The Non-League Works by TheNonLeagueWorks

TALKING ALL THINGS NON-LEAGUE

THE NON-LEAGUE WORKS ISSUE #1

plus two uptwo down

exclusive player interview with proffesional footballer Jonny Edwards

england C squad summary

elcome to the first edition of The Non-League Works, we are Kyran Jones and Benjamin Stark, and we have used all our non-league knowledge to put together this wonderful magazine. Although there are a few other non-league magazines across the UK, we believe that The Non-League Works is the number one non-league magazine to bring all you non-league fans the latest news and stories of the non-league. We are heading towards the end of the season, with just a few games left The Non-League Works wants to give you a brief recap of all the amazing things that have happened in the non-league world. This season we have seen Salford City triumph and get promoted to the Vanarama National League and Macclesfield Town join the Football League for the first time since 2012. This edition is jam-packed with exclusive interviews, the latest news, features, Team of The Season, Game of The Season and a look at how you could become the manager of a non-league team. We hope you enjoy it!

TALKING ALL THINGS NON-LEAGUE 4 - Nine things you will understand as a non-league fan 10 - Adams swift mention 12 - Grays Athletic football club: A club on the come back 20 - Exclusive player Interview with Jonny Edwards 24 - Tim Miller: what it takes to be a football intermediary 26 - â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Tyredâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of scouting 29 - Chelmsford to Chicago 30 - England C Squad Summary 38 - Making it big time: from non-league to premier league 46 - from non-league to football league 49 - players to watch 55 - What does it take to manage a non-league football team? 56 - The Non-League Works game of the season 58 - One to Watch: Marvel Ekpiteta 60 - Dulwich Hamlet Promotion Party 62 - Second chance for Jordan Hulme 64 - Hartlepool United: From Rags to Riches 70 - Two up, Two down 76 - The Non-League Works Team of the Season

NINE Y O U

W I L L

as a non

THINGS U N D E R S T A N D

league fan!

Nine things you will understand as a non-league fan

n a world that is dominated by the Premier League, WAGS and high budget wages, it’s easy to forget that there’s a whole world of football that smells like team spirit and pukka pies. The fans of non-league football are one-in-a-million. These unsung heroes are the people that are willing to put themselves through pain and misery, the highs and the lows, all for the chance to see their team make it big time, into the football league. Here are The Non-League Works top nine emotional stages that every non-league supporter will experience at some point in their time supporting their club.

Grub at the club Food is a big part of the non-league experience. From pies and burgers to chips and hotdogs, it’s very important that the grub at the club is at a decent standard as this can be a big consolation if you’ve just witnessed your team get a hammering. When looking to grade the food at a club you want to be looking at price, portion size and range of condiments. Be sure to get onto your club’s chairman if you think that the food at your club may need upgrading.

Expenses for the day

We all know that the price for a ticket at Arsenal could literally pay for your ticket, 5 pints, burger and chips and a match programme down at your local non-league side. The price of a non-league match is next to nothing and you’ll most probably have a better day out.

Nine things you will understand as a non-league fan

Knowledge of away pubs

If you follow your team home and away, you’ll be travelling to towns and villages that you’ve never heard of before. Travelling to these places may have you wondering where to go for a few pints with your pals, however, this isn’t such a bad thing as you can come across some of the most weirdest and wonderful pubs across the country. Most of the time pubs can be so hit and miss, but you’ll sometimes find a such a gem that you’ll be looking forward to the away game next season. From the fan favourite Wetherspoons to the villages local alehouses, you’re often intrigued to what’s on offer. Some villages that you visit may only have the one pub, so you will all have to squeeze in together. On the other hand, you can be completely spoilt for choice and have a handful of pubs to pick from, spending at least an hour trying to decide which one you’re going to drink in before the game.

Travelling away

As a football fan, whether you support Arsenal or Sutton United, you get that buzz of travelling away. Nothing beats getting up earlier than usual, getting a few cans of beer in and letting the excitement build as you travel across the country on a coach or train. Travelling as a non-league fan is more rough and ready than travelling as a Premier League fan, you get that true sense of accomplishment when you’ve travelled 125miles to a place that you’ve never heard of before. Nothing screams ‘non-league’ more than having to get three trains through Essex and then jumping on a replacement bus to get to the ground. This feeling of achievement doesn’t only come from all the planning of the trip and making it to the destination safe and sound, but it comes from taking 100 odd people, 125 miles to support a team in the ninth tier.

Nine things you will understand as a non-league fan

Having to explain who your club is

Trying to explain who your club is, is sometimes very tiresome, the best way to tell someone whereabouts your club is, is sometimes often easier telling them that’s it’s near a destination more familiar. For example, my local non-league club is Great Wakering, a lot of people will often wonder where that is but it’s much easier for me to say, “basically Southend”.

The chance to take on one of the big dogs

It’s not such a special feeling for an Arsenal fan to see them take on Manchester United as it’s a regular fixture, but for a non-league fan, this is pretty much a once in a lifetime opportunity and a dream come true to see their team take on the Manchester giants. It’s even a massive deal if they see their team take on a League One side, taking on any professional football league side is a massive achievement for a non-league team. I can put money on it that every non-league fan was rooting for Sutton United last season with some slight jealousy when they played Arsenal in the FA Cup last season. Every non-league fan’s dream is to make it to the big stage and play a big dog, this is the beauty of the FA Cup, the competition that gives us a chance to get to that stage. The competition always offers a bit of hope to financially struggling sides and it’s also a reward for those die-

hard fans that have been supporting a team through the good and the bad times.

Nine things you will understand as a non-league fan

Dealing with postponed matches

Knowing everyone’s name

It is very rare for a Premier League game to get called off, however further down the football pyramid it is a very common thing for a game to get called off. In the cold months between October and January, there is always that fear that a match will be called off at very last minute. The worst thing is travelling a fairly far distance to a ground, to get there to find out that the match has been called off. It’s always such a disappointment as you’ve probably had this match day planned for a few weeks. All of these games add up towards the end of the season and you’ll find yourself going to two or three games a week. With all this pressure on the part-time players makes it 100% tenser, and what was a good promotion run can turn upside down and you could be seeing your team fighting for relegation.

From the fans to the cook in the kitchen, after a few seasons, there’s not a single person that you won’t say hello too at some point of the day. The bar staff will know what you’re already drinking so will be pouring your drink before you get to the bar. Non-league clubs are often small, so everyone knowing each other and being rather close makes it more special. Over a few seasons, it becomes more of a football family than just an ordinary club, you get to meet a range of different people who you’d never cross paths with otherwise and that’s what makes non-league so special.

Mingling with the team

Most of the time after the game, you’ll often see the team in the clubhouse mingling with the fans having a bite to eat and a drink. The players that you were just watching for 90minutes screaming passionately are now right in front of you and it’s not that big of a deal. This is what makes the non-league unique as you could never get the chance in top-tier football. Being able to compliment players and talk to a player in person is something special. You get to see how the player has reacted after a good or bad game and this can show you whether that they care or not. It’s amazing.

ADAM’S SWIFT MENTION

ost non-league fans will be familiar with the FA Cup dreamers Heybridge Swifts, who were the lowest-ranked team in the competition this season after reaching the first round following a staggering 17 cup match season. Some may not know 38-year-old Committee Member Adam Drew, a current Professional Football Scouts Association (PFSA) member and head of player recruitment at the Swifts. Adam has been involved in football for several years now but only was introduced to non-league a couple of years ago by a pal. “I was introduced to non-league through a friend of mine, he was at Maldon and Tiptree when he told me to get involved,” Adam explained. “I wasn’t sure at the time but from the first game, I watched I was hooked. “After getting to know the non-league scene, I was able to speak to more players, coaches and representatives, which intern gave me the pathway to try my hand at scouting, so I did the courses and really enjoyed it.” Before making the move to Essex side Heybridge Swifts, Adam was working for fellow non-leaguers Maldon and Tiptree as their marketing and communications director but soon was given the opportunity to work with his local side Heybridge. He said: “I was lucky enough to be given a chance by the manager Jody brown, he asked me to help out with the player recruitment and scouting, but being in non-league there are various roles I also help with. “My role is to speak to these talented footballers and try to bring them into the club, bringing the right players into the club is an important role because we need to find boys who want to play for the club and not for themselves. It’s sometimes tricky, due to the egos of some players but we have a good group of lads here that all want the same things.” As many of you non-league fans will know, everyone must pull their weight on matchdays and for Adam, it’s no different. He explained: “Being at a non-league club there are various roles I also help with on a matchday. I also do the kit, which is a good way to get involved with all the lads. “Sometimes I’m the go between the manager and player, so it makes sense I do the kit role too as the boys know me and I’m not a stranger in the dressing room. It works well, to be honest, and I love being involved in such a family club.” By Benjamin Stark

GRAYS ATHLETIC A CLUB ON TH

FOOTBALL CLUB: HE COME BACK

Dennis Oli and Glenn Poole celebrating the second goal.

rays Athletic Football Club are currently playing their football in the Bostik Northern Division, the seventh tier of English football. Things used to look a lot different for the Essex side a decade ago, the ultimate success was being crowned league champions of the Nationwide Conference South and winning the FA Trophy; beating Hucknall Town on penalties at Villa Park. The manager at the helm as Ex-Tottenham player, Mark Stimson a manager that encouraged players to play expansive and exciting football, which proved to be very successful with a blend of youthful exuberance and the outstanding quality of the more experienced players. All eyes must have been on Mark Stimson’s men and it wasn’t

long until his star players were snapped up by Football League sides, with three players also being called into the England National XI squad; Stuart Thurgood, Mitchell Cole and Dennis Oli. After being promoted into the Conference Premier Division, their first season saw Grays equal a league record of going unbeaten in the first 15 fixtures of the season. The club’s first season in the top flight of non-league football ended in disappointment for Stimson’s men as they finished third in the league, and later lost 5-4 on aggregate to Halifax Town in the play-offs. It wasn’t all disappointment that season as they put the loss behind them and won a second successive FA Trophy, winning the game 2-0 against Woking at Upton Park in front of more than 8,000 of their own fans.

