Non-League football is alive and kicking

FOOTBALL fans across the region are spoilt for choice in where to go this weekend with many of our local teams fighting it out for league titles and promotion.

Plymouth Parkway host Cinderford Town today knowing a point will be enough to see them crowned Southern League Division One South champions, while just up the A386, Tavistock welcome Ashton & Backwell to Langsford Park knowing that if they can better Exmouth’s result at Shepton Mallet, they will be crowned Western League Premier Division champions.

In the South West Peninsula League, Torpoint Athletic are close to being crowned champions of the East Division with only a few games remaining now, while in Premier West, Falmouth Town are already champions - and they added the Cornwall Senior Cup to the trophy cabiney by beating Dobwalls on Easter Monday - and they have been attracting crowds of over 1,000 in their charge to the title.

Some 728 spectators were in attendance for Exmouth’s top of the Western League table clash with Tavistock at Southern Road on Wednesday night highighting that nonLeague football is alive and kicking throughout the Westcountry.

There is a strong case that the standard and quality of non-league football in the Westcountry has never been higher with Parkway boss Lee Hobbs and his Tavi counterpart, Stuart Henderson, in agreement that it has never been so good.

“I don’t think it has been this good, I really, really don’t,” Hobbs said. “Obviously when teams are winning, it attracts more interest, but no, it hasn’t been this good.

“For me, non-league is where it’s at. I know a lot of people like supporting the professional teams and so do I, but the nonleague experience is fantastic.

“I love the colours around the ground, the different types of people and characters and you are able to move around and have a beer – it’s outstanding”

Hobbs’ sentiments are echoed by Henderson, who added: “I think non-League football in the area is in a really good place right now.

“You look as far down as Falmouth and they have a good following, Parkway are in the city and I do think the location of the club certainly helps to attract supporters.

“When you look at Exmouth in our league, they are the nearest non-league club to Exeter City, Parkway are close to Argyle and I think those non-league clubs are like sister clubs, which makes a big difference.

“But it’s good, it’s healthy a lot of the clubs are doing well – we (Tavistock) have been top for four or five months, Parkway have been doing well as well – and it gauges a lot of interest, not just across the city, but across the region.

“The experience is a lot more authentic than watching a professional game. It’s a nice, relaxed environment and you can have a drink with the players afterwards and it is a great day out for people that enjoy their football.