Non-League Paper Programme: Tony Incenzo’s dream nears the final whistle

Forty-four years on from his debut TV appearance on a BBC1 news report, Tony Incenzo is closing in on fulfilling a lifetime dream.

As a fresh-faced Queens Park Rangers superfan, it was a trip to local club Hendon which ignited the teenager’s love for the Non-League game.

Fast forward four decades and Tony’s fire burns fiercer than ever and a quite incredible feat draws near.

Tony’s teenage dream to watch a match at every Non-League ground in the country is now incredibly just SIX visits away from being completed – and 2026 is finally the year he intends to fulfil it.

Never-ending feat

With grounds on all four corners of the UK (and even beyond) all ticked off, the ultimate groundhopper – a bi-weekly columnist for The NLP – can now look forward to a trip to Blyth Town, Elburton Villa, Ilminster Town, Fulwood Amateurs, Sunderland West End and Albion Sports/Route One Rovers (groundshare) to complete the card.

Tony’s aim is to visit all six grounds by April – at least until the promoted sides from Step 7 enter the National League System to add a few more to the tally. It really is a never-ending feat.

Last month, Tony completed another page of his giant log book where he has handwritten details of every one of the 5,780 football matches he has attended since his first admission in 1971.

Myriad of amazing adventures

In this week’s NLP, in the shops, and online, as usual this Sunday, Tony looks back on a myriad of amazing adventures watching 70 Non-League matches throughout 2025.

Having travelled from Dublin, down to Cornwall and all the way up to Northumberland, Tony reveals his top 10 highlights for the second half of 2025 in date order to follow on from his NLP column from May.

Tony tells of his visit to his native Ireland to watch the FA of Ireland Cup, the last Cornish ground off his checklist and a trip to the Fylde Coast in the Isuzu FA Vase with a vociferous welcome.

He also took in the UK’s first private football academy and a Midland Football League match abandoned in the first half due to high winds.

And find out also how Steven Gerrard managed a name check on his travels.

Hopping Mad

In 2026, The NLP will be there every step of the way as Tony looks to chalk off his last remaining six grounds, while the ever-popular Diary of a Groundhopper and our Hopping Poet, Chris Towers, will continue to give their own individual takes on the life of a Non-League football fan.

Like Tony and the rest, we’re Hopping Mad for the Non-League and remain committed to bringing you unrivalled coverage again in 2026.

Merry Christmas to you all.

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