Does non-league football matter?

Kicking off on the 11th of June, the World Cup is all footballers’ dream. 48 countries from across six continents are battling to lift the grandest prize in the sport in a competition watched by billions across the globe.

However, in the shadows, non-league clubs are fighting an uphill battle to stay in existence with many losing. Non-league clubs such as Bedlington Terriers, established in 1949, and West Allotment Celtic, established in 1928, have dissolved with West Allotment Celtic resigning from the EBAC Northern Division 1 to restart life further down the divisions.

But why does it matter?

It’s not just football being affected. Non-league clubs are the pillars of communities, helping bring together generations over a shared hobby.

Photographer: John Tallentire

With the increase in ticket prices across the top five divisions, many fans have turned to non-league for their weekly dose of football. However, their support isn’t enough to keep the often independently funded clubs going.

In this feature, three secretaries from three different Northeast based non-league teams a read first-hand experience about what non-league clubs have to offer a community, how they affect the levels above

Ryan Cuthbert is the secretary for Horden FC in the EBAC Northern League Division 1. Like many secretaries, Ryan is unpaid. Many non-league clubs would not function without unpaid volunteers.

Where would non-league football be without unpaid volunteers?

“Non-league football would struggle massively without unpaid volunteers. The work done throughout the week and on a match day by a chairman, secretary, treasurer, gate man, programme, seller, munch box etc is usually all unpaid.

“If the club had to pay them, they would be using vital funds that the 100% rely on for the day to day running of a club.”

Part of Ryan’s job is to make sure Horden meets the expectations of the leagues. However, there are many rules are deemed ‘excessive’ by many of the clubs.

Do the executives of the leagues expect too much from owners at this level?

“In certain aspects the league executives do expect too much from their clubs. Some of the rules and things clubs get fined for are tedious.”

Why is it important to support your local team?

The majority of non-league teams stay alive due to attendances. However, many non-league clubs are experiencing a decline in attendances.

“In an area like East Durham non-league teams like ours are up against Newcastle, Sunderland, Hartlepool etc which will be the priority for many supporters ahead of their local non-league club.

“When these professional teams play away or have alternative KO times it is vitally important these supporters come out and support their local team.”

“A few really good attendances a season goes a long way to help non-league clubs survive.”

Do you think non-league football has a healthy future?

“Yes, non-league football does have a healthy future. I personally think professional football has become far too expensive.

“I would urge supporters just to give non-league a try and 90% will come back and a good proportion of them will be hooked.”

Not everyone is as positive as Ryan. Chris Murray who is the secretary at FC Hartlepool answered the question differently.

“I think it’s struggling the senior game but it’s the opposite case for the junior sections. The kids are playing and getting involved so if that’s managed correctly it could have a positive knock-on effect to keep senior section going.

Not all the secretaries are as positive as Ryan about the future of non-league. Chris Murray (secretary of FC Hartlepool) has been in the job for 14 years and he explains how non-league is struggling.

“I do worry about the senior section. There just isn’t enough money to keep the senior section going at this level. Teams pay too much in wages and end up getting themselves in financial trouble. Cases like this are happening more and more.

“There also does not seem to be the same amount of interest in playing as well. I think the senior game is relying on the juniors kept interest in playing football.”

“Our attendances have dropped over the last few years and that’s our biggest source of income.

 

“It would be great is some more people just came along to watch games; that’s the be all and end all of it. The more people who come along and put money into the club, even if they just buy a pint or a snack, will help the club greatly.”

So why should we care if non-league football dies. Connor Lamb (secretary of Easington Colliery) has watched football around the world as well as experience non-league all football all across the country.

“The non-league game is hugely important for the sport. It’s where a lot of players start out, and without it you simply wouldn’t have a football system.

“Non-league is an escape for many, whether that be by playing or watching.”

Photographer: John Tallentire

“I think non-league is poorly funded on the whole and that’s why there are always stories of clubs folding. But, in my opinion, the footballing pyramid in England is by far the best in the world for depth, and the depth is what gives English football a very good and what helps the standard be as good as it is in the higher levels.

“Many say the Premier League is the best league in the world, but you’ll also have no ninth-tier leagues across the world as strong as the one in England.

“Without the depth English football has, it wouldn’t be recognised as well as it is globally, and the higher levels of the game wouldn’t be as strong as their foundations below wouldn’t be there. “

The best part is we as a community of football lover can help solve this problem. The non-league clubs aren’t asking for you to change your alliances from the team you support. They aren’t going to monitor your attendances.

If your team is away or if they play on a seperate day. Whether there’s an international break or your team’s match is postponed, your local teams will appreciate your support.

Photographer: John Tallentire