Latest news with #Non-LeagueDay
Forbes
24-03-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Athletic Club Backs Non-Professional Soccer Through Non-League Day
Athletic Club have backed the Non-League Day initiative by supporting clubs who share their red and ... More white colors. La Liga side Athletic Club may be chasing UEFA Champions League qualification domestically while batting off AS Roma in the Europa League, but their attentions are also on the lower leagues as they supported non-league teams locally and in the United Kingdom through Non-League Day celebrations on Saturday, Match 22nd. The club partnered with six teams in England, chosen due to their wearing of red and white stripes like Athletic, and supported them in their efforts to boost attendances and raise funds for local charities and organizations. Altrincham FC, Bromsgrove Sporting, Evesham United, Sheppey United, Steyning Town and Witton Albion were all promoted through Athletic's online channels and were backed by Athletic. Each club who Athletic collaborated with received two Athletic Club shirts to raffle at their respective matches as well as a bespoke flag with the Athletic crest and the Euskal Non-League Day logo to fly at their grounds, with UK-based Athletic fans also encouraged to attend their local games. 'Grassroots football is where it all begins. It plays a crucial role in local communities not only in the Basque Country, where it's particularly important to Athletic Club's sporting policy of only fielding players born or developed here, but also across the entire planet,' Dan Parry, International Communications Manager of Athletic Club told me. 'Our Basque Non-League Day, involving Athletic's partner clubs, is inspired by the British version, and we're delighted to once again connect with non-league clubs in the UK,' Parry continued. 'Previous collaborations have focused on our historical ties to British football, but this year we've sought to create new connections via our beloved red and white stripes. We're thrilled that these six clubs have agreed to work with us.' Non-League Day in the United Kingdom once again proved a hit, with 33 of 36 clubs hosting a home fixture in the three divisions of the National League recording above-average attendances. One of the biggest success stories came from the National League South, the sixth-tier of English soccer, where 8,274 fans attended the Attis Arena for Scunthorpe United's 0-0 draw with Chester. Of the clubs partnering with Athletic, Altrincham boasted an attendance of 3,071, surpassing the 3,000 mark for only the fourth time this season and over 1,000 ahead of the season average of 2,026 spectators at the J. Davidson Stadium. The game, a 1-0 home defeat to league leaders Barnet, was also available to watch online through DAZN globally. Sheppey United were one of the six clubs who partnered with Athletic Club. The Basque Country movement was started in 2010 by James Doe and has now been backed by Athletic Club's foundation for the third year in a row. 93 different clubs across the region took part in the initiative, with the club offering more incentives and prizes for fans attending games across the lower divisions. 86 different clubs have established affiliations with Athletic, and the club's foundation has raised over €350,000 ($379,620) in funds for the non-professional soccer outfits. The local amateur scene is of particular importance for Athletic, who only recruit players who have grown up in the Basque Country territory. One of their most recent signings, striker Maroan Sannadi, was signed from Alavés in January after impressing during a loan spell at third-tier side Barakaldo in Vizcaya.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'In good hands' - Pearce on the mend after health scare
Former England full-back Stuart Pearce says he is now feeling "very good" following a major health scare during a flight from Las Vegas to London earlier this month. The plane had to be diverted to Canada after 62-year-old Pearce was treated by staff and medically-trained passengers. He was special guest at four Essex Senior League matches over the weekend to help mark Non-League Day. "I'm very good at the moment. The flight attendants were fantastic to me. I spent 10 days in Canada, the hospital staff there were fantastic, I was in good hands," he told BBC Essex. Pearce was plucked from non-league football with Wealdstone by Coventry City and went on to play more than 400 games for Nottingham Forest before spells with Newcastle United, West Ham and Manchester City. He also won 78 international caps and later managed Forest, Manchester City and the Great Britain team at the London 2012 Olympics. Listen to full Stuart Pearce interview Pearce 'humbled' by Forest support Pearce in hospital after medical emergency on plane Pearce believes non-league still has an important role in developing talent, again illustrated by Dan Burn's rise to the current England squad, having begun his career at Darlington. "The non-league is where I started, so I have a vested interest, if you like," Pearce said, as he watched Buckhurst Hill's 1-1 draw with Hullbridge Sports. "So many youngsters get associated with Premier League clubs or professional clubs and get released, and are disappointed by that. "What they must understand is that the game is about playing it for the love of it. There's always (the possibility of) a second chance. "As a 13-year-old I was released by the club I supported, QPR, and Wealdstone gave me another chance and eventually I got to where I did in the game. "But that wasn't the important thing, the important thing for me was playing a game you absolutely love, the camaraderie of the dressing room and camaraderie of team sport." A former electrician, Pearce said playing at non-league level provided a release from having to go work most mornings. "Then, all of a sudden you get a little bit of recognition and at the age of 21 my life changed and I turned into a professional footballer," he added. "(But) I always look back with really fond memories of my time as a non-league player, I keep in contact with my old club Wealdstone and some of the players I used to play alongside. They're good friends of mine." Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Get football news sent straight to your phone
