They play ‘Dirty Old Town’ as the teams come out and it is written large in the stadium, but this is Salford City FC the nouveau riche of Non-league football.

‘Dirty Old Town’ was written about Salford by Ewan MacColl  in 1949. He was born in Salford and wrote this song about the dirty industrial polluted landscape and people that he loved and grew up with. The song is said to have been written by him to help promote a play’Landscape with Chimneys’ that he had written a year earlier. He also tamed the words after protests by local Salford dignitaries. L.S Lowry also painted many pictures of the dirty local Salford landscape and the people who just got on with life.

This modern stadium is in a leafy suburb and next to a park with facilities that belie their current League status. Much has been written about the clubs ownership, 40% Peter Lim, and 10% each by Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and David Beckham and you can’t take away what has been achieved.

The stadium was opened by Sir Alex Ferguson in October 2017 and has seen the old ground completely demolished and a new kit stadium built for 5000, half seated, that can be easily changed as they grow. Is this a blue print for others in the future.

This is Non League on steroids, no raffle tickets here just containers converted to club shop, food service and drinks, all very busy. The seating on the two sides is good and is fixed to Checker plate terracing that goes right round the stadium. Everything is at the same height and there are what appears to be 20 boxes to facilitate corporate hospitality. It is so clean and tidy and you can imagine the pride of being a spectator here. All pitch side advertising is taken and it is significant that there are a good proportion of women and younger people in the crowd. I felt the crowd of 2452 was disappointing considering there were no Premiership or championship games to compete with and their position in the league.

 

Salford City FC 0 Barnet FC 0

Sun shone on a level pitch that was worn in the goal areas, the corners and along the touch line. There were only a few Barnet fans and everyone stood for a minutes silence to show respect for those recently maliciously killed in New Zealand.

The game started with Barnet showing the most promise and they kept possession for long periods but with no cutting edge. Salford managed some domination as the first half came to an end forcing the Barnet keeper to make a great diving save to his right. He was completely beaten when a shot hit the cross bar but he survived the pressure until half time.

The second half was dominated by Salford but although they had the ball in the net the referee had previously blown for a handball offence. The referee had a good game in that he was never noticed and booked one player from each side when the tackles were too strong. Barnet showed a lot of resilience and their low league status seems only due to their games in hand. Salford should easily make the lottery of the play offs where anything might happen and get them into League two a year ahead of their aspirations

For me Salfords men of the match were Carl Peligianni and Nathan Pond who marshalled their defence with calmness. For Barnet Dan Sweeney was immense in defence but Andre Bouchard Barnets No 17 was overall man of the match as he tried and did make things happen the whole game as well as making many covering tackles.

The 64 page program was beautifully put together with great pictures and content, certainly well worth the £2 and it was no surprise that they had run out which I found out when a fan tried to buy mine off me.

The coffee and chips were £3.50 but were disappointing. The coffee was weak and the chips were only warm and a bit anaemic looking. They were also a bit stodgy and floury resulting in a score of 57

Who would bet against Salford City FC being in League Two in the not too distant future.

A Friday night in County Durham to see the local derby, Crook Town AFC v Tow Law Town FC in the EBAC Northern League Division Two. You could see the lights of the ground as I headed up a very dark A68 and although the temperature was supposed to be 4 degrees it was colder with the gusting wind.

This is a big ground for this level of football and has good terracing at one end and covered seating and covered standing on one side. There is a small club house near the entrance to the ground that was busy. It is less than 5 miles between these two clubs resulting in a long standing local rivalry.

Tow law were started in 1890 and nicknamed the lawyers playing in local leagues until 1894 when they first joined the Northern League, they dropped back to local football but regained Northern League status in 1920. The late 60’s saw a great FA cup run and only a replay defeat to Shrewsbury stopped the mighty ‘Gunners’ visiting Ironworks Road. There have been some local cup wins and league titles but their best performance at a National level was in reaching the 1998 FA Vase final at Wembley where they lost 1-0 to Tiverton.

