Must be nice to be able to watch some footy where they don’t “take the knee”.
columboman707
3 years ago
I only go to non league football now, love it, stand or sit where you want, it doesn’t cost a fortune to buy a cup of tea and none of this kneeling down nonsense.
Great stuff. I remember Blyth Spartans beating Stoke City – the nearest big club to me – in the FA Cup in 1978 with a goal or two from Alan Shoulder. As a Derby fan I had some fun at the expense of the Stoke fans at school. At the time I vaguely thought they were ‘Blithe’ Spartans, playing the game with a light hearted spirit in which cared little if they won or lost.
Jonathan Marshall
3 years ago
I’m not a huge fan of football, and certainly not of the ridiculous and obscenely-financed Premier League. However I used to dabble in the Non-League version and enjoyed it – in fact I was for a few seasons on the committee of Portsmouth Royal Navy FC (now United Services Portsmouth). Happy days in the Wessex League.
georgephilliskirk
3 years ago
I enjoyed reading that. The folk in the North East are the most knowledgeable and passionate football supporters in the country. It is no coincidence that most of the successful English managers in English football (Paisley, Clough, Robson, Revie) are local lads. Is it a coincidence that captains of the England men’s and women’s teams ( Jordan Henderson and Steph Houghton) are local to Sunderland! And I must make a special journey back to the north to watch “El Workingclassico” – brilliant!
G Harris
3 years ago
Given the headline, I came to this piece looking forward to some juicy insights from the controversial Matteo Salvini.
Not being a particular lover of, ‘the beautiful game’, in whatever form it may take, needless to say I came away from it somewhat disappointed.
Mark Melvin
3 years ago
Great piece. Thanks for the Plutarch quote. The country needs to remember that one and not be scaredy cats. Also loved the ‘El Workingclassico’. Wish I could be there to watch some games! Good luck to them all.
Dan McGregor
3 years ago
I’ve also converted to the non league side. Being from South Shields it’s nice to see them get a mention. We were an massively disappointed with the season getting wiped out this year. But yes there’s a lot less price and much more freedom at these games.
Must be nice to be able to watch some footy where they don’t “take the knee”.
I only go to non league football now, love it, stand or sit where you want, it doesn’t cost a fortune to buy a cup of tea and none of this kneeling down nonsense.
I believe the Premier League plans to introduce some ‘kneeling only’ areas,
Nice one, Fraser!
Great stuff. I remember Blyth Spartans beating Stoke City – the nearest big club to me – in the FA Cup in 1978 with a goal or two from Alan Shoulder. As a Derby fan I had some fun at the expense of the Stoke fans at school. At the time I vaguely thought they were ‘Blithe’ Spartans, playing the game with a light hearted spirit in which cared little if they won or lost.
I’m not a huge fan of football, and certainly not of the ridiculous and obscenely-financed Premier League. However I used to dabble in the Non-League version and enjoyed it – in fact I was for a few seasons on the committee of Portsmouth Royal Navy FC (now United Services Portsmouth). Happy days in the Wessex League.
I enjoyed reading that. The folk in the North East are the most knowledgeable and passionate football supporters in the country. It is no coincidence that most of the successful English managers in English football (Paisley, Clough, Robson, Revie) are local lads. Is it a coincidence that captains of the England men’s and women’s teams ( Jordan Henderson and Steph Houghton) are local to Sunderland!
And I must make a special journey back to the north to watch “El Workingclassico” – brilliant!
Given the headline, I came to this piece looking forward to some juicy insights from the controversial Matteo Salvini.
Not being a particular lover of, ‘the beautiful game’, in whatever form it may take, needless to say I came away from it somewhat disappointed.
Great piece. Thanks for the Plutarch quote. The country needs to remember that one and not be scaredy cats. Also loved the ‘El Workingclassico’. Wish I could be there to watch some games! Good luck to them all.
I’ve also converted to the non league side. Being from South Shields it’s nice to see them get a mention. We were an massively disappointed with the season getting wiped out this year. But yes there’s a lot less price and much more freedom at these games.