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Athletic Bilbao donate shirts for Non-League Day
A top division Spanish club has donated football shirts to two teams in the South East in celebration of Non-League Day. Athletic Bilbao, who sit fourth in La Liga, have sent one men's jersey and one women's jersey to Kent side Sheppey United and West Sussex side Steyning Town. The shirts are to be part of a raffle at their respective fixtures on Non-League Day. The celebration, who first took place in 2010, encourages fans of Premier League or English Football League teams to attend their local football club. The day traditionally takes place during the international break, when the top two divisions of English football do not have matches scheduled. All three sides play in red and white stripes. Lee Allen, interim co-vice chairman of Sheppey United, said: "We would like to thank Athletic Bilbao for not only finding the time to reach out to us, but also their interest in our club and of course their generous offer. "Non-League Day is very important as it helps raise our profile and gives us an opportunity to welcome supporters from other sides, like the Premier League." The funds Sheppey United generate will be donated to the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity in honour of a local six-year-old girl named Joules, who recently passed away after she was diagnosed with an incurable illness. Mr Allen added: "Joules had the nation dancing with the Dancing for Joules campaign that had the whole nation filming various dance videos, including celebrities and us." Steyning Town chairman Paul Hart said: "The fantastic support and link up with Athletic Bilbao for Non-League Day will hopefully really benefit the clubs and encourage people to come to watch a game of football that they may not usually attend. "We both share the same important identity of wearing red/white stripes as our home shirts and we will auction off the tops for a local charity, which we will be doing on the day of the game. "Like all non-league clubs, ours is at the heart of the local community and run by dedicated volunteers who give up their time & effort to make sure everything runs smoothly." In 2023, Athletic Bilbao offered its members free tickets and a bespoke travel package to London to watch a fixture between Dulwich Hamlet and Oxford City. Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Spanish giants make trip as part of Non-League Day Non-League Day back after Covid hiatus Sheppey United Steyning Town
BBC News
21-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
The pursuit of happiness? The race to reach the EFL
Promotion to the Premier League or ascent into the EFL - which is the greatest prize?While elevation to the top flight of English football may bring untold riches, recent evidence suggests it also results in almost inevitable relegation or, at least, nine months of unpleasant struggle, but not so for those gaining entry to League side promoted from the National League has ever gone straight back down, further strengthening the argument there is little difference between tiers four and we celebrate Non-League Day, external this weekend, Barnet are looking to take another step towards a return to the EFL while a number of sides are queuing up for a crack at the second promotion place and the argument for a third spot is intensifying. Bees buzzing for another EFL return Going back to the days of owner Stan Flashman and manager Barry Fry wheelin' and dealin' their way to a first EFL promotion in 1991, life as a Barnet supporter has rarely been dull, Since then have come three relegations and two more titles but now, sitting 11 points clear at the top with eight games remaining, an unprecedented fourth promotion is within their grasp."We're not naïve, we're not stupid, we know this game can kick you in the teeth if you take it for granted so our focus is always the next game and we've got an exciting one away at Altrincham on Saturday," Barnet manager Dean Brennan told BBC Radio London."The benefits of the opportunity to win this title are massive for everybody. I want to manage in the EFL and getting the club back there is my dream - the players have a lot to gain financially as well which is important, it's a job."The history of Barnet is also not lost on Brennan who initially joined the club as head of football in June 2021 before replacing Harry Kewell as manager three months later."I speak to Barry Fry a lot and he sent me an email the other day for getting manager of the month and it's like a sticker you used to get in school for being good," he added."Martin Allen (promotion-winning manager) came into the dressing room last week and gave a team talk and showed me his medal and spoke about the history he created at the club which was inspirational."The club was in a mess when I first took over but with time and an open and honest culture we've managed to get the place rocking." York's long road back Dropping out of the EFL may be traumatic enough for many teams but disappearing down to the next level and into regional football can be catastrophic and it has happened more often than you might promotion and relegation was first introduced for the 1986-87 campaign the likes of former league clubs Torquay United, Stockport County and Scunthorpe United have tasted the sixth tier while York City spent five seasons in National the Minstermen are on a more sound footing these days and a nine-year absence from the football league could be coming to an the management of former Brighton defender and dad of Seagulls midfielder Jack, Adam Hinshelwood, they are leading the pursuit of Barnet although barring a Bees collapse they will have to go the long way around via the play-offs."The group has been unbelievable all season - the players have given everything so it would be such a shame not to see out the last most important