Five reasons why you should support Non-League football
The love of football is a hobby, a passion and for some an obsession bordering on a religion. There are hundreds of millions of fanatical supporters all around the world for what we like to call the ‘beautiful game’. But what of Non-League football?
Here are just a few reasons why choosing to support local and non-league football can be just as rewarding and enjoyable for the average footy fan as opposed to following a side with all the glitz, glamour and money of a top-level side.
Here are just a few reasons why choosing to support local and non-league football can be just as rewarding and enjoyable for the average footy fan as opposed to following a side with all the glitz, glamour and money of a top-level side.
Photo by Tony Smith - efc.smugmug.com
1. Affordability
An obvious advantage to begin with is the huge savings that can be made in following your local Non-League side.
When you compare the cost of being a fan of a side in Non-League football to a team in the higher echelons of football, the Premier League for example, the difference is huge.
"The Premier League in my eyes is very expensive and overrated,” said Eastleigh season ticket holder Lee Stevens.
Eastleigh chairman and owner Stewart Donald said: “Lots of people can’t afford it that would love to go to football and you see lots of kids I think that follow Premiership teams, nothing wrong with that at all, but their families sometimes can’t afford to take them to games.”
So why is following Non-League football a fantastic alternative? Donald said: “It’s the affordability of it, it’s how they feel when they come down here.”
When you compare the cost of following Hampshire teams Southampton and Eastleigh – the difference is huge.
Southampton is a Premier League side playing in the top level of football in the country. Eastleigh is a Non-League side playing in the Vanarama National League. There is a gap of four divisions between the two clubs, but should the difference in price really be so high?
The most expensive match day ticket to follow the Spitfires will cost just £15 compared to the whopping £54 that it will set you back to follow Saints in certain fixtures.
If you then take a look at the season ticket prices – the numbers are also mind boggling. The cheapest to watch all of the home league games for Eastleigh is £120, with the most expensive costing £180.
To secure a season ticket to watch Claude Puel’s Southampton play at St. Marys will cost a minimum of £541 this season. The most expensive being set at £853. That is a difference of almost five times the cost.
Martin Ferguson used to follow Southampton but now opts to support non-league football. The affordability is a factor for him. “The price of tickets and generosity with away travel makes a big difference,” he said.
“It is something I can never remember Saints doing, even though they earn £90million plus a season just from TV money!”
The further up the football pyramid you go, there is undoubtedly the chance to see a better quality of player and an easier-on-the-eye style of football – but this is not always guaranteed. Even when it is, wouldn’t you prefer to put your hard-earned money back in to your local community in to your club instead of adding to the coffers of cash-rich Premier League sides?
Fans have far greater access and opportunities to interact with all of the people at their local club. From those at the very top at boardroom level, to the players on the pitch and even all of the backroom staff (who are often hardworking volunteers who offer their services to help their club and do it for the love of the game).
There is certainly a family-feel to most Non-League football clubs where everybody mixes together.
“In the Non-League scene, the players have a lot of time for the fans and make you feel very welcome and comfortable," said Lloyd Lampard.
“Interaction and recognition is great,” he continued. “The fans feel appreciated and then they keep on coming. The players are down to earth and you can talk with them.”
Of course there are instances of star players earning mega money in the higher divisions taking time out to interact with fans too. But this is far more likely to occur and commonly found further down the leagues.
Non-League players are very accessible and can often be found chatting away with supporters before and after games at the side of the pitch, in the car park, even in the clubhouse where players and fans mix together. Such interaction is surely a worthy reason to consider supporting local football where everybody is in it together.
When you compare the cost of being a fan of a side in Non-League football to a team in the higher echelons of football, the Premier League for example, the difference is huge.
"The Premier League in my eyes is very expensive and overrated,” said Eastleigh season ticket holder Lee Stevens.
Eastleigh chairman and owner Stewart Donald said: “Lots of people can’t afford it that would love to go to football and you see lots of kids I think that follow Premiership teams, nothing wrong with that at all, but their families sometimes can’t afford to take them to games.”
So why is following Non-League football a fantastic alternative? Donald said: “It’s the affordability of it, it’s how they feel when they come down here.”
When you compare the cost of following Hampshire teams Southampton and Eastleigh – the difference is huge.
Southampton is a Premier League side playing in the top level of football in the country. Eastleigh is a Non-League side playing in the Vanarama National League. There is a gap of four divisions between the two clubs, but should the difference in price really be so high?
The most expensive match day ticket to follow the Spitfires will cost just £15 compared to the whopping £54 that it will set you back to follow Saints in certain fixtures.
If you then take a look at the season ticket prices – the numbers are also mind boggling. The cheapest to watch all of the home league games for Eastleigh is £120, with the most expensive costing £180.
