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At this time of year and as we move towards the dawn of the new year it’s all about reflection and memories of the time just past. With that in mind I thought we’ll use this piece to recollect memories of non-league football, whether that be last week, last year or way back in the distance.
But, not just from me, go ahead and contribute in the comments, share what you have, share what you know, why it sticks in your memory and it can be anything connected to a game.
I’ve got so many, so I’ll pick out just a few. I’ve been going to non-league games for since I was about 8 years old, that’s some 40 odd years crammed into my head and of course some stick out more than others.
Over that time I’ve watched countless games at all levels, seen promotions won, relegations confirmed, titles secured and met some fabulous people, the latter with some more still to meet, I love to find out what makes them tick when it comes to non-league football.
My first memory is the first game I ever watched, Maidstone Utd vs Nuneaton Borough, a Wednesday night under floodlights with a 2-0 win for the Stones, Steve Butler and George Torrance the scorers, the former would crop up in my history again long after that day. That night hooked me at London Road and they were my team until they folded in 1992 having won promotion to the Football League only a few years earlier. Many a Stone also have appeared since in my timeline, that’s the kind of football it is.
Their loss was Barnet’s gain, two promotions to the Football League in my 25 odd years watching the Bees with some fantastic memories in both years for many different reasons. I’ve been extremely lucky to have shared those moments with some great friends at the time and even more lucky to have interviewed so many members from both years, most I’m now lucky to call friends and speak to often, stuff of dreams for most of us, I’m actually living it.
Wembley, two finals of the FA Vase. The first back in 2013 when Tunbridge Wells went all the way. My youngest brother played for them years earlier, my dad until he died was a prominent member off the pitch for the Wells, sadly he didn’t live long enough to see the moment.
The second just a couple of years ago, my adopted hometown of Littlehampton Town repeated the Wells journey, only I was a part of it. Local newspaper coverage has waned tremendously over the years, but this kind of occasion you couldn’t ignore.
The Littlehampton Gazette sports editor Steve Bone allowed me to contribute all the way through to and including the Final at Wembley, the biggest stage I’ve reported on and what a blast it was, the season as a whole for the Golds a treble and Wembley runners up, phenomenal and once again great friends made out of it and a memory never to be taken away from anyone who witnessed the run or the day itself.
The last memory I’m going to bring up is an ongoing one, it never stops recreating itself. I’ve met so many fabulous people across the game, whether that be locally, through social media, through Barnet FC or wherever that line never ends and most of that has been born through the power of social media, blogging and podcasting.
Depending on when you read this article I will have spent the Saturday before Xmas catching up with two of my Bromley supporting mates, Eddie Mackintosh and Rob Shirley, they came from the above and we meet up at least once a year sharing the same love for non-league football and the joy of just seeing your mates, sharing a beer and some food, and of course the football.
It’s the same everywhere, I’ve too many people to mention, I’d be here all night and every time you meet with one of these people you create another memory to add to the others and none are forgettable.
In the midst of all these Super League discussions and grumbles over moving kick off times and ticket prices where the memory starts to get tarnished, remember what’s right on your doorstep.
There’s a club, there might be three just waiting for you to be a part of some memories, it might not happen overnight, Rome wasn’t built in a day, but go and read some of these blogs you see popping up on your timeline, or just the ones I retweet and feel like you’re actually within that piece of writing, you won’t regret it.
Now it’s your turn! I don’t care how long the reply is in the comments, get in there and share them all with everyone, I bet you’d be surprised to find that one of those memories are the same or quite similar as one you remember, the floor is yours……….
8 comments
I’ve only been going regularly to Marine since 2021 but it certainly runs in the family, my great-grandad was going to games in the 1940s and maybe even earlier. Plenty of memorable moments, my first away game at Wrexham in the FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round (although we did lose), winning the 2022 NPL West playoff final against Runcorn Linnets, winning away at Halifax this season to reach the FA Cup 1st Round. And not forgetting the eventful FA Trophy game against Dunston on my birthday in 2021 which included almost an hour’s pause due to floodlight failure, a handball goal by a Dunston player, and eventually Marine winning on penalties. Or a Tuesday night game where we managed to see out a 1-0 win against Colne in a thunderstorm. Hopefully many more good memories to come!
Love it Lucy! Just what non-league is all about, keep making the memories. Somewhere on that FA Cup wall you should find me as well…..
Nonleague football. A place where many a club has less than a Premiership player’s weekly wage to survive on. In fact they dream of having that amount of money to use.
It’s a place where the football and the fans is more important than the result. I get more joy from it than watching the antics of league football. In fact I have seen far more entertaining games than at the highest levels.
One of the best games of football I have ever witnessed was in the 6th tier a few years ago, and it was unbelievably, a goalless draw! At the time the highest entry fee was a £5 note. £2.50 for concessions and under 16s free. It’s only gone up a £1 since then. What a bargain!
If you want to put the love of football back into your life – support a lowly nonleague club.
Roland, couldn’t have put it better myself, just perfect!
So many over the years but the ones which stand out 1959 FA Amateur Cup Final, yes we lost but what a great young side and with what was described as one of the best goal in an Amateur final from Bobby Brown.
Then the 3rd round tie with Preston, lost again but only to a late own goal from Terry Casey, Underhill was rocking that day coming from 2 down to 2 all at one point.
Then the last time we were promoted back into the Football League against Gateshead. Got the last seat in the Legends Stand, flew back from Spain on the Saturday morning spend the night at Luton Airport and flew back on the first flight out on the Sunday. Memories like these just cannot be replaced.
Brilliant David! Hopefully the Bees add a few more this season as well 🙂
Will be at the Chesterfield game in January, my Grandson is a mascot for the day, which will certainly be another great memory, if you are around would be nice to meet.
I will be there! Be great to put a face to the name after all this time 😊