bit of work," Hinshelwood told BBC Radio York."Everyone's going to be looking for this last block of games to put a run together and if it looks like the play-offs for us we don't want to be entering it in a bad run of form ourselves, we want to take it game by game and keep improving." Ex-league clubs seeking former glories The names of the other five sides currently in the National League's play-off places have all once graced the EFL, albeit Halifax Town and Gateshead are phoenix Green Rovers are seeking an immediate return to League Two but two wins from eight games have slowed their progress and seen Barnet pull away."You don't know where Barnet's results are going to go so it's not a case of can we or York catch them, it's more a case of us doing our job," said boss Steve Cotterill who clocked-up 1,000 professional games in management during their 2-2 draw with Southend United last weekend."If we don't do our job it's irrelevant and I don't have time to think about other clubs - we just have to see how it pans out over the next month or so," he told BBC Radio Athletic and Rochdale are also in the frame to regain the position they relinquished in 2022 and 2023 respectively while Greater Manchester rivals Altrincham went full-time two seasons ago to try to boost their is the nature of the National League, Southend United, with the highest attendances in the division, are finding that does not necessarily translate into on-field success while Eastleigh, who are led by former Premier League goalkeeper Kelvin Davis, are also challenging and they meet each other on Saturday. Three-up, three down? When direct promotion was first offered 39 years ago only the champions went up with a second promotion place via play-offs added for the 2002-03 National League is now pushing for a third spot, launching its campaign last month."There is a blockage in the jump between the National League and EFL. Two-up, two-down is simply unfair," said National League general manager Mark Ives."I would think the vast majority of fans, looking at it objectively, would see the unfairness. We want a fairer system."League Two clubs would have to vote in favour of a third promotion/relegation spot which Barnet boss Dean Brennan thinks is unlikely to happen."I don't think EFL clubs will vote for it because they have too much to lose financially. The gulf between League Two and the National League is massive especially with the Sky deal they now have," he said."It just seems crazy as you work down the pyramid the promotion places become fewer," said York's Adam Hinshelwood."For me it's a League Three, it's not like it's a part-time league as it was years ago and the gap is getting closer all the time."Cotterill brought Cheltenham Town into the EFL for the first time in 1999 and has always felt there should be more opportunities for ambitious clubs."I was asked the same question 25 years ago at Cheltenham - I was an advocate of it then and am not still an advocate now just because I'm back in it with Forest Green."I think it would freshen up the whole pyramid," he out of the National League is competitive enough but getting into it is also proving a titanic tussle in the North and South the National League North this weekend two former EFL clubs meet with the leaders Scunthorpe United at home to second-placed Chester with a crowd of more than 8,000 packing in to Glanford of those two could be taking the place of Ebbsfleet United next Kent side have won just two of their 38 games this season and will be relegated if they fail to win at Aldershot and even three points may not be enough depending on results elsewhere. There may not be many reasons to celebrate Non-League Day in Medway come five o'clock Saturday eveningYou can keep up to date with the latest from the National League on BBC Sport's dedicated pages.
BBC News
18-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Oxford City receives thousands of tickets meant for Oxford United
A non-league football team has poked fun at Sheffield Wednesday after it mistakenly sent tickets for an upcoming Championship game to the wrong United are due to travel to Hillsborough next month, but the 4,000 away tickets were instead sent to Oxford City, a team that play in National League North, four divisions lower than their city a message on X, Oxford City thanked the Yorkshire club for the tickets, and joked that they would forward 3,997 of them onto their intended tickets have since been passed to the correct club. The message, which was posted on X on Monday, read: "A big thank you to Sheffield Wednesday for the delivery of 4,000 tickets for your game vs Oxford United."It included a winking face emoji for the "intern at the Hillsborough ticket office," adding: "Don't worry, we've all been there!"It also said "don't panic" to United fans, promising to deliver the tickets "after lunch". Andy Gate, Oxford City commentator and press officer, told the BBC: "We do get calls now and then for people who want to get tickets to Oxford United and get the wrong number, and usually I'm quickly googling the Oxford United website to give them the number for the ticket office there."But we've had nothing like this, not at all."He said officials from United visited the ground afterwards to collect the tickets."They mustn't have trusted us," he said the mix-up also happened in the middle of a "busy week" for the club."We've got South Shields away today, and we've got a massive game on Saturday at home against Warrington [on Non-League Day]," he explained."So with the risk of sounding like Mick from Gavin and Stacey, it's not the thing you expect when you come to work in the morning is it?" United Vs City Oxford United FCGround: Kassam Stadium (capacity 12,573)Founded: 1893League: EFL ChampionshipHighest league played: Championship (and memorably promoted last year)Greatest triumph: Milk Cup winners 1986Oxford City FCGround: The MGroup Stadium (capacity 3,100)Founded: 1882League: National League NorthHighest league played: National LeagueGreatest triumph: FA Vase 1995 runners up You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
