Greater Manchester Celebrates Non League Day

Real football in our area, with real fans

“And the Best Supporting Role goes to…” the main stand at Moor Lane, Salford City’s home. Here’s James Boyes’ picture of the wonderful stand seen on the 25 August 2015. (Creative Commons License – Some Rights Reserved).

Football, real football. The Association game that is played by 95% of footballing sides out the 92 English Football League and the English Premier League in England and parts of Wales. Whilst the English Premier League breaks up for international fixtures, the first Saturday in September is known as Non League Day.

Nash Nab National League North Status

Curzon Ashton clinch promotion to English football’s sixth level

At a rain lashed Tameside Stadium, Curzon Ashton gained promotion to the National League North division. In front of a bumper crowd, their NPL play-off final fixture saw the Nash beat Ilkeston F.C by one goal to nil.

Farewell Briggsy

Former ‘Bridge Player Resigns

Keith Briggs, former midfielder under Steve Burr’s tenure at Stalybridge Celtic has announced his resignation as first team manager. This was revealed tonight on the Stalybridge Celtic website.

It Was Twenty Years Today… Since I First Saw the Celtic Play

From passive fan to their Poet Laureate in two decades: a post of two halves

What were you doing on a typical Saturday in late 1994? There was a new fangled game known as The National Lottery. Noel’s House Party was ‘must-watch’ TV with 15 million viewers each teatime. Sleaze allegations continued to haunt John Major’s Conservative government. Bus Wars took a new dimension in Greater Manchester, with competition between GM Buses North and Merseybus, operating services in Greater Manchester as MTL Manchester.

In Praise of the Aggborough Pie Hut

Supporters’ survey fails to do justice to Murdoch’s delectable dishes

Regular readers may be familiar with some of my ramblings on The Mighty Stalybridge Celtic®, whom I have followed home and away through thick, thin, thinner and thinnest of times. In nearly 20 years of supporting them, I have been to a fair number of grounds and tried several epicurean delights from Blyth to Weymouth.

Non League State of Mind: Non League Day, 06 September 2014

The joys of Non League Football in Greater Manchester

It’s that time again, the greatest day in non-league football: Non League Day. Tomorrow sees the non-league sides of Greater Manchester enticing Premier League and Championship football fans with the joys of real football.

Non League Day Comes to Bower Fold: Stalybridge Celtic v Leamington F.C.

Saturday 06 September 2014: Real football, plus mascots, live music and discounts 

Saturday’s opponents will be of significance to Keith Briggs, whose second match in the dugout was a 2-0 win at Bower Fold. Seen here is a view of the ‘Bridge’s travelling army at the previous away match. A late winner for the Brakes separated the sides and the heavens literally opened – a thunderstorm appeared seconds later.

Over the last five years, Non League Day has become an established part of the footballing calendar. It coincides with a point where English Premier League sides have a Saturday. This for international fixtures; this season, three days after England’s match against Norway. A friendly. With a nondescript starting XI.

‘It’s the Time of the Season…’ The 2014 Great Kick-Off

Stand by for real footballing action

From 3 o’clock tomorrow afternoon the Football Conference season kicks off, heralding for many people the start of the football season. Some may argue the season starts proper on the 16 August, next Saturday. To some extent, they could be right, being as both the Barclays Premier League and the Evostik Northern Premier League kick off on the same week. Tomorrow also sees our North West Counties League sides on their third game.

Countdown to Agony or Ecstasy: 21 Days Set to Shake Tameside Non League Football

A preview of the final three weeks of the 2013-14 football season

At around about this time last August, we were bracing ourselves for what would hopefully be a good season for all clubs in the Tameside area, and Glossop North End. At this time of writing, we are now three weeks away from its completion, that very point of the season which is often known as ‘the business end’.

Moments Which Shook Tameside and Glossop Non-League Football: The Not So Perfect Ten

Ten seminal moments of non-league footballing greatness in the Tameside and Glossop areas

With the season less than ten matches from completion, this would often be the time for Player of the Year, PFA Player of the Year and Football Writers’ Player of the Year awards. This would also be a time to reflect upon the last three-quarters of the footballing season, maybe the odd past glory or two.