Episodes
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This week bumper show and one all about the people and not necessarily the lifting of trophies, despite the time of the season.
First up a fan who has had a week he will surely always remember but perhaps not for the best of reasons. Dean Knight this time last week was a typical fan helping organise a supporters bus to a play-off chasing match at the weekend. On Saturday evening he was being rushed to hospital 120 miles from home after a bus crash left him and another 15 or so South Shields fans injured and shaken up. Thankfully, everybody survived and are on the mend, but it was the reaction from fellow fans, fans from all clubs even rivals that captured my attention and captured the heart of Dean as the non league football family pulled together.
Talking about the non league family pulling together. My next guest is a Chairman who has been the focus of some ridicule since coming into the game. However, back to back promotions for his Real Bedford side and new investment from American Billionaires, suggest Peter McCormack might just be onto to something with his non traditional approach.
Rounding it all up is The Non League Paper’s Jon Couch, previewing the National League’s final set of normal fixtures, managerial changes and the scrapping of FA Cup Replays in the proper rounds. -
First up an experienced manager in possibly the tightest promotion battle across the pyramid. Ware’s Paul Halsey is no stranger to play-off pressures but in a season of some clubs with 5 games per week, he’s got just 3 games on three separate Saturdays left to play in a division when any club from 6 could still pip the title.
Talking about experience, following our love of highlighting the great work done by so many off the field and the many jobs that can entail, we speak again to an old friend of the show Adam Etheridge. From volunteer to full-time administrator he’s now overseeing the off-the-field work at Quorn FC and has a multitude of hats and a multitude of stories about the wonders and magic of non league to tell
Rounding it all up in a bumper week of news too, is The Non League Paper’s Jon Couch, that FA Vase semi-final second leg, final movers and shakers in the National League, fairness for fans, and some managerial moves all in the mix. -
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The beautiful game, the world of Non League football is magical for the people within it. A few years ago the pandemic did its best to impact and tear it apart, but IT came back stronger, we came back stronger.
This season a new force threatens to rip apart our world. A natural force that surely can't be controlled. The weather across the country has played havoc with the playing season. Games postponed, games abandoned, and a fixture pile-up with an FA hardline backstop that leaves many clubs with back-to-back days to play matches to complete the season. We speak to one man who has tried to rally the troops for change. Colne FC is one of those who face a multitude of matches in a matter of days with burdens not only on pitches and players but also on volunteers and fans. Media Man Ben Metcalfe admits he has no answer but knows it is time for change.
Rounding up the week’s news is The Non League Paper’s Matt Badcock as we hit Semi-Finals fo the FA Vase and FA Trophy and see a multitude of managerial rejigs. -
It is FA Vase semi final time. We open the show with Phil Annets with his @FAVaseFactfile hat on, giving us insight into this season’s competition and the four sides remaining.
Then we head north to one of the clubs involved. This week also has a creative arts feel, so we speak to the media guy putting in the hours to ensure Lincoln United is a club people are talking about up and down the land and across the world. Charlie Fytche is still in his early 20s but already doing great stuff for the world of non league.
Talking about the world of non league, my next guest is a filmmaker but at heart a non league fan too. Jack Spring has made a documentary series about his beloved Grimsby Town’s last magical season back in non league out now on Amazon Prime. It’s driven by the kind of human interest people-led stories that make us love non league and well worth a watch.
Rounding up the week’s news is Jon Couch of The Non League Paper in another bumper show, ahead of an Easter weekend hopefully just as packed with non league action. -
It’s Non League Day this weekend so we celebrate Non league. I’ve tried to find something for everybody, celebrate the quirkiness, enjoy the camaraderie, and applaud the success in adversity. This is the Non League Football Show and this is Non League.
First up a returnee with 15 games still to play until the end of the season that can’t be extended. By the time you listen to this, that will be 14, because with their own ground not in use due to the International break, the local pro club have offered up use of their stadium to my first guest to help his Step 3 club get through their fixture backlog. Lee Hobbs is very thankful for the support and practical about the job facing Plymouth Parkway in the coming weeks to avoid relegation.
