One of us took the opportunity to take a trip down to Hampshire to visit Wessex League Premier Division side Andover New Street FC for their huge FA Vase quarter-final cup match and the biggest game in their history against Heanor Town in a game where both teams had never reached this far in the non-league cup competition for sides who play at step 5 & 6 of the National League system. After arriving at Andover train station it was time for a quick pint in the nearest pub and

Last Saturday, we had the pleasure of visiting Leek Town Football Club after an invite from Mat Knight-Burton, the Staffordshire club's community engagement officer, and we couldn't wait to come and see what the club was all about and what it does in the community. Leek Town play in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, which is step 3 of the National League pyramid, after gaining promotion last season from the Division One West as champions. At the start of play, The

Proper footballs, good friend Darren Ashley took his non-league Vlog down to Hendon for their clash against top of the table Dartford. Hendon probably more famous for its RAF museum and the training of Metropolitan police officers but is also home to Hendon FC . Find out more and see Darren‘s highlights of what looks to be a cracking game of football with plenty of goals by clicking the link below.

To those with relevant interest, the name Nuneaton mentioned in a football context carries, in the eyes of some, a rather unsavoury reputation, with various examples of poor running and ill-intentioned ownership cited as the reasons behind this. The club’s ever loyal fanbase have seen their club hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons in the not-too-distant past, longing for stability and a club they can be proud of.   A New Regime in Town at Nuneaton!   Fast forward to t

The destination for our latest visit to a non-league club was the newly reformed Nuneaton Town for their game against Birstall United at step 6 in The Midland League Division 1. We reported the sad news on January 18th last year that the historical side had withdrawn from the Southern Premier League Central and was considering liquidation, meaning Warwickshire's largest town could be without a football club. We followed the situation closely over the ensuing months and we we

The FA Vase is the non-league equivalent of the FA Cup for teams that play in steps 5 and 6, 596 teams entered the competition which started back in late August with the final to be played at Wembley on the same day as the FA trophy final which is the equivalent for steps 1 to 4, so with the 4th round being played on Saturday the 11th January we were fortunate enough to receive an invite to Sutton Utd (Birmingham) vs Bourne Town on a huge day for both clubs who have made it t

Waking up on a Saturday morning to minus temperatures and icy conditions with the intention to leave the warm confinements of a comfortable bed isn’t something that those not of a football background would relish, however whisper the sweet words of ‘away day’ in the ear of a football enthusiast and watch them bolt out of the stalls like a lurcher that hasn’t been around the track for a fortnight! Burton Here we come It was an early start for the travelling Shoe Army heading t

As always, I try to visit a ground which I haven’t been to before, provided that it’s no more than 50 miles from Charing X and the home team produces a printed programme. No programme means no visit! EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND I experienced the Elizabeth Line for the first time, got off at Burnham, which is actually a mile from the village, for a decent walk . My friend Jake drove down from Sheffield (he makes podcasts), and we witnessed a quite remarkable match, which didn’t s

The venue for our latest Proper Football away day was Hadley Football Club thanks to an invite from one of our followers Tom Hammond who is not only a big fan of The Bricks but also a volunteer at the club and one of the many unsung heroes you find around the country who are the heart and soul of non-league football. On arrival at Brickfield Lane, the home of Hadley FC, which is situated in North London near Barnet, the fog had descended, and the weather looked like something

30th November 2024 a day of significance in the history of Cambridge City Football Club, hosting the Isthmian league clash against 4th in the table Tilbury, It was the day their new stadium indeed their new home was to be officially opened after 11 Years in the wilderness, a day of happiness and emotion for many, a day which Proper Football had the honour to be there to experience. On arriving at the stadium, my first impressions were simply WOW. I was greeted by a very larg

