The Non - League thread

[Zammo]

Didcot Town Football Club

Press Release Sunday 16 September 2012

Elkins Takes Over At Didcot

Evo-Stik League Southern South & West Division outfit Didcot Town Football Club have appointed Gary Elkins as their new First Team manager.

The ex-Wimbledon, Fulham and Swindon Town defender had been in caretaker charge following the resignation of Dave Mudge in August.

But immediately after Didcot had drawn with Paulton in the FA Trophy on Saturday club Chairman John Bailey offered Elkins the role on a permanent basis: "The committee have indicated unanimously that Gary is the right person to take over as First Team manager and I would like to wish him the very best. We try to give managers time here at Didcot because we like stability from the top down. He has played at the highest level in club football and has the respect of the players."

Speaking after the Paulton game Elkins added: "I'm absolutely delighted to have been offered the job full-time and I didn't hesitate to accept it. The hard work continues but I'm looking forward to the challenge ahead."

[floyd__streete]

In non Windsor news i see Maidenhead are aiming to build a 500 seater stand...for their less than 400 fans. I don't understand why non league sides do vanity projects like this!

So they can have the facilities required to step up? Reading got a crowd of 24,000 yesterday. They had around 9,000 on average at their last season at Elm Park.

The old (only!) stand at Maidenhead is decrepit. The stand being built will replace the old stand burned down in a fire 25 years ago or so. No point paying however many thousands of pounds on a 200-seat stand is there?

Ironic for a Windsor fan to hint at financial folly on the part of other clubs

[Royal Rother]

There is no playing budget this year.

How many clubs at that level have a proper playing budget? Isn't the game more or less amateur by the time you get that far down?

From what I read / hear I would imagine that 35% of teams in Windsor's League are playing for nothing. Another 35% possibly get expenses only, which will be reimbursement of fuel to and from games. Only my guess though.

[paultheroyal]

Just caught up with what happened in the Bashley vs Gosport FA Cup match.

Had the pleasure of refereeing both these teams back in the day and decent clubs to me. Poor referee. Had a similar experience myself in a Hampshire League match years ago over at Malshanger. Easily done.

How Bashley survive is beyond me. Nice ground, middle of nowhere and so bloomin small even the village ain't signposted!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19589825

[Royalist]

It just seems abit odd having 500 seats filled with a scattering of fans! If it is to fit Conference standings it's one of the rules that should be phased out in this day and age. I seem to remember Slough getting kicked out for being a few seats short of the needed amount sending them into the homeless state they still are in decades later!

[Christof]

It just seems abit odd having 500 seats filled with a scattering of fans! If it is to fit Conference standings it's one of the rules that should be phased out in this day and age. I seem to remember Slough getting kicked out for being a few seats short of the needed amount sending them into the homeless state they still are in decades later!

Correct, think it was after 1997/1998 season that Slough had to go down to the Isthmian again for being 49 seats short of the requirements. It's not like they were ever full...

Still, the planning application for the new ground should be going in this side of Christmas, then the council have 6 months to debate/decide. In the meantime, there is now a reserve team again, and lots of youth teams so they're trying to grow the right way it seems...

[Royalist]

The whole ground grading thing is a bit of a farce if you ask me. Windsor and Eton had to spend thousands to improve ground and then played sides with far more basic set ups!

Maidenhead are still semi pro right? And i'm guessing will stay that if they go up?

[Tony Le Mesmer]

The whole ground grading thing is a bit of a farce if you ask me. Windsor and Eton had to spend thousands to improve ground and then played sides with far more basic set ups!

Maidenhead are still semi pro right? And i'm guessing will stay that if they go up?

As things stand, the ground grading means Maidenhead cant go any higher than Step 2. And yes, they are still Semi Pro. Unbeleivably there are a few pro teams in the Conf Sth, quite how they make that pay i dont know.

[Royal Rother]

Windsor U18 beat Thame Utd U18 6-1 last night in the FA Youth Cup. Excellent performance apparently. Recent developments have obviously opened the path for the youngsters to work their way into the 1st team - wonder whether that has given them an extra level of motivation and encouragement.

Next stop Slough or Maidenhead.

