The Non League Football Show – Details, episodes & analysis

It is FA Vase and FA Trophy Second Qualifying round time. Nearly 400 non league clubs from Steps 2 down to 6 take part this weekend in their respective competitions  this weekend and Phil Annets is on hand to help us understand the most interesting stories behind the ties. 

One manager leading his side into the FA Trophy for the first time in a number of years is Chris Ayres. His Flackwell Heath side took the Combined Counties Premier North by storm last term and they have started off well at Step 4 too in the Southern League Central Division One. He thinks he may have the best dressing room around, and we are not talking decor, but the camaraderie of a group of players, many of whom he has known for over a decade.

With The Non League Paper round up this week is Jon Couch. Some big managerial moves, some big cup games and the National league beginning to take shape.

We celebrate The FA Cup reaching the Second Qualifying round this weekend. Step 2 clubs enter the fore and @FACupFactfile Phil Annets runs us through some of the most interesting stats and facts as some of the clubs taking part look for their fourth win of the season in the competition

One of those is Harefield United. A Step 5 club who have already dumped out the in-form Step 3 club in the previous round, now looking for another scalp from that division. Their boss is certainly no stranger to non league both as a player and as a manager, and Wayne Carter is clearly loving the challenge directing his young squad to memories that will stay with them forever. 

Matt Badcock is on hand again from The Non League Paper this week. More managerial moves, more clubs facing unplanned problems and what we really should be reading into with the embryonic table standings

First up, a community club making the national headlines but you may not have seen it, but you do need to know. Balham FC play in the Combined Counties Premier South but it’s the 20 sides from U8s upwards and ladies team that make this football club so successful. Bringing on young talent and young people, which as my guest Finance Director Dereck Fordham explains is something they are very proud of and want to continue to do despite the issues they’ve made the headlines with for doing everything right in my eyes.

Then we talk football. Old friend of the show Andy Whing is in his first season as a full-time boss, his first season at Solihull Moors and he’s made Wembley twice… in a week. First up it’s Sunday’s prize game, against Bromley for a place in the English Football League, not that you’d be able to tell from one of the game’s calmest and nicest managers around.

Rounding up the week’s non league news - and there is plenty of it, including breaking news as we recorded - is Jon Couch of The Non League Paper. Play-offs play a big part along with admin and managerial moves

This week we celebrate the best of non-league. 
First up, after a year out of the dugout, one of Non-league’s finest managers is back… ironically in the same dugout he last left. Former Bromley boss Neil Smith is back as a gaffer, this time for groundsharers Cray Wanderers as they aim to stay in Step 3. A tough 6 games await and Smudger can’t wait.
After a brief break during the pandemic, Non League Day returns this weekend. Founder James Doe explains why he thinks non-league is on the rise and what some clubs have in their plans to encourage fans this weekend.
Also returning from a pandemic break is the England C team. Without direct help from the FA, the National and Trident Leagues have helped fund the return of the England non-league team, lead by Paul Fairclough once again. The manager has helped light the careers of many over the years and he’s keen to keep up that record as his side prepare to face Wales C in Caernarfon on Wednesday.
Rounding off the show, Executive Editor at the Non League Paper Jon Couch, is in the chair to provide a round-up of the week’s news and what we can expect to read in the weekend’s edition.

This week we talk to the guys who run the clubs. They take the flack, they take the glory but in most cases deep down, they are fans too like you and I.
First up, possibly Non-league’s most famous owner. When Robbie Savage was first approached to get involved in a phoenix Macclesfield club not only did they not have any players but they also lacked a playable pitch. Now before the end of their first season, they are the first promoters from the top 9 tiers of the pyramid and Champions of the North West Counties Football League. It’s been hard work, but rewarding on a number of levels for Savage and the team around him on and off the field. 
An American with more knowledge of baseball than football as a CEO of a non league football club? It may sound like a Hollywoodisation but in fairness, John Katz’s research and organised approach to learning about his club Woking FC, fan culture and non league is hard to fault. In recent weeks he’s had to let go the charismatic manager he backed publicly only weeks before, and see two valuable board members resign, but he’s not swayed from his belief that this could become a Football League club within three years.
Lower down the pyramid but no less successful is a club running over 75 sides and over 700 registered players across genders, ages and abilities. Ascot United Chairman Simon Negus took on the role as COVID hit and as his club prepares for the mens first team to host Wycombe Wanderers in a County Cup semi Final, the biggest game in it’s history he’s excited and philosophical that success comes in many guises when running a non league club.
Rounding off the show Editor at Large at the Non league paper Matt Badcock is back with a round up of the week’s news and what we can expect to read in the weekend’s edition.

