Non-League Paper Programme: The NLP standout moments of 2025

The Non League Paper team pick out their standout moments of 2025…

Jon Couch

The NLP, Executive Editor

Moment of the year

A bit of a sentimental choice for me, but witnessing Aldershot Town win the Isuzu FA Trophy in May with a 3-0 victory over Spennymoor Town was a very special moment.

Over 21,500 Shots supporters were in attendance for the club’s first-ever Wembley visit in their 99-year history – and it was a day that will live with them all forever.

Team of the Year

What Boreham Wood have achieved in 2025 has been nothing short of remarkable. Despite finishing sixth in the National League South table, it was no huge surprise that they went on to win the play-offs given the quality and experience in their ranks. Now Luke Garrard’s men have emerged as genuine contenders for a National League title push – not to mention another FA Cup third round appearance.

Best goal you saw live

It has to be Josh Barrett’s stunning effort which clinched Aldershot Town’s FA Trophy success. Described as one of the best cup final goals ever scored at Wembley, the Shots’ No10 let fly with a quite brilliant left-footed volley from the edge of the box to send the fans into raptures.

Most enjoyable visit

Making my first visit to AFC Telford United’s New Bucks Head in over 22 years back in May was an absolute pleasure. A big football club, impressive stadium and passionate fans – and their play-off semi-final against Halesowen Town was a thoroughly enjoyable watch too. I’ll be sure to return.

Matt Badcock

The NLP, editor at large

Moment of the Year

The travel farce dominated the build-up to the National League Promotion Final but seeing – and hearing – a record 52,000 fans welcome Oldham and Southend onto the pitch was quite something. Southend fans’ ‘Never Give Up’ banner was a reminder nobody should need of how important supporters are to their football clubs.

Team of the Year

Boreham Wood will be a popular one here for their incredible 2025 of promotion before thriving back at Step 1 and their FA Cup run. Tamworth deserve all the plaudits for pushing Tottenham all the way in the FA Cup and then securing a top ten finish. Truro City were history makers too.

Best goal you saw live

James Norwood’s extra-time equaliser hauled Oldham Athletic back into the promotion final against Southend. A man for the big moment, he showed all determination to get in behind and all his class to lift the ball over the Shrimpers’ keeper and then roll it in. Seconds later Oldham had another and the rest was history.

Most enjoyable visit

I always enjoy an evening game at Bury Town. It’s a great atmosphere, the game is nearly always entertaining and it just has a warm feeling when you arrive. I like to rock up just before kick-off, pay my entry fee and wander around the ground without the stress of a match report!

Mark Stillman

BBC commentator, NLP writer and results collator

Moment of the Year

Oldham Athletic securing their first promotion since the glory years under Joe Royle. Their fans deserved to see their team rejoin the EFL after years of struggle.

Team of the Year

Boreham Wood. Despite not gaining automatic promotion back to the National League, they held their nerve in the play-offs and escaped from a highly competitive division. The momentum has continued and they’re excelling under Luke Garrard, with yet another FA Cup run to boot. I commentated on their 3-0 win at Yeovil Town in October and they were superb, Abdul Abdulmalik was a class above.

Best goal you saw live

Jordan Tillson at Hampton & Richmond Borough for Bath City in November. An added time winner in foul conditions, first time strike from around 30 yards on the outside of his boot. Screamed in. Added bonus that I was on commentary as well!

Most enjoyable visit

Weymouth have had a torrid year but they’ve always been a welcoming club. Combined the day with a wander along the front (pity it was in February!) and the view from the main stand at the Bob Lucas Stadium is immense. Proper ground, packed with terracing. Hope they turn things around.

Andy Simpson

NLP contributor (North-West)

Moment of the Year

A bittersweet one; watching Widnes celebrate a historic promotion to Step 3 as champions, only for the club to resign from the pyramid 64 days after Harry McGee’s title-clinching goal. The extremes of emotion that football can stir among those of us who follow it.

Team of the Year

Lower Breck. Top of the NPL West Division table at Christmas on their debut at Step 4 after promotion as play-offs winners, Gary Moore’s men have won 31 of the 40 league games they’ve played to date in 2025, losing only three – an extraordinary feat.

Best goal you saw live

Easy choice; Max McCarthy’s sumptuous volley for Congleton during a draw with Nantwich in January.
Back to goal, he shielded a ball nodded his way by a teammate before spinning and making a perfect connection as it dropped – sending his shot into the top corner.

Most enjoyable visit

It has to be Macclesfield. I returned there in November to watch them topple AFC Totton in the FA Cup. The game was incredible, but so too was seeing how investment from Rob Smethurst has turned the Silkmen’s ground into the best outside of the Football League in the North West.

Andy Mitchell

NLP contributor (Midlands)

Moment of the Year

You simply couldn’t help feeling uplifted by the glow emanating from chairman Frank Rothwell OBE after Oldham Athletic’s promotion back to the EFL. Still dazed and overwhelmed by the drama of an extra-time win over Southend at Wembley, the pride and emotion sang through every word he said to cement his status as football’s favourite granddad.

Team of the Year

A rare off-field pick. The combination of board and supporters’ co-operative members driving the push to secure a homecoming for Nuneaton Town. To get in-principle council support so soon after the old club so publicly hit the wall is testament to the fans who made such a powerful case to elected officials in November.

Best goal you saw live

Connor Kirby, Buxton 2-1 Chatham Town, FA Cup first round – A frantic game that’s deep into extra-time, legs have gone on both sides. Kirby is 30 yards out wide on the left, no one closes him down. Have a go? Why not. I had the privilege of being right behind it as it dipped, bent, kissed the post and nestled in to send the Peak District potty.

Most enjoyable visit

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