Non League Football 24/25

[joeybside]

On 30/12/2024 at 22:52, CosbehFox said:

Anstey 2 Quorn 3 

 

A right ding dong. Quorn 2 up and cruising despite 6 first teamers out with some dual reg filling in the gaps. Anstey get it back to 2-2 with three to play. Equaliser is a right strike of fortune. Quorn nick it last minute and continue their excellent season. Probably deserved it in my opinion

 

Nearly 600 there. Nomads ground a lot better now they’ve changed the layout slightly.
 

Plenty of needle too on a derby becoming a bit tasty 

Perfect summary. A game on paper that Anstey should have won but Quorn fronted up massively. Beswick playing CB and not looking out of place summed up Quorn’s guile. A rare start for McKenzie at RWB proved positive as his pace in the press was key. Billy Kee putting a big shift in. Anstey have improved the layout of the facilities no end and it looks great.
 

Banter is banter but the irony of Anstey singing ‘Quorn Scum’ is off the chart. 

[CosbehFox]

25 minutes ago, joeybside said:

Perfect summary. A game on paper that Anstey should have won but Quorn fronted up massively. Beswick playing CB and not looking out of place summed up Quorn’s guile. A rare start for McKenzie at RWB proved positive as his pace in the press was key. Billy Kee putting a big shift in. Anstey have improved the layout of the facilities no end and it looks great.
 

Banter is banter but the irony of Anstey singing ‘Quorn Scum’ is off the chart. 

It’s great to have a Leics club with some atmosphere but they have got to have the worst set of chants I have ever heard 

[Daggers]

Quality toilet provision by Harbs for 400 (hopefully not disabled) Kettering fans

 

 

[Voll Blau]

35 minutes ago, Daggers said:

Quality toilet provision by Harbs for 400 (hopefully not disabled) Kettering fans

 

 

Never been to a segregated game at Harborough. Intrigued as to how it works with only one way in and out of the ground.

 

2-1 at the moment.

[bovril]

On 24/12/2024 at 13:16, Lionator said:

Those who’ve really taken up following a non league side, do you get more joy/despair from it than supporting Leicester? 
 

mate of mine is an Everton fan but got a season ticket at Marine and said it’s made football 100x better for him. He feels part of something again.

I don't think it necessarily has to be non-league. I've started going to watch Orient quite a bit because I live in London and a couple of friends are fans. And I still try and go and see Palermo as much as possible after I lived there and started following them. I enjoy both more than Leicester. Better atmosphere and obviously cheaper ticket prices. But no in answer to your question I don't get the same kind of joy or despair from those games and I will never be able to replicate that anywhere other than Leicester. 

 

Non-league itself as GrobyFox wrote in response to your can be obviously quite poor quality and the atmosphere isn't really the same. I think it's specifically English elite football that people have fallen out of love with, not league football so much. It's soulless and quite boring, and totally ruined now. 

[blueharmie]

1 hour ago, Daggers said:

Quality toilet provision by Harbs for 400 (hopefully not disabled) Kettering fans

 

 

Deserve that for that racist ***** before the match to our players.

 

Kettering were like that picture, shite.

[Daggers]

18 minutes ago, blueharmie said:

Deserve that for that racist ***** before the match to our players.

 

Kettering were like that picture, shite.

Yes we were as shit on the field as your fans were off it.

 

[Daggers]

Food was decent though, and reasonably priced. Beer was affordable. So Harbs got a couple of things right. 
 

I fvcking hate shit plastic pitches. Get some damn grass. 

[Leicesterpool]

2 minutes ago, Daggers said:

Food was decent though, and reasonably priced. Beer was affordable. So Harbs got a couple of things right. 
 

I fvcking hate shit plastic pitches. Get some damn grass. 

I would agree but clubs going 4g are trying to avoid getting less games called off. Annoying thing for clubs like what happened Sutton Utd, they had to go back normal surface when they get into efl. 

 

If honest more funding probably needs to come into place to help clubs convert. I do think this is the best way for clubs going forward. No doubt Spuds will complain about the 4g pitch at Tamworth next week.

[Seventyseven]

11 minutes ago, Daggers said:

Yes we were as shit on the field as your fans were off it.

 

Haha, couldn’t hear your odd lot either, apart from the 5-10 abusive old scruffy ones who were said to have been racist. (Quite likely given the Harborough players reaction during the warm up).

 

Anyway, you came thinking you’d steam roll little Harborough Town and you were rather poor. Maybe the attitude went down to the players. 

[Whatever]

Expected more from Kettering - both on and off the pitch. Supposed to be a 'proper' football club in the local area, but thought their support was crap, as well as their performance. Maybe it was just an off day (it was baltic in fairness), but that's one win in five. Nile Ranger was an embarrassment up top, stunk the place out.

