Comments on: Ten Things You Should Know About Non-League Football

By: Paul Lakatos

Paul Lakatos — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:52:49 +0000

Can you tell me the ruling regarding ownership of the teams ground? I had heard that a team must own its own ground in the conference. I ask as Luton who have been relegated sold their ground to the council years ago, and i was told that Luton would not be allowed to play at Kenilworth road due to them not owning their own ground.

By: Alan - Blue Square

Alan - Blue Square — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 11:17:59 +0000

It was indeed John Moules who made the suggestion about 0-0 draws, the only incorrect part is that he has not been on the Conference board, that administrate the Blue Square Premier, since August ‘07. He is now working as a referee ascessor.

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 17:25:20 +0000

Two things – I think it was the Football League’s Chairman who suggested penalty shoot-outs to decide drawn matches, not John Moules. I’d be surprised if Moules did suggest that, as he struck me as being one of the more level-headed administrators in the game.

Also, I similarly wonder about the prices; I pay 9 quid at AFC Wimbledon at Kingsmeadow, and paid 8 quid to see Hertha Berlin at the Olympiastadion. I raised this with the club, and their take was that the book just need to balance and that even at Ryman Leagie Division 1 level, player wages still needed to be paid.

By: Tom Dunmore

Tom Dunmore — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 21:44:46 +0000

I have to say, used to MLS pricing (tickets as cheap as $12 for adults), I was surprised to see the prices when I went to see Lewes in the Conference South recently (I think it was about $20). But I was pleased they offered a student discount, halving the price for me.

By: online sports guy

online sports guy — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 17:36:51 +0000

I hope you are right, Ian and I know you know more than me about this subject!

It just seems strange that the Bundesliga can be cheaper than a Conference game. Granted the cost of living is a bit cheaper over here but I still find it incredible.

My own football watching career started at Marine in the old Cheshire League. I used to go by myself when I was eight-year-old. Don’t think even that would be allowed these days as you probably have to be accompanied by an adult.

By: Ian

Ian — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 18:04:00 +0000

I understand what you’re saying there, but I don’t think that it’s going to happen any time soon. Semi-professional leagues set minimum entrance fees, for one thing. Personally, I don’t think it’s that much of an issue. All clubs do reduced rates for children and pensioners, and many now do the same for students and the unemployed. Some clubs send batches of tickets to schools, and others do “Kids For A Quid”, free entry for children if accompanied by an adult and it’s becoming for commonplace for non-league clubs (especially on weekends when there is no Premier League football) to offer half-price entrance upon production of a Premier League season ticket. You certainly see more young people at non-league matches than you do in the Premier League. The last time I went to see Spurs, I was startled at how old the crowd was – there were very few people much younger than me there, and I’m thirty-five.

By: online sports guy

online sports guy — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:39:37 +0000

I find the pricing structure for admissions fascinating. Spending alot of time in Germany I can watch a Bundesliga game for less than a tenner and a Bundesliga 2 match for a fiver.

Not sure how these British non-league clubs can justify the prices. The economics are probably right as in 200 people paying 5 quid is better than 400 paying 2 quid in terms of gross revenue but they forget about the multiplier effect of more bums on terraces. More people spend more at the bar and on merchandise. It brings the youth crowds in as well which is so much better for the long term strategy.

If the pricing structure is not addressed then there will be a slow decline in attendances and sadly many clubs will fold.