[Hoop Blah]

...Big no 5 from Highmoor went up front late on and merely re-affirmed their unwanted reputation as an aggresive and unpleasant outfit. He'd already got a Yellow for a clear elbow - nearly got another for dragging someone back by the neck as he was outpaced for the ball then lost it completely with the Ref as he was given a deserved 2nd yellow for scything down the full-back as he cleared the ball. As this prize c&ck stormed off - he offered to take on all comers hurling (deserved) abuse at him from the stands![/color] [/i]

That was ex-Reading 'starlet' Adam Theo.

[Hoop Blah]

...with a certain Mr Spence to the fore - though oddly enough he didn't score in the 6-0 win in the Vase game above v Lydney. Not sure if he was playing.

He wasn't playing no. He played and scored for South Reading in their win at the weekend.

[Four Of Clubs]

... this w/e NL Preview

Friday 21st Sept
74 Didcot Town v Clevedon Town

Saturday 22nd Sept
FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round
35 Northwood v AFC Dunstable
36 Wealdstone v Lowestoft Town
37 Ashford Town (Middx) v St Albans City
39 Carshalton Athletic v Chalfont St Peter
40 Hendon v Lewes
41 St Neots Town v Boreham Wood
42 Chelmsford City v Leatherhead
43 Dover Athletic v Tonbridge Angels
44 Brentwood Town v Maldon & Tiptree
45 Badshot Lea v Leiston
46 Aveley v Margate - may try (and fail if the M25 continues to be ^%$£ ) for this one - plenty of 'alternatives' en route providing we can get off the M'way should there be trouble!
47 Waltham Abbey v Eastbourne Borough
48 Billericay Town v AFC Hornchurch
49 Concord Rangers v Welling United
50 Enfield Town v Bishop's Stortford
51 Cray Wanderers v Thamesmead Town
52 Waltham Forest v Hampton & Richmond Borough
53 Whitehawk v Hitchin Town
54 South Park v Harefield United
55 Arlesey Town v Dulwich Hamlet
56 Staines Town v Hastings United
57 Berkhamsted v Metropolitan Police
59 Bury Town v Wingate & Finchley
60 Horsham v Thurrock
61 Sutton United v Bromley
62 Grays Athletic v Maidstone United
63 Kingstonian v East Thurrock United
64 Bishop's Cleeve v Chippenham Town
65 Truro City v AFC Totton
66 Dorchester Town v Wootton Bassett Town
67 Buckland Athletic v Bath City
68 Gloucester City v Thatcham Town
69 Gillingham Town v Sholing
70 North Leigh v Havant & Waterlooville
71 Basingstoke Town v Weymouth
72 Merthyr Town v Hungerford Town
73 Frome Town v Weston Super Mare
75 Newport (IW) v Salisbury City
76 Gosport Borough v Bideford
77 Fareham Town v Blackfield & Langley
78 Farnborough v Eastleigh
79 Maidenhead United v Bognor Regis Town
80 Yate Town v Oxford City

SOUTH1C
Beaconsfield SYCOB v Aylesbury
Burnham v North Greenford United
Chertsey Town v AFC Hayes
Fleet Town v Biggleswade Town
Guildford City v Barton Rovers
Royston Town v Godalming Town
SOUTH1S&W
Abingdon United v Mangotsfield United
Cirencester Town v Winchester City

CCLP
Camberley Town v Windsor
Chessington & Hook United v Bedfont Sports
Croydon v Hartley Wintney
Farnham Town v Egham Town
Guernsey v Colliers Wood United
Hanworth Villa v Dorking
Horley Town v Molesey
Raynes Park Vale v Cove
CCL1
Banstead Athletic v Cobham
Farleigh Rovers v Staines Lammas
Feltham v Epsom Athletic
Knaphill v AFC Croydon Athletic
Mole Valley SCR v Westfield
Warlingham v Spelthorne Sports

EL Records Premier Challenge Cup – 1st Round
South Kilburn v Ash United
EL Records Premier Challenge Cup – 2nd Round
CB Hounslow United v Sandhurst Town
Lemon Recordings Division One Challenge Cup – 2nd Round
Eversley & California v Sheerwater