Crook Town Football Club was formed around the same time as Tow Law (1889) by a merger of Crook and Crook Excelsior and have had a long history of success in non league football winning the FA Amateur Cup on 5 occasions, 1900/01, 1953/54, 1958/59, 1961/62, 1963/64. The 1953/54 final was memorable in that it was against other local rivals Bishop Aukland, The teams drew the first game at Wembley 2-2 after extra time, drew 2-2 at St James Park A.E.T with Crook eventually winning 1-0 at Ayresome Park, some 200000 attended the three games. They find themselves currently at a lower level but a respectable mid table position and above Tow Law.

 

Crook Town AFC 0 TowLaw Town 0

Crook chose to play with the wind behind them on a level well drained pitch considering the amount of recent rain. The grass was quite long with a full covering all over the pitch. Rain gusted with the wind occasionally but had fully stopped by half time.

Crook dominated play with No 11 showing some speed and skill down the right, and their best chance was headed just over by number 6 from a corner after 20 minutes.

The same pattern of play was resumed in the second half but the Tow Law defence stood firm and Crook had little cutting edge up front to capitalise on their domination of the ball. Crook too had a strong defensive team and their number 4 was dominant throughout in midfield being the most competitive and skilful player on the park.

Crook did hit the outside of the right post in the 88th minute but it was difficult to remember any great save by either goalkeeper throughout the game. A 0-0 draw had been competitive and enjoyable to watch and the healthy crowd of 172 went home or to the bar happy.

This has to be the best snack bar I have visited this year, considering the level of football, they offered pies, chips, chicken curry with rice and other goodies. The two women running the kiosk were happy and friendly and the name above it ‘Only Foods and Sauces’ inspirational.

The chips were big and chunky, very hot, fresh and a great colour but were a bit under cooked and hence a sore of 68.  Chips and coffee for £2.50, I’ll be back.

 

 

Having had the warmest February on record it was back to normality at Maltby Main with storm Freya threatening and the winds beginning to gather strength and the temperature dropping to usual levels. Maltby were all prepared to take on Penistone Church FC the current leaders of the Northern Counties East League – Premier Division, although Penistone had faltered at home in midweek and the chasing pack were gaining.

Today, March 2nd, is the anniversary of the late great William McGregor’s letter to other senior English teams proposing a League structure. That letter in 1888 and its acceptance spawned many competitive leagues and was more than a small part in us all watching such games today.

Maltby Main FC 0 Penistone Church 1

The match pitted the leagues highest scorers (Penistone) against the meanest defence (Maltby) and early play indicated that this was to be a tight game. However on just five minutes Jordon Turner, Maltby’s number 11, elbowed an opponent in the face and received a straight red and also appeared to attempt a kick on another Penistone player as he walked off. The resulting scuffle was no more than attempts to get him off the field quickly and the game resumed. Maltby playing uphill on a very even dry pitch matched Penistone with the disadvantage of being one man down. Both goalkeepers were called to make good saves to turn shots over their bars and it stayed at nil nil at Half Time.

Penistone put on the pressure from the start of the new half and a free kick into the box was headed goal wards for their number 5, Thomas Cadzow, to head home. With the score 1-0 on 50 minutes the floodgate should have opened but Maltby showed their composure and started to get on top. A series of Maltby substitutions added fresh legs and they were denied by Chris Snaith in the Penistone goal. Penistone seemed to lose momentum up front and started to play out the game holding onto their advantage. They ended the game more willing to run out time by the opposing sides corner flag than attempt to play an attacking move that may have given possession away.

The One nil score to Penistone kept them top of the league but the fact that they did not take further advantage of their extra man suggests that their tenure at the top may not be long. Maltby again showed their defensive qualities and could be partially happy with the result.

No chips here and a poor refreshment offering. I settled for a coffee at £1.

