The Non - League thread

[Sutekh]

AD on the radio yesterday moaning about cr@p referees again saying the Ebbsfleet second was a clear foul on the Maidenhead keeper.

Anyone going to Margate?

[Silver Fox]

Thousands I'd imagine, although maybe the bandwagon got a bit too overcrowded yesterday causing the wheels to come off

[BR0B0T]

Thousands I'd imagine, although maybe the bandwagon got a bit too overcrowded yesterday causing the wheels to come off

glory(hole) bandwagon you say?!! Where can I apply?

[Four Of Clubs]

... just for info for any 'Magpie' followers thinking of a jaunt down to sunny 'Fannit' next saturday, the Capacity at Hartsdown Park (Margate FC) is 3000 with 400 seats.

... and having been there several times as a visiting 'Ramsgit' fan, I can say w/o any fear of prejudice that it's a complete and utter dump!

...actually I suspect they've tarted it up considerably in the decades (approx 40 odd yrs ) since I last went as a young FoC-ling, whilst following my then home club the short disance across the' Island, to almost invariable defeat.
We were always the poor neighbours - weren't often in the same league as them anyway.
.
Back in the day they really did used to send an old chap around the perimeter at Half-Time with a big spanner, to bash the floodlight pylons and make sure the lights came on!

...another very vague memory from those days - was going to games during their lengthy dispute with a chap that, allegedly, hated the noise on a Sat PM.
When the wind was favourable - he'd regularly attempt to light a gert big bonfire containing the most noxious and damp materials he could ignite. He'd built it right in the corner of his garden that was closest to one of the corner flags, just over the other side of Hartsdown Road with the intent to cause maximum inconvenience.
The Ol' Bill and Fire Service often had to turn up and sort him out, as the thick smoke proved to be a danger to traffic and often drifted beyond the ground/park towards 'Dreamland' and the sea-front!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
..and here's yesterday's round-up - including my muddled workings on the various PO schedules – if I’ve done my sums correct!

Saturday 22nd April

NAT
Dover Athletic 1-2 Torquay Utd – ex-Sh!ts marksman Brett Williams – grabbed both goals for Gulls: was on our books for 2 1/2 years when we snapped him up from Eastleigh for £50k – turned out and scored for the Reserves and even once warmed the bench for the Firsts

North Ferriby United 0-3 Aldershot Town

– Sh!ts in the POs should Dover fail to beat Macclesfield in their game in hand this Tue evening – even then Aldershot host relegation threatened Braintree next Sat (all matches in the National Division KO 12:15) , whilst Dover trek up to Barrow.
Whoever prevails will face Tranmere in a 2 legged semi-final on Wed 3rd and Sat 6th – with the Final on Sunday 14th May.
The other tie will feature Forest Gn Rovers vs Dagenham & Redbridge

Woking 1-1 York City

- Cards still not completely out of danger and have a tough trip to the ‘Daggers’ but it will take an exceedingly unfortunate permutation of results to see them relegated now.
Essentially York (H v FGR), Guisely (H v Solihull) AND Torquay (H v N.Ferriby) would all need to win. A draw for Woking would be enough to see them finish clear of York – who currently sit in the Final relegation spot.

NATN
Harrogate Town 1-2 Brackley Town – 'Saints' fall just short of the last PO spot but a big improvement on last season which (I think) saw them survive on the last day and only then on GD.

- AFC Fylde promoted as Champions with the POs including Kiddeminster, Halifax, Salford City and Chorley or Stockport – I think Darlo have been excluded on the same grounds as Poole/Hungerford – though have also lodged an appeal?

