[Football] The Non-League Football Thread- 2024/25 Edition

Change at Barnham · Jul 18, 2024

keaton said:
Isthmian league fixtures released at 6pm today

It promises to be a wonderful season for fans of the Isthmian League clubs based in Sussex.

Isthmian Premier Division sides:
Bognor Regis Town, Chichester City, Hastings United, Horsham, Lewes, Whitehawk.

Isthmian South-East Division sides:
Burgess Hill Town, East Grinstead Town, Eastbourne Town, Lancing, Littlehampton Town, Steyning Town Community, Three Bridges.

I begin every season over confident about Bognor's chances, and once again I think this season they will do well despite their mid-table finish last year.
They will begin 24/25 with a decent squad of 14 local lads. Keep an eye out for Matt Burgess and Tommy Block who could both play at a higher level but have chosen to play for their hometown club.
It's also likely to be The Rocks last season on their beautiful pitch with a 3G expected to be installed at the end of the season.
No one wants to replace the grass with plastic but everyone accepts the massive financial benefits in doing it.

Hopefully Bognor v Chichester City on Boxing Day and Easter Monday.

Flickr album of Bognor v Pagham friendly.

Flickr album of Chichester City v AFC Portchester friendly.

AZ Gull · Jul 18, 2024

Change at Barnham said:
It promises to be a wonderful season for fans of the Isthmian League clubs based in Sussex.

Isthmian Premier Division sides:
Bognor Regis Town, Chichester City, Hastings United, Horsham, Lewes, Whitehawk.

Isthmian South-East Division sides:
Burgess Hill Town, East Grinstead Town, Eastbourne Town, Lancing, Littlehampton Town, Steyning Town Community, Three Bridges.

...

Have Broadbridge Heath done something to offend you? :lol:

Arthur · Jul 22, 2024

Crowborough 0-1 Tunbridge Wells

Wasn't a classic but guess it's all about getting minutes into legs at this time of the season. Tunbridge Wells offered a bit more going forward than Crowborough did but Crowborough looked very solid at the back.

Crowborough are clearly going to miss Harvey Killick and Lucas Murrain who have both gone to Steyning as they never really looked like scoring. Ironically the only goal was scored by Jacob Feasey who was with Crowborough last season.

Decent crowd, probably 150 I'd say. Helped by 30 or so who had come over from TW and another 10 that had come over from Rusthall.

Bit going on off the pitch at the club. Apparently the chairman has resigned with no reason as to why. I spoke to his daughter who works behind the bar on a matchday and it was equally as surprising to her as the first she heard about it was when she arrived for work. We sadly lost Malcom Simpson who was a club stalwart for the last 40 something years. On the coaching side Danny Wood has joined as first team coach from Steyning.

stewart12 · Jul 22, 2024

couple of updates:

Ground 31: SCFL Division Division 2 side Worthing Town vs West Sussex League side Angmering for a pre-season friendly at Palatine Park

Not much to say about this as it is essentially just a 3G pitch with a railing on one side for spectators (attendance about 7). The clubhouse actually looked really good. It's brand new and has a first floor terrace bar overlooking the pitch. Unfortunately it was locked up for this game :facepalm:

Worthing Town were utter dross and deservedly lost to Angmering.

Ground 32: SCFL Division 1 side Storrington for their pre season friendly with SCFL Premier side Loxwood at "The Rec".

I originally planned to do a double header with Billingshurst kicking off at 1pm. We got there just before 1 with no sign of action at the ground, asked about and the game was being played on one of their side pitches- so can't count that one and will have to revisit. Headed over to Storrington for a 3pm kick off.

Odd ground, which is basically a pitch with railings around it, but with one of the weirdest little stands on on side. It was very obviously shoe horned in to meet the criteria for Division 1, as you can barely see the pitch from it especially with spectators standing in front. The best seats in the house were actually on the grass bank and thankfully the weather was alright.

The clubhouse is in the building on top of the "stand" and is alright. A few old pictures on the wall, and it's generally quite old school but it's nice enough. No signs of bovril being available.

