On Saturday 4 September, as the Premier League and the Championship make way for international fixtures, football fans across the country are being encouraged to give their local Non-League club some much-needed support.

Speaking exclusively to The Sport Review, James Doe, the man behind the ‘Non-League Day’ campaign tells us about how his idea came about and why he thinks all football fans should help to support local clubs through difficult financial times, save themselves some money—all whilst still enjoying the sport we all love.

“The idea for Non-League Day came to me after going to QPR’s pre-season game at Tavistock a couple of weeks ago,” Doe told The Sport Review.

“The club and fans were made really welcome by the hosts and it was obvious how financially important the visit was to them.

“In the last year or so I’ve heard repeatedly how money is becoming really tight for Non-League clubs – the last time I went to watch Harrow they were about to hold a fundraising night to buy some new bulbs for the floodlights.

“Their plight cannot be unique so I wanted to start Non-League Day to try and give our local clubs a bit of publicity and a shot in the arm.”

Countless Football League teams have experienced the worst of financial mismanagement and have suffered as a result—just as big clubs like Manchester City and Leeds United did in the 1990s.

But the one thing Non-League teams do not have much of is money, and at a time when everyone is watching their own pockets, it is these clubs that are feeling the pinch the most.

Non-League clubs rely on supporters and volunteers to ensure matches can go ahead, and fans can take the whole family for a fraction of the price of a day out to a Championship game, never mind watching a Premier League club.

“Non-league teams often play a vital part in local communities and survive only as a result of hard-working volunteers.

“They often provide a place for young people to realise their footballing talents and are the very thing that underpins football in this country. People who get involved will help this to continue,” said Doe.

“The whole experience of non-league football can be very refreshing.

“You can watch the game from pretty much any point in the stadium, move freely around during the game and you get some top banter between supporters and sometimes even with the players.

“To top it all, you can probably take the entire family and buy them refreshments for the price of one Premier League ticket in some cases.”

‘Non-League Day’ is already gaining interest across football circles, with teams and fans across the UK joining in to support and follow the campaign on Twitter and Facebook.

And where will James Doe be on 4 September?

“Well as a part-time Harrow Borough fan, I guess it’s got to be the away game at Cray Wanderers,” he said. “It’s particularly poignant as they’re celebrating their 150th anniversary this year and as such are one of the oldest clubs in the world.”

The Sport Review is proud to be supporting the Non-League Day campaign on 4 September and we encourage our readers to get involved and help make the day a success.

And it's good fun. My little 'en saw Oxford Unt, Wimbledon etc at Ebbsfleet last year and had a whale of a time in a relegation season. I admit we saw a lot of West London overspill dross such as Hayes too..

http://www.thesportreview.com/tsr/2010/ ... eague-day/

What an excellent idea. Top marks to James. Anyone know him? I've thoroughly enjoyed visiting Boreham Wood, Saltash, Uxbridge, Hayes & Yeading and Tooting in the past 2 weeks. Harrow and Hendon still to come! I used to go to quite a lot of Wycombe Wanderers away games when they were a non league side and it was a lot of fun.

A lot of Football League sides could learn a lot from the non league sides - especially in how to makes fans welcome. Some of the facilties are impressive too - the club shop at Hayes is terrific!

Well I for one do this I follow Highland league football and to be quite honest it is a better day out than watching SPL.
Cove Rangers and Clachnacuddin (my other half team long story) are the one's I go and watch and most grounds are easy reach of Aberdeen and most games are £6-7 to get in, I dont know if this offer is to continue but under-12's get in free for all Highland league games.
Bungers will tell you as he is in the committee of Formartine Utd and they are a team with big ambitions plus it helps if your owner is loaded......

I know how much Bill enjoys being involved with his Highland team.
Joe English follows Hendon of course. Also, with the Reserves debate, I used to like going to non-league grounds to watch them play. I can remember a crowd of around 1,000 at Harrow Borough the season we won the league. Have enjoyed my pre-season trips to Tavistock, Bodmin, Hayes etc.

I do enjoy it Steve and yeah Eric it's good value. At Formartine under 16s get in free and a Season ticket is £60-£100. Last season, our first at senior level, we drew between 150 and 750 so clubs like ours don't rely over much on what comes in thru the gate. Lotteries, local sponsorships and corporate entertaining are more important - yes there are people who pay £75 a head to watch us play! Maybe LR is not so expensive after all. But what is most important about football at a lower level is commitment. There are some guys behind the scenes who deserve a medal for the hours they put in. On the park too the players and management are incredibly dedicated. They're all paid of course, not much, but they have jobs as well as training twice a week and travelling up to 400 miles every second weekend. Nobody would do it if they didn't enjoy it and that's what football is all about.
Our season starts tomorrow, home to Brora Rangers ` 2/9 for a home win, 5/1 the draw 6/1 away.
Strangely enough Eric we play Clach in Inverness on Sept 4th. That's where I'll be.

I go to watch Wealdstone when I can and if you have a season ticket for another club you can get in half price.

Brilliant idea this. I hope people pick up the challenge.

That's a clever move, good for Wealdstone

James is a mate of mine and a good lad. The walk to Selhurst for the Tiger Cubs last year was his idea.

A great initiative Dave. At present I'm still figuing out where I'm going that day - maybe Eastbourne

superb idea !! i went to harefield utd v hemel hempstead on monday night, quality game fast flowing football £3 to get in, parked in the car park about 20ft away from turnstiles, good crowd approx 200. burger and a pint and entry fee great football and came home with change from a tenner, i could get used to that.

Well I will fly over and see Glentoran get beat, if not join the big man at Herefield for a game.