Latest news with #SheppeyUnited
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
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
