As I write this, QPR's relegation from the Premier League has just been confirmed.
Being a Rangers fan, it is of course a great disappointment especially after what was achieved last year and the funds that were made available throughout this season.
It's also particularly galling when you're a season-ticket holder who didn't manage to see his side win once all season! The only wins came when I was working or had other duties.
In fact work has kept me from seeing a game since January and I'll be making my first visit to Loftus Road since then next week when it's all too late. Aaaaargh!
Anyway, backwards and downwards, here's to a season in the Championship where I have to say, hand on heart, we really belong. If the finances hold up then it could be quite an entertaining campaign but I won't hold my breath.
That's enough wailing and gnashing of teeth from me, what's in this week's TLFG?
With a Bank Holiday coming up I've decided to do another double issue to help with your match planning.
At the time of writing, a few play-off fixtures have yet to be decided so they'll be added as and when they become available.
Also with several leagues having wrapped up for the season I've decided to bulk out the second of the match maps with a few local Level 11/Step 7 games and a few matches from the FA Women's Super League.
Some of the details for the Level 11 games are a bit sketchy at the moment, particularly the kick-off times, so check with clubs before you travel.
Last season a few readers of this blog met up at a couple of Middlesex County Football League games in scorching May temperatures and enjoyed some very entertaining matches so I'd advise you to give it a go.
Some teams at this level utilise the facilities of bigger clubs while others play on not much more than park pitches so if you're particularly discerning make sure you check before you head off.
Also, there are several opportunities to do groundhop doubles over the next couple of weeks thanks to the Championship's final round of games kicking off at 1245pm on Saturday 4 May.
For example, following Charlton Athletic's match against Bristol City you could stroll down the road and watch the Kent Invicta League game between Bridon Ropes and Lewisham Borough at 3pm.
A few Bank Holiday matches kick-off at 1130am in the Combined Counties League leaving you open to see another game in the afternoon. I think there's even a triple possible that day with my sources suggesting an evening start at Haringey & Waltham Development.
Or if you're really lucky and have tickets for the FA Cup final on 11 May, there are other games that kick-off at noon that you can also take in (e.g. the Kent League Cup final at Welling United or South Kilburn in the Combined Counties).
There are various options so I'll let you peruse the map and work out the best one for you.
That's enough from yours truly, let me know what you've been up to. Also keep the correspondence coming, I enjoy answering your questions and offering advice if I can.
You can contact TLFG through the comments section below or via Facebook or Twitter.
LATEST TICKET NEWS
Each week at TLFG we attempt to compile a list of what's on general sale to non-members at London's Premier League clubs and for other notable matches (click on the team name for details).
Wednesday 29 May, 8pm - Republic of Ireland, international friendly, Wembley
FA VASE FINAL
Saturday 4 May, 3pm - Spennymoor Town v Tunbridge Wells, Wembley
UEFA WOMEN'S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL
Thursday 23 May, 730pm - Wolfsburg v Lyon, Stamford Bridge
ARSENAL
FA VASE FINAL
Saturday 4 May, 3pm - Spennymoor Town v Tunbridge Wells, Wembley
UEFA WOMEN'S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL
Thursday 23 May, 730pm - Wolfsburg v Lyon, Stamford Bridge
ARSENAL
Nothing currently available
FULHAM
Saturday 4 May, 3pm - Reading, Premier League
Saturday 4 May, 3pm - Reading, Premier League
Sunday 19 May, 4pm - Reading, Premier League
SOLD OUT MATCHES
OTHER TICKETS
SOLD OUT MATCHES
The teams listed above also have several games coming up which have sold out. The following have tickets available through the viagogo website (click on the banner below):
Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur (8 May, 745pm)
Chelsea v Everton (19 May, 4pm)
Fulham v Liverpool (12 May, 3pm)
West Ham United v Newcastle United (4 May, 3pm)
Chelsea v Everton (19 May, 4pm)
Fulham v Liverpool (12 May, 3pm)
West Ham United v Newcastle United (4 May, 3pm)
CHEAP TICKETS
It is also well worth checking the viagogo site for cheap tickets as season-ticket holders often offload tickets for well below face value for the not so popular matches - for example you can get a ticket to watch QPR v Newcastle United on Sunday 12 May for £28 (face value £45).
OTHER TICKETS
Another great source of tickets for football, stadium tours and other sports and events in London are Ticketmaster. They always sell tickets at face value plus a booking fee.