NATS
Chelmsford City 3-1 Bath City
Concord Rangers 2-2 Gosport Borough - draw here sends Gosport Borough down with Bps Stortford and Margate – as it stood Truro and Whitehawk both won anyway
Dartford 4-0 Bishops Stortford
Maidenhead United 1-2 Ebbsfleet United att 3377
Oxford City 1-0 Margate
St Albans City 2-2 East Thurrock United
Truro City 2-1 Hemel Hempstead Town
Wealdstone 3-0 Hungerford Town
Welling United 1-2 Hampton & Richmond Borough
Weston-Super-Mare 2-0 Eastbourne Borough
Whitehawk 2-0 Poole

- Current PO line up with one game left : Chelmsford v Dartford – though the venue could reverse depending upon results from their respective trips next Sat to (of all ironies) Hungerford or Poole – the pair are locked together on 81 pts with Chelmsford 5 goals better off.
- Whoever is deemed fit to take up the final PO place, will probably have to go to Ebbsfleet or, should the inconceivable occur at Hartsdown Park (Margate) … and if Ebbsfleet as expected get a maximum vs Oxford City …… Maidenhead Utd.

ILP
Hendon 1-1 Staines Town
IL1S
Corinthian-Casuals 5-1 Godalming Town

Isthmian League Play Offs all 19:45 KOs
Tue 25th Apr
Div One South
Dorking Wanderers vs Hastings United
Greenwich Borough vs Corinthian-Casuals

Wed 26th Apr
Div One North
Maldon & Tiptree vs Haringey Borough
Thurrock vs AFC Hornchurch

Thu 27th April
Premier
Bognor Regis Town vs Wingate & Finchley
Dulwich Hamlet vs Enfield Town

SLP
Banbury United 1-2 Kettering Town
Basingstoke Town 1-1 Hitchin Town
King's Lynn Town 3-1 Chesham United
Kings Langley 1-0 Cirencester Town - KL survive and send Ciren T. down in front of 645 – easily double their biggest reported crowd of this season.
Merthyr Town 4-0 Hayes & Yeading United
Slough Town 1-1 Redditch United - Rebels level with injury time pen. As previewed they now face a trip to runners-up Leamington on Wed evening - whilst Hitchin go to Merthyr
SL1C
Aylesbury 5-0 Fleet Town
Bedford Town 3-2 Aylesbury United
Chalfont St Peter 0-4 Potters Bar Town
Egham Town 2-0 Barton Rovers
Farnborough 6-1 Beaconsfield SYCOB - hat-tricks for Perry Coles and a certain Jamie Cureton – ‘boro host Egham in the S-F PO at Cherrywood Rd on Wed evening
Kidlington 1-2 Ashford Town (Mx) - Ashtrees turn the game around in the last 10’
Royston Town 2-0 Hanwell Town
Uxbridge 1-2 Marlow - ‘Blues secure 4th spot and a PO trip to Barton Rovers (half-way betwixt Luton & Bedford) on Wed evening
SL1S&W
Hereford 4-0 Winchester City att 4125
Larkhall Athletic 3-1 Swindon Supermarine
Mangotsfield United 2-3 Didcot Town - Diddy led from around 25’ then a cluster of goals swapped in the last 15’ saw them edge the three points
North Leigh 1-0 Taunton Town - Nor Lye finish 6th - 5 points adrift of a PO spot – may not be significant but this defeat for Taunton means they now travel to Tiverton instead of hosting them in the PO S-F – the other tie sends Evesham to Salisbury – both are on Wed evening.
Wantage Town 0-2 Bishops Cleeve

CCLP
AFC Hayes 0-1 Badshot Lea
Bedfont Sports 3-3 Knaphill
Chertsey Town 0-1 Farnham Town
Epsom & Ewell 3-2 North Greenford United
Guildford City 2-0 Bedfont & Feltham
Hanworth Villa 2-1 Sutton Common Rovers
Hartley Wintney 1-1 Walton & Hersham – HW finish on 111 points with a +90 GD 131:41
Raynes Park Vale 0-4 Horley Town
Spelthorne Sports 4-5 Colliers Wood United
Westfield 5-1 CB Hounslow United - ‘Field’ also top the 100 league goals mark, with this big win.
Windsor 1-0 Camberley Town – Windsor finish in 10th though the two sides below them both have fixtures to complete and could possibly overhaul them. Bedfont Sports play this Tue and then Friday v Guildford and Spelly; SCR’s final game is at NGU next Saturday.
CCL1
Balham 3-1 Cove (at Cobham FC)
Banstead Athletic 2-0 Ash United
Eversley & California 5-3 Farleigh Rovers
Redhill {SIX} 6-1 Bagshot
Worcester Park 2-0 South Park

HELL1E
Wokingham & Emmbrook 2-2 Chalfont Wasps - plenty of groundwork ongoing at Lowther Rd, Winnersh, in advance of next season - the Sumas' biggest deliverable to satisfy ground grading will be the installation of lights - last I'd heard, permission was on the cards at last.

