A crisis in London: Leyton Orient's sorry descent

It's April, and we've now reached the tail end of the football season. There is still much to play for at the summit of leagues (although the Premier League may well be a full gone conclusion) and teams are fighting for survival with relegation dogfights likely to go down to the wire. However, I digress - this season has also been a year for crisis clubs; Blackpool, Blackburn, Charlton, Coventry and Morecambe all falling foul of chaos both on the pitch and behind the scenes, with shoddy ownership playing a major factor in the downfall of their seasons.

The turmoil at the aforementioned clubs is nothing when you compare it to the Italian spearheaded meltdown which is ongoing in the heart of London at Leyton Orient. A club destined for relegation for non-league football, not through a lack of passion or footballing misjudgement, but purely down to a poisonous owner.

The team which lined up against Wycombe Wanderers last weekend was a comparative shell of the squad which lined up at Wembley two seasons ago on the brink of securing the O's promotion to the Championship. Despite their squad's relative inexperience, from my perspective in the away end, the passion was still there both on the pitch, and even from the long-suffering supporters present in the stands, however, a swift straight red card for a high challenge and two quickfire goals from Matt Bloomfield and Myles Weston saw the Chairboys enter cruise control less than half an hour into the afternoon, soon after the life was predictably sucked out of the game and what buzz that existed around Brisbane Road was quickly distinguished. Much like most of the dismal home performances this season, the action on the pitch mirrored the situation that waste-management magnate Francesco Becchetti has created during his two-and-a-half year reign at the club off the pitch.

Since Becchetti's arrival, the O's have been relegated to the fourth tier despite extensive investment most notably in striker Jay Simpson and winger Jobi McAnuff, whom both earnt hefty paychecks for that level, seen a conveyor belt of failing managers - with eleven swiftly coming and going, and a most dramatically of all, a winding up order for unpaid debts in excess of £1 million. Whilst the toxic owner himself has been investigated for money laundering, banned for six matches for kicking Orient's then assistant manager Andy Hessenthaler, and operating at best a blasé ownership model - at worst suicidal. 

The culmination of all of this is Orient's worst home record in their league history (17 defeats from 21 outings) and their probable relegation from the football league - a membership that has spanned 112 years. The bedlum behind the scenes at the club was aptly summed up by a protest staged by supporters in the Brisbane Road director boxes during Saturday's fixture, with fans unveiling a banner sneaked in which simply read 'BOLLOCKS'.

Leyton Orient fans express their frustrations this weekend

For myself and other Wycombe supporters the game was more than gaining somewhat of a 'gimmie' of a victory and taking the three points back to Buckinghamshire, it was also about showing solidarity towards fellow football supporters and their club. Chants of 'Becchetti Out' and some less savoury chants rang around the group during the second half, after all what is occurring at the London club is disgraceful and I wouldn't wish it upon any football club, people's livelihoods are at stake after all - especially at this level.

Although the club survived a recent winding up order and given more time to pay outstanding the significant overdue debts, players and staff continue to see little or no pay, whilst Becchetti hasn't been seen on a matchday for months on end. Supporters are doing all they can to create a sustainable future for the club, with fan ownership become a more viable option for smaller clubs. However, as it stands, without footballing authorities acting against an owner clearly unfit to operate at the helm of a football club, Orient don't just need an action plan to stay in the division - they need a miracle.

Definitely puts things into perspective, doesn't it Arsenal fans?

Twitter @DLster

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...

If you ask any supporter of English football the vast majority will agree that the FA Cup is a special competition, steeped with history, prestige and of course lower league opposition facing Goliaths of the game for a chance of a fabled 'cupset'.

As a supporter of Wycombe Wanderers, one thinks back to 2001 in which the FA Cup journey was cut short a game shy of the final following a famous 2-1 defeat to Liverpool, with the likes of Heskey, Fowler and Gerrard finally seeing off a spirited Chairboys team. Since then, the cup hasn't been too kind to the mighty Blues. With defeats to non-league Hereford and Fleetwood - albeit spearheaded by one Jamie Vardy, the closest the Wanderers had come to cup glory was last season as they succumbed to a somewhat dishevelled Aston Villa team in a third round replay.

With such a poor start to the season this year, a trip to Portsmouth in the first round definitely wasn't the type of draw supporters of the Chairboys were jumping for joy over, especially following a 4-2 drubbing earlier in the season. However, a 2-1 victory against Pompey, a 5-0 away thrashing of League One strugglers Chesterfield, and a less than convincing 2-1 home victory against plucky FA Cup underdogs Stourbridge gave the reinvigorated Wanderers team a fourth round berth for the first time since 2001.

