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The International Lava Cup is a tournament for over 40's which is played annually in Scotland with teams travelling from all over the world for the prestigious event. The Lava Cup Tournament is a seven-a-side football tournament which raises money for local charities, and this year’s event will be held at Falkirk Football Club on Saturday, May 24th. This year's tournament is the biggest and most ambitious so far, with 20 teams from 9 nations taking part! The grassroots tournament, which was formed by Marc Boal, started out with a pilot event in 2022 at Cormack Park in Aberdeen and has gone from strength to strength to become an annual invitational event! Marc Boal, the Lava Cup Organiser explains what the tournament is about:  “Our Senior Grassroots Annual Event has four main principles that are embedded in the foundations of the Lava Cup ethos, which is paramount. The tournament is organised in conjunction with the Icelandic touring side Throttur Reykjavik Old Boys, who have been coming to Scotland since 2018. The Lava Cup is playing a crucial role in expanding players’ horizons and breaking any isolation people find themselves in. Playing international football is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many of us; players aged 40 to 75 are now doing this! The new friendships, bonding, and well-being it creates are providing a pathway to actively change the way people think and, more importantly, change lives. The Lava Cup's four core principles are: Helping to improve the mental and physical health of players. Raising money for local charities. Networking by giving teams the opportunity to meet others at the tournament and set up future friendly matches. Inviting at least two teams from remote areas with no access to senior football and giving them a chance to play on the big stage at the Lava Cup. The name of the tournament replicates the trophy which is actually made of lava picked from the most recent eruption from an Icelandic volcano! The lava for this year’s trophy was collected from the Fagradalsfjall volcanic system in the Reykjanes region. The trophy for 2025 is the heaviest ever, weighing in at 2.3kg, this is due to molten lava containing a mix of elements such as iron, magnesium, silicon and others such as aluminium. Italian marble sits on the polished hardwood plinth base, there is also ice blue cobalt glass (which represents the Icelandic glaciers) that are encrusted into the main lava tower to give the trophy a distinctive look! 2025 Lava Cup Trophy Last year’s competition saw over £3000 split between Strathcarron Hospice and Falkirk's Mental Health Association. Pictures from the 2024 Lava Cup This year's tournament is raising money to support two wonderful local charities that do amazing work for our men and their families: Maggie's Forth Valley , a local cancer support charity, and Andy's Man Club , a men's suicide prevention charity, tackling the stigma surrounding men's mental health through the power of conversation. To donate please click the link below. https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/falkirkffit-t-eights-1?utm_medium=CR&utm_source=CL Dougie McCallum and Iain Mitchell from the host team, Falkirk FFiT T8, have helped Marc immensely to organise the tournament and will be welcoming old friends and new ones from countries such as Iceland, USA, Northern Ireland, England, Holland, Denmark, Germany, Poland and of course Scotland. The tournament, which aims to bring men from across the world together to enjoy football in a friendly but competitive manner, begins at 10:00am with the opening ceremony followed by the matches played on Falkirk's pitch that will be divided into 4 smaller pitches that kick off at 10:30am and will finish around 5pm. There is no admission fee for those wishing to attend and there will be volunteers with charity buckets around the stadium if anyone wishes to donate to the chosen charities. There will also be a limited edition of the 72-page Lava Cup programme (£5) Lava souvenir mug (£6.50) Lava Cup notebook (£4.50), all of which will be available to purchase on the day at the stadium, (first come, first served) with all proceeds going directly to the chosen charities. There is also an excellent free digital programme that you can find below by clicking the link. Digital programme We wish Marc and everyone involved on this fantastic day all the best, and may the best team win, but in all honesty, everyone taking part is a winner! To find out more and to keep up to date with The Lava Cup check out their dedicated Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092563221652

Stability the key to Diamonds success! Attendance - 813 As any avid follower of a non-league club, or like me, a follower of the non-league system as a whole would attest to, non-league football is about so much more than just a 3pm kick off and what what happens on the pitch. Non-league is a community, a family and so much more to those that enjoy the uniqueness of its very existence. I’m a firm believer that whilst accepting certain problems do exist and it is not perfect, the non-league system in this country is right up there with the most successful sports pyramids in the world, especially when one considers the sheer amount of time and effort (a great deal of which is completely voluntary) that goes into ensuring the clubs within it can sustain their existence, let alone competing at a competitive level on the pitch with how stringent budgets and such like can be. A club that embodies this description, my destination of choice for the latest Proper Football escapade, is AFC Rushden & Diamonds. Now a fan owned phoenix club due to the sad demise of the original Rushden & Diamonds FC, a subject well documented and reported at the time, AFC Rushden & Diamonds have been steadily climbing up the pyramid since their inception in 2011 and now ply their trade in the NPL Midlands Division at step 4. A solid season of consolidation has seen them achieve their aim of comfortably remaining in the division, as they look to build for a successful future on and off the pitch, whilst continuing on their steady upward trajectory. The man now leading the club on its charge forward is chairman Rob, who was kind enough to have me down at Hayden Road for what was their annual Community Day, something the club host on the final home game of each season, which amongst a number of initiatives offers visitors the option to pay what they like for entry. Granting me to access all areas, I was able to capture the below montage, showcasing the club’s facilities and further highlighting, with some really touching moments, the club’s importance within the local community. Having met Rob on a previous football outing and having had conversations in the lead up to my visit, it quickly became very clear how passionate he is about the club and that everything he does is with the club’s best interests at heart. Whilst I consider Rob a more ‘modern day’ club chairman due to his enlightened understanding of what fans of the current day want to see from their local club, I also consider him a traditionalist in that he strives to uphold and champion the rich, illustrious history of this club and its people. Finding that balance of modern-day requirements, respecting the history of the club, and providing the tools to ensure competitiveness on and off the pitch whilst making oneself accessible to fans (amongst many other things) is a fine art that, for me, Rob has mastered and spearheads this club and its values phenomenally. A fan himself since his younger years, Rob stepped in front of the Proper Football cameras, providing his in-depth thoughts and sharing his incredible journey from fan to chairman. We all know that football fans can be fickle, demanding, and not to mention critical at times; however, look beyond that, and what you’ll find is unrivalled loyalty beyond comprehension. A man that encapsulates the latter point is someone introduced to me as ‘Mr Rushden & Diamonds’ AKA Tim. Part of the fabric of this club having held various roles over the years going back to the Nene Park days, home of the original club, Tim now takes in proceedings as a dedicated fan, relieving himself of the pressure of a formal role following a health scare, something that rocked many at the football club, showcasing just how important a figure he is considered by his peers. Now back on his feet after a lengthy recovery time, supported immensely by the club, Tim is back in his element, down at Hayden Road vivaciously supporting his beloved Diamonds. With fans piling through the turnstiles and a real party atmosphere in the air, we were approaching kick-off. Fielding a team including a host of academy graduates, thus demonstrating the clear pathway for youth to succeed in the first team, this club has showcased time and time again its commitment to the academy. In front of a bumper crowd of 813, with the community day really drawing the fans in, academy products had the chance to prove their worth in front of their ever-faithful fans and club hierarchy onlooking. Half-time was soon upon us and with the hosts leading thanks to an early goal, it was time to delve deeper into how, in various ways, the club supports members of the youth section, with 530 children benefiting from what the club has to offer. Joined by Mark, who is the chairman of the youth section and fresh from a 5-mile sponsored walk, another of the club’s community initiatives, we touched on how the club offers much more than just a footballing education. By also providing the necessary mentoring for the development of key social skills enabling them to flourish in various aspects of life, the community youth section is quite rightly held in immensely high regard within the club as a whole. Children right from reception age, known as ‘Little Diamonds,’ a youth project created by the club are encouraged first and foremost to enjoy what they do. Now