Grays Athletic Manager, Mark Stimson.

Players celebrate Dennis Oliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal (Far left) in 2006 FA Trophy win against Woking.

The following season saw the departure of Mark Stimson, which saw the club appoint former European Cup winner Frank Gray. Despite a strong pre-season, Gray only managed to last 18 matches before Chairman, Mick Woodward had short spells in charge of the first team. Andy King was the next manager at the held but only lasted a short period, taking charge of just seven matches. The fourth manager of the season was Justin Edinburgh, and under his leadership, the club reached the FA Trophy semi-finals where they lost to eventual winners Stevenage Borough. Conference Premier League safety was the focus and survival went to the last day of the season and despite losing 1-0 at

Morecambe, the club escaped the drop courtesy of other results going their way. The 2007/08 campaign saw the departure of Edinburgh before Mick Woodward took charge with Gary Phillips as his assistant. With only three defeats in the last 17 games of the season, Grays only ended 11 points outside the play-offs. For the next few seasons, Grays really struggled to find a long-term manager and establish themselves in the league and in 2009, the final day of the season was a sad affair for the club, as they said farewell to The Recreation Ground after 114 years.

Short serving manager, Justin Edinburgh.

After relegation from the Conference Premier, the club resigned from the Conference, deciding they would be unable to field a competitive team in the Conference South due to budget restrictions. Talks then took place with both the Football Association and the Ryman League, Grays were placed in the Ryman Division One North. Playing in the Ryman Division One North was the first season at that level for ten years, and despite having a decent start to the season, a lack of consistency eventually cost them and finally finished the season in the tenth position. The 2012-13 season was extremally successful for the club. It started with the club moving to a temporary home, in Rush Green, Romford. In partnership with West Ham United, the ground and facilities were improved, as the Premier League side were responsible for the maintenance of the pitch. All these factors seemed to be a winning formula for the Blues, with just four league defeats, and a run of form in the second-half of the season, which brought

with it 18 successive league wins, the club won the league title with games to spare and finishing with a club record 102 points. The double was also on the agenda that season, but they fell short in the Essex Senior Cup final, losing 2-1 to Conference South side AFC Hornchurch. The 2013/14 season found Grays on the move again, as they parted with their ground at Rush Green and struck a deal with a ground-share with local rivals Aveley Football Club. In an up and down season, Grays finished a respectable 14th place. Grays then spent another two seasons in the newly named Isthmian Premier Division until the 2016/17 season, where they finished at the bottom of the pile and was relegated to the Bostik Northern Division. This season they are currently sitting in 10th place, just 6 points off promotion with eight games left to play. Grays Athletic Football Club has been through some real turmoil in recent years but I for one would like to see them back thriving in the non-leagueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top division again soon. By Benjamin Stark

GRAYS ATHLETIC FOOTBALL CLUB

FA TrophyWinners 2004–05, 2005–06 Football ConferenceConference South champions 2004–05 Isthmian League Division Two South champions 1984–85 Division One North champions 2012–13 League Cup winners: 1991–92 London League Premier Division champions 1921–22, 1926–27, 1929–30 Challenge Cup winners 1936–37

HONOURS

Corinthian League Champions 1945–46 League Cup winners 1945–46 South Essex League Division Two B champions 1908–09 Essex Senior Cup Winners 1914–15, 1920–21, 1922–23, 1944–45, 1956–57, 1987–88, 1993–94, 1994–95 Essex Thameside Trophy Winners 1947–48, 1978–79, 1980–81, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1990–91, 2001–02 19

JONNY EDWARDS BY KYRAN JONES

EXCLUSIVE PLAYER INTERVIEW

dream became reality for the 21-year-old striker, Jonny Edwards, in 2015 when he put pen to paper and signed his first professional contract with Peterborough United. Peterborough was impressed with the 21-year-old after an exceptional 2 seasons in Stevenage’s under-18 side. Edwards made his debut for Posh in a 1-1 draw against Barnsley in April 2015 after coming off the bench for Conor Washington in the 94th minute Things then started to get even better for Edwards when, in 2016, he signed for Hull City, who were in the Premier League at the time after a successful trial in the clubs U21 squad. Edwards started playing football at a young age and was inspired when he saw younger kids playing on a Saturday morning for Kempston West End, which played at a school next to his house. “When I was younger I would wake up on a Saturday morning and watch all the other kids play football for Kempston West End, they played at the school next to my house and every time I watched them I just wanted to join in, then the rest was history.” Growing up, Edwards enjoyed playing football but hadn’t determined what position he wanted to focus on playing. As Edwards started to play more serious, he established himself as a striker and looked up to exChelsea legend, Didier Drogba.

Edwards playing for Peterborough in 2015

“I never really had a sporting icon when I was younger, I played a number of positions and just wanted to play, but as I started to take it more serious, knowing the position I wanted to play, I would say I looked up to Didier Drogba in his prime.”

On 1st January 2017, Edwards joined League Two side Accrington Stanley on loan until the end of the season, this was Edwards first of two spells at the club when he joined them again on loan the following season Accrington has played a big part in Edwards career and helped him grow as a person and a footballer and will always have a place in Edwards’ heart. “Accrington has been a huge part of my journey and development as a player so far. Its helped me take

the transition from youth football to men’s football and it’s made me realise how important three points are on a Saturday afternoon. “There has been some highs and lows in both spells at the club which I believe have taught me a lot and helped me grow as a person and a footballer, for this I am grateful.” Over the two seasons that Edwards spent at Accrington, he played 12 games, scoring only one goal. “Of course, I would have loved to have played more and made more of a name for myself, but I believe everything happens for a reason, as long as you work hard, believe in yourself especially through the tough times and try your best to find happiness and positivity in every situation, then the rest will take care of itself. “Even though it was hard for me to accept not playing, it’s a club that will always be a part of me. I believe it was a positive situation and experience that I have learned from, and I wish the club and the boys all the best with getting promotion this season.” Edwards playing for Accrington Stanley on loan in 2016

EXCLUSIVE PLAYER INTRVIEW

Edwards is currently playing in the Vanarama National League for Woking FC, on a season-long loan deal from Hull City. Woking is currently sitting in 17th position in the league and is trying to avoid relegation, however, Edwards believes that Woking has what it takes to stay up. “Woking, I believe is a club with great ambition and a club that wants to go places but are also not scared to give young players the chance to impress. The club is run as professional as it can be with the resources they have, and I’ve believed I’ve settled in well and just want to focus on what I’m here to do for myself and the club.” Edwards hopes that his regular first-team football for Woking will help him showcase his talent and impress Hull boss Nigel Adkins to get regular football for Championship side.

“

I believe I’ve settled in well and just want to focus on what I’m here to do

”

Edwards playing for Hull City before his loan spell at Accrington Stanley

“As long as you’re doing it in training then you’ll have the chance and opportunity to play and showcase what you can do, two players from Woking have already moved on to further their careers by playing regularly at a bigger club. Hopefully in the games that I have played, I have impressed the boss and hopefully, next season will be my time to shine. If you’re playing well and doing well, anything Is possible.” Over the next few seasons, Edwards hopes to finish this season as strong as possible and try his best to break through to the first team and be a regular for the Championship side. “For me personally, I just want to finish as strong as I personally can by getting as many goals and assists as I can. I try not to focus on the future too much as nothing is ever certain, I’ll take every day as it comes and try my best to perform for myself and the team and then the rest will take care of itself Who knows, I might even get the chance to extend my contract with Hull.”

