• S9 Ep20: 20th December 2024 - Worcester City and Street FC
    Dec 20 2024
    Christmas is nearly here and while some focus on the presents, we concentrate on the presence. We are by the fans for the fans so we love stories that embrace fans and their enjoyment of the game. We welcome back to the show old friend of the show Tim Harris, he’s been a player, manager, coach, General Manager and Director of Football at many clubs over the years, but after an 18 month stint as manager at Worcester City he seems very settled since his move upstairs onto the board as Director of Football there and very pleased at the club’s latest move to sign a groundshare at Sixways stadium famed for hosting Rugby in the town as he explains.

    If ever a tale exemplified the power of the non league family, it’s Harry Foster’s. Now banging in the goals for Street FC in the Western League he’s seen clubs rally round of all colours and creed to support a charitable walk this weekend to the local Somerset derby at Shepton Mallet, raising funds for a charity that has provided support to him and his family since the sudden death of their young daughter just over a year ago.

    Matt Badcock returns to the show this week providing insight and knowledge on the week’s non league news and what we can expect in this weekend’s final pre-Christmas issue of the Non League Paper.


    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 3 mins
  • S9 Ep19: 13th December 2024 - Truro City & Crook Town
    Dec 13 2024
    As Christmas approaches even managers seem to give more credance to the divisional tables. Our first guest this week is no stranger to topping tables, having famously secured promotion back to the Football League with a then much troubled Macclesfield Town. In at a new club this season, with a new ground John Askey finds himself top of a very tight National South but is taking nothing for granted.

    Storm Darragh hit the FA Vase programme last week, so we take take the opportunity to preview another tie, that will have a second attempt at running this weekend. Crook Town has plenty of heritage as we will hear but also now one of the youngest Chairman they have ever had. That’s not holding Chris MacDonald back nor his multitude of ideas as the club aim to progress on and off the field.

    Jon Couch is back rounding up the week’s news. More managerial moves, FA Vase and FA Trophy and what to buy non league fans for Christmas

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 7 mins
  • S9 Ep18: 06th December 2024 - FA Vase 3, FA Trophy 3 and Northampton ON Chenecks
    Dec 6 2024
    The FA Vase and the FA Trophy reach the third round this weekend. That’s 64 clubs in 32 ties in each competition. Phil Annets is on hand thankfully with both hats on @fatrophyfacts and @favasefactfile to give us the runners the riders and the history makers taking part.

    One chairman who has already seen this club make history in the competition this year is Edwin Slinn. Northampton ON Chenecks is effectively his schoolboy club, and as he explains, there is a fantastic tale behind their name. A home tie awaits, and there is lots to play for, but Wembley is just a few short hops away.

    Jon Couch rounds up the week’s news. There’s plenty of FA Cup reaction coming in this weekend’s Non-League paper, but as we discuss, there will be plenty from the Vase, the Trophy, the league, and more managerial movements if we can beat Storm Darragh.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 4 mins
  • S9 Ep17: 29th November 2024 - FA Cup 2 and Wealdstone
    Nov 29 2024
    The FA Cup Second Round is here. A round of magic for all involved. A chance to shine, create memories and history but also in much part because of the carrot of the big boys if the Third Round can be reached.

    9 non league sides in action this weekend and all miss each other so 9 chances for Cupsets, or maybe 9 chances for non league heartbreak. We talk with Phil Annets in @facupfactfile mode to tap into his knowledge and insight into the greatest cup competition in the world.

    With a bucket full of FA cup memories already, Wealdstone assistant boss Paul Hughes is hoping his sides Saturday morning kick off will be another one to add. A local derby for the National Leaguers against Top of Division One Wycombe Wanderers. He admits it wont be easy but having trained with and under some of the best, made his own magical memories and seen his side hit form inspired by the community around it, maybe this is another one for the pot.

    Matt Badcock returns to head up out Non League paper round-up. Of course there is FA Cup focus but there’s weather talk, teams on the up and of course that managerial merry-go-round.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 3 mins
  • S9 Ep16: 22nd November 2024 - Portishead Town and Roydon
    Nov 22 2024
    This week we focus on those magic people who make non league tick. The ones who run the clubs, maybe not in ownership terms but certainly in operational terms, not alone, as they both admit, but people who ensure their club not only survives but thrives in a difficult world, effectively the biggest fans of their clubs and in turn of huge fans of non league.