 

As for Harbororough, average attendance is around 350 and they never make much noise - was probably worse than usual today as well, somehow. But, as a fairly new club they're working hard to get more through the door, it's just quite difficult as it's a bit of a rugby town.

 

 

[Daggers]

4 minutes ago, Whatever said:

Expected more from Kettering - both on and off the pitch. Supposed to be a 'proper' football club in the local area, but thought their support was crap, as well as their performance. Maybe it was just an off day (it was baltic in fairness), but that's one win in five. Nile Ranger was an embarrassment up top, stunk the place out.

 

As for Harbororough, average attendance is around 350 and they never make much noise - was probably worse than usual today as well, somehow. But, as a fairly new club they're working hard to get more through the door, it's just quite difficult as it's a bit of a rugby town.

 

 

Most of our regulars stayed away - that’s the drop in vocal support. Nile wasn’t the problem today; we spent the first 45 booting high balls into a strong wind then the second over hitting long passes to the wings. It was shocking. We keep buying forwards yet only have one fit midfielder who can cope with being pressed. I’m absolutely fuming with Lavs for making no changes in-game and leaving subs way too late. Starting line-up was fvcking stupid. We had three players who showed up today. Can’t believe the cvnts had the audacity to come applaud us, they should’ve been handing out refunds. 
 

I’m not knocking Harbs, good luck to the club. Completely deserved the win. If I wasn’t so cold and raging I’d be nicer. 

[blueharmie]

13 minutes ago, Seventyseven said:

Haha, couldn’t hear your odd lot either, apart from the 5-10 abusive old scruffy ones who were said to have been racist. (Quite likely given the Harborough players reaction during the warm up).

 

Anyway, you came thinking you’d steam roll little Harborough Town and you were rather poor. Maybe the attitude went down to the players. 

willy pullers.

 

Always next season to get more points against these bottle Jobs.

[Seventyseven]

I assume you are referring to me who made you look silly when you claimed Kettering took 500 fans to a league game at St Ives when the gate was 481.

 

And our ‘fat ****’ had your many high earners in his pocket today.. 

[09bballer]

I was there as a neutral today, first time I'd been to Harborough and impressed overall. It beats watching Leicester at the moment! The weather was Baltic though, couldn't feel my feet in the second half.

[Seventyseven]

15 hours ago, Voll Blau said:

Never been to a segregated game at Harborough. Intrigued as to how it works with only one way in and out of the ground.

 

2-1 at the moment.

Home fans enter through a makeshift turnstile over the other side, behind the same goal with access around the back of the clubhouse. (A proper one is being installed soon to meet regs required in this league). Away fans then go through the normal turnstile and make their way up to the top of the ground and once they are in that side from halfway line is open to home fans who then on the final whistle move out and away fans leave. It does work but probably could do with a proper entrance at the far end. But until recently there hasn’t been even a remote possibility there would be a full segregated Beehive, so all in good time! 

[Leicesterpool]

What helps Kettering Town, some results went there way, Telford were battered away at Stratford Town. So inconsistent I've noticed Telford, despite their league position they have took a few beatings. Former Boro boss Wilkin, I know isn't popular there at the moment.

[Daggers]

1 hour ago, Leicesterpool said:

What helps Kettering Town, some results went there way, Telford were battered away at Stratford Town. So inconsistent I've noticed Telford, despite their league position they have took a few beatings. Former Boro boss Wilkin, I know isn't popular there at the moment.

We're going to end up with half the league tied on equal points at this rate - no one seems to want to go out and plant a flag.

[Voll Blau]

On 01/01/2025 at 18:09, Whatever said:

Expected more from Kettering - both on and off the pitch. Supposed to be a 'proper' football club in the local area, but thought their support was crap, as well as their performance. Maybe it was just an off day (it was baltic in fairness), but that's one win in five. Nile Ranger was an embarrassment up top, stunk the place out.

 

As for Harbororough, average attendance is around 350 and they never make much noise - was probably worse than usual today as well, somehow. But, as a fairly new club they're working hard to get more through the door, it's just quite difficult as it's a bit of a rugby town.

 

 

Honestly, if I had a quid...

 

Maybe I've just always mixed in the wrong circles my whole life, but I could count on one hand the number of people I know from back home who'd identify as Tigers vs the dozens I know who'd identify as City.

 

The disjointed history of the club itself and the out-of-town ground (granted, not too bad for the Southern Estate but awfully located for everyone else) are much bigger factors.

[Seventyseven]

I’m not sure the grounds location is an issue,  still very walkable from town, I’m not massively convinced people don’t go as it’s a bit more of an effort for some than it could be.

