The 2026 NGAs: Taking the game to the next level

JDG MEDIA Digital Media Award

In this ever-evolving world, more scrutiny than ever is placed on Non-League football governance and the publicity it brings, taking the game to a whole new level.

The world of Digital Media in football has exploded stratospherically in this technological new era, offering clubs of all levels of the pyramid a platform to integrate itself into the community.

With the introduction of club websites, the first seeds were sown and now the world of social media has brought a whole new dimension to every football supporter’s matchday experience, both from the terraces, from the comfort of their own home or indeed anywhere around the world.

With every goal or game highlight logged via regular match updates on various social media platforms, fans can now follow their club’s every kick from every corner of the globe, all with the click of a button.

New award

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

From video content showing match highlights and manager/ players’ interviews to regular news updates, the dreaded club statements and even podcasts where fans discuss team affairs, club media duties have become a 24/7 job, keeping clubs at the beating heart of the community.

To honour this new revolution, we decided last year to introduce a new award to the coveted list of NGAs – and there couldn’t have been a more fitting inaugural winner.

Forward-thinking Farnham Town have not only ended success off the field under the stewardship of Harry Hugo, but they’ve also raised more than a few eyebrows off it.

The Southern League Premier South promotion chasers have developed a web and social media hub that keeps their community reliably informed with regular news, views and behind-the-scenes content.

Their Non-League Diaries YouTube feature promotes all areas of the club and their figures back that up with more than 120,000 followers on TikTok, and over 3.7 million likes, while their Instagram feed has 20,000+ followers, and one reel has had more than 4.7m views.

INAUGURAL WINNERS: Farnham Town’s Harry Hugo, centre, and Frankie Hobbs, right, receive their award from the Non-League Show’s Tim Fuell

Proud

“I am super proud – even more given it is the first-ever award for this event,” Hugo told us.

“I think it is fitting that everything is moving towards digital, and we spotted that opportunity in Non-League a couple of years ago.

“Digital is starting to boom massively, not just with us, but other clubs have really started to take digital and social media seriously now, and we are delighted to be recognised as a club that has pioneered that.”

But, as Hugo will tell you, in order for this new age dynamic to work, it takes a lot of hard graft and commitment.

Media officers, often students learning their trade and nearly always volunteers, taking time out from their studies or free time to head down to the club to deliver breaking news.

It’s dedication like this which we aim to recognise at the NGAs – and we want you to help us crown our second Digital Award winner at our awards ceremony at AFC Wimbledon’s Plough Lane Stadium on Wednesday, May 20.

So, if you’re proud of your club’s work from behind a laptop, microphone or camera, or if you know of any social media team who have gone above and beyond, even an independent venture who are doing great things, then please get in touch to help us put them in the spotlight with this prize.

How to vote!

Voting is now open! Make sure you have your say by getting your nominations into us by email to [email protected]