Conversations are easy to have at Non-League games and today was no exception. A Penistone fan took me under his wing and explained about their rise from the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior League to where they are now. This has been due to a visionary committee and a Management team of brothers Ian and Duncan Richards both in education like the Cowley brothers currently leading Lincoln City’s assault on gaining promotion from league Two. Whatever happens to the team this year you would expect them to move on to a higher level. However their local commitment to the team and their jobs might just keep them pushing the Penistone dream.

What a glorious February day to see my first ever women’s football match, the final of The FA Women’s Continental League Cup at Bramall Lane, home of Sheffield United.

The sun was out, the sky was blue and there was no wind as I entered the ground. There seemed little activity at the one kiosk open in my section of the family stand and I realised why when I went up the steps to my seat. Only one side of the ground was open to fans with a smattering of officials and family members on the far side near where the teams come out and the dugouts are. The crowd was only 2424 and with concession prices at only one pound the full takings could not have been great. However there were a lot of families and and younger people than at men’s football and this must surely be a base from which to start. There were more females than males but it was not by much.

The early start of 12.15 may have made it difficult for the fans from Manchester and London to get to Sheffield and it was the Arsenal fans who seemed to have the loudest voice and used the cardboard clackers on the seats the most.

These are two of the top teams in the country and have the backing and sponsorship of their Premier League partners. Arsenal are sponsored by Emirate Airlines and Manchester City by Etihad Airways.

Each team probed in the first half and Arsenal had the upper hand with every attack prompted by the solid back four. City’s best chance came right on the stroke of half time when they tried to convert a loose ball after a headed clearance from a corner. The half ended all square but the second belonged to Manchester City. They started to overwhelm the Arsenal mid field forcing them into numerous poor passes and Arsenals forwards never got into the game. On 58 mins City hit the post and seemed to have more time on the ball and would let the ball run to create space. Arsenals forwards and mid fields inability to get into the game put more and more pressure on Arsenals back four and goalkeeper and again City hit the woodwork just before full time.

Extra time proved no different and if it was not for Leah Williamson, Louise Quinn in the centre of Arsenals defence along with goalkeeper Sari Van Veenendaal  Manchester City would have wrapped up the game earlier. In fact these three were my outstanding players of the match.

So to penalties which Manchester City won 4-2 after both goalkeepers saved shots.

An enjoyable match that was greeted with cheers and a standing ovation from all supporters.

There were no chips available when I bought the Balti Pie which was hot on both accounts and very good. Chips eventually were ready and they were very very good. Hot tasty and fried, not oven chips, they scored an outstanding 74, but at £3 a tray with the coffee and pie at £5.50 it seemed like daylight robbery compared to the many non-league games I have attended this season.

With television now dictating the fixture list to fit in with their viewing schedules regular football on everyday of the week has become a reality. For the good of the game, only history will tell and the Friday night league game last week was Sunderland AFC v Accrington Stanley FC.

This Division One game finds Sunderland in the third tier of football and despite this a crowd of 28937 still turned up to see them try to keep in touch with the league leaders to maintain a chance of automatic promotion.

Sunderland have a proud tradition having been formed in 1879 and in their first 40 years won six First Division Championships and an FA Cup. Their last major trophy was an FA Cup win in 1973

Accrington Stanley were formed in 1968 after the original Accrington Stanley had been disolved. That club had been in existence since 1891 and at the time another team called Accrington FC which had been formed in 1876 were still in existence having been original founders of the football League in 1888. However at the end of the 1892/93 season they resigned from the league having been relegated after finishing second from bottom.

Since their new start Accrington have managed to to move up 4 tiers in the league pyramid and under the ownership  of Andy Holt since 2015 have cemented a good base in developing the team, club ground and infrastructure. Andy’s outspoken thoughts about all aspects of the game have given him some notoriety. He has also renamed the ground The Wham Stadium. This is not a homage to the pop group but the fact that he owns local Lancashire company What More UK Limited who sell many plastic items under the brand name ‘wham’. They are the UK’s largest supplier and brand leader of plastic housewares all made in Lancashire.