Also returning to the show another statistician, of the like, only Non League creates. It began over a decade ago as a way of providing answers to his own questions as to whether his club could get promoted, now it’s this non leaguer’s and many more’s, go-to resource, as the season draws to a close. A big hat-tip to Peter Miller and his Google Sheets.
Our Chairman this week, could easily have become a clubs in crisis feature when his club lost its long-term financial supporter. However, a strong team of volunteers, a string of community based projects and a desire to improve within realistic budgets means whilst relegation looms from Step 4, other elements of the club are thriving and the long term sustainability of the club is now well within reach at Stowmarket Town thanks to Kevin Blundell and his team.
Helping us round off the show and round-up the week's news, Matt Badcock of The Non League Paper. Titles won and not quite won, managerial moves and plenty more we can read in this week’s paper. -
We start this week with one of this show’s longest-serving guests, not only as a guest of this show but also as manager of the England C side. Paul Fairclough has over two decades on the job and admits he is as enthusiastic as ever in the role. A game on Tuesday night in Wales is followed in May by a home game v Nepal at Aldershot Town and as Paul explains the non league international setup has been the stepping stone for so many successful footballers.
Next, a debutant to the show. Chairman at Brentwood Town Jez Dickinson has big plans for this club that have helped him partner up with one of sport’s business masters and set in place plans for a 3G pitch to be laid as soon as the season ends. It’s clear he’s enjoying the ride but that he’s also very appreciative of the team he has around him - on and off the field.
Rounding up the show and the news, Matt Badcock of The Non League Paper. Covering the stories and talking points of the week he also gives an insight into what we can read in this week’s paper. -
A bumper full length programme this week as we hit the Quarter finals of the FA Trophy and FA Vase, four ties, eight clubs in each compettion.
First up an old friend of the show in a new job. His record speaks for itself but it's not often a manager moves into a new dugout in the back end of the season, at a club bigger than he’s ever taken on before, in sight of a play-off place and in the quarter-finals of a national cup competition. Michael Clegg has achieved just that at Macclesfield although in an open and honest interview, he admits he’s only played one won one in the role so far.
Phil Annets is on hand with his @favasefactfile hat on to introduce us to the 8 clubs in the VAse quarter-finals, and to remind us of THAT fact about FA Vase finals.
Then we speak to a man who is CHairman and joint manager at North Greenford United as they are two rounds from Wembley. Paul Mills admits it's a real family affair just a stone’s throw from the national stadium but wouldn’t change a thing about his club’s big day on Saturday.
Rounding it all off, Jon Couch returns from The Non League Paper to help us cover weather and postponements, club finances, moving managers, and fanatical fans. -
A full-length programme this week but just the two in-depth guests. As we roll into March we discuss ground grading or rather Stadium Assessment the new system of baselining and auditing the stadia in operation across the National League System. Mark Harris Chairman of the Northern Premier League offers an expert view into why the new system was needed, what it is, and how it will impact clubs this year and in years to come. In insightful discussion including how fans can play a part in ensuring football stadiums of the future meet their needs and the necessities of health and safety.
Matt Badcock is back from The Non League Paper. This week there’s a discussion on the season unravelling, managers moving and crisis clubs converging. -
A late release and shorter version due to technical gremlins affecting guest interviews this week. Disappointing but hopefully those guests can come back in the coming weeks as they have some exciting stuff to share.
So just Matt Badcock from The Non League Paper this week but what a week of football news. He joins us straight from the press conference at Maidstone United as they gear up for their last 16 tie in the FA Cup at Coventry City.
It’s also been a busy week on the clubs in crisis front. Better news for Taunton Town but worrying times for Torquay United and Rochdale.
There’s a whole host of managerial changes as ever and keep an eye on the weather as non league football tries to get through its fixtures with an early season finish. -
Just the one club guest this week so a slightly abbreviated show but an important insight nonetheless.
