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The Joys of Non-league Football

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Pete53 Flag Hassocks 02 Apr 24 3.34pm Send a Private Message to Pete53 Add Pete53 as a friend

It had been a long time since I watched a non-league game but yesterday afternoon I ventured out to watch a match between Worthing and Hampton & Richmond. My son has just moved to a house which is located only a 5 minute walk from the ground.

The two clubs play in the National League South and are vying for a play-off place and going into the game were separated by just a point.

I have to say what an enjoyable and afternoon it was. A decent sized crowd turned on a lovely sunny day. On arrival we bought a couple of pints and found a decent spot to watch from.

The game was played in a very competitive but sporting manner. The quality of football was very good with both sides showing good passing and movement, and an impressive level ball control, and there was little sign of diving and injury simulation.

Added to that the atmosphere was friendly and refreshingly there was no shouting abuse at players or officials.

We will certainly return. In fact I was disappointed to find the final home game of the season clashes with the Palace v West Ham match.

Oh yes, Worthing ran out 2-0 winners.

 

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Willo Flag South coast - west of Brighton. 02 Apr 24 4.04pm Send a Private Message to Willo Add Willo as a friend

I too experience the joys of non-league football but at a lower level than 'National League'.

Over the years I have visited grounds in Sussex, Surrey and Kent. EG Redhill, Merstham, Crowborough Athletic, Haywards Heath, Steyning, Dorking Wanderers, Bexhill, Eastbourne Town, Eastbourne Association,Worthing, Worthing Utd, Crawley Down Gatwick, Hassocks, Chichester City, Burgess Hill Town and several more.

Edited by Willo (02 Apr 2024 4.08pm)

 

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Pete53 Flag Hassocks 02 Apr 24 4.13pm Send a Private Message to Pete53 Add Pete53 as a friend

Originally posted by Willo

I too experience the joys of non-league football but at a lower level than 'National League'.

Over the years I have visited grounds in Sussex, Surrey and Kent. EG Redhill, Merstham, Crowborough Athletic, Haywards Heath, Steyning, Dorking Wanderers, Bexhill, Eastbourne Town, Eastbourne Association,Worthing, Worthing Utd, Crawley Down Gatwick, Hassocks, Chichester City, Burgess Hill Town and several more.

Edited by Willo (02 Apr 2024 4.08pm)

An impressive list.

My formative years as a football fan were spent at Hayes Lane watching Bromley in the Isthmian League, which I believe was one tier down from The old Southern League which was one step away from Division 4, although there was no automatic promotion in those days.

 

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Willo Flag South coast - west of Brighton. 02 Apr 24 4.24pm Send a Private Message to Willo Add Willo as a friend

Originally posted by Pete53

An impressive list.

My formative years as a football fan were spent at Hayes Lane watching Bromley in the Isthmian League, which I believe was one tier down from The old Southern League which was one step away from Division 4, although there was no automatic promotion in those days.

I recall attending games at Hayes Lane in the late 70s.
On occasions, 'Sido' used to sell programmes at the ground.
Phil Emblen, father of Neil Emblen who played for us in the late 90s played for Bromley at centre-half.

 

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monkey Flag Sittingbourne,but made in Bromley 02 Apr 24 5.27pm Send a Private Message to monkey Add monkey as a friend

Depending on where I live I’ve always watched a bit of non-league, I grew up in Bromley so I’ve always watched them, i still go occasionally. I also watch my local teams now, Sittingbourne, Faversham Town and Maidstone United, although I don’t go much these days. When I lived in South Norwood I lived over the road from Croydon FC and when I lived in Sidcup I used to watch Welling United and Cray Wanderers

It’s always been a bit more laid back, cheap, local, easy to park or walking distance to the ground, stand where you want, no sodding about with tickets either, although Bromley and Maidstone it’s all a bit more regimental these days needing tickets and big crowds as they’ve rose up the divisions

Edited by monkey (02 Apr 2024 5.31pm)

 

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monkey Flag Sittingbourne,but made in Bromley 02 Apr 24 5.33pm Send a Private Message to monkey Add monkey as a friend

Originally posted by Willo

I recall attending games at Hayes Lane in the late 70s.
On occasions, 'Sido' used to sell programmes at the ground.
Phil Emblen, father of Neil Emblen who played for us in the late 90s played for Bromley at centre-half.