Four of us set off from South London for a doubleheader on Tuesday to East London/Essex. The first port of call was Romford Dog Track for an afternoon race meet and a few beers before the main event at Dagenham and Redbridge for their National League match against Aldershot Town. Before jumping on a bus from Romford train station to the track, I bought a cheese and pickle roll from a Cafe on the high street. To my surprise, they had no clue what Branston Pickle was! So after

Sadly the sun isn't shining down on Morecambe FC at the moment, the birthplace of British comedy legend Eric Morecambe. The Lancashire club, who find themselves rooted to the bottom of League 2 with off-field issues compounding their current predicament, was the destination for one of us behind Proper Football on Saturday afternoon for their game against table toppers, high-flying Port Vale. It was an early start from South London to make the 300-mile trip up to the home of T

It's not everyday you see a jet plane at a non-league ground, well, apart from the decommissioned Red Arrow, Folland Gnat at Folland Sports FC ground! Last Saturday myself and two mates decided to attend the Wessex League Division One Step 6 game between Folland Sports and Romsey Town down in Hamble, Hampshire on the South coast. The reason for the visit was not only to tick off a new ground but also was the idea of my friend who was intrigued by the club who are known as the

So, with all the non-league successes of last week’s FA Cup first round we've decided to pop along to the lowest ranked side in the second round of the cup based on their Current league position in the Southern League Premier Central with Kettering sitting top. So, we hotfooted it over to Leicestershire and to Market Harborough famous for the mustering point of King James 1 royalist Army in 1645 before the defining Civil War Battle of Naseby, and now in 2024 Harborough Towns

So it’s FA Cup first round and with me living in Northamptonshire it’s a bit of a no brainer which game to attend, Northampton town playing Kettering town for the first time in 35 years, tier 3 versus tier 7 and with this fixture being one of a few local affairs Weston-Super-Mare travelling to Bristol Rovers, Charlton Athletic making the short trip across the Dartford Crossing to Southend United to name but a few, this years 1st round has thrown up some fantastic fixtures. I

What a fantastic day we had at Kettering Town Football Club on Saturday, not only to receive a warm welcome and great hospitality along with watching a great game of Non-League football but to also be part of the wonderful charity Team Mikayla who were in attendance for the day raising vital funds for the award winning charity who have a long running affinity to the football club. On arrival at Latimer Road, the new home of The Poppies since 2013 after having to leave their

Took myself off to vlog in Cambridgeshire yesterday, thanks to an invite from Soham Town Rangers FC manager Alex Cross, for their season opener v Harleston Town FC. After a 90 minute drive, I arrived early in a very warm Soham. Met on arrival by media man Jack, I was taken in to their, what a have to say, their very lovely and leafy ground, Julius Marin Lane. Apparently, during the off season, quite a few improvements had been made, outside and in. I don’t know what it was li

Sun beating down on a good natured pitch invasion, and grown men crying with joy. That was the scenes at the final whistle of yesterday’s National League North play off final, where, Boston United, in my opinion, deservedly on the day, beat Brackley Town. Although very much in the camp of really wanting Brackley to win, I couldn’t help but be happy for Boston and their fans, all in all, my experience of them, even before kick off, was that they were a great bunch. When I visi

Yesterday, my Non League vlogging took me up to the midlands, for a clash between Walsall Wood & AFC Rushden & Diamonds. Wood came into the match, having, in effect, nothing to play for… however, for the Diamonds, they were hoping to pull of one of THE greatest relegation escape acts. They were on 4 points in January, 14 off survival, yet they had since hauled themselves to, basically, having to better relegation rivals Rugby Town’s result. The ensuing 90 minutes footy I saw

My vlog travels took me this weekend to a very sunny Hertfordshire, where I took in Royston Town v Kettering Town... thanks to an invite from Royston media man, and board member Neil Macleod. After my days footy and filming had ended, I was so grateful of the invite, because Royston Town is such a lovely club, with very welcoming and friendly people… and the team was not too shabby either!!! I feared beforehand, that I may not get the greatest afternoons entertainment, as, bo