Connect with us

Columnists

Steve Hill: World Cup agony has become a distant memory

THE dream is over, another World Cup in the bin – and now it’s all about the new Non-League season for Steve Hill.

by
The Non-League Football Paper Team
2 August 2026

THE dream is over, another World Cup in the bin. This was meant to be our tournament, finally returning the Jules Rimet trophy to these shores a mere 60 years after we first claimed it. As a cocky kid, I confidently proclaimed that England would never win a major trophy in my lifetime, words that may come back to haunt me if they don’t get on with it soon.
As the stuttering campaign reached fever pitch, due to a poorly timed show business engagement I unfortunately found myself watching the semi-final on my own on a laptop in a dressing room, serendipitously in the beautiful city of Chester,...

Continue reading...

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

Already a subscriber to our website? Login

Related TopicsBarking Chester Chester FC Chorley Football National League National League North Premium Street

Follow us

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

Jon Couch: The day I played in a World Cup

The NLP's Jon Couch reflects on creating a memory to tell the Grandkids after he played in the World Cup.
Mark Harris: Time is the key to clubs

Every summer, the same questions come around. ‘Why are the fixtures out so late? Why can’t we find out sooner if we’ve been laterally moved? Surely AI could sort all this out?’
Tony Incenzo: Pressing the reset button

I've been shocked and dismayed by the catalogue of teams that have resigned voluntarily from our National League System throughout the summer.
Chris Dunlavy: Standing the test of time!

Chris Dunlavy reflects on the remarkable journeys of Scott Davies and Aaron Ramsey – and how football careers can change in the blink of an eye.

2026-27 NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH PREVIEW

Britt’s buzzing to boost the Bees

Featured
BT Calling
Dagenham & Redbridge
Dagenham & Redbridge boss Lewis Young wants to lead revival after relegation
Non-League Paper
Club allocations revealed: 2025-26 league line-ups unveiled
Latest News
Enterprising deal for National League