Category Archives: Non-League Zone
Loyal Supporters – Vanarama North South & Non League 500 plus crowd pullers
Bristol Rovers, Stockport County and FC United of Manchester, Maidstone United, Dulwich Hamlet or the 883 die-harder Weymouth Fans in The Calor Premier League, arguably have the credentials to be the loyalist fans in Football. STMI and Football Bingo bring you the The Vanarama Conference North and South Home crowds plus the 59 clubs who are managing to average over 500 per home game in the Non-League and grass roots end of English football. Hats off we applaud you and sincerely hope our Football Bingo and Football Buster games are helping out!
Thanks for reading STMI
The Conference North and South Average home attendances up to and including 13th September show a substantial North/South divide. Stockport, Barrow, Boston and Chorley beat top South side Ebbsfleet into fifth and Bromley sixth. As Champions of non-League Football and grass roots fundraising initiatives Football Bingo feel every fan deserves a pat on the back.
We will let you draw your own conclusions on the state of the non-League with first the North & South Table and then the non-league clubs averaging over 500.
20% Goes to boost the budget of your chosen team
North and the South average gates.
| Club | League Pos | Ave | Club | League Pos | Ave |
| Stockport County | 5 | 2410 | Ebbsfleet United FC | 8 | 958 |
| Barrow | 2 | 1520 | Bromley | 2 | 860 |
| Boston United | 6 | 1147 | Chelmsford City | 19 | 653 |
| Chorley | 4 | 996 | Wealdstone | 21 | 644 |
| Tamworth | 20 | 760 | Eastbourne Borough | 7 | 558 |
| Lowestoft Town | 10 | 697 | Havant & Waterlooville | 4 | 541 |
| Stalybridge Celtic | 14 | 681 | Gosport Borough | 16 | 531 |
| Hednesford Town | 13 | 621 | St Albans City | 9 | 523 |
| Guiseley | 7 | 516 | Sutton United | 6 | 522 |
| Worcester City | 11 | 514 | Hemel Hempstead T | 14 | 512 |
| Leamington | 9 | 501 | Bath City | 20 | 481 |
| Gloucester City | 19 | 493 | Maidenhead United | 11 | 477 |
| Harrogate Town | 18 | 480 | Basingstoke Town | 5 | 465 |
| Bradford Park Avenue | 17 | 406 | Bishops Stortford | 17 | 438 |
| North Ferriby United | 8 | 378 | Farnborough | 15 | 392 |
| Solihull Moors | 16 | 369 | Weston Super Mare | 12 | 291 |
| Gainsborough Trinity | 15 | 367 | Staines Town | 18 | 282 |
| AFC Fylde | 1 | 363 | Hayes & Yeading United | 13 | 273 |
| Hyde | 22 | 324 | Concord Rangers | 10 | 258 |
| Colwyn Bay | 12 | 314 | Boreham Wood | 1 | 240 |
| Oxford City | 3 | 282 | Whitehawk | 3 | 210 |
| Brackley Town | 21 | 271 |
The top 59 supported non-league clubs
(massive thanks to the Linnets for some of the Stats)
20% Goes to boost the budget of your chosen team
| Pos | The Chosen Ones | Ave So far | Ave 13-14 | League | Up or Down in % |
| 1 | Bristol Rovers | 5736 | 6421 | Vanarama Premier | -10.67 |
| 2 | Grimsby Town | 3592 | 3568 | Vanarama Premier | 0.67 |
| 3 | Wrexham | 3477 | 2993 | Vanarama Premier | 16.17 |
| 4 | Lincoln City | 3069 | 2354 | Vanarama Premier | 30.37 |
| 5 | Stockport County | 2410 | 2571 | Conference North | -6.26 |
| 6 | Aldershot Town | 2406 | 1947 | Vanarama Premier | 23.57 |
| 7 | Chester | 2395 | 2366 | Vanarama Premier | 1.23 |
| 8 | Kidderminster Harriers | 2056 | 2035 | Vanarama Premier | 1.03 |
| 9 | Torquay United | 2051 | 2642 | Vanarama Premier | -22.37 |
| 10 | FC United of Manchester | 1881 | 1922 | Evo-stik North Premier | -2.13 |
| 11 | FC Halifax Town | 1752 | 1597 | Vanarama Premier | 9.71 |
| 12 | Barnet | 1744 | 1705 | Vanarama Premier | 2.29 |
| 13 | Forest Green Rovers | 1645 | 1195 | Vanarama Premier | 37.66 |
| 14 | Woking | 1624 | 1615 | Vanarama Premier | 0.56 |
