despite heavy overnight rain as some sunny spells and a strong wind helped the pitch survive for 90 minutes.

The hosts will have been pleased with that as they ran out 7-1 winners against the league's bottom club.

Another thrilling Highland League title race is being played out as I write and, if you're ever in the area, there a host of beautiful backdrops to football in the region.

Up For The (Senior) Cup

 

Good to see the finals of this season's Sheffield FA Senior Cups taking place at Hillsborough with the Women's final on Sunday 28th April and the Men's on Tuesday 30th.

Both matches kick off at 7.30pm and on-the-night admission to each game will be priced at £10 adults and £5 concessions.

For balance, here's a picture of Bramall Lane as well...

Sheffield United Under-21's host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League Cup on Tuesday 9th April at 7pm. Tickets are £3/£1 for non-season ticket holders.

At this time of the season there are usually plenty of Under-21 games scheduled for main stadiums, such as free tickets for Norwich City versus West Ham at Carrow Road on April 12th.

The Premier League website has a good fixture guide to upcoming Under-21 games in all competitions.

Easter At Whitby & More For April

                         

Monday 1st: An Easter special in the United Counties League where Newark & Sherwood United host Lincoln United at 12.30pm before Southwell City against Newark Town at 4pm. A combined ticket for both games is available, costing £8 adults and £6 concessions. 

Monday 1st: 'Pay what you want' at Whitby Town FC for the Northern Premier League game at home to Morpeth Town.

Thursday 4th: England Women's U23's host Sweden at AFC Telford United in a 6.30pm kick-off. Tickets are priced at £5/£3 and £1 for Under 12's. 

Friday 5th: Centenary Shield action at Walsall FC where England Schoolboys take on their Republic of Ireland counterparts. Tickets are priced at £8/£5.

Sunday 7th: Cardiff City Women are back at the CCS for the home game against Wrexham (5.10pm kick-off). Tickets are £5/£1.

Thursday 11th: Molineux hosts the Premier League U17 Cup final between Wolves and Chelsea. Tickets for non-Wolves season-ticket holders are £3/£2.

Friday 12th: More Centenary Shield football, this time it is England against Scotland at Chesterfield FC with tickets again £8/£5.

Cumbrian Cheer

There's a very positive piece on Carlisle United in the latest edition of When Saturday Comes, not perhaps what you would expect with the team sitting at the foot of League One and set for an immediate return to the division they only left last season.

But the club's new(ish) owners have been open, engaging and forward-thinking in their time in Cumbria to date, have plans in place to redevelop Brunton Park and also turn the potential disadvantage of their relative isolation into a selling point as the focal point of an entire county.

Next Saturday (23rd March) is #OneCarlisleOneCommunity day with adult and senior tickets available from £10 for the visit of Stevebage, if purchased in advance.

Focus On The Royals

Not those ones but Sutton Coldfield Town (there's a good BBC piece here on the town's royal status) of the Northern Premier League Midland Division.

This coming Saturday (16th March) brings a home game against Quorn at Coles Lane, the club's home since 1920 and the turnstiles are being thrown open to allow free entry to all spectators for the 3pm kick-off.

Also this Saturday, and also in the Northern Premier League (West), Bootle FC are offering 'pay what you want' admission for the visit of Clitheroe

For something slightly different (and potentially a chance to watch two matches in one day), Hendon FC hosts the semi-final of the FA Inter-League Cup on Saturday at 6:45pm between the Arthurian League and the Herts Senior County League. Admission is free for this one.

Updated: Wednesday 13th Bridging the gap nicely between the previous piece on Non-League Day and the title of this one, Basingstoke Town FC are offering reduced price admission to Reading FC season ticket holders for their home game on NLD, with 50% of the proceeds from the initiative being donated to the fan groups currently looking to save their own Royals.

Non-League Day 2024

Just over two weeks to go until this year's Non-League Day (Saturday 23rd March), a celebration of semi-professional and grassroots football and one that has spread outside the UK to the Netherlands and Spain among others.

Keep up to date with everything that is going on by visiting Non-League Day online, where you can use the match finder to see what games are on near you.

The man behind NLD is James Doe, who also writes the wonderful London Football Guide where details of matches in and around the capital are published every week and where I'm sure there will be a bumper edition for next weekend.

Here are just some of the initiatives that I have seen...

Premier League and EFL season ticket holders are being offered free or reduced price admission at Bilston Town, Brackley Town, Redditch United, Slimbridge AFC, Sutton Common Rovers and Wealdstone FC among others. 

