Pick of the Week

A little more detail on some of the things I've retweeted on @AffordableFooty over the past few days. 

With the non-league season in England curtailed below National League level, but the planned easing of lockdown restrictions allowing clubs to play (and hopefully spectators to watch, although the guidance isn't totally clear in this respect as to when that may be), a number of cup competitions and mini-tournaments are being organised.

The Post Covid Lockdown Charity Cup is exactly what it says on the tin for 12, Midlands-based sides from April 17 onwards, while Bristol Manor Farm FC are hosting the Steve Hillier Memorial Cup, from the same date, in honour of their former secretary.

Fundraising is underway for improvements to Villa Park, not that one but the home of Aberlour Villa FC of the Moray & District Welfare League and in a beautiful part of Scotland.

They are hoping to build a new pavilion in time to celebrate 100 years in existence in 2024. 

Monday was International Womens Day and Bury AFC  went into some really interesting detail on how they hope to establish a successful and sustainable women's team and tap into the increased interest in girl's football in the area over the past few years.

And finally, even though football at Sandygate may be over for this season I may still try and make a visit...

It comes in pints?!... 🍻

With alcohol sales being permitted from the 12th of April, we will once again be opening the 1860 Bar with Sheffield’s biggest beer garden!*

Opening days & times below 👇🏻

3-11 Friday 16th
12-11 Saturday 17th

*It might be... 💙#HallamFC pic.twitter.com/PRwKHCp3hY

— Hallam FC (@HallamFC1860) March 8, 2021

Affordable Archive

 

On this day four years ago I made a first visit to the Coach & Horses Ground in Dronfield, home to Sheffield FC Men and Women, to watch a WSL clash with Everton.

The world's oldest football club have exciting plans to move back within the city boundaries and open a new stadium which they hope will not only be a home for the many teams representing The Club, but also act as an attraction in its own right for anyone interested in the history of the game.

More information, and a video of the proposed development, can be found by  clicking here.

Pick of the Week

A little more detail on some of the things I've retweeted on @AffordableFooty over the past few days. 

With supporters not able to watch the Continental Cup Final on March 14, Chelsea Women Supporters Group have produced a virtual ticket for their game against Bristol City

Costing from £5 it offers entry into a prize draw while raising money for two charities.

Frome Town chairman Derek Graham has written an excellent piece for his club's website, updating on all aspects of the club and highlighting just how difficult things have been financially in the absence of spectators and income from functions and events.

Looking forward, season tickets for 2020/21 are being rolled over the next campaign and a pre-season friendly has already been arranged, against Bath City on July 16.

Before then, lots of clubs are arranging mini-tournaments for when restrictions ease, witu most league seasons having been curtailed.

Clitheroe FC are one such with eight clubs joining their Spring Festival. Two games a day will be played on the last three weekends in April with a final on Sunday 1 May.

At present, spectators cannot attend but the matches will be streamed.

Bishops Cleeve FC, meanwhile, are progressing nicely with their fundraising attempts to build a new community sports hub. 

England manager Gareth Southgate is among those to have backed the efforts and there are some great rewards on offer to those donating.

And, with the Cymru Premier making its return this weekend, here's a cracking shot of a ground with a very striking backdrop.

The Rock is looking great and being repaired and resurfaced in preparation for our @CymruLeagues return this Saturday against @BarryTownUnited 🏟

Not much longer now! ⚫️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/zlSDUc8Fr3

— Cefn Druids FC (@CefnDruids) March 3, 2021

Any Chance of Play?

The familiar refrain of the cricket season but from April onward it's a question that will apply to football too following confirmation from the Football Association that the Non-League season at Steps 3-6 is to be curtailed.

That means a second successive campaign will end in this way but a major difference between now and a year ago is that clubs have been the provisional go-ahead to make a return to action as part of the much-talked about road map announced last week.

So each of the leagues below the National League now have decisions to make as to whether they look to organise some kind of competitive action, such as a mini-league or cup, for their members, some, such as the United Counties League already announcing that they are preparing something along these lines.

It is slightly unclear, as yet, whether supporters will be allowed back to watch grassroots football ahead of their return to bigger grounds at a higher level and there is also the important factor for many of when they will be allowed to open their bars and clubhouses but many clubs are being positive and tentatively penciling in dates to get back on the grass.

Fancy Signing for Dundee United?

With the 7th of March marking exactly one year since supporters attended a match at Tannadice, Dundee United are aiming to make their home game against Celtic on that day a 'virtual' sell-out.

Tickets are on sale, priced £5 each with each one offering entry into a prize draw.

What I like about the draw is that the top prize is one that cannot be brought with the winner becoming part of the United squad for next season, complete with social media signing announcement, squad number and place in the team photograph.

It's a prize I would probably run a mile from if I won it but it will appeal to many, works well in the age of social media and is reflective perhaps of the kind of work clubs are having to put in to keep their fanbases engaged after a year of no access to stadiums (and no real indication in Scotland as yet to when that situation may change).

Best Of British

Televised football is all we have at the moment and, without a subscription to any of the relevant channels, I've found myself using the BBC to keep up with the main events across a host of different leagues and competitions.

Five Live for Premier League commentaries and Radio Sheffield for the local scene (as a neutral I think the coverage of all the region's teams to be comprehensive) have always been staples but technological developments such as the iPlayer and red button have allowed the television offering to suit the needs of the committed but casual supporter.

Previously I felt the BBC didn't always make the best of the rights that it had, a prime example being The Football League Show, covering the Championship, League One and Two, which usually ended up being shown after Match of the Day and into the small hours of Sunday morning.

Also the FA Cup coverage almost petered out a little once the Premier League teams joined the competition as the main game chosen often tilted too much towards the bigger clubs.

Now, however, the BBC offers the chance to catch all the highlights from each of the UK's top divisions (with s4c available through the iPlayer) and I think it is important that the national broadcaster is able to do that. Coverage of the EFL sits better on its current home of Quest but so many of the local radio stations provide a great link.

In a season of matches played behind closed doors, the FA Cup has provided something different and clubs all over the country, all the way back to Maine Road and Squires Gate in the first preliminary round, have featured.

The ability to show matches on different platforms has largely taken away the problem of the one game chosen being a damp squid.

Add in the continuingly excellent radio commentaries (and lots of other football-related stuff, such as documentaries and podcasts) and I think it's a good moment for the beeb.

History at York Road and York City

Tuesday night was a historic one for both Maidenhead United and York City as they both celebrated landmark occasions.

The York Road ground in Maidenhead welcomed its first visitors on February 16, 1871, which meant the visit of Stockport County this week marked exactly 150 years of football in the heart of the town.

An excellent piece in the Maidenhead Advertiser earlier in the week highlighted both the historic nature of the game but also of the challenge facing Maidenhead and so many other clubs at this time, a live stream of Tuesday's night match would, it was hoped, bring in much-needed funds.

Last weekend's The Non-League Paper also ran a feature on York Road and the thoughts of club chairman Peter Griffin as plans are stepped up for a new stadium, that town-centre location making it increasingly difficult to make any further improvements while the land it sits on becomes increasingly valuable.

As Peter says, "It sets the club up long-term and means we would be not only debt free but self-sufficient."

The same evening, amidst the chaotic National League North season, York City played their first ever fixture at their new Community Stadium with a live stream on a 'pay what you can' basis hopefully bringing supporters a taste of what they can expect when they are able to watch matches in person again.

A chance to say a proper farewell to Bootham Crescent may have been lost amidst the pandemic but I hope the future is bright for the Minstermen.