| 15 | Maidstone United | 1577 | 1821 | Ryman League Premier | -13.4 |
| 16 | AFC Telford Utd (P) | 1540 | 1688 | Vanarama Premier | -8.77 |
| 17 | Barrow | 1520 | 736 | Conference North | 106.52 |
| 18 | Gateshead | 1423 | 886 | Vanarama Premier | 60.61 |
| 19 | Macclesfield Town | 1377 | 1512 | Vanarama Premier | -8.93 |
| 20 | Eastleigh (P) | 1314 | 680 | Vanarama Premier | 93.24 |
| 21 | Altrincham (P) | 1213 | 863 | Vanarama Premier | 40.56 |
| 22 | Boston United | 1147 | 1088 | Conference North | 5.42 |
| 23 | Dartford | 1113 | 1251 | Vanarama Premier | -11.03 |
| 24 | Dulwich Hamlet | 1110 | 667 | Ryman League Premier | 66.42 |
| 25 | Spennymoor Town (P) | 1035 | 430 | Evo-stik North Div 1N | 140.7 |
| 26 | Darlington 1883 | 1029 | 1097 | Evo-stik North Div 1N | -6.2 |
| 27 | Chorley (P) | 996 | 949 | Conference North | 4.95 |
| 28 | Ebbsfleet United FC | 958 | 909 | Conference South | 5.39 |
| 29 | Dover Athletic (P) | 944 | 665 | Vanarama Premier | 41.95 |
| 30 | Braintree Town | 923 | 994 | Vanarama Premier | -7.14 |
| 31 | Southport | 923 | 1033 | Vanarama Premier | -10.65 |
| 32 | Weymouth | 883 | 523 | Calor League Premier | 68.83 |
| 33 | Bromley | 860 | 629 | Conference South | 36.72 |
| 34 | Nuneaton Town | 833 | 1209 | Conference Premier | -31.1 |
| 35 | Guernsey | 822 | 986 | Ryman League Division 1 S | -16.63 |
| 36 | Tamworth (R) | 760 | 978 | Conference North | -22.29 |
| 37 | Lowestoft Town (P) | 697 | 515 | Conference North | 35.34 |
| 38 | Stalybridge Celtic | 681 | 436 | Conference North | 56.19 |
| 39 | Margate | 675 | 325 | Ryman League Premier | 107.69 |
| 40 | Chelmsford City | 653 | 620 | Conference South | 5.32 |
| 41 | Wealdstone (P) | 644 | 680 | Conference South | -5.29 |
| 42 | Alfreton Town | 639 | 805 | Vanarama Premier | -20.62 |
| 43 | Kettering Town | 628 | 624 | Calor League Central Div | 0.64 |
| 44 | Hednesford Town | 621 | 622 | Conference North | -0.16 |
| 45 | Tonbridge Angels (R) | 574 | 422 | Ryman League Premier | 36.02 |
| 46 | Welling United | 563 | 811 | Vanarama Premier | -30.58 |
| 47 | Eastbourne Borough | 558 | 545 | Conference South | 2.39 |
| 48 | Hereford United (R) | 554 | 1758 | Calor League Premier | -68.49 |
| 49 | Havant & Waterlooville | 541 | 551 | Conference South | -1.81 |
| 50 | Gosport Borough | 531 | 444 | Conference South | 19.59 |
| 51 | Stafford Rangers (R) | 531 | 385 | Evo-stik North Div 1S | 37.92 |
| 52 | St Albans City (P) | 523 | 515 | Conference South | 1.55 |
| 53 | Sutton United | 522 | 644 | Conference South | -18.94 |
| 54 | Guiseley | 516 | 494 | Conference North | 4.45 |
| 55 | Worcester City | 514 | 519 | Conference North | -0.96 |
| 56 | Hemel Hempstead T (P) | 512 | 548 | Conference South | -6.57 |
| 57 | Blyth Spartans | 505 | 360 | Evo-stik North Premier | 40.28 |
| 58 | Kings Lynn Town | 502 | 607 | Evo-stik North Premier | -17.3 |
| 59 | Leamington | 501 | 624 | Conference North | -19.71 |
STMI Ground Guide – Vanarama Conference Premier, North & South Stadiums
The Vanarama Conference Premier Conference North and South ground guide is a must if you have been drawn at Wrexham FC , Barnet FC, Bristol Rovers, Chester FC, FC Halifax, the Mighty Imps or any other ‘biggie in the FA Trophy. And there are some stadiums in our green and pleasant non-league land I can tell you. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder they say, then again you can have beer and will always find good cheer. Off to a game today then check the ground out
Thanks for reading STMI