The Wealdstone offer is also available to anyone going to the England versus Brazil game at Wembley later on Saturday evening.

It is 'pay what you want' at Hendon FC, there's 30% off tickets purchased online at Stalybridge Celtic, half-price admission at Barton Town FC and completely free entry at Potters Bar Town.

League Two For £2 (X2)

Clearly aware that I'd backed them to be relegated from League Two this season, Crawley Town are looking up towards the play-off places rather than nervously over their shoulders as we enter the final straight of the campaign.

Always active in their ticket offers throughout the time I've been writing this blog, the Red Devils are repeating their 2@£2 offer which means that tickets for both the visit of Doncaster Rovers on 29 March and Colchester United on 13 April are priced at just £2 in all areas of the ground.

Speaking to the official club website, General Manager Tom Allman said: "The players and management have already commented internally on how much they’re looking forward to playing in front of a big crowd and we hope that the fans can play their part, as they did at last year's fixtures, in what is shaping up to be two huge fixtures in our season."

March Matches

 March

Tuesday 5th/Wednesday 6th: Free Inter-Services football at Aldershot Town as the RAF take on their Army counterparts. The women's game is a 7pm kick-off on Tuesday, the men's at the same time the following night.

Sunday 10th: Crystal Palace Women host Sheffield United at Selhurst Park in a 12pm kick-off. U-16 tickets are priced at £2 and one adult can go free with each under 16.

Tuesday 19th: The Wales 'C' squad, made up of players from the Cymru Premier, take on their England counterparts (drawn from the National Leagues) in Llanelli. Adance tickets are priced at £8/£3.

Friday 22nd: Wales U21's take on Lithuania in Newport at 6pm. Online prices for the Euro qualifier are £4/£2.

Saturday 23rd: Non-League Day returns with a host of special admission offers up and down the country in a celebration of the game outside of the top leagues. I'll post more about this in the next week or so.

Saturday 23rd: In the EFL there are £10 tickets available in advance at Carlisle United as their home game with Stevenage marks #OneCarlisleOneCommunity day at Brunton Park.

Sunday 24th: Glasgow moves to Edinburgh as Rangers Women and Partick Thistle Women meet at Tynecastle in the final of the Sky Sports Cup Final. Tickets are available now and cost £8 adults, £1 for concessions and £15 for a family of four. 

Sunday 24th: At Ewood Park it is Blackburn Rovers Women against Southampton at 2pm with tickets costing £2 for under-17's and £3 for students.

Tuesday 26th: England men's under-21's take on Luxembourg in a Euro qualifier at Bolton Wanderers. £10 adult tickets (£5 concessions) are available to BWFC season ticket holders and members and also to groups of 10 or more

Something For The Weekend

Non-League Day 2024 takes place in March but there is always great value football happening somewhere near you every weekend of the season...

This Saturday special BOGOF offer! As we not at home on @nonleaguedayuk we are running some offers in March, starting with this against @CorinthianCas.
Buy One Get One Free!
Bring a mate, a neighbour, your postman to enjoy some @IsthmianLeague football. https://t.co/OVrg2geWfJ pic.twitter.com/CRgSkLGW0f

— Hanworth Villa FC (@HanworthVillaFC) February 28, 2024

No April Fool

Just a nice bit of working together in the United Counties League where two Easter Monday fixtures have been scheduled so that spectators can watch both, with a discounted, combined ticket also available for £8 adults and £6 concessions.

Newark & Sherwood United host Lincoln United at 12.30pm before Southwell City, entertain Newark Town at 4pm.

At The Heart Of It

 

The players prepare for the second-half at Handsworth FC on Saturday after a goalless first 45 minutes in the Northern Counties East Premier Division game against Frickley Athletic.

If you're looking for the very definition of a community club then an afternoon at Olivers Mount is what you need.

Just a fiver for adults and free for under-16's, a busy clubhouse bar, warm welcome on the gate and a spotlight given to the mascots for the senior game, many of whom will be back at the ground today (Sunday) for various age-group matches.

Both Handsworth and Frickley currently sit in mid-table and that was reflected in a cagey affair that the hosts gradually took control of, a glancing header breaking the deadlock early on in the second-half.

Frickley hadn't offered too much by the time a downpour influenced my decision to leave a few minutes early.

Inevitably, that meant that when I checked my phone while on the 52 bus back through Sheffield I learned that the visitors had indeed earned a point with a late equaliser!

Boundary Changes

Good to see some positivity back at Oldham Athletic in recent times under the chairmanship of Frank Rothwell, currently in the midst of fundraising huge amounts for Alzheimer's Research UK.