Outside the Premier League, tickets for the derby between Millwall and Crystal Palace on Tuesday 30 April at 745pm are on general sale at normal prices but the match is all ticket so must be bought in advance.
The Combined Counties League season reaches its climax on Saturday 4 May and title-chasing Egham Town are letting EVERYONE IN FOR FREE to their match against Bedfont Sports. They could really cash in on such a big occasion but have decided not to so get along to the Runnymede Stadium and back the Sarnies if you're out west.
Watching some of the capital's top youth sides in action often provides excellent value for money.
This week sees Arsenal host Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool in the U21 Premier League at Underhill Stadium. As always ENTRY IS FREE.
In the same competition Crystal Palace take on Bolton Wanderers at Imperial Fields, the home of Tooting & Mitcham United. There might be a charge for this but it shouldn't exceed £3.
For both of the above, see the match map for dates and kick-off times.
If you're aware of any deals taking place at clubs near you please let me know so I can help to promote them.
Over the next two weeks there's lots taking place in the London area. We've got London derbies, title deciders, relegation 'six-pointers', play-off matches and several cup finals.
Details on all of them can be found in the following match maps. If you've never used them before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the left side of the map page to make sure you get all the information.
The Combined Counties League season reaches its climax on Saturday 4 May and title-chasing Egham Town are letting EVERYONE IN FOR FREE to their match against Bedfont Sports. They could really cash in on such a big occasion but have decided not to so get along to the Runnymede Stadium and back the Sarnies if you're out west.
Watching some of the capital's top youth sides in action often provides excellent value for money.
This week sees Arsenal host Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool in the U21 Premier League at Underhill Stadium. As always ENTRY IS FREE.
In the same competition Crystal Palace take on Bolton Wanderers at Imperial Fields, the home of Tooting & Mitcham United. There might be a charge for this but it shouldn't exceed £3.
For both of the above, see the match map for dates and kick-off times.
If you're aware of any deals taking place at clubs near you please let me know so I can help to promote them.
Over the next two weeks there's lots taking place in the London area. We've got London derbies, title deciders, relegation 'six-pointers', play-off matches and several cup finals.
Details on all of them can be found in the following match maps. If you've never used them before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the left side of the map page to make sure you get all the information.
MATCH MAP 29 APRIL - 5 MAY
Yellow pin - Monday fixtures
Green pin - Tuesday fixtures
Turquoise pin - Wednesday fixtures
Purple pin - Thursday fixtures
Magenta pin - Friday fixtures
Blue pin - Saturday fixtures
Red pin - Sunday fixtures
Magenta pin - Friday fixtures
Blue pin - Saturday fixtures
Red pin - Sunday fixtures
View London match map 29 April - 5 May 2013 in a larger map
MATCH MAP 6-12 MAY
Yellow pin - Bank Holiday Monday fixtures
Green pin - Tuesday fixtures
Turquoise pin - Wednesday fixtures
Purple pin - Thursday fixtures
Magenta pin - Friday fixtures
Blue pin - Saturday fixtures
Red pin - Sunday fixtures
View London match map 6-12 May 2013 in a larger map
Yellow pin - Bank Holiday Monday fixtures
Green pin - Tuesday fixtures
Turquoise pin - Wednesday fixtures
Purple pin - Thursday fixtures
Magenta pin - Friday fixtures
Blue pin - Saturday fixtures
Red pin - Sunday fixtures
View London match map 6-12 May 2013 in a larger map
Sometimes games get postponed so, as always, check with clubs before you travel. If games do get called off, they can sometimes be rearranged for later the same week or the week after so extra matches may get added. Please let me know if any of the details are wrong or missing.
Next up is this week's TLFG match recommendations where I list a few games which I think could be worth a watch. As previously mentioned, several play-off games have yet to be confirmed so they will be added in due course. Add your own in the comments section below.
TLFG TOP TIPS
Monday 29 April
Barkingside v Burnham Ramblers - third versus first in the Essex Senior League. Burnham have already clinched the title but the hosts are still in the hunt for second.
Tuesday 30 April
Millwall v Crystal Palace - two south-east London rivals meet in this derby with the visitors desperate for points in their pursuit of a Championship play-off place.
London Senior Cup final - Isthmian League club Kingstonian take on Conference South side Bromley for a decent bit of silverware at Metropolitan Police FC's ground.
