[Football] The Non-League Football Thread- 2023/24 Edition

[stewart12]

Wick vs Arundel (aka the Lyminster Road derby) last night in the Southern Combination Football League Division 1.

My word is was absolutely freezing but a fairly sizable crowd (attendance figures not released yet) for a fixture that in many ways transcends football. The working class side Wick faced their more illustrious neighbours from up the River Arun, Arundel.

A very warm welcome at Wick I must say, got a programme (which came with some sort of pamphlet written by the quite eccentric chairman who seemed to be nursing a glass of red wine all evening). Got talking to the woman at the turnstile who gave me a free "Southern Combination Football League" pin badge.

Admission was £6.

The ground itself is in the nicer end of Wick and is surrounded by tall trees giving it a countryside feel when in reality it's in a very residential area. Got to the ground close to kick off time and the car park itself was completely full but managed to park nearby.

Crabtree Lane has two covered areas, one seated and one standing (it would be a stretch to call it terracing to be honest), and this is probably on par for most grounds in the league. Both could perhaps do with a lick of paint but hey ho.

The real highlight of this ground is the clubhouse, which is......literally a house. A detached house in the corner of the ground which houses the tea/food bar and changing rooms on the ground floor and the entertainments area on the top floor. Very sizable for a club this size. When in popped in there at half time there was a darts league match going on which may have contributed to the RAMMED car park. Didn't explore the beer choices and it was so arctic I decided to nurse a Bovril (£1.50) instead. There is some very ambitious garden furniture outside. In this respect though the facilities are really good.

The game itself was pretty meh and was very physical, Wick ended up winning 1-0 which was probably deserved as they were by far the better side in the second half. It was very physical and the highlight was one Wick player screaming "He's GOT to GO" at the ref after every Arundel foul, which after a while started getting parroted by the crowd.

Despite the weather it was an enjoyable evening with a lot of banter in the crowd, it's a very nice community club I'd say.

 

[Change at Barnham]

Ok, so here is ground number 2 of 2024- the MKM Arena (Nyewood Lane) home of Bognor Regis Town.

This was for the visit of promotion chasing Chatham Town (who brought with them a sizable away following) for an Isthmian League Premier Division clash.

I enjoyed reading the review of your visit to Nyewood Lane to watch the Rocks, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
It's a great non-league ground and we always try and make it as welcoming as possible. If the Albion aren't at home you'll often find me there taking photos.

We are blessed in Sussex with some very nice grounds to go and watch a decent game with nice facilities.
Along with Bognor, visits to Lewes, Horsham or Worthing never disappoint. And their are plenty more wonderful clubs to visit right on our doorstep.
It's great that with the help of the Football Foundation that many non-league clubs have been given substantial financial help to improve their facilities.

One little tip for anyone sharing photos on NSC.....
When you attach the photo to your post you have the chance to resize it to a smaller size by clicking on the corner of the image and dragging it to the size you may think is more suitable.

@stewart12, keep your reviews and photos coming they are always great to see.

The Rock's Lucas Pattenden in action against Chatham Town.

 

[jackalbion]

Wick vs Arundel (aka the Lyminster Road derby) last night in the Southern Combination Football League Division 1.

My word is was absolutely freezing but a fairly sizable crowd (attendance figures not released yet) for a fixture that in many ways transcends football. The working class side Wick faced their more illustrious neighbours from up the River Arun, Arundel.

A very warm welcome at Wick I must say, got a programme (which came with some sort of pamphlet written by the quite eccentric chairman who seemed to be nursing a glass of red wine all evening). Got talking to the woman at the turnstile who gave me a free "Southern Combination Football League" pin badge.

Admission was £6.

The ground itself is in the nicer end of Wick and is surrounded by tall trees giving it a countryside feel when in reality it's in a very residential area. Got to the ground close to kick off time and the car park itself was completely full but managed to park nearby.

Crabtree Lane has two covered areas, one seated and one standing (it would be a stretch to call it terracing to be honest), and this is probably on par for most grounds in the league. Both could perhaps do with a lick of paint but hey ho.

The real highlight of this ground is the clubhouse, which is......literally a house. A detached house in the corner of the ground which houses the tea/food bar and changing rooms on the ground floor and the entertainments area on the top floor. Very sizable for a club this size. When in popped in there at half time there was a darts league match going on which may have contributed to the RAMMED car park. Didn't explore the beer choices and it was so arctic I decided to nurse a Bovril (£1.50) instead. There is some very ambitious garden furniture outside. In this respect though the facilities are really good.

The game itself was pretty meh and was very physical, Wick ended up winning 1-0 which was probably deserved as they were by far the better side in the second half. It was very physical and the highlight was one Wick player screaming "He's GOT to GO" at the ref after every Arundel foul, which after a while started getting parroted by the crowd.

