Greetings everyone - I'm back!
After the hectic schedule of the last two weeks, I'm pleased to say I'm back in business.
Non-League Day (NLD) produced even more of a whirlwind than normal.
The run-up to the event saw South Western Railway, my employers and NLD partners, provide me with my own PR team which was a surreal experience.
Starting days with a briefing on the interviews they'd booked, I was advised what questions would come up and what I could and couldn't say.
They would then sit in on all of them and debrief me afterwards.
Thursday to Saturday (20-22 March) was particularly busy, squeezing everything around work and family.
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| Yours truly with Stuart Pearce and the PL Trophy |
I made numerous appearances on Talksport, BBC Radio 5 live, LBC and lots of regional radio stations.
Interview requests were so numerous that other members of my team also had to pick up slots on the likes of Capital and Smooth.
There was some great newspaper and online coverage too from the Mirror and Sunday Times and my name even appeared in a great article by Forbes.
The Premier League are hugely important in promoting the day and their support was better than ever.
On the day itself, I met Matt from their team at Liverpool Street and we headed out to Benfleet in Essex for the first stop on the Essex Senior League groundhop.
Arriving at the ground around 1030, we'd arranged for the Premier League trophy to make an appearance so fans could have their photos taken with it.
With the trophy on its plinth next to the pitch, I turned around to see a queue of hundreds had suddenly appeared out of nowhere!
With the gates open, an orderly procession of locals had their pictures taken with one of the most prestigious pieces of football silverware in the world.
A few minutes later, England legend Stuart Pearce arrived.
Despite recently suffering health issues on a transatlantic flight, the former Nottingham Forest full-back insisted on coming and did us proud.
He joined the trophy and spent ages happily posing for photos and signing autographs for seemingly everyone in Benfleet!
The game itself, against bottom club Clacton, kicked off at midday and shortly after, Stuart and myself did a live video interview with Talksport through Matt's iPhone - it's amazing what you can do with hand-held technology these days!
With half-time approaching, the crowd was announced as 702 which was 279.5% above average - clearly demonstrating the power of NLD and the Premier League trophy! I think it was also the highest crowd anywhere in the Essex Senior League all season.
I had to leave at half-time to get back to east London for my second game whilst Stuart, Matt and the trophy headed off to their second game at Buckhurst Hill.
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| Clapton CFC took on Croydon in my second game |
Thankfully I had a good journey, with my Spanish taxi driver back to the station saying he'd never seen Benfleet's car park so busy - he knew about the event after his child's school had received an email. He was also impressed to hear about Athletic Bilbao's involvement too.
Getting to Plaistow about 145pm, I met a friend and walked up to the Old Spotted Dog to watch the Clapton CFC game against Croydon.
CCFC are one of the best supported clubs in the 10th tier and they'd understandably kept their advertising of NLD to a minimum so they could safely accommodate what was expected to be a big crowd.
With building works going on, capacity had been reduced and they officially announced that numbers would be limited to 850 on a first come, first served basis.
We therefore got there early. Luckily we had no issues and with our £5 paid and a donation made to the hygiene bank, we were in.
I was supposed to do another interview for Talksport but they kept me on hold for 20 minutes and my battery ran out.
Before kick-off, a few more friends, including TLFG readers Liam and Nils, turned up and we were all in safely.
The match between two sides fighting for a play-off place was understandably tight and it ultimately ended 1-1.
Although it wasn't the most thrilling of games, the atmosphere was great.
With plenty of room available, the club let a few more people in and the eventual attendance of 952 was the highest anywhere in the country at that level.
One friend who hadn't been before, found it to be quite a moving experience - CCFC have a very left-wing and inclusive fanbase and he felt he'd found a home of sorts.
Others spent decent money on scarves and shirts, not to mention drinks and a fun afternoon was had by all as some early spring sunshine graced proceedings.
There was even time for a cheeky kickabout on the pitch at the end before we were advised this was primarily intended for kids - oops.
With a warm feeling inside, I headed home whilst Mr Pearce and the Premier League trophy continued on to a 745pm game at Takeley where he turned on the club's new floodlights in front of another bumper crowd of nearly 600 fans.
I concluded the day by calling into 606 on BBC Radio 5 Live who were asking for people's NLD experiences.
Expressed to the front of the queue, I was warmly welcomed to the show and followed Robbie Savage who'd just called in after leading Macclesfield to the NPL title.
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| It was also a great day for Prostate Cancer UK |
All in all it was quite a day - definitely the biggest and best NLD so far.
We saw a total attendance across Steps 1-6 of just under 200,000 with 139 of 163 games at the top level posting above average crowds - 10 clubs saw increases of over 100%.
