The Champions League Alternative

Before the pandemic, on midweek evenings up and down the land, an alternative universe existed where supporters would seek out tea, pies, friendship (or solitude) and football at their local club while the Champions League would play out, glimpsed on televisions in clubhouses or scores scrolled through on phones.

For the past year, of course, the choice of escaping the ever-increasing reach of the Champions League has been denied to those supporters, unable to get out to a game and reduced to a diet of group stage matches with an increasingly familiar ring to them.

I'm not a fan of the competition, as you can tell, but at least at the moment, increasingly a closed shop it may be, but at least at present it still retains the recognisable features of a tournament with group and knockout stages.

That looks all set to change with the proposed changes announced this week that will see two spaces reserved for clubs who haven't qualified through the usual routes (through a formula inevitably designed to feature the bigger clubs) and a convoluted group stage.

A superb piece by Jonathan Wilson in Sports Illustrated lays bare the greed that lies behind these changes.

But an alternative does exist and, hopefully, it is one that we can all get back to soon as clubs finalise their preparations for the return of fans.

🏆 WE ARE BACK 🏆

The defence starts here...

⚽ The #Menace vs @Croydon_FC
🏆 @LondonFA Trophy, Round 2
🕜 1.30, Saturday 24 April
💷 £3 adults, children free
📰 £1 programme
🍺 £3 @brick_brewery cans
😷 See website for our COVID rules
🇹🇭 #Peckham #Dulwich #MenaceLifeAintEasy pic.twitter.com/EIolLcbNx7

— Peckham Town FC (The Menace) (@PeckhamTownFC) April 1, 2021

Pick of the Week

A little more detail on some of the posts on @AffordableFooty over the past week.

Although there is disappointment that supporters are not set to be allowed to watch grassroots football after the next stage in lockdown easing, from 29th March, clubs are moving ahead with plans for friendlies and mini-tournaments.

Seaford Town FC, for instance, are looking forward to their matches in the Southern Combination Football League Supplementary Shield, with live streaming , costing £5 (free fir season ticket holders) in place for fixtures on the 10th, 13th and 17th April.

Excitement is also building for the return of the Women's FA Cup with Second Round ties scheduled for Sunday 4th April.

Crawley Wasps host Gillingham on that day and a live stream is available for £5 while Billericay Town's tie against Ipswich is live on the hosts' You Tube channel.

As good as it to see competitive action coming back, it is also great to see initiatives such as Mental Health Football in Oldham making its return and offering the benefits of a no-pressure, no-expectation kickabout every Friday.

#ComeBackStronger is the aim for Farnham Town as they raise funds for improvements aimed at forging a stronger community bond and  creating a better matchday experience.

And, as someone with keen interest in the Highland League it is hard to argue with this tweet about the toppling of Scottish Championship leaders Hearts earlier this week.

👏 One of the all-time Scottish Cup upsets.

Congratulations to @brorarangers – they'll welcome @StranraerFC in the Third Round.#ScottishCup pic.twitter.com/iBCcz1mvuz

— Scottish Cup (@ScottishCup) March 23, 2021

Affordable Archive

 

27 March 2018 and a crowd of over 22,000 were in attendance for at Bramall Lane for England U21 v Ukraine, attracted by ticket prices of £10 Adults and £5 Concessions (deals were also available for families, Blades season ticket holders and groups) and a child-friendly kick-off time of 6pm.

From the England team playing that day, Ben Chilwell and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are in the senior squad for the current World Cup qualifiers.

Pick of the Week

A little more detail on some of the posts retweeted on @affordablefooty over the past few days.

It was very sad to read a statement from Percy Main Amateurs this week that explains why over 100 years of football at the club looks to be coming to an end soon, despite the best efforts of volunteers, and goodwill from other clubs, over the years.

Tiers three to six of the women's football pyramid have seen their seasons curtailed, with many questioning whether the top two divisions of the game in England, the WSL and Championship, are now becoming ever more detached from the leagues below.

The FA Cup is continuing and Kent Football United are among those clubs looking to keep busy with a number of friendlies scheduled for April and May.

A nice touch from Walsall, highlighted in the Express & Star newspaper this week, as the Saddlers have launched a new third kit for the 2021/22 season which has the names of supporters who did not claim a refund on this year's season (who also get a discount on the shirt itself) included in the design.

I saw the above in a tweet from Kieran Maguire at his excellent PriceOfFootball twitter page where the finances of the game are analysed.

Kieran's expertise comes across in this recent BBC Radio Nottingham podcast which discusses the latest set of accounts at Forest in the wider context of the Championship and Covid-19.

And a nice charity fundraising idea from not too far from me here in Sheffield...

Check out Main’s new charity idea for 21/22 and beyond. Lend and exchange your sports books. It’s a trial we hope to make a few charity pounds for. https://t.co/Hn5EE4afFK #UTM pic.twitter.com/OHPtu6DJV9

— Maltby Main FC. (@MainMaltby) March 18, 2021

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