HELLENIC Supplementary Cup Semi-Final
Bicester Town 0-3 Ardley United -'landlords' trounce their' lodgers' who finished with 9 men; att 130
- Ardley now face Tuffley Rovers (from ‘Glawster’) in the Supplementary Final this Saturday (29th) – which will be played at Wantage Town FC.
- The League’s Challenge Cup Final between Bracknell Town and Highworth Town will be held at Abingdon United’s Northcourt Ground on Monday May 1st

WESSP
Alresford Town 0-2 Andover Town
Hamworthy United 5-0 Whitchurch United
Moneyfields 1-0 Newport (IoW)
Portland United 2-1 Bemerton Heath Harlequins
- Champions Moneyfields finish 2 points clear of Portland – finding of the FA hearing due on Tuesday
- At the bottom Fawley’s win over Brockenhurst was in vain; as Cowes Sports edged 1-0 past Amesbury; meaning they do go down – but only on GD - with Whitchurch and Verwood. Fawley managed 4 wins from their last 5 league games but were too far adrift and with too poor a goal differential to escape the drop.

WESS1
Downton 2-0 Andover New Street
Laverstock & Ford 2-3 Tadley Calleva - Tadley finish a disappointing campaign in 7th
Ringwood Town 3-1 Alton
Romsey Town 3-0 Pewsey Vale
Shaftesbury {SEVEN} 7-1 Fleet Spurs - Spurs finish with some incredible Goal Stats - they scored 81 but conceded 127 - only bottom club Pewsey proved leakier!

[double d]

Shaftesbury {SEVEN} 7-1 Fleet Spurs - Spurs finish with some incredible Goal Stats - they scored 81 but conceded 127 - only bottom club Pewsey proved leakier!

[Royal Rother]

Windsor Boys' School today won the Premier League U16s Schools Cup Competion played at the Etihad complex in Manchester beating a school from Gateshead after pens.

Streamed live on a YouTube with neutral commentary it was a fine game with Windsor dominating and totally deserving the win.

One of the lads is already playing in Windsor's 1st Team and one would imagine more will follow in the next year or 2.

[BR2]

In Maidenhead's league Poole Town are doing their best not to make the play-offs after surrendering to relegation candidates Whitehawk last Saturday.
Their appeal regarding being allowed to be promoted is being heard tomorrow but they are far from optimistic for their ground to be approved.
For years they were in what is now the National League) with a reasonable ground used for speedway and dog racing and they have been gradually working their way back up through the leagues under a good manager.
They are probably not ready for promotion, this being their first season at this level,but it's a shame that a town with a population not far off that of Burnley cannot be found a ground that is acceptable.

[double d]

In Maidenhead's league Poole Town are doing their best not to make the play-offs after surrendering to relegation candidates Whitehawk last Saturday.
Their appeal regarding being allowed to be promoted is being heard tomorrow but they are far from optimistic for their ground to be approved.
For years they were in what is now the National League) with a reasonable ground used for speedway and dog racing and they have been gradually working their way back up through the leagues under a good manager.
They are probably not ready for promotion, this being their first season at this level,but it's a shame that a town with a population not far off that of Burnley cannot be found a ground that is acceptable.

tbf if I had been in 6th or whatever they are in and to be told that you cannot get in the play-offs right at the end of the season I would be p1ssed off and just start losing to people

[Sutekh]