HELLP
Abingdon Town v Highmoor Ibis
Ardley United v Wantage Town
Cheltenham Saracens v Ascot United
Flackwell Heath v Witney Town
Holyport v Newbury
Reading Town v Oxford City Nomads
Shrivenham v Marlow
Slimbridge v Kidlington
Thame United v Binfield
Wokingham & Emmbrook v Highworth Town
- in midweek RTFC picked up their first point with a 2-2 draw @ Scours vs Thame - I saw Newbury bt Binfield 1-0 @ Faraday Rd - Spence missed pen but provided the few bright sparks when he came on just before H/T. Set the only goal up with a wicked cross from the right. The match was a really torrid clogfest - 2 Red cards & 'Moles' missed a pen of their own almost in stoppage time.
- Wok & Emm D1-1 v Ascot - some surprises: Holyport won @ Wantage and Kidlington bt Highworth 5-1. Witney now top after a 5-3 win @ Cheltenham on Wed eve.
HELL1W
Carterton v Lydney Town
Fairford Town v Tytherington Rocks
Hook Norton v Malmesbury Victoria
Lambourn Sports v Brimscombe & Thrupp
New College Swindon v Cricklade Town
Old Woodstock Town v Letcombe

HELL1E
AFC Hinksey v Bracknell Town @ Headington Amateurs nr jn of Oxford Ring Rd & A40
Chinnor v Chalfont Wasps
Finchampstead v Easington Sports
Henley Town v Penn & Tylers Green
Woodley Town v Rayners Lane

WESS1
Whitchurch United v Team Solent

Sunday 23rd Sept

FAC 2nd Qualifying Round (15:00 KOs)
38 Hayes & Yeading v Heybridge Swifts @ Woking FC
58 Slough Town v Eastbourne Town @ Beaconsfield FC

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oh and I'd be neglecting my obligatons as Representative of the 'Order of the Golden Anorak' if I didn't publicise this splendid fiesta of NL football happening this Saturday

Groundhop Day

Announcing the Second Annual North Berks Football League Groundhop Day
Saturday 22nd Spetember, 2012

Following the success of the inaugural NBFL Groundhop Day in September, 2011, where over 250 spectators enjoyed four consecutive North Berks League matches on the same day, the event is now an annual fixture on the North Berks League calendar.

2011 saw four clubs: Steventon, Drayton, Sutton Courtenay and AFC Wallingford host a match each on this special day that brought hundreds of Groundhoppers from all over the country to watch North Berks League football, generating hundreds of pounds for each club in the process.

In 2012, the Groundhop day will cover the west of the North Berks League catchment area and the fun kicks off at 10.30 in the morning at Coleshill United's Bottom of the Hill ground, finishing almost 11 hours later at Uffington United's Fawler Road ground, with matches at the following locations:

10.30am Coleshill United vs Ardington & Lockinge (Div 2)
1.30pm Faringdon Town vs Wootton & Dry Sandford (Div 1)
4.30pm Stanford-in-the-Vale vs Blewbury (Div 3)
7.30pm Uffington United vs Appleton Stars (Div 5 under floodlights)

Not only will there be the best football available within a 20 mile radius of Steventon Green, but there will be food and drink especially prepared for the event, memorabilia for sale, raffles and all sorts of local football activities at every match. Come along and enjoy a feast of football fun!

[Royal Rother]

4 games in a day?

[Alan Partridge]

If it was a year earlier they could have had the delights of watching me play, Bargain for that price.

It does a good job promoting the league and also getting clubs a few quid! Think you've got to be a pretty 'special' type of person to come from as far as a lot of them did last year to watch N.Berks all day though!

[Four Of Clubs]

If it was a year earlier they could have had the delights of watching me play, Bargain for that price.

It does a good job promoting the league and also getting clubs a few quid! Think you've got to be a pretty 'special' type of person to come from as far as a lot of them did last year to watch N.Berks all day though!

... that's one of the more positive ways of describing the usual suspects that attend these 'Groundhop' days around the country, several times a year.

Takes a lot of organising and I've nowt but admiration for those that do it. The clubs get a decent pay-day - especially in the case of lower level leagues in and below the Pyramid - the average attendances are usually well into three figures - sometimes more if its the one's planned on or around Bank Holidays - which can extend across a couple of days.

