[Football] The Non-League Football Thread- 2022/23 Edition

[MattBackHome]

Agree with this, my issue is for example at the Hassocks game. They let some smoke bombs off (I personally don’t think these are that bad, especially at Non League in the open air, but understand why others have issues and their dangers), and it looked good, it was in my opinion the best picture at football I took all season. All was fine until for some odd reason a Littlehampton fan threw the flare at the Hassocks Keeper. There’s one idiot who always takes it too far, and likely the club know who these individuals are but they never do anything about them. I went to Three Bridges v Worthing during lockdown and someone threw a lighter at the TB keeper, and I’m now told that the club spent months after that banning them from home games and telling away clubs not to let them in, so it’s doable.

I was at the same TB match (just before lockdown?) and remember the argy bargy after the whistle, including that Worthing goon steaming off in his car as fast as he could to avoid a kicking.

That keeper incidentally pulled off one of the best saves I've ever seen in real life at the end of that match. He was saying as he walked off the pitch exactly what you are now, about idiots taking it too far.

Edit: The save is 8 mins in here:

 

[Roadrunner]

Littlehampton have a wannabe hooligan group that I imagine are not really wanted by proper supporters of the club, many posts on this forum’s non league thread last season about their behaviour.
Newhaven had a cup final with Littlehampton at the end of last season that was supposed to be played at Hassocks FC, the week before LH played another cup game at Hassocks and let off fireworks and flares.
The cup final against NH had to be rearranged because Hassocks didn’t want the LH fans back there. The final was played at Horsham FC on a Sunday morning, police and bouncer type stewards were present, the bar was closed and everyone got searched going into the ground. There was also a pyro and alcohol amnesty bin outside the ground.

Not sure what the last two lines of your post mean.

Agree with this, my issue is for example at the Hassocks game. They let some smoke bombs off (I personally don’t think these are that bad, especially at Non League in the open air, but understand why others have issues and their dangers), and it looked good, it was in my opinion the best picture at football I took all season. All was fine until for some odd reason a Littlehampton fan threw the flare at the Hassocks Keeper. There’s one idiot who always takes it too far, and likely the club know who these individuals are but they never do anything about them. I went to Three Bridges v Worthing during lockdown and someone threw a lighter at the TB keeper, and I’m now told that the club spent months after that banning them from home games and telling away clubs not to let them in, so it’s doable.

This group of lads only come out of the woodwork for certain games. As has been said, there are always one or two who just have to push things too far, then the rest seem to follow suit. The home games are now pretty tightly stewarded and generally much quieter affairs than last season. Ticket prices have gone up and Littlehampton are no longer having extended cup runs, so they seem to pick and choose the odd away game to have their 'fun'. What happened at Whitehawk doesn't sound too dissimilar to what I witnessed first-hand at Hanworth Villa in September and at a handful of other games last season.

It does seem strange that the club officials don't seem to have the inclination to do anything about it, it's a pretty weak defence that the home club are responsible for the behaviour of everyone inside their grounds. Admittedly, it will be a very small number of people running the club on a voluntary basis who most likely have little experience of dealing with these things. Apart from anything else, the fines must be racking up. A friend of mine works on the FA disciplinary committee and has told me that Littlehampton are on the agenda regularly. Maybe making the front page of today's Argus will focus their minds. Feels a little OTT - let's face it, the press love a good football hooliganism story, but I'll try and find out more from the regulars who went on Saturday when I attend tomorrow night's cup game v Billingshurst.

 

[BN9 BHA]

Agree with this, my issue is for example at the Hassocks game. They let some smoke bombs off (I personally don’t think these are that bad, especially at Non League in the open air, but understand why others have issues and their dangers), and it looked good, it was in my opinion the best picture at football I took all season. All was fine until for some odd reason a Littlehampton fan threw the flare at the Hassocks Keeper. There’s one idiot who always takes it too far, and likely the club know who these individuals are but they never do anything about them. I went to Three Bridges v Worthing during lockdown and someone threw a lighter at the TB keeper, and I’m now told that the club spent months after that banning them from home games and telling away clubs not to let them in, so it’s doable.

I’m sure there were also reports of fireworks being let off at Hassocks, I do remember at the time reading tweets from Littlehampton fans blaming Hassocks for not having enough stewards and selling drunk fans more alcoholic drinks.

Eastbourne Town fans used to let off yellow smoke bombs (not sure if they still do) but they did it outside and I never saw any reports of them causing trouble.
As you say I think smoke bombs in the open air at non league are fine. Obviously they shouldn’t be allowed near 3G pitches.

