Bargain At The Briggers

2022 has been a special year for Worsbrough Bridge Athletic FC as they celebrate 100 years in existence.

Currently playing in the Northern Counties East League Division One, The Briggers have survived many ups and down over the years, from floods to stadium disputes, but are looking ahead with confidence to a future as a vital part of the local community.

Their commitment to keeping it affordable is shown by this recent tweet.

🗣️ 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧

As a key part of the community & with the cost of living affecting us all & Christmas creeping up, The Briggers want to give something back.

So on Saturday 17 December v @Retford_FC it will be PAY WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD at the @Pinto_Property Stadium. pic.twitter.com/6uos8TMTBI

— Worsbrough Bridge AFC (@WorsbroughBFC) November 27, 2022

Ring Out The Belles

Ahead of Fulham Women's return to Craven Cottage a few weeks ago, the excellent HammyEnd blog wrote about why it was such an important occasion , especially given the rich history of the club in their previous guise when they were one of the early trailblazers for women's football and the long path back from when Fulham Ladies were dissolved in 2010.

Would we have been in a position to celebrate England's Wembley success at the Euros this summer without clubs such as Fulham and Doncaster Belles and the opportunities they strived to provide at a time when so many avenues remained closed?

Now known as Doncaster Rovers Belles, the six times FA Cup winners have had to rebuild themselves after being squeezed out of the top divisions of the game in recent seasons and now looking to gain promotion into the third tier of the women's football pyramid.

Chief executive Russ Green told the official club website recently: “The Belles were pioneering, incredibly successful across the decades and we are all incredibly proud to be a part of such a historic club. While more recent times have been difficult, we are back on strong foundations and determined to regain our place among the elite in this country."

The Belles will play Lincoln City Women at the Eco-Power Stadium on Sunday 11 December with all school children across the city offered the chance to watch the game for free when accompanied by a paying adult.

General tickets are priced at £5 adults and £1 for under-17's with reductions for Doncaster Rovers and Doncaster Rugby League FC season ticket holders.

A Nod To The Future

Just a few minutes away from the magnificent Kelpies, lies the home of Falkirk FC, currently in Scottish League One but making progress towards a brighter future.

The club this week published a very detailed update on the current financial situation, incliding the investment made by fans into the Falkirk Supporters Society.

Prices have been reduced for the home game against Queen of the South, just two days before Christmas, with adult tickets £10 and concessions £5. Under 12's go free and tickets can also be bought and donated to those who may be struggling at this time of year.

Keep An Eye Out

For these upcoming matches as top-flight football prepares for a spell in hibernation.

Thursday 17th Nov: Scotland Under-21's take on Iceland in a friendly at Motherwell's Fir Park. Admission to the 7pm kick-off is completely free for all supporters.

Saturday 19th Nov: Thanks to Loughborough Dynamo FC of the United Counties League for letting me know that prices have been reduced for their home game against St Neots with adult admission a fiver and concessions £3.

On the same day, season ticket holders of Premier League and EFL clubs can watch Sutton United for reduced prices (£10 adults, £7 concessions and £3 for children) when they take on Colchester United in League Two.

Tuesday 22nd Nov: The first of four home games for Harrow Borough FC during the World Cup (the others are on Saturday 26th, Wednesday 7th December and Saturday 10th December). Adult admission for each match has been reduced to £10 and a ticket bundle for all four is available for £28 (concessions £15 and under 16's £3).

Sunday 11th Dec: Tynecastle hosts the Scottish Women's Premier League Cup final with Rangers taking on Hibernian. Tickets for the 12.30pm kick-off are priced at £8 adults and £1 concessions.

Saturday 17th Dec: Family day at Bolton Wanderers with adult tickets priced at £10 for the visit of Exeter City in League One. Over 65's and under 18's tickets are a fiver.

