1:00pm Friday 3rd September 2010
By James Colasanti
ECHOSPORT is pleased to support Non-League Day by calling on footy fans to turn out in force tomorrow for our local clubs.
The nationwide initiative means that season ticket holders at any of the 44 Premier League and Championship clubs – who will be at a loose end tomorrow because their games are off due to tonight’s England game against Bulgaria – will be able to get free admission to any non-league ground tomorrow.
So, with potentially thousands of fans from south Essex without a match to go to, it could mean a spike in the numbers turning out for our nine Echosport non-league clubs, and hopefully a healthy boost in attendances at local grounds.
In the Ryman Premier League, Canvey Island FC welcome Tooting & Mitcham to Brockwell Stadium, in Park Lane, while Aveley host Hastings United, at the Mill Field, which is off Mill Road. And in Ryman Division One North, Tilbury host Potters Bar Town at their Chadfield’s ground, in St Chads Road, and East Thurrock United take on Redbridge at their Rookery Hill base, in Corringham.
New supporters would also be welcome to join the club’s regulars on away trips for Billericay at Sutton United; Concord Rangers at Croydon Athletic; Grays at Leyton; Great Wakering Rovers at Maldon & Tiptree; and Thurrock at Havant & Waterlooville.
East Thurrock got a crowd of about 160 for their most recent home game – an FA Cup preliminary round win over Waltham abbey – and manager John Coventry said it would be great to get a few more through the gate.
He said: “We have had a good start to the season and are playing some good stuff, so I really think people will enjoy themselves if they come along to Rookery Hill tomorrow.”
John Batch, manager at Canvey, which regularly gets 300 supporters for its home matches, said any football lover with a few hours spare could do a lot worse than come and see his side’s brand of free-flowing football.
He said: “We have got a nice ground and we are a community club so I would definitely urge anyone who fancies seeing a good game to come along.”
Non-League Day is the brainchild of James Doe, a lifelong supporter of Ryman Premier-side, Harrow Borough FC. Doe says it is a not an attempt to get fans to change allegiances, but an opportunity for them to experience life at the other end of the football spectrum where many clubs are kept alive by the goodwill of hard-working volunteers.
He said: “Given the current financial climate, clubs outside the football league need all the support they can get, so this is a great chance to support a local club and experience the joys of non-league football.”
The Non League Day's Facebook page, has a handy Google Map to show the location of all the non-league fixtures taking place tomorrow.
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