Tim Miller: W be a football By Benjamin Stark

hat is a Football Intermediary? Like most of you reading this I wasn’t sure what the role of an intermediary is until I met Tim

Millar. Tim is now a well-recognised Football Intermediary and works with non-league managers and players daily. His role is to be a representative to players playing non-league football and try to get them a move into the professional levels of football under FIFA guidelines. The journey towards becoming an Intermediary has been a short one so far, as Tim explained: “About two-years-ago, I decided I wanted to set something up to help players who have been let go from professional clubs at 18-19 and help them keep developing as players by showing them non-league football is an option rather than it being the end of their careers when let go from clubs.” Any individuals wishing to become an Intermediary must be registered with The FA as Intermediaries before you are able to make connections with players and clubs. The Intermediary registration process is easy but making relationships with players and coaches is the hard part. “It’s a long process of building your contracts and relationships in football across different levels in the game so you have options for players that work with you. Also, the key is creating a good scouting network of trusted people around you who go to watch as many games as possible and report back on players and flag up ones to watch,” Tim explained. “It’s not an easy process and many quit. You must be prepared to be in it for the long run

and look long term rather than short. Putting a structure in place takes time but lasts the distance if it has been well thought out and structured.” Tim’s hard work has been paying off in the past two-years, as he’s seen his players flourish at non-league level to finally be recognised by football league clubs. One player to live up to his potential is Boreham Wood goalkeeper, Grant Smith. Grant has been playing for Boreham Wood for the past two seasons now and has really flourished in the top division of non-league football. His efforts haven’t come un-noticed, as the young stopper recently was called up to the England C side.

What it takes intermediary He said: “All players develop at different rates so there’s no golden rule on a certain timetable to move a player back into professional football from non-league but this summer you will see some of the players signing for pro clubs that I have been working with over the last 1-2 years. “Over the next two years, I see myself continuing to adopt the same methods to bring more and more players from non-league into professional clubs, whilst guiding those now playing in the EFL (English Football League) upwards as far as they can go.” The life of an Intermediary is a stressful one dealing with players, coaches and other scouts on a daily basis but what does it really take to come a successful one? Tim said: “It’s a 24/7 job. My phone is never off to any player, manager or scout. The key thing is being able to spot something in a player that with guidance and support will take them up the football ladder. Finding players with not just ability but also the right character to progress is crucial as well.” For some Intermediary’s it’s just a job, something to make money but after speaking

Grenwich Borough centre forward, Jack Barham

to Tim I could tell that it’s more than that, it’s a passion. The feeling you get when your player makes the leap from non-league to football league must be a tremendous feeling. He added: “There’s no better feeling than helping to change someone’s life from working and playing semi-pro football, to playing football for a living with no limit to how far they can go in the game. Anything is possible. That’s what makes it exciting. “Once one player moves into the professional game, the exciting part is starting again with someone else in non-league coming in behind them to start the process all over again.”

Kingstonian Football Club midfielder, Daniel Ajakaiye

‘TYRED’ OF SCOUTING Kyran Jones interviews ex-Chelsea scout, Ray Pantling, on his previous scouting job and his tyre business.

hen scouts want a change in their career, the majority of them often go into coaching or managerial roles, but former non-league and Chelsea FC scout, Ray Pantling, went down a completely different road and opened his own tyre business, Tyres Direct. “I have always wanted my own business, I have always pushed myself to the limit, I knew that there was this fire inside me that would drive me to help me achieve my personal goal. “To not try it would have left me wondering and now later in life possibly having a regret, and I’ve learned that this decision was the right one,” Ray told The Non-League Works. Rays career started when he was coaching a very good under16’s and under-18’s Middlesex FA team when Chelsea recognised his good work who then offered him the once in a lifetime job to go and scout for the London club. Whilst scouting for Chelsea, Ray spotted the worldwide sensation, David Beckham. “I spotted David Beckham at a young age, he was in the Manchester United academy, I tried to convince him to come to Chelsea, but he was never going to leave his boyhood club. “One player that I did manage to get to Chelsea was left-back Danny Grandville who then

went on to play for Manchester City.” Ray says that from his experience, non-league scouting is so much different from when he scouted for his professional club, Chelsea. He said: “I had done a lot of non-league scouting for various people that I know who was working at League One and League Two sides. “I thoroughly enjoyed this type of scouting. I actually love this type of football passionately because it’s so much different and interesting to look at the raw talent and often-late development of an individual. “At a higher level they are already extremely good and it’s easy to see their ability, at the lower end it’s all about desire, potential and if someone can bring and develop that individual into a better player.” It was the attributes that Ray looked for in a player that made him an exceptional scout. “Every player was treated as an individual and I personally would look for a committed thinker, a player with desire, one who could think outside the box, ideally with a sensible controlled head on his shoulders. “It goes without saying that the player had to have the ability, good balance and subject and knowledge to his playing position.” Going to every game with the thought that this is going to be

the game of all games was what Ray thrived off when attending a match. “What I really enjoyed the most was going to every game in my car, normally with the thought that this was going to be the game of all games and I was going to discover a real gem and future star. “I would often e so excited at that thought, whatever the game no matter if there were 80,000 watching or just eight.” Pictured below: Ray showing off his tyre business.

FirstPoint USA was developed in 2001 with assistance from the Princeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Trust to assist 15 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 21 year old sportsmen & women with their placement at American colleges and universities. During this time, we have secured over $200 million in sports scholarship awards and sent 7,500 athletes to the United States. In any given year, FirstPoint will receive up to 30,000 applications from athletes throughout the world and send around 500 students to the USA each year. The company has been recognised as a NCAA-certified agency since 2012 and we employ a team of 37 full-time staff who work from our London, Manchester and Glasgow offices. Former FirstPoint student-athletes include 2016 Masters Champion, Danny Willett; England football star, Jamie Vardy; and HSBC Shanghai Masters Champion, Russell Knox.

Chelmsford to Chicago

axwell Ejiogu, 23, is currently studying at the University of Bedfordshire but, over the past three years, he has been studying and playing football overseas in the United States of America. Like most young players plying their trade in nonleague, Maxwell was one of the brightest prospects at Chelmsford City Football Club before he was snapped up by the University of Chicago. He said: “I was playing for Chelmsford City at the time when I first got recognised by the American scouts. After a couple more visits from scouts, I got offered a full scholarship with other extra add-ons from the University of Chicago. “This meant that I could study and play soccer at the same time, this gave me a lot of confidence that you can get opportunities playing at non-league level.” Playing ‘soccer’ in the USA is extremally different from playing in England. If you are an avid watcher of Major League Soccer (MLS) you will be familiar that the style of football is slower and more physical than English football and this was evident in Maxwell’s journey in Chicago. He explained: “Playing in America is definitely more gruelling and hardworking when you play English football it’s more about the technical side of the game. Fitness is a huge part of soccer in America and it was hard to adapt to at first but after a few months I was able to keep up with the physical demands.” It has been said by many pundits and football fans that the standard of football in America is significantly worse than the standard in England. Many young non-league players like to make the leap overseas to ply their trade in America and do have

success whilst over there, and it was the same story for Maxwell. “The standard of football is totally different, formations and tactics are a big part of the American game, playing in England is a lot quicker and tougher because the players are a better standard,” he explained. “I felt comfortable on the technical side of the game in America because I was used to playing this way in England but keeping up with the physical demands of the game were a lot tougher. “Whilst playing for Chicago, I won a lot of personal awards and was nominated for ‘player of the year’ in my freshman season, so I felt like my time in America went really well for me on a personal level.” Since departing from his American dream, Maxwell has been continuing his studies at the University of Bedfordshire and playing for the university football team, the Bedfordshire Bulls. In his first season, he has scored 7 goals and managed to provide his teammates with 5 assists. Now back in England and enjoying his football, Maxwell will be hoping to get back to his best and find himself a club for the upcoming season. Maxwell added: “I spent three years in Chicago and thoroughly enjoyed my time there, but I missed the competitiveness of playing in England, not to mention being with friends and family. “I’m currently studying at university and playing for a local team in the meantime, but I’m slyly confident that il be back playing at a good standard in the coming season.”

England C squad summary By Benjamin Stark

The England national football C team is made up of players at non-league level. Formed in 1979, it features mostly players from the National League Premier Division but on rare occasions, some players have made the 16-man squad from lower divisions. On the 22nd of April, current England C head coach, Paul Fairclough announced his 16-man squad to take on the Football Associations of Ireland Amateur International XI. The friendly will be played at Whitehall Stadium, Dublin on Sunday, May 27 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; kick-off 14.15.

Tom McHale (Truro City) Tom is a Highly-rated goalkeeper who joined Truro City at the turn of 2015 from Bodmin Town. After a number of loan spells at several clubs, this term has been the one where he has established himself and is now starting to attract plenty of attention. This is his first call-up to the national side and would be hoping to give a good account of himself in the upcoming friendly. Euan Van der Vliet (St Paul’s) This is a first full squad selection for the Jersey-based keeper, as the St Paul’s stopper travelled to the England C training camp at Lilleshall earlier this season. After keeping 12 clean sheets in just 24 games this season, it’s clear to see why head coach, Paul Fairclough has put his faith in him.

