The Rise of Non-League Football

Not just premier league supporters. I really enjoy watching my local Wessex league teams when the opportunity arises. In addition pop to Eastleigh and Yeovil if the fancy takes me. Just love the game. Brisbane Road or the local rec. Doubt I’m alone in my love for the game itself, following one club don’t change that.

I’ve watched Tunbridge Wells attendance go from one man and his dog,to an average 4/500 in the last few years..

See I really enjoyed being in the National League. We got to see the other side of football life, we got to go to New grounds, meet new supporters all sharing the same thing the love of their club.

It was also the re-birth of our club. We have not looked back since. We have alot to be thankful for right now.

The life of a non league semi pro can be in stark contrast to a full time pro. Not the luxury of attending training at the crack of 10.00 hrs, but after a days work sometimes in outdoor environments, working in sub zero temperatures. Then attending evening training at least twice a week. I new a player that was a roofer. He said it was demanding in away games that required travelling some distance. Getting off work and getting to the game. Once finished getting home, catching a few hours sleep then getting up at 0500hrs to get to work. This in the days when latchway safety systems working at height were not in place.

Life is difficult for many non-league semi-pro players as you say.  Combining jobs with playing has got to be tough.  The dream being I guess getting a full professional contract.  Which of course happens.  Don’t know what it’s like these days, anyone wish to say, but at one time it was tough and often with little reward.

I guess that background makes me less tolerant of today’s professionals playing weekly without a break or shock horror playing twice a week and complaining. Fatigue, pressure and so on.  They need to open their eyes to the pressures of others out there.  They have it pretty good in my opinion.  Paid well for doing a job they love whilst being well looked after and plenty of time off.  End of rant.  

Fair point about the manager.  And it’s something that irritates me immensely when used as an excuse.

But the job loss aspect is something many people have to contend with in many industries.  From the low paid high street workers suffering shop closures to better off who suffer closures, downsizing mergers, takeovers or reorganisation.  Etc.  Call it what you like, people losing their jobs and sometimes no fault of their own.  And of course poor performing employees.  Seen a belly full of it during my career and I doubt I am alone.  

Footballers are not unique, the pressures they face no tougher than many they are judged on their ability like so many others.  However, whilst they are trying to build their career they get looked after even if it’s because their employer see a revenue potential.  They don’t have it too bad in the great scheme of things.

Just seen a newsflash, Tata closing Port Talbot Steel works.  3000 jobs gone and no doubt the ripples from that will affect thousands more in the community. That is tough. A community will be destroyed. People whinging about two games a week need to wake up and get on with their job.  Including RW.