Despite the weather it was an enjoyable evening with a lot of banter in the crowd, it's a very nice community club I'd say.

View attachment 172514View attachment 172516View attachment 172517View attachment 172518

I'm always fascinated by the club house at Wick, odd little building. Looking forward to your trip to Mile Oak when that comes about.

 

[Superphil]

is it definitely at the Shooting Field? I thought the SSC semi's were usually both at Lancing?

I believe this to be the case.

 

[stewart12]

I'm always fascinated by the club house at Wick, odd little building. Looking forward to your trip to Mile Oak when that comes about.

it's quite remarkable and adds a huge amount of character to an otherwise fairly standard county league ground

you may have to wait a while for Mile Oak, that is definitely happening when it's warm!

 

[Mellor 3 Ward 4]

I'm always fascinated by the club house at Wick, odd little building. Looking forward to your trip to Mile Oak when that comes about.

When I used to play at Wick (as an away team) the changing rooms were 'upstairs' in the 'house' - not sure if stil the same.

 

[stewart12]

just to give you a teaser here is the rest of my January schedule

16th: Littllehampton Town vs Sittingbourne (Isthmian South East)
20th: East Preston vs Billingshurst (SCFL Division 1)
27th: Pagham vs Little Common (SCFL Premier)
30th: Horsham vs Kingstonian (Isthmian Premier)

which will take me to 7 in total by the end of January

 

[stewart12]

When I used to play at Wick (as an away team) the changing rooms were 'upstairs' in the 'house' - not sure if stil the same.

it looks like they're downstairs now in a little extension. The upstairs is purely entertainment central

 

[jackalbion]

I'm heading up to Kingstonian tonight to eat some Jerk Chicken, sorry I mean watch the Hawks take them on in the velocity trophy, Whitehawk did well in the competition last season getting to the semis, so hoping they can do just as well this year.

 

[MattBackHome]

Ok, so here is ground number 2 of 2024- the MKM Arena (Nyewood Lane) home of Bognor Regis Town.

This was for the visit of promotion chasing Chatham Town (who brought with them a sizable away following) for an Isthmian League Premier Division clash.

Bognor isn't far from me so myself and my father-in-law left mine at about 2:00 and managed to park very close to the ground (there is a car park but it was full).

Admission was £13 for an adult.

I really, really like this ground. First thing that struck me is that it's green and white (Bognor's colours) EVERYWHERE. A really nice touch. It's another 4 sided ground, with 3 sides of covered terracing and then a smart seated covered stand along one side with PROPER dugouts. It also features a screen which I imagine is a rarity in Sussex non league grounds.

The clubhouse isn't as big as Eastbourne Borough's but it's still pretty plush. There's plenty of room, 4 screens showing football and an abundance of beer choices behind the bar, which is lit with a green hue- another nice touch. They had laid out a selection of cakes and pastries in the corner which all looked nice but I didn't try any of them unfortunately.

Bognor won the game 2-1, with both of their goals coming fairly early in the first half, both as a result of fantastic wing play from the best player on the pitch- Lucas Pattenden. Chatham got one back fairly late on but to be honest Bognor deserved the win.

Grabbed a Bovril at half time- £2 (the most expensive thus far) and as ever it warmed the cockles in a way that only a cup of the brown nectar can.

Not going to lie, but this place has a certain magic and I enjoyed it a lot and I will be back at some point. A cracking day out. Attendance was 891

I'm off to Wick tomorrow for the Lyminster Road derby against Arundel

Lucas Pattenden is a sublime footballer

 

[jackalbion]

I'm heading up to Kingstonian tonight to eat some Jerk Chicken, sorry I mean watch the Hawks take them on in the velocity trophy, Whitehawk did well in the competition last season getting to the semis, so hoping they can do just as well this year.

Inevitably its been called off because a tiny corner of the pitch is frozen, once again we are going to have a situation like last season with 11 games in 11 days or something silly for some clubs. Making the competition a bit of a farce really like the senior cup.

 

[jackalbion]

Took a trip with Torquay to Edgar Street since I never went in 97’ (as I was 5 months old). Proper old school stadium, loved it, falling apart in places. But a beautiful stadium don’t think a lot of it has changed since 97.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Took a trip with Torquay to Edgar Street since I never went in 97’ (as I was 5 months old).
View attachment 172683

View attachment 172684View attachment 172685

Pitiful excuse. Bloody JCL.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Lewes v Potters Bar was fun yesterday.

Potters Bar were reduced to ten men in about the tenth minute after a firm kick to the face of Archie Tamplin. I felt sorry for the bloke - he clearly didn’t mean to do it and obviously felt awful.

Lewes then went two up before another Potters Bar player was red carded for a second bookable offence.