Kane Smith (Boreham Wood) Kane Smith joined Boreham Wood on a two-year deal from Hitchin Town in July 2017. The 21-year-old right-back made 120 senior appearances over two seasons Hitchin before making the move to National League side Boreham Wood. In the two seasons since joining, Kane scored an impressive 11 goals and provided 30 assists from right-back, while also helping to keep 38 clean sheets. These stats have led to trials with Premier League side Crystal Palace and League One outfits Shrewsbury Town and Coventry City. Kane will be hoping that a run in the England C squad will push a move to a football league side in the near future.

Luke Pennell (Dagenham & Redbridge) After a troubling 16 months, Luke is back to his best and producing solid performances for the Daggers, which has led to his second call-up to the England C squad. The 20-year-old had pleaded guilty in July 2015 to one count of theft, which took place in May 2015. Luke was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years. The Dagenham & Redbridge stopper will be hoping that his runin with the law will remind him to focus solely on the football and carry on this form that has seen him break into the England C squad.

Fraser Horsfall (Kidderminster) Fraser is another returning player to be involved in the England C set up, as he made his debut last month against Wales. The 20-year-old stopper joined the Harriers on loan from Premier League side Huddersfield Town in August 2017 but is no stranger to the National League, having spent previous spells with Stalybridge Celtic and Salford City. The young defender has been noticed on his performances this season, after making 42 appearances keeping 12 clean sheets and scoring four goals, the stopper is hoping to continue his form for the national side.

Sam Ling (Leyton Orient) The 21-year-old right-back has recently re-joined Leyton Orient in the January transfer window, after playing for fellow National League club Dagenham & Redbridge. Sam progressed through Orientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s youth academy but did not make a senior appearance before joining the Daggers in the summer of 2016. The versatile full-back was involved in the England C squad against Wales and will be hoping to impress the head coach, Paul Fairclough once against this time around.

Josh Staunton (Woking) The Woking utility man can either play as a centre-back or as a defensive midfielder, will be making a swift return to the squad, after making his second appearance for the national side last month against Wales. Josh came through the Gillingham ranks, whilst enjoying loan spells at Maidstone United, before joining Charlton Athletic in 2015. He didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make any senior appearances for Charlton but often captaining their U21 side, he spent a month on loan at non-league side St Albans City before signing for Dagenham and Redbridge in 2016. After making 35 appearances for Dagenham & Redbridge and helping them reach the playoffs, Josh rejected a new deal and joined Woking in the summer of 2017.

Tom Crawford (Chester) The 18-year-old midfielder has been in fine form this season and has been rewarded with a call-up to the England C squad. Crawford has made 16 appearances for Chester this season after graduating from the youth academy. He has been in excellent form this season and hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t gone unnoticed, with the teenager attracting interest from West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City. The young midfielder is following in the footsteps of fellow academy graduate James Jones, who was selected for the England C friendly against Wales last month. Chester has been producing a lot of players that are getting noticed by the England C coaches, including Antoni Sarcevic, Ben Heneghan and Kingsley James.

Charlee Adams (Dagenham & Redbridge) The 23-year-old midfielder has been on top form for the Daggers this season and will be joining up with fellow teammates Luke Pennell and Fejiri Okenabirhie in the England C squad. Charlee began his football career playing in West Ham Unitedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s youth system and then moved to Birmingham City in 2011. His career started off well, after making his first-team debut for Birmingham in the FA Cup in January 2014. He then went off to play 28 times in the Conference Premier on loan at Lincoln City, before spending the first half of the 2016-17 season on loan at Scottish Premiership club Kilmarnock. Charlee was released at the end of the season and was offered an opportunity back into football by Dagenham & Redbridge, where he has thrived and earned himself a call-up to the national team set up.

Josef Wheatley (Darlington) The 21-year-old tricky midfielder has been in frightening form this season for Darlington, making 28 appearances and scoring 13 goals in the process. Josef has been getting looked at by several Football League clubs this season, including Portsmouth and Championship strugglers Burton Albion.

Cavanagh Miley (Eastleigh) The 22-year-old right sided midfielder is set to make his second appearance for the national side next month, due to his solid performances for Eastleigh this season. Cavanagh has made 38 appearances this season, creating 10 assists for his teammates and scoring three goals in the process. After being recommended to Eastleigh manager, Richard Hill by work friend Brian Little in the summer of 2017, the young midfielder was snapped up after just two training sessions. The young winger signed from Jersey Football Club has been on fire in his debut season and will be hoping to continue his good form for the remainder of the season.

Tom Walker (Salford City) This is the 22-year-old midfielders first call-up to the England C squad and will hope to continue his fine form for the national side this time around. Tom signed for Salford City from non-league neighbours FC United of Manchester in the 2018 January 2018. The Salford-born midfielder spent his youth career at Bolton Wanderers, where he made his Football League debut as a substitute in January 2015 playing under Neil Lennon. He made 17 appearances for Wanderers before going on a season-long loan to Bury in 2016, where he made 15 appearances before being released by Bolton at the end of the season. After signing for FC United in October 2017 and became a fan favourite in just a few months and impressed against Salford which then prompted a move to Salford in the turn of the year. Tom has featured heavily since joining Salford, making 17 appearances and scoring six goals in the process. Ky Marsh-Brown (Whitehawk) The 20-year-old has featured heavily for National League side Whitehawk this season and his performances have not gone unnoticed, with an England C call-up. Ky joined Whitehawk in September 2017, having previously played for fellow non-league sides Bedford Town and Egham Town. The youngster spent his development career at Football League side at Brentford before being released in 2016. The creative midfielder has made 26 appearances this term, scoring 8 goals and providing 4 assists for his teammates.

Fejiri Okenabirhie (Dagenham & Redbridge) The Daggers frontman is not new to the England C set up, as he bagged a hat-trick against Wales last month. After a successful youth career at Arsenal, Fejiri was signed by Football League side Stevenage Borough. He didn’t find his best form at the Borough and was loaned out to multiple non-league sides until the Daggers snapped him up in 2016. Since then he has scored 23 goals in 66 appearances, not to mention being named ‘player of the year’ in 2017.

Josh Koroma (Leyton Orient) At just 19-years-old the Leyton Orient centre-forward has been on fine form this season and with regular first team football under his belt, it’s clear to see why Josh has been called up to the national side. Josh is a product of the successful Orient youth academy and was brought into the first team during March 2016, when he appeared as a substitute for Kevin Nolan in a 3-0 defeat at Barnet. He then went on to make 60 appearances for Orient, scoring 15 goals in the process.

Tommy Wright (Sutton United) The 21-year-old striker has been in fine form for Sutton United this season and will be one of the most experienced players in the England C squad having been called up to the team 3 times this season. Tommy gained a place in the first team squad two seasons ago after impressing in the pre-season friendlies, since keeping his place in the squad he has made 79 appearances, scoring 23 goals and creating 11 assists.

MAKING IT BIG TIME:

FROM NON-LEAGUE TO PREMIER LEAGUE BY KYRAN JONES

s a football fan growing up, the ultimate fantasy is to play in the Premier League. However, this is easier said than done with the competition being incredibly tough. With the top clubs signing all promising players at a young age, it makes it so much harder for a young player to get to the top the old-fashioned way. In the past few years, there have been numerous breakthroughs for players that have been playing in the Non-League where they have been spotted by a Premier League club, the latest being West Hamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest signing, Oladapo Afolayan. The 21-year-old striker was spotted from the ranks of Solihull Moors of the Vanarama National League, where West Ham offered the youngster a life-changing three-and-a-halfyear contract. Just like Afolayan, here are the most famous footballers that have made it big time and swapped non-league football for top-flight Premier League football.

MAKING IT BIG TIME: FROM NON-LEAGUE TO PREMIER LEAGUE

JAMIE VARDY

rguably the most famous players to come from the non-league is Jamie Vardy. After getting released from Sheffield Wednesday as a youngster, Vardy began his senior career with Stocksbridge Park Steels in 2007 playing first-team football where he was spotted by F.C Halifax Town and signed for the Northern Premier League club in 2010.

Vardy’s goal-scoring soon caught the eye of clubs at the other end of the professional scale, and in 2012, Vardy signed for Championship side Leicester City for a fee of £1 million. This was just the start of the fairy tale that Vardy dreamed of. Vardy then found himself playing in the top flight of football two seasons after joining The Foxes, playing a big part in their promotion to the Premier League. Vardy’s second season in the Premier League saw him set a Premier League scoring record, where he scored in eleven consecutive Premier League matches, breaking Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record, he was also voted Player of the Season and FWA Footballer of the Year as he helped underdogs Leicester City win the Premier League for the first time ever. Vardy’s dream was made complete when he got a call-up for England’s Euro 2016 squad.