With some of the Fifth Round FA Trophy ties still to be played due to weather postponements, we speak to a manager who is probably putting more on the chance for Wembley than any other club still in the competition. Bishops Stortford owner and manager Steve Smith was last with us celebrating his side’s romp of the IShtmian Premier Division. As he tells us he still can’t come to terms with the decision - even post-appeal - to place his side in the National North and not the South this season. That has meant additional travel, additional costs and pretty much an entire new squad. Whilst competitive in most games it hasn’t worked out this term for the Blues who are rock bottom of the Step 2 Division and need to double their current points even to get level the club currently in safety. Whilst he’s not given up all hope, Smith is realistic enough to understand the FA Trophy and their great run already is probably where his and his side’s hope is better pinned. Coalville Town - under new management - and from a level below stand now between them and progression into the Quarter Finals to meet Macclesfield.
Rounding up the week’s news including his presence at the FA Trophy and Vase draws earlier this week, Executive Editor at The Non League Paper Jon Couch is on hand with his expert insight into the draw, the talking points of the week and those managerial moves. -
We’ve reached round 5 in both the FA Trophy and the FA Vase. 16 clubs left in each competition 8 ties apiece to get through, with the weather looking to play a hand in that.
In the Trophy those from outside the top tier have their sights set on a Wembley final they may not have expected, whilst there are still some looking to battle on more than one front this season.
But our focus this week is the FA Vase. @FAVaseFactfile Mr Phil Annets is on hand to give us oversight of all the clubs and the ties in this round. We then get a rare treat. Chairman at Falmouth Town of the Western League Graham Medlin doesn’t do many interviews. He’s happier ensuring his club continues to survive and indeed thrive with sights even this year set on promotion to the Southern League. His side face one of their biggest ever games with a trip to Jersey Bulls in the FA Vase final 16 this weekend and it’s clear he’s pretty proud of the sa,e.
Rounding up the week’s news including and what’s coming up in the wekeend’s paper Editor at Large at The Non League Paper Matt Badcock is on hand with his own expert insight. -
To counter the clubs in peril stories we’ve had to report on this season, it’s time to celebrate a story of dedication, persistence and desire. London’s oldest football club finally coming home. Not quite yet fully ready for the return of the Isthmian Premier side but youth and women’s teams of Cray Wanderers are moving into Flamingo Park. CEO Sam Wright is rightly proud but far from done yet, not only seeking to get the men’s first team back in for some prestigious pre-seasons for next season but also building these community links they’ve missed out for in the 26 years as groundsharing wanderers
Rounding up the week’s news including the FA Cup success of Maidstone, the multitude of managerial moves and what’s coming up in the weekend’s paper Executive Editor at The Non League Paper Jon Couch -
It is the FA Cup Fourth Round weekend and just the one non-league representative. Phil Annets @facupfactfile is on hand to give some insight into this round and the competition so far. Many will have written off National South’s Maidstone but having already dumped Barrow and Stevenage out for the competition to go further than the club ever has in this competition, or the former club before it in fact… there’s some magic in the air that might make, even high flying hosts Ipswich Town quiver a little. So why not send another shiver down their spine…? Remember Roy Essandoh? He of the FA Cup and Wycombe Wanderers fairytale? You soon will, as I speak to Maidstone’s new striker Manny Duku, who aims to repeat the highs of his fellow striker.
Rounding us up, Editor at Large at The Non League Paper Matt Badcock is here to help with the week's news and previews the weekend’s edition -
The highs and lows of football spotlighted this week but also the magic of why we all do it and why we all love it.
First up a return to these waveforms of Barnet boss Dean Brennan. Into the FA Trophy last 16 and sitting third in the National League, life isn’t looking too shoddy. A Saturday tea-time visit of table-toppers Chesterfield is on the menu this week but as Dean says, he can only take one game at a time.
Some might think even one game at a time would be too much after 27 league games without a win this season. That’s the story from Bishops Sutton of the Western League Divison One but Chairman George Williams isn’t perturbed. Disappointed yes, but 50 years after helping reform the club he’s still doing everything he can to keep the club ticking over and he has everything crossed that they can stay in step 6 somehow this season, and after speaking to him this week I think the whole of non league would love that too.
Executive Editor at The Non League Paper Jon Couch is here to help with the week's news round-up, sadly including more clubs in peril and the seeming demise of one of non league’s historic clubs. -
The FA Trophy and the FA Vase reach the Fourth Round this weekend. The last 32 and the clubs still involved have every right to be distant dreaming about that Wembley final.
