The 'Dale Way

'Who won the National League Cup in 2024/25?' One of the more niche football questions for a competition that has attracted a fair bit of negativity and is likely to pass by largely unnoticed again in the new season.

Not all National League clubs have opted to participate in 2025/26 but Rochdale are in and offer a really clear explanation on their website as to why they are doing so.

Their four matches at Spotland will all be free admission, including the opening fixture against Burnley on August 12 which the club are looking at making a daytime kick-off as a good summer holiday activity.

Free This Weekend?

The following matches are all free admission this coming weekend.

Friday night at Cheddar FC (the Theatre of Cheese) when Larkhall AFC are the visitors for a 7.45pm kick-off.

Saturday at 1.30pm it is Clifton All Whites against a Notts County XI and at 2pm Hawick Royal Albert host Tynecastle FC.

At 3pm Ramsgate FC host AFC Whyteleafe and Carlton Town entertain Newark & Sherwood.

In Cornwall it's Helston Athletic against Wendron United, Coventry City under-21s are at Chatham Town and Tuffley Rovers are ready to welcome Tewkesbury Town.

Up and Running

 

Always good to get to the first game of a new season, and to visit Handsworth FC after not getting the chance in 24/25.

The sun was out and 133 of us took the chance to catch a match at Olivers Mount where walking in from the road of the same name also took me past a cricket match and that nice juxtaposition of the great summer and winter sports together.

Handsworth are preparing for another season in the Premier Division of the Northern Counties East League (NCEL) and were good value for a 4-0 victory against Goole, relegated from the top flight last time out.

The hosts have a Sheffield derby against Hallam FC on Wednesday 9th at 7.45pm, adults £6, concessions £4 and kids go free.