So after one of the most nerve-racking experiences on the terraces during the third round tie with Stourbridge, when Tottenham Hotspur appeared alongside Wycombe Wanderers on the night of the fourth round draw, both supporters and the squad itself (a video of the Wycombe squad learning the news of their opposition went viral) were ecstatic, and FA Cup fever took a hold of the town.

So on the morning of January 28th 2017, myself and the rest of the sold out allocation of 4,035 fans sporting the famous light and dark blue quarters journeyed to White Hart Lane, with no one really expecting anything more than a straight forward Tottenham victory, despite the wholly impressive 16-game unbeaten wave the Chairboys found themselves riding. What followed was truly unforgettable.

Over 4,000 Chairboys fans flocked to the Lane for a piece of the action

Paul Hayes, a man who has somewhat been slated by supporters this season and for his inconsistancy, appeared on the team sheet. And just a mere 40 seconds into the game saw his free header crash against the crossbar. Was today a fairtale in the making?

Despite the growing Wycombe pressure, and a back line struggling to deal with 'The Beast' Adebayo Akinfenwa, alongside the carnival atmosphere coming from the wall of blue positioned in one corner of White Hart Lane, Tottenham had the first opportunity, with Son missing a sitter.

Then 'it' happened. The sweetest volley he'll ever strike. Paul Hayes of all people. Limbs everywhere behind the goal. I couldn't believe we'd gone ahead, nor could the rest of White Hart Lane for that matter. Never had a goal been celebrated quite like that one.

12 minutes later. Dreamland. Hayes from the spot this time. Spurs silenced. Wycombe rampant. Tears of joy from some in the stand. Gobsmacked. We were beating Tottenham 2-0 in their own back yard. Only the FA Cup.

Yet, we were far from confident. And low and behold following the introduction of Dele Alli and Mousa Dembele, Spurs found themselves level midway through the second half, fully expecting a battering to ensue.

Instead, with seven minutes to play, the truly unthinkable happened. Myles Weston stormed down the wing, delivered a delightful cross for Garry Thompson another of the old guard to head home. I've run out of superlatives, an amazing feeling. An eerie silence came over three quarters of the ground.

Garry Thompson puts the Light-Dark Blue army ahead

With one minute to play, still celebrating what we thought was the winner - the cries of 'Que Sera Sera' were shortlived. A poor goal kick from a nervous Blackman let Alli dance through the deep Wycombe back line to slot past the on loan Chelsea keeper in net.

A replay it was then. Surely?

But alas. into the 97th minute of the game, hearts were broken. Son drilled past Blackman. The final whistle blew just too late.

Full time. Tottenham 4, Wycombe 3.

Football can be cruel. Distraught was an understatement. The life had been sucked out of the men in Blue.

The Wanderers had nothing left to give, and were rightfully clapped off by both sets of fans, in a game that they undoubtedly deserved something from, despite the late Spurs onslaught. After all the League Two outfit were the first team in some two-and-a half years to dispatch three goals here.

Walking back towards the train station, the bittersweet feeling kicked in. The way in which the defeat came was sickening. But what I witnessed on that hallowed turf on a winters afternoon was a team high in spirit, character and talent. Days like that make me proud to be Wycombe Wanderers supporter.

Who says the cup doesn't matter anymore?




Follow me on Twitter @DLster



 

The magic of the trophy...

Well, it's been a while. But here we go again. Here's to some consistency.

Back in June the FA announced a revamp of the English League Trophy (formerly the Johnstone's Paint Trophy), or the 'Tinpot Trophy' to many football league team supporters. Academy teams were to feature for the first time, expanding the competition from 48 to 64 clubs a gateway to higher attendances, increased prize money, opportunities for young talent to shine through, and a platform to restructure the Football League in the future.

The FA thought they were on to a winner.

Well, the reception was somewhat muted from clubs, with many big academy sides (Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea) declining to take part. League clubs cited issues such as extra travel expenses as the competition is no longer regionalised, the inclusion of academy sides and the 'make the rules up as you go along' attitude to the new competition format.

As for fans, these plans went down like a lead balloon. Nobody wants to watch West Ham's kids take on a League 2 side on a wintry Tuesday night, in a cup that doesn't really matter, not even West Ham fans. Just imagine the final between Stoke Academy and Swansea Academy in front of a few thousand at Wembley. Embarrassing. Fans were also wary of the fact the restructuring of the EFL Trophy was the first step towards League 3 - the inclusion of B Teams in the official English League system - something the vast majority of fans are against. Triggering plans for blanket boycotts of these matches, despite the FA expecting attendances to rise.

