How many people get to watch non-league football regularly? I've only been to a couple of games, I've seen Poole Town and Dartford. With the success of Jamie Vardy, it's now something very interesting to me in plucking players from lower down in England.
Fulham have benefitted from non-league before plucking Chris Smalling from down there, Dan Burn joined from Darlington too. Marcus Bettinelli got his first professional break at Dartford, Cameron Burgess and Marek Rodak are currently down there with Cheltenham and Welling respectively.
If you look at a "Non-League to Premier League" selection, the talent is fantastic; featuring Joe Hart, Chris Smalling, Ashley Williams, Neil Taylor, Yannick Bolaise, Michail Antonio, Dwight Gayle, Jamie Vardy and Callum Wilson.
Peterborough have benefitted from non-league scouting over the years, signing Lee Tomlin, Dwight Gayle, Craig Mackail-Smith and Conor Washington for £1.3m and sold them for circa £15m.
This post didn't really end up coming to any point, but thought it could be home to some non-league discussion.
My other love apart ftom Fulham is Tooting n Mitcham.
But it's years since I've seen them play,due to
living where I live now. .
Sandy Lane long gone now...
As well as Fulham, I support my home-town club Godalming Town.
Quote from: Mince n Tatties on February 08, 2016, 04:10:57 PM
My other love apart ftom Fulham is Tooting n Mitcham.
Grrrrr!
I don't get to see them as often as I would like to as they always seem to play at home on the same day as Fulham but I do spend money when I get there on programmes that I never read, golden goal tickets which don't win (although I did win once) etc. I believe that the club have spent money on creating these things, so I prefer to see that investment rewarded. I also sponsor the kit for one of the players, again a chance to invest in grass roots football.
Alas, I have yet to see a player who I feel could really cut it in the professional game but they play with more heart than the entire Premier League!
At this rate we could all be watching it soon.
Grrrr!You obviously don't like the Terrors then..lol
I live in Ash Vale which is 5 minutes from Aldershot, so I do go and watch Aldershot Town occasionally.
Quote from: Mince n Tatties on February 08, 2016, 04:27:39 PM
Grrrr!You obviously don't like the Terrors then..lol
Wonder why.... Clicky (http://godalmingtownfc.co.uk/gt/godalming-1-2-tooting-mitcham/)
Quote from: Rhys Lightning 63 on February 08, 2016, 04:36:02 PM
I live in Ash Vale which is 5 minutes from Aldershot, so I do go and watch Aldershot Town occasionally.
Quote from: Rhys Lightning 63 on February 08, 2016, 04:36:02 PM
I live in Ash Vale which is 5 minutes from Aldershot, so I do go and watch Aldershot Town occasionally.
Aldershot if im right play in a horrible mixture of colours,just like
York...Red n Blue don't go together.
Only my opinion..lol
Quote from: Airfix on February 08, 2016, 04:38:44 PM
Quote from: Mince n Tatties on February 08, 2016, 04:27:39 PM
Grrrr!You obviously don't like the Terrors then..lol
Wonder why.... Clicky (http://godalmingtownfc.co.uk/gt/godalming-1-2-tooting-mitcham/)
Yeeeeeees
Come on you Terrors..
Quote from: Mince n Tatties on February 08, 2016, 04:40:43 PM
Aldershot if im right play in a horrible mixture of colours,just like
York...Red n Blue don't go together.
Only my opinion..lol
I think the 'Blaugrana' might not agree with you there.
Hasn't done them much harm, anyway.
_____________________________________
I was on the losing end of a 9-1 against Tooting and Mitcham once, after which it was unanimously agreed,quite rightly and without irony, that our goalkeeper had been MoM.
Quote from: cmg on February 08, 2016, 04:56:42 PM
Quote from: Mince n Tatties on February 08, 2016, 04:40:43 PM
Aldershot if im right play in a horrible mixture of colours,just like
York...Red n Blue don't go together.
Only my opinion..lol
I think the 'Blaugrana' might not agree with you there.
Hasn't done them much harm, anyway.
_____________________________________
I was on the losing end of a 9-1 against Tooting and Mitcham once, after which it was unanimously agreed,quite rightly and without irony, that our goalkeeper had been MoM.
Who were you playing for,and was it at Sandy Lane?
Quote from: Mince n Tatties on February 08, 2016, 04:40:43 PM
Quote from: Rhys Lightning 63 on February 08, 2016, 04:36:02 PM
I live in Ash Vale which is 5 minutes from Aldershot, so I do go and watch Aldershot Town occasionally.
Quote from: Rhys Lightning 63 on February 08, 2016, 04:36:02 PM
I live in Ash Vale which is 5 minutes from Aldershot, so I do go and watch Aldershot Town occasionally.
