[Football] The Non-League Football Thread- 2024/25 Edition

jackalbion said:

I believe it’s done on transport links as well. Chelmsford was further north than Bishops Stortford, but if coming from the North by Road, it would be further to travel, as you’d have to drive through Stortford to get to Chelmsford.

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Arthur said:

Crowborough 2-1 Eastbourne United

Just about sobered up to post something.....

Risked staying at home and watching the first half of the Albion game before heading over. Was expecting a big queue but walked straight in which I thought was odd. People had heeded warnings and arrived early as the ground was heaving. I joined the queue for a beer and was just getting served as Rushy put us 1 up after about 30 seconds. Can't tell you what happened as I was getting my beer. We moved along the terrace and plotted up behind the goal to see Rushy double the advantage at the third attempt after a couple of good saves from the keeper. 2 minutes gone and 2 up!

The game settled down after that and it was a pretty even contest. Crowborough had a great chance to make it 3 after half an hour. Eastbourne keeper made a great save from a 1 on 1. Eastbourne got one back right on half time. Some dreadful defending let their forward in who slotted it past the keeper.

Second half was more of the same until the referee decided to make the game about himself. Firstly sending off Harrison Mayhew for Crowborough for delaying the restart (second booking). That forced Crowborough to pull Steve Smith from his more advance roll to full back. With 15 minutes to go the Eastbourne winger skinned him and he cynically took him out taking one for the team. This caused the usual handbag you get at every game after such incidents. The referee clearly thought one of the Eastbourne players had taken it too far and sent him off. Again seemed very harsh from my vantage point.

Was a nervy last few minutes but to be honest Crowborough looked very solid at the back and Eastbourne couldn't break them down.

Cue some great scenes at the final whistle with several of the players getting their kids from the crowd. The juniors that were mascots for the day had lined up to give the lads a guard of honour off the pitch but the players wanted to stay out and soak up the applause so they were called over to join them. Was a wonderful sight seeing 60-70 kids running across the pitch and getting selfies with the players.

Most of the amazing 1105 crowd went home happy.....we joined the lads back in the club house and if I'm being honest I can't really remember leaving. I do recall having a very enjoyable time and i completely justified my decision to sack the Newcastle game off for it. Before anyone moans at me for that I found a home for both of my tickets eventually so they were used.

Amazing season for the town. Crowborough promotion and winning a cup with another final on Saturday. Jarvis Brook promoted after knocking on the door for the last couple of years.

Bring on next season!

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HalfaSeatOn said:

Is it Isthmian South East next season?

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HalfaSeatOn said:

Googling and came across this step 2 projection map which helps visualise the travel challenge. It needs updating, mind, with recent events. (I have to keep finger pressed down on link to avoid opening in google maps and getting an error)

2025/2026 - Projections - Step 2 – Google My Maps

How Step 2 may look for the 2025/2026 season. Clubs with the highest points per game have been promoted. Clubs with the lowest points per game have been relegated.

www.google.com

This where I found the link. https://www.darlofc.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=52887

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Arthur said:

Crowborough 2-1 Eastbourne United

Just about sobered up to post something.....

Risked staying at home and watching the first half of the Albion game before heading over. Was expecting a big queue but walked straight in which I thought was odd. People had heeded warnings and arrived early as the ground was heaving. I joined the queue for a beer and was just getting served as Rushy put us 1 up after about 30 seconds. Can't tell you what happened as I was getting my beer. We moved along the terrace and plotted up behind the goal to see Rushy double the advantage at the third attempt after a couple of good saves from the keeper. 2 minutes gone and 2 up!

The game settled down after that and it was a pretty even contest. Crowborough had a great chance to make it 3 after half an hour. Eastbourne keeper made a great save from a 1 on 1. Eastbourne got one back right on half time. Some dreadful defending let their forward in who slotted it past the keeper.

Second half was more of the same until the referee decided to make the game about himself. Firstly sending off Harrison Mayhew for Crowborough for delaying the restart (second booking). That forced Crowborough to pull Steve Smith from his more advance roll to full back. With 15 minutes to go the Eastbourne winger skinned him and he cynically took him out taking one for the team. This caused the usual handbag you get at every game after such incidents. The referee clearly thought one of the Eastbourne players had taken it too far and sent him off. Again seemed very harsh from my vantage point.

Was a nervy last few minutes but to be honest Crowborough looked very solid at the back and Eastbourne couldn't break them down.

Cue some great scenes at the final whistle with several of the players getting their kids from the crowd. The juniors that were mascots for the day had lined up to give the lads a guard of honour off the pitch but the players wanted to stay out and soak up the applause so they were called over to join them. Was a wonderful sight seeing 60-70 kids running across the pitch and getting selfies with the players.

Most of the amazing 1105 crowd went home happy.....we joined the lads back in the club house and if I'm being honest I can't really remember leaving. I do recall having a very enjoyable time and i completely justified my decision to sack the Newcastle game off for it. Before anyone moans at me for that I found a home for both of my tickets eventually so they were used.

Amazing season for the town. Crowborough promotion and winning a cup with another final on Saturday. Jarvis Brook promoted after knocking on the door for the last couple of years.

Bring on next season!

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Kuipers Supporters Club said:

Does anyone know the latest with the suspended play offs involving Jersey and Redhill?

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Arthur said:

Crowborough 2-1 Eastbourne United

Just about sobered up to post something.....

