I bet at the beginning of the season no Harrogate fans would have anticipated their 20/21 derby to be against Bradford City or a routine league away trip to Bolton Wanderers. At least the concept of promotion & relegation keeps everyone on their toes.

A superb edition of the non league paper which seemed to focus almost entirely on my niche non league interests. Some good bits and some not so good bits really enjoyed the piece on team Bath essentially such a threat to the status quo of non league football that the league altered their rules to stop them progressing ie stipulating all members of the leagues above step 5 have to be a limited company (no stipulation about being well run or based on a sustainable business model). Explained a bit as to CVPM approach to training and why their coaching is also of such high standard. The manager Kevin Watson being the captain (of the 2002 side that got to the first round proper of the FACup) and graduate of team Bath managed by Paul Tisdale who over achieved at Exeter for years. Interesting to see so many clubs tapping into the education of 16-18 year as a source of extra income running football scholarship programmes with educational partners.

Hamlets planning approval for a new ground also got almost a whole page and highlighted the support it got from the council and commitment to offer more resource to the surrounding community. Genuinely I think the aspirations are longevity and predominantly the later whilst being competitive in national league South and fit for purpose financially should they go up.

Less good was the article highlighting the purchase of new club Worcester Raiders (West Midlands Prem step 6) by the owners of Morecambe FC and Worcester Warriors RFC hoping to create a football league club to help sweat their asset, the Sixways Rugby stadium up by the motorway and build a brand through the club shop. A major frustration given Worcester City have finally secured a move back to Worcester after 7 years in the wilderness of lost bar money & dwindling gate receipts at Bromsgrove & Kidderminster. For me the draw to Junction 6 of the M5 doesnt compare with my memories of lemon flavoured bonbons & jaw ache by half time down St Georges Lane and the prospect of a pre match pint of Banks bitter on consecrated ground at the new lane, Claines Lane

-- Edited by Oakland2002 on Tuesday 4th of August 2020 05:46:38 AM

Yep I saw that, I was a little shocked when Ade Yusuff signed for CVPM last week (from Dover NL to Isthmian SE dropped step 1 to 4). Goal machine at Folkestone. The Dover chairman who runs a tight ship fiscally has given the whole squad free transfers. I can see very lean squads & some very good players playing right down the pyramid.

Although it was appeared odd they are two different measures, one consistent with policy on opening of pubs and restaurants the other with sporting events and the numbers attending. There has been a certain amount of wilful conflation of the two to suggest inconsistency & have a moan.

Obviously opening schools is a major priority for the welfare of children and society in general. Exactly how people will behave in terms of social distancing is hard to predict and therefore a subtle incremental approach to releasing and imposing measures impossible. A great shame as non league football with attendances under 300 at most grounds would be very low risk. If I were running a club at step 3 or below I dont think I would have contracted any players at all, maybe a retainer? hopefully very few are dependant on football as their sole source of income but any income is going to be needed just to wash the clubs faces.

I really feel for clubs in the national league.

I heard they were still hoping to play the trophy and vase semi finals, but it is getting very late to resolve.

Droylsden??? - are they still run and managed by a drug dealer(alledgedly)

From the article in the non league paper it suggests that loss of revenue from all the classic income streams ie bar & gate money are the primary cause. Perhaps Boris repealing of planning restrictions may also be a factor, will make clubs more vulnerable to property developers. 

-- Edited by Oakland2002 on Friday 7th of August 2020 03:09:43 PM

AFC Bury have sold over 1300 replica kits(step 6).
Isle of Man FC (step 6) start their friendly campaign with a home match against Guernsey and should get a four figure gate.
Fewer restrictions over there....