Author Archive

Day 137 showcased TTTONLF with Darren Ashley. Today it is with Danny Pickering who I am ashamed to say I did not know. I do know, and so do you!

Christian says,” So this time we are joined by the Non-league Dad (Danny Pickering) , you may or may not have seen Danny across social media sharing his adventures with his two sons Marley (2) and Rudy (1). The three of have racked up the games and recently passed the 100 games total as a trio. We sit down with Danny to discuss what made him want to do this and also what he has found some of the best moments and also some of the challenging moments in making these trips happen.”

Name – Danny Pickering (AKA: NonLeagueDad)
Age – 32
Favourite Team – Barwell FC
Occupation – Plant Machinery Repairman (Diggers)
One thing I love about football is – The community feel around your local club, everyone knows everyone, everyone’s welcoming I think no matter who you support you get this at any level.
Football pet hate – Plastic pitches. I get why teams have them but the football is not the same
Best player you have ever seen play in real life – travelled with my eldest Marley (2) to go see Cristiano Ronaldo last year but Non League has to be Ben Stephens, we finished 3rd from bottom and he was leagues top scorer, joy to watch

Q) What inspired you and your sons to start groundhopping, and how did you get into visiting different non-league football grounds?

I’ve always been into Non League. I’m from a little village called Barwell who have a team that play at Step 3 in the Southern Central Premier Division and so I got bought up by my dad taking me there. Unfortunately he’s no longer here as he passed away when I was 8 but I knew the joy I had from him taking me that when I became a dad myself almost 3 years ago I wanted to take my children. Barwell were having a new pitch laid at the time and so all their games were away, we travelled everywhere father and son and I really enjoyed the different grounds we visited and different standards of football that I took a step back from following Barwell home and away and each week we picked a new place or team to go watch then Rudy came along and we carried on going still and it’s been a really great journey

Q) Can you describe the bond that groundhopping has created between you and your sons? How has it influenced your relationship?

It’s been a really positive experience all round. It helped me out hugely mentally in getting me out the house and spending some quality time with both kids at such a young age. Gave me the confidence with them both to go out and do stuff on my own as a father, and it was nice to just be father and son and show them my interests etc. I’d say it’s made us closer as come the weekend Marley will now ask “is it football day today” which is really nice.

Q) What is it about non-league football that you find particularly appealing compared to higher league matches?

The accessibility especially with the young ones. The cost and the family friendly atmosphere, Pushchairs for example I can go and take a walk round, you’re not tied to one seat etc and you can mingle and chat and the kids also have the freedom to run around and mix with other kids or on their own. Just really welcoming atmosphere and you feel part of whichever club you go and see and people seem grateful for your presence even the players

Q) How do you plan your groundhopping trips? Do you have a specific strategy or criteria for choosing which grounds to visit next?

There’s no real plan, since starting the Instagram and X profiles we get invited a few or recommended games that we go see I’ve even sometimes planned them around a day out with the family much to the partners surprise. We use the Futbology app so have access to a whole list of teams and games every day across the UK so I’ll have a look on there if we have a free weekend. I did however for milestone games such as 50 or 100 look for a special ground so we actually visited the Marley stadium of Steeton AFC to commemorate the achievement.

Q) Can you share a memorable groundhopping experience or a favorite ground that you and your son have visited?

Memorable one, great question there’s been so many, one of my favourites because it was something I’d always wanted to do was we planned a last minute trip to Portugal to see Al-Nassr Vs Celta Vigo and got to see Ronaldo, past his peak but I’d always wanted to see him play live so that one stays with me and I’ll never forget that.

Q) What are some of the unique aspects or traditions of non-league football grounds that you enjoy the most?

I like the fact you can meet most the players in the club house after a game. You see a lot of fans talking to them about their games some good some bad but it’s such a nice thing to see, I also really like the fundraising ideas for non league clubs as I know every little helps. My thing is I always buy a pin badge from the home team we go and see, we’ve got so many and put them on a special display banner

Q) How do you and your sons make the most out of each visit? Are there any specific activities or rituals you always follow on match days?

