Vanarama National League v Premier League

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

So there I was last night standing at Gander Green Lane watching my locals Sutton United taking on league leaders Lincoln City.

2,200 attended, about 500 of whom had ventured south on a cold Tuesday night.

Being over 60 it cost me £8 to get in, plus £2.50 for a 24pp programme, and I parked a 5 minute walk away.

50 yards from the ground there's a popular pub (The Plough) which I've never been in but always looks OK (but you never can tell a pub from the outside).

Inside the Borough Sports Ground there's a club shop knocking out badges (between 2000 and 3000 in stock - of no interest to me but sure to interest many others), programmes, handbooks, etc etc. There are 2 fast-food outlets (Rose's) where queues were long but quickly dealt with and punters emerged with what looked like edible fast food. Groups of schoolgirls in Sutton Utd kits wandered around all evening asking for donations for a prostate cancer charity.

A hastily-erected fence was between the home and away fans, although that was about as necessary and useful as a chocolate fireguard.

I stood under cover on the half-way line, it wasn't packed but the atmosphere was cracking and the comments directed at the nearby linesman and the referee, both of whom seemed to have had a by-pass in the laws of football, made me smile a lot. Many barbs were also directed at the large Lincoln forward, Matt Rhead, the one whom Joey Barton tried to get sent off, mostly about his considerable girth. One of the loudest blokes is going out with one of my mates' daughters, so I sort of know him, but that doesn't put him off!

As for the football, I expected to see the best team in non-league and FA Cup quarter finalists dazzle, but sadly they didn't, they were at best average and probably nearer to poor. They had a few periods on top and at the end of one of them, with 10 mins to go, one of their subs (Elliott Whitehouse) headed in from a corner. Reminiscent of many a Football League team, Lincoln then proceeded to employ all the usual delaying tactics, winning 2 corners as stoppage time approached but then trying to keep the ball in the corner (Rhead was the main perpetrator) when another delivery into the box may have caused a second goal. The visiting fans chirped up with "We're On Our Way" - not sure where to as in-form Tranmere are breathing down their necks.

And they got their just desserts when in the 94th minute FA Cup hero Roarie Deacon (who had had a very poor game until then) let fly from 20 yards and it arrowed into the roof of the net with keeper Farman helpless. The team went mad and swamped Roarie and the crowd sang "We're On Our Way" and "We are Staying up" - it ended 1-1 and honours even and a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

So why the comparison with the Premier League? Well, I've just spent £460 on renewing my season ticket at nearby Crystal Palace. I sit half way back, behind the goal. Or I stand for long periods when all the people in front stand up to watch the opposition take a throw in. Some of my near neighbours scream abuse at anyone they don't like, home players, away players, referees - there isn't usually much in the way of humour. The woman in front of me stares at her iPhone constantly. Don't ask me to talk about the food as I hear and read enough bad stories about it so have nothing to add to that. You can get a plastic glass of local brew Cronx at about £4 a pint, but you can't take it to your seat. A programme, which I no longer buy, costs £3.50 for a 96pp effort which has had the club's history more or less stripped from it. Points accrued from such purchases add to the loyalty points on your season ticket.

The football for the last 15 months has mainly been dire but a few recent performances have shown signs of life and Mr Allardyce may do enough to keep the team in the top flight. That's if he can keep the players interested, the poor loves. Benteke scored twice for Belgium but he can't hit a barn door for us, although he might if he didn't lose control of the ball when clean through. Well, £30m and you can't control an easy through ball, just have a moan at the bloke who played you in, that'll do it. Wilf Zaha is our local hero who plays his heart out for 90 minutes each week, and who now turns out for the Ivory Coast as the latest England managers (Sam and Southgate) picked Townsend, Lingard and Redmond ahead of him.

So I have red and blue blood (claret and blue really) and still get a buzz when I look down on the pitch as I walk to my seat - after 55 years of loyal attendance. But how much longer am I going to put up with this expense and half-hearted attempts at keeping the team up, and employing this manager to do it?

I fear my time at Selhurst may be coming to an end. I can't believe it but reality is sinking in. By the time that happens Sutton may have slipped back to the Vanarama South, they don't usually stay long in the 5th division, but they are trying their damnedest and in manager Paul Doswell they have a real football manager with 9 years at the club and who "works for free". Their level wouldn't bother me though. I've seen Palace in Div 3 and loved every minute of it, and the family followed them through all the Div 3 South and Div 4 days. I don't expect trophies at Palace, just as well really. But I would like VFM and I get that at Gander Green Lane in spades, and not at Selhurst Park, at the moment.

Sorry if this has bored you - I had to get it off my chest.

[littlewiggy]

I was about as far removed from "bored" as is possible reading that Pete, a fantastic post.

Believe me, after a couple of games in Conference South, you soon forget all about the quality and thoroughly enjoy it for what it is - proper passionate football, played by working-class lads you can identify with, watched by people who don't want to kick your head in for wearing a different scarf.