 

The main reason for the lower than some crowds is the club simply hasn’t been established at this level (or even the level below) but it’s growing superbly. I started watching a couple of years ago during first season at Step 4. Gates were around 200 and 250 was great. Now averaging not far off 500 and to have two sellouts at the Beehive in a season, taking 500 to Tonbridge and 3500 to Reading was unthinkable not so long ago.

 

With a thriving junior section and efforts going into developing the youth academy up to the under 23s the club should continue to grow. 
 

But agree, it’s not really a rugby town. 

[Stuntman_Mike]

14 hours ago, Voll Blau said:

Honestly, if I had a quid...

 

Maybe I've just always mixed in the wrong circles my whole life, but I could count on one hand the number of people I know from back home who'd identify as Tigers vs the dozens I know who'd identify as City.

 

The disjointed history of the club itself and the out-of-town ground (granted, not too bad for the Southern Estate but awfully located for everyone else) are much bigger factors.

Doesn't the 'rugby town' thing just stem from the town being almost smack in the middle of Tigers and Saints?

 

It's strange because as big as Tigers are, it's hard to even feel like Leicester is a rugby town (city) in many ways. 

[Voll Blau]

11 minutes ago, Stuntman_Mike said:

Doesn't the 'rugby town' thing just stem from the town being almost smack in the middle of Tigers and Saints?

 

It's strange because as big as Tigers are, it's hard to even feel like Leicester is a rugby town (city) in many ways. 

Well, that would be my definition of a "rugby town" too - somewhere rugby is a better followed sport than football.

[Finnaldo]

15 hours ago, Voll Blau said:

Honestly, if I had a quid...

 

Maybe I've just always mixed in the wrong circles my whole life, but I could count on one hand the number of people I know from back home who'd identify as Tigers vs the dozens I know who'd identify as City.

 

The disjointed history of the club itself and the out-of-town ground (granted, not too bad for the Southern Estate but awfully located for everyone else) are much bigger factors.

This is quite interesting actually as I have the same being from Hinckley way which is also categorised a ‘rugby town’. Which it probably is, alongside Harborough, just not in the way we’d consider the definition. 
 

For one I refuse to believe in modern England, outside perhaps some very specific communities for very specific reasons (parts of the industrial north for League and perhaps Cornwall for Union) that there’s many regions where rugby is outright more popular than football, especially across the Midlands. Hinckley and Harborough might have higher rugby followings compared to other comparable towns or areas, but it won’t be the premier sport. Maybe once upon a time in a much more localised world 40+ years ago, but no way in the 21st century. Football as a spectator sport is so accessible and so dominating in British sporting culture now I find it very hard to see otherwise unless is very specific examples as previously mentioned. 
 

If I was to guess, I imagine it’s an illusion carried by a couple things: 

1) previously mentioned, historically a higher rate of support in an area that’s more likely to pass on. 
2) the local rugby set-up is a lot more efficient, successful and has been consistently for so long that’s there’s a local reputation that it’s the team, and therefore sport to send your kids to almost as a status item. I can’t speak for Harb, but Hinckley RFC has produced enough Tigers and England players in that regard that if you’re a local mum or dad who aren’t too sports-inclined sending your kid to a local sports team, why wouldn’t you the most successful, well-ran one? Rugby tends to have a better vets culture to get ex-players to stick around too.
 

But to my point, most the rugby lads I knew then also were or ended up being football supporters, be it casually or not. A hardcore may have kept playing and may actively watch it but a load I see on social media either packed it in for football or watch both. 
 

This has been long and meandering, but the point is I think that ‘rugby town’ is generally just an excuse where local football clubs has historically floundered and rugby clubs have been very well-run outfits, I’m sure that’s helped by demographics to an extent but if we look at the two towns in footballing terms:

 

Harborough only started 50 years ago, were a county league outfit until 2010. Their progress has been mental in three years (backed by money but seems relatively sustainable so little room for complaints). Despite that they’re averaging 467 in the league, which is bang in the middle of the pack in that league despite a lacklustre league campaign. Coalville were higher attendances yes but their build-up was more gradual and they were competing the other end of the table. Personally I think that’s a fantastic start by the club at this level. If anything it defies the idea of a rugby town. 
 

Hinckley football has been plagued by a history of split clubs and financial disaster. 20th century was Athletic and Town, the former with the support and latter with the money and connections, a brief golden age with United in the 2000s before the realities of that golden age came crashing down. Now mirroring the past with two clubs, one with the support but homeless and one with the (extremely neglected and crumbling) ground but little more than a man with his dog which is ironically neighboured by the consistently successful and ever-expanding rugby club. 
 