We speak to an experienced non league manager who has enough behind him to know few will give his side a chance against visitors Chesterfield on Saturday. Welling United boss Danny Bloor is wiley enough to have a few tricks up his sleeve to make it a big day out for all involved at the club, with an outside chance of that upset.
Phil Annets is on hand with his @FAVaseFactfile hat on ,with some insight into the 16 ties featuring the Step 5 and Step 6 sides. We also speak to a lady Chair of one of those Step 6 sides. In the historic hotbed of North East non league football Blyth Town haven’t got the glorious or lengthy history of their neighbours but they are a side on the up and with former winners the visitors looking to add another chapter to their own story. Sandra Orr is one of those folk to whom non league owes so much, perhaps this is one of those magical weekends football returns the favour?
Matt Badcock returns for his first update of 2024. The Editor at Large at The Non League Paper helps cover FA Cup, FA Vase and FA Trophy news, clubs in peril and a whole host of managerial changes. -
It’s the FA Cup Third Round and four of the 64 in action are from Non-League Circles. First up Phil Annets is here with his FA Cup Factfile Hat, giving us all the insight into those four ties and more ahead of the weekend.
Next an old friend of the show. A very old friend of our very old show. Hugo Langton used to grace the studio at BBC London in what seems another lifetime ago but now he’s set for the biggest game of his life as Assistant Manager at Aldershot as they travel to West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup Third Round.
Executive Editor at The Non League Paper Jon Couch brings us news of more big managerial changes, clubs surviving and clubs heading into hibernation and much more besides. -
Another slightly shorter show going into the New Year but still much to entertain and inform.
First up he’s led this club to the only 100% league record still intact as the end of the year arrives. Paul Johnson’s Farnham Town top the Combined Counties Premier South and remains in the FA Vase, yet he’s only been in the job just over 12 months. Lots achieved but much more to come, as he sets out his stall for a long-term commitment to his growing club.
Bringing us up to date with the news, Executive Editor at The Non League Paper Jon Couch. Some big managerial changes, the highs and lows of being a football fan and some insight into what’s to come in the final issues of the Non League Paper of 2023. -
A slighter shorter show going into the Christmas break but we have two of football’s hardest-working non-league experts to take you into the festive weekend.
First up he’s back in non-league with perhaps perfect timing. 12 years since he took Fleetwood Town into the Football League from the Conference, 6 years since he took Tranmere Rovers back to the 92, he’s settling in quickly at Oldham Athletic with sights on the National League play-offs. Micky Mellon likes good people and he’s one of the best himself and won’t even have Christmas Day off.
Getting ready to create our CHristmas Eve read, Matt Badcock Editor at Large at The Non League Paper. National League insights, managerial moves and revolutionising refereeing all on the agenda in our discussion with more to come in the paper out Christmas Eve. -
A mixed bag this week. We speak to an old friend of the show making progress every season at his club, now in the FA Trophy Fourth round and pushing for a play-off promotion in the National League. Phil Parkinson - yes non-league’s very own - thinks his Altrincham side is coming together nicely, although the Christmas schedule isn’t as he’d hoped, highlighting the big sacrifices those involved in football often have to make.
With a similar schedule after weeks without competitive football is step 5 Tividale. They hope to get their FA Vase Third round tie played this weekend at the third attempt. Competing still in four cup competitions but not having had a league game since October it's been a strange season but one manager Stuart How is confident will bring rewards.
Rounding up the week’s news and the show is Jon Couch Executive Editor at The Non League paper. -
A double hit of FA cup competitions this week. With great non-league success in the FA Cup, we talk to a manager who faces a trip to league opposition in a replay on Tuesday with a Third Round spot, the prize. Billy Heath’s Alfreton Town drew 0-0 this week with Walsall but know they have all the opportunity to become heroes and make the Third Round for the first time in the club’s history.
Next, we talk FA Trophy with a man perhaps known best as a manager on memorable FA Cup runs but who now operates as Chairman, in the club he’s spent most of his life at. Jamie Vermigglio is clearly enjoying his new role, among familiar surroundings with familiar faces at Chorley but admits every day is a learning day.
Editor at Large at The Non League Paper, Matt Badcock rounds up the show with the week’s news and a preview of this weekend’s Non League Paper. - Show more