Indeed there are many County fans who aren't particularly grieving about us losing our Football League place this year, it appears the view from the top of the hill wasn't all it was cracked up to be anyway mate.

We had some blinding times in Conference South, even when we were struggling - some of the most exciting games and some of the best away trips I've ever had.
You had a sense of community, of camaraderie, of belonging, and a freedom of movement both inside and outside the ground that is lost once you reach the so-called "promised land."

A year or two at Gander Green Lane mate, and you'll be wondering why you put up with the Premier League circus fleecing you for as long as you did.
You'll have a plethora of new pals you can have a half-time pint out of an actual glass with, you'll have learned all the pet nicknames for the players, and you'll enjoy watching the match from any vantage point you like whilst rubbing shoulders with opposition fans.
_________________
NEWPORT COUNTY & GENERAL FOOTY BADGES:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/newport-county-badges/albums

[Flaming Pie]

Enjoyed that Pete.l did see Lincoln at Tranmere before Christmas. Not that entertaining, but neither were Tranmere. Lincoln took the points, They are obviously a well organised team.Hope they do get promotion. With regard to the cost of going to a match, l took my two grandsons to see the Everton v Liverpool Reserve teams game recently.Liverpool Reserves play some of their games at Prenton Park.The cost for the three of us to get in, was l think about £4. They only opened a couple of stands, which were packed. We took our own meat pies, so it was a cheap day out! You are right about football seeming to be more entertaining in the old days. Players were obviously not as fit as they are now, but that didn't seem to matter.l remember Tranmere had a great old centre - forward called Dave Hickson. He had been a hero at Everton and Liverpool before joining Tranmere at the twilight of his career.Dave was worth the price of admission on his own.lf he didn't score , he would probably have a fight with the opposition centre-half. Great entertainment! I have witnessed lots of glory days at Goodison Park over the years ( not so much in recent years!) but my mind goes back to being a kid, watching Tranmere in the old Division 4. Going to away games at faraway places, such as Barrow and Crewe.That's probably when l really enjoyed football the most.

[Five and In]

The best post so far this year Pete. A great read.

When I lived in North London, I never thought there would be a time when I would not be watching Spurs every week.
Then "life" got in the way and I stopped going to away games, but kept the season ticket, but then after moving to Devon I simply couldn't commit to the volume of daft kick off times.

It is with a heavy heart that I have probably been to about twenty other grounds since I last went to a Spurs home game.

Lower (and non) league is keeping it real for the proper fans.

When I was discussing him writing the foreword for my book, something that Steve Perryman said to me summed it up perfectly.
He said that he loved being at Exeter because in many ways it reminded him of being at Tottenham thirty or forty years ago.
The fans still mattered and the club had not been changed by the deluge of TV money etc. It was still "real"
I've since found out that he stands on the terraces for most home games because he wants to mix with the fans.

I did the corporate box thing once at the Lane (I won a prize and took eleven of my old Spurs terrace mates along for the experience)
We all hated it!!
For me personally, give me a pie, a pint and a terrace somewhere and I'm happy.

[goonerboy]

A very interesting and thoughht provoking post. Funnily enough I went to watch Maidenhead Utd v Oxford City (conference South) last week as a one-off as I was in the area and at a loose end and know one of the directors there. It was enjoyable enough for £10 and no problem with watching the game with a pint and moving around the ground for first and second half. The Burger and chips were tasty enough and properly priced. Maidenhead are top of their league and going strong for promotion and won 6-1 although in fairness to Oxford City it was a bit of an injustice as they played the better football but were just too static at the back. There was a good crowd of over 1000. The pitch was "old school "and an appalling cow field really.

However sadly I have to disagree with you Pete although maybe there is a difference in that Maidenhead are not my local team so no real affinity. However for as much as Arsenal and other premier clubs shaft you the technical quality at the higher levels justifies it for me. I am paying to watch people do something that I could never do while when I go down the levels it gets to the point where the wonderment rapidly diminishes.

I fully understand the banter and camraderie element in non-league but I get that by seeing my mates before the Arsenal game and sit with enjoyable people at the game and frankly it doesn't kill me not to have a pint for a couple of hours. When I travel away you can often strike up a conversation with home fans in the MacDonalds etc or various eateries and most of them very happy to chat without malice.

I get your point but I guess I am on the opposite curve ie the older I get and more spare time I have the more I want to see the Arsenal.....even after 13 years without a league championship !. I would (and am) willing pay good money to watch Sanchez and Ozil and Koscielny or even some opposition players (Silva, Aguero, Hazard etc) but not sure I am in a rush to pay to watch watch Deacon or others.

There is certainly a massive part about supporting my club but also the VFM is about the quality I am watching.

[Flaming Pie]

Five and ln.
Your Steve Perryman standing with the supporters to watch the game story is interesting.l know that Bill Shankly would sometimes watch his team from the Kop.l think he genuinely wanted to hear their opinions about the team he was building. A very shrewd bloke. Couldn't really imagine any of the modern day managers doing this.