Thamesmead Town v Witham Town - Isthmian League Division 1 North play-off semi-final, a one off game with the winners playing Maldon & Tiptree or Aveley in the final.
Erith & Belvedere v Greenwich Borough - the hosts finally let their lead of the Kent League slip on Saturday but it will all be decided on Tuesday night as they play Greenwich and current leaders VCD Athletic head to Lordswood in their final games.
Bedfont Sports v Guernsey - the Channel Islands club are still in with a chance of the Combined Counties League title despite their huge backlog of games.
Egham Town v Horley Town - their main rivals and current leaders are Egham, neither can really afford a slip up.
Wednesday 1 May
Wealdstone v Concord Rangers - Isthmian League Premier Division play-off semi-final, a one off game with the winners playing Lowestoft or East Thurrock in the final.
Epsom Athletic v Frimley Green - the visitors are on the verge of winning the Combined Counties League Division 1 title.
Thursday 2 May
Chelsea v FC Basel - second leg of the Europa League semi-final, the Stamford Bridge club lead 2-1 on aggregate.
Hanworth Villa v Brentford - Middlesex Charity Cup semi-final
Hanworth Villa v Brentford - Middlesex Charity Cup semi-final
Saturday 4 May
Tottenham Hotspur v Southampton - Spurs chase an important win as they look to clinch a Champions League place.
Queens Park Rangers v Arsenal - one of QPR's last home games in the Premier League is this derby against the Gunners.
Watford v Leeds United - the Hornets could seal promotion to the Premier League if they win this game.
FA Vase final - Spennymoor Town meet Tunbridge Wells at Wembley in the final of this knockout competition for clubs who play at levels nine and 10 of the national system.
Egham Town v Bedfont Sports - this game could see Egham clinch the Combined Counties League title and it's FREE TO GET IN.
Mole Valley SCR v Eversley & California - two of the top teams in the Combined Counties League Division 1 meet in a match which could decide a few promotion issues.
Sunday 5 May
Conference Premier play-off final - Newport County and Wrexham duel at Wembley for a place in League Two.
Monday 6 May
Brentford v Swindon Town - League One play-off semi-final second leg
Spartan South Midlands League Challenge Trophy final - Codicote start as massive underdogs against league champions Dunstable Town who are going for the double at Harefield United's ground.
Surrey Elite Intermediate League Challenge Cup final - Old Farnboronians v Coulsdon Town at Carshalton Athletic's ground.
Wednesday 8 May
Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur - a massive London derby with Champions League spots up for grabs.
Surrey Senior Cup final - Godalming Town v Sutton United at Sutton's ground.
Middlesex FA Intermediate Cup final - Chiswick play Indian Gymkhana at Rayners Lane's ground.
Thursday 9 May
Middlesex Charity Cup final - Uxbridge v Brentford at Uxbridge's ground
Thursday 9 May
Middlesex Charity Cup final - Uxbridge v Brentford at Uxbridge's ground
Friday 10 May
Crystal Palace v Brighton & Hove Albion - Championship play-off semi-final first leg
Crystal Palace v Brighton & Hove Albion - Championship play-off semi-final first leg
Southern Combination Cup final - Combined Counties League sides Molesey and Spelthorne Sports look to end their seasons on a high at the Moles' Walton Road ground.
Saturday 11 May
FA Cup final - Manchester City look to become winners for the second time in three years as Wigan Athletic provide the opposition in this 515pm kick-off at Wembley.
Kent League Cup final - Erith & Belvedere might be Kent League champions by this point, meaning only Corinthian stand between them and the double.
Sunday 12 May
Fulham v Liverpool - realistically there's not much at stake for either team but the Reds are still a big draw when it comes to watching a Premier League game.
Queens Park Rangers v Newcastle United - QPR's final home game before they depart for the Championship could also have a bearing on which division the Magpies end up in.
Watford v Leicester City - Championship play-off semi-final second leg
Watford v Leicester City - Championship play-off semi-final second leg
The TLFG event spanning from April 29th to May 12th, 2013, marked a significant milestone in our collective journey. During these two weeks, we witnessed inspiring teamwork, unwavering determination, and boundless creativity. It's a testament to what we can achieve when we come together with a shared purpose. These dates will forever remind us of the incredible heights we can reach as a united force, and they continue to inspire us on our path forward.
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