 

 

The Stadium of Light is one of the most impressive modern football stadiums and shone out on this dry, mild, 11 degrees, February evening. The pitch was a bit patchy with a few bald areas. A small contingent of away fans were seated high up but managed to make themselves heard. This was the first ever league game between the two teams  as the reverse fixture had been abandoned earlier in the season.

Sunderland AFC 2 Accrington Stanley FC 2

Both teams started brightly and Paul Smyth playing on the right gave the Sunderland defence a hard time resulting with him being tripped in the box on 28 minutes. Billy Kee duly dispatched the penalty into the top right of the goal with some venom.

Paul Smyth switched to play down the centre and continued to pose the greatest threat of both teams right up to half time. The Sunderland players seemed to be unable to effect a probing forward pass and at half time the home crowd were restless with some booing as the teams left the pitch.

The pitch was watered at half time and the pattern of play continued with Accrington looking the most effective and after 5 Sunderland passes had gone astray the crowd let their team know their thoughts. On seven minutes the live wire Paul Smyth, on loan since January from QPR ran between defenders and headed home from a beautiful cross from the right by Sean McConville. Smyth’s somersault celebration was as spectacular as his header.

Sunderland immediately rallied and within a few minutes had scored after George Honeywell tapped in a cross reulting from a goalmouth melee. It was all Sunderland now and seven minutes later on 62 minutes Aiden Mc Geady made it level.

The crowd now resembled Sunderland’s famous roar but Accrington seemed to be able to put bodies in the way of numerous chances. It was frantic to the end and the right result on the night.

Yet again no chips although there were numerous food Kiosks and bars. The smell of chips wafting from the supporter in front of me turned out to be from outside the ground.Great atmosphere, facilities and two teams giving the spectators plenty of excitement, if not the right result for the home fans.

Near the top of a hill overlooking Stocksbridge I parked and crossed the road to the home of Stocksbridge Park Steels, Bracken Moor Sports and Social Club.

 

The tail end of storm Erik rushed me towards  the local stone club house and entry to the ground. Built into the side of the hill this picturesque ground is shared with the local cricket club with movable fencing the cricket side of the pitch to enable ground grading. The views from the stand and clubhouse are magnificent of the local moors.

The club claims to be the highest placed Non-League team in South Yorkshire but their poor form of late and the good form of rivals may bring that to an end this season.

Both teams were formed by mergers of other local clubs Pontefract in 1958 and Stockbridge in 1986 although other local football clubs had been in existence for a lot longer. Stockbridge as a community club have been successful in running many teams in Senior and Girls & Boys Junior football.

The large stand has great views with large wooden seats that are cast offs from an upgrade at Hillsborough. The pitch was flat but you could see from the sidelines that it was muddy after the recent heavy rain.

 

Stocksbridge Park Steels FC 0 Pontefract Collieries FC 5

 

Pontefract gained the first advantage by playing with the strong wind in the first half and their more competitive attitude meant they were well on top and it was no surprise that with only ten minutes gone Eli Hey nodded home the parried save of the goalkeeper after a free kick.   They were unlucky not to  score again on 17 minutes when they hit the post but only minutes later a cross from the left was met again by Eli Hey and it was two nil. Nicholas Guest had time to draw the goalkeeper to make it 0-3 at half time.

The clubhouse bars upstairs were plush , warm and busy. It seemed that most of the fans in the stand were from Pontefract but here were the Stocksbridge fans watching the match in the comfort of the bar with their pint. There was even a more luxurious lounge bar.

Pontefract in the second half were again first to the ball and more committed in their tackles and play, their fourth came after some good play on the right by number 17 and a pinpoint pass to Vaughn Radford to give him plenty of time to place the ball beyond the keeper. It was all over and a bit of a rout when on 88 minutes Eli Hey controlled the ball with a reverse pass into the path of number 2, Jack Greenhough, who was steaming through and slammed the ball home.

Once again, No Chips but four types of pie with Mushy peas, including a vegetarian option. The area where the food was served was spacious, clean, airy with a view of the pitch. The food was hot, tasty and served by a happy team. great atmosphere.