Storrington comfortably won the game 3-0 against a side in the division above them. Loxwood were one of the wingiest, dysfunctional teams I've seen in a long time. I know they've made a lot of signings in the summer so perhaps haven't clicked yet

Arthur · Jul 22, 2024

stewart12 said:
couple of updates:

Ground 31: SCFL Division Division 2 side Worthing Town vs West Sussex League side Angmering for a pre-season friendly at Palatine Park

Not much to say about this as it is essentially just a 3G pitch with a railing on one side for spectators (attendance about 7). The clubhouse actually looked really good. It's brand new and has a first floor terrace bar overlooking the pitch. Unfortunately it was locked up for this game

Worthing Town were utter dross and deservedly lost to Angmering.

Ground 32: SCFL Division 1 side Storrington for their pre season friendly with SCFL Premier side Loxwood at "The Rec".

I originally planned to do a double header with Billingshurst kicking off at 1pm. We got there just before 1 with no sign of action at the ground, asked about and the game was being played on one of their side pitches- so can't count that one and will have to revisit. Headed over to Storrington for a 3pm kick off.

Odd ground, which is basically a pitch with railings around it, but with one of the weirdest little stands on on side. It was very obviously shoe horned in to meet the criteria for Division 1, as you can barely see the pitch from it especially with spectators standing in front. The best seats in the house were actually on the grass bank and thankfully the weather was alright.

The clubhouse is in the building on top of the "stand" and is alright. A few old pictures on the wall, and it's generally quite old school but it's nice enough. No signs of bovril being available.

Storrington comfortably won the game 3-0 against a side in the division above them. Loxwood were one of the wingiest, dysfunctional teams I've seen in a long time. I know they've made a lot of signings in the summer so perhaps haven't clicked yet

Apologies if I missed this but what are your stats now @stewart12?

How many have you done?
How many still to do?
Will you make it before the end of the year?
When are you coming to Crowborough? - I'd like to buy you a beer (or Bovril) as I really enjoy your updates.

stewart12 · Jul 22, 2024

Arthur said:
Apologies if I missed this but what are your stats now @stewart12?

How many have you done?
How many still to do?
Will you make it before the end of the year?
When are you coming to Crowborough? - I'd like to buy you a beer (or Bovril) as I really enjoy your updates.

thank you for the kind words and I'd happily take you up on the offer of a bovril!

I'm on 32 at the moment. My total was originally 55 but 3 were added in the closed season (Infinity in Division 1, Worthing Town and TD Shipley in Division 2) so my total is now 58 meaning I have 26 left to do

I am aiming to complete it by mid december, reason being that Crawley are at home to Birmingham at some point around then (can't remember the exact date) and I think that would be a good place to finish....that's my aim anyway.

The main obstacle right now is trying to blitz through the division 2 and lower end division 1 grounds before the weather turns and games start getting cancelled. I have 6 Division 1 and 9 Division 2 grounds left. However I think if I did a month of JUST division 2 grounds it would get slightly demoralising so I do need to mix it up slightly.

For Crowborough I really need the SCFL to release some more fixtures as they've only dribbled out a few weeks worth at the moment. I live quite far from Crowborough and it's one of my longest trips so my vague plan is to pick a saturday where both Crowborough and Jarvis Brook (division 2) are both at home and perhaps double up. If JB are a 2pm kick off I could do the first half there and then drive round and get to Crowborough for kick off.

Brovion · Jul 22, 2024

stewart12 said:
...

Worthing Town were utter dross and deservedly lost to Angmering.

...

Who are Worthing Town? Are they a new team? I don't remember hearing the name before. (I remember when Wigmore changed to Worthing Utd though)

stewart12 · Jul 22, 2024

Brovion said:
Who are Worthing Town? Are they a new team? I don't remember hearing the name before. (I remember when Wigmore changed to Worthing Utd though)

I don't know much about them other than they are a new addition to division 2. I think they've been in it before though but dropped out for whatever reason. Formed in 1995 according to their badge

Arthur · Jul 22, 2024

stewart12 said:
For Crowborough I really need the SCFL to release some more fixtures as they've only dribbled out a few weeks worth at the moment. I live quite far from Crowborough and it's one of my longest trips so my vague plan is to pick a saturday where both Crowborough and Jarvis Brook (division 2) are both at home and perhaps double up. If JB are a 2pm kick off I could do the first half there and then drive round and get to Crowborough for kick off.

Strange how they've done it this season when they've done the whole season in recent years. Since we've been back anyway.