 

[Sirnormangall]

I was at the same TB match (just before lockdown?) and remember the argy bargy after the whistle, including that Worthing goon steaming off in his car as fast as he could to avoid a kicking.

That keeper incidentally pulled off one of the best saves I've ever seen in real life at the end of that match. He was saying as he walked off the pitch exactly what you are now, about idiots taking it too far.

Edit: The save is 8 mins in here:

Cracking save, thanks for posting.

 

[jackalbion]

I was at the same TB match (just before lockdown?) and remember the argy bargy after the whistle, including that Worthing goon steaming off in his car as fast as he could to avoid a kicking.

That keeper incidentally pulled off one of the best saves I've ever seen in real life at the end of that match. He was saying as he walked off the pitch exactly what you are now, about idiots taking it too far.

Edit: The save is 8 mins in here:

That very game, the Worthing fans were as shocked with him throwing the lighter as everyone else. The reaction of my friend Joe, the person directly behind the goal says it all.

 

[jackalbion]

I’m sure there were also reports of fireworks being let off at Hassocks, I do remember at the time reading tweets from Littlehampton fans blaming Hassocks for not having enough stewards and selling drunk fans more alcoholic drinks.

Eastbourne Town fans used to let off yellow smoke bombs (not sure if they still do) but they did it outside and I never saw any reports of them causing trouble.
As you say I think smoke bombs in the open air at non league are fine. Obviously they shouldn’t be allowed near 3G pitches.

Yes fireworks as well, what started off as an impressive show of support soon descended into chaos. As seen below before it got out of control (pretty dramatic for county league).

 

[jackalbion]

Well my plan to watch Harrow v Halifax in the Trophy tonight is frozen, off might head down to Lewes and have an early night.

 

[keaton]

Well my plan to watch Harrow v Halifax in the Trophy tonight is frozen, off might head down to Lewes and have an early night.

Pitch inspection happening now apparently at Lewes. Will let you know

 

[Peacehaven Wild Kids]

A few matches OFF tonight inc Hassocks v Peacehaven

 

[jackalbion]

Pitch inspection happening now apparently at Lewes. Will let you know

I'm in the office in Kings Cross so I've got a few options until I'm finished, Ebbsfleet said their game is definitely on.

 

[keaton]

Lewes game tonight now called off

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

A few matches OFF tonight inc Hassocks v Peacehaven

I'n not surprised, the pitch at Gorings Mead was completely frosted over this morning, you can hardly get a fork into it.

Roll on 3G!

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

Lewes game tonight now called off

Sounds like it's Ebbsleet for you tonight then Jack.

 

[carlzeiss]

Hastings United home fixture also postponed this evening

BTW , Top 3 average attendance in the Isthmian League are all Sussex clubs

Isthmian Premier League top 5 average attendances this season so far
@hastingsufc
1 - 1,005
@HorshamFC
2 - 820
@LewesFCMen
3 - 805
@BTFC
4 - 725 5.
@FIFC
5 - 691

 

[jackalbion]

Sounds like it's Ebbsleet for you tonight then Jack.

Haywards Heath have got theirs on.

 

[Roadrunner]

Somehow, Littlehampton's Senior Cup tie at home to Billingshurst is going ahead. Be amazed if it lasts the distance, but I'll head up the road anyway. Can't imagine the hoolies will be out in force for this one.....

 

[BN9 BHA]

Hastings United @carlzeiss have you seen this?

Saxon

Saturday 26th November 2022 ko 15:00 Isthmian League Premier Division HASTINGS UNITED 3 (Pope 9 McKenzie 13 Scott 72) CORINTHIAN-CASUALS 0 Att 652 Entry £12 Programme £2.50 There are football groun…

laurencereade.com

 

[Deleted member 37369]

Somehow, Littlehampton's Senior Cup tie at home to Billingshurst is going ahead. Be amazed if it lasts the distance, but I'll head up the road anyway. Can't imagine the hoolies will be out in force for this one.....

Abandoned after 28 minutes apparently! Crazy it even started!

 

[Roadrunner]

Abandoned after 28 minutes apparently! Crazy it even started!

Yes, utterly ridiculous. Ground was solid before kick off, should never have started. Luckily I only live one minute up the road, so no real harm done (£6 down the drain though!). Billingshurst were giving a decent account of themselves, too, prior to the abandonment.

Spoke to a few people who witnessed the ‘rampage’ at Whitehawk. Needless to say they had a slightly less dramatic take on Saturday’s events.

 

[jackalbion]

Abandoned after 28 minutes apparently! Crazy it even started!

Not quite sure how Haywards Heath‘s game against faversham lasted the 90, very entertaining game though an absolute stinker for Faversham’s keeper.