In Maidenhead's league Poole Town are doing their best not to make the play-offs after surrendering to relegation candidates Whitehawk last Saturday.
Their appeal regarding being allowed to be promoted is being heard tomorrow but they are far from optimistic for their ground to be approved.
For years they were in what is now the National League) with a reasonable ground used for speedway and dog racing and they have been gradually working their way back up through the leagues under a good manager.
They are probably not ready for promotion, this being their first season at this level,but it's a shame that a town with a population not far off that of Burnley cannot be found a ground that is acceptable.

tbf if I had been in 6th or whatever they are in and to be told that you cannot get in the play-offs right at the end of the season I would be p1ssed off and just start losing to people

What is it with leagues that they can't clearly define what ground grading requirements will be required for promotion in the preceding close season, and stick to them, so everyone involved doesn't get into these quite ridiculous situations.

Or, now here's an idea, set the minimum standard for each level/tier, rather than each division, and then just review it every 5-10 years or so. Then everyone knows where the "goalposts" are at all times and it's uniform across the entire country.

[Linden Jones]

What is it with leagues that they can't clearly define what ground grading requirements will be required for promotion in the preceding close season, and stick to them, so everyone involved doesn't get into these quite ridiculous situations.

Or, now here's an idea, set the minimum standard for each level/tier, rather than each division, and then just review it every 5-10 years or so. Then everyone knows where the "goalposts" are at all times and it's uniform across the entire country.

Erm they've done that. It's in black and white on the FA website and is applicable per level rather than league. Poole, Hungerford and Darlington are appealing against the regulations themselves. They've all admitted they don't comply.

[Sutekh]

What is it with leagues that they can't clearly define what ground grading requirements will be required for promotion in the preceding close season, and stick to them, so everyone involved doesn't get into these quite ridiculous situations.

Or, now here's an idea, set the minimum standard for each level/tier, rather than each division, and then just review it every 5-10 years or so. Then everyone knows where the "goalposts" are at all times and it's uniform across the entire country.

Erm they've done that. It's in black and white on the FA website and is applicable per level rather than league. Poole, Hungerford and Darlington are appealing against the regulations themselves. They've all admitted they don't comply.

OK I see, so this is a case of clubs not meeting requirements as laid out and then whinging when the leagues involved tell them their grounds don't meet the grading requirements. Impression I had was that requirements were changed and clubs then not given enough time to meet those requirements.

In that case appeals should only be allowed if the clubs involved can get the work done by season end - or committed to be done by an agreed date in the close season.

[Silver Fox]

How can the championship allow a team in that doesn't fit their arbitrary requirements but the Conference can't be as flexible?

[Hoop Blah]

What is it with leagues that they can't clearly define what ground grading requirements will be required for promotion in the preceding close season, and stick to them, so everyone involved doesn't get into these quite ridiculous situations.

Or, now here's an idea, set the minimum standard for each level/tier, rather than each division, and then just review it every 5-10 years or so. Then everyone knows where the "goalposts" are at all times and it's uniform across the entire country.

Erm they've done that. It's in black and white on the FA website and is applicable per level rather than league. Poole, Hungerford and Darlington are appealing against the regulations themselves. They've all admitted they don't comply.

OK I see, so this is a case of clubs not meeting requirements as laid out and then whinging when the leagues involved tell them their grounds don't meet the grading requirements. Impression I had was that requirements were changed and clubs then not given enough time to meet those requirements.

In that case appeals should only be allowed if the clubs involved can get the work done by season end - or committed to be done by an agreed date in the close season.

Money is very tight at these levels and some of the ground improvements just can't be justified expenditure if the side isn't performing well enough on the pitch for them to be a consideration.

I think some of the issues clubs have had is getting things done for the deadlines the FA/Leagues have in place, not just a case of getting them done in time for the season (obviously there is a middle ground here as leagues can't allow clubs to work right up to the last minute either).

[AthleticoSpizz]

^quite

Hungerford and Poole have both lost their appeals.

Maybe teams such as Hungerford and those without sufficient budgets, start the season not really expecting to be in with a realistic shout of promotion at the end of the season? So why fritter away precious money on an extravagance that may not even be utilised?

