An Absolute Beginners Guide to Watching Non-League Football

Or: How I Ditched Premier League Football and Saved Thousands of Pounds a Season

Association Football is England’s National Sport. It brings billions to our economies, whether at the turnstile, public house or towards our broadcasters. The top clubs pay eye watering salaries to their players, and the fans pay equally eye watering amounts for the privilege of seeing City, United, Liverpool or the like. Historically, it has sold newspapers, satellite dishes and broadband packages.

Book Review: British Football’s Greatest Grounds

Not only a coffee table book for groundhoppers; a must for any football fan

• Title: British Football’s Greatest Grounds: One Hundred Must-See Football Venues;
• Author: Mike Bayly;
• Photography: various contributors including David Bauckman, Paul Paxford, Colin McPherson, Andy Nunn, Stuart Tree, Ben Webster,
• Publisher: Pitch Publishing Limited (2020);
• Recommended Selling Price: £30.00 (hardback).

At this moment in time, you may be missing your football fix if you often go out to see your favourite team. Due to the lockdown, only Elite League football teams (National Leagues North and South upwards) can continue their season. In what is now known as The Trident Leagues (Northern Premier, Southern and Isthmian leagues), league football has been suspended till further notice. Likewise with its regional feeder leagues.

Non League State of Mind: Denton Town v. Styal

Denton Town host Tameside’s first Saturday senior league game of the 2020 – 2021 season

For many clubs, the football season starts in a fortnight’s time. My usual team, Stalybridge Celtic, begin their Northern Premier League campaign that very same date (at home to Lancaster City). In a week’s time, they face Stocksbridge Park Steels in the F.A. Cup Preliminary Round – and a date with the BBC. The ‘Bridge’s cup tie will be televised on the Beeb’s Red Button service with a 12.30pm kick-off.

This Time 40 Years Ago… Mossley Goes to Wembley

A look back at Mossley AFC’s Wembley trail

With the lack of real football in our television schedules due to that pandemic, our broadcasters have had to fill the airtime with some of our greatest footballing moments. It has meant ITV rerunning Euro ’96; also trending topics that would have been relevant if Twitter existed in 2001.

A Crowdfunding Cry from the Celts

Stalybridge Celtic’s crowdfunding appeal passes £1,700 Mark

In the last week, there has been much talk about footballing activities returning to the fore, following some relaxation of our COVID-19 lockdown. It has been stated that Barclays Premier League sides could finish off their season behind closed doors at neutral venues – giving us all several Game 39s. (Well, in Milton Keynes instead of Marbella).

Old Trafford Match Bus Reinstated

Temporary restoration of 255F route in time for Manchester United versus Aston Villa

Though players and managers may come and go, the same can seldom be said with bus routes. On Sunday, the 255F match bus from Piccadilly Gardens to Old Trafford will be reinstated on a trial basis.

25 Years a Celt: Why I Would Still Want to See The Mighty Stalybridge Celtic in 2044

After six weeks without a home game, Stalybridge Celtic need your support more than ever

On Saturday 23 November 2019, Stalybridge Celtic will end a six-week gap without a home game. Since the 2019 – 2020 season began, the ‘Bridge have only played seven home games in the Northern Premier League Premier Division. Of those seven, four of which were on Tuesday nights. The four Saturday league fixtures were against teams from Lancashire, and an hour’s drive away from Bower Fold.

Tameside’s and Glossop’s Northern Premier League 2019 – 20 Fixtures

Ashton United welcome newly promoted Atherton Collieries whilst Mossley and Stalybridge Celtic travel away

Well, the wait is over. Today at 6pm, the Northern Premier League has announced its fixtures for the 2019 – 2020 season. This season will also see two significant developments for the 51-year-old league. First is the creation of a North West Division and a South East Division. The second one is a change of sponsor: this time as the BetVictor Northern Premier. A change from being sponsored by adhesive products.

40 Years a Red: Lifelong United Fan Crowned Super Supporter

Why Jimmy Langland was crowned Greater Manchester’s Super Supporter in a recent competition

If you watched Manchester United’s last minute display against Paris St Germain on Wednesday, you might still be buzzing from Marcus Rashford’s penalty. There’s every chance this gentleman might have taken a modest journey across the English Channel for this spectacle.

Parking the Bus: Bus Routes That Share Numbers with Football Formations: The Not So Perfect Ten

Ever wondered which Greater Manchester bus routes share or shared their number with a football formation?

For many people, New Year’s Day isn’t only about giving up smoking, going on a diet, or alcohol abstinence. January sees the start of a 31-part soap opera known as The Transfer Window. Yes, it is that time of the year which leads to Transfer Deadline Day. The climax which sees Barclays Premier League and English Football League players change hands for silly money.