Looking Ahead

A very strange weekend on the football front, lots of matches falling foul of Covid but many more going ahead, lots of talk about circuit-breakers and various restrictions but still some very big attendances up and down the country.

I'll keep updating the twitter page with those matches taking place in the week up to Christmas but, looking ahead to next year there is some international football taking place in February that may be of interest.

England Women are breezing through their World Cup qualification group but, with the European Championships on home soil in the summer, may be looking for tougher tests than those provided on the road to Australia and New Zealand in 2023.

And that desire should be met by the four-team Arnold Clark Cup where the hosts will be joined by Germany, Spain and Canada.

England matches will take place on Thursday 17 February, against Canada at the Riverside Stadium, Sunday 20th against Spain at Carrow Road and Wednesday 23rd against Germany at Molineux.

Tickets are on sale now with the FA promising that more than half are priced at £10 or less.

Get There Early

Free admission at Buckland Athletic this coming Saturday (18th), for the Toolstation Western League game with Brislington, for those arriving before 1.30pm.

Mulled cider and mince pies are available all day.

Also of interest may be Cymru Premier League football for a fiver at Caernarfon Town this Friday evening, with under 18's getting into the game against Aberystwyth.

There will also be a food bank collection.

With Covid-related postponements on the increase, check before travelling and stay safe but enjoy your pre-Christmas football.

Pick of the Week: A Free Edinburgh Derby

This coming Wednesday evening sees a local derby between Hearts and Hibs in the Scottish Women's Premier League, a competition I feel is benefitting from good, regular coverage on BBC Scotland and BBC Alba.

Tynecastle is the venue for a 6.30pm kick-off and tickets are available free.

For a comprehensive guide to matches taking place north of the border, Scottish Football Fixtures is an invaluable resource.

On the theme of derbies, the B team Old Firm clash between Rangers and Celtic, who are competing in the Scottish Lowland League this year, has been scheduled for Ibrox on 31st December at 12pm with tickets priced at £10 and £5.

Something for Everyone

At Ilkeston Town FC on Saturday 18th December with Father Christmas before, a party after and free admission for all to the football match in between, a Northern Premier League clash with Stamford AFC at the New Manor Ground.

If you fancy a double-header then the FA Trophy match between Notts County and Altrincham is a 7.30pm kick-off on that Saturday evening and ticket prices have been reduced to £10 for adults and less for concessions when purchased before matchday.

Festive Footy for a Fiver (X2)

A great bit of collaboration between Bromley FC and Southend United as they prepare for a double-header of meetings over the holiday period.

Bromley's upward progression of recent years means they will head into Christmas with genuine hopes of being in the Football League next year.

They host the Shrimpers on Boxing Day in a 5.20pm kick-off and all adult tickets have been priced at £5 with accompanied Under-16s getting for a pound.

Getting back into the Football League at the first time of asking may be beyond Southend this season but supporters will be hoping that rock bottom was reached in October when a heavy home defeat left them in the relegation zone and saw manager Phil Brown leave the club amidst protests against chairman Ron Martin.

Legendary non-league figure John Still has recently been appointed to a Head of Football role, working alongside head coach Kevin Maher and football strategist Stan Collymore.

Southend have reciprocated Bromley's prices for the return fixture on 2nd January.

Thanks For The Memories

Some lovely footage from York City FC this week of supporters taking their final opportunity to wander around Bootham Crescent and spend a little bit of time at a ground that will have held so many memories for each of them.

And, as a Coventry City supporter who saw Highfield Road demolished and redeveloped without any nod to its past, York's plans to retain a legacy of the old ground within its new use, get a massive thumbs-up.

Will the new LNER Community Stadium be spoken about in the same way in years to come? I hope so even if it doesn't, when I look at pictures of it, quite inspire me the same as glimpses of Bootham Crescent did.

The memories are still to be made of course and even though York's fortunes on the pitch are yet to turn, hope springs eternal.

All tickets for the home game against Chorley on Saturday 11th December are priced at a fiver or less with concessions £3 and under 14's free.

Doing Their Bit

Perhaps the only thing that can outweigh the depressing fact that food banks have became a permanent feature of society over the past decade is the incredible efforts that volunteers go to in running them and providing such a lifeline to so many people.

The link between football and food banks is well established, from supporters of top-flight clubs to the clubs themselves further down, many of them community hubs in their own right.

Walthamstow FC of the Essex Senior League are offering free admission to this Saturday's home game against Woodford Town but are asking for donations to the Waltham Forest food bank.

And the following Saturday...

Food for Football | Bring goods to the turnstile and receive free admission on 11th December vs @FCRusthall at Erith Stadium KO 3.00pm. #UpTheDockers #WeAreErith @Bexley_Foodbank pic.twitter.com/usH5dGCzuQ

— Erith Town FC (@ErithTown) December 1, 2021