Personally it's not for me though: - when I 'm going somewhere new, a lot of the appeal is planning my own day (albeit invariably ends with a mad dash to get there for KO and period of not being able to find the way into the ground etc etc ) I also prefer to see clubs of all shapes and sizes in their 'natural' state. You get to chat to people associated with the club itself - or other fans like you who turn up cos they felt like it and hadn't been before.

These 'Non-League Days' (there's another big one coming up in October I think) and Groundhop 'events' are what I would liken to an 'Anarchist Convention' i.e. a bit of a contradiction in terms.
I've experienced what it might be like to be at one of these games, a couple of times at the very end of the season - eg a few years back deep into late May when (Staines Lammas) a small STEP06 club were probably the only team playing a 1st team fixture that day in the SE. The crowd ran into hundreds well over 10 times their usual turnout.
Although they had catered for that size of crowd with BBQs extra Ale etc because they had a good idea the circumstances around the lateness of the fixture, would attract a big turn-out.
Some people had even contacted them in advance requesting a reserved Programme. On the day a significant bunch of what could be described as 'my fraternity' stood nattering with each other for 90' paying scant attention to the match itself.

Still to each their own - anyone proscribing rules and regs. on what a 'Hopper' should do, usually gets howled down on the NLM Forum -for me its a hobby/pastime/'calling' where you get out of it; what works for you!

... and as RR points out - 4 in one day is a bit 'extreme' - for the last few years I've managed 2 matches on Bank Holidays but wouldn't contemplate more.

[Rev Algenon Stickleback H]

I misread that as...

These 'Non-League Days' and Groundhop 'events' are what I would liken to an 'Antichrist Convention'

While I can appreciate they might be some people's idea of hell, the thought of The Devil having an anorak and a notepad in a polythene bag was a novel one.

[Royalist]

I get it as a reason to go see nice places in the country you'd otherwise never see but the whole list ticking aspect of it does confuse me! You can spot one from a mile off. 9/10 holding a plastic bag for those of you struggling to spot them!

[Royal Rother]

First point for new look Windsor in a battling 0-0 at Camberley.

Much more solid at the back.

[Alan Partridge]

If it was a year earlier they could have had the delights of watching me play, Bargain for that price.

It does a good job promoting the league and also getting clubs a few quid! Think you've got to be a pretty 'special' type of person to come from as far as a lot of them did last year to watch N.Berks all day though!

... that's one of the more positive ways of describing the usual suspects that attend these 'Groundhop' days around the country, several times a year.

Takes a lot of organising and I've nowt but admiration for those that do it. The clubs get a decent pay-day - especially in the case of lower level leagues in and below the Pyramid - the average attendances are usually well into three figures - sometimes more if its the one's planned on or around Bank Holidays - which can extend across a couple of days.

Personally it's not for me though: - when I 'm going somewhere new, a lot of the appeal is planning my own day (albeit invariably ends with a mad dash to get there for KO and period of not being able to find the way into the ground etc etc ) I also prefer to see clubs of all shapes and sizes in their 'natural' state. You get to chat to people associated with the club itself - or other fans like you who turn up cos they felt like it and hadn't been before.

These 'Non-League Days' (there's another big one coming up in October I think) and Groundhop 'events' are what I would liken to an 'Anarchist Convention' i.e. a bit of a contradiction in terms.
I've experienced what it might be like to be at one of these games, a couple of times at the very end of the season - eg a few years back deep into late May when (Staines Lammas) a small STEP06 club were probably the only team playing a 1st team fixture that day in the SE. The crowd ran into hundreds well over 10 times their usual turnout.
Although they had catered for that size of crowd with BBQs extra Ale etc because they had a good idea the circumstances around the lateness of the fixture, would attract a big turn-out.
Some people had even contacted them in advance requesting a reserved Programme. On the day a significant bunch of what could be described as 'my fraternity' stood nattering with each other for 90' paying scant attention to the match itself.

Still to each their own - anyone proscribing rules and regs. on what a 'Hopper' should do, usually gets howled down on the NLM Forum -for me its a hobby/pastime/'calling' where you get out of it; what works for you!

