#NonLeagueChallenge is back and bigger than ever
By Ben Leo
A host of Non-League clubs are being invited to take part in the second season of Marathonbet's Non-League Challenge – the competition that saw Wealdstone scoop £10,000 last season.
The challenge, which is now open to a whopping 140 clubs from Steps 5, 6 and 7, tasks clubs with performing the best goal celebration in lower-league football.
The winning team bags themselves a massive cash prize and the opportunity to play a team of Premier League Legends at their home ground – with a portion of the gate receipts going their way.
And to help kick-start Marathonbet's second-ever #NonLeagueChallenge (NLC), the bookmaker is also giving away £3,500 in prizes to football clubs and fans as part of a massive social media competition.
One club will be pocketing a cool £2,000 cash prize simply for gathering the most re-tweets between November 7-14, while an individual fan who is involved in the competition will scoop £1,000.
Celebration
A random club will also be given £500 worth of top-notch camera equipment to help film its goal celebration entry.
Tom Zanelli, creator of the Non-League Challenge, is calling on clubs from the seventh tier of English football, up to the National League, to get involved with this year's competition.
He said: “The concept is simple but full of fun.
“All teams have to do is come up with a brilliant idea for a goal celebration and pull it off after scoring in a competitive match.
“Make sure it's caught on camer
a and then sent into the Marathonbet team. The best five celebrations will be shortlisted for a public vote and the winning club will be given a massive £10,000 prize and a home match against a team of ex-Premier League professionals that's sure to get your stadium packed out.”
Clubs can do whatever they want with the cash prize. Last season's NLC winners, Wealdstone, spent the money on improving their stadium and the purchase of a new player.
The London club surged to victory thanks to the Wealdstone Raider's hilarious Dentist Chair celebration – inspired by Paul Gascoigne's original effort at Euro 1996.
Mr Zanelli said: “We recognise there's life outside the world's top football leagues, especially in Non-League football in England. That's why we're keen to champion all the great clubs and fans that make Non-League football in this country what it is today.
“All 140 clubs who are eligible to enter the NLC will shortly receive a welcome pack in the post and details on how to take part.
“In the meantime, follow @NonLgeChallenge on Twitter to keep up to date on all news and exclusive content.”