Six months on and we've reached the Quarter Final stages. And low and behold the concept has failed miserably. One academy team remains, illustrating that the 'promising talent' that the FA suggested hasn't materialised, highlighted massively by League 2 relegation candidate Cheltenham's 5-1 thrashing of Premier League champions Leicester City's academy side.

Even less surprisingly following the mass coverage of the #BTeamBoycott on Twitter and the general acknowledgement from football league fans that this new concept has been horrifically executed has led to record low attendances for competitive matches at grounds around the country, with over two-thirds of fixtures being witnessed by less than a thousand spectators, with just 392 lucky souls seeing Fleetwood take on Blackburn Rovers academy - a one-goal thriller.

Portsmouth take on Reading Academy at an eerily quiet Fratton Park

When even football league teams are taking the proverbial by breaking FA rules and fielding under strength teams, and in Bradford's case playing a full strength team and then substituting their first team goalkeeper Colin Doyle after he had a 'poor 45 seconds' the FA have to ultimately admit defeat.

Don't get me wrong, as a Wycombe fan I definitely wouldn't sniff at another day at Wembley and some silverware to boot. But the dire performance of the EFL Trophy deserves a wry smile and a little 'we told you so' from League One and Two supporters.

Twitter @DLster

B teams: The Death of lower league football?

Back in 2014 Greg Dyke - FA Chairman announced a revolutionary plan to restructure English league football as we know it today. His idea was to introduce B teams to the football league pyramid and add a third division to cater for these new teams in the future - seeing the football league system go from 92 teams to 100, across five divisions. Most rational thinking FA members and clubs responded to it extremely negatively, giving his idea the proverbial two fingers, and Dyke's vision was rightly quashed. However, it seems in recent weeks this idea of B teams playing on same platform as League 1 and 2 teams has resurfaced.
To most league fans with any sort of understanding of the historical standing of the league system they would identify giving B teams the opportunity to compete alongside league sides could completely damage the integrity of the footballing pyramid in the future. However, money talks, and the recent news that the Premier League have paid £1 million for so called B teams to participate in the English League Trophy from next season is disappointing.

Barnsley lift the English League Trophy

On the surface, this news could be celebrated, the system hasn't been compromised, it is merely giving youth players the opportunity to play in a competitive cup competition, with the chance of silverware and a final at Wembley to play for. However, if you venture past the facade, this has the potential to just be the beginning - a Trojan Horse - a way of infiltrating the Football League. A way of identifying how successful a new system with B teams could be. Personally, this just doesn't sit right with me.
Now, the first clear issue with B teams from the Premier League being incorporated into this tournament, the clue being in the name, is that it's the football league trophy, not some sort of poor excuse of a Premier League reserves cup. As a supporter of a football league club, I do understand that the ELT is by far a priority for football league managers, with low prize money, the inconvenience of extra fixtures and sometimes extra travel - it's relative meaninglessness reflected by low attendances and the fielding of weakened sides, with teams only really starting to give any attention to it with the coup of a Wembley final on the horizon. If anything the trivial nature of the ELT will only become even less desirable for league clubs, with the already wavering competitiveness of the competition becoming even less so. On top an already relatively congested fixture list will be lengthened by at least three games, with the cost of holding these games likely to outweigh the benefits to clubs with low budgets. It could be argued that costs will be covered by increased attendances it matches featuring these B teams, with the supposed glamour of playing Premier League names, but in all honesty if Manchester City B team turns up, you'd be very unlikely to be treated to the likes of Aguero and co. Football league fans dream of playing the likes of Premier League goliaths, not their youngsters - as promising as they may be.
Another objection of this plan, as insignificant as it may seem, is the unpredictability of the plans,and the possibility that they could escalate into Dyke's original five tier division system plan. If the proposed plan of five divisions and 100 clubs got the go ahead, although B teams could progress passed division 3, theoretically, this is fair, however, the idea alone challenges the integrity of the league system and without a shadow of a doubt a bottleneck of quality B team sides would occur. This would put the concept of promotion and relegation as we know it in jeopardy. Not only that, it would mean that league positions that could feasibly be filled by non-league teams with great potential on the cusp of the football league, will instead be taken by B teams with no history, no real opportunity for league progression, and is purely just another cog in the machine of the ever expanding corporate empire the Premier League is becoming.
As a football fan, I do understand that the idea of introducing B teams does have its merits as well. It would give upcoming talent a platform to develop their skills up against well drilled, disciplined professionals that are normally playing to a higher standard than that of U21 level players, with the possibility of unearthing the next English superstar.
Although it is clear that B teams can be successful - just look at Spain and Germany for proof of this, with the likes of Puyol, Xavi and Iniesta all thriving at FC Barcelona B, before becoming cult heroes for the senior squad. It is also clear that a strong youth set up translates well into future first team performance both domestically, in Europe and also on international stage. However, this alone doesn't mean that B teams are the answer.