A Deal At 'Dale

Proud members of the Football League since 1921, when many others have had spells out of the league (with some never making it back), Rochdale AFC continue to be a focal point for the local community and also the inspiration for some fantastic books, such as 'Kicking in the Wind' by Derick Allsop and 'The Overcoat Men' by Mark Hodkinson who has also a new book out now, called 'The Longest Winter' which details the 1973/74 season at Spotland against the backdrop of inflation, industrial unrest and more (so very timely).

With many of their near neighbours in the Premier League and Championship set for a winter break once the World Cup begins, 'Dale are offering four games for the price of three between the visit of Mansfield Town on Saturday 12th November and the Boxing Day game against Hartlepool.

Harrogate Town also have a ticket offer for upcoming matches against Leyton Orient on the 12th and Mansfield on the 19th of November and Northampton Town on 10th December.

The 'Festive Football 3 for 2' deal does exactly what it says on the tin and lets supporters watch the third game for free.

November Preview

Start your FA Cup weekend off at Hillsborough where Sheffield Wednesday host Morecambe under the lights on Friday 4th.

Tickets are priced at £10 adults and £5 concessions. Why not come back the following lunchtime for a 12pm start in the FA Youth Cup, where the Owls youngsters take on Burton Albion. Admission for non-season ticket holders is priced at £3 adults and £1 for concessions.

Cardiff City Women are in action at the Cardiff City Stadium on Wednesday 16th, against Abergavenny Town.

Tickets for the 7.30pm kick-off are priced at £5 adults, £2.50 for under 16's and £10 for a family ticket.

For West Bromwich Albion Women there is a Hawthorns clash with Derby County on Sunday 6th at 2pm. Tickets are priced at £5 adults and £3 for under 18's.

The weekend of the 12th/13th sees 64 FA Vase Second Round ties and 56 games scheduled for the FA Women's Cup First Round as these competitions continue on the road to Wembley.

Windsor Park in Belfast hosts the Women's Challenge Cup Final between Glentoran and Sion Swifts on Saturday 5th at 5.30pm. Tickets are priced at £6 adults and £3 for juniors.

And, of course, there's a tournament beginning in Qatar this month which will leave a top-flight-shaped hole in the football schedule, one that clubs lower down will be more than happy to see filled by some additional numbers through the gate.

Update: There also may be some clubs, in the Championship especially, who do not have too many players on World Cup duty and look to arrange a friendly or two during their enforced break.

Millwall, for instance, take on Brondby IF of Denmark at The Den on Saturday 26th with tickets costing a maximum of £10.

Kings For A Day

 

A view from the smart main stand at Butlin Road, home of Rugby Town FC, taken in 2016.

'The Valley' are currently sitting at the top of the United Counties Premier League Division South and host second-placed Coventry Sphinx this coming Saturday (admission £8/£4) at 3pm.

They don't begin their FA Vase campaign until the 2nd Round Proper in a few weeks time but it would be a fitting season in which to land some silverware as next year will mark 40 years since a famous Wembley triumph for the club, then known as VS Rugby.

I was in the stands on that day as Jimmy Knox's side defeated Halesowen Town by a single goal, a landmark occasion that is rightly celebrated every year by the surviving members of the team, while, as the Rugby Observer reported in 2020, paying tribute to Knox and others they have lost as they do so.

It's a great reminder that playing both the Vase and FA Trophy finals at Wembley means so much to those players, officials and supporters from the teams that make it through so many rounds to get there and that, hopefully, the current policy of both matches taking place in a double-header at the national stadium can continue.

In another 40 years time I'm sure there will be get-togethers for those who played their part in Newport Pagnell Town FC lifting the trophy earlier this year.

The First Round proper of the Vase takes place this weekend and there are 103 ties taking place in total. You'd be hard-pressed to find any that will cost more than a tenner to watch so get along to see your local side if possible.

Northern League Brandon United, for example, have a Family Fun Day around their tie with Thackley AFC on Saturday. Admission is just £5 adults, £3 concessions and free for accompanied Under 16's