there was no way I was about to let this day pass me by without sampling the cuisine on offer! Thankfully, a business that I know personally and is run by a salt-of-the-earth family was on hand to provide me with my match-day delights. The Food Barn, for me, is the absolute best around in that not only are you provided with a top bit of footy nosh, all that work there truly understand the meaning of customer service with their naturally welcoming and hospitable approach, not to mention top levels of banter. As always, I was not disappointed at what I was treated to! As previously mentioned, there was a bumper crowd for community day, with fans young and old finding their way to the atmospheric and charismatic stands of Hayden Road. Such was the raucous, celebratory mood at full time, you’d be forgiven for thinking the club had just won the title with many taking to the pitch, mingling with the adored players posing for selfies and signing autographs. Amongst those who made their way onto the pitch was at least over 100 children, who as part of the community day had been granted permission to have a kick about on the pitch at full time, many of whom will be dreaming of doing it for real some day. Not only does the club offer the pathway for young players, it also provides a platform for young staff members, an example of which being George, who has been given the responsibility of stadium announcer and other media-related duties, a role which he sees as one perfect to provide the platform for a budding media and journalism professional. Joined by dedicated youth coach Wayne, with those around us in party-mode, it was a lively chat! A huge point of importance during my day that many I spoke to had made was how the club understands the importance of looking after its people and promoting from within. A key example of which being young 17-year-old ‘keeper Ewan Evans, making his debut and earning a clean sheet to boot, an achievement without the club’s unwavering support and belief shown in him would not have been possible. The man leading from the front with this ethos is Head of Academy and First Team Coach, Ryan. Holding what is a bit of a hybrid role, crossing between the two, Ryan has the perfect balance of working directly with the academy and first team, knowing who is ready for that step up into first team football and timing it just right. With a number of academy graduates now being first team regulars, in addition to those included in various match day squads, it’s safe to say that Ryan excels in his role and provided an insight into the workings of the academy. As I stood, shoulder to shoulder on the pitch with an emotional Rob reflecting on the day I’d had, with the buoyant Diamonds faithful buzzing around us, it became clear at that moment that AFC Rushden & Diamonds is a special club, ran and contributed to by special people. You can talk about your promotions and title winning moments, which of course bring immense joy to so many, but in that moment, I truly believe I was stood with the most proud and happy man and fan base in non-league. The presence of this club in the local community is of immense importance, and the way in which it contributes to the community, as evidently demonstrated above, is truly remarkable. I’m so proud and privileged to be able to do what I do and clubs like this are the very reason I do it. Everyone within the club, the fans especially should be excited at what I am confident is going to be an exceptionally successful future. My sincere and heartfelt thanks, as always, go out to the club for having me - I look forward to continuing to follow the journey and returning to document it in the future once again! Match highlights of the clash can be found below.

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 spiritual home of Rockingham Road in 2011 and a couple of ground shares later you are instantly struck by some of the great work the club have put into their new abode which looks very professional after a face-lift to the entrance and external areas. After receiving a lovely welcome from the club we met up with Makayla, the inspiration behind the charity 'Team Makayla' and asked her to tell us about what the days event had instore. It was time to check out the new fan zone situated right outside the ground where the marquee area was buzzing with the pre-match and after-match entertainment already in full swing with the excellent 25 piece ukulele band 'The Fabulous Ukie Toons' knocking out the tunes, their was also a very tasty pizza parlour and a well stocked club shop in the well thought out fan hub. We've got to say the facilities at the ground were really impressive including the sizable club house with a large selection of draught beers, drinks and plenty of food options which was replicated inside the ground with the Lemon Tree Cafe selling burgers, hotdogs, and all the usual stuff, next to this was the brand new Tinhat bar which is sponsored by the local Carlsberg brewery and another nice touch was the kids sweet shop which was buzzing with the many youngsters in attendance on the day. We was kindly invited to have a pre-match meal in the club's 1872 bar/restaurant by the club's new co-owners George Akhtar and Fabien Forde who have both had careers playing football with Fabien now being the director of football at the club, and we've got to say you couldn't meet to nicer fellas who live a breathe the beautiful game. We sat down with Darren Ashley the best non-league vlogger out their who we have to thank for getting us the invite to the club and had a fantastic 3 course meal served by the very friendly staff, we also had the privilege of sitting next to the Mayor of Kettering and the room was packed with the many valued sponsors of the club and some Kettering supporters who had taken up the really affordable pre match packages which are so important to fund the club's great work going forward to improve the overall facilities and match day experience for all fans. George made a speech which was followed by one of the guys from the Poppies supporters trust, who are the heart beat of the club and spoke about fund raising plans to help build a new stand and keep the club moving in the right direction, this was followed by the match mascots which consisted of many youngsters from the Kettering Town youth academy who gave a rendition of one of the clubs songs! and it really showed the community spirit and togetherness of the club from top to bottom. Kick off was fast approaching so we made our way down to pitch side to soak up the atmosphere, and as it turned out to soak up a massive downpour amid the rumbles of thunder and lightning! The atmosphere was building up with a good attendance of 930 and there was the obligatory quick change of ends by the fans to be behind the end their team was attacking! Fair play to 20 odd Lowestoft Town fans who made the 260 mile round trip which is something they have to do nearly every other week! The game itself was mostly one way traffic but The Poppies couldn't find that killer pass or finish to reward their early pressure but the opening goal finally came just before half time with a shot that looked goal bound ricocheting off a Lowestoft defender and flew into the back of the net! Into the second half and Kettering were now clinical and playing some great football on the deck but also mixing it up with direct balls up to former Premier League striker Nile Ranger who was as good with his feet as he was with his head, holding it up and laying it off, and he scored an excellent 3rd goal using his quick feet which followed the second goal by local lad Luca Miller, the best goal of the day was from the lively winger Daniel Jarvis with a wonderful curling effort to make it 4-0. Lowestoft got a consolation goal in the 82nd minute and the game finished 4-1 to the Poppies which sees them now sit in 4th place in the Southern Premier League Central Division at Step 3. We caught up with the co-owners after the full-time whistle who explained the massive turnaround in the playing staff in the close season and their views on where the club is going and the brilliant charity, Team Makayla. We have to say, we had a fantastic day at Kettering Town Football Club, a club that represents everything we love about non-league football, everyone we spoke to, from the turnstile operator, who took time to explain the history of the club, the media team who were super friendly, the bar staff and many volunteers and all the stewards and security who all had a smile on their face throughout the day and the players and coaching staff who all had time to talk to us. This was non-league football at its best, owners wanting the best for the club and the community, a buzz around the ground from the supporters who can see positive changes and a fantastic charity being given a platform to fundraise for an amazing cause. The day came to a fitting conclusion with 'The Fabulous Ukie Toons' singing happy Birthday to Mikayla and playing out their final song accompanied by owner George Akhtar and Makayla's Uncle Brendan who is a trustee for the charity and a massive Poppies fan along with Silvano on the tambourine who does fantastic work behind the scenes at the club and organised the charity day. We know things are tight for everyone at the moment but if you could give a donation to the Team Makayla charity no matter how small or big or even just by sharing the link it would be amazing. Donation - Kettering Town FC Charity Day (teammikayla.org) We would like to encourage any Kettering Town fans who may have lost their passion for the club when they lost their spiritual home of Rockingham Road to give this new chapter in The Poppies history a go as you won't be disappointed! Getting back to Darren Ashley the best non-league vlogger out their, you can watch his take on the day hear: All the best to Kettering Town and Lowestoft Town for the rest of the season and best wishes to Makayla and the amazing charity for the future.