Whoever we pick I like to visit something in the area, either a soft play for the kids a park or something, or we head to a pub/restaurant for dinner just to make a full day out of it, however since we went Portugal I really enjoy making it into a mini break either UK or abroad, we’ve been Cyprus and Nantes, France but as long as the kids enjoy it then it makes my life so much easier

Q) Have you met other groundhoppers or made friends along the way? How has the community aspect of groundhopping been for you and your sons?

Yes. I’ve met a few. Because I post on twitter and Instagram I get a lot come up on a matchday introducing themselves or recognising me and the boys, I actually went a game in Cyprus with Marley and got recognised by someone. It’s a really friendly community who offer so many tips etc if you have any questions. I’ve also planned to meet another groundhopper next season for a trip to Scotland for a game with my boys

Q) What challenges have you faced while groundhopping, especially with a child, and how have you overcome them?

Simple answer, Nappy Changing. I took a 3 month old Marley to the CBS Arena to watch Coventry City, no stewards or staff knew where I could change a baby so they actually put me in the back of a bar and I had to change him on a keg of beer. To be honest most the matchday volunteers are so helpful. Wherever we’ve been people are so thoughtful and kind towards us we’ve had no issues, you get the occasional “why would you bring a baby to the football” but usually everyone is so nice and welcoming

Q) What advice would you give to other parents who are considering taking up groundhopping with their children?

Do it, especially non league, if it’s your thing anyway, Groundhopping or non league then carry on doing it. People are so friendly and helpful and I think people are really grateful to see new faces through the turnstile. It’s great to have a bond or a “thing” to do with your child. But just enjoy it whatever you do.

———————————————————————————————-

So that brings another “Through the Turnstile Meets” to a close.

Thanks to Danny for taking part and showing the power of football and how it can not only be entertainment for everyone but also a magical opportunity to create memories for life.

I hope that you found it interesting to learn about some of his journey so far and will keep an eye out in the future for some of the other grounds the trio end up visiting!

Until next time!”

What a terrific interview. I really enjoyed it. Delighted to “meet” you Danny and you will always be welcome at FC Deportivo Galicia with or without the boys. We are near Heathrow Airport and Groundhoppers are always welcome!

…. and talking about enjoyment, I hope that you are enjoying my digital tour of the grounds but please remember that the purpose of this 180 day challenge is to raise funds for Prostate Cancer and an equal amount for my local club, FC Deportivo Galicia. As always, I do hope that you are all enjoying this digital tour of the UK and that you will consider a donation to support FC Deportivo Galicia and/or Prostate Cancer UK 

If everybody chipped in with just £1, I would easily hit my target of £10,000 and life would be easier at the club whilst the charity could continue its great work. A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can donate. If you can’t any shares of this site or even this post would be gratefully received. Thanks again, everyone.

BIG DAY

Yes, today is another big day. It is the day when the fixtures for all three divisions of the EFL were announced. Gillingham play Carlisle in what is obviously the tie of the round!

Of course, one “novelty” is that ALL games in the Championship kick off at 12,30pm and ALL games are going to be screened. You really don’t need me to comment on this, do you? Sadly, the match-going fans are again being sold down the river by the EFL. I had better calm down.

Full details here.

Much more important is that two of my favourite vloggers have put a piece together. You will have seen regular posts on here about Christian Obray of “Through the Turnstile of Non-League Football” and Darren Ashley. Today Christian meets Darren in a great reworking of “When Harry met Sally.” No, they are not working together a la Morecambe and Wise or “The Saint and Greavsie.” It is not a Netflix franchise show but it’s a fascinating one-off. I am sure you will enjoy it. Have a look here and if you like it do, please, subscribe at no charge to their respective channels. They both know they are welcome at FC Deportivo Galicia at any time. Pre-season games have recently been announced and all are welcome at our impressive ground near Heathrow. Well, “our” is not totally accurate as we are hosted bu Fedfont Sports of the Isthmian League.