This is the page for you, the loyalist fans in football to bookmark. The away fans ground guide is a life saving bible when its time to put the tea cosy on the hip flask or Satnav / tablet. Its a tough winter for die-hard away fans planning to travel to a game at the weekend, or a freezing Tuesday. But help is at hand is at hand for the hardy, should that be foolhardy having done about 60 league grounds myself plus never quite too many non-league ones as well. Fear not there will be no more ‘well you should have bought your own flask you silly man – where do think this is the Ritz of London’. Indeed a customer service and kindness to fellow man double award is still due there, although as a Gentleman who plays life with a straight bat you don’t look back in anger.
Fear not together with places of interest each ground guide is full of facts about the stadium, disabled facilities and the transport links and details for Mr & Mrs SATNAV to ensure that you get there with time to spare to take in the views and the ambience. The following guide in association with Duncan Evans includes ticket prices, where to eat & drink, pictures and ground layout plus reviews from away supporters. There is even a little bit about the club’s fanzines, programme, traditional rivalries and crowd stats to give you an idea of how loud you will need to shout to be heard.
Again a massive thanks to Duncan Evans, his football ground guide thoroughly deserves the views.
Conference North
Again a massive thanks to Duncan Evans, his football ground guide thoroughly deserves the views.
Gloucester City (ground sharing with Cheltenham Town)
Worcester City (ground sharing with Kidderminster Harriers)
Conference South
Again a massive thanks to Duncan Evans, his football ground guide thoroughly deserves the views.
Hayes & Yeading (ground sharing with Maidenhead United)
Matt Hamshaw Becomes A Gladiator After Bantams Snub
After a promising trial at Bradford City fell through, former Sheffield Wednesday, Stockport County, Mansfield Town, Notts County and Macc Town play-maker Matt Hamshaw joined Matlock town yesterday (big thanks to the Gladiators forum for breaking the news HERE). Having seen him at Macc, in L2, 18 months ago, they will be getting the sort of footballer who makes turnstiles click.
Thank you for reading Neil Gentleman-Hobbs,
| STMI BIOPIC | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| FULL NAME | Matthew Thomas Hamshaw | ||
| DATE OF BIRTH | 1 January 1982 (age 30) | ||
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Rotherham, | ||
| HEIGHT | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||
| WEIGHT | 11 st 6lb (72.56kg) | ||
| POSITION: CENTRAL / LEFT MIDFIELD | |||
| YEARS | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1998–2005 | Sheffield Wednesday | 85 | (6) |
| 2005–2006 | Stockport County | 43 | (5) |
| 2006–2008 | Mansfield Town | 94 | (7) |
| 2008–2010 | Notts County | 69 | (3) |
| 2010–2012 | Macclesfield Town | 75 | (5) |
Parkgate 2-3 Staveley Lady Luck & Decisions Seal ‘Gate’s Fates
We popped down to see former Macclesfield, Boston and current assistant manager Gary Simpson, for the visit of mighty Staveley – the League’s money club. They gave the duo and in particular Parkgate manager Doug Shelley, a little bit more than normal to contend with. The Steelmen’s had to make a last ditch trip for their ‘lucky unbeaten kit’, but in truth lady luck and the officials intervened to deny them the win they seemed on course for, after Nathan Forbes-Swindells had made it 2-0 and 11 goals in 8.
For the benefit of those visiting the site for the first time, first a brief bio, next the teams & schemes, then the match report, a comment from Gary Simpson about the Imps and finally more stats than you can shake a Steelman or Miner at. Thank you for reading Neil Gentleman-Hobbs.
