WHAT A DAY TO SAVOUR
NON-LEAGUE Day was back with a bang after a two-year absence yesterday – and fans flocked in their droves to get a piece of the action.
South Shields’ 1st Cloud Arena was the destination for Alex Scott and the BBC’s Football Focus team as the cameras witnessed the celebration of the Mariners’ visit of Stafford Rangers.
Those who stuck around after the match were able to watch England play Switzerland and join in with a bit of karaoke!
In Southern Central League Division One, Welwyn Garden City celebrated their centenary with a bumper crowd clicking through the turnstiles for their match against Wantage Town.
Fans watched the match for free and learned about the club’s 100-year history with an exhibit in the clubhouse with many former players and coaches turning up to support them.
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos also allowed fans in for free if they donated an item of clothing to those affected by the war in Ukraine or KitAid Africa.
Former Arsenal and Barnet goalkeeper Graham Stack got into the spirit of things as he came out of retirement for the day at the age of 40 to turn out for Chesham United against Poole.
Marching band
Stack demonstrated the spirit of Arsenal’s Invincibles side as the Generals netted a last-minute winner to win 3-2 – after Stack had given away a penalty. Dover fans that made the 274-mile journey to Wrexham with an epic 11goal thriller – and they were given free pies as a thank-you for their travelling support.
Harrow Borough took on Merthyr Town in the Southern Premier South and offered up half-price tickets while at Redcar Athletic, just wearing a red Middlesbrough shirt will have got you in for £4.
Those watching US Portsmouth would not only have seen football but also a dance troupe and marching band. A mammoth gate of 10,334 watched Notts County take on Chesterfield with a staggering 2,719 visiting fans making the trip. York City recorded a gate of 3,317 for their game against Leamington and Ilkeston Town attracted 965 for their visit of Yaxley.