Five-goal rout galvanises Drew’s promotion push! The ever elusive Saturday that we spend all week waiting for finally graced us with its presence again and the Proper Football team, as usual took full advantage, setting off on our travels once more. Leicester St Andrews’ aptly named Canal Street ground was my destination of choice, visiting what is yet another prime example of a well-run community club within the non-league pyramid. After passing over the picturesque canal bridge, entry to the ground is via the historic ‘Scott Bates Turnstile’ which after clambering through, you find yourself pitchside, overlooking the fantastically well-maintained playing surface, something I was reliably informed the groundsman had been tending to since 7am on the day in preparation for the fixture ahead. Just to the right is a small, well kept and maintained seated stand with an old-school, traditional feel about it. This is then supported by the other stands all being safe standing areas, a commodity that any readers of my previous articles will know I am a huge fan of. Accompanied by a clubhouse serving up all sorts of delights, from hot food and drink to the ever popular selection of beers and various other alcoholic beverages, a staple of many a football follower, it’s safe to say the foundations for a fantastic day for anyone visiting are evidently in place. If there was ever a need for a further incentive to visit Leicester St Andrews on the day - with it being the club’s final home game, Brett the chairman was offering fans free admission as a thank you for their support, thus further demonstrating the commitment this club shows to its people and the wider community. The man behind our visit, who, along with his dedicated team, provided an unbelievably warm and hospitable welcome, was the chairman of the club, Brett. Brett has a long-standing history with the club spanning the entirety of his life, having been introduced to the club by his Father and Uncle, who actually founded the club himself in the 1970s. From a very young age, Brett was blooded into the club taking on various roles that have seen him grow from ball boy as a youngster to the present day, where he is, of course, chairman (and not to mention a number of memories and stories curated along the way). As Brett and his family’s input grew, so did the club - progressing from the local leagues in which they won the majority of honours, the club now find themselves in the MFL Division 1 at step 6 and have secured themselves a play off position, harbouring hopes of being yet another step higher next season. Not only was Brett kind enough to welcome me on the day, he also stepped in front of the Proper Football cameras, providing us with an insight into the workings of the club, its long standing history and how things are shaping up for the future. After tapping into Brett’s knowledge and testing his memory (which more than stood up to the task by the way), I was introduced to a man known locally as ‘good old Geoff.’ Thought of very highly by all within the club, Geoff, with a 50+ year love affair with football as a whole brings a wealth of expertise, experience and willingness to the club and the numerous roles he covers. Having worked for a number of clubs over the years, when Geoff says he considers Leicester St Andrews the best he’s ever worked with, that speaks volumes about the club and how much it means to him. Representing the club with his heart on his sleeve and embodying the spirit instilled in the club, Geoff gave up more of his time for a chat with me bringing the self-proclaimed ‘eye candy,’ bags of natural charisma and not to mention a tale or two from yesteryear. Family connections run through the heart of this club, right from the origins of Brett’s family founding the club, all the way through to the present day. Another quintessential example of this is the first team Gaffer, Ross. Son of good old Geoff, Ross shares the same passion and dedication that has clearly been instilled in him. Having fallen foul of ill health recently, this only goes to heighten the commitment he shows to the club, being back in his role only a short time after a difficult period health-wise. Such is the ‘one big family’ ethos of this club, Ross was supported through his recovery by the club, in particular Brett, and as such, was very keen to get back to his role as soon as physically achievable. What was clear to me is that as an individual, Ross possesses an iron-like will and has that all important winning mentality that any manager needs to succeed. Setting examples like he has to beat the challenges he has faced, returning to the club to lead from the front sends a message to the players that in the face of adversity and in difficult times, you find a way through, whilst still achieving the required results. Now looking to the future, Ross emotionally shares his journey with me in the below interview, whilst touching on how he sees the future for him and the club unfolding. The future was a key theme during my visit, and a man very well placed to provide an insight on just how the club prepares for the future in terms of nurturing and blooding in the next generation was the current U14 manager and Welfare Officer, Carl. The work undertaken by Carl and all of the other youth coaches is held in such high regard within the club, such is the club’s ambition not only to ensure there is a talented crop of players progressing through the age groups but also ensuring they provide those who benefit from the club’s fantastic facilities and approach with the right mindset and pathway for all future endeavours. Finding the balance to remain competitive whilst keeping things fun is no easy task. However, it’s one that Carl and the club clearly excel at on all levels. Carl was kind enough to share the methods that he and the club deploy to ensure they can do this on a consistent basis in the interview below. Having been spoilt for choice on people wanting to speak with me on the day further demonstrating the welcoming nature and ambition of the people within to represent the club in such a positive way, I almost forgot there was a game taking place! Allexton & New Parks were the opposition, making the short trip to Canal Street in what is considered locally as a derby. Derby Day is always a special occasion, especially with so much still to play for, and the match did not disappoint. We were blessed with goals-a-plenty as the home side not only ran out dominant 5-2 winners but also, due to favourable results elsewhere, managed to secure 3rd spot, entitling them to a home advantage in the playoff semi-final. Naturally, there was a buoyant and joyous atmosphere in the air as fans, players and staff alike celebrated what is another huge step forward for this great club. With the tunes pumping out of the clubhouse, the upcoming band booked for the evening entertainment tuning up and the good times flowing, it’s clear to see why so many that I spoke with on the day class this as the best club they have ever been involved with. Thankfully though, there was still time for another interview, step forward U18 manager John. Similar to Carl, his passion for the club and the desire to see the youth setup success is immensely admirable - having run junior teams for 8 years now, he’s not stopping there with future plans for himself and those he helps along the way at the forefront of his mind. Also touching on how he finds enjoyment from the club, this was, like all the other interviews on the day, a really insightful and interesting chat. Following what was a thoroughly enjoyable day, I’ve had time to reflect on what I saw and I cannot speak of the club as a whole highly enough. Leicester St Andrews is the heartbeat of the local community and, with their family-orientated ethos, is at the very centre of everything positive about the area. Not only have Brett and his team managed to assemble a competitive playing squad, having enjoyed an exceptionally successful season on the pitch, but they have managed to expertly balance this by providing fans young and old with a local football club bursting with atmosphere and character - something that all connected with the club should be immensely proud of. Leicester St Andrews truly is one of the non-league’s hidden gems, providing all of the above and a nurturing, safe space for the youth, without which they would not have such life-changing opportunities. A heartfelt THANK YOU goes out to everyone at the club for having me; I wish you all the very best for your playoff campaign and look forward to hopefully watching you a step higher next season! Full coverage of the match can be found below.