MAKING IT BIG TIME: FROM NON-LEAGUE TO PREMIER LEAGUE

CHARLIE AUSTIN

xperiencing heart-break as a youth player when he was released by Reading, Charlie Austin turned to non-league football. Things didn’t really work out for Austin and by the age of 20, he was playing semiprofessional football for Wessex League side, Poole Town. Charlie also had a part-time job as a bricklayer at his Dad’s construction company.

Austin caught the eye of Swindon Town after scoring an amazing 46 goals in 46 games. At his time at Swindon Austin bagged 31 goals in 54 games, helping him secure a move to Burnley in the Championship. Austin’s 41 goals in 82 games for The Clarets proved that he was a natural goal scorer and after 2 years at Burnley, Austin moved to London club, Queens Park Rangers. In Austin’s first season at The Rangers, he helped them gain promotion to the Premier League. Austin’s first season in the Premier League saw him finish fourth highest scorer, although Rangers were relegated back to the Championship. However, Austin was soon back in the Premier League when in 2016, he signed for Southampton, where he still plays today.

MAKING IT BIG TIME: FROM NON-LEAGUE TO PREMIER LEAGUE

TROY DEENEY

roy Deeneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dreams of becoming a Premier League player seemed to be crushed by Aston Villa when they released him as a youngster. Deeney had his heart set on giving up football altogether and focusing on his full-time construction job, but he continued to play at non-league club Chelmsley Town and was soon recognised by League One side Walsall.

Given a second chance, Deeney snatched at it with both hands and his three seasons Walsall helped him develop into the player that he is today. His hard-work at Walsall didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go unnoticed, and in 2010 he bagged a move to Watford. Since joining Watford, Deeney was the first ever Watford player to score 20 goals in three consecutive seasons. Deeney made his Premier League debut in 2015 and despite being linked with moves to other top sides, he continues to do what he does best for The Hornets, scores goals.

MAKING IT BIG TIME: FROM NON-LEAGUE TO PREMIER LEAGUE

ANDRE GRAY

ndre Gray began his football career at Shrewsbury Town in 2009, where he saw himself going on loan spells to AFC Telford in the 2009-10 season and Hinckley United 2010-2012. Whilst at Hinckley, Gray bagged 29 goals in 65 appearances and then in the following season went on loan to Luton Town â&#x20AC;&#x201C; who were in the Conference Premier at the time, until the end of the 2011-12 season. Having impressed Luton Town, Gray made his move a permanent move at the beginning of the 2012-13 season. Gray spent two years at Luton Town and in that time, he bagged an impressive 47 goals in 88 games which earned him a move to Championship side, Brentford.

Gray made his first professional Football League debut against Charlton Athletic and scored his first competitive goal in the following game against Dagenham and Redbridge in the League Cup first round. Gray spent only one season at Brentford and scored 18 goals in 47 matches. The following season Gray moved to Championship side Burnley and played a big part in helping The Clarets gain promotion into the Premier League. Gray scored in his Premier League debut in a 2-0 win over Premier League giants Liverpool. After an acceptable season at Burnley in the Premier League, London club Watford signed the 26-year-old where he still plays today.

From Non-League

f I told you that I went from a nonleague football scout to scouting for professional football team, Peterborough United in one year you wouldn’t believe me, right? Well, this is my journey of how I went from Non-League to Football League. My journey started a year ago, I was desperate to enhance my journalism portfolio and was looking for work experience writing at a football club. My friends had my best intentions at heart and referred me to a company called Kormani Football

Agency, where I thought I would be writing match reports to gain some experience. I thought this would be an excellent opportunity for me, so I went ahead and contacted the head of recruitment, Simon Kidby (right). He inturn contacted me the same day and offered me a position with Kormani Football Agency, not as a writer but as a football scout. As you can probably hazard a guess I was so baffled, I’ve never done scouting before, but I felt that this opportunity was too good to pass up. After a couple of weeks speaking to Simon about what he wanted me to look for in a player, I was given the chance to go out to my first game and watch St Albans City’s talented young central defender, Harold Joseph. I was nervous before the match but once I got to the stadium and took my seat, I felt in my comfort zone. After the game, I had to file a report about the players that caught my eye and Harold really did stand out from the rest. I submitted my reports and got great feedback from the other scouts, which gave me more confidence for when I go to scout different players. Scouting for Kormani was exciting but until the winter months, gruelling weather, postponed matches and frozen fingers were just a few factors that made this job would be harder

than I first thought. The winter months passed, and the reports mounted up, the most important part of the season was coming up and I was excited to see what the January transfer window would hold for the players represented by Kormani Football Agency. It was a busy January transfer window for one Kormani player, Liam Nash (left) was in frightening form for non-league side Maldon & Tiptree, after scoring 33 goals in 41 appearances. This fine form attracted interest from several Football League sides with Gillingham being heavily linked with the 22-year-old. By the end of the transfer window, Gillingham finally was able to snap up the in-demand striker, which was a great step for Kormani and Liam.

to Football League After the rush of the transfer window it was back to watching games and writing reports, but in March my scouting journey took a detour. It was a regular day and I was casually checking my emails when I stumbled across one that caught my eye. Sam Gaughran (bellow), Peterborough United’s Head of Academy Recruitment dropped me an email asking me to attend a meeting at their

training ground, as you could probably tell I was shocked, but I was excited to see what was in store. Before I travelled to meet Sam, I thought it was best that we’d have a conversation on the phone about my footballing knowledge and what I could bring to Peterborough’s scouting team. We had two in-depth chats about football and we both agreed that I would be suitable for the position.

In April I travelled to Peterborough’s training ground, where I met players, academy coaches and even club Chairman, Barry Fry (bellow). It was an experience of a lifetime, I was able to meet people that have been involved with football for over a decade, Barry Fry in particular. I spend around fivehours speaking with multiple coaches before they finally offered me the position of Head Scout for Luton and Bedfordshire for the Peterborough United academy. It was a proud moment in my life,

a moment I never thought would become a reality over a year ago. It’s been three months since my appointment and I have been travelling around the grounds ever since then. Parks, school games, five-a-side tournaments, you can find that next hidden talent in the most unlikely of places, which is why football scouting is one of the most exciting jobs I’ve ever done. This is just the start of my football journey, but I am driven to make it to the top and find the next footballing superstar. By Benjamin Stark

PLAYERS TO WATCH By Kyran Jones

Every footballerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dream is to play football professionally for a living, however, it is easier said than done. England ace, Jamie Vardy, knows just how tough it is to put pen to paper to sign a professional contract after he went from non-league side Halifax Town to Premier League title winners Leicester City. The Non-League works have been closely observing nine current nonleague players, to follow the journey of these nine potential stars, to see if they have what it takes to make it big time. Although some of these players have already played professionally, they are looking to get another shot just before they hang their boots up.

Jake Robinson Age: 31 (October 23, 1986) Club: Billericay Town Position: Striker League: Isthmian League Premier Division

Previous Clubs: Brighton & Hove Albion, Aldershot Town, Shrewsbury Town, Torquay United, Northampton Town, Luton Town, Whitehawk, Hemel Hempstead Town

lthough Jake has spent most of his career playing professionally, the past few years haven’t gone to plan for the 31-year-old striker. From being Brighton’s youngestever goalscorer at 16, Robinson decided to drop down a division to play for Glenn Tamplin’s Billericay Town for a club record signing of £24,000. He said: “I know it’s a step down yes, but I believe Billericay are on their way up and I believe that this club will help me get back to playing football professionally again.” Robinson is known for his goal scoring after scoring an astonishing 25 goals last season for Hemel Hempstead, he has also scored in the Championship, League One and League Two.

APPERANCES: 10 GOALS: 15 50

Jack Barham Age: 22 (9 February 1996) Club: Greenwich Borough Position: Striker League: Isthmian League South Division

Previous Clubs:

Great Wakering, Heybridge Swifts, Phoenix Sports, Thurrock FC, Tilbury FC

APPERANCES:45 GOALS: 38

ack Barham has been an exciting prospect over the past few seasons, after being picked up at the beginning of the season by Greenwich Borough from Phoenix Sports, the 22-yearold striker has been turning a lot of heads. Millwall manager, Neil Harris, in particular, was impressed by Barham and offered him a trial at The Lions. It is believed that Barham has other football league clubs interested assessing him too. “My dream is to become pro and have my name on the back of my shirt, one day I will

achieve that. “One day I’ll be where I want to be, playing for Millwall in that trial I’ll never forget, being able to play in a stadium like that is a real achievement for me, these are just little steps on my journey. Non-league is still important for me now and I’m still keeping very levelheaded, nothing is ever given to you in life you have to grind and grind until you get an opportunity. I said to myself this season will be my season and so far, I’m on the right track, “ He told The Non-League Works. Barham has an impressive

25 goals in 28 appearances for Greenwich Borough.