…. and talking about enjoyment, I hope that you are enjoying my digital tour of the grounds but please remember that the purpose of this 180 day challenge is to raise funds for Prostate Cancer and an equal amount for my local club, FC Deportivo Galicia. As always, I do hope that you are all enjoying this digital tour of the UK and that you will consider a donation to support FC Deportivo Galicia and/or Prostate Cancer UK 

If everybody chipped in with just £1, I would easily hit my target of £10,000 and life would be easier at the club whilst the charity could continue its great work. A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can donate. If you can’t any shares of this site or even this post would be gratefully received. Thanks again.

Carol Thomas – National Football Museum

Clare “She Can Kick It Out” sent me her latest newsletter. As always, it is very readable and I am happy to share. Let’s hear her thoughts on the women’s game

News: Giraffes, Lionesses & Milestone

“I hope you’ve had a good couple of weeks. I have a few updates from my last newsletter, so here goes. 

Last weekend my family and I went to Longleat Safari Park. My mum had never seen giraffes in real life, so we took her to see some. Not only did she get to see them close up, with the sun shining (one of the few moments on Saturday that it did), but she also got to feed one a branch of leaves (for the slightly extortionate price of £2 per branch or 10 seconds of giraffe chewing time). We all had a wonderful day and the monkeys didn’t steal anything off the car!

Last time, I mentioned that ex-Lioness captain Carol Thomas was about to send me her answers to my questions about her career. I now have her 5000 words and it makes for riveting reading, here’s an insight into playing for England in the 1970s: 

” I worked for Northern Foods from the age of 15, with a full-time 9 to 5 job and football fitted around that, until I made the England squad in 1974. Once there, they were very good and allowed me time off, sometimes with pay, sometimes by holidays and sometimes without pay, but they were always eager to help facilitate my England career in any way they could. This was in total contrast to some of the England players, who sometimes missed out on internationals due to work commitments.”

Finally, you’ll see at the bottom of this newsletter that I’ve hit the 50,000 word mark! I’ve still got some work to do to get the last bits of the first draft down and then the next step is to find an order I’m happy with. I’m keen to put it in decade order with each country housed within that, but maybe you’d prefer it split up into country chapters? If you have any thoughts, hit reply and let me know.”

News: Giraffes, Lionesses & Milestone

I hope you’ve had a good couple of weeks. I have a few updates from my last newsletter, so here goes. 

Last weekend my family and I went to Longleat Safari Park. My mum had never seen giraffes in real life, so we took her to see some. Not only did she get to see them close up, with the sun shining (one of the few moments on Saturday that it did), but she also got to feed one a branch of leaves (for the slightly extortionate price of £2 per branch or 10 seconds of giraffe chewing time). We all had a wonderful day and the monkeys didn’t steal anything off the car!

Last time, I mentioned that ex-Lioness captain Carol Thomas was about to send me her answers to my questions about her career. I now have her 5000 words and it makes for riveting reading, here’s an insight into playing for England in the 1970s: 

” I worked for Northern Foods from the age of 15, with a full-time 9 to 5 job and football fitted around that, until I made the England squad in 1974. Once there, they were very good and allowed me time off, sometimes with pay, sometimes by holidays and sometimes without pay, but they were always eager to help facilitate my England career in any way they could. This was in total contrast to some of the England players, who sometimes missed out on internationals due to work commitments.”

Finally, you’ll see at the bottom of this newsletter that I’ve hit the 50,000 word mark! I’ve still got some work to do to get the last bits of the first draft down and then the next step is to find an order I’m happy with. I’m keen to put it in decade order with each country housed within that, but maybe you’d prefer it split up into country chapters? If you have any thoughts, hit reply and let me know.

Number of book words written so far… 50,792 …it’s coming home-ish!