    First up, Nigel Osmond, from a dad on the sideline he now finds himself in a full-time job helping oversee the rise of Portishead Town pushing for back-to-back promotions and a Step 4 dream, whilst reaching a historic Round Three in the FA Vase, ironically or perhaps due to the magic of non league with that same son that drew him to the club, now featuring as a stalwart in that historic men’s first team, just one of over a thousand locals benefitting from this club at the heart of the community.

    Then we return to the club we last spoke to when competitive football was banned. Roydon are probably outside the football pyramid we usually cover, but the stories are real and the issues they face, are relevant to clubs up and down the land. Danny Adderson is Secretary of Roydon FC and much more, helping share the load of Chairman Alan Banks who has now done seven decades helping at the club. Less than half his age, Danny himself has done over two decades keeping the club thriving and he has big plans to keep that and the club going and get the club progressing up the pyramid.

    Jon Couch is our man from The Non League Paper this week. the weather may be looking to play a part this weekend but that won’t mean a lack of non league news. We round up some of the same and preview what lies ahead.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 11 mins
  • S9 Ep15: 15th November 2024 - FA Trophy 2 & Macclesfield
    Nov 15 2024
    The Step 2 sides enter the FA Trophy as it hits Round 2. Wearing his @FATrophyFacts hat Phil Annets gives us the insight, the knowledge, and all the things we need to know about the 40 ties taking place this weekend.

    One of those in the Trophy with an away tie at a club a level higher, are Macclesfield. The in-form team in the non league pyramid with a current 16-game unbeaten run in the league and the now Gaffer Robbie Savage explains he doesn’t see his side going into the game as underdogs. Promotion is the main priority but a club formed from the ashes of a former two-time winner of the competition, and who made last term’s semi-finals, he knows how important an FA Trophy run could be and what it means for those so fundamental to the club.

    Matt Badcock helps round up the week’s news at the end of the show, including more bizarre results, a Goal-Scoring legend, and the ever-spinning managerial merry-go-round.


    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 15 mins
  • S9 Ep14: 08th November 2024 - FA Vase 2 and Spelthorne Sports
    Nov 8 2024
    We’re back on the FA Vase trail this week and what a bumper show we have. The Vase hits Round 2 and there are no more exemptions - the winner of this year’s competition will be competing this weekend

    Phil Annets is back with his @FaVaseFactfile and helps guide us through the stats, facts, records and the downright bizarre.

    Then I get to speak to one of those managers looking to make history with his side in the Vase this weekend. Myles Hook is a bit different from most managers in national cup competitions and plying his trade at Step 5 however. Hands on doesn’t give justice to the work he and the small team at Spelthorne Sports put in week in and week out. A club born from the community still with that community at its very heart. His tale is heartwarming and a contrast from some of those from the top level of over-inflated budgets and egos. A win against fellow step 5 club Holmesdale at the weekend would not only see the club’s best FA Vase run but also put the club on the map and bring in some essential funds.

    Rounding up the news of the week, Jon Couch of the Non League Paper. He’s back with news from around the beautiful game ahead of another bumper weekend of non league football.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 14 mins
  • S9 Ep13: 01st November 2024 - FA Cup 1 and Oldham Athletic
    Nov 1 2024
    The FA Cup hits the first round proper; no replays but hopes and dreams for 32 Non League clubs this weekend

    Phil Annets is back with his @FACupFactfile and helps guide us through the stats, facts and records and the chances of a cupset this weekend.

    One of those managers setting up to try and achieve an FA Cup upset this week, is an old friend of the show and he’s preparing for a trip to one of his old clubs. Micky Mellon takes his Oldham Athletic side to Tranmere Rovers in this weekend’s FA Cup First Round. Whilst there’s much excitement and just a handful of places in the pyramid between them, he admits promotion would probably be a priority over an FA Cup run.

    Rounding up the news of the week, Matt Badcock of the Non League Paper is back ahead of another busy weekend for his team.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 3 mins