REISE allassani Age: 22 (3 January 1996) Club: Dulwich Hamlet Position: Striker/Winger League: Isthmian League South Division

Previous Clubs:

Crystal Palace, Bromley FC,

eise Allassani was impressive at Crystal Palace, some even compared the 22-year-old to the likes of Wilfried Zaha and Victor Moses. In 2016, Allassani was released by Palace and on the verge of completing a move to Championship side Sheffield Wednesday, and then his world came crashing down when he suffered a devastating knee ligament injury, a mortifying blow for the player just about to turn 21. Allassani is now on the journey relaunching himself in the seventh tier of English football, the Isthmian League South Division. He is the best player at this level by far and has an impressive 17 goals in 16 games for Dulwich Hamlet. Hamlet boss, Gavin Rose, says that seven or eight clubs have made a firm interest in the former Crystal Palace youngster, with one of those clubs being Scottish giants, Celtic. He said: “A lot of young players would like to stay at a pro club and play in the academy, but it might not get you anywhere.

Coming to non-league, you must have the right mentality. You must understand it’s going to be hard work. It’s not pretty, there are no nice training grounds. You’ve got to come out of your comfort zone. But if you’re willing to do that, you can make a success out of it. “These next few seasons are the most important of my career, I’m going to be focussing on re-establishing myself and hoping to sign a professional contract”.

APPERANCES: 17 GOALS: 19

GEORGE ESSUMAN APPERANCES:22 CLEAN SHEETS:19

Age: 21 (28 January 1997) Club: Dover Athletic Position: Centre-Back League: Vanarama National League Previous Clubs: Oxford

City, Grays Athletic, Maldon and Tiptree, Ware FC, Waltham Forest, Norwich City, West Ham United, Sheffield United

eorge Essuman signed for Dover Athletic at the begging of the season in a bid to help The Whites get a promotion to the Football League. The 21-year-old centre-half then signed for Margate on a month-long loan from Dover. Essuman believes that the month-long loan is something that would benefit his career and give him the experience that he needs to break into the first team of Dover Athletic. “Playing games at my age is very important as this is the time I use to learn and develop as a player. Experience is key, so by getting games, I’m also gaining that too. Hopefully whilst I’m at Margate I can impress the boss at Dover, which will ensure me first team football.” He told The Non-League Works. Like most defenders, Essuman started off as a striker, but due to his strength and size, he eventually ended up at the back keeping clean sheets. “I started off as a striker when I was younger, but I had a bigger physique than most kids my age, so my manager decided to play me centreback for a game, I kept a clean sheet that game and the rest is history, I enjoy defending and keeping clean sheets as much as anything now.”

What does it take to manage a non-league football team?

ecoming a football coach is not as hard as it sounds, although to reach the top level it takes a lot of hard work, determination and it usually helps if you are already in a football circle. However, to manage a nonleague side, as well as having the skill set all you need to do is take an accessible qualification and the drive and passion to make it happen. Nowadays most Premier League managers are usually ex-professional players who are retired and have the experience of playing. The doors are already wide open for those who have played at a top-flight club. Most of you now must be thinking “well how am I meant to

BY KYRAN JONES

make it as a manager” and believe it or not it is possible for you to work your way up without playing for a team. There are “four corners” of football: technical, physical, psychological and social, and you will have to nurture your players on an individual and team level through these “four corners”. You will need to understand the technical and strategic elements of football to excel in your dream of becoming a non-league manager. The first thing that you will need to start your journey as a nonleague football manager is your FA coaching badges. Obtaining your FA badges is expensive and time-consuming, but in the end, it is worth it and always looks good on your CV. The first FA course is the only qualification that you will need

to manage a non-league football team, this course costs around £150-£200. This course consists of both theory and practical elements of football coaching. You will learn about first aid, defence, attack, pass and control, shooting and more, you will then be assessed at the end of the course. To advance any further in the football pyramid you will need to complete the level 2 FA course, managers at a high league club also must finish and pass their Level 3 FA course too.

GAME OF THE SEASON KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS - 4

E OLUKOLADE SONUPE 21’, J IRONSIDE 33’, L VAUGHAN 54’, D BRADLEY 56’

SALFORD CITY - 4 J ASKEW 81’, N HAUGHTON 89’, E DIESERUVWE 90+3, T WALKER 90+6

BY KYRAN JONES 56

GAME OF THE SEASON

he Non-League Works game of the season was the eight-goal thriller between Kidderminster Harriers FC and National League North table-toppers, Salford City. The Harriers looked as if they were going to take all three points when they were 4-0 up with ten minutes to go, but the Mancunian side, Salford City, managed to salvage a point with an amazing late fightback to draw 4-4 Very well taken goals coming from Manny Sonupe, Joe Ironside, Lee Vaughan and Dan Bradley looked like it was going to secure The Harriers all three points before Salford netted four quick-fire goals by Josh Askew, Nick Haughton, Mani Dieseruvwe and Tom Walker, with the equaliser arriving six minutes into stoppage time. Salford looked like the team on the front foot after forcing a couple of corners in the first few minutes and nearly took the lead after Tom Walkerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s corner was headed narrowly wide by Michael Nottingham. The Harriers responded well after coming close twice to nearly opening the scoring. The first opportunity came from a long-range shot from Dan Bradley which bounced awkwardly before being saved by goalkeeper Tim Erlandsson, who then made an impressive save to keep out a strong shot from Manny Sonupe. Sonupe put The Harriers ahead in the 21st minute when an attempted clearance by Nottingham struck one of his own players before reaching skipper Ryan Croasdale who unselfishly laid the ball across the goal for Sonupe to score his 14th of the season. The Harriers made it 2-0 in the 33rd minute with Joe Ironside getting his 19th of the campaign.

The goal stemmed from a missplaced pass by Carl Piergianni which was intercepted by Lee Vaughan who played a first time through ball to Ironside who controlled the ball well, cut in from the right-side and placed a curling left-footed shot into the back of the net. At the start of the second half, Salford felt like they needed a change and introduced former Harriers striker Manny Dieseruvwe to replace Jack Redshaw. Vaughan then added his name to the scoresheet in the 54th minute when a surging run forward by Declan Weeks caught Salford on the back-foot to set up Vaughan to hammer home a fierce shot past Erlandsson. Things then went from bad to worse for the Mancunian side when they went 4-0 down courtesy of Dan Bradley. Salford City looked down and out and in the 80th minute, they had a glimpse of hope when substitute Josh Askew fired in a low and hard left footed shot after retrieving the ball and playing a clever one-two with Lois Maynard.

Salford then scored a second just 8 minutes later when a flick on from a long ball by Maynard fell to Nick Haughton who struck a half-volley and crept underneath The Harriers keeper. The comeback was on in the 93rd minute when former Harriers striker Manny Dieseruvwe headed home from a whipped in ball by Walker from a corner. Then the impossible was made possible when six minutes into stoppage time Salford were awarded a penalty after a rash challenge from Kennedy Digie which brought Nottingham down in the box. Midfielder Tom Walker stepped up to the spot, his low struck show was saved and parried back into his path to slot home the equaliser of this eventful goal-fest comeback.

Salford City celebrate Walkers late equaliser

ONE TO WATCH: MARVEL EKPITETA O

ne of the players to watch out for in the Evo-Stik South is 22-year-old Bishops Stortford central defender, Marvel Ekpiteta. The versatile defender recently returned to Stortford at the beginning of the season having joined the Blues originally in September last year from

Chelmsford City. This season Marvel has been catching the eye of manager Kevin Watson and has subsequently been handed the captains armband for his efforts. Marvel has been playing nonleague football for a few seasons now and is confident that his performances throughout the season will give him a massive opportunity to get a move to a

football league side. “I think being named captain is a good look if clubs higher up are seeing that, but it’s also been a good experience for me and helped me to become a better player,” Marvel explained. “I have to take more responsibility on the pitch and keep the standard of my performances high, so I set a good

example for the rest of the players. “Obviously I know I have things to work on, but I do feel like I can get back to football league level if I stay consistent and carry on doing the right things.” Marvel is not the only member of the Ekpiteta family with football in their blood, twin brother Marvin has recently been plying his trade for non-league side East Thurrock for the past couple of seasons and in January was given a dream move to Leyton Orient.