If you like Clare’s newsletter please feel free to subscribe and share the subscribe link to your friends and followers 

…and talking about enjoyment, I hope that you are enjoying my digital tour of the grounds but please remember that the purpose of this 180 day challenge is to raise funds for Prostate Cancer and an equal amount for my local club, FC Deportivo Galicia. As always, I do hope that you are all enjoying this digital tour of the UK and that you will consider a donation to support FC Deportivo Galicia and/or Prostate Cancer UK 

If everybody chipped in with just £1, I would easily hit my target of £10,000 and life would be easier at the club whilst the charity could continue its great work. A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can donate. If you can’t any shares of this site or even this post would be gratefully received. Thanks again.

“Lazy Sunday Afternoon,” as the song goes. Everyone waiting to see Scotland bid for a place in the last 16 in Germany. Spoiler? No, I don’t think they will do it!

Delighted to be back at Villa Park, Birmingham as a guest of Dave Baldwin of Papilios Creative fame! Continuing the musical theme, “….So this is Villa
And what have you done?
Another great picture
And a new one just begun.”

With apologies to John Lennon and the Small Faces.

Yes, Dave has surpassed himself with a new Villa Park piece of art. Tragically, I cannot draw a straight line and I have long been an admirer of Dave’s work but I think this is taking it to the next level. Congratulations.

As he says, “Now finished my latest football stadium watercolour – ‘Villa Park’ as seen facing the Holte End entrance. 25 hours of drawing and painting to get to this. Prints available from my website
Use promotion code ART20OFF for 20% off any order site-wide.”

Whilst I am in the area, it would be remiss not to mention Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion. Both of these clubs have been drawn by Dave. Great work.

Incidentally, despite his passion for Villa, Dave no longer lives in the city and his nearest club is Cheltenham. You will not be surprised to see that here too!

Here it’s a coaster but you can also have a poster, a keyring etc etc. Enjoy!

…and talking about enjoyment, I hope that you are enjoying my digital tour of the grounds but please remember that the purpose of this 180 day challenge is to raise funds for Prostate Cancer and an equal amount for my local club, FC Deportivo Galicia. As always, I do hope that you are all enjoying this digital tour of the UK and that you will consider a donation to support FC Deportivo Galicia and/or Prostate Cancer UK 

If everybody chipped in with just £1, I would easily hit my target of £10,000 and life would be easier at the club whilst the charity could continue its great work. A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can donate. If you can’t any shares of this site or even this post would be gratefully received. Thanks again.

New Shirts 2024/2025

Well, they are beginning to come on fast and furious. Yesterday we mentioned Accrington Stanley’s new shirt and today it is the turn of QPR.

You may remember that QPR has one of the most iconic shirts of all time with its Guinness classic. This season they are staying loyal to the hoops in their traditional blue and white. The only thing that spoils it for me is a betting company logo but that is the norm nowadays, sadly!

As I was uploading the image I chanced on last season’s away shirt which, in my opinion, was one of the very best of the season. Check these bold red and black hoops with Convivia, a housing company looking very impressive. I quickly looked at QPR’s away form last season. Mmm, not many win bonuses in this shirt!

There will be more shirts in the days that come. I got a preview of Gillingham’s offer for 24/25. I was impressed. Let’s hope the results match the shirt. New manager, new squad, new shirt. Exciting times!

As always, please remember that the purpose of this 180 day challenge is to raise funds for Prostate Cancer and an equal amount for my local club, FC Deportivo Galicia. As always, I hope that you are all enjoying this digital tour of the UK and that you will consider a donation to support FC Deportivo Galicia and/or Prostate Cancer UK 

If everybody chipped in with just £1, I would easily hit my target of £10,000 and life would be easier at the club whilst the charity could continue its great work. A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can donate. If you can’t any shares of this site or even this post would be gratefully received. Thanks again.

So, today it is off to sunny Accrington. Well, not sunny but welcoming. Over the last 15 years I have continually complained about the price of shirts so it was good to hear of the new Accrington Stanley shirt. It was even better to hear of the great story behind it.

Accrington Stanley have launched three new kits ahead of the 2024/25 season, all of which highlight a key part of the town’s heritage.

The new home red kit commemorates the Accrington Pals, one of the best remembered of the battalions raised in the early months of the First World War.

