Columnists

Matt Badcock: We should embrace Non-League’s younger fans

Our NLP Editor At Large Matt Badcock reflects on his own Non-League upbringing and questions whether blanket restrictions on young fans risk alienating the next generation while clubs tackle genuine safeguarding concerns.

by
The Non-League Football Paper Team
16 August 2026

Younger fans have a role to play on a matchday

Many moons ago, along with a few friends, our parents agreed we could take in our first solo away day.

Armed with printed instructions of how to get from train station to ground – turn left at the bottom of the high street, under the bridge etc – plus enough cash to keep us fed and watered as well as a BT charge card to use in phone boxes to update on progress, we set off.
Despite barely a hair on a chin between us, the chap on the gate refused to take our word we were under 16 and duly charged us full adult price.
We didn’t care, just happy to be watching our team – Farnborough Town – in a f...

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