Bill Curry Posted September 23, 2020 Share Posted September 23, 2020 Hi all, Just a suggestion for all of those missing their fix of live football, why not get down and watch your local non-league team. At the moment I think they are allowed to have 15% of their ground capacity which usually works out around 400 or so at a NPL (Northern Premier) ground and leagues below. Its cheap too - around a tenner is usual, £5 concessions and under 14s usually free . Couple of pints before the game, real football where you can stand pitchside and hear the bones break, a pie and chips at half time for next to nowt and a couple of pints after, all socially distanced, of course. What more could you ask for? I've watched non-league off and on for many,many years having been unable to afford to watch the Rams. For the last few seasons I've had a season ticket at Belper Town but I also watch Belper United, Matlock Town, Mickleover Sports, Buxton (occasionally) Heanor Town (occasionally) and Alfreton Town, although the latter, being in the National League aren't allowed spectators at the moment. I know it won't be the standard you're used to, but no matter what the ability level, get two teams of equal ability and you'll get a good game. It really is worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rammeister Posted September 24, 2020 Share Posted September 24, 2020 All off to Forest then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angieram Posted September 24, 2020 Share Posted September 24, 2020 7 hours ago, Bill Curry said: Hi all, Just a suggestion for all of those missing their fix of live football, why not get down and watch your local non-league team. At the moment I think they are allowed to have 15% of their ground capacity which usually works out around 400 or so at a NPL (Northern Premier) ground and leagues below. Its cheap too - around a tenner is usual, £5 concessions and under 14s usually free . Couple of pints before the game, real football where you can stand pitchside and hear the bones break, a pie and chips at half time for next to nowt and a couple of pints after, all socially distanced, of course. What more could you ask for? I've watched non-league off and on for many,many years having been unable to afford to watch the Rams. For the last few seasons I've had a season ticket at Belper Town but I also watch Belper United, Matlock Town, Mickleover Sports, Buxton (occasionally) Heanor Town (occasionally) and Alfreton Town, although the latter, being in the National League aren't allowed spectators at the moment. I know it won't be the standard you're used to, but no matter what the ability level, get two teams of equal ability and you'll get a good game. It really is worth it. I watch Alfreton a couple of times a season still, so sad they aren't allowed fans. I enjoy seeing folks I know and wandering around the perimeter for different views of the game. I am not sure whether I identify enough with any other local team to go to see them, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boycie Posted September 24, 2020 Share Posted September 24, 2020 I’ve been asked to help sponsor Belper Town with a pitch side Ad board. I thought he was winding me up, but yes, the non league can still be attended by small crowds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millenniumram Posted September 24, 2020 Share Posted September 24, 2020 Good idea to be fair. We already watch non league defending every weekend, so probably won’t notice the difference ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Srg Posted September 24, 2020 Share Posted September 24, 2020 I have a Belper season ticket this year in lieu of Derby games. They’re running with a limit of 400 fans, which they used to get usually between 300 and 500 anyway, other than the 750 against Ilkeston. First home game of the season was announced as 398 attendance. The great news is the league has a ticket app now so you can buy ahead of time rather than pay on the gate, also has an app to pre order half time drinks and food. It’s all being run fantastically well and I’m so pleased they’ve not been stopped allowing fans this week by the government. If anyone is interested, they’re at home Saturday too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sage Posted September 24, 2020 Share Posted September 24, 2020 3 minutes ago, Srg said: I have a Belper season ticket this year in lieu of Derby games. They’re running with a limit of 400 fans, which they used to get usually between 300 and 500 anyway, other than the 750 against Ilkeston. First home game of the season was announced as 398 attendance. The great news is the league has a ticket app now so you can buy ahead of time rather than pay on the gate, also has an app to pre order half time drinks and food. It’s all being run fantastically well and I’m so pleased they’ve not been stopped allowing fans this week by the government. If anyone is interested, they’re at home Saturday too. Same time as the Derby game? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Srg Posted September 24, 2020 Share Posted September 24, 2020 1 minute ago, sage said: Same time as the Derby game? Yep, usually that’s a downside but given the last few games, it’s probably a blessing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sage Posted September 24, 2020 Share Posted September 24, 2020 Just now, Srg said: Yep, usually that’s a downside but given the last few games, it’s probably a blessing. I will go down there if it doesn't clash. Glutton for punishment me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irobinson Posted September 24, 2020 Share Posted September 24, 2020 We’ll be there soon lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Srg Posted September 24, 2020 Share Posted September 24, 2020 4 minutes ago, sage said: I will go down there if it doesn't clash. Glutton for punishment me. Next two home games are Tuesday 6th and Saturday 10th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rampage