Another Saturday and another Proper Football Awayday, whilst Dan was heading to Redhill for their clash against Jersey Bulls I was making my way to Leicestershire to visit Quorn FC for a clash against Rugby Town, with Quorn already crowned champions of the Northern Premier Midland division, today is the day that they get presented with the trophy, so I couldn’t have picked a better day for a trip to Quorn FC! For those that don’t know Quorn is a village just south of Loughborough situated just off the A6, arriving at the stadium it is always a first good impression to see plenty of parking, as you enter the ground through the turnstiles situated in the left-hand corner of the ground adjacent to the car park I was pleasantly surprised to see a full length covered terrace behind one goal and a large grass area at the opposite end giving plenty of room for expansion, there was a seated stand running the length on one side which houses 396 seats along with the clubhouse and changing rooms on the opposite side of the 4G pitch with a capacity of 1400, only minor improvements are required for step 3, however, step 2 requires a capacity of 3000 so if successful, Quorn have the space to achieve this, all in all, a very tidy little stadium. Before the game, I caught up with Andy, who runs the under-18s and volunteers on match days; people like Andy are the lifeblood of this and every non-league club. The Kit man is always the forgotten hero at football clubs, in this case, Jim Simpson, and in amongst him preparing every detail for the Quorn team, he spared me a few minutes for a chat. As the players entered the field for Kick Off, the Rugby Town players formed a Guard of Honour for the new champions of the Northern Premier Midland division. With the game afoot, Quorn started very positively, and you could clearly see why they have dominated this league, they were very fluent and played some silky football and after 13 minutes they took a 1-0 lead, the first half continued with Quorn looking the stronger and probably should have been further ahead at the break. Coming out for the second half, Rugby Town had clearly held a constructive team talk during the break, and the team fighting for their survival in the league were fired up and battle they did, and in the 79th minute, they got their just desserts with an equalising goal, and thoroughly deserved it! Rugby continued to put the pressure on and was unlucky not to get a penalty when the Quorn goalkeeper got confused with playing rugby. 😀 With the game finishing 1-1, it was a great day for Quorn and a fantastic result for Rugby Town. Players celebrating along with 88-year-old club chairman Stuart Turner. I have to mention the Rugby Town fans who brought a good number with them; from the minute they got off their coach and out of their cars, till the minute they left after the game; they didn’t stop singing and getting behind their team; credit to them! When your club is in a relegation battle, the fans can be the 12th man; well done! And good luck for the rest of the season. Well, all in all, a great day for Quorn football club and in fairness a great result for Rugby Town, it was great seeing all the kids and the families celebrating and seeing how much it means to everyone involved with the club winning the league, we can only wish them all the best for next season in whichever league they end up in. A massive thank you to Adam Etheredge for the invite and hospitality. And finally, there is no better way to finish off this article; here's the team lifting the league title trophy!

The venue for our latest Proper Football Awayday was at The Kiln Brow, the home of Redhill FC for their massive match against Jersey Bulls FC in the closely contested race for the Combined Counties Premier Division South title and automatic promotion to step 4 of the National League pyramid! The day started by sampling a few ciders in The old Chestnut pub next to Earlswood station and the sheer gravitas of the day was evidently clear when I walked into the pub to find it packed with Jersey Bull supporters with their flags everywhere! It was time to head to the Kiln Brow; as soon as I entered the ground, it was wonderful to see so many fans, young and old, and there was a real buzz about the place with supporters mingling and lapping up the beautiful sunny weather and having a drink from the outdoor bar next to the pitch. My first port of call was to find Sam Foster, the man in charge of football operations and social media at the club after contacting him earlier in the week and he invited me onto the pitch to have a chat with The Lobsters manager and captain before kick-off which showed just what a friendly and welcoming club Redhill FC are to give me their time in the led up to such an important match! The Kiln Brow has a capacity of 2,000 and has one seated stand on the side of the pitch and a covered terrace in one corner of the ground. The stadium was filling up nicely with what turned out to be the Lobster's biggest home crowd of the season, with 576 in attendance! I had the pleasure of speaking to two passionate fans who follow their respective clubs home and away, their enthusiasm and love for their clubs were clear to see and you could sense that their loyalty epitomised what non-league football is all about knowing that their clubs first and foremost value them as fans and not just as customers, a loyalty that is equally reciprocated both ways. First up was Tom, a huge Lobsters supporter, followed by Ollie, who had flown over from Jersey that morning. Just before kick-off, I caught up with Tim Cooper, 'The Lobster', the unofficial Redhill mascot who had contacted us last season to tell us the story behind the birth of the lobster attire he wears to every match. You can find the article here: https://www.properfootball.co.uk/post/the-dawn-of-the-lobster-mascot-at-redhill-fc The League table ahead of today's game couldn't be any tighter at the top in what is a 38-game season, and in a twist of fate due to a rearranged fixture, Jersey Bulls are at home to Redhill next Saturday! This massive doubleheader could also lead the way for AFC Whyteleafe to nip in and take the title, depending on how the results go! The game kicked off and the first half was a closely thought affair with hardly any clear-cut chances but both teams were giving it everything and there was nothing to choose between the two sides, there was a lengthy delay very early in the game which meant there was 15 minutes added on time and 5 minutes into it Redhill were down to 10 men after a deserved second yellow card which was a massive blow to The Lobsters! The referee brought the very long half to an end and it was time to sample the food to soak up all the cider! There was a choice of the club canteen or the mobile fish and chip shop and both were equally as tasty and reasonably priced. 👌🏻 The atmosphere from both sets of fans was top-drawer on the day, along with plenty of friendly banter, smoke flares and banging drums at both ends. Another nice touch to mention just before the kick-off was Redhill's girl's team, 'The Pandas', doing a lap of honour after winning the cup the previous week, which was well received by the supporters and highlighted what a great community club it is. The second half carried on in the same vein as the first albeit The Lobsters being down to 10 men, but as the game was drawing to its conclusion Jersey started to look more threatening and a brilliant save from the home keeper kept it at 0-0 but moments later the pressure paid off with a goal in the 85th minute from Luke Campbell that looked like it was going to be the winner! But as the clock rolled around to 90 minutes The Lobsters drew level with a goal from Seb Tauta-Caballero! Once again, Redhill manager Jordan Clark was kind enough to give me his thoughts on the match after the game. With today's draw, the table doesn't look any different, with both teams still tied at the top and now sets up the return fixture in Jersey next Saturday in what will be another huge 6-pointer! Before I left, I caught up again with the club's unofficial Lobster mascot, Tim Cooper, to hear his thoughts on the game. Finally, I just want to say what a thoroughly enjoyable day I had at Redhill FC, a wonderful community football club and a big thank you to Sam Foster for helping me on the day, from the manager to the staff and volunteers and to the supporters I met throughout the day, you are all credit to your club and I sincerely wish you all the best this season and in the future. Up The Lobsters! 🦞🦞🦞 You can watch the highlights from the game courtesy of the excellent Jersey Bulls YouTube channel.