Predictably, the second half was a siege. Somehow, the Rooks only scored one more. Could have been 8.

 

[Sorrel]

As there was no Albion playing I went along to the local match yesterday at Crowborough. First time I've walked straight from my house to football since I lived in Hove in '97. I've not been to a non-league match for a long time. It was a bit disconcerting at first to see quite a few (well-behaved) dogs on the terrace and some babies in prams - not what you normally see at the Amex.

The crowd wasn't huge, around 260. Talking to people I knew there, I was told there were nearly 600 for the derby with Uckfield on Boxing Day, so this was quiet in comparison. There were a few Eastbourne Town supporters, too - between ten and twenty I think. Unlike at the Amex there was also surprisingly little focus on the football at first. The match started, but most of the crowd were at the bar-side of the ground having a pint or eating cheesy-chips. The match was somewhat incidental to the social get-together, in the first half at least.

The Crows were top of the league, but they didn't play like it in the first half: Eastbourne Town were much better; they deserved their half-time lead. There were an around six tackles that half that would have got instant red cards in the Premier League; instead one yellow card was all that was given. The second half was much better for the Borough - and maybe if there had been five minutes more at the end they would have got the equaliser that they probably deserved. The Eastbourne keeper was good though.

After half-time, maybe after a few more pints, the crowd started paying more attention to the game and actually shouting for things happening on the pitch. Under the floodlights it got a bit more lively, but a bit too late to get Crowborough going.

We will probably go and see some more non-league matches - maybe a division higher - but I did miss the focus on the football (rather than on the drinks, chips and a natter that seemed the main attraction at the beginning). At the Albion almost everyone pays attention to the game in a way they didn't here.

 

[Whitechapel]

Ollie Pearce is on some run of form for Worthing. 13 goals and 5 assists in 9 games.

They’re up to second now, no chance of catching Yeovil but 2nd or 3rd is a huge boost for the play-offs.

 

[keaton]

Lewes v Potters Bar was fun yesterday.

Potters Bar were reduced to ten men in about the tenth minute after a firm kick to the face of Archie Tamplin. I felt sorry for the bloke - he clearly didn’t mean to do it and obviously felt awful.

Lewes then went two up before another Potters Bar player was red carded for a second bookable offence.

Predictably, the second half was a siege. Somehow, the Rooks only scored one more. Could have been 8.View attachment 172687View attachment 172691

I think that fact we're away on Monday night tempered it really. Took off to the who best players to give minutes to two coming back from long injuries

 

[Arthur]

Firstly, thanks for the post and your comprehensive and interesting views on match day at Alderbrook. I'll try and square a few circles for you.

As there was no Albion playing I went along to the local match yesterday at Crowborough. First time I've walked straight from my house to football since I lived in Hove in '97. I've not been to a non-league match for a long time. It was a bit disconcerting at first to see quite a few (well-behaved) dogs on the terrace and some babies in prams - not what you normally see at the Amex.

IMO comparing step 5 football with the premier league is like comparing apples and oranges. Yes there are 22 blokes kicking a bag of air around but that is where the comparisons end.

People with prams are usually (not always) the "WAGs" who are there to watch daddy play. I'm sure if you went in the players lounge at the Amex you would see a few dotted about.

Dogs at non league games is very common. There is even a twitter/instagram channel dedicated to it: https://twitter.com/nonleaguedogs

Freddie the Jack Russell who you may have seen on Saturday is a regular on it and even myself and my beast made it on there once:

The crowd wasn't huge, around 260. Talking to people I knew there, I was told there were nearly 600 for the derby with Uckfield on Boxing Day, so this was quiet in comparison. There were a few Eastbourne Town supporters, too - between ten and twenty I think.

260 for a step 5 game including 20 away fans is a decent crowd. Especially on a very cold overcast January day. There wouldn't have been many higher in the league on Saturday I wouldn't have thought.

Think there was 450 on Boxing Day which wasn't bad. But no where near what we used to get when we were jettisoned in the Kent league and had bank holiday games against Tunbridge Wells or Rusthall who are both very well followed.

Unlike at the Amex there was also surprisingly little focus on the football at first. The match started, but most of the crowd were at the bar-side of the ground having a pint or eating cheesy-chips. The match was somewhat incidental to the social get-together, in the first half at least.

I don't disagree with you here. The lot in question you speak about are on the whole parents of kids that play in the junior sides. Several years ago the club was run as a senior section and a junior section. The club decided to come together under one banner and amalgamated the two. It caused a bit of friction at the time mainly down to finances but things have smoothed over and it is working well on the whole. The senior side started inviting the junior teams to be mascots for the day. It turned out to be a great success as invariably they bought a couple of parents along and they stayed for drinks, food and to watch the game. So the club decided to make it that if you had a son or daughter playing for the club both they and a parent got free entry into the mens first team games.