Aldershot if im right play in a horrible mixture of colours,just like
York...Red n Blue don't go together.
Only my opinion..lol
I actually quite like the colour mix, with the exception of a few years ago when they had 'quarters' (similar to Bristol Rovers) and that just looked awful
Quote from: Mince n Tatties on February 08, 2016, 05:05:58 PM
Who were you playing for,and was it at Sandy Lane?
Epsom at West Street (they don't play there anymore, either!)
There are a few gems in non league (my son had a couple of seasons in Ryman, but he wasn't one of them). A mate of mine, many years ago, post university went to Wolves. He had several games with the reserves and was told he should have gone there at 16. He had developed too many bad habits playing non league while at university apparently. It was too easy for him. I suspect that is the case with many good young players.
Many years ago i followed Wealdstone and was lucky enough to see Stuart Pearce playing for them. It was obvious that he would make it big and he was duly snapped up by Coventry City.... the rest is history.
Vinnie Jones also turned up for the 'Stones'... he had a seat reserved on the bench, which reflected how he played.
I haven't seen Wealdstone play for years, mainly due to leaving the area.
I take a trip to Bromley occasionally now in the National League, manager Mark Golberg has brought them to there highest position one step away from the Football League. Bit of a bad run at the moment, they sacked him.
Quote from: Mince n Tatties on February 08, 2016, 04:10:57 PM
My other love apart ftom Fulham is Tooting n Mitcham.
But it's years since I've seen them play,due to
living where I live now. .
Sandy Lane long gone now...
In the 50s as a young lad used to do Fulham one week and T & M the other. Both played in black and white. Was at Sandy Lane for their cup game against Forest in 59.
Hampton & Richmond... LB's second love :)
Although I haven't been for a couple of seasons, which is a shame as they are flying high at the moment.
Quote from: SG on February 08, 2016, 07:19:24 PM
Quote from: Mince n Tatties on February 08, 2016, 04:10:57 PM
My other love apart ftom Fulham is Tooting n Mitcham.
But it's years since I've seen them play,due to
living where I live now. .
Sandy Lane long gone now...
In the 50s as a young lad used to do Fulham one week and T & M the other. Both played in black and white. Was at Sandy Lane for their cup game against Forest in 59.
SG..
The video lasts bout 3 minutes is on you tube.
lots of crowd shots,.might see yourself..
My local team is Kidderminster Harriers, sadly due to financial issues they had to sell their best players last year and look likely to get relegated,
A mate of mine is a big Wrexham fan so i often go to games with him when they are away in the south east. Amazing the amount of ex league teams in the conference!
Quote from: Rhys Lightning 63 on February 08, 2016, 04:36:02 PM
I live in Ash Vale which is 5 minutes from Aldershot, so I do go and watch Aldershot Town occasionally.
Woking Fan here.... My parents are originally from over that way.
Was back home over Christmas, we played Aldershot twice in the space of 10 days and won both derbies, home and away :)
Interestingly our manager (Garry Hill) is the third longest serving manager in the top 5 leagues (after Wenger and Tisdale).
We have also recently had on the books a load of ex-Fulham players:
Charles Banya, Alex Smith (ex-youth player, just signed this Jan), Elvis Hammond, Kevin Betsy (now a coach of Fulham U12-16's following retirement last season), and Clive Walker to name but a few!
Oh and we sold Harry Arter to B'mouth for 4k and a packet of crisps a couple of years back...!
Woking my home town and Fulham (at the time, early sixties) the nearest 1st Division team to home........when over in England I visit Fulham &/or Woking....
Quote from: CottagersOnTour on February 08, 2016, 10:54:06 PM
Quote from: Rhys Lightning 63 on February 08, 2016, 04:36:02 PM
I live in Ash Vale which is 5 minutes from Aldershot, so I do go and watch Aldershot Town occasionally.
Woking Fan here.... My parents are originally from over that way.
Was back home over Christmas, we played Aldershot twice in the space of 10 days and won both derbies, home and away :)
Interestingly our manager (Garry Hill) is the third longest serving manager in the top 5 leagues (after Wenger and Tisdale).
We have also recently had on the books a load of ex-Fulham players:
Charles Banya, Alex Smith (ex-youth player, just signed this Jan), Elvis Hammond, Kevin Betsy (now a coach of Fulham U12-16's following retirement last season), and Clive Walker to name but a few!
Oh and we sold Harry Arter to B'mouth for 4k and a packet of crisps a couple of years back...!
I went to both derbies, great fun (apart from the results). Those two sets of fans HATE eachother, created a terrific atmosphere
Quote from: Burt on February 08, 2016, 07:26:04 PM
Hampton & Richmond... LB's second love :)
Although I haven't been for a couple of seasons, which is a shame as they are flying high at the moment.