We thought we'd take a look at the wonderful Norwegian Eliteserien with the season getting underway this weekend. 🇳🇴 This is a league with so much to talk about! Current champions Bodø/Glimt, who have been on a whirlwind of a journey both domestically and in Europe, the small side from Bodø have been mixing it with the big boys in Europe, a competition they are still in and will face Lazio in the Europa League quarter-finals later this month. Bodø have won the league in 4 of the last 5 seasons! Rosenborg, who last won the league in 2018 but do have a record of 26 league wins under their belt, have found it tough recently but will hope to bring the good times back. The club are from Trondheim. Brann, who is a well-supported side from Bergen, last won the league in 2007, but they have had a rocky time of things over recent years, from scandals to money problems and then the unthinkable relegation! They did bounce back immediately, however, at a canter, and last year, despite promotion, they finished an impressive 2nd! Viking, who finished 3rd last season and qualified for Europe, will be looking for a repeat effort this term, they have not been champions since 1991! Molde, probably one of the more recognised names in Norwegian football, was the side to break the Bodø dominance as they won the league in 2022 but have not done so since and will be looking to kick on this season after what was a mediocre 5th placed finish last term. KFUM Oslo, the tiny YMCA club from the Capital got promoted against all the odds in 2023. It made headlines around the footballing world. They had a remarkable season last year finishing 8th, 13 points clear of the bottom two. They are famous for the players having to cross a main road to make their way into the stadium. On the pitch, Same again this time round as they will be hoping to stay up again but will they suffer the dreaded 2nd season syndrome? Tromsø, I am sure a city many of you reading would have heard of, a stunning place where they have constant sunlight round the clock for a month and then in winter, the complete opposite, no light at all! On the pitch, they didn't have a great year last season, finishing 13th and only avoiding a relegation playoff on goal difference! So this time, improvement will certainly be called for from fans and the club. Haugesund were the side to fall into the relegation playoffs, but they managed to win them and stay up by the skin of their teeth! So they are another side hoping for improvement. Other sides who make up the Eliteserien are HamKam (12th last season) Kristiansund (11th last year) Sandefjord (10th last year) Sarpsborg (9th last year) Strømsgodset (7th last year) Fredrikstad (6th last year) Last but not least, the new boys, first up Vålerenga, the side from Oslo, had a nightmare season and were relegated but bounced back convincingly as they collected 69 points, only losing 3 games. Fans will be demanding to see much improvement, though, and will not be expecting another relegation fight on their hands. Vålerenga have won the league 5 times with the last coming in 2005. Their fans are regarded as some of the best in Norway when it comes to atmosphere. Second up is Bryne, a club that had most of its success in the '70s and '80s but, looking back through history, have been up and down a fair bit. This promotion is their first return since 2003 so it has been a long time coming. Their famous fan, we hear you ask, Erling Haaland is a supporter of the club. The aim will be to stay up this year and retain their top-flight status. I hope you have enjoyed reading our Norwegian Eliteserien preview. This is a league that may not be up there with the best in terms of quality, but when it comes to passion, stories and history, it is up there with the best. The 16 stadiums in the league this season have some incredible views which will grab the attention of many fans fancying that European football away trip!

The football season kicks off in Sweden this weekend with the top division Allsvenskan in its 101st year. One of the most appealing things about the top tier in Sweden is that there is no VAR! Also, along with some of the fantastic atmospheres at the big derby matches and the amazing tifos and banners on display, the Allsvenskan is definitely a league that is well worth a visit. 16 teams are in the league, and here is a brief rundown of all the runners and riders this coming season that runs from March 29th to November. First up are Östers IF, from Växjö; the club is back in the top tier for the first time since 2013 after achieving promotion from the Superettan last season under English manager Martin Foyston in what was his first managerial role. The former Fulham scout, aged 42, had previously been an assistant manager at various clubs across Scandinavia. The other promoted side who were the Superettan champions last season are Degerfors IF who bounced back at the first attempt after suffering relegation from the Allsvenskan the previous season. The club's biggest achievement was winning the Swedish Cup in 1992/93 Malmö FF, the current champions, are Sweden's most successful football club, with 24 Swedish championships and 16 Swedish Cups. They are a club that frequently plays in European competitions and, most notably, were runners-up to Nottingham Forest in the 1978/79 European Cup final, losing 1-0. Their most famous former player is, without a doubt, Malmo-born Zlatan Ibrahimović. And Roy Hodgson won 5 Allsvenskan titles and 2 Swedish Cups in his 5-year tenure as a manager! AIK, based in Stockholm, are one of the biggest supported teams in Sweden and were last League champions back in 2018. AIK has won 12 championship titles and is third in the all-time list; the club holds the record for having played the most seasons in the Swedish top flight. They play at the national stadium, which is the largest stadium in Scandinavia, having left their Råsunda home in 2012. Djurgårdens IF, the second of 4 Stockholm teams, was founded 3 weeks after their fiercest rivals, AIK, in 1891 on the island of Djurgården; the club's home ground is The 3 Arena, which they share with Hammarby IF. Djurgårdens last won the Allsvenskan in 2019. Hammarby IF have only 1 league title to their name in 2001 but won the Swedish Cup in 2021/21. Elfsborg, known as Di Gule (The Yellow Ones), was founded in 1904 by a group of 19 youngsters who all were 14–15 years old. They last won the title in 2012, which was their 6th, and have won the Swedish Cup 3 times. IFK Göteborg, who is one of 3 clubs in the Allsvenskan based in Gothenburg, is the only club in the Nordic countries that has won one of the main UEFA competitions, having won the UEFA Cup in both 1982 and 1987. IFK has won 18 Swedish championship titles, the second most in Swedish football after Malmö FF, and has the second most national cup titles with eight. The team has qualified for four group stages of the UEFA