Non League Football 24/25

[Leicesterpool]

4 hours ago, Lako42 said:

My 1st game since end of last season. 

 

The quality difference is stark... 

 

Still an entertaining game. 

 

Sad to see how much the attendance has dropped although assume the freezing weather had an impact 

What was the attendance, i know last two seasons before the demotion there average gate was like 400.

[Guest Lako42]

6 hours ago, Leicesterpool said:

What was the attendance, i know last two seasons before the demotion there average gate was like 400.

189 

[Gary Eatfood]

8 hours ago, Lako42 said:

189 

We’re still doing well with an average attendance of 333. The late inspection probably put a few off yesterday and some regulars were at Villa Park. 
 

I’ve been pleased with the attendances this season. Hopefully, with promotion a possibility next season, we’ll see the gate increasing further.
 

It’s tough starting from scratch.

[Finnaldo]

2 hours ago, Gary Eatfood said:

We’re still doing well with an average attendance of 333. The late inspection probably put a few off yesterday and some regulars were at Villa Park. 
 

I’ve been pleased with the attendances this season. Hopefully, with promotion a possibility next season, we’ll see the gate increasing further.
 

It’s tough starting from scratch.

333 is a good start, the demotion was so sudden it’s brutal to piece things back together and get supporters attending when they know you’re stuck in step 6 for at least two seasons. 250-300 average gates next season would be great, even 200 for that level. 
 

Nice to see your lot stringing some results together now. My question is do you know if the budget is looking? I’d understand if it had been somewhat limited this season to get things together, and I can’t see a whole lot of money in that league from my (admittedly very limited) understanding, so you’d hope if they can get something half decent together then they’ll be odds on next season. 
 

Would be nice in a few years to see Hinckley, Coalville and Nuneaton all in step 4! (Probably the limit all three clubs can manage in their current forms).

[Gary Eatfood]

16 minutes ago, Finnaldo said:

333 is a good start, the demotion was so sudden it’s brutal to piece things back together and get supporters attending when they know you’re stuck in step 6 for at least two seasons. 250-300 average gates next season would be great, even 200 for that level. 
 

Nice to see your lot stringing some results together now. My question is do you know if the budget is looking? I’d understand if it had been somewhat limited this season to get things together, and I can’t see a whole lot of money in that league from my (admittedly very limited) understanding, so you’d hope if they can get something half decent together then they’ll be odds on next season. 
 

Would be nice in a few years to see Hinckley, Coalville and Nuneaton all in step 4! (Probably the limit all three clubs can manage in their current forms).

We still have a core fanbase and are taking good numbers away from home. A lot of casual attendees now go and watch Harborough, which is understandable as it's Step 3 football.

 

We've won two on the bounce after an awful run of defeats, and a few new signings have made a positive contribution, namely Callum Steer, Kane Bartholomew and Jacob Sturgess.

 

Our budget is competitive, but we're looking for additional ways to create consistent revenue outside of match day. There are a couple of outliers in our league who have budgets x 4 what we have, but as we've seen many times, money is no guarantee of success.

 

Having a full pre-season and starting with a group that know each other will help massively. Everybody is still learning on the job on and off the pitch.

Edited 5 January 2025 by Gary Eatfood

[Leicesterpool]

Big thing for Coalville, Hinckley afc and Nuneaton Boro, is to try and have a go in the FA Vase next season. Only chance of a trip to wembley and further you get the crowds will increase. I recall Barwell getting to the Semi's and facing Whitley Bay and attracting 3k to Kirby Road.

[Stuntman_Mike]

I was looking forward to the Nomads/Shepshed game but I think it's off tomorrow 

 

 

[Footballwipe]

Think I mentioned it a few months ago but made the trip to Coalville back in August.

 

Insanely jealous at what you have. Pubs close by, the ground in a great location. Compared to where I am in the county I'd love a setup like that.

 

I do have Kirby Muxloe close by, and AFC Hinckley is a short drive away (can't bring myself to pay Barwell's prices tbh), but the whole experience at Coalville I really enjoyed. Hope to go back, or at least do some non-leagues again when the weather warms up.

[Leicesterpool]

I used to have soft spot for Barwell and wanted them to do well but since Ginnelly went back seem less keen. I notice always signs the same players no matter where he goes. 10 of the 11 players played for him at Nuneaton Borough last season or season before last. Noticed goalkeeper Tony Breeden ex Boro keeper just announced hes left Spalding United... no guess where hes going. Apparently hes after Matty Stenson from Telford, who i think is there leading scorer. Once again an old recruit from Nuneaton Borough, ironically he works for Ginnelly in his daytime job!! Why you want to leave Telford for Barwell i dont know... but dont rule anything out.

[Gary Eatfood]

10 hours ago, Footballwipe said:

Think I mentioned it a few months ago but made the trip to Coalville back in August.

 

Insanely jealous at what you have. Pubs close by, the ground in a great location. Compared to where I am in the county I'd love a setup like that.

 

I do have Kirby Muxloe close by, and AFC Hinckley is a short drive away (can't bring myself to pay Barwell's prices tbh), but the whole experience at Coalville I really enjoyed. Hope to go back, or at least do some non-leagues again when the weather warms up.

That’s nice to hear. The football might be Step 6, but I think the match day experience is still as good as it was. The food has improved massively and the programme is well worth the £2.

[Daggers]

3 hours ago, Gary Eatfood said:

That’s nice to hear. The football might be Step 6, but I think the match day experience is still as good as it was. The food has improved massively and the programme is well worth the £2.