Groups of friends from all walks of life in Accrington and its neighbouring towns enlisted together to form a battalion with a distinctively local identity.

In its first major action, the battalion suffered devastating losses in the attack on Serre on 1st July 1916, the opening day of the Battle of the Somme.

The shirt depicts the Pals marching into battle, as well as including the official Accrington Pals logo.

Stanley’s new blue away strip has been inspired by the largest Tiffany Glass collection in Europe, based in the heart of Accrington at Haworth Art Gallery.

One of the great expressions of the Arts & Crafts Movement, Louis Comfort Tiffany created new ways of working and glass combinations not seen before, distinguished by brilliant or deeply-toned colours, which are displayed on the new Stanley kit.

Stanley have also launched a new black third kit, which celebrates Accrington Town Centre and the historic Market Hall.

An outline of the Market Hall and its architectural significance can be seen on the front of the black shirt with yellow trim, with the borough of Hyndburn boasting a strong market tradition dating back to the early 1300s. 

The club’s Official Partner, Wham, remain as front of shirt sponsor for an eighth consecutive season, with the logo of back of shirt sponsor, Sundown Solutions Ltd, displayed below ‘ASFC’ on the nape of the neck.

Having been manufactured in direct collaboration between club staff and the Macron design team, the embroidered crest and Macron Hero take pride of place on the left and the right of the chest respectively. Meanwhile, Fagan & Whalley continue to sponsor the club’s shorts.

Stanley’s Managing Director, David Burgess, said: “We are delighted to launch three brand new kits which highlight three key parts of Accrington’s history.

“As a club we felt it was particularly important to respect and celebrate our town’s heritage and we feel that the final product does just that.”

Cath Holmes, a Pals historian, said: “To see the Accrington Pals on the new Accrington Stanley home shirt is a proud moment for us all and we would like to thank the club for their support.”

The new Accrington Stanley home shirt is now available online here  and via the club’s retail shop from 10am on Friday

The away and third kit will be available at a date in the near future – check our social media channels for details.

Prices are: Adults £44.99 and Juniors £34.99

Those prices seem very realistic to me ….especially compared with the new England shirt for the European Championships hitting the £150 mark!

Of course, Accrington Stanley have a bit of a tradition to keep up with shirts as their shirt for the season just gone had a nice story too. Read it here

As always, please remember that the purpose of this 90 day challenge is to raise funds for Prostate Cancer and an equal amount for my local club, FC Deportivo Galicia. As always, I hope that you are all enjoying this digital tour of the UK and that you will consider a donation to support FC Deportivo Galicia and/or Prostate Cancer UK 

If everybody chipped in with just £1, I would easily hit my target of £10,000 and life would be easier at the club whilst the charity could continue its great work. A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can donate. If you can’t any shares of this site or even this post would be gratefully received. Thanks again.

“Ever since I was a young boy
I’ve played the silver ball
From Soho down to Brighton
I must have played ’em all
But I ain’t seen nothing like him
In any amusement hall
That deaf, dumb and blind kid
Sure plays a mean pinball.”

Tommy, The Musical. Elton John

So, today it is Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club (to give it its full name) Apart from playing pinball I have more than a few points of contact with the club and I am delighted to be “accompanied” today by none other than Mr Alan Willard, he of “The Brighton Room” fame. We chatted last night and I remembered that one of my first ever away grounds was the Goldstone Ground. I was 14 at the time and 11v11 tells me that we lost 3-1. Actually I remembered that, strange I can’t recollect the score of the last game. Obviously Gillingham have played them many times over the years, going back to 1921 ……. and at three levels of the pyramid PLUS the old Division Three (South.) It seems strange for us to be languishing in League 2 as they take on AS Roma in the Europa League. Another Brentford success story. Yes, there is hope for us yet! Obviously, we were kind enough to host Brighton at the Priestfield for two seasons when they were homeless. SOME Brighton fans seem to hold that against us. I can only remind them that without that hand of friendship, they would probably be playing in the Isthmian League or similar.

