Columnists

Steve Hill: The Northern lights await

by
Steve Hill
10 August 2025

ALL SET: Merthyr Town’s Penydarren Park will host National League North football this coming season PICTURE: John Smith/Same Old Smith Photography

Steve Hill – Hilly’s Away Days

Show me the way to Merthyr Tydfil…” This is how my teenage son woke up the day after Chester’s devastating extra time playoff defeat at Scunthorpe back in May, belting out a broadside despite the prospect of yet another season in National League North.
I had a somewhat more muted response, having long expressed a wish to get out of this Alehouse League.
But as the boy explained, he figures he’s got about another 70 years to see us win something so no need to panic yet.
The poor lad has only ever known Chester as a reformed Non-League club and I frequentl...

Continue reading...

Access all our premium content from as little as 14p per day!

Already a subscriber to our website? Login

Read our latest news on any of these social networks!

Tackle the News

- Sign Up for our weekly Non-League Newsletter

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

More in Columnists

Tony Incenzo: It’s the journey of a lifetime

As reported in The NLP last week, it was immensely satisfying for me to fulfil my lifelong ambition on Easter Monday of watching a match at every Non-League ground in the entire National League System.
Mark Carruthers: Darlington’s rise shows the value of the bigger picture

When assessing the merits of a glorious success or a perceived failure, there should be a necessity to look at the bigger picture.
Mark Carruthers: Teesside’s Non-League renaissance – who could follow Redcar Athletic’s remarkable rise?

A huge month lies ahead for Non-League football on Teesside and one that could end with several historic promotions and almost unparalleled success.
Isobel Gleason: Defining Easter for the National League is upon us

By Isobel Gleason - DAZN Reporter After dropping points in midweek, both Rochdale and York City are looking to rediscover the winning formula as the National League title race continues to intensify. A shock 3-1 defeat at Gateshead on Tuesday night meant that, with just six games remaining heading into...