I’m still ridiculously and disproportionately angry at the loss of our pizza van. One of the new owners decided they’d put up the pitch rent which would have made it uneconomical for him to stay. So now we have the shit burger stand inside running a shit potato van outside. No fvcking way are they paying an inflated pitch price to sell jacket potatoes that no one is buying. 
 

And if they were going to increase the pitch cost - why do it mid season?

 

It’s already cost the club in lost booze sales as we left straight after the last match and didn’t bother going to the clubhouse this Saturday. 

[filbertway]

4 hours ago, Daggers said:

I’m still ridiculously and disproportionately angry at the loss of our pizza van. One of the new owners decided they’d put up the pitch rent which would have made it uneconomical for him to stay. So now we have the shit burger stand inside running a shit potato van outside. No fvcking way are they paying an inflated pitch price to sell jacket potatoes that no one is buying. 
 

And if they were going to increase the pitch cost - why do it mid season?

 

It’s already cost the club in lost booze sales as we left straight after the last match and didn’t bother going to the clubhouse this Saturday. 

That's really poor.

 

SInce we've dropped off and the catering is back in house the quality of food has increased massively and the price has dropped to normal levels.

 

Was this pizza van their last April when Coalville played there? If so, I'm gutted I missed out on this

 

[Daggers]

1 hour ago, filbertway said:

That's really poor.

 

SInce we've dropped off and the catering is back in house the quality of food has increased massively and the price has dropped to normal levels.

 

Was this pizza van their last April when Coalville played there? If so, I'm gutted I missed out on this

 

No, came at the start of the season and was all the kinds of brilliant. Great (and well priced) pizzas, pastas and chips, cheap coffee and tea. Attracted more custom from families who come along and eat before and during the match - it just worked really well.

 

We know which one did it, she's the "marketing expert". Well she wasn't a fvcking expert on pitch pricing and the (completely expected) unexpected consequences of driving away a key entertainment USP.

[Guest Lako42]

23 hours ago, Daggers said:

No, came at the start of the season and was all the kinds of brilliant. Great (and well priced) pizzas, pastas and chips, cheap coffee and tea. Attracted more custom from families who come along and eat before and during the match - it just worked really well.

 

We know which one did it, she's the "marketing expert". Well she wasn't a fvcking expert on pitch pricing and the (completely expected) unexpected consequences of driving away a key entertainment USP.

Has anyone told her? 

[Daggers]

30 minutes ago, Lako42 said:

Has anyone told her? 

Been raised on the socials and I've grumbled about it in the clubhouse...but, amazingly, people pay as much attention to things I say there as they do here.

 

I know, I'm shocked too, right?! 

 

We've only had one home match since the decision with last week being called off. This Sat might be telling - or the cold may drive people just to buy jacket spuds because of the cold. Think it only plays out if revenue doesn't make spuds worthwhile as an alternative come the end of the season.

[Daggers]

If we lose our second successive home match because we've installed solar panels on the clubhouse instead of buying a ground cover then I'm going to be a little grumpy come Saturday afternoon.

 

Last Saturday we went to five local pubs in search of sustenance: three were shut, one was hideously priced and wasn't serving food, and the one that did serve me food gave me food poisoning. I want my cheap beer and cheese cobs.

[Daggers]

Absolutely mint

 

 

[Leicesterpool]

21 hours ago, Daggers said:

If we lose our second successive home match because we've installed solar panels on the clubhouse instead of buying a ground cover then I'm going to be a little grumpy come Saturday afternoon.

 

Last Saturday we went to five local pubs in search of sustenance: three were shut, one was hideously priced and wasn't serving food, and the one that did serve me food gave me food poisoning. I want my cheap beer and cheese cobs.

Any plans for a new stadium for Kettering? Im sure that was being discussed at one point.

[Daggers]

26 minutes ago, Leicesterpool said:

Any plans for a new stadium for Kettering? Im sure that was being discussed at one point.

Mate, we're still waiting for a frost cover for the pitch...I think a new ground is going to be a pipe dream for a while to come! 

[Finnaldo]

The inevitable slew of postponements today, Hinckley’s short trip to Leicester Nirvana is off. May make the trip out to the Barwell v Bromsgrove game…

Edited 11 January 2025 by Finnaldo

[Gary Eatfood]

2 hours ago, Finnaldo said:

The inevitable slew of postponements today, Hinckley’s short trip to Leicester Nirvana is off. May make the trip out to the Barwell v Bromsgrove game…

I hope you didn’t bother with Barwell!

[Seventyseven]

Another win today for Harborough against a determined Hitchin. Weren’t at our best but had the more clear cut chances and took it 1-0.  4 wins in a row and up to 7th. 

[Finnaldo]

4 hours ago, Gary Eatfood said:

I hope you didn’t bother with Barwell!

Was called off ten minutes after I walked in  

 

Had a good winter walk down Barwell Lane into Hinckley and a catch up with a mate in cafe there so not a wasted trip at least!

[STEVIE B]

14 hours ago, Seventyseven said:

Another win today for Harborough against a determined Hitchin. Weren’t at our best but had the more clear cut chances and took it 1-0.  4 wins in a row and up to 7th. 

Thought Harborough played really well 1st half, best I've seen for some time, the 2 wingers were always in the game & a real threat. Hitchen weren't too bad for a struggling side, defensively organised & patient. 

[CosbehFox]

14 hours ago, Seventyseven said:

Another win today for Harborough against a determined Hitchin. Weren’t at our best but had the more clear cut chances and took it 1-0.  4 wins in a row and up to 7th. 

Knocking on the door of the playoffs now, swuad looks more balanced