Parkgate gaffer,Doug Shelley, is one of those up and coming non-League managers who uses persuasion and contacts in the absence of the money most lorded League managers take for granted. He is quick to praise Gary Simpson (Macc & Posh) for the professionalism he has added to the tactical and training side of his apprenticeship, but this has been a learning curve that many have to make. Having won the lot in the Meadowhall Sunday League (divisions and respective cups) he was given an opportunity at Parkgate. The previous manager had walked with the entire team to Handsworth, so he had to cobble together that first side which finished second. The following season saw 3rd place before much of the side was again pillaged. Last season saw a creditable 7th and he was able to retain and build on that side with the signings of 11 in 8 Nathan Forbes-Swindells and Ash Jackson. Prior to today’s game the Steelmen were top having won six, drawn won and lost none. With a great bunch of lads who play for just expenses and pride, his side appears to be looking to thrive as opposed to just survive.
V 
Parkgate FC v Staveley MW
Saturday 11th August
Scorers
Lipka 3 Forbes-Swindells 46, Thornton 57, Brisset 69, Damms 87
Att 177
The Teams & Schemes
Parkgate
4-2-3-1
*****
Dewbury
Johnson Senior Jordan Jackson
Lipka Patterson(2Y)
Hanity Fletcher (Y) Forbes
Wood
Staveley 4-4-2
Tollerfield
McGory Collover Fox Fowcus
Bettany Eagers Jackson Thornton (Y)
Damms Hawthorm
*****
But To the game footy fans to the game
The Steelmen were buoyed by the arrival of their lucky kit and almost double the normal attendance. A healthy 177 including a healthy scattering of Millers shirts, plus 3 three canny chaps peering from behind their garden fences, sat either in the stand behind the goal or stood on the traditional old grassy terraced mound that runs behind the dugouts. Right back Johnson welcomed Staveley left winger Thornton with a shuddering challenge. Keeper Dewbury punched the free-kick emphatically away to show they take no prisoners in this League. That is not to say there is any shortage of skill in this side as a 4-2-3-1 formation set out to play the ball about. A sublime thiry-yard ball from Senior found Forbes-Swindells, who controlled superbly, cut inside his man and fed Lipka, who hammered a howitzer into the top right from the edge of the box.
Another probing thirty-five yard peel from cultured centre-half & Captain, Senior, found Wood but his shot was blocked Collover. A Staveley free-kick was inches away from the head of Thornton, diving in at the far post. The passing and distribution of Parkgate’s Patterson, in a play-making holding midfield role with goalscorer Lipka, was setting the tone of the game. Both centre-backs in behind are also keen to get the ball down and pass their way out of trouble. This and good communication allows the three more advanced midfielders to get up and feed off Wood who leads the line. The Staveley keeper pounced on the ball to end one 8 pass sweeping move.
Staveley’s Hawthorn beat two to feed McGory who went down too easily to get a penalty. In truth it was about the only decision Parkgate would get from the officials today. The Staveley midfield quartet were beginning to work out the Parkgate 2 and 3, but Patterson, Lipka or full-backs Johnson and Jackson were alert to the dangers and eager to build a counter. The Booking of Thornton for a foul on Patterson would pave the way for a change in the fate of the game later on.
Second Half
A glorious opening caused many to spill the half-time tea and cuppa soups. An incisive ball from Jordan out of defence found Nathan Forbes-Swindells on the left, 50 yards from goal. He looks every inch a goal machine this lad, leaving two in his wake he got to the corner of the box cut inside and crashed a curling effort into the top corner. The Steelmen were cruising. A 12 man cross-field move saw full-back Jackson shoot wide. Patterson was then booked for a return challenge on Thornton. With Simmo screaming for the wall to be formed, panto villain, Thornton fizzed one back through the gap.
In search of a decisive third, Lang came on for Wood just before Patterson saw a second yellow for handball. Not only was it ball to hand but his arm was by his side, although, perhaps, he did have a little too much to say. Dewbury commandingly came for a cross and fed Lang who was down the line in a flash. His cross was hoofed clear by Fox. Nathan Forbes-Swindells then curled just wide from the edge of the box as the 10-men continued to make a game of it.
