Non League Football 24/25

[peterborofox]

13 minutes ago, Bilo said:

How was the atmosphere? I've heard it's pretty solid lately given it's a new build.

 

I'm planning on taking my daughter for her first game to either the Altrincham or Wealdstone match.

Today I was beind the goal with the hardcore so was a good atmos. Tues night I was along the side but standing. Also good atmosphere although Southend brought 400 on Tues night the other end of that stand so that definitely added to it. 

 

Last minute winner today though made a great atmosphere as did the penalty save. It's a great little ground even with the one stand at one end not done yet. 

 

I'm actually going to I think all their home games remaining now as I've sacked off Lcfc home and away until August. 

Even going to the final game away at Maidenhead now which could be make or break

[purpleronnie]

1 minute ago, Staffs Fox said:

2 years ago Tamworth were playing Coalville, Barwell and others in the Southern Central Premier Division now they’re 3 points outside the playoffs in the National League for potential promotion to League Two. Regardless of what happens between now and the end of the season that’s a remarkable effort 

Remember they only went up on goal difference above coalville, now tamworth have a chance of league football and coalville are at step 6.  So next season their could be 6 divisions between them.....in just 3 seasons.

[Bilo]

Just now, peterborofox said:

Today I was beind the goal with the hardcore so was a good atmos. Tues night I was along the side but standing. Also good atmosphere although Southend brought 400 on Tues night the other end of that stand so that definitely added to it. 

 

Last minute winner today though made a great atmosphere as did the penalty save. It's a great little ground even with the one stand at one end not done yet. 

 

I'm actually going to I think all their home games remaining now as I've sacked off Lcfc home and away until August. 

Even going to the final game away at Maidenhead now which could be make or break

It certainly looks a great place to be, and the match day prices aren't ridiculous either. £21 for me and my little one is belting value. 

 

Once that south stand is built, with the away fans in it as is the expectation, I can see it being a great venue. Especially if they have a decent season next year.

[peterborofox]

5 minutes ago, Bilo said:

It certainly looks a great place to be, and the match day prices aren't ridiculous either. £21 for me and my little one is belting value. 

 

Once that south stand is built, with the away fans in it as is the expectation, I can see it being a great venue. Especially if they have a decent season next year.

Yeah great value that is. Someone else has put here also I think but the food there is top notch also for the price, I happily buy food at non league places but would never at top clubs where it's overpriced crap. 

 

That missing stand I think is still some way off although them going professional next season might accelerate it. Vital they stay up, they had years in the lower leagues and it's so hard to come back up with only two promotion places 

[Bilo]

3 minutes ago, peterborofox said:

Yeah great value that is. Someone else has put here also I think but the food there is top notch also for the price, I happily buy food at non league places but would never at top clubs where it's overpriced crap. 

 

That missing stand I think is still some way off although them going professional next season might accelerate it. Vital they stay up, they had years in the lower leagues and it's so hard to come back up with only two promotion places 

https://www.bostonunited.co.uk/news/club-update--march-2025-2906222.html

 

Construction starting in the next few months apparently. 

[Corky]

2 hours ago, CosbehFox said:

Non league proving it’s not utopia many say it is. Was stood next to Halesowen fans when it kicked off in stand. Mouthy lads from harborough who twice tried to get a reaction and eventually got it. Cue Harborough players running over and saying all sorts with no idea of what happened. 
 

EDIT: this isn’t a dig at harborough, as it’s a problem at a lot of well attended non segregated non league games  
 

Piss poor game ruined by the wind but good crowd of 1k and fair play to Harborough getting the goal back against the wind.Game woke up at the end and both teams missed great chances 

 

Harbs into the playoffs but 8 behind Bedford now for top spot. Going to be a fking pain when it’s the crypto boys making the National League 

The rise in popularity of non-league football is excellent generally but no doubt you'll get an increase of idiots looking to spoil things.

[Angus Scott]

24 minutes ago, purpleronnie said:

Remember they only went up on goal difference above coalville, now tamworth have a chance of league football and coalville are at step 6.  So next season their could be 6 divisions between them.....in just 3 seasons.

It just emphasises the tragedy of Coalville being folded & where they could possibly have got to. I think the goal difference was only 1 or even goals scored

[purpleronnie]

41 minutes ago, Angus Scott said:

It just emphasises the tragedy of Coalville being folded & where they could possibly have got to. I think the goal difference was only 1 or even goals scored

Yeah its incredible how fortunes can change.

 

I believe Tamworth had a +3 goal advantage over Coalville to gain promotion. 

[Bilo]

9 minutes ago, purpleronnie said:

Yeah its incredible how fortunes can change.

 

I believe Tamworth had a +3 goal advantage over Coalville to gain promotion. 

It's a real shame for football in the county, as I think Leicestershire would really benefit from having two clubs playing at a decent level.

 

Hopefully Quorn can maintain what they're doing and get there.

