What’s under Non-League’s Xmas tree?

AS we know, Christmas is a time of giving and receiving but Santa will have to be one extremely busy man if he is to fulfil the festive wishes of every one of his Non-League friends come Christmas Day morning.

But, while his sleigh is overflowing with gifts for boys and girls everywhere, there might just be room for a few essentials which will help spice up title races and relegation dogfights across the Pyramid.

So, here at The NLP we’ve come up with a few suggestions of what might just be all wrapped up at the bottom of Santa’s sack.

First stop, Dover Athletic. The Whites are enjoying another promising season in the National League but in order to spark another play-off push, manager Chris Kinnear would welcome the delivery of a lock and key for hotshot striker Ricky Miller, who has become NonLeague’s most wanted man after racking up 24 league goals already this season.

The same could also be said for AFC Fylde about their ace marksman Danny Rowe, who has 32 league goals, but for the National League North leaders, a set of new goal nets might also be needed at Mill Farm given that the Coasters have smashed 66 goals in their 21 league games so far this season.

DEMAND

Talking of goalscorers, we suggest a gift also for one of the very best around, still finding the net at the age of 41. Jamie Cureton has just landed himself a move to National League South outfit St Albans City after brief spells at Farnborough and Eastleigh. For him, we suggest maybe a top-up of anti-ageing cream to keep the Golden Oldie going for a while yet.

Dancing shoes are in big demand this year it seems. We have the first pair of sequined sandals reserved for Salford City joint bosses Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley, who took dancing lessons so they could take to the floor for Morley’s wedding, filmed by the BBC cameras for the Class of 92 documentary.

And how about Bromley pair Rob Swaine and Jack Holland, who danced a merry jig behind manager Neil Smith as he was being interviewed by the BT Sport cameras after yesterday’s 2-1 victory at Macclesfield?

Other gifts may include a photo frame for Sutton United to put on the walls of Gander Green Lane to commemorate another FA Cup giant-killing season to match that of 1989, or maybe even an atlas for Lincoln City midfielder Alex Woodyard after his manager joked that the England C man thought Kiev was near ‘Chicken’ on the map? Alex, of course, denies this!

But whatever help Santa can sling down the chimneys of clubs up and down the country, rest assured that an equally pulsating 2017 lies in store. The NLP, of course, will be there to guide you through every twist and turn, starting with our next edition on Tuesday, December 27, with a full Boxing Day round-up.

Merry Christmas to you all.