On 69 another free-kick saw the equaliser as Dewbury did a sack the juggler and Brisset finished with ease. Fletcher was booked at the Steelmen continued to go forward. Forbes-Swindells beat four but his shot was blocked. Staveley were exploiting the gaps and Dewbury made a fantastic full length save from Damms. Thornton sent a seering excoset just over. It was end to end stuff as Senior headed just over at one end, whilst a Thornton cross at the other just needed a touch. Lang also hooked back to a somewhat empty six-yard box.
With just three minutes on the clock and a hard-fought draw looking the outcome, the Steelmen’s hearts were broken. Bettany played into the path of Damms who hit home a hay-maker from 25 yards.
Young and up and coming manager Doug Shelley was naturally in reflective mood. ” At 2-0 we were cruising after a fantastic goal from on-fire Forbesie. But a sloppy freekick got them back in it as one of ours jumped & the others didn’t. I don’t think we got a decision today and the second yellow really put us up against it. But the lads battled and you can’t ask for more from an honest hard-working and talented bunch with a team spirit second to none. Its our first defeat of the season, we did enough to win a few games today and I think we will be there or thereabouts.
***
Assistant manager Garry Simpson was his normal modest and cagey self when asked if he was looking at getting back into managagement and any possibility of a return to the Imps.
“We will have them in Wednesday for training, they are eager to learn, these lads and work are on the pitch and the training ground despite some very physical jobs some of them. We’re building oaks from acorns here. This is Doug’s side and he has kept this club running on and off the pitch. It was nice to see a few Millers shirts here today as well. Although we want them to talk maybe sometimes they are too eager to talk to the referees. That’s our job and I am gong to quiz to accessor now.”
But the Imps job Gary?
“That is not for me to say, David Holdsworth is in the job and trying his best to do what many in the game realise would be a long-term and challenging but rewarding turnaround there. Lincoln have fantastic fans – the best in the business and they deserve success.”
V
Parkgate FC v Staveley MW
Stats
*****
53% Ball 47%
9 Shots on 8
7 Misses 5
3 Saves 4
3 Corners 4
1 Offside 3
6 Fouls 9
*3 Yellows 1
*1 Reds 0
* 2 x Yellows = Red for Patterson
| Pos | Team | Pd | W | D | L | W | D | L | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts | Adj |
| 1. | Parkgate FC | 8 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 22 | 10 | 12 | 19 | 0 |
| 2. | Worksop Parramore | 9 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 30 | 22 | 8 | 19 | 0 |
| 3. | Scarborough Athletic | 9 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 18 | 0 |
| 4. | Brighouse Town | 8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 18 | 9 | 9 | 17 | 0 |
| 5. | Barton Town Old Boys | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 8 | 7 | 17 | 0 |
| 6. | Long Eaton United | 8 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 16 | 9 | 7 | 16 | 0 |
| 7. | Bridlington Town | 8 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 22 | 12 | 10 | 15 | 0 |
| 8. | Retford United | 7 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 13 | 0 |
| 9. | Heanor Town | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 18 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 0 |
| 10. | Thackley FC | 8 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 14 | 16 | -2 | 12 | 0 |
| 11. | Staveley Miners Welfare | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 11 | 3 | 11 | 0 |
| 12. | Liversedge FC | 8 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| 13. | Hall Road Rangers | 9 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 22 | 20 | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| 14. | Tadcaster Albion | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 15 | -5 | 9 | 0 |
| 15. | Glasshoughton Welfare | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 13 | -3 | 8 | 0 |
| 16. | Armthorpe Welfare | 9 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 15 | 24 | -9 | 8 | 0 |
| 17. | Pickering Town | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 0 |
| 18. | Arnold Town | 8 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 14 | 23 | -9 | 6 | 0 |
| 19. | Nostell Miners Welfare | 8 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 19 | -11 | 5 | 0 |
| 20. | Winterton Rangers | 8 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 18 | -13 | 4 | 0 |
| 21. | Maltby Main | 6 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 10 | -3 | 3 | 0 |
| 22. | Lincoln Moorlands Railway | 8 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 31 | -27 | 1 | 0 |
Adj – refers to points adjustments, something rather common when you get to this level of football.
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