… but back to Alan. He has the most sensational collection of Brighton shirts, programmes and memorabilia dating back to 1978. Obviously he has been through the traumas of The Goldstone Ground, Priestfield Stadium, Withdean and now enjoys his football at one of Europe’s premier stadiums. He has been through the “Fans United” events and everything that ensued. You can talk to Wimbledon, Scunthorpe, Bury and Brighton fans …and, sadly to fans of many other clubs who have been failed (to be polite!) by their own directors. There is a common theme. Tragically few have come through the darkness of homelessness, administrations, bankruptcies etc and out onto the “sunny side” and certainly none so like Brighton. As Alan says, “As an Albion Fan for 45 Years, the best 18 Months of my Life! As an Albion Memorabilia Collector, I never ever thought I would have to find an area in The Brighton Room for European bits. All been a bit of a Dream. For that Roberto, I have made you a Corner in the Room (see above.) Hope you like it and thank you. Cheers.”

Here is a video of the shrine and, if that is not enough, the collection even takes over the garden! Any memories of Brighton? I am sure he would love to share them on his Facebook.

As for me, please remember that the purpose of this 90 day challenge is to raise funds for Prostate Cancer and an equal amount for my local club, FC Deportivo Galicia. As always, I hope that you are all enjoying this digital tour of the UK and that you will consider a donation to support FC Deportivo Galicia and/or Prostate Cancer UK 

If everybody chipped in with just £1, I would easily hit my target of £10,000 and life would be easier at the club whilst the charity could continue its great work. A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can donate. If you can’t any shares of this site or even this post would be gratefully received. Thanks again.

Just a few of Bjørn’s shirts on display – it takes two cranes to lift them!

Shirt Displays

Yesterday it was the excellent Retro Fair at Chelmsford which was as much as a success as I had expected. Congratulations, Greg. Nice to catch up with old friends like Les and Lee and a pleasure to meet Mike Groves for the first time. The Shirt project goes back to 2009 and Bjørn Heidenstrøm now has a hugely impressive collection proving to all football fans that there is more that unites us than divides us. One of the challenges of collecting shirts is deciding how to store them and/or display them. Mike has an innovative solution that impressed me and I thought you, my loyal readers, would be interested too.

Have you been thinking about framing one of your favourite football shirts?

Well, there’s more than one way to show off your shirt:

1. Get Your Shirt Framed Professionally:

You could take your shirt to be professionally framed, and if it’s a highly valuable shirt this might be a good option. However in many cases getting it framed will cost you more than you paid for the shirt.

2. Get A Shirt Framing Kit & Frame Your Shirt Yourself:

An alternative is to buy a shirt framing kit online and frame the shirt yourself. Whilst this will be cheaper than the professional framing option, you might not get the same professional result. Many kits provide a card for the shirt to be wrapped around, before fitting the card into a relatively small frame. This means you don’t get to see the whole shirt and often can only see the player’s name and number, or just the collar, badge and sponsor’s logo.

3. Try The Unique Shirt Hero Shirt Display Mount:

The unique Shirt Hero shirt display mount is a cheaper and easier alternative to framing a shirt. The simple clip and rail enable you to display your shirt on almost any wall in style. You can see the whole shirt and still touch and feel it as well. And there’s the added bonus that you can take the shirt down whenever you want to wear it.

Want to see it? Watch the video here

You can buy the Shirt Hero direct in their store for just £9.99

To all shirt collectors out there, I hope Mike’s product is of interest. Please remember that the purpose of this 90 day challenge is to raise funds for Prostate Cancer and an equal amount for my local club, FC Deportivo Galicia. As always, I hope that you are all enjoying this digital tour of the UK and that you will consider a donation to support FC Deportivo Galicia and/or Prostate Cancer UK 

If everybody chipped in with just £1, I would easily hit my target of £10,000 and life would be easier at the club whilst the charity could continue its great work. A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can donate. If you can’t any shares of this site or even this post would be gratefully received. Thanks again.