Carles Puyol and Xavi playing for FC Barcelona B in 1998

In order to quell the dangers of the possible death of today's lower league football a restructuring at youth level is required, not at senior level as Greg Dyke very naively believes. In order to harvest talent and keep it in the England, a shake up of both the youth league system, but at the same time also the way loans from Premier League clubs work is necessary. For example, if the youth Premier League was given a face lift, with more consistency in fixtures and played at bigger venues, rather than unkempt training grounds, it would appeal to more players and fans alike, this in turn would give young players the opportunity to get a taste of the professional game. This alone could possibly encourage more young players to stay in England, rather than make a name for themselves elsewhere. Making a conscious effort to overthrow the loan system could also make an impact. Chelsea currently have 8 players under the age of 21 out on loan to teams outside of the UK, with many others recently being recalled from Dutch club Vitesse - an evident feeder club for Chelsea. Now, if the youth system in England was improved, these players (most without a senior Chelsea appearance), would without a doubt have the opportunity to play week in, week out. Instead, many of them are rotting away on loan and have very little chance of breaking into the Chelsea first team - if they were of the required calibre they'd be there already. Playing in England however, would mean they would understand the pace and style of play, be much more closely monitored, and potentially increase the likelihood of breaking into the senior setup.
So overall, B teams are not the answer, although they can be a great platform for new homegrown talent, in the long run they will do more harm than good. Instead investment is required in youth league development.
It needs to be remembered the Premier League isn't the be all and end all in English football.

Teargas and Tears.

The excitement surrounding the European Championships really came to a head last night, with a strange, but nonetheless spectacular opening ceremony followed by a highly competitive clash between hosts France and relatively ranked outsiders Romania. France took the game with a 2-1 victory, with their winner coming through a spectacular Dimitri Payet effort - which was clearly a emotional moment for him.

All eyes now all turn to England, who open their campaign against Russia this evening. With many other nations perceived to be in a transitional period, this could be the year that the 'golden generation' of England players could shine through and bring home the first major international trophy for half a century.

Much like the 1998 World Cup, England begin their quest for silverware in Marseille, and much like the team in 1998 - a team that featured the likes of Beckham, Scholes and Owen, there are high expectations that the team will perform.

This is where you'd expect the similarities to end, but unfortunately it seems that the grizzly scenes of violence and hooliganism that broke out between locals and travelling England fans around the streets of Marseille's Vieux Port have also made an unsavoury return. Back in 1998, the culture the England fans brought to France, such as binge drinking and ear splitting patriotic music didn't go down too well with locals in the area, leading to confrontation - punches thrown and missiles launched, culminating in riot police and tear gas. Fortunately, the troubles were short-lived and the rest of the tournament was conducted in good humour and high spirits, before England crashed out in a penalty shoot-out against Portugal - a game which saw David Beckham infamously see the red mist.

Now, two days into the tournament it is clear that violent clashes between England fans and locals, other fans and police have reignited. Personally, I find it extremely disappointing that what should be excitement has turned to fascist chanting and violence from a small minority of England fans. Now, as a football fan, I understand that supporter identity is important to Brits, whether this be on a domestic or national level - I am all for showing passion and loyalty and getting behind a team be this through chanting, donning the three lions shirt or symbolic banners and flags, however, travelling to France should be all about supporting the team, not what has been reported as unprovoked violence in some cases, and even if provoked we should be the bigger men and not rise to it. The Euros should be about football, not fights.

England fans confront Police and Russian supporters

Today's third wave of trouble has been blamed upon Russian fans who are vastly organised, however, whoever is to blame, it has left the quiet port of Marseille appearing more like a war zone, with litter and missiles strewn across the ground and crushed bottles underfoot. Accompanied by the smell of teargas in the air. More importantly, it has meant that emergency services are having to police the area on a major scale for mindless hooliganism that is completely unnecessary. With France on such high alert for terror following November's horrific bombings, resources are being stretched to the limit to deal with mindless thuggery that could be utilised in areas of high security risk i.e. Stadia and Fan Zones.
Yes, I agree that the excitement around the England team is high, and with starlets such as Dele Alli in the squad, alongside strikers in Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy in great form many fans can see England making great progress despite Roy Hodgson electing include a weathered and somewhat ineffective Wayne Rooney in his squad, but this doesn't permit hooliganism on any level.

