Two More Games and The Plague of Non-League

Two More Games and The Plague of Non-League

          I'm going to keep this half of the post relatively short. I want to keep the content interesting and regurgitating the information that Will puts in our match reports is a waste of my time, and yours. I have other things to write about that may be of more interest.

          So, on Saturday we travelled to Selby with a depleted squad. we came from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 away from home against one of the most organised teams I have seen this year. I say this meaning no disrespect for anyone but they were by no means a 'good side', they knew what they were good at and knew how to execute a plan that exemplified their particular set of skills. Countless times we saw a long ball into the channel aimed at one of their forwards who pealed off the defenders and flicked the ball on. It wasn't an aimless long ball though, it was a pinpoint long pass and it was actually impressive to watch.

          The turnaround came in only a matter of minutes. Gav King's cross-cum-shot (a phrase that always makes the lads laugh when we live tweet it) reached the backpost for young Jordan Buckham to put away. The second goal was a moment of individual brilliance from the youngster, Buckham, again. He curled a 25 yard free kick into the top corner giving the keeper no chance.

          Late in the game there was a glimpse of some outstanding officiating. A little known offside rule regarding the goalkeeper was applied to deny Selby a winner. The rule is as follows: 

“A player is in an offside position if he is nearer to his opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent.” 

In this rule their is no distinction between goalkeeper and defender, so this is the actual offside rule itself, just a different way of explaining it. The second last defender would usually be what we call the last man, and the rules call the second last man.

          The other game this week was played in conditions I have never seen before, away at AFC Emley. At points 70mph winds were taking their toll on the proceedings. We took the lead through Gav King when the wind was on our side. In the Second half when the wind was on the hosts side, they scored twice and began to dominate the game. We were also unfortunate to have an acrobatic effort from Kyle Ludlow cleared off the line. 

          The game could well have been called off as the referee spoke to both managers in regard to the weather, but we'd driven for an hour in horrible conditions and we'd taken a decent side so there was no point in turning around.

          The other thing I want to write about is the money in Non League football, particularly the exploits of Glen Tamplin and Billericay Town. The way things seem to be going in Non League is that to have any success you need to bring big players in with a decent pay packet. It's almost a game for rich men who don't want to lose too much money by buying a league club. 

          Glen Tamplin is the owner of Billericay and is the main point behind this piece, he appointed himself as manager and then went mental, bringing in former pros like Jamie O'Hara, Jermaine Pennant and Paul Konchesky. The best bit is they aren't even succeeding, just wasting money and getting nowhere. As a club they are cringeworthy, singing 'The World's Greatest' before each game is embarrassing, let's be honest. Last year Jimmy Bullard led Leatherhead to victory over them and proceeded to mock them by singing the song themselves.

          There is examples at all levels, a team local to me have some of the best players in the area on a decent packet each but they've not yet come close to getting out of their league. A lot of the players are happy playing at that level rather than stepping up though because they're getting paid for doing very little. Teams like Ollerton with very little by way of a budget struggle to compete.

         On the flip side of all these teams pumping thousands of pounds per week into players, there is smaller teams, who rely on volunteers to have work done, donations to afford new kits, sponsors helping us run events to hopefully raise a bit more money. Teams go bust by trying to give some players a bit of money and then having funds withdrawn. It's almost impossible for clubs to compete with those who spend money. If you look at a Non-League Table the top teams will probably be paying certain players, if not all. The bottom teams will almost definitely not being paying, and if they are then they're not paying as much. It all comes down to volunteers. I'd love to work full-time at Ollerton Town, but there's no money to do it. Ask anyone on our committee and they'd probably say the same.

          In conclusion I don't like Billericay Town, Glen Tamplin, the local club who pay more than we can and the people involved.

Until next time,

Craig.