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Steve King: It’s all clicking back into place

6 June 2021 0 comments

At Dartford, we’ve got some really exciting friendlies lined up. I wrote in my column last year how EFL clubs can really help out Non-League clubs by sending strong squads for pre-season. All our home games are against first teams, which is fantastic.

Sutton United are team of the season – but credit to shock FA Trophy winners Hornchurch

6 June 2021 0 comments

The 2020-21 season will be remembered for many reasons. Unfortunately, for a second campaign running, the majority of Non-League was shutdown with only the National League’s top flight completing the season.

Franny Tierney was the golden boy for Doncaster Rovers play-off heroes

6 June 2021 0 comments

On May 10, 2003, at Stoke City’s Britannia Stadium, the winger scored an injury-time winner to settle the inaugural Conference play-off final. In doing so, he made Doncaster Rovers the only team in UK history ever to be promoted thanks to a Golden Goal.

Tony Incenzo: County FA at the heart of Bedfordshire community

6 June 2021 0 comments

They are ultimately responsible for supporting the game at grassroots and Non-League level. This means there is an unstinting commitment towards ensuring that football is accessible to everyone with the best possible experience on offer.

Danny Rust: Let’s hope our big day out at Wembley is just the start…

30 May 2021 0 comments

After 14 months of matches taking place behind closed doors as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, I was among the lucky supporters who managed to bag a ticket to Non-League Finals Day last weekend.

Chris Hargraves: You can’t beat the Wembley experience

30 May 2021 0 comments

All the BT Sport team were in the stadium and, at any level, it’s always a privilege to be there, to see what it means to the players, staff and their families and friends.

Tony Incenzo: A world in union, made in Surrey!

30 May 2021 0 comments

The adventurously named International Surrey Football team have joined the World Unity Football Alliance (WUFA) with a view to competing in non-FIFA tournaments.

Chris Dunlavy: Shrimpers living life on the edge

23 May 2021 0 comments

Even before the Covid-19 crisis struck, the Shrimpers faced a winding-up order and repeatedly failed to pay their players on time. Then there’s the vast, affluent catchment area they have failed to activate.

Jeff Stelling: Dave Challinor deserves some love for outstanding work at Hartlepool United

23 May 2021 0 comments

If my beloved Hartlepool United make it back into the Football League over the next month, I’ll be the happiest man in the town – and the UK!

Steve Hill: Yes it’s sad, but don’t go up!

16 May 2021 0 comments

Before any fellow Chester fans burn my books in protest, by ‘following’ I don’t mean supporting. In fact, I mean quite the opposite, whatever that is, in that I temporarily support whoever Wrexham are playing. I am an anti-fan.

Chris Hargraves: It’s handling the big stage as National League season reaches climax

16 May 2021 0 comments

WITH the National League season coming to its end – and going right down to the wire – there are still so many clubs in with a real chance of promotion

Mental Health Awareness Week: Opening up on battling with mental health

13 May 2021 0 comments

The NLP’s North East correspondent Mark Carruthers has marked Mental Health Awareness Week by writing a piece to discuss his own battles with mental health.

Adam Virgo: Job done for classy Harrogate Town

9 May 2021 0 comments

It was tough for Concord to get up the pitch in the first half so Harrogate were winning it back on the halfway line and attacking again.

Tony Incenzo: Parading as the Sunday’s best? That’s Don and Dusted

9 May 2021 0 comments

The Orpington and Bromley District Sunday League club were only formed in 2014 but they already have 199,000 subscribers to their YouTube channel with some match videos viewed more than 400,000 times online

Just one thing was missing in absorbing FA Vase Final…the fans!

9 May 2021 0 comments

When the final whistle was blown on this breathless FA Vase final, there was only one thing the 90 minutes had been missing. Fans.

Chris Hargreaves: Time to savour your big moment

2 May 2021 0 comments

There’s two clubs that may well be passing each other come the end of the National League season, Grimsby Town and Torquay United.

By George, he’s got it! Chesterfield star relishing bid for promotion

2 May 2021 0 comments

It seems incredible to think someone who is now playing such a vital role in Chesterfield’s bid to return to the Football League couldn’t get a look in.

Lee Fowler: Radcliffe feel like my perfect fit

25 April 2021 0 comments

I’ve really embedded myself in the culture of the football club while putting my stamp on it too. When you’ve got a support network around you like the one I have at Radcliffe, it’s the perfect fit for me.

Tony Incenzo: Upstaging stars like Shearer and Ardiles – Hail the unsung heroes of non-league football!

25 April 2021 0 comments

Many of these men graced unforgettable FA Cup ties against some of the biggest clubs in the land. They indelibly wrote their names into football folklore and contributed to incredible giant-killing exploits.

Steve Hill: At last…the joke’s on you!

25 April 2021 0 comments

At school in Chester in the 80s, a teacher randomly conducted a straw poll of who supported who. Surprise, surprise, it yielded approximately 30 Liverpool fans, one Manchester United fan, and one Evertonian. How many Chester City fans? One, yours truly, news that was greeted by gales of incredulous laughter, despite being within walking distance of their Football League stadium.

Diary of a Ground Hopper

23 April 2021 0 comments

Several leagues have initiated cup competitions to ease clubs back into the swing of things. What an excellent idea! I have a few matches to choose from, mostly in the Notts Senior League and Central Midlands League being as I am still attempting to stay local. Ish!

Matt Badcock: Torquay United just lovin’ their Gary time

18 April 2021 0 comments

Tuesday’s win at Sutton United drew the third-place Gulls level on points with their hosts and means they too can still leapfrog Hartlepool United if they win their games in hand.

Stuart Fuller: Time for the big guns to show willing

18 April 2021 0 comments

Clubs will now have at least three months to get everything in place and ready for when the turnstiles can turn again in pre-season, assuming that the Government roadmap is followed.

Tony Incenzo: Dust down the boots and hoist up the goalposts, grassroots is back!

11 April 2021 0 comments

After a three-month hiatus, outdoor organised football training sessions and matches were allowed to recommence from March 29. And whilst there are plenty of challenges plus strict safety protocols in place, it is hugely welcome news for thousands of recreational footballers around the country.