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Non League Football

Went to my first live football game since 2021 yesterday, Còckfosters v Potton in the FA Cup at Chalk Lane. No accessibility issues at all, loads of room to get the wheelchair in, and easy to get a good reclining sightline.

In fact, everything about attending non-league at this level turns out to be brilliant, apart from the actual football. Confident play and sensible decisions were restricted to the chunky defenders in late middle age. Nobody who could run fast enough to get the ball could really be trusted with it. I expect that anyone who has played as an amateur would be very cognisant of the skill difference from Sunday league, but I’ve only ever been a Premiership spectator, so all this came as a surprise.

My energy levels faded in the second half so we fùcked off at the hydration break (these appear to be a thing now, crowd seemed perfectly happy with it) with the score at 1-0 and both sides looking toothless up front, only to find out from the club’s Twitter afterwards that the fourth quarter was a thriller for the ages, with Potton scoring twice and Còckfosters equalising in the third minute of stoppage time.

Anyway, this turns out to be a thing I can do, possibly even unaided if I get the timings right, so I can foresee a future where the chicken club at the Lane which I actually go and watch is the one in the Spartan South Midland League.
 
ShipOfGoldblum said:
Went to my first live football game since 2021 yesterday, Còckfosters v Potton in the FA Cup at Chalk Lane. No accessibility issues at all, loads of room to get the wheelchair in, and easy to get a good reclining sightline.

In fact, everything about attending non-league at this level turns out to be brilliant, apart from the actual football. Confident play and sensible decisions were restricted to the chunky defenders in late middle age. Nobody who could run fast enough to get the ball could really be trusted with it. I expect that anyone who has played as an amateur would be very cognisant of the skill difference from Sunday league, but I’ve only ever been a Premiership spectator, so all this came as a surprise.

My energy levels faded in the second half so we fùcked off at the hydration break (these appear to be a thing now, crowd seemed perfectly happy with it) with the score at 1-0 and both sides looking toothless up front, only to find out from the club’s Twitter afterwards that the fourth quarter was a thriller for the ages, with Potton scoring twice and Còckfosters equalising in the third minute of stoppage time.

Anyway, this turns out to be a thing I can do, possibly even unaided if I get the timings right, so I can foresee a future where the chicken club at the Lane which I actually go and watch is the one in the Spartan South Midland League.
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Went to roosterfosters last season when my boys team played them. Think they went to Wembley in some trophy?
 
Lemonade Money said:
Went to roosterfosters last season when my boys team played them. Think they went to Wembley in some trophy?
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Yes, FA Vase final this year! It was supposed to be televised along with the FA Trophy, which I was rather looking forward to, but for some reason it didn’t materialise. Lost respectably on penalties to AFC Stoneham.
 
ShipOfGoldblum said:
Yes, FA Vase final this year! It was supposed to be televised along with the FA Trophy, which I was rather looking forward to, but for some reason it didn’t materialise. Lost respectably on penalties to AFC Stoneham.
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It was televised. Was on TNT 7 or something silly which is a shame.

roosterfosters were a good side last year. Interested to see how they fair this year as manager took loads of players with him to Welwyn.

I love the Spartan league. My son plays in it so watch loads of Non league. I enjoy it more than going Spurs these days.
 
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I was surprised when listening to the scores on radio on the way home from Spurs that the likes of Aldershot, Carlisle, Halifax, Hartlepool, Sclamhorpe and Southend are in the National League. They were teams in the league when I was a kid, I remember moving their name cards up and down the cardboard league tables you got in one of the comics. Bottom teams in division 3 (north and south) use to reapply to join league so nothing changed for years.
I've been to games when we've played some of them.
 
djp82 said:
It was televised. Was on TNT 7 or something silly which is a shame.

roosterfosters were a good side last year. Interested to see how they fair this year as manager took loads of players with him to Welwyn.

I love the Spartan league. My son plays in it so watch loads of Non league. I enjoy it more than going Spurs these days.
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I did manage to find a TNT 7 (or whichever TNT number it was) stream and they were only showing motorsport. My guess is that they had the rights to non-league final day but they only expected an audience for the FA Trophy.

The new regime isn’t exactly off to a flying start, one point from three games so far in the league. Hope I haven’t jinxed them.

Wish your son a successful season everywhere apart from Chalk Lane.
 
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ShipOfGoldblum said:
I did manage to find a TNT 7 (or whichever TNT number it was) stream and they were only showing motorsport. My guess is that they had the rights to non-league final day but they only expected an audience for the FA Trophy.

The new regime isn’t exactly off to a flying start, one point from three games so far in the league. Hope I haven’t jinxed them.

Wish your son a successful season everywhere apart from Chalk Lane.
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I’m sure they’ll find their feet. Signed some good players.

I suppose it will take some time to bed in.

Enjoy the season.
 
ShipOfGoldblum said:
I did manage to find a TNT 7 (or whichever TNT number it was) stream and they were only showing motorsport. My guess is that they had the rights to non-league final day but they only expected an audience for the FA Trophy.

The new regime isn’t exactly off to a flying start, one point from three games so far in the league. Hope I haven’t jinxed them.

Wish your son a successful season everywhere apart from Chalk Lane.
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Is Terry Spillane your gaffer now? Did a stint local to my old stomping ground at Aveley
 
Now i have moved to a new job and don’t have to work Saturdays any more, i will be taking the lads to a few Maidstone games. Be good to watch some football thats not all about money.
 
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