For millions of Brits football is a place they can get away from their problems, sit or stand for 90 minutes, and in the case of clubs below the National League, have a pint with some friends and enjoy the beautiful game.
With the global expansion of football, with money being pumped into the men’s game, with every kid wanting a recognisable badge on their chest, people somewhere along the way, lost their love for the local game, especially their local Non-League teams.
As AFC Sudbury manager Marc Abbott said “Non-League Clubs are far more than just football– it’s a community. Without the Support, that non– league clubs receive, the club would not be able to function to its full capacity. We all want more support, the support the players receive adds to performance levels.”
If you are not familiar with the Non-League format, Non-League is split up into ’steps’ Step one is the national league, one promotion from the EFL, all the way down to step seven in the 11th tier of English football.
As is for all sides in English Football, teams thrive on support, whether it’s the famous Anfield Atmosphere or fans in the South Stand at Colchester United’s Jobserve Community Stadium, the voice and noise of the fans is seen to have a clear impact.
For Non-League clubs though, it is not only the fans noise that can spur them on in matches, but the fans can also help the club survive in a tangible financial sense.
Even clubs who are seen to play at a ‘Good Level’ of Non-League football at step three, only average about 640 fans a game, and with ticket prices fluctuating between £10-£15, some clubs, if they do not have a rich backing, behind them are scraping the barrel trying to survive.
With the commercialisation of football, and more games being televised than ever before, these clubs need our support every step of the way.
How is it possible for these clubs to progress further up the leagues, into a position that can change the fortunes of a whole community, if they don’t get our support?
