The slow death of football

I don't enjoy watching football at all any more. I enjoy watching Barnsley because, despite all my misgivings, I care about them deeply. I also enjoy watching England in major championships because, again, I care. But I don't watch anything else. I find it very dull when my team isn't on the pitch. As a spectacle it's... well, it isn't one. I still love it when it's my team and my team are playing well and winning. But just as entertainment... there isn't any.

 

Northern Counties East div 1
2nd or 3rd in League with games in hand..
http://www.ncefl.org.uk/matches/

Just to correct the above.. they usually get between 100-200 fans at games. Although for the "Derbies" it obviously can rise.

Its £5 adult, £3 concession with under some age being free I think.

Its brilliant down there.. I go with my dad and we both love it.. cheap enough for hot drinks/beer etc.. friendly atmosphere.. cant recommend visiting enough.

 

Just to add that theyre at Step 6 of the non-league system, ie level 10 of the full pyramid.
The games are decent, the commitment is total and the atmosphere and overall experience is way better than at EFL games.
Except when Tarn are winning

 

I'd planned to watch a couple of Farsley Celtic games this season, but they've managed to become the biggest crisis club in non-League football and are currently playing their home games at Buxton in Derbyshire.

The pitch was ripped up in the summer for a new one to be installed, and it's still a rubble heap now. The local fans are screaming for the Chairman's head and they've lost 3 squad members this week with credible rumours that the manager has quit too.

Plenty of soap opera to watch there currently, but no local games.

 

Was reading about Farsley Celtic literally yesterday. It's mental. I know their fans are boycotting, a lot of times when they now have a 'home' game, they actually have to travel further than the away side. Just short of 2 hours to get to Buxton for them. It's mental. Was reading about why it's happening and it's a huge shame - hopefully they sell up soon. Last 2 seasons they've managed to stay up on last day of the season as well.

 

Harry Hugo is certainly doing well bankrolling them. Know Johno the manager from his time at Ashford Town (Middx). Loads of experience and a great man manager

 

When Newport County were in financial trouble in the late 1980s they lost their Somerton Park home and their fans were forced to cross the bridge and travel up the M5 to Gloucestershire for home games. This was a reformed club who rose from the ashes of the old regime but their games at Moreton in Marsh meant 80 miles each way for the club and its supporters. They then managed to ground share with Gloucester City for two seasons which was still a fair trek. Just shows how resilient football supporters can be and, of course, they’re doing alright again after years of trouble.

 

This was the state of the pitch in mid November. The summer plan was to install artificial turf which would impact the first 4 games of the season. They're unlikely to play at their home ground all season now.

 

Thanks for posting that. Fascinating watch.

Intrigued by the fan watching the game in a Barnsley hat, and the fact that one of the Rushall fans went off on a random aggro rant at the guy doing the video (clearly not a fan of his channel!) The footage taken at the Farsley ground is just depressing to witness, but the whole video highlights what a terrible situation the owner has put them in.

Oh, and the story about the former player's tax rebate is jaw-dropping (allegedly).

Worth 30 minutes of anyone's time to see the impact of non-league football's version of Paul Conway.

 

With a few occasional exceptions - playoff games, all or nothing last day relegation clashes, or when a friend's team has a big match - I pretty much feel the same. The Champions League especially seems to have become a football competition for people who don't actually have more than a passing interest in football.

What I would say is that of the occasional neutral matches I watched last season, two FA Cup games were absolutely phenomenal - Wolves v Coventry and the Man Utd v Coventry semi final. The FA Cup can still deliver absolute classics occasionally, despite the FA's best attempts to ruin it.

 

Football clubs are now tourist attractions and not interested in season ticket holders or “old” fans. Especially so, the higher up the pyramid.

 

Started going to watch Worsbrough bridge games been to last 5 home ones the cup game against Golcar who are top of the league above The Briggers was a brilliant game The Briggers won 1-0 with some proper bodies on the line and commitment to see the game out the win meant that they got to the last 8 for the first time in 30 years, only to be kicked out for fielding a cup tied player in the Golcar match.

They are currently on longest unbeaten run in the clubs history.

Ronnie Glavin's son plays in midfield Connor and is captain.

The last home game before Christmas they did a pay what you can afford for the game to give something back to supporters.

I find I get better enjoyment from the games than I do from going down to Oakwell.

 

We picked up one star player from Bridge in Mick Butler. Maybe Ronnie’s lad is the next one? What a sight that would be on the Oakwell turf - Glavin Mk 2 surging through midfield!

 

Ronnie himself and his wife are regulars at the Brig, home and away supporting their son.

 

Over 500 at Penny Church.
Got to be honest I prefer watching non league at the moment. Much better atmosphere and just honest good old football.

 

Farsley Celtic had posted earlier this week that they were announcing their new manager today, once he'd had a chance to meet the players.

No-one was expecting anything exciting from this, but they've now posted that the new man in is some nobody called, er, Neil Redfearn!

Very surprised by the news. Presumably he's going in with eyes wide open, but I may have to renew my plan to go to a home game, if they ever play one in Farsley while he's there.

 

Got gubbed 5-0 at ' home" to Scarborough Athletic tonight

 

They actually played at Buxton which is a bit of a journey for a home game !

 

There were a few sarcastic comments on their Facebook page when they announced the game today as a Yorkshire Derby, given that it was taking place in Derbyshire.