It's been very successful and whilst the club aren't making on the turnstile they certainly get a few quid back over the bar and the food hut. I can't speak for them all obviously but I expect many of them their weekends/nights revolve around taking their kids to football, swimming, scouts/guides, music lessons, whatever so going out on a Saturday with said child and have the ability to have a few beers may be their only time to socialise. Granted it can get annoying when you've got loads of kids running around when you are trying to watch the game but I view it as more money in the bank for the club.

The Crows were top of the league, but they didn't play like it in the first half: Eastbourne Town were much better; they deserved their half-time lead. There were an around six tackles that half that would have got instant red cards in the Premier League; instead one yellow card was all that was given. The second half was much better for the Borough - and maybe if there had been five minutes more at the end they would have got the equaliser that they probably deserved. The Eastbourne keeper was good though.

After half-time, maybe after a few more pints, the crowd started paying more attention to the game and actually shouting for things happening on the pitch. Under the floodlights it got a bit more lively, but a bit too late to get Crowborough going.

We will probably go and see some more non-league matches - maybe a division higher - but I did miss the focus on the football (rather than on the drinks, chips and a natter that seemed the main attraction at the beginning). At the Albion almost everyone pays attention to the game in a way they didn't here.

View attachment 172692

Game wasn't a good one for your first visit. We are currently missing a few key players (sounds familiar eh!) and I think we could have still been playing now and not have scored.

If you want to do more non league but fancy going a bit higher up the pyramid you have Lewes (step 3) just down the road and very easy to get to, 29 bus will take you almost to the door. Tonbridge Angels (step 2) just up the road but a bit more of a ballache to get to unless you are driving.

You will of course be welcome back at Alderbrook any time. Perhaps stand on the other side so the bar dwellers don't annoy you so much. Be warned though that is where the old boys that spend the whole game moaning at the ref reside.....every non league club has those though.

 

[S.T.U cgull]

Wick’s away changing Definitely downstairs & ice cold in winter

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Firstly, thanks for the post and your comprehensive and interesting views on match day at Alderbrook. I'll try and square a few circles for you.



IMO comparing step 5 football with the premier league is like comparing apples and oranges. Yes there are 22 blokes kicking a bag of air around but that is where the comparisons end.

People with prams are usually (not always) the "WAGs" who are there to watch daddy play. I'm sure if you went in the players lounge at the Amex you would see a few dotted about.

Dogs at non league games is very common. There is even a twitter/instagram channel dedicated to it: https://twitter.com/nonleaguedogs

Freddie the Jack Russell who you may have seen on Saturday is a regular on it and even myself and my beast made it on there once:




260 for a step 5 game including 20 away fans is a decent crowd. Especially on a very cold overcast January day. There wouldn't have been many higher in the league on Saturday I wouldn't have thought.

Think there was 450 on Boxing Day which wasn't bad. But no where near what we used to get when we were jettisoned in the Kent league and had bank holiday games against Tunbridge Wells or Rusthall who are both very well followed.


I don't disagree with you here. The lot in question you speak about are on the whole parents of kids that play in the junior sides. Several years ago the club was run as a senior section and a junior section. The club decided to come together under one banner and amalgamated the two. It caused a bit of friction at the time mainly down to finances but things have smoothed over and it is working well on the whole. The senior side started inviting the junior teams to be mascots for the day. It turned out to be a great success as invariably they bought a couple of parents along and they stayed for drinks, food and to watch the game. So the club decided to make it that if you had a son or daughter playing for the club both they and a parent got free entry into the mens first team games.

It's been very successful and whilst the club aren't making on the turnstile they certainly get a few quid back over the bar and the food hut. I can't speak for them all obviously but I expect many of them their weekends/nights revolve around taking their kids to football, swimming, scouts/guides, music lessons, whatever so going out on a Saturday with said child and have the ability to have a few beers may be their only time to socialise. Granted it can get annoying when you've got loads of kids running around when you are trying to watch the game but I view it as more money in the bank for the club.


Game wasn't a good one for your first visit. We are currently missing a few key players (sounds familiar eh!) and I think we could have still been playing now and not have scored.

If you want to do more non league but fancy going a bit higher up the pyramid you have Lewes (step 3) just down the road and very easy to get to, 29 bus will take you almost to the door. Tonbridge Angels (step 2) just up the road but a bit more of a ballache to get to unless you are driving.

You will of course be welcome back at Alderbrook any time. Perhaps stand on the other side so the bar dwellers don't annoy you so much. Be warned though that is where the old boys that spend the whole game moaning at the ref reside.....every non league club has those though.

Excellent post. Could have been written about Steyning Town - combining youth and adult sections, mascots, dogs, prams etc. And that's a very decent crowd.