In hindsight, the (unexpected?) success of the team and the upturn in crowd size could've made the extra seating a sound investment....but without that upturn, it may just have been the millstone that dragged them under, extra time to meet the grading should be granted.

Either way, a kick in the teeth for all concerned and beggers the question, why are teams allowed to compete in a league that they can only leave by relegation.

As it stands, a wasted season full of supporters gate money, players efforts and potential career opportunities.

[tmesis]

Either way, a kick in the teeth for all concerned and beggers the question, why are teams allowed to compete in a league that they can only leave by relegation..

Why should they not be allowed?

Hungerford weren't expecting another promotion push, but there's no reason to bar them from even being in the division. It should have just been clearer much earlier that they wouldn't be allowed in the play-offs.


I can, however, see a point in having a deadline, and not just allow clubs to build if they go up. If you do that it'll encourage clubs to spend on the team rather than facilities, putting clubs who do spend of facilities first at a disadvantage.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Either way, a kick in the teeth for all concerned and beggers the question, why are teams allowed to compete in a league that they can only leave by relegation..

Why should they not be allowed?

Hungerford weren't expecting another promotion push, but there's no reason to bar them from even being in the division. It should have just been clearer much earlier that they wouldn't be allowed in the play-offs.


I can, however, see a point in having a deadline, and not just allow clubs to build if they go up. If you do that it'll encourage clubs to spend on the team rather than facilities, putting clubs who do spend of facilities first at a disadvantage.

like I was saying, what a waste of a season, imagine playing a season full of meaningless friendlies.

[Sutekh]

Either way, a kick in the teeth for all concerned and beggers the question, why are teams allowed to compete in a league that they can only leave by relegation..

Why should they not be allowed?

Hungerford weren't expecting another promotion push, but there's no reason to bar them from even being in the division. It should have just been clearer much earlier that they wouldn't be allowed in the play-offs.


I can, however, see a point in having a deadline, and not just allow clubs to build if they go up. If you do that it'll encourage clubs to spend on the team rather than facilities, putting clubs who do spend of facilities first at a disadvantage.

Thought I heard that in Hungerford's case the issue was that they were about 100 seats short of meeting the requirement which I thought Bobby Wilkinson said could easily be added within a few weeks. If that is the case that really is a pathetic decision by the Conference league and now means the teams finishing 6th and 7th will have the chance to get beaten by Ebbsfleet and/or Maidenhead.

[Tony Le Mesmer]

Absolutely no surprise with the outcome, the 3 clubs didn't really have a case at all.

The bigger issue seems to be the timing of the ground grading. It should be done at the start of the season so that everyone knows where they stand when the first game kicks off. Maidenhead, for example, are in their 10th season at NLS level. For the first 7 seasons they knew that they couldn't get promoted.

Worth remembering that ground grading rules are there for a reason. You cant have teams throwing money at players wages whilst playing in a field. That is just bad for the game all round. It also protects teams from reaching a level that they just can't sustain financially. Promotion to the NL could end up being a disaster for a club who struggle to get 300 through the gate. A blessing in disguise probably for Poole & Hungerford.

The rule that allows teams that haven't finished in a play off position a shot at promotion is just plain wrong. If you finish 2nd and the team in 1st fails the ground grading, do you go up automatically instead? No. But if you finish 7th behind teams in 5th/6th that fail the ground grading, you're in. Just doesn't make sense.

[Four Of Clubs]

Thought I heard that in Hungerford's case the issue was that they were about 100 seats short of meeting the requirement which I thought Bobby Wilkinson said could easily be added within a few weeks. If that is the case that really is a pathetic decision by the Conference league and now means the teams finishing 6th and 7th will have the chance to get beaten by Ebbsfleet and/or Maidenhead.

... and .... just to piss on TF's bonfire somewhat!

Extract from the Item on HTFC site yesterday:

However, Wealdstone will not be one of those clubs after they were also rejected for failing to have adequate seats installed in time and that could leave eighth placed Hampton and Richmond Borough to vie for a place in the league’s top flight.