Neil played for my local team Sittingbourne back in the 90’s before he came to palace

 

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daven Flag Hailsham 02 Apr 24 6.49pm Send a Private Message to daven Add daven as a friend

My default non league team was Whyteleafe due to geography, though I must admit it was more for the beer than the football.My elder brother was more a regular than me, I have a photo somewhere of my brother and Wilf (who attended when possible ) at the ground for an evening kick off.Alan Pardew also had links to Whyteleafe and maybe that's why we played them pre-season.

 

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mezzer Flag Main Stand, Block F, Row 20 seat 1... 03 Apr 24 3.22pm Send a Private Message to mezzer Add mezzer as a friend

I used to play for Shoreham in the Sussex County League and was regrettably party to us losing one of our loyal supporters.
We were out on the Friday night before a game and myself and our centre forward, Paul Hudson, slumped into the back of a taxi in the early hours of Saturday morning. The taxi driver turned round and (not having a clue who I was) said "You're Paul Hudson aren't you. You play for Shoreham". To which Paul concurred.
"No wonder you're **** then if this is what you're like before a game. I waste 50p each week coming to watch you lot."
The next day we ran out to the tinny backdrop of "Good Old Sussex By The Sea" over the tannoy and looked for the taxi driver. He was nowhere to be seen and the crowd was always one less from thereon in.
The Good Old Days.

 


Living down here does have some advantages. At least you can see them cry.

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Lanzo-Ad Flag Lanzarote 03 Apr 24 4.30pm Send a Private Message to Lanzo-Ad Add Lanzo-Ad as a friend

I was a regular at Church Lane, Whyteleafe when i was much younger, Kember was manager at that time, then Doris took over.

 


“That’s a joke son, I say, that’s a joke.” “Nice boy, but he’s sharp as a throw pillow.” “He’s so dumb he thinks a Mexican border pays rent” “ “Son… I say, son, some people are so narrow minded they can look through a keyhole with both eyes.”__ Forhorn Leghorn

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ASCPFC Flag Pro-Cathedral/caravan park 03 Apr 24 7.03pm Send a Private Message to ASCPFC Add ASCPFC as a friend

I lived in the Midlands and watched Kidderminster Harriers for years. They used to be pretty good - probably one of the biggest non-league sides. Saw a couple of big cup runs and an FA Trophy win.
Currently, trying to avoid relegation with Phil Brown at the helm.
In Ireland, I watch Galway United: they're actually Premier Division in Ireland - which is probably around conference standard. It's pretty dire but I enjoy it.

 


Red and Blue Army!

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monkey Flag Sittingbourne,but made in Bromley 03 Apr 24 7.12pm Send a Private Message to monkey Add monkey as a friend

Originally posted by ASCPFC

I lived in the Midlands and watched Kidderminster Harriers for years. They used to be pretty good - probably one of the biggest non-league sides. Saw a couple of big cup runs and an FA Trophy win.
Currently, trying to avoid relegation with Phil Brown at the helm.
In Ireland, I watch Galway United: they're actually Premier Division in Ireland - which is probably around conference standard. It's pretty dire but I enjoy it.

Didn’t Kidderminster get into the football league for a few years not so long ago?

 

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Willo Flag South coast - west of Brighton. 03 Apr 24 7.31pm Send a Private Message to Willo Add Willo as a friend

Originally posted by monkey

Didn’t Kidderminster get into the football league for a few years not so long ago?

Indeed they did and I believe Jan Molby was the manager when they were promoted from the Conference.

 

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