I had intended to give an update from Morecambe FC today but the situation is still so unclear that I am not sure I can give a meaningful overview. “Maybe tomorrow,” as the song goes!

So, with the wonders of digital technology, it’s off to Essex where I have received the final details for this Sunday’s event.

The organiser, Greg Lansdowne says,

“With just a few days to go until the Essex Retro Football & Cricket Show, I wanted to confirm a few of the key details: 

Address: The Cloud County Ground (the pavilion), New Writtle St, Chelmsford CM2 0PG

Times: 10.30am-2.00pm, Sunday 9th June 2024

Visitors coming on foot: the River Gate entrance is no longer open on a non-matchday so entrance will be via the main gate on New Writtle Street.

Visitors coming by car: A steward will  be at the main gate on New Writtle Street until midday, so car parking is free up to then if you say you are attending the event and give your registration number.

Special guest Graham Gooch is due to arrive around 11.30am and will be signing cards for a new Futera multi-sport collection from approximately midday, as well as taking part in a Q & A.

There will be 19 stallholders and the Essex Cricket Museum is open on the day, featuring a special Nasser Hussain exhibition.

A licensed bar will be open throughout the event, providing drinks and snacks.

Please do spread the word and here’s to a fine day of sporting nostalgia.”

I shall be there and hope to see many of you there too.

In the meantime, kindly remember that the purpose of this 90 day challenge is to raise funds for Prostate Cancer and an equal amount for my local club, FC Deportivo Galicia. As always, I hope that you are all enjoying this digital tour of the UK and that you will consider a donation to support FC Deportivo Galicia and/or Prostate Cancer UK 

If everybody chipped in with just £1, I would easily hit my target of £10,000 and life would be easier at the club whilst the charity could continue its great work. A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can donate. If you can’t any shares of this site or even this post would be gratefully received. Thanks again.

When I set out 129 days ago and after 60+ years of involvement in football in the UK, I was clear I still had a lot to learn. The 2010 cycle tour to the 92 grounds of England and Wales had taught me a lot, more than a thousand games at several hundred grounds and copious reading for more than half a century had also helped me to understand some of the reality of football in the UK. I am always happy to learn more.

I was delighted to see that “Twenty Football Towns” by Steve Leach was available again from Stanchion Books. I commend his thoughts on twenty towns that make up half the clubs of the UK. Stanchion say,

” In our world of global superstar footballers, it’s easy to forget the grassroots of a sport where loyalty to a hometown club is often rock solid – and counts for everything. Even as local communities come under threat, football fandom still pulls us together. But why is this? What is the special magic that connects towns and teams? For many of us, the local club offers it all: passion, hope, heartache, drama.

And a sense of belonging. The town where we grew up and all the places we’ve lived are the bedrock of our lives, and memories of seeing the local team play are inextricably intertwined with our sense of place and identity. Steve Leach spends a year visiting the twenty towns and clubs that are special to him.

He celebrates the distinctiveness of these places, the fascinating differences between Lincoln and Leyton, Barrow and Birmingham, Macclesfield and Morecambe – towns and teams that may not be glamorous, but they are unique and, more importantly, they are home.

The author:

Steve Leach grew up in Stockport and has lived in a number of towns and cities, mainly in the North of England, whilst pursuing a career in education. In all the places he’s lived and worked, football has provided a common thread. He’s spent many a windswept Saturday afternoon on terraces from Barrow to Birmingham, Liverpool to Leyton.”

This week I will be writing about Southend and Morecambe. I wonder whether Steve would agree!

In the meantime, kindly remember that the purpose of this 90 day challenge is to raise funds for Prostate Cancer and an equal amount for my local club, FC Deportivo Galicia. As always, I hope that you are all enjoying this tour of the UK and that you will consider a donation to support FC Deportivo Galicia and/or Prostate Cancer UK 

If everybody chipped in with just £1, I would easily hit my target of £10,000 and life would be easier at the club whilst the charity could continue its great work. A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can donate. If you can’t any shares of this site or even this post would be gratefully received. Thanks again.

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