Embracing the game’s entertainers

FOR ME, Non-League football is one of the best aspects of living in England today.

More controversially, since I live in a large urban area, I think if one can unshackle oneself from supporting one club, with its likelihood of short moments of ecstasy and agony, and long moments of thinking ‘We’re unlikely to be promoted this season’, there is so much skill to be marvelled at and entertainment to be had, provided one can find the right game.

It can be found twice a week for much of the season – Step 6 can be as good to watch as Step 1.

And the vista is constantly changing; recently, for example, Hampton & Richmond Borough were a joy to watch. It hasn’t always been so.

Of course I am not disrespecting the ticket sellers, announcers, toilet cleaners, barpersons, programme compilers etc. without whom clubs would not exist. But I think if one follows ‘ the football, rather than the club’ one is likely to get more enjoyment. And the game would still benefit because wherever you go, you pay to get in.

Perhaps The NLP can play a part too? For example, if you added up the star ratings from every reviewed game in Steps 1 to 4 and placed them in a table, then the totals would give some idea as to where the best games were likely to be found.

Over time, spectators might go to watch more entertaining teams, and teams might think ‘If we boost our star rating, we might get better attendances.’

Of course, there would have to be a way of rating games in Steps 5 and 6, also the midweek games, where I’d say many of the season’s best games are to be found. But hopefully these are not insoluble problems.