As the FA Trophy and FA Vase both hit the Quarter Final mark, Tim Fuell speaks with two ex-professional players who are finding their feet in non league management and making a great fist of it.... as well as thoroughly enjoying it.
First up, Kevin Horlock. A successful player at clubs like Manchester CIty and West Ham as well as Northern Ireland, his love for non-league developed when he dropped down at the end of his playing career and he's now back in charge at one of those clubs he turned out for. Little Needham Market have been pulling up metaphoric trees since his arrival frustrated by the COVID hit seasons. This year however the FA Trophy has shown their strength and team spirit, causing upsets all around. As the lowest ranked team left in the competition this weekend they face their toughest test with the visit of Stockport County the highest ranked side in all non league at present. That doesn't worry Horlock or this team on and off the field at the Suffolk club for whom he is full of admiration and praise.
Our resident statistician Phil Annets is back with his @FAVaseFactfile hat on previewing the 4 ties with 8 teams from 8 divisions and 7 different leagues this weekend. All just 2 wins away from Wembley.
Hoping for FA Vase success is former Everton player Jamie Clapham who after high profile coaching roles with Middleseborough, Coventry, Barnsley and Leeds is now manager of Loughborough Students. Not only the United Counties Premier League North Side and team lining up in the FA Vase Quarters this weekend, but also the side now in the BUCS final later this month at Basford United against Nottingham Trent University. The facilities he says rivals many professional clubs, but they are students often paying their way through their courses, but competing in a semi-professional environment. The challenge however, is one he is enjoying.
Rounding off the show is Jon Couch, Executive Editor of The Non League Paper. There's talk on managerial changes at AFC Fylde, Ashford Town Middlesex and the goings on at the top of the National League. Plus a world record breaking penalty shoot out. 

With the world is in difficult times and the hearts and support of non league are extended to those in the Ukraine, a slight change of pace with the show to show the depth of appeal and reach of non league football.
First up we speak to a manager who has left a number two role in the Football League to return to the non league game he served so well as a young manager. Lee Bradbury’s no veteran now, but with added knowledge, insight and experience he hopes he has the magic ingredient to turn Eastleigh’s set-up off the field into one that can challenge in the National League on it.
Wealdstone fan Roger Slater is part of a team bringing a new print publication 'Where's the Bar' to non league fans with some exciting articles ‘by the fans for the fans’ that otherwise wouldn’t get seen or heard and are certainly worth a read. One includes info about the Football and War Network, bringing together military and local history and the beautiful game. Roger is also part of a Seminar being held at Wealdstone that also includes our own @FACupFactfile Phil Annets in April that is sure to interest many non league fans.
Rounding off the show Matt Badcock Editor at Large at the Non league paper is back with a round-up of the week’s news and what we can expect to read in the weekend’s edition.

Tim Fuell welcomes back some old friends of the show as we celebrate the best in non league.
First up Bobby Wilkinson on making progress on and off the field with his project at Bracknell Town. Leading scorers, meanest defence and clear leaders in the Isthmian South Central Division at Step 4, they are eyeing up Step 3 but taking each game as it comes.
James Doe came up with the idea for Non League Day and after two years without due to the pandemic is looking forward to celebrating the 11th edition in a month's time. Hear how your club could get involved and why Non League Day has already proven a difference to our level of football.
Our level of football is represented next week in the final 16 of the FA Cup by Boreham Wood. @FACupFactFile Phil Annets is on hand to help with the stats, facts and possibilities for them and the other clubs involved in the 8 midweek ties.
Rounding up the show and the week's news is Executive Editor at The Non League Paper Jon Couch. On the agenda: Managerical moves, ground safety, storm damage and the twists to come in the National League.

A manager, an owner and a mascot go into a non league football podcast!
Hakan Hayrettin is preparing for his second placed National South side to face third and first placed promotion rivals this week but he'd not worried. He tells Tim Fuell how he's matured over his many years of experience and why he thinks his club are ready for any challenge.
He save Worthing from oblivion and now his five year plan - allowing for the two lost due to COVID curtailments  - to get promotion to Step 2 may be just about to come true. Owner George Dowell sees his side top of the Isthmian Premier clear on points and with a game in hand, they face second, third and fourth placed sides in the coming weeks and could very soon have reason to celebrate big.
Celebrating a new arrival at Ashford United is Faye Hackwell. The mascot expert led her club's hunt for a new mascot. The new design, made locally and created from the imagination of a local 11 year old schoolgirl, made his debut last week in an emphatic home win.
Matt Badcock Editor at Large at The Non League Paper helps round up the show and the week's news whilst previewing this weekend's paper.

As the FA Trophy and FA Vase reach the fifth round and last 16 we chat to one Chairman who has won the Vase and now has his sights set on the Trophy and a manager whose club has been in every Vase competition since the start and hopes to take them further than they've ever been.
First up Ken Beattie the Chairman at Morpeth Town of the Northern Premier League. They've already beaten higher-level opposition this season and hope to provide a cupset at York City this weekend.
Phil Annets is back with us wearing his @FAVaseFactfile hat to give us some insight into the 8 ties in the Step 5 & Step 6 competition this weekend.
One of those ties involves village side Brockenhurst Town, challenging for promotion in the Wessex Premier League managed by long-term manager Pat McManus who feels things may just be coming together at the right time.
Rounding up the week's news at the end of the show is David Richardson, Senior Writer at The Non League Paper.