[Anorak]

3-1 win for Ramsgate away at Beckenham in the Isthmian SE today, which keeps them 7 points clear at the top. Need to win 3 out the last 5 to be champions. Last 2 games are Margate at home in the Thanet derby (over 3k expected for that) and away at Sittingbourne (only team that can catch them) so hopefully win the next 3 to be sure. Looking forward to getting down again next week against Broadbridge Heath. 

[CosbehFox]

1 hour ago, Bilo said:

It's a real shame for football in the county, as I think Leicestershire would really benefit from having two clubs playing at a decent level.

 

Hopefully Quorn can maintain what they're doing and get there.

Be Harborough at some point. Get a bit more creativity in their side and they’d fly.
 

Quorn without wishing to be rude know their scale and they’ve had one excellent period already in living memory which means they’ve built a good foundation. 
 

Still think there’s scope for one of the teams in the city boundaries to play higher up but it just ain’t clicked there. Aylestone Park have spent some serious money but keep cocking it up. They’d do well to look at getting a manager in from higher up rather than picking from step 6.  

[Bilo]

10 minutes ago, CosbehFox said:

Be Harborough at some point. Get a bit more creativity in their side and they’d fly.
 

Quorn without wishing to be rude know their scale and they’ve had one excellent period already in living memory which means they’ve built a good foundation. 
 

Still think there’s scope for one of the teams in the city boundaries to play higher up but it just ain’t clicked there. Aylestone Park have spent some serious money but keep cocking it up. They’d do well to look at getting a manager in from higher up rather than picking from step 6.  

Harborough have had a cracking couple of seasons. I hope they can kick on.

 

It's odd that Leicestershire has effectively been a one club county for 120 years. Nottinghamshire has Forest, County and Mansfield in the EFL. Derbyshire has Derby and Chesterfield. Even Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire had two EFL clubs at times with Northampton and Rushden as well as Lincoln and Boston respectively. 

 

For Leicestershire to not even have had a non-league side playing at NL or NLN level in donkey's years is a real shame. Let's hope Harborough break the trend as it would be great for the county.

[Gary Eatfood]

3 hours ago, Angus Scott said:

It just emphasises the tragedy of Coalville being folded & where they could possibly have got to. I think the goal difference was only 1 or even goals scored

Technically, we were resigned from the league, but you're right, it was a huge sliding doors moment. 5 points clear with 3 to play and we completely froze.

 

Honestly, I think Coalville would've struggled at NLN level. Andy Peaks did a fantastic job at Rushden on a limited budget and has done wonders at Tamworth with more money to play with. They were in danger of being dragged into a relegation scrap when he took over.

 

Great to see McGlinchey go on a scoring run too. I hope Tamworth make the play offs.

[FoxesFan#1]

9 hours ago, Anorak said:

3-1 win for Ramsgate away at Beckenham in the Isthmian SE today, which keeps them 7 points clear at the top. Need to win 3 out the last 5 to be champions. Last 2 games are Margate at home in the Thanet derby (over 3k expected for that) and away at Sittingbourne (only team that can catch them) so hopefully win the next 3 to be sure. Looking forward to getting down again next week against Broadbridge Heath. 

This is really great to hear, I watched Ramsgate play at Brackley earlier in the season in the FA Cup and there really wasn’t much between the sides back then.

 

A good sized and noisy away following too.

 

I did two Brackley games this week (Kidderminster + Scarborough), superb crowds 1,777 and 871 respectively.

 

it’s still a relatively small club but benefiting from a lot of housebuilding in the area!

[blueharmie]

9 hours ago, Bilo said:

Harborough have had a cracking couple of seasons. I hope they can kick on.

 

It's odd that Leicestershire has effectively been a one club county for 120 years. Nottinghamshire has Forest, County and Mansfield in the EFL. Derbyshire has Derby and Chesterfield. Even Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire had two EFL clubs at times with Northampton and Rushden as well as Lincoln and Boston respectively. 

 

For Leicestershire to not even have had a non-league side playing at NL or NLN level in donkey's years is a real shame. Let's hope Harborough break the trend as it would be great for the county.

On league form and position harborough are the 2nd biggest team behind Leicester city in Leicestershire at the moment?

We definitely need more Leicestershire clubs going up through the leagues.

National league south for Harborough would be insane but we have the players!

Edited 30 March by blueharmie

[CosbehFox]

12 minutes ago, blueharmie said:

On league form and position harborough are the 2nd biggest team behind Leicester city in Leicestershire at the moment?

We definitely need more Leicestershire clubs going up through the leagues.

National league south for Harborough would be insane but we have the players!

Every chance Step 3 has four Leicestershire clubs next season 

 

Would be National League North for Harbs, personally think an immediate promotion might not be the greatest in terms of logistics, sometimes better to build the foundation stronger before hitting the levels where the pro clubs come in 

[Bilo]

34 minutes ago, blueharmie said:

On league form and position harborough are the 2nd biggest team behind Leicester city in Leicestershire at the moment?

We definitely need more Leicestershire clubs going up through the leagues.

National league south for Harborough would be insane but we have the players!