To secure a season ticket to watch Claude Puel’s Southampton play at St. Marys will cost a minimum of £541 this season. The most expensive being set at £853. That is a difference of almost five times the cost.
Martin Ferguson used to follow Southampton but now opts to support non-league football. The affordability is a factor for him. “The price of tickets and generosity with away travel makes a big difference,” he said.
“It is something I can never remember Saints doing, even though they earn £90million plus a season just from TV money!”
The further up the football pyramid you go, there is undoubtedly the chance to see a better quality of player and an easier-on-the-eye style of football – but this is not always guaranteed. Even when it is, wouldn’t you prefer to put your hard-earned money back in to your local community in to your club instead of adding to the coffers of cash-rich Premier League sides?
2. Interaction
Interaction at Non-League football level is another important factor to consider.Fans have far greater access and opportunities to interact with all of the people at their local club. From those at the very top at boardroom level, to the players on the pitch and even all of the backroom staff (who are often hardworking volunteers who offer their services to help their club and do it for the love of the game).
There is certainly a family-feel to most Non-League football clubs where everybody mixes together.
“In the Non-League scene, the players have a lot of time for the fans and make you feel very welcome and comfortable," said Lloyd Lampard.
“Interaction and recognition is great,” he continued. “The fans feel appreciated and then they keep on coming. The players are down to earth and you can talk with them.”
Of course there are instances of star players earning mega money in the higher divisions taking time out to interact with fans too. But this is far more likely to occur and commonly found further down the leagues.
Non-League players are very accessible and can often be found chatting away with supporters before and after games at the side of the pitch, in the car park, even in the clubhouse where players and fans mix together. Such interaction is surely a worthy reason to consider supporting local football where everybody is in it together.
3. Friendly and welcoming environment
“The non-league scene brings the local community together.” These are the wise words of Lee Stevens, a long-time supporter of Non-League football.
Lee went on to describe how the atmosphere in Non-League football is so welcoming – even at away grounds. Lee continued: “Non-League has such a friendly atmosphere and it feels like a big family, especially at away games in Non-League. Other teams make you feel very welcome.”
Lisa Eades echoes these thoughts and notes how down to earth the players and staff are: “For us as a family, mainly my boys, it's the friendliest atmosphere and such a welcoming feeling.
“Everyone, managers/players and all staff they are happy to chat and talk and just pass the day. They seem 'normal'.”
Can the same be said of following football in the Premier League? Are visiting supporters made to feel welcome when they arrive at another club’s stadium? I think you will agree that the majority of the time the answer to this question is a resounding no!
It’s not uncommon to hear unpleasant words and chanting aimed at rival fans when turning up as a fan to support your team on the road when following a side in a big division.
There is a great deal of separation of fans in higher divisions, which of course has its merits, but wouldn’t it be nice to see some more interaction between supporters of opposing sides just enjoying watching football and supporting their team? Well, all of this can be found in the Non-League game.
Supporters can be seen mixing together before, during and after the game in the Non-League football scene. It’s not perfect, but there is a lot more harmony between fans in the lower levels of the game where the environment for watching and supporting your team is far more friendly and welcoming.
Eastleigh’s chairman Stewart Donald realises the importance of an encompassing environment for supporters. He said: “The trick is I think to try and make the whole experience as enjoyable as possible and to make people feel they’re part of the day.”
Martin Ferguson, an Eastleigh supporter who now chooses Non-League football over the Premier League, shared his thoughts: “I used to go and watch Southampton. Their slogan 'in that number' is dead true. Your literally just a number there as a fan.”
“At Eastleigh it's so welcoming. The chairman and those involved with the club sit with the fans and talk to us,” he added.
“It's all about feeling part of something. That feeling hasn't changed from when we were getting 400 a week to now over 2,000 a week.”
As a Non-League supporter you really can be a big part of your club. The Non-League game is heavily-reliant on volunteers for its successful and functional operation.
A supporter can have a role and influence their local club, which in turn can bring a great deal of personal satisfaction knowing that your efforts along with the collected efforts of other fellow volunteers can help your club greatly.
There are many opportunities and a wide variety of roles to help, be it selling programmes, stewarding, operating turnstiles, writing reports, raising money, away travel organisation the list goes on and on.
The importance of volunteer-led football cannot be underestimated, everybody has a role to play at this level.
We are all familiar with the fairy tale story of Jamie Vardy’s rise from the Non-League game to becoming a Premier League champion with Leicester City.
There are countless examples of players who have shone and learned their trade first in the Conference and below before getting their big breaks to display their talents on a bigger stage.
You could witness these players for yourself before all of the fame and widespread attention.