The last time I was at Boundary Park was in the inaugural season of the Premier League as Bobby Gould's Coventry edged past the Latics by a single goal.

Many years later and Oldham's ambitions are currently concerned with reaching the National League play-offs and taking that first step back towards their previously dizzy heights.

With Chairman Frank due back in town ahead of the home game against Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday 24th February, all tickets for the game have been priced at just £1 with proceeds going to his chosen charity and the option to donate more when buying your seat for the match.

Wembley In Sight

 

For the 16 teams left in the FA Vase with Fifth Round Proper ties taking place this coming Saturday, 10th February.

After a dismal weekend for both United and Wednesday, supporters of Sheffield's two big clubs may be looking forward to taking refuge in the welcoming surroundings of Sandygate, home of Hallam FC of the Northern Counties East League.

The Countrymen have made great strides, on and off the pitch, over the past few years and another big crowd will be in attendance for their last sixteen game at home to Lincoln United.

Tickets have been on sale in recent weeks, to help with spectator flows, but on the gate admission will also be available at just £6 adults, £4 concessions.

Coming Up

February

Friday 2nd: FA Youth Cup at the Coventry Building Society Arena as the Sky Blues youngsters take on Millwall in a 5th Round tie. Admission for the 7pm kick-off is £5 adults, £1 for under 18's on the gate. At Kenilworth Road it is Luton Town Under-21's against Colchester United in the Premier League Cup (7pm, £5/£3).

Thursday 8th: Selhurst Park for Palace against Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup. Tickets for this one are priced at £5 adults and £1 for under 18's and over 65's. Kick-off is 7pm.

Saturday 24th: The annual Dagenham & Redbridge FC Diversity Day takes place. Advance tickets for the home game against FC Halifax Town are available from as little as 50p and £2.50 for adults.

March

Saturday 23rd: Non-League Day returns with a host of special admission offers up and down the country in a celebration of the game outside of the top leagues.

Sunday 24th: Glasgow moves to Edinburgh as Rangers Women and Partick Thistle Women meet at Tynecastle in the final of the Sky Sports Cup Final. Tickets are available now and cost £8 adults, £1 for concessions and £15 for a family of four.

Tuesday 26th: England men's under-21's take on Luxembourg in a Euro qualifier at Bolton Wanderers. £10 adult tickets (£5 concessions) are available to BWFC season ticket holders and members and also to groups of 10 or more

April

Friday 5th: Centenary Shield action at Walsall FC where England Schoolboys take on their Republic of Ireland counterparts. Tickets are priced at £8/£5.

Friday 12th: More Centenary Shield football, this time it is England against Scotland at Chesterfield FC with tickets again £8/£5.

Saturday, 3pm

Whether you're watching your team in person, or following it from afar, 3pm on a Saturday remains a special time for football supporters.

I'm writing this as my team, Coventry City, play at Sheffield Wednesday, just a couple of miles down the road from where I live.

My status in the ticket-buying pecking order for the Sky Blues these days meant that the away allocation had been snapped up before they went on general sale. 

Despite some kind offers from Owls fans that I know, I opted to stay at home although I will be there on Friday evening when the teams meet again, this time in the FA Cup.

Ticket prices for that game are £15 adults, £10 senior/under 21's and £5 for under 17's.

If you fancy visiting another couple of famous northern grounds next week then Blackburn Rovers Under-21's have a Premier League International Cup tie against Sparta Prague at Ewood Park on Thursday (7pm, £5/£3, under 12's free) while Manchester United Under-21's host Norwich City in Premier League on Saturday at Old Trafford (3pm, £3/£1.50).

With plenty of games once again called off, many others will have been kicking their heels today but spare a thought for those who normally spend their Saturday afternoons at Marske United or Nuneaton Borough with both of those clubs having had to withdraw from their respective leagues in recent weeks.

Beat The Blues

The third Monday in January is seen as the most depressing day of the year, the holiday season now a few weeks behind us and quite a long way to go until the first signs of spring in the air.

But Redditch United of the Southern League are looking to get people out of the house and into the fresh air on Monday 15th with free admission for the visit of Hitchin Town.

Weathering The Storm

Testing times for a number of clubs across the UK as the bad weather brings with it damage to grounds and lots of postponed fixtures, with the corresponding drop in vital income that brings.

Carlton Town FC of the Northern Premier League are repairing after the recent storms and, as well as a fundraising quiz taking place on Tuesday 23rd, have reduced prices for this Wednesday evening's Nottinghamshire Senior Cup Semi-Final against Basford United to £8 adults, £6 concessions and kids for a quid.