Posted September 24, 2020 Share Posted September 24, 2020 8 hours ago, Bill Curry said: Hi all, Just a suggestion for all of those missing their fix of live football, why not get down and watch your local non-league team. At the moment I think they are allowed to have 15% of their ground capacity which usually works out around 400 or so at a NPL (Northern Premier) ground and leagues below. Its cheap too - around a tenner is usual, £5 concessions and under 14s usually free . Couple of pints before the game, real football where you can stand pitchside and hear the bones break, a pie and chips at half time for next to nowt and a couple of pints after, all socially distanced, of course. What more could you ask for? I've watched non-league off and on for many,many years having been unable to afford to watch the Rams. For the last few seasons I've had a season ticket at Belper Town but I also watch Belper United, Matlock Town, Mickleover Sports, Buxton (occasionally) Heanor Town (occasionally) and Alfreton Town, although the latter, being in the National League aren't allowed spectators at the moment. I know it won't be the standard you're used to, but no matter what the ability level, get two teams of equal ability and you'll get a good game. It really is worth it. Drove by our local non league ground last week. No visible difference at turnstiles and nearby area preCovid or Covid era. Not for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbo jones Posted September 24, 2020 Share Posted September 24, 2020 25 minutes ago, Srg said: I have a Belper season ticket this year in lieu of Derby games. They’re running with a limit of 400 fans, which they used to get usually between 300 and 500 anyway, other than the 750 against Ilkeston. First home game of the season was announced as 398 attendance. The great news is the league has a ticket app now so you can buy ahead of time rather than pay on the gate, also has an app to pre order half time drinks and food. It’s all being run fantastically well and I’m so pleased they’ve not been stopped allowing fans this week by the government. If anyone is interested, they’re at home Saturday too. Ooo I didn’t know about the ticket app, I’ll have to look into it. I’ve been saying ill pop down to a game for the last 7 years ? buying a ticket in advance might make it happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Srg Posted September 24, 2020 Share Posted September 24, 2020 4 minutes ago, jimbo jones said: Ooo I didn’t know about the ticket app, I’ll have to look into it. I’ve been saying ill pop down to a game for the last 7 years ? buying a ticket in advance might make it happen. It’s a great app. You can add the ticket to your apple wallet, and it’s the same app for home and away games. In a weird way, Coronavirus has brought non-league into the modern day. In fact, that’s more high-tech than Derby!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Brolly Posted September 24, 2020 Share Posted September 24, 2020 9 hours ago, Bill Curry said: I know it won't be the standard you're used to, Yeah probably a bit better than what we're used to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Scarlet Pimpernel Posted September 24, 2020 Share Posted September 24, 2020 Not sure if I have misunderstood but at non league football you can gather 400 people together with no social distancing measures? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rample Posted September 24, 2020 Share Posted September 24, 2020 Not watched non-league football since Burton were down there. Not as poor a standard as you'd think and always interesting players popping up on team sheets, whether its ex Derby or some former Premiership/Championship player. Terraces are a nice throwback too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Curry Posted September 24, 2020 Author Share Posted September 24, 2020 46 minutes ago, The Scarlet Pimpernel said: Not sure if I have misunderstood but at non league football you can gather 400 people together with no social distancing measures? No, its socially distanced. In the small stand you need two empty seats to the left of you and two to the front unless you are in a "bubble" with your own family members. You can stand socially distanced around the pitch. Guidance says that if you need to move during the game then you should turn away from anyone you are passing. Police Community Support Officers did a walk round during the first game of the season and said they intended to keep it up for other games. It works very well - believe me and it feels safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Van der MoodHoover Posted September 24, 2020 Share Posted September 24, 2020 1 hour ago, sage said: I will go down there if it doesn't clash. Glutton for punishment me. Where were you? Where were you? Where were you in 82? Where were youuu in 82..? 66 of us at Belper to watch the home classic against Heanor. 0-0..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Curry Posted September 24, 2020 Author Share Posted September 24, 2020 51 minutes ago, Rample said: Not watched non-league football since Burton were down there. Not as poor a standard as you'd think and always interesting players popping up on team sheets, whether its ex Derby or some former Premiership/Championship player. Terraces are a nice throwback too. Indeed - I had the pleasure last season of a brief chat with former Ram Robin Van Der Laan, who manages Newcastle Town in the same league as Belper Town. Sad to say he walks with the aid of stick now and looks in some pain while he's walking. Seen others too - who remembers Nathan Tyson? He was in the Chesterfield squad for their friendly at Belper. Didn't get a game through. I wonder why? Harvey Kozluk plays at Belper too, dad Rob is often there too, offering advice and guidance to the lad. Its all good fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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