All six clubs who partnered with Athletic Bilbao saw their crowds go up significantly with Sheppey United in Kent seeing theirs go up by 80%.
Prostate Cancer UK also did really well for publicity and fundraising - a final figure isn't in yet but clubs in the Essex Senior League were pushing £10,000 on their own which is huge.
Now for a well-earned break.
However, I've started dreaming about what we can achieve next year and some of the new partners we could target.
THE WEEK AHEAD
This week's highlights include games in the Premier League, EFL, National League, Women's National League and lots of other games featuring our local non-league and women's clubs.
As always, please make sure you check with clubs before you travel just in case a game has been called off or the venue or kick-off time has changed - this is highly possible for some of the lower non-league clubs. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.
Details on all of this week's games can be found on the following match maps. If you've never used them before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the drop down menu at the top of the map page to make sure you get all the information. Games are listed from top to bottom in date order so Monday's games (yellow pin) will appear first and Sunday's (orange pin) last. Games are also ranked in terms of status so the higher the division, the higher up the list they will appear on each day.
Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.
It should also be noted that the top four levels are for fully professional teams. Level 5 has a mixture of professional and semi-professional teams, while Levels 6-10 will see most players paid but it will vary from no more than travel expenses at the bottom, right up to several hundred pounds a week at the top.
MIDWEEK MATCH MAP
Monday fixtures - yellow pin
Tuesday fixtures - green pin
Wednesday fixtures - turquoise pin
Thursday fixtures - purple pin
Friday fixtures - black pin
WEEKEND MATCH MAP
Saturday fixtures - blue pin
Sunday fixtures - orange pin
TLFG DAILY DIGEST
In the following section, I list what are in my opinion the most notable games of the week and give some brief reasons for my choice. Check the maps above for kick-off times, ticket info and directions.
Monday 31 March
Professional Development League
The week begins with a couple of U21 games.
Brentford continue their quest for top spot in Group South with a game against Fleetwood Town at their facility in Staines (1pm -
tickets) whilst
Watford host Coventry City at Vicarage Road (2pm -
tickets)
Surrey Senior Cup Quarter-Final
Carshalton Athletic v Kingstonian @745pm - this competition began in 1882-83 and since then, these sides have been to 25 finals between them. The K's are currently fourth in the all-time rankings but they now play a level below the Robins and haven't won it since 2006. On paper, the hosts should win. The winners face a tough trip to Dorking Wanderers in the semi-finals. Tickets are
£11 online and £12 on the gate
ECL Division 1 South
Barkingside v Southend Manor @745pm - in the 10th tier there's a huge relegation six-pointer. The 'Side begin the game in the bottom three but they're on level points with Southend who are just above them on goal difference. The hosts also have a game in hand. To try and boost attendance for this big game, you'll
get in for free if you turn up with a copy of local newspaper the Ilford Recorder
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Tuesday 1 April
Premier League
Arsenal v Fulham @745pm - with only two wins from five, the Premier League title has seemingly slipped out of the Gunners' reach again and a third consecutive second-place finish looks likely. Nottingham Forest are still hot their heels though so they can't relax just yet. The Cottagers are in the top eight themselves and in marginally better league form than Arsenal but arrive in north London on the back of a comprehensive and very disappointing home loss to Crystal Palace in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. Although Fulham are unbeaten in three against Arsenal, they have never won an away game against the Islington club - ever!!! Tickets are only available to members but
hospitality packages are available from £465
National League
Wealdstone v Boston United @745pm - as we approach the end of the season, the big games keep coming. We've got another relegation six-pointer at Grosvenor Vale in Ruislip where two sides battle for their place in the fifth tier. With seven games to go, the Stones are fourth from bottom and just one point from safety. The Pilgrims are the team they have to catch but the Lincolnshire club have spectacularly turned their form around in recent weeks, taking 20 points from their last nine games to pull themselves out of the relegation zone - only leaders Barnet are in better form.
Tickets
Isthmian League South East
Beckenham Town v Phoenix Sports @745pm - the hosts' play-off hopes received a knock on Saturday as they lost to leaders Ramsgate. Now eight points adrift of the top five but with two games in hand, they can't afford to lose many more. Here they welcome another south-east London club who are in desperate need of points to avoid the drop. Five points adrift of safety with a game in hand, they really need to get something too. Tickets are £10 on the gate
CCL Division 1
Hillingdon Borough v Staines & Lammas (Middlesex) @745pm - with seven games to go, the hosts begin their final assault on the play-off places. Currently sixth and three points adrift of the all-important top five, they have a game in hand and a win here could put them firmly in business. The visitors are towards the wrong end of the table but they have a six-point cushion over the bottom three. Tickets are £6 on the gate
Professional Development League
There are also a good selection of U21 games too.