Champions League and reached the semi-finals of the 1985–86 European Cup. BK Häcken, another club based in Gothenburg, won their first-ever Allsvenskan in 2022 and are known as The Wasps; they have won the Swedish Cup 3 times as well. GAIS, the 3rd Gothenburg-based club, is one of the oldest football clubs in Sweden formed in 1894 and was a founding member of Allsvenskan and also the first champions of the league in 1924. They have won 4 league titles, with the last coming way back in 1954, and their only Swedish Cup title was in 1942. They play at the same ground as IFK Göteborg along with Örgryte IS who are in the second tier Superettan. Halmstad BK have won four national championship titles and one Swedish cup, with Roy Hodgson winning the Allsvenskan as manager in 1976 and 1979 in his first managerial role. Halmstad is a member-controlled club. Brommapojkarna, another team in Stockholm, are believed to be the largest football club in Europe in terms of the number of active youth teams of all ages; in 2007, there were 247 teams and 3,000 players! They have yet to win a major title other than the Superettan twice, but they have produced many great players through their youth system, including Dejan Kulusevski and Viktor Gyökeres in recent times. IFK Norrköping dominated Swedish football in the post-war era and won the first division 11 times in 20 years! They have won a total of 12 Allsvenskan, with the last one in 201,5 and have won the SwdushCupp 6 times. IFK Värnamo have spent most of their time outside of the Allsvenkan but have been in the top division for the last 3 seasons after winning the Division 1 Södra title in 2020 followed by the Superettan in 2021 The most famous player from the club is Jonas Thern, who was captain of the Sweden national team when they finished third in the 1994 FIFA World Cup. IK Sirius Fotboll, who is based in Upsalla, are another club who have spent most of its history in the lower tiers of Swedish football, but this season will be its 9th consecutive season in the top flight. Östers IF have won the Allsvenskan 4 times, most recently in 1981; in 1968, their first season in Allsvenskan, Öster became the first team ever to win the national title at their first attempt! And they have one Swedish Cup to their name which came in 1977. And lastly, Mjällby AIF, who were formed in 1939, the club has only played nine seasons in Sweden's highest football league, with the first time coming in 1980. They were runners-up in the Swedish Cup in 2022/23. Best of luck to all the sides this season!

The domestic football season kicks off in Finland this weekend, the country known as the 'Land of a Thousand Lakes' with an estimated 188,000 of them! The Veikkausliiga, which was founded in 1990, is ranked 38 by UEFA and consists of 12 clubs and splits into two groups later in the season. Previous to the Veikkausliiga, the top division was called Mestaruussarja (championship series) from 1930, which was an amateur/semi-professional league. Between 1908 and 1930 the championship was decided as a knock-out cup competition. Here's a brief look at the 12 clubs taking part this season. AC Oulu are based on the North Western coastline of Finland and were formed in 2002, this will be their 5th consecutive season in the top league where they finished 9th last term. They currently play their home games at Raatti Stadium, which is located on the Raatinsaari Island, about 1km away from the city centre. The club colours are navy blue and white, and they are known as The Navy Blues. FC Haka was founded in 1934; it is one of the most successful clubs in Finland, with nine Finnish championships and 12 Finnish Cup wins, but they haven't won the title since 2004 and finished in 6th place last season. Haka's best performance in UEFA competition was in the 1983–1984 season when they reached the quarterfinals of the Cup Winners' Cup, losing to eventual champions Juventus 0–2. FC Inter Turku was formed in 1990 and started in the 4th tier; This will be their 27th consecutive season in the top flight; they have one league title to their name, which was in 2008 and last season, the team, known as The Black and Blues, finished 7th. FF Jaro is one of the newly promoted sides who came up after finishing 2nd via the playoffs; this will be their first time back in the top league since 2015. HJK Helsinki are considered to be Finland's biggest club; they are the most successful Finnish club in terms of championship titles with 33 and have also won 14 Finnish Cups. HJK is the only Finnish club that has participated in the UEFA Champions League group stage, In 1998. Last season they finished 3rd after winning the title the previous 4 seasons. IF Gnistan were founded in 1924 and has spent nearly all its existence outside of the top tier; last season was its first season ever in The Veikkausliiga, where they finished in 8th place. The club, based in Helsinki, have strong Swedish roots after being founded by Swedish-speaking students, hence why the club colours are yellow and blue. IFK Mariehamn are based in Mariehamn, the capital of the Åland Islands and are managed by Englishman Gary Williams a former Chelsea youth player. Åland is in the Baltic Sea, situated between Sweden and Finland. The Seasiders have been in the top tier for 20 years and have won one title (2016) and a Finish Cup (2015) and last season finished 10th. Tampereen Ilves, commonly referred to as Ilves, which is Finnish for Lynx, was formed in 1931 and had their most successful season in The Veikkausliiga last time out, finishing runners up and have won the Finish Cup 4 times, last season they moved into their new stadium. KTP (Kotkan Työväen Palloilijat) are the other newly promoted side after winning The Ykkösliiga last season. They have previously won 2 top-tier league titles back in the 1950s and also have 4 Finish Cups in the bag. KuPS (Kuopion Palloseura) are the current Finish Champions winning their first title last season along with the Swedish Cup, their 7th title and 5th Cup in total since they were formed in 1923 and are known as The Cannaries or The Yellow and Black. SJK (Seinäjoen Jalkapallokerho) were formed as recently as 2007 after a merger between the first teams of TP-Seinäjoki and Sepsi-78. After starting in the third tier, the club won promotion to Veikkausliiga in 2014, and the next year won its first Finnish championship title! They have also won the Finish Cup and League Cup once and last season finished 4th. They are managed by Scotsman Stevie Grieve. VPS (Vaasan Palloseura) were formed in 1929 and are known as The Stripes; they won 2 top tier titles back in the 40s and are now back in the top league for what will be their 4th season on the trot, with the last 2 finishing in a respectable 3rd and 5th place. We hope you have enjoyed this little insight into Finish Football, and it may inspire some of you to visit the country and its stunning scenery.