... my understanding was that Hungerford had enough seats to meet grading BUT not in the correct configuration i.e. regs state must be minimum of 500 in 2 stands - their's are currently 'spread' : Three stands of 100, 234 and 251.? Still they have plenty of time to get another 100 in now by next season - providing they can reach the similar heights on the pitch.

'Crusaders' are also a bit miffed (understandably) to be ordered to play the re-scheduled B&B Senior Cup Final vs Magpies this B/H Monday AT YORK RD!
...bearing in mind the probable gulf in demeanour between the two sets of players - assuming the Magpies don't f£ck up at Margate - won't make for a particularly edifying experience for the 'visitors' - though I s'pose some of the MUFC squad might still be a bit 'worse for wear'.

..presumably County FA couldn't/didn't bother to get anywhere else by the date they wanted it played?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
...elsewhere in this weeks' STEP03/04 Play Offs (with the Ryman Premier S-F's still to be decided)

(Home sides in PO Finals in [BOLD] - advantage goes to the highest-placed finisher)

IL1S
Dorking Wanderers 1-1 Hastings Utd - DW win 4-3 after extra time
- was at this; crowd of well over 500 - well marshalled - though viewing a bit tricksy as it's a fairly flat featureless ground - so standing room all the way round the three available sides; albeit with a great back-drop of Box Hill.
Decisive pen taken by visiting player-coach and veteran keeper - Lenny Pidgeley. (Actually he's only 33)
- think he's played for a number of lower league clubs - but started career at Chelsea behind Cech and Cudicini - went out on loan to Watford where he played against his parent club in a 4-0 cup defeat - he then moved away from the Bridge having made only 2 appearances for them in 3 years.
Later clubs incl Millwall, Bradford City & Newport, - then to Hastings via FGR/Leatherhead.
He managed to place his spot kick about 1/3 of the way up the Hill! - poor fellah - least he was brave enough to step up and take it.

Greenwich Borough 3-4 Corinthian Casuals
- winners meet at DW's Westhumble Ground on Sat 29th PM - probably the last game there for them, as they are due to move into the much spruced up Meadowbank down in the town for 17-18. Former club based there, CCL1 side Dorking FC, have supposedly folded/been absorbed.

IL1N
Maldon & Tiptree 5-4 Haringey Borough
Thurrock 1-0 AFC Hornchurch
- Final @ M&T on Sun PM
- Premier Final on B/H Monday will feature Bognor or Wingate & Finchley vs, Dulwich Hamlet or Enfield Town - S-Fs for those tonight.
Would quite like it to be DH as I've never been and might make the effort - but tbh cannot see Wingate & Finchley getting past BRT, who would host in the Final if they got there, as they were runners-up in regular season.

In the Southern League Play Off S-F's, which were all played last night (Wed 26th) ... the Finals are all schedueld for B/H Monday PM

SLP
Leamington 1-0 Slough Town
Merthyr 1-1 Hitchin - Hitchin W 4-1 on pens

SL1C
Farnborough 4-0 Egham Town
- got here - official crowd 523 - parking was a bit tight although there were spaces in the big car park out the front if I'd wanted to pay. No progs though: f£ckin' cheapskates can't have printed all that many as the crowd certainly did not appear to be that big. There were only long-ish queues at the turnstiles cos they couldn't be @r$ed to open enough of them.
'boro far too good up front for the Sarnies - Cureton scored one and set Coles up for his two.

Barton Rovers 2-0 Marlow

SL1S&W
Salisbury 2-1 Evesham aet
Tiverton 3-1 Taunton

[Top Flight]

Yeah, I saw that Wealdstone have also been rejected.

They were the only club that met the seating requirements on the date that the appeal was heard. But because they hadn't met the requirements on March 31st they were denied. I suppose that's only fair. At least next season they will be ready and do comply. They didn't deserve to be in the play offs on merit anyway. The highest the Stones can finish is 7th which isn't really good enough. So I guess denial for the Stones is fair enough.