He said: “I’m originally a fullback, so this is my first season playing centre back in men’s football and because that’s my brother’s actual position he has helped me a lot in giving me tips of what I need to do whilst playing there. “We both have always been quite competitive in a good way and we just try to push each other to get better.” Non-league football is a stepping stone for many young players and is a great way to get first-team football under your belt. With previous stints at football league sides Oxford United and Stevenage Borough, Marvel is hoping that his time at Bishops Stortford will help him make the step up. Marvel said: “Non-league football gives you a lot of exposure to professional clubs because your playing men’s football week in week out and a lot of football league sides are watching these games now. “It gives you that feeling of what it means to win a game, which is different to academy football as the result is not always important, so I think it really gets you ready to step up.” By Benjamin Stark

Dulwich Hamlet promotion party

ulwich Hamlet were promoted to the National League South for the first time in the club’s history, months after they faced the threat of extinction. The non-league side beat Hendon 4-3 in a dramatic penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw in the final of the Isthmian League play-offs. After spending five-years in the Isthmian League, and a run of four successive play-off defeats for manager Gavin Rose, the promotion party will go on into the night for Dulwich. It has been a hard couple of months for the south Londoners, after they were evicted from their Champion Hill home when there were on-going arguments with owners Meadow Residential LLP. Dulwich were top of the league before being handed an unanticipated bill for back rent of £121,000 by Meadow, with the threat of a winding-up order to follow within 21 days. The club were also served notice that their licence to play at the stadium had been terminated with immediate effect. Times were tough for the supporters, players and staff but were given media attention after ex-England international, Rio Ferdinand wanted to buy the club in

December. The former Manchester United captain made a multi-million-pound offer to save the club in December, but their American owners are refusing to sell with the club strangled for funds. With the club not being allowed to play at Champion Hill, the play-off final was hosted by Tooting and Mitcham’s KNK Stadium, eight miles from their usual home. This didn’t stop supporters flooding into the ground to witness the club’s promotion and fans, players and staff partied late into the night. The club received contractually messages from a number of famous names, including former Charlton player Jason Euell. For now, the club’s immediate future is uncertain but with a huge fanbase and attention from wealthy buyers, Dulwich will be a force to be reckoned with in the National League South next season.

JORDAN HULME Altrincham

SECOND CHANCE FOR JORDAN HULME

ordan Hulme’s played a massive part in Salford City’s “Class of 92: Going full-time” documentary on Sky Sports, but when the Mancunian side decided not to take Hulme on full time, it was a big blow to 27-year-old striker. However, his footballing ability didn’t go unnoticed, and he signed for high-flying, Evo-Stik Premier League side, Altrincham. As the end of the season approaches us, The Robbins are the team that are towering above any other team in the Evo-Stik Premier and gained early promotion with 3 games to go. Football is a team game after all, but Hulme’s impressive 24 league goals have proved crucial. With the Robins promotion to the Vanarama National League North, the division Hulme’s was playing in for Salford City, he has a second chance to try and help his team gain back-to-back promotions to the Vanarama National League. Last season saw Hulme’s former club, Salford City, take the next big leap in their football journey and go full time. Hulme’s struck double figures in a rocky season for the Mancunian side, who narrowly missed out on promotion to the non-league top tier. It was a farewell to Hulme in Salford’s play-off semi-final against FC Halifax Town, who went on to win the play-off final against Chorley FC. Finding his feet at a new team and setup, were the main factors that prevented him hitting the ground, he says. The Robins was ultimately the perfect environment that Hulme’s needed. Whilst recording ‘Class of 92: Full-Time’, Hulme’s was one of those that featured in the documentary, with focus on leaving his parents family home and moving into his own place. There was also a one-to-one meeting with exManchester United winger Ryan Giggs, on what it takes to become a full-time player. Not hiding his disappointment of leaving Salford City, Hulme has been glad that his friendship with his former boss’ Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley, still remain.

Alongside his hunger to score and his fierce competitiveness, the lighter-side is everything to Hulme’s. When the atmosphere in the dressing room was electric after a Salford win, Hulme’s was the conductor-in-chief. While all of us love pouring emotion into following what happens on the pitch, it is surely the beating heart of the club, its togetherness where the true value lies. It is clear to see that Hulme’s is happy to have found that again, and it is exactly this what he cherishes and loves about non-league. Although ‘live wire’ might be a fair enough description of the 27-year-old, there is this passion and drive that oozes from Hulme’s. As he looks back over the past few years of his footballing career, it is still in his thoughts to become a full-time footballer. A club that has a history in the FA Cup, two FA Trophies and two conference titles, Altrincham are helping Hulme’s enjoy his football and in return, Hulme’s has helped them gain promotion to the Vanarama National League North.

H A R T L E PO O

F R O M R AG S

OL UNITED:

TO RICHES

HARTLEPOOL UNITED: FROM RAGS TO RICHES

he first thing that pops into your mind when thinking if Hartlepool United is Sky Sports News presenter, Jeff Stelling. Ever since their relegation into the Vanarama National League from League Two last season, it hasn’t been great to be a Hartlepool United fan. Football has always been the beating heart of Hartlepool, and when Hartlepool fans saw their club relegated into the Vanarama National League for the first time ever in their history last May, it was heartbreak for them. However, the relegation was just the beginning of every Hartlepool fans problems. When a club like Hartlepool is paying Football League wages on a non-league budget, it is always going to end in a disaster. Paying these sorts of wages soon catches up with you and in January 2018, Hartlepool United owner, John Blackledge, saw his club sliding into administration. Hartlepool needed to raise £200,000 by January 25th, to prevent themselves heading into administration. The raw emotion that was displayed by Jeff Stelling whilst he delivered goal updates from his beloved team on Soccer Saturday made it very clear just how much trouble Hartlepool United were in. While supporters’ true colours often show when their club is in dire straits, Jeff Stelling did not shy away from helping his boyhood club when they needed it the most.

Pictured below: Heartbreak for Hartlepool players after their relegation

HARTLEPOOL UNITED: FROM RAGS TO RICHES Die-hard fans including Jeff Stelling played a big part in saving Hartlepool United Football Club. The fans of Hartlepool began by setting up a ‘go fund me’ page, pleading people to donate money to raise the £200,000 they needed to save the club. Stelling had a big involvement in helping to raise this money when he donated £100,000 of his hard-earned cash. Managing to raise the £200,000 needed, shortly after, Blackledge put Hartlepool up for sale – just six months after buying the club! With Blackledge putting the club up for sale, there was worry that this would cause even more financial problems and could see the end of Hartlepool United Football Club. However, the day was then saved by Raj Singh. The Teeside businessman completed his takeover of the northeast club at the beginning of April and has pledged that he is willing to pump significant amounts into the club and take the club back to where they belong, in League Two. As much as Singh’s takeover was appreciated by the Pools’ fans, it also raised a few eyebrows as Singh was formerly the chairman of Pool’s rivals, Darlington, although that venture ended in him standing down and Darlington being placed in administration. Things then started to get better for Pools’ fans, when there was a threat of relegation with just 7 games to go, they managed to turn around a nightmare of a season, winning four of their last seven games and finish 15th. This could well be the resurrection that Hartlepool United needed.

Pictured above: Jeff Stelling doing all he can to help out

Pictured below: The new Hartlepool owner, Raj Singh

two up, two down By Benjamin Stark

There is only one division separating the Football League and non-league and whether you are a team bidding for promotion or battling relegation you have 46 games to define your season. With the season reaching the last couple of games, we look at the teams bidding for promotion to the Football League and relegation to the National League. With just one game left in the Football League Two, we have already said goodbye to one team. Chesterfield United were relegated three weeks ago to the National League and with two games left, the players and staff will be hoping to give their fans a good send off. The club’s relegation means Chesterfield will play non-league football for the first time since re-joining the Football League in 1921. Jack Lester won just nine of his 37 games in charge and left as manager after their defeat to Wycombe Wanderers last month. After finishing bottom of League One last season, this will be their second successive relegation leaving the club in serious turmoil. Chesterfield have not been outside of the relegation zone since December, and Jack departed the club, telling BBC Sport he was “desperately sorry” he was unable to help the club survive the drop into non-league.

With already one relegation spot taken up, there are two teams battling it out to stay in the Football League. Barnet and Morecambe have just one more game to save their season, with the Bees playing at home against already relegated Chesterfield, while Morecambe have a tough task against play-off chasers Coventry City. Barnet manager Martin Allen is hopeful that the home crowd at The Hive can his side the edge they need for Saturday’s all-important final game. On Saturday 28th April, saw Martin’s side win at rivals Morecambe and they must beat alreadyrelegated Chesterfield and hope Morecambe lose away at Coventry to stand any chance of staying up. Barnet aren’t shy to a relegation battle and have been relegated twice before, in 2001 after 11 seasons in the Football League and again in 2013 after another nine seasons in the Football League. Barnet were bottom of the English Football League, seven points adrift of safety with just eight games to play before Martin Allen returned to the club for a fifth time on 18 March 2018. Martin is part of a prestigious group of Barnet managers take the club into the Football League in 2015, along with Barry Fry (1991) and Paul Fairclough (2005). Martin will be hoping to pull of mission impossible, after the Bees have now taken 10 points out of a possible 12 to put the pressure on Morecambe.

Morecambe are currently sitting one place above the relegation zone, two points above London rivals Barnet with one game to play. With just two wins in their last 19 matches, this poor form has forced them to get a positive result against Coventry on the last game of the season. The London placed team have just been taken over just four days before the game that will determine their immediate future. The League Two club confirmed the sale of parent company G50 Holdingsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 82% majority shareholding to London-based Bond Group Investments Limited. Morecambe were first promoted to the Football League in 2007 but will go down if they lose at Coventry and Barnet, who beat them 1-0 on the 28th April, defeat already relegated Chesterfield.