... and as RR points out - 4 in one day is a bit 'extreme' - for the last few years I've managed 2 matches on Bank Holidays but wouldn't contemplate more.

They did pick some peculiar games to show the 'best' of N.Berks as well which is a bit of a shame. Good variation of leagues, clubs to the west of the county is fine but don't give them a game involving Appleton! Wonder how many of the 'hoppers' enjoyed watching a 15-0!? also Coleshill is possibly the worst ground in the entire N.Berks League.

[Four Of Clubs]

They did pick some peculiar games to show the 'best' of N.Berks as well which is a bit of a shame. Good variation of leagues, clubs to the west of the county is fine but don't give them a game involving Appleton! Wonder how many of the 'hoppers' enjoyed watching a 15-0!? also Coleshill is possibly the worst ground in the entire N.Berks League.

... not quite sure what's behind the selection process - obviously the co-operation of the clubs, the potential for having 'facilities' that can handle a larger than average crowd and a ground with lights at the end of the day. (trying to be non-cliche there but still sounds wrong ).
eg the middle criterion might be crimped a bit at somewhere like Wootton & Dry Sandford - though the Fish & Chip shop in the precinct or the Hungry Horse Pub opposite would love it!

The lights thing for an evening match also pretty much limits choice to the barest minimumin the N.Berks, unless you are going to include Reserve sides in the schedule - which can be anathema to many 'Hoppers'.

This year saw the games centred around the western end of the league so those chosen were the lucky one's. I haven't done Coleshill nor S-i-t-V yet so can't comment on their suitability but Faringdon is nice enough has a good bar and does BBQs - not sure where everyone would have parked though - locals a bit touchy on that subject.

Not certain but I think last years hop was Drayton, Steventon and Sutton Courtenay finishing off at Hithercroft for AFC Wallingford - which must have seemed like having supper at the Ritz after a day of McDonalds and Spud-u-like, in terms of spectator facilities?

Agreed Appleton may not have been the best choice of opponents in the final match - and I think another side were 'on standby' should they have decided not to step into the limelight. Haven't read the NLM threads yet this AM - thought I'd do the review here first but I'm sure most folk had a good day - I know a lot were doing the first and last matches and finding an alternative game in between.
NB - and it was only 12-0!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Results :

Friday 21st Sept
74 Didcot Town 3-1 Clevedon Town

Saturday 22nd Sept
FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round
35 Northwood 1-1 AFC Dunstable
36 Wealdstone 1-2 Lowestoft Town
37 Ashford Town (Middx) 2-6 St Albans City
39 Carshalton Athletic 0-1 Chalfont St Peter
40 Hendon 3-0 Lewes
41 St Neots Town 1-2 Boreham Wood
42 Chelmsford City 2-1 Leatherhead
43 Dover Athletic 2-1 Tonbridge Angels
44 Brentwood Town 1-1 Maldon & Tiptree
45 Badshot Lea 4-2 Leiston – ‘local’ STEP05 progress vs STEP03 side
46 Aveley 1-4 Margate
- got here (just) traffic through Dartford Tunnel was crawling - big accident at jn 3 had cleared by the time we got there - but M3 ph£cked on the return home fortunately traffic had slowed ot a stop just past exit for Bagshot. Match was even for about 45' - Current Ryman Prem leaders Margate pulled clear in the 2nd half.
47 Waltham Abbey v Eastbourne Borough
48 Billericay Town 3-1 AFC Hornchurch
49 Concord Rangers 1-1 Welling United
50 Enfield Town 1-4 Bishop's Stortford
51 Cray Wanderers v Thamesmead Town
52 Waltham Forest 0-1 Hampton & Richmond Borough
53 Whitehawk 1-1 Hitchin Town
54 South Park 0-0 Harefield United
55 Arlesey Town 1-0 Dulwich Hamlet
56 Staines Town 2-3 Hastings United
57 Berkhamsted 0-3 Metropolitan Police
59 Bury Town v Wingate & Finchley
60 Horsham 1-2 Thurrock
61 Sutton United v Bromley
62 Grays Athletic 0-5 Maidstone United
63 Kingstonian 2-3 East Thurrock United
64 Bishop's Cleeve 1-2 Chippenham Town
65 Truro City 2-3 AFC Totton
66 Dorchester Town 4-0 Wootton Bassett Town
67 Buckland Athletic 1-2 Bath City
68 Gloucester City 2-1 Thatcham Town
69 Gillingham Town 1-3 Sholing
70 North Leigh 1-0 Havant & Waterlooville
71 Basingstoke Town 3-1 Weymouth
72 Merthyr Town 0-0 Hungerford Town – replay Monday @ Bulpit Lane
73 Frome Town 0-2 Weston Super Mare
75 Newport (IW) 0-3 Salisbury City
76 Gosport Borough 2-0 Bideford
77 Fareham Town 0-2 Blackfield & Langley
78 Farnborough 1-2 Eastleigh
79 Maidenhead United 4-2 Bognor Regis Town
80 Yate Town 2-1 Oxford City