Not sure if Div 2 play on bank holidays do they? If they do that could be an option as they will quite often work local games around those for groundhoppers. When Crowborough were in SCEFL between them Rusthall and Tunbridge Wells there would be an 11am kick off and a 3pm. I've certainly done a game up the top (local expression for Jarvis Brook - you don't want to be up there in crappy weather!!) and then headed back to Alderbrook for a Crowborough game in the past.

AZ Gull · Jul 22, 2024

Brovion said:
Who are Worthing Town? Are they a new team? I don't remember hearing the name before. (I remember when Wigmore changed to Worthing Utd though)

Our former goalkeeper Fynn Talley was with Worthing Town before joining the Arsenal academy system at U-11 level, so that would have been about 2012.
The Worthing Town twitter feed suggests the club was created in 1995.

Lenny Rider · Jul 22, 2024

stewart12 said:
I don't know much about them other than they are a new addition to division 2. I think they've been in it before though but dropped out for whatever reason. Formed in 1995 according to their badge

They were entered last season, turned up to their first league away game at Ferring with 10 players, they got dicked, manager, Terry Dodd, quit that evening before Catchphrase had even finished, and so they pulled out of the League on the Monday.

Lets hope they have better luck this time........

Nicks · Jul 22, 2024

Salisbury have just released their new home shirt which in a way has similarities to our Europa League shirt in that it has a silhouette of Stonehenge at the bottom of the shirt.

Pogue Mahone · Jul 22, 2024

Hurstpierpoint have announced the signing of a new youth player.

thedonkeycentrehalf · Jul 22, 2024

Brovion said:
Who are Worthing Town? Are they a new team? I don't remember hearing the name before. (I remember when Wigmore changed to Worthing Utd though)

Started off as a youth football club but then started a men’s team as a pathway for the u18s. From being a small youth football club they grew dramatically and, last I saw, have teams for boys and girls youth football, men’s and women’s as well as disability teams.

They took over Palatine Park in a joint project with the Council and built the new clubhouse which was opened by Sir Trevor Brooking.

I’m sure, like myself, a number of people on here have been involved over the years and as well as Flynn Talley, Toby Bull was also originally a Worthing Town boy (his dad used to coach there)

Psychobilly freakout · Jul 25, 2024

Cracking little friendly this Saturday, might take a walk down, pint and a good game me thinks.

Whitehawk v Worthing.

MattBackHome · Jul 25, 2024

Change at Barnham said:
It promises to be a wonderful season for fans of the Isthmian League clubs based in Sussex.

Isthmian Premier Division sides:
Bognor Regis Town, Chichester City, Hastings United, Horsham, Lewes, Whitehawk.

Isthmian South-East Division sides:
Burgess Hill Town, East Grinstead Town, Eastbourne Town, Lancing, Littlehampton Town, Steyning Town Community, Three Bridges.

I begin every season over confident about Bognor's chances, and once again I think this season they will do well despite their mid-table finish last year.
They will begin 24/25 with a decent squad of 14 local lads. Keep an eye out for Matt Burgess and Tommy Block who could both play at a higher level but have chosen to play for their hometown club.
It's also likely to be The Rocks last season on their beautiful pitch with a 3G expected to be installed at the end of the season.
No one wants to replace the grass with plastic but everyone accepts the massive financial benefits in doing it.

Hopefully Bognor v Chichester City on Boxing Day and Easter Monday.

Flickr album of Bognor v Pagham friendly.

Flickr album of Chichester City v AFC Portchester friendly.

I'm already salivating at the thought of Rocks v Rooks, 13th August

stewart12 · Jul 25, 2024

Ground number 33: Gorings Mead, home of Horsham YMCA for their pre-season friendly with Whyteleafe on tuesday.

Absolutely love this ground for many reasons. Firstly, as Horsham experts will know, the town centre is actually quite far south in Horsham, which means that this ground- very much on the southern outskirts, is very close to down town Horsham whilst retaining a rural feel.

I drove there and was able to park in the ground in what is essentially a pitch side car park. Plenty of spaces but I imagine it gets filled up fairly quickly for bigger games. Entry was £5 including parking and a raffle ticket (I didn't win). You could, if you were so inclined, watch the whole game from the comfort of your car.

I opted against this and began to explore. Firstly, I have to give a shout out to the main stand which is absolutely gorgeous. Having been to many grounds that seem to have almost identical main stands, this one really "stands out". It's fairly big and a little bit raised which gives good views of the pitch. I'm not an architecture expert by any means but it has a brutalist vibe to it. It's in my top 5 stands of the year that's for sure. Opposite is a small covered terraced stand which is not quite on the half way line. Great views from it of the sumptuous stand opposite and the rolling hills and woodland behind the ground.