Doughboys deliver the delight on Derby Day! NPL Midlands Division Attendance - 792 Derby day is always a momentous occasion and the Proper Football boys were treated to a proper rivalry as we embarked on our travels once again, this time pitching up at the The Dog & Duck Stadium, home of Wellingborough Town. Thankfully, it wasn’t raining cats & dogs making suitable weather for ducks, we were instead graced with glorious sunshine, adding a buoyant spring to our step equally as evident as the spring-like weather. After clambering through the turnstiles, it was clear to see from the very off that the club possesses an enviable set-up, further highlighted by the Immaculate playing surface, so much so that you’d be forgiven for thinking we were attending a game much earlier in the season. Overlooking the playing surface is the main seated stand, supported by the remaining stands that are all safe standing areas providing the football purist with a traditional feel at what is a ground steeped in history and tradition. Complimented by an outdoor food kiosk serving up some proper footy nosh and an indoor bar where fans can whet their whistle before, during and after the match action, it’s safe to say the facilities on offer surpass the requirements of any prospective visitors. The man behind our visit, from whom we received an exceptionally warm and friendly welcome, was Match Day Secretary and long-time associate of the club, Steve Galloway. Steve has a long-standing connection and history with the club, having started out as many of us do, as a Dad on the sidelines cheering on his boy, who at the time was playing in the youth ranks. Fast forward to the present day and Steve provides a safe pair of hands along with innovative solutions, helping to grow the club’s profile and move forward, as it looks to attract more acclaim and not to mention a stronger following to The Dog & Duck Stadium. Steve was kind enough to step in front of the Proper Football cameras to reveal all about his connection with the club, the challenges the club and wider non-league community can face and also his wishes for the future of his beloved Wellingborough Town. After our glimpse of what the future potentially holds for the club, we were introduced to a man known locally as ‘Mr Wellingborough Town’ in what turned out to be a historical, educational journey tapping into a wealth of experience and knowledge. In my experience, you find this type of individual at many clubs, where they quite literally live and breathe the club, and nobody that I’ve ever encountered embodies this spirit and profile more than club secretary Mick. It quickly became clear to me that we were in the presence of a man who holds this club dearly close to his heart and was kind enough to tell a tale or two on his 60+ year association with the club. Quizzed by Darren, Mick shared an insight into the life of a club stalwart having held just about every role within the club presented to him over the years, plus why he still holds a passion for the club and his role within. Such is the close proximity of these two clubs; with only 5 miles separating them, the Derby day atmosphere was building ahead of kick-off. Burgers and beers were being knocked out and consumed like there was no tomorrow, with fans enjoying their pre-match delights and sharing their predictions for the game ahead. Non-league, for me, is all about the connections between different sets of fans, in that you can have a conversation about a shared love of football and enjoy a pint together whilst still maintaining the rivalry that fuels our passion and love for the game. Of course, allegiances then kick in as the game gets underway, with both sets of fans raucously channelling their inner 12th man, willing their teams to make the all-important breakthrough. A competitively contested start to the game saw both sides cancelling each other out for large parts, with both defences well-organised and standing firm. A continuation of full-blooded challenges expected in a derby ensured this one remained a captivating spectacle - both sides created the odd chance with some decent deliveries into either box; however, with the first half coming to a close, it was a tale of two dominant defences. A more open second half provided far more goal-mouth action; however, neither side was clinical enough to break the deadlock. That, of course, was until a glorious edge-of-the-area strike, from the moment he hit it, found the back of the net as the clock ticked into the 94th minute. The Doughboys had stolen it at the death with what turned out to be one of the last touches of the game and naturally, the home crowd erupted into vivacious celebration. Whilst celebrations of the match-winning goal could be heard far and wide, a common theme kept rearing its head during our time at Wellingborough Town, with many that we spoke to bemoaning the lack of support within the local area for the club. After further probing to understand the data that supports this notion, proof does, unfortunately, seem to be in the pudding - with a town population of approximately 60,000 and an average gate this season of around 250; understandably, this subject kept popping up. Now, not all of the town’s population will be football fans, of course. However, my intuition would tell me that the majority are spending their time following clubs higher up the pyramid; many, I would hazard a guess, are doing so from their armchairs. That then presented the question of why this is and why said individuals don’t go to physically watch football and support their local club. Whilst I do not have a definitive answer to that, I’m sure I’m not alone in my suspicion that the ‘modern’ football fan prefers the comfort of their armchair when taking in their football fix. A person who this description certainly does not apply is club volunteer Amanda. Front and centre at full time leading the celebrations, I knew from observing her passionate celebratory cries that I had to speak with her. Considered part of the furniture having held various roles since the start of her involvement with the club, Amanda far surpasses what you would expect in a club volunteer. Willing to take on any job thrown at her, Amanda really puts in the graft - her passion for the club, her role and non-league football as a whole is immensely admirable. Bringing with her a beaming ear-to-ear smile, bags of charisma and natural charm, Amanda joined us in front of the Proper Football cameras, touching on her love for the club and her leading role in what the club is going to be doing in the community in the near future to fulfil the objective of drawing more fans to The Dog & Duck Stadium. With the 3 points and local derby bragging rights secured, match-winner Tom Laciofano was kind enough to give up some of his time for a post-match chat. Reflecting on his last-gasp winner having only been on the pitch a matter of minutes before securing the points for his team, Tom provided an insight into the life of a non-league player, his love for the game at all levels and how he stays motivated while juggling his football and everyday life commitments. With our day coming to a close, it was time to reflect on what was a thoroughly enjoyable day - we were lucky enough to be able to meet some truly amazing people at what is a club that gives so much to the local community and provides a home from home for fans young and old. With teams right through the age groups, Wellingborough Town and all associated with the club deserve immense respect and acclaim as they provide the pathway for the next generation to flourish. Such is their continuation to the local community, sometimes the clubs that give us so much need something in return - the very existence of clubs like Wellingborough Town relies on its volunteers giving up their spare time, undertaking roles without which the club would not be here. Providing a safe space and solitary outlet for many, it’s time for the local football community to come together to support and contribute to this great club. After a solid season a step higher than last, this is a club on the up with exciting times ahead, so I challenge all within the local area with an interest in football to take themselves down to The Dog & Duck Stadium on a match day - you will not be disappointed. A personal heartfelt thank you must go to the club for having us and we wish everyone at the club the very best for the remainder of the season and beyond!