NB still a few missing results due to the sh!te official FA site not updating all its results yet - doubt if they'll be there before Monday. This is co-incident with an appalling service provided this season by the Ryman league. I can't be @rsed to trawl round individual clubs now - and youngest needs the PC for his homework! If he doesn't get that done I can't take him to the delights of Sluff vs Eastbourne Town - that's the crap one from the Ryman league NOT the almost-as-bad-one from the Conference - for a town as permanently geriatric-riddled I find it astonishing they have THREE clubs in the pyramid!

Then again he might wimp out cos of the rain and prefer to watch the 'other' big game on Sky.

SOUTH1C
Beaconsfield SYCOB 1-1 Aylesbury
Burnham 5-1 North Greenford United
Chertsey Town 0-1 AFC Hayes
Fleet Town 0-2 Biggleswade Town
Guildford City 4-2 Barton Rovers
Royston Town 1-3 Godalming Town
SOUTH1S&W
Abingdon United 1-2 Mangotsfield United
Cirencester Town 3-1 Winchester City

CCLP
Camberley Town 0-0 Windsor
Chessington & Hook United 1-1 Bedfont Sports
Croydon 2-1 Hartley Wintney
Farnham Town 2-1 Egham Town
Guernsey 5-3 Colliers Wood United
Hanworth Villa 4-0 Dorking
Horley Town 1-0 Molesey
Raynes Park Vale 3-1 Cove
CCL1
Banstead Athletic 1-2 Cobham
Farleigh Rovers 0-2 Staines Lammas
Feltham 1-2 Epsom Athletic
Knaphill 2-3 AFC Croydon Athletic
Mole Valley SCR 0-1 Westfield
Warlingham 1-4 Spelthorne Sports

EL Records Premier Challenge Cup – 1st Round
South Kilburn 3-1 Ash United
EL Records Premier Challenge Cup – 2nd Round
CB Hounslow United 1-5 Sandhurst Town
Lemon Recordings Division One Challenge Cup – 2nd Round
Eversley & California 5-0 Sheerwater

HELLP
Abingdon Town 0-9 {NINE} Highmoor Ibis
Ardley United 6-1 Wantage Town
Cheltenham Saracens 3-1 Ascot United
Flackwell Heath 2-1 Witney Town
Holyport 0-1 Newbury
Reading Town 3-1 Oxford City Nomads – first win for RTFC
Shrivenham 1-4 Marlow
Slimbridge 1-0 Kidlington
Thame United 0-1 Binfield
Wokingham & Emmbrook 0-0 Highworth Town
HELL1W
Carterton 2-2 Lydney Town
Fairford Town 1-0 Tytherington Rocks
Hook Norton 2-0 Malmesbury Victoria
Lambourn Sports 0-4 Brimscombe & Thrupp
New College Swindon 0-6 Cricklade Town
Old Woodstock Town 3-2 Letcombe

HELL1E
AFC Hinksey 1-5 Bracknell Town bet that's their biggest away win in years
Chinnor 1-2 Chalfont Wasps
Finchampstead 0-1 Easington Sports
Henley Town 1-8 Penn & Tylers Green
Woodley Town 0-0 Rayners Lane

WESS1
Whitchurch United 0-5 Team Solent