Those two probably showcase the myth a bit. One has got its act together and if it’s carries on (SUSTAINABLY, I’ll add) will far surpass the local rugby scene within ten years. Meanwhile the other is locked in a cycle it badly needs to break out of, which continues to limit any progress for local football to which the rugby club benefits (even physically, seeing as they now own the old United 3G as well). 
 

I think things can change in Hinckley, AFC needs its own ground at least in the boundaries of town (seeing as any change of an inner-town ground died with Middlefield Lane) and we need to be better as community and inter-sport networking locally. There’s no reason a Hinckley side in the current AFC format couldn’t compete at step 4 with 400+ crowns with its own ground, but that’s for us as a club to realise I think.

[Leicesterpool]

26 minutes ago, Finnaldo said:

This is quite interesting actually as I have the same being from Hinckley way which is also categorised a ‘rugby town’. Which it probably is, alongside Harborough, just not in the way we’d consider the definition. 
 

For one I refuse to believe in modern England, outside perhaps some very specific communities for very specific reasons (parts of the industrial north for League and perhaps Cornwall for Union) that there’s many regions where rugby is outright more popular than football, especially across the Midlands. Hinckley and Harborough might have higher rugby followings compared to other comparable towns or areas, but it won’t be the premier sport. Maybe once upon a time in a much more localised world 40+ years ago, but no way in the 21st century. Football as a spectator sport is so accessible and so dominating in British sporting culture now I find it very hard to see otherwise unless is very specific examples as previously mentioned. 
 

If I was to guess, I imagine it’s an illusion carried by a couple things: 

1) previously mentioned, historically a higher rate of support in an area that’s more likely to pass on. 
2) the local rugby set-up is a lot more efficient, successful and has been consistently for so long that’s there’s a local reputation that it’s the team, and therefore sport to send your kids to almost as a status item. I can’t speak for Harb, but Hinckley RFC has produced enough Tigers and England players in that regard that if you’re a local mum or dad who aren’t too sports-inclined sending your kid to a local sports team, why wouldn’t you the most successful, well-ran one? Rugby tends to have a better vets culture to get ex-players to stick around too.
 

But to my point, most the rugby lads I knew then also were or ended up being football supporters, be it casually or not. A hardcore may have kept playing and may actively watch it but a load I see on social media either packed it in for football or watch both. 
 

This has been long and meandering, but the point is I think that ‘rugby town’ is generally just an excuse where local football clubs has historically floundered and rugby clubs have been very well-run outfits, I’m sure that’s helped by demographics to an extent but if we look at the two towns in footballing terms:

 

Harborough only started 50 years ago, were a county league outfit until 2010. Their progress has been mental in three years (backed by money but seems relatively sustainable so little room for complaints). Despite that they’re averaging 467 in the league, which is bang in the middle of the pack in that league despite a lacklustre league campaign. Coalville were higher attendances yes but their build-up was more gradual and they were competing the other end of the table. Personally I think that’s a fantastic start by the club at this level. If anything it defies the idea of a rugby town. 
 

Hinckley football has been plagued by a history of split clubs and financial disaster. 20th century was Athletic and Town, the former with the support and latter with the money and connections, a brief golden age with United in the 2000s before the realities of that golden age came crashing down. Now mirroring the past with two clubs, one with the support but homeless and one with the (extremely neglected and crumbling) ground but little more than a man with his dog which is ironically neighboured by the consistently successful and ever-expanding rugby club. 
 

Those two probably showcase the myth a bit. One has got its act together and if it’s carries on (SUSTAINABLY, I’ll add) will far surpass the local rugby scene within ten years. Meanwhile the other is locked in a cycle it badly needs to break out of, which continues to limit any progress for local football to which the rugby club benefits (even physically, seeing as they now own the old United 3G as well). 
 

I think things can change in Hinckley, AFC needs its own ground at least in the boundaries of town (seeing as any change of an inner-town ground died with Middlefield Lane) and we need to be better as community and inter-sport networking locally. There’s no reason a Hinckley side in the current AFC format couldn’t compete at step 4 with 400+ crowns with its own ground, but that’s for us as a club to realise I think.

Best way forward id say is see hinckley afc and leicester road merge. Seems pointless having both battling against each other. Afc Hinckley United at Leicester Road i can see being a much better project and attracting the fans back. Hinckley afc have been playing outside of town for too long... i fear the same with Nunny Boro if we dont return to the town within the three year target.

[purpleronnie]

2 minutes ago, Leicesterpool said:

Best way forward id say is see hinckley afc and leicester road merge. Seems pointless having both battling against each other. Afc Hinckley United at Leicester Road i can see being a much better project and attracting the fans back. Hinckley afc have been playing outside of town for too long... i fear the same with Nunny Boro if we dont return to the town within the three year target.

Such a shame the leicester road ground is so empty, such potential with a stadium like that.