 

20 minutes ago, CosbehFox said:

Every chance Step 3 has four Leicestershire clubs next season 

 

Would be National League North for Harbs, personally think an immediate promotion might not be the greatest in terms of logistics, sometimes better to build the foundation stronger before hitting the levels where the pro clubs come in 

I was about to ask which NL they'd be in. Surely it would be NLN given that clubs like Oxford City and Hereford are in it. 

 

Some big away trips there from a logistical perspective, though. South Shields would be some trek.

[joeybside]

Darlaston Town 0 - 3 Quorn

 

A journey up the M6 resulting in a Performance worthy of champions. Tbh it was a good reconnaissance mission for next season’s away trips in Step 3 whichever division that may be. The M6 being a kind as it usually is forcing us into a detour around Walsall Ring Road.

Great little set-up at Darlo. The Home Team forming a guard of honour before kick off which was well received. Not much in the two teams for the first 20 or so before Quorn started to get a foot in the game. Billy Kee rolling back the years with a bullet header from a Corner for Quorn’s first. Closely followed up with a good second from the ever lovely Cain Noble. Young Oscar Marshall getting the finisher before time. 
Everything today is what I love about non-league. Visiting grounds you never would usually. Chats with the players. I enjoyed a chat with the Darlo Manager ‘Big Dean’ who’s a top, top fella. Hopefully they’ll build on this season. 
Roll on next week v Rugby Town and the Trophy lift.

[Anorak]

On 30/03/2025 at 07:34, FoxesFan#1 said:

This is really great to hear, I watched Ramsgate play at Brackley earlier in the season in the FA Cup and there really wasn’t much between the sides back then.

 

A good sized and noisy away following too.

 

I did two Brackley games this week (Kidderminster + Scarboroughough), superb crowds 1,777 and 871 respectively.

 

it’s still a relatively small club but benefiting from a lot of housebuilding in the area!

Brackley are having a fantastic season, exciting times for them. 

 

Ramsgate have lost in the playoffs two seasons running after narrowly missing out on the title in 2 horse races. I think they'd do absolutely fine in the division above. They do a great job with engaging youth down there with running so many age group teams and other training schools. You can see the results when you see so many kids down there on match day with their families.

 

Expecting another big crowd on Saturday and hopefully another 3 points closer to promotion. 

[Super_horns]

Boston’s great run comes to an end at Wealdstone with defeat which wasn’t particularly ideal as the hosts moved above them .

[CosbehFox]

On 31/03/2025 at 22:42, Anorak said:

Brackley are having a fantastic season, exciting times for them. 

 

Ramsgate have lost in the playoffs two seasons running after narrowly missing out on the title in 2 horse races. I think they'd do absolutely fine in the division above. They do a great job with engaging youth down there with running so many age group teams and other training schools. You can see the results when you see so many kids down there on match day with their families.

 

Expecting another big crowd on Saturday and hopefully another 3 points closer to promotion. 

Standard Brackley season - push above their weight, get to the playoff final, bottle it. Rinse and repeat. 

[Bilo]

On 01/04/2025 at 22:41, Super_horns said:

Boston’s great run comes to an end at Wealdstone with defeat which wasn’t particularly ideal as the hosts moved above them .

Yep, puts a lot of pressure on the game at home against Wealdstone and the final day at Maidenhead. I still think they survive, but Tuesday felt like a wasted opportunity to put it to bed.

[Bilo]

On 29/03/2025 at 19:02, Bilo said:

It certainly looks a great place to be, and the match day prices aren't ridiculous either. £21 for me and my little one is belting value. 

 

Once that south stand is built, with the away fans in it as is the expectation, I can see it being a great venue. Especially if they have a decent season next year.

Kids for a Quid on Good Friday now.

 

£18 on the terrace (or £21 seated) for me and my little one for a game that could be an absolute banger.

 

This is how clubs build fanbases. There should be more of it.

[Lako42]

On 30/03/2025 at 04:18, Gary Eatfood said:

Technically, we were resigned from the league, but you're right, it was a huge sliding doors moment. 5 points clear with 3 to play and we completely froze.

 

Honestly, I think Coalville would've struggled at NLN level. Andy Peaks did a fantastic job at Rushden on a limited budget and has done wonders at Tamworth with more money to play with. They were in danger of being dragged into a relegation scrap when he took over.

 

Great to see McGlinchey go on a scoring run too. I hope Tamworth make the play offs.

Still hurts tbh. 

 

To think I was dreaming about York City (looked like getting relegated at one point) away and we ****ed it up twice. 

 

 

[Leicesterpool]

On 29/03/2025 at 22:48, Gary Eatfood said:

Technically, we were resigned from the league, but you're right, it was a huge sliding doors moment. 5 points clear with 3 to play and we completely froze.

 

Honestly, I think Coalville would've struggled at NLN level. Andy Peaks did a fantastic job at Rushden on a limited budget and has done wonders at Tamworth with more money to play with. They were in danger of being dragged into a relegation scrap when he took over.

 

Great to see McGlinchey go on a scoring run too. I hope Tamworth make the play offs.

Does Tamworth ground meet the ground grading of the EFL. They would need to get rid of the 3g pitch.