[thedabs]

I spent from the mid 80s to mid 00s travelling to old Trafford 6-10 times a year (it used to cost dad and I £6 combined to get in). Now that trek from Devon was alright for a time but as an Exeter city fanatic and season ticket holder I gradually stopped going. Do I miss it, not a bit. At ECFC its far more fun ( and only 10 minutes up the road)

It changed when I was sat in the away end with 10,000 Grecians singing louder and more passionately than mufc had done for years.

My best games have been getting rained on at Kidderminster than any euro night getting back at 4am.

A great point and an echo if my own experience
_________________
mike dab

[littlewiggy]

I used to go and see Liverpool in the 1980s when Newport weren't playing, or were away at a place I didn't fancy, and then had a Kop season ticket at Anfield for eight years after the old County went bust - missed only a couple of home games and went to most aways too for the first four years, and then about eight or so aways per season for the fours years after that.

I've always been a Liverpool fan too, since knee height, but it's the County that really tugs my heart strings.

Come the mid-90s, Sky dictating schedules, seats replacing terraces, and the prices rocketing each year, I quickly fell out of love with top-flight footy and turned it in.

Then in 1999 the newly-formed Newport AFC changed their name back to "Newport County" and I was hooked once again on my first love.

The Premier League these days holds no allure for me whatsoever, the people that mattered, the people who made those grounds what they were in the first place have largely all been priced out now, and replaced by affluent families, tourists, and individuals staring at phones or waving selfie sticks wanting to be entertained.

They're soulless places to me with few exceptions.

After watching hundreds of non league games this Millennium, I can honestly say that unless it's a freebie with mates or something, I doubt I'll ever attend a top-flight match again.

In fact that reminds me, I was offered a free trip and ticket to the Arsenal v Birmingham League Cup Final a few years ago, and politely declined.

Each to their own though.
_________________
NEWPORT COUNTY & GENERAL FOOTY BADGES:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/newport-county-badges/albums

[Posh1959]

Great post and believe me many people are stopping watching what I call big time football and going non league due to the commercialism of football. I have not been to a football league game for around 5 seasons. I started non league by watching Farsley Celtic, Bradford PA and Guiseley and thoroughly enjoyed the experience compared to league football. I now watch Guiseley home and away most weekends. The cost of watching football in the Conference can be expensive with some clubs usually the ex league clubs charging £20 and giving the usual crap catering but usually the whole experience is far more enjoyable than watching league football. Probably the Conference North and South is more enjoyable than the Conference National as they are more grass roots. Sadly you do hear of trouble at some clubs for example Halifax has had bad reports recently as have Hereford. Basically in non league you are treated by your club as a supporter and they welcome you with open arms where watching the big time football you are often not respected as they are more interested in the corporate side of things. I originate from down south and in the 70s and early 80s used to watch Arsenal home and away. Now I would not know who half of their players are. I still watch big time football on terrestrial tv I don't subscribe to sky or bt as I don't have enough interest in the game at that level. Sadly non league football is starting to get money dominated as some clubs try and buy their way into the league. Next season in the conference North there could be 3 full time professional clubs all throwing money at trying to become big time. Fylde seem to have a wage budget this season similar to a few league 2 clubs I only hope for their older supporters I does not all end up like Rushden and don't even mention Forest Green who continually spend spend spend rant over. But yes non league any day for me. Try it you will love it at the right club.

[cardiff55]

I fully echo the sentiments on this thread. At Cardiff City we had season of glory in PL, which started well with a win against Champions Man City, and we had another win against Swansea which was enjoyable. But the circus that followed the club around that season was terrible. I much prefer the Championship, and probably will have to for the coming seasons.

We too have suffered in the lower reaches of the League for almost twenty years between 1985 and 2003 and it was enjoyable. I think the main attractions were that 1) There was no expectation .....of anything! 2) It was cheap. 3) there was plenty of room.

But since then we now have a nice new ground , bigger crowds, and a decent atmosphere.

But the main reason i go is for the football, plain and simple, a couple of hours on a Saturday afternoon (not Sunday morning, lunchtime or Monday night) to watch a game of football. Two sides having a good go at a reasonable standard, and if we lose there's always two weeks time. Realistically we are never going to take on the best in the PL, or even get there so we know our place. But it costs me £4 for a pint, £3 for a tray of cardboard chips, £2 for a Bovril even at our level.

I do feel sorry for littleiggy and Newport, as the Conference South could be a reality again soon, I just hope they have a good ground to play football on, and not a boggy morass of a rugby pitch. Hopefully County will survive this season starting with a win v Crwaley today but games are running out.

[littlewiggy]

Cheers buddy - good win today but six games left and still six points to make up - can't see that happening if I'm honest, especially with tough trips to Exeter, Plymouth & Carlisle to come - but at least they're showing a bit of pride now, albeit a little too late I fear.

It might have helped had we not conceded nineteen (yep 19!) penalties this season and had about a million red cards mind!!


_________________
NEWPORT COUNTY & GENERAL FOOTY BADGES:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/newport-county-badges/albums