High hopes for England's 'golden generation'

If the 1998 World Cup is anything to go by, any tournament that starts with teargas on the streets, will end in tears on the pitch.

England take on Russia tonight, 8pm, ITV.

Follow me on Twitter: @DLster

Passion, Loyalty and Culture: The Humble Away Day.

As a young, naive prepubescent child, I discovered football, back in the 'good old days' where the BBC would show live matches. However, what hadn't occurred to my semi developed self, was that there was anything to football other than the corporate machine that is the Premier League, and giants of the game at the time, such as the Arsenal Invincible squad, and the ruthless Manchester United team Sir Alex Ferguson had put together.
However, as I've grown older, I have discovered just how ignorant, disillusioned and unaware I was of the beauty of the lower league system. With football being so much more than just a Sky Sports subscription or just a tourist attraction funding the extravagant lifestyles of the big names in the sport. Not that I'm criticising this - although personally, I see the Premier League as more of an entertainment empire than anything else, a competition for showcasing wealth of owners, and a platform for world class players to receive sickening pay slips, and the fans - being dehumanised as purely customers. However, we'll leave that for another time! Instead I want to talk about the ever growing popularity of the humble Away Day.
The year is 2014, as a Wycombe Wanderers fan, the season had been one to forget. Sitting 23rd coming into the last game of the season definitely isn't where you want to be, poor form, and categorically written off by just about everybody, all Bristol Rovers needed to do was to avoid defeat, the future looked bleak. However, as a fan you stay loyal to your team, even in their darkest hour. So, myself, along with 928 others, made that long, anxious trip down to Plainmoor, Torquay, aware that this could be the last league fixture we played for a long time. On arrival, I felt sick, and I can imagine most others did too, what followed, was miraculous, unexpected a master class even. An early goal, a penalty, a Torquay red card, and a deft dinked goal from McClure was the final nail in the Torquay coffin. News came through, Rovers had lost, it was a great, if not the greatest escape. The passion and loyalty of the fans that day, was the true epitome of the term 'the twelfth man'. Never have I seen such passion from a group of people who had really been put through the mill that season. Truly mind blowing stuff, and a day I shall never forget.
Since that day, be it with Wycombe Wanderers, or my non-league obsession, Aylesbury FC, away days have become a regular occurrence. It's become more than just about the football, when the alarm rings on a Saturday, it's about loyalty, passion, friendships and just the pure intrigue of an unknown ground.
Regardless of distance, form or weather conditions, loyalty shines through. Yes, a home game is often special, the roar of the home crowd and the familiarity of your surroundings makes it an enjoyable experience, seeing the same faces week in week out, but it's purely 90 minutes of football, win, lose or draw. However, the beauty of the away day is the whole experience, it's more than just the football aspect. Take my trip to York for example. On the surface a 1-1 draw against a team soon to be relegated was somewhat dismal, however, take a look deeper and you'll discover so much more. An 8 hour round trip in a clapped out Vauxhall Corsa with friends, listening to ancient mix-tapes from the past. Bumping into fans from other clubs, on their own away trips up and down the country and listening to their stories. On arrival, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings, singing chants in the traditional Bootham Cresent terrace, supplementing a traditional half time pie, followed by a local brew in a 'real' pub and taking in the beautiful architecture of York city centre. All of this brings you back to earth, and makes you really appreciate the unseen elements of football that keeps the love of the game so strong, proving football isn't just about seeing your team acquire the three points (although it's always a bonus!)
The same can be said about non-league, no thrills, and definitely nowhere near the glamour of the Premier Divisions. But without the passion and the loyalty to travel to away games, I would have missed out on so many memories - Building a personal relationship with players, fancy dress days to towns I've never heard of before. Silverware, oddities only seen in non-league (including the clichéd 'one man and his dog'). The exuberance of derby day injury time winners, riské chants and the strangest stadiums in the land.

Glamour? Who needs that when you have passion in abundance?