Charlton Athletic host Group North leaders Sheffield United at The Valley (2pm -
tickets). Over at The Den, Group South title contenders
Millwall take on Barnsley (2pm -
tickets) and lastly,
QPR host Birmingham City at Hayes & Yeading United at 7pm
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Wednesday 2 April
SCEFL Premier Division
Sutton Athletic v Punjab United @745pm - down in 13th, at first glance the season looks over for Sutton. However, they have five games in hand which if won would put them back in play-off contention. To have any chance, they really have to beat Punjab who are fifth and occupy the last of those coveted places. Tickets are £8 on the gate
SCEFL Division 1
SOUL Tower Hamlets v Forest Hill Park @745pm - there's a whopper of a game at Mile End Stadium where fifth hosts first. With seven games to go, Tower Hamlets are only a point ahead of Sheppey Sports so simply have to keep winning to stay in the play-off places. The pressure is also on FHP. Five points clear at the top, second place Faversham Strike Force have a game in hand so a defeat here could make things a lot tighter. Not sure of ticket prices but it shouldn't exceed £8
ECL Division 1 South
AS London v Coggeshall Town @745pm - playing across the road from Haringey Borough at the New River Sports Centre, the hosts' main priority now is securing a play-off spot. With games in hand on all around them, it's looking promising. Coggeshall are eighth but have the games in hand to put them in the top five as well so there's plenty to play for here. Tickets are £8 on the gate
Middlesex Premier Cup Final
Brook House v Civil Service @745pm - a decent piece of silverware is up for grabs at Hanwell Town's ground on Wednesday. Brook House are the defending champions. They play in the 10th tier Combined Counties League Division 1 but it's hard to know if they'll start as favourites as they're up against a side from the amateur leagues who exist in a parallel system outside the pyramid. What we do know is that Civil Service, who are based in Chiswick, are one of the oldest clubs in the world having been formed in 1863.
Tickets are £8
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Thursday 3 April
Premier League
Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur @8pm - the Blues are firmly in the race for a top-four finish but it's tight with Manchester City, Newcastle and Brighton all breathing down their necks. By the time this kicks-off, they could be down in seventh. Spurs are way down in 14th with little to play for other than derby bragging rights. They've also won only one of their last 16 games in all competitions against the Stamford Bridge club so it's not looking very promising for the north Londoners.
Tickets
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Friday 4 April
Premier League 2
The pick of the action on Friday is in this U21 competition with
Chelsea hosting Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge (7pm -
tickets). If you're on the east side of town,
West Ham United take on Crystal Palace at the club's Rush Green facility (7pm - entry is £5 on the gate)
SCFL Premier Division
Lingfield v Shoreham @8pm - with the Lingers now groundsharing at AFC Whyteleafe, we've got a bonus game in this ninth-tier division. It's an important one too as these sides fight to beat the drop. Lingfield are five points above the relegation zone with six games to go whilst Shoreham are in the bottom two but only on goal difference. Tickets are usually £5 on the gate
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Saturday 5 April
Premier League
Crystal Palace v Brighton & Hove Albion @3pm - although several clubs are geographically closer, the Eagles' rivalry with the Seagulls is arguably their fiercest. As such, it's quite strange to see the game being played at 3pm on a Saturday. The historical head-to-head between the two is very close but it was Palace who won the return fixture 3-1 in December. Brighton are ahead in the league table but the hosts are in better form and, for me, will start as marginal favourites. If any tickets are left, you'll have to be a member to get one
West Ham United v AFC Bournemouth @3pm - winless in three, the Hammers have little to play for and really just need to get this season over. The Cherries were having the season of their lives, challenging for a top-four finish but five games without victory in the league has seen them slip to 10th. With eight games to go, a place in Europe is still up for grabs. On paper, you'd think the Dorset club will win but it's eight games since they last beat West Ham. Tickets
Championship
Millwall v Portsmouth @3pm - the Lions are 11 points clear of the bottom three with seven games to go, so relegation would seem to have been avoided. Although 13th, a play-off place is still within reach but with a six-point gap to make up and so many teams also in the race, they can't afford to lose many more. Pompey are 17th and need a couple of wins to make sure they stay up. Any games in London pretty much count as derbies for Portsmouth and they've sold out their allocation. With two of the 'liveliest' sets of fans in the division, the atmosphere should be decent. Tickets QPR v Cardiff City @3pm - winless since thrashing Derby on Valentine's Day, the R's have been drawn back into the battle to avoid relegation. Although still 15th, the gap between themselves and 22nd placed Cardiff is only five points. With four points from their last two games, the Bluebirds head to Loftus Road in better form for what has become a really important game for both. Tickets
League One
