Tag Archives: non-league

Nov 07 2021
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Daily Post, Sport

The things we do to pass the time

Saturday 6th November 2021, 3.20pm (day 3,726)

Warley Rangers, 6/11/21

This was supposed to be my last full day here before travelling, but bad weather has meant my flight being postponed 24 hours. That probably means bad weather in St Helena, but my experience outdoors in Yorkshire today suggests the conditions might spread up the whole of the Atlantic, frankly — this afternoon was dreadful, with rain and high winds.

None of which stopped 23 (including the referee) madmen in shorts competing this afternoon in division 2 of the Halifax and District Football League — or me (and about five other people) choosing to watch them. Here at Warley Rangers you are only fifteen promotions, and a few ground improvements, from the Premier League, so it still matters.

This is Wainhouse Tower‘s second appearance on the blog — the world’s tallest folly, dontcha know.

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Oct 26 2021
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Daily Post, Interior

Watching the game, one way or another

Sunday 24th October 2021, 2.15pm (day 3,713)

Watching the game, 24/10/21

The boys watch the real thing, being played outside (Wakefield Trinity LFC v Hull Utd LFC, as it happens). The man watches the TV version. I watch them all.

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Sep 26 2021
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Daily Post, Sport

No one watching

Saturday 25th September 2021, 3.00pm (day 3,684)

Widnes FC, 25/9/21

Saturday afternoon at Widnes FC, who attracted just 77 fans, officially, to the large stadium that normally houses the rugby league team. Even for a rugby-favouring town, that’s a rather pathetic crowd. I was one of them, but this was one of those games I could have done without; maybe the choice of shot is intended to convey this feeling.

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Sep 13 2021
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Daily Post, Sport

The tired corner

Saturday 11th September 2021, 3.55pm (day 3,670)

Tired corner flag, 11/9/21

A 5am alarm call, pick up the car, pack the car, engage in a five and a half hour drive from home to Dundee (a pretty good run, in fact). Pick up key for Joe’s new flat, travel to said flat, unload car, hang around a bit to check all was OK and then…. well, what would you to do unwind from all that on a Saturday afternoon? Something different perhaps, but my habits are well enough ingrained. I did feel like this corner flag at Dundee Violet FC, however.

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Aug 31 2021
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Daily Post, Portrait, Stranger

Conversation with chicken

Monday 30th August 2021, 2.40pm (day 3,658)

Bantam mascot, 30/8/21

As I move inexorably towards my dotage there are increasing signs that I am basically losing it, including the fact that I had a relatively serious conversation today with a six-foot-high chicken in a Bradford City shirt. Sorry — not a chicken, officially this is a bantam. What was it/he doing at Brighouse Town FC today? Well, that’s mainly what the conversation was about.

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May 30 2021
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Daily Post, Sport

End of season celebrations

Saturday 29th May 2021, 4.55pm (day 3,565)

Padiham celebrations, 29/5/21

Rimington FC, in orange, wait to be presented with the trophy for winning the East Lancashire League’s end-of-season rump competition — what was allowed them after the wasted (and perhaps pointless) months of lockdown. 400 people gathered at Padiham FC’s fine little ground on the edge of Burnley, witnessed a magnificent game of football (4-4 with the winners taking it on penalties), remembering how good it is to come together, and not to stay lonely and apart. The kid sums up these feelings.

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May 18 2021
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Daily Post, Sport

Watching through the dugout

Monday 17th May 2021, 8.15pm (day 3,553)

Brighouse dugout, 17/5/21

A photo of several things. Firstly, the football. Clare insists that the mark on the lower part of the dugout looks just like a sheep. Brighouse manager Vill Powell (with newly-shaven head) makes his second personal appearance on the blog. But most of all it is a photo of a crowd, in a football match, in a proper ground. Finally we can do this kind of thing again. And life is the better for it.

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May 10 2021
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Daily Post, Sport

Spectator accommodation, Sunday morning

Sunday 9th May 2021, 10.45am (day 3,545)

Social distancing not a problem at Sabden FC of the Pendle Charity Sunday League. Actually there were about 30 people watching, and presumably most of them went home happy enough after their morning’s entertainment as the home team won 9-0. The main stand of the Nutter Barn ground is, endearingly, made from a recycled bus shelter. The photographer’s bag makes an appearance to bottom left.

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Apr 22 2021
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Daily Post, Sport

Not the ‘Super League’

Wednesday 21st April 2021, 6.50pm (day 3,257)

Brighouse Sports FC, 21/4/21

In a week when the ‘big clubs’ either took the piss by calling a massive bluff, or finally over-reached themselves with their hubris, it seems apposite to put up a picture of some actual football: you know, the sort where there’s still competition, intimacy, and interest. Plus, a nice background at Brighouse Sports FC of the West Yorkshire League D2 (they’re the ones in yellow, and won 4-0). I find it ‘Super’, anyway.

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Apr 18 2021
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Daily Post, Sport

Embrace the crowd

Saturday 17th April 2021, 4.35pm (day 3,523)

Crowd at Eagley FC, 17/4/21

I decided yesterday’s photo was a misrepresentation, so here is a definite example of a crowd. And if people hadn’t wanted to be there, they wouldn’t have been there.

Before anyone gets too obstreperous I will observe this is a long zoom taken down almost the full length of the football pitch. The vertical white posts are each about two meters apart. As we saw when all this kicked off a year ago, it’s quite possible to use a camera to create the impression of crowding where none exists. But it was still good to see at least 70 people at this match (an entertaining game at Eagley FC in Bolton). In any case, the sooner we start to feel close to one another again, the better.

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