The welcome that was extended to me and Greg when heading into the valleys on our visit to Merthyr Town FC was truly amazing. "The land of our fathers" truly did open their arms to welcome two Englishmen who immediately fell in love with the club, its facilities, the Stadium and, of course, the fans. Our Non-league day trip turned out to be a truly amazing experience that any groundhopper or fan of football should make. Pen-y-Darren Park was the venue where Merthyr welcomed Chertsey Town in the Southern Premier League South division. Merthyr, who are flying high in the league, sit top and are on a remarkable 30-game unbeaten run. As we arrived in Merthyr, we were greeted by Matthew George, a board member at the club. He was an absolutely lovely man who took time out of his hectic schedule to show us around! We were shown the wonderful facilities Merthyr have, including the boardroom, two bars, the private boxes and the balcony. We absolutely fell in love with the Penydarren stadium, a proper, proper old school ground and an amazing backdrop of scenery to boot. The old-school terracing just gives you that feeling of when you first fell in love with football, a feeling you would not find higher up the football pyramid. This stadium is so worth a visit as a football fan or a groundhopper. You will truly not be disappointed. Looking back in history, in 1987, Merthyr took on Italian side Atlanta in the UEFA Cup Winners Cup, winning at home 2-1, which was a magnificent achievement for the semi-pro side. Unfortunately, the dream was ended in the second leg with Atlanta winning 2-0 giving them a 3-2 aggregate win. Matthew was wonderful and a genuine asset to Merthyr Town Football Club. No question was too much, and his time was for us, which was greatly appreciated; Matthew introduced us to former Chairman Meurig Price, who, at 87 years young, gave us a great interview recalling his first-ever game. As we'd finished our look around, it was swiftly approaching kick-off, we managed to grab an interview with a couple of Merthyr fans (Owen Money 😉 and John Strand) the videos can be viewed below: We also were delighted to have the opportunity to speak to Merthyr Town’s record appearance holder, Matthew Harris ( no relation 😂). He is unfortunately out with a serious injury but hopes to be back next season. He was in good spirits all things considering> It was time for the players to make their way out, and Merthyr were led out by a fan who was having his 91st birthday in what was a lovely The game got underway, and Merthyr had the majority of the ball, but some careless play at the back let Chertsey in, and their player was bought down by Merthyr goalkeeper Jamie Cogman, Penalty to Chertsey. The crowd held their breath as the ref went to his pocket but it was only yellow, I think most Merthyr fans will think they got away with one from a very generous ref but at least it didn't spoil the game, Chertsey scored the penalty to put the strugglers 1-0 up against the odds, as the first half progressed, Merthyr had all the ball but couldn't break Chertsey down. And at the back looked a little vulnerable on the odd occasion Chertsey did push forward. Deep into the first half, Merthyr looked to have upped the tempo and had a few very good chances, but as the half-time whistle blew, it was Merthyr Town 0-1 Chertsey Town, Half time, and it was time for a bit of grub and a pint. The service was lovely and the food quality was good. The photo below shows the sausage, chips and gravy in what we'd describe as a boat of bread! And the photo doesn't do it justice as this thing was huge! At only £5.50. Modelled superbly by our good friend Alan Jones and the amazing Mr George It's time for the 2nd half, where the Martyrs really upped it! They looked like a side possessed to turn things around, and that they did. Cox and Ricardo were denied by the Chertsey keeper within 10 minutes of the restart, but eventually, Merthyr found the back of the net with a wonderful strike! Callum Ryan-Phillips with a worldie! He cut inside from the left and bent one into the far top corner! It was a goal to mark the occasion of non-league day! A wonderful strike and Merthyr didn't look back thereafter. Two more goals followed for the hosts as they took the lead and swiftly took the game away from Merthyr, both goals coming from Tom Handley, Merthyr managed to control things and see the game out well, winning 3-1 in front of a crowd of 1,519, Merthyr fans were absolutely buzzing they'd not only come back from 1-0 down to win 3-1 but also that closest challengers AFC Totton had lost, meaning Merthyr were now 8 points clear. After the game, we were delighted to be joined by 2 goal man Tom Handley, who was brilliant and gave us a good assessment of things! Our final act of the day was to visit Merthyr's memorial garden Situated just behind the open-air terrace at one end of the ground a place the like of which you will not find anywhere else in the world as you look over the stadium from the garden and the magnificent backdrop of the valleys with its memorial bench’s and headstones. I can’t think of a better place for a lifelong town supporter to have their ashes buried or scattered. It is truly an amazing place. A couple of years ago, we did an article on this very memorial garden; actually, coming here and being in the garden ourselves was truly a moving experience. It was a fantastic day, a club on the up, run by wonderful people who had so much time for us, facilities that were professional standards and views to match anything in the UK. Thanks again Merthyr Town. It was our pleasure Gary & Greg

Our latest away day saw us take a trip to Nottinghamshire to visit our good friends at Carlton Town who were taking on North Ferriby in the Northern Premier East Division clash, with Carlton Town still having an outside chance of reaching the playoffs and North Ferriby sitting in a playoff place, this game had all the makings of an intriguing game. When arriving at the Bill Stokeld Stadium, you are greeted with a nice sized car park, always a good start, you enter through the turnstiles which I must say look like museum pieces, proper old school, I loved them! I found out later they were donated by Leicestershire County Cricket Club. As you come through the turnstiles, you have a large clear tarmacked space to the left of the Chuck Fowler suite that houses the board room, changing rooms, Snack bar and Club shop. To the right is the clubhouse, which is a nice size with 2 screens showing football and a well-stocked Bar. The stadium itself consists of a covered area on the side of the Chuck Fowler suite, a small covered standing area at one end of the ground with a covered seated stand at the other end, there is a covered area overlooking the pitch with tables and chairs just in front of the clubhouse and the club's colours of yellow and blue are very prominent around the stadium, all in all, a nice tidy little stadium. Carlton Town is a member-owned club, and the success of this club on and off the pitch comes down to the blood and sweat of its membership and volunteers, all credit goes to Mick Garton (Chairman) and his team for all the efforts and many cases, financial support that they give to this wonderful club. The North Ferriby team bus arrived, also bringing with it approximately 30 away supporters; well done to them! On arrival at the Bill Stokeld Stadium, the Ferriby Supporters did their best to make their presence felt. I counted a dozen flags around the ground, and yes, the obligatory drum made an appearance. A good friend of Proper Football and an absolute Football legend, Ian-Storey-Moore had popped in after attending the Forest vs City game up the road at the City ground; I managed to catch up with Ian, touching on his role as ambassador for Carlton Town/Nottingham Forest and the late great Dennis Law of whom Ian had the pleasure of playing with. It has become a regular theme on our journeys that we like to shine a spotlight on the community aspect of football clubs and Carlton Town is no exception, they have a youth academy system which also encompasses a scheme in which deprived children from inner-cities have the opportunity to join the club and have a potential route to the first team as well as being part of an educational program. The main pitch at Carlton Town is grass; however, they have a 3G pitch at one end of the ground as well as a smaller pitch, which in the near future will become a 4G playing surface as it is currently grass. Once again I found as I do on all my journeys the importance of clubs at the grassroots level as they are not just football clubs in many cases they are the hub of their local community, they provide both young and old, male and female the opportunity to play football or be involved in other ways, and for the young, it teaches them life skills, teamwork which gives them a sense of achievement and something to look forward to, it’s quite ironic that today the club attended an anti-knife crime rally and without the contribution of this and many other non-league clubs many more children would potentially be roaming the streets with nothing to do and we know too well unfortunately what that leads to, so my message to the FA and the government is that you underestimate the importance of these community clubs, they need more support and financial help for a sport awash with money much more could and should be done! I had the opportunity to catch up with Gary Clarke, AKA Boatsy, who puts so much time and effort into this club, all credit to him! Very interestingly earlier in the morning Gary and others attended an anti-knife crime, and we also touched on his beloved Nottingham Forest who had just beaten Manchester City to give them a real chance of Champions League football next season. With the game finishing Carlton Town 1 North Ferriby 0, the table now looks like this: A big THANK YOU to both teams and we wish them both all the very best for the rest of the season. A big apology to Andy (assistant Manager of Carlton Town) and Mick (Chairman of Carlton Town), who both gave me great Interviews, only for me to wipe the SD card and lose their interviews, as they say, "sacked in the morning, you're getting sacked in the morning!" Part 2 Carlton Town v North Ferriby THE FANS VEIW will be released Sunday 16/3/25 You can watch the highlights of the game below courtesy of Carlton Town TV.