Risked staying at home and watching the first half of the Albion game before heading over. Was expecting a big queue but walked straight in which I thought was odd. People had heeded warnings and arrived early as the ground was heaving. I joined the queue for a beer and was just getting served as Rushy put us 1 up after about 30 seconds. Can't tell you what happened as I was getting my beer. We moved along the terrace and plotted up behind the goal to see Rushy double the advantage at the third attempt after a couple of good saves from the keeper. 2 minutes gone and 2 up!

The game settled down after that and it was a pretty even contest. Crowborough had a great chance to make it 3 after half an hour. Eastbourne keeper made a great save from a 1 on 1. Eastbourne got one back right on half time. Some dreadful defending let their forward in who slotted it past the keeper.

Second half was more of the same until the referee decided to make the game about himself. Firstly sending off Harrison Mayhew for Crowborough for delaying the restart (second booking). That forced Crowborough to pull Steve Smith from his more advance roll to full back. With 15 minutes to go the Eastbourne winger skinned him and he cynically took him out taking one for the team. This caused the usual handbag you get at every game after such incidents. The referee clearly thought one of the Eastbourne players had taken it too far and sent him off. Again seemed very harsh from my vantage point.

Was a nervy last few minutes but to be honest Crowborough looked very solid at the back and Eastbourne couldn't break them down.

Cue some great scenes at the final whistle with several of the players getting their kids from the crowd. The juniors that were mascots for the day had lined up to give the lads a guard of honour off the pitch but the players wanted to stay out and soak up the applause so they were called over to join them. Was a wonderful sight seeing 60-70 kids running across the pitch and getting selfies with the players.

Most of the amazing 1105 crowd went home happy.....we joined the lads back in the club house and if I'm being honest I can't really remember leaving. I do recall having a very enjoyable time and i completely justified my decision to sack the Newcastle game off for it. Before anyone moans at me for that I found a home for both of my tickets eventually so they were used.

Amazing season for the town. Crowborough promotion and winning a cup with another final on Saturday. Jarvis Brook promoted after knocking on the door for the last couple of years.

Bring on next season!

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AZ Gull said:

Why is it unfair?

They finished 7th in the league and everyone knew the rules going into the season. If you don't want three away matches in the play-offs, then win the division or finish higher in the play-off standings.

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The Lemming Stomper said:

Crikey, the playoffs are tough in the National League...

My hometown, Southend, scraped a 0-0 draw yesterday at Gateshead to get in the playoffs...

Now have to beat Rochdale away, Forest Green away and whoever gets to Wembley to progress...Yikes !

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Change at Barnham said:

Bognor's disastrous season ended in relegation from the Isthmian Premier.
Putting several players on contracts at the beginning of the season back-fired on them badly when 3 or 4 of them suffered long term injuries.
IMHO the committee (Jack Pearce) also showed far too much loyalty to manager Robbie Blake who had clearly lost the dressing room. He was regularly calling out players for making mistakes, many of them young players. By the time Blake was shown the door, and Michael Birmingham appointed, the gap at the bottom was too big and the team had run out of road.

The interesting talking point now is whether Bognor get placed into the Isthmian South East Division or the Isthmian South Central.
Due to the number of Kent sides in the South-East Div most Rocks fans are hoping the club get placed in the South Central Div which will involve a lot less travelling.

In other news the club have planning permission for a 4G pitch, so from next season they'll be playing on plastic like Chichester, Worthing, Horsham and Havant & Waterlooville.

Below are the two possible leagues that Bognor could be placed in:

View attachment 201291

View attachment 201292

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2025/2026 - Projections - Step 4 – Google My Maps

How Step 4 may look for the 2025/2026 season. Clubs with the highest points per game have been promoted. Clubs with the lowest points per game have been relegated.

www.google.com

HalfaSeatOn said:

Step4 projections currently have BR in the South East division. Not sure what the eventual outcome will be but, I for one, would welcome an encounter with Broadbridge Heath.

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Change at Barnham said:

Bognor's disastrous season ended in relegation from the Isthmian Premier.
Putting several players on contracts at the beginning of the season back-fired on them badly when 3 or 4 of them suffered long term injuries.
IMHO the committee (Jack Pearce) also showed far too much loyalty to manager Robbie Blake who had clearly lost the dressing room. He was regularly calling out players for making mistakes, many of them young players. By the time Blake was shown the door, and Michael Birmingham appointed, the gap at the bottom was too big and the team had run out of road.

The interesting talking point now is whether Bognor get placed into the Isthmian South East Division or the Isthmian South Central.
Due to the number of Kent sides in the South-East Div most Rocks fans are hoping the club get placed in the South Central Div which will involve a lot less travelling.

In other news the club have planning permission for a 4G pitch, so from next season they'll be playing on plastic like Chichester, Worthing, Horsham and Havant & Waterlooville.

Below are the two possible leagues that Bognor could be placed in:

View attachment 201291

View attachment 201292

Click to expand...

Brovion said:

I can't believe Lancing EVER got as high as that division, but that relegation was probably predictable. God knows where they get their money from. Back in my day when the Sussex FA first bought Culver Road and built the clubhouse iirc they kept all the bar takings and charged Lancing rent. I wonder if things have improved financially? (As well as things can ever 'improve' for non-PL football clubs).

EDIT: What division will they go into now?

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