The clubhouse is pretty big and it mainly consists of a bar and then a separate room which hosts the tea bar and what seems to be a function room of sorts. Good beer selection including a couple from the nearby superb Hepworth brewery (was half expecting Dark Star). It's a good venue, only nitpick would be it could do with more pictures etc on the walls.

On the bovril front, it appeared to come in cube form- did they just stick a stock cube into hot water?! I'm not sure, it didn't taste bad whatever it was but a touch on the too salty side. £2 as well which is above the going rate

The game was fairly typical pre season affair which "YM" won. I think it was 1-0. Not sure of his name but the stand out player was the number 10 from the home side. An absolutely beautiful footballer who should be playing at a higher standard really. Created everything meaningful and one of those players who just always seems to be in acres of space.

Anyway, I rate this ground very highly and it's possibly going to win my much coveted "ground of the month" award for July....I'm really looking forward to seeing some competitive football though, starting this saturday with Loxwood vs Bexhill in the SCFL Premier

Mellor 3 Ward 4 · Jul 25, 2024

stewart12 said:
Ground number 33: Gorings Mead, home of Horsham YMCA for their pre-season friendly with Whyteleafe on tuesday.

Absolutely love this ground for many reasons. Firstly, as Horsham experts will know, the town centre is actually quite far south in Horsham, which means that this ground- very much on the southern outskirts, is very close to down town Horsham whilst retaining a rural feel.

I drove there and was able to park in the ground in what is essentially a pitch side car park. Plenty of spaces but I imagine it gets filled up fairly quickly for bigger games. Entry was £5 including parking and a raffle ticket (I didn't win). You could, if you were so inclined, watch the whole game from the comfort of your car.

I opted against this and began to explore. Firstly, I have to give a shout out to the main stand which is absolutely gorgeous. Having been to many grounds that seem to have almost identical main stands, this one really "stands out". It's fairly big and a little bit raised which gives good views of the pitch. I'm not an architecture expert by any means but it has a brutalist vibe to it. It's in my top 5 stands of the year that's for sure. Opposite is a small covered terraced stand which is not quite on the half way line. Great views from it of the sumptuous stand opposite and the rolling hills and woodland behind the ground.

The clubhouse is pretty big and it mainly consists of a bar and then a separate room which hosts the tea bar and what seems to be a function room of sorts. Good beer selection including a couple from the nearby superb Hepworth brewery (was half expecting Dark Star). It's a good venue, only nitpick would be it could do with more pictures etc on the walls.

On the bovril front, it appeared to come in cube form- did they just stick a stock cube into hot water?! I'm not sure, it didn't taste bad whatever it was but a touch on the too salty side. £2 as well which is above the going rate

The game was fairly typical pre season affair which "YM" won. I think it was 1-0. Not sure of his name but the stand out player was the number 10 from the home side. An absolutely beautiful footballer who should be playing at a higher standard really. Created everything meaningful and one of those players who just always seems to be in acres of space.

Anyway, I rate this ground very highly and it's possibly going to win my much coveted "ground of the month" award for July....I'm really looking forward to seeing some competitive football though, starting this saturday with Loxwood vs Bexhill in the SCFL Premier

Great report - thanks for that.

I played at YM for 10 years and still go down there when I'm not at Brighton (always stand in the small stand opposite the main stand - although I understand they have moved the dugouts in the summer which may affect my sightline and I may have to move

)

I haven't been down this season yet for any friendlies - I think they have one this Saturday so will pop along.

As for the 'function room of sorts' - that's where I had my Wedding Reception 30 odd years ago!

milliepops · Jul 25, 2024

The Southern Combination are involved in a groundhop weekend over 25th, 26th and 27th October.
Roffey v Varndeanians on the Friday evening.
Oakwood v Alford, Crowborough v Hassocks and a home game for Jarvis Brook on Saturday.
Sunday will see Pagham v Loxwood and East Preston v Godalming.

carlzeiss · Jul 25, 2024

Nicks said:
Salisbury have just released their new home shirt which in a way has similarities to our Europa League shirt in that it has a silhouette of Stonehenge at the bottom of the shirt.View attachment 185949

love the design there , just imagine how cool it would be though if the players also entered the playing area to this tune

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