Charlton Athletic v Lincoln City @3pm - with only two defeats in 10, the Addicks have surged up to fourth and look all set to claim a play-off place. However, their sights could well be set higher as second place Wrexham are six points ahead and come into this on the back of a disappointing draw with second bottom Cambridge. The Imps are down in midtable but are unbeaten in three against Charlton. Tickets Leyton Orient v Wigan Athletic @3pm - the O's were looking good for a play-off place too but their form has dipped and they're down to 10th. However, the gap is only four points so there's more than enough time to get right back in it. The Latics won the FA Cup in 2013 but they're in danger of suffering their sixth relegation since that great day at Wembley and their second in three seasons. Currently five points clear of the bottom four, it's not a hopeless situation but two wins from 10 will be giving great cause for concern. Tickets
League Two
AFC Wimbledon v Harrogate Town @3pm - although in the top six and likely to get a play-off place, it must have still been a frustrating season for Dons fans. Every time they build up a head of steam, they go two or three without a win and slip back. Harrogate are down in 20th but are nine points clear of the drop zone and should be safe. Since they joined the EFL in 2020, they've yet to beat Wimbledon and it doesn't look likely this time either. Tickets Bromley v Accrington Stanley @3pm - survival must have been the main goal for the Ravens' debut season in the EFL so to be in contention for a top-ten finish with six games to go is a fine achievement. A play-off spot looked possible at one point but a five-game winless run has almost certainly put paid to that. Lancashire club Accrington sit just below Harrogate in the table but are only six-points clear of the bottom two and still need a win or two to be sure of staying up. Tickets
National League
Sutton United v Southend United @3pm - the U's are stuck in midtable and unlikely to do anything notable in the remaining weeks of the season. However, they can play a part in who goes up or down. One side looking to get back into the EFL are Southend. The Essex club have suffered only one defeat in 11 and are just one point outside the play-offs. However, they lost to Sutton in September and they'll desperately want to avoid a similar outcome to stay in the race for the top seven. Tickets Wealdstone v Forest Green Rovers @3pm - with three wins from five games, the Stones have given themselves a fighting chance of staying up. However, they face a tough afternoon here as former EFL side FGR pay a visit. The Gloucestershire club were firmly in the title race but several crucial defeats have seen them slip to third and out of contention for automatic promotion. With a play-off place all-but guaranteed, there's less pressure on them than the hosts. Tickets
National League South
Boreham Wood v Salisbury @3pm - four defeats from six has left The Wood clinging on to the last play-off place as we head into the final five games. Eighth place Weston-super-Mare are two points behind and the only team in a position to challenge them so I expect a bit of toing and froing over the last few weeks of the campaign. Salisbury are 19th and only four points above the relegation zone, so they've got plenty of incentive to do well. Tickets
Isthmian League Premier
Dartford v Folkestone Invicta @3pm - the Darts are top of this seventh-tier division and looking to make an instant return to the NLS after last season's relegation. However, Billericay are only a point behind and third place Horsham are four points back so it's all to play for with five games to go. Folkestone, on the other hand, are 12th and have little to play for but are well supported and a crowd in excess of 1,000 should be expected. Tickets
Southern League Premier South
Hanwell Town v Merthyr Town @3pm - I don't usually recommend two games at this level but this international fixture is too good to ignore. The Martyrs, if you didn't already know, are a Welsh club who have remained in the English pyramid in the same way Cardiff and Swansea have. After a very disappointing 2021/22, they've been getting steadily better and now look almost certain to win this division. If results go their way on Saturday, they could end the day 14 points clear. As one of the smaller clubs in the division, the Geordies have had a decent campaign and could still finish in the top eight. Tickets
Isthmian League South Central
Uxbridge v Leatherhead @3pm - the Reds have been one of the surprise packages in the eighth tier this season. The last time Uxbridge finished in the top five was in 2012 so for them to be coming into this match in second is some achievement. With Farnham having already won the title, it's now all about securing a play-off place and they'll effectively do that if they beat the Tanners who are leading the chasing pack, nine points behind in sixth. Tickets are £5 on the gate
CCL Premier North
Wembley v Risborough Rangers @3pm - in this ninth-tier division only the bottom two get relegated and these two are the current occupants of those dreaded places. The Lions are at the foot of the table, eight points adrift of safety but they have several games in hand on all of the teams they need to catch. It's still a daunting gap to make up and it'll become a whole lot harder if they lose this. I'm not sure how much tickets are but they shouldn't be more than £8
More previews for 5-6 April to follow
If you're going to see a game, whether you're a local or a visitor, please let me know what you've been up to. If you're interested in reviewing a ground in the London area for this blog then get in touch. I also very much welcome photos of your football travels.
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