Could you see your way clear to not coming to Fulham for a bit?
:005:
I'll be at Aldershot Town v Tranmere Rovers on Saturday; sixth time I'll have seen Aldershot (my nearest team) this season. Non-league football at this level (Conference National) offers less entertainment than the Championship but at a similar price!
I went to Colwyn Bay in the Northern Premier League earlier this season. Its all football, until you drop a few levels down, then its no real difference to blokes in a park.
Hitchin Town when I can. Obviously Fulham games get in the way but they also play a lot of games on a Monday evening and the kids sporting commitments come first there.
They've got a young full back who is interesting WBA, Palace, and a fair few other clubs at the minute.
Quote from: Barrett487 on February 08, 2016, 06:31:48 PM
Many years ago i followed Wealdstone and was lucky enough to see Stuart Pearce playing for them. It was obvious that he would make it big and he was duly snapped up by Coventry City.... the rest is history.
Was Paul Bowgett playing then?
I'm involved with AFC Hayes formerly " brook house " played for them and founder member but alas they are now in combined counties league having dropped from southern league last season. We had a youngster with us for about a year a certain Charlie Goode who was booted out of Fulham age 16 he went from us to Hendon 13 month as ago and is now playing for Scunthorpe. No big shakes I know but there are little success stories like this all over the place.
Maidstone Utd for me, who have produced a few players to go on to league football over the years
...a regular Non League fan, watching my team Hampton & Richmond Borough FC, as well as visiting various other local NL teams like Molesey FC, Corinthian Casuals, even Kingstonian, and other clubs.
Non League football for me is the perfect antidote for the commercialism and disconnect with the fans that has become synonymous with modern sanitised league football.
The football is just as skilful, honest (no rolling over and over in cheating mock agony when a flea farts too close to a player) entertaining, ( the players can do all the same step overs and Cruyff turns just like their highly paid colleagues in league football), it is cheap, usually the same cost to sit in a stand or on the terraces, and if you are a smoker or a drinker (I'm neither mind) you can do so on the terraces (except for FA cup matches), and you can choose who you stand or sit next to, and there is a community spirit. Apart from that they really do need fans money to survive.
Frankly these days I prefer NL football...
Quote from: Rhys Lightning 63 on February 09, 2016, 12:26:56 AM
Quote from: CottagersOnTour on February 08, 2016, 10:54:06 PM
Quote from: Rhys Lightning 63 on February 08, 2016, 04:36:02 PM
I live in Ash Vale which is 5 minutes from Aldershot, so I do go and watch Aldershot Town occasionally.
Woking Fan here.... My parents are originally from over that way.
Was back home over Christmas, we played Aldershot twice in the space of 10 days and won both derbies, home and away :)
Interestingly our manager (Garry Hill) is the third longest serving manager in the top 5 leagues (after Wenger and Tisdale).
We have also recently had on the books a load of ex-Fulham players:
Charles Banya, Alex Smith (ex-youth player, just signed this Jan), Elvis Hammond, Kevin Betsy (now a coach of Fulham U12-16's following retirement last season), and Clive Walker to name but a few!
Oh and we sold Harry Arter to B'mouth for 4k and a packet of crisps a couple of years back...!
I went to both derbies, great fun (apart from the results). Those two sets of fans HATE eachother, created a terrific atmosphere
It's worse than Fulham v QPR thats for sure!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGc98B1GSIs
Our freekick specialist who is a youth academy player, has dodgy knees so never signed for a league club!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdlhBhSSyGo
Some cracking goals on there.... There is certainly quality in the conference, WFC play some lovely pass and move attacking football on the floor.
Also cant complain about the free highlights WFC upload week on week, along with goal on the month/season compilations :58:
Much preferred watching them over Fulham last year....
Quote from: leonffc on February 09, 2016, 11:08:37 AM
Hitchin Town when I can. Obviously Fulham games get in the way but they also play a lot of games on a Monday evening and the kids sporting commitments come first there.
They've got a young full back who is interesting WBA, Palace, and a fair few other clubs at the minute.
ah, the Canaries ... but we've stood and talked like this before, haven't we.
Quote from: HatterDon on February 10, 2016, 04:37:57 AM
Quote from: leonffc on February 09, 2016, 11:08:37 AM
Hitchin Town when I can. Obviously Fulham games get in the way but they also play a lot of games on a Monday evening and the kids sporting commitments come first there.
They've got a young full back who is interesting WBA, Palace, and a fair few other clubs at the minute.
ah, the Canaries ... but we've stood and talked like this before, haven't we.
:54: 049:gif
I pop down to Hanworth Villa in the Combined Counties Premier League when not at Fulham. I played and managed them in an earlier life. Good grass roots football with often terrible referees and assistants. As many have said these smaller clubs need my money more than most.