Credit: Marc Keinch

Through the highs and lows, the away day culture has becoming embedded into me. And I can now understand the expanding numbers of so called 'ground-hoppers'.
One such 'ground-hopper' that has recently come to my attention is the man behind 'AwayDays' - Ellis Platten (et al.), a man reflecting the passion and of away day culture and supporter identity - but also bringing us back down to earth, but also uncovering the elements of football, no matter how insignificant they may seem, that make you remember why you're a supporter, and not purely a customer in the clutches of corporate sporting giants, grinding down the relationship between club and supporter i.e. Sky and BT.  His videos also epitomise the fact you can't beat a live match day experience, yes of course watching a match in the comfort of your own living room is enjoyable, but it's nothing on the amplification of senses you get from being there - the sounds, the sites and the smells, along with the wit and jovial banter between himself, friends and other supporters also make me think of the relationship that I have gained and consolidated at the football over the years.
So overall, football is more than soulless atmospheres in newly constructed grounds - yes I'm talking to you MK Dons (sorry, I couldn't resist), or purely the result of the match. It is the loyalty, desire and sometimes even the pure spontaneity to do a 10 hour round trip on a frosty Tuesday night just to watch your team lose. It is the friendships and the comradery of supporters that occurs in terraces up and down the country. It is cultural intrigue of your new surroundings. But the overarching message is footballing devotion prevails over the ever growing corporate hegemony.


Awaydays can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/user/aysAwayd
Follow me on Twitter: @DLster

A Non-League revolution

Jamie Vardy. The biggest story in the Premier League this season. Record breaker, goal scorer, cult hero. And now Premier League winner, but where did it all begin for the man on top of the world? Non-league football.

From £30-a-week at Stocksbridge Park Steels, to a household name today. Vardy now plays in front of thousands every week, under club owners with millions in pocket change.

However, away from the dizzying heights of the Premier League, a revolution is happening. Non-league football is growing. Fans are rebelling against the corporate machine, the airline-stadium sponsorships, and instead are opting to cheer on their team of local semi-professionals.

Unlike the cut-throat nature of the Premier League and football league, where managers and players are expected to deliver in the volatile pressure cooker, hostile stadium atmospheres are becoming more commonplace when things don’t go right.

Fans are being swayed towards non-league, where they can enjoy a drink in the stand and swap ends at half-time without the need for crowd segregation.

Although the crowds are nowhere near as big as the likes of Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge, the non-league community have some of the most passionate people you will meet.

There are dedicated fans and volunteers like myself who travels far and wide to watch their team, whenever, wherever, whatever the weather. Win, lose, or draw, we sing, we chant, and we have a laugh. We’re a rabble, but without the intimidating stigma that comes with so-called football league ‘ultras’.

The growing appeal of non-league football is an interesting subject. On the one hand, people want to regain their identity as a football fan, and not just become someone who adds to the trickle of revenue that finds its way into owners' back pockets.

Non-league fans want freedom to stand where they want, even with the away fans, and be part of a greater footballing community, rather than be just a bystander. More importantly than this, we want to build a better future for the English game. As a passionate fan of grassroots football I know I definitely do.

Without people that care, the lower echelons of English football could soon disappear. This is where people power pays dividends. From maintenance and fundraising, to rekindling the ashes of a former powerhouse (Hereford and Darlington come to mind), the love for non-league helps make these changes happen.

James Doe, an advocate for non-league football, wanted to illustrate this passion. He's created a day to enlighten the UK public on the joys of non-league.

Over the past six years, Non- League Day has grown from a small time Facebook event to an annual national campaign which has grabbed the attention of clubs, leagues, the media and most importantly the fans. It was a personal catalyst for my love of non-league football.

This year, the campaign aims to encourages the non-league community, and those who are curious about the game, to come together at the home of the English national team, Wembley Stadium.

On May 22nd, both the FA Vase and FA Trophy finals, where Morpeth take on Hereford and Halifax take on Grimsby, will take place at the national stadium on a day that promises to be a great spectacle as the best non-league teams, at their respective levels, show off their talent at the cauldron of English football.

The best non-league has to offer, on the hallow turf.

The event will be of great significance for non-league football as it gets full exposure for all to see. The day is set to be a celebration, and could be a major platform for the growth of the grassroots game.

Despite the UK government investing more funds into the Chinese game than in English grassroots football, through the love and passion shown by all those involved at this level, the excitement of the game lives on.

Through the Non- League Day initiative, hopefully more people will become interested in a highly affordable game filled with twists, turns and unpredictability. And who knows? You might be there to witness the next Jamie Vardy.

Tickets: https://ticketing.thefa.com/
Follow me on Twitter: @DLster