Looking at the Vanarama National League, Macclesfield Town were crowned champions following their 2-0 victory against Eastleigh on Saturday 28th April. The Silkmen are back in the Football League for the first time since 2012 and was in that period in their history that things took a turn for the worst. Financial issues hindered the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success in previous years before manager John Askey got things in order and took the club to new heights. After a number of seasons trying to keep the Cheshire club in existence, he and the club have finally got the reward for all the blood, sweat and tears that have seen them be promoted.

With Macclesfield taking the top spot in the National League, there are six play-off places available for the better performers this season.

Tranmere Rovers ended the regular season in second place and will be eager to make a return to the Football League, after being relegated in 2015. Manager, Micky Mellon will be hoping that they forget about their recent end of season form and focus on the play-offs. Tranmere had a miserable end to the season, losing the last two games at home but will be liking their chances in the play-offs. Rovers lost 2-1 to both Solihull Moors and Hartlepool United to finish off their campaign with second-place already wrapped up. Micky opted for youth against league strugglers Solihull but brought most of his first-team players back for the defeat against Hartlepool. The squad will be fuelled up and should play with the handbrake off when they host Ebbsfleet in the play-off semifinals.

Sutton United have been hitting the heights this season, with manager Paul Doswell hoping that the ‘golden period’ will last a little bit longer as his side prepare for a play-off semi-final. The U’s secured their highest ever league finish this season, after beating play-off rivals Aldershot Town 2-1 at Green Lane. The win secured third place and a home semi-final, which could be a key factor in reaching the play-off final. It’s been an extraordinary season for the U’s-much like last year and the one before that when they won the National League South in 2016. With all this added optimism, Sutton will be bidding to reach the Football League for the first time in their history.

Boreham Wood are looking to make the leap into the Football League this season, after beating AFC Fylde in the play-off eliminator. It was always going to be a tight affair, as fourth placed Boreham Wood hosted seventh placed AFC Fylde and with home advantage they managed to secure a 2-1 victory in front of 1244 fans. Wood were ahead in just six minutes when Jamie Turley managed to get on the end of a Bruno Andrade corner and with the wind in their tails doubled the lead 12 minutes later, when Andrade converted Michael Foliviâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s delicious cross. Fylde managed to half the deficit through Simon Grandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s instinctive close-range finish on the half-hour mark to provide some optimism for the travelling fans. In a closely contested second-half, Andrade missed the opportunity to wrap up the tie 10 minutes from time, after failing to beat Jay Lynch from the penalty spot. Boreham Wood now face the trip to Sutton United in the playoff semi-finals and will be hoping to continue this fine form in their push to promotion.

(5-4) After Pens

The second eliminator match saw Aldershot Town host Ebbsfleet United in one of the more nail-biting ties. Ebbsfleet overcame the odds and managed to beat Aldershot 5-4 on penalties at the EBB Stadium following a 1-1 draw after extra time. It was a game of cat and mouse during the 90 minutes with the score being held at 0-0, with Ebbsfleet’s Danny Kedwell having had a penalty saved by Lewis Ward. Aldershot took the lead in extra time through Portsmouth loanee Nicke Kabamba’s header, before former Aldershot player Dave Winfield came back to haunt the hosts as he netted a late equaliser to send the contest to a shoot-out. The home side went 3-1 up in the shoot-out, with Ward making two saves, but could not finish the job, after Ebbsfleet drew level making it 4-4. Ward stepped up for the hosts and struck the post before Dean Rance’s slotted passed Ward to send Ebbsfleet into the semi-finals. Ebbsfleet now have the task of beating league runners-up Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park.

THE NON-LEAGUE WORKS team of the season

The Non-League Works have been keeping an eye out for the standout players across the non-league to feature them in our very own Team of The Season. It has been a very difficult task as weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had to choose from hundreds of players and narrow it down to just 11. 77

TEAM OF THE SEASON GK - Mitch Walker – Dover Athletic – Vanarama National League This was a tricky decision as Salford City’s Tim Erlandsson has had an incredible season as well as Macclesfield Town’s Shwan Jalal, but the stand out keeper for the season has been Mitch Walker. As well as keeping the most clean sheets in the Vanarama National League, Walker has played a big part in Dover Athletics fight for the play-offs.

RB – Michael Nottingham – Salford City – Vanarama National League North Offensively Michael Nottingham is the best right back in the non-league divisions. The past few seasons have been big for Nottingham where last season saw a Football League side make a bid for the six-foot-full-back, but unfortunately for Nottingham, Salford City thought he was worth more than what was offered. However, since then, Nottingham has shown great character and not let it affect his game. Every game he has been exceptional and next season don’t be surprised if you see him in the Football League.

CB – Callum Reynolds – Aldershot Town - Vanarama National League Callum Reynolds has been the backbone of the Aldershot defence this season, his defensive positioning is excellent, and we see him as a genuine leader. Reynolds has been very impressive this season and has the highest clean sheet record for a defender in the league.

CB – Keith Lowe – Macclesfield Town – Vanarama National League Keith Lowe was the first name on the team sheet and this choice doesn’t really need much explanation. Lowe has played a massive role in helping get Macclesfield promoted to League Two, he hasn’t bagged many goals this season but has made up for it defensively.

LB – Kane Smith – Boreham Wood – Vanarama National League Kane Smith’s natural position is right-back but we felt that he has been too good this season to leave him out of the Team of The Season. Smith could easily play in the Football League, he had trials last season at Shrewsbury Town and Coventry City. Smith’s outstanding season has earned him a place in Paul Fairclough’s England C Team.

TEAM OF THE SEASON RM – Corey Whitely – Ebbsfleet United – Vanarama National League South There were a few contenders for this position but Corey Whitely just edged it. Whitely has been excellent this season, scoring goals, assisting and he has shown that he has got pace and power. The 26-year-old winger has been exceptional this season for Ebbsfleet United and we may well see him in the Football League in the near future.

CM – Mitchell Pinnock – Dover Athletic – Vanarama National League This may be the first surprise in my team, but Mitchell Pinnock has been outstanding towards the end of the season. Pinnock may have had a slow start to the season but has been excellent in the second half of the season. His 8 goals and 17 assists have helped Dover to try and get that play-off position. Pinnock has also featured in England’s C Team.

CM – Ryan Croasdale – Kidderminster Harriers – Vanarama National League This was a very easy pick for us, the best thing about Ryan Croasdale is that he never overcomplicates the game for himself or his teammates. He doesn’t try the 60-yard diagonal pass, he rarely loses the ball, he just keeps his game very simple and easy. His work-rate is one of the best in the league and he controls the game from the middle of the pitch and plays the game at his own pace, his hard work this season has earned him a place in the England C Team.

LM – Kieron Cadogon – Sutton United – Vanarama National League Kieron Cadogan hasn’t had as much praise as he should have had this season. He has been one of Sutton United’s unsung heroes and hasn’t been recognised for it as much as he should have been. He’s a joy to watch every game and you know that when you are watching him he is going to put in 110% effort.

TEAM OF THE SEASON

ST – Danny Rowe – AFC Fylde – Vanarama National League This was one of the easiest decisions for us, Danny Rowe has been by far the best player in the Vanarama National League. His impressive 25 goals in 45 games. Rowe has impressed with his goal scoring and has earned AFC Fylde their place in the play-offs. It will be a shock if Rowe doesn’t make it big time and into the Football League.

ST – Jack Barham – Greenwich Borough – Isthmian League This is probably the biggest shock of our selection, but how can we ignore Jack Barham’s 35 goals this season? – the most goals in all the Vanarama National Leagues and the Isthmian League. It is sure to say that the 22-year-old striker will be playing at a higher level next season. He has been outstanding this season and deserves a move to a higher club.

Danny Rowe

Jack Barham

Kieron Codagon

Corey Whitely Ryan Croasdale

Kane Smith

Keith Lowe

Mitchell Pinnock

Callum Reynolds

Mitch Walker 80

Michael Nottingham

PENNOCK’S EMPTYING THE ‘WHEEL BARROW’

arrow AFC narrowly avoided relegation this season and are set to make big changes to their squad to avoid a repeat next season. The club left it until the final day of the season in the Vanarama National League to stay in the division and manager Ady Pennock (right) has released six players since survival. There are a few big names who have been released by the club including Harry Panayiotou, Thierry Audel, David Fitzpatrick, Bradley Bauress, Tony Diagne and star striker Byron Harrison. (bellow)

Pennock’s clear-out didn’t end there either, after five more players being made available for transfer. Asa Hall, Dan Jones, Jordan White, Bedsente Gomis and Jack Barthram have all been added to the transfer list. Its not all doom and gloom for the Barrow players with Moussa Diarra, Nathan Waterston and Donovan Makoma all have been offered new deals, while Steve Arnold, Joel Dixon and Grant Holt are to remain at the club to see out their contracts. The Barrow hopefuls will be keeping their fingers crossed that the decision to ship out a number of big names will improve the clubs position for the up-coming season in the Vanarama National League.