Perhaps you can see that a sense of belonging, involvement and feeling valued by your club as part of the community can far outweigh the feelings of almost being treated like a ‘customer’ by the clubs higher up the football pyramid.
It can be said that the Premier League is a place where money drives the game rather than the passion and loyalty of true supporters, which can be found more prominently in the lower divisions.
It is my opinion that you can get far more value for your money by supporting your local team in Non-League football.
In closing here are some more wise words from Eastleigh chairman Stewart Donald who speaks of Non-League fans having the possibility to feel “a real connection with their club.”
“Fans (of Non-League football) feel that they have a real involvement in it.
“They’re involved in the direction of it. What they actually think matters. Their views are taken on board. If they would actually buy into that then it would be refreshing for them.”
It can be refreshing for you too. Non-League football is affordable, interactive, friendly, welcoming and so much more, so why not give it a try and find out for yourself what you have been missing out on?
Jamie Montigue
Lisa Eades echoes these thoughts and notes how down to earth the players and staff are: “For us as a family, mainly my boys, it's the friendliest atmosphere and such a welcoming feeling.
“Everyone, managers/players and all staff they are happy to chat and talk and just pass the day. They seem 'normal'.”
Can the same be said of following football in the Premier League? Are visiting supporters made to feel welcome when they arrive at another club’s stadium? I think you will agree that the majority of the time the answer to this question is a resounding no!
It’s not uncommon to hear unpleasant words and chanting aimed at rival fans when turning up as a fan to support your team on the road when following a side in a big division.
There is a great deal of separation of fans in higher divisions, which of course has its merits, but wouldn’t it be nice to see some more interaction between supporters of opposing sides just enjoying watching football and supporting their team? Well, all of this can be found in the Non-League game.
Supporters can be seen mixing together before, during and after the game in the Non-League football scene. It’s not perfect, but there is a lot more harmony between fans in the lower levels of the game where the environment for watching and supporting your team is far more friendly and welcoming.
Eastleigh’s chairman Stewart Donald realises the importance of an encompassing environment for supporters. He said: “The trick is I think to try and make the whole experience as enjoyable as possible and to make people feel they’re part of the day.”
4. A sense of belonging
I’m sure by now you are beginning to see the light on why Non-League football is so wonderful for supporters! If you’re still not entirely convinced, here’s another valid reason for your consideration: a sense of belonging.Martin Ferguson, an Eastleigh supporter who now chooses Non-League football over the Premier League, shared his thoughts: “I used to go and watch Southampton. Their slogan 'in that number' is dead true. Your literally just a number there as a fan.”
“At Eastleigh it's so welcoming. The chairman and those involved with the club sit with the fans and talk to us,” he added.
“It's all about feeling part of something. That feeling hasn't changed from when we were getting 400 a week to now over 2,000 a week.”
As a Non-League supporter you really can be a big part of your club. The Non-League game is heavily-reliant on volunteers for its successful and functional operation.
A supporter can have a role and influence their local club, which in turn can bring a great deal of personal satisfaction knowing that your efforts along with the collected efforts of other fellow volunteers can help your club greatly.
There are many opportunities and a wide variety of roles to help, be it selling programmes, stewarding, operating turnstiles, writing reports, raising money, away travel organisation the list goes on and on.
The importance of volunteer-led football cannot be underestimated, everybody has a role to play at this level.
5. The next big star
A fifth but by no means final reason for favouring Non-League football is the chance to see the next big star before anybody else has even heard of them.We are all familiar with the fairy tale story of Jamie Vardy’s rise from the Non-League game to becoming a Premier League champion with Leicester City.
There are countless examples of players who have shone and learned their trade first in the Conference and below before getting their big breaks to display their talents on a bigger stage.
You could witness these players for yourself before all of the fame and widespread attention.
Perhaps you can see that a sense of belonging, involvement and feeling valued by your club as part of the community can far outweigh the feelings of almost being treated like a ‘customer’ by the clubs higher up the football pyramid.
It can be said that the Premier League is a place where money drives the game rather than the passion and loyalty of true supporters, which can be found more prominently in the lower divisions.
It is my opinion that you can get far more value for your money by supporting your local team in Non-League football.
In closing here are some more wise words from Eastleigh chairman Stewart Donald who speaks of Non-League fans having the possibility to feel “a real connection with their club.”
“Fans (of Non-League football) feel that they have a real involvement in it.
“They’re involved in the direction of it. What they actually think matters. Their views are taken on board. If they would actually buy into that then it would be refreshing for them.”
It can be refreshing for you too. Non-League football is affordable, interactive, friendly, welcoming and so much more, so why not give it a try and find out for yourself what you have been missing out on?
Jamie Montigue
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