At the risk of sounding like a broken record, it's been all about Non-League Day preparation for me again this week.
The most significant development being the support of professional players from the past and present. So far we've been lucky enough to have received the backing of former Tottenham Hotspur player and now TV pundit Garth Crooks and Fulham and Northern Ireland defender Aaron Hughes.
On Monday we'll be announcing another big name so stay tuned to our social media channels or visit our website to find out who.
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| Garth Crooks shows his support for Non-League Day |
Garth Crooks is of course also a trustee of Kick It Out who are once again getting involved on NLD and we'll have more details of which matches they'll be at in due course although one should be happening in London.
This afternoon was spent in another planning meeting, probably our last big one before the day itself.
There's still plenty to do but ultimately it's all about gaining publicity so make sure you tell your friends or if you've got your own website or blog and would like to support us by displaying one of our banners then I'd really appreciate it.
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| It's just over a month away! |
Anyway, that's enough about my week. Remember to let me know what you've been up to and if you're interested in reviewing a ground within the London area for this blog then get in touch. Also keep the general 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, Twitter or even by good old email.
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 14 August, 8pm - Scotland, international friendly, Wembley
Friday 6 September, 8pm - Moldova, World Cup qualifier, Wembley
Friday 11 September, 8pm - Montenegro, World Cup qualifier, Wembley
Tuesday 15 October, TBC - Poland, World Cup qualifier, Wembley (on sale 13 Aug)
ARSENAL
Friday 6 September, 8pm - Moldova, World Cup qualifier, Wembley
Friday 11 September, 8pm - Montenegro, World Cup qualifier, Wembley
Tuesday 15 October, TBC - Poland, World Cup qualifier, Wembley (on sale 13 Aug)
ARSENAL
Nothing currently available
CHELSEA
Wednesday 21 August, 745pm - Aston Villa, Premier League
CRYSTAL PALACE
Nothing currently available
Wednesday 21 August, 745pm - Aston Villa, Premier League
CRYSTAL PALACE
Nothing currently available
FULHAM
Saturday 24 August, 1245pm - Arsenal, Premier League
Saturday 24 August, 1245pm - Arsenal, Premier League
Saturday 14 September, 3pm - West Bromwich Albion, Premier League
Saturday 5 October, 3pm - Stoke City, Premier League
Saturday 23 November, 3pm - Swansea City, Premier League
Saturday 5 October, 3pm - Stoke City, Premier League
Saturday 23 November, 3pm - Swansea City, Premier League
Saturday 14 September, 3pm - Norwich City, Premier League
Saturday 28 September, 1245pm - Chelsea, Premier League (on sale 15 Aug)
Saturday 28 September, 1245pm - Chelsea, Premier League (on sale 15 Aug)
WEST HAM UNITED
Tuesday 27 August, 745pm - Cheltenham Town, League Cup (on sale 17 Aug)
Tuesday 27 August, 745pm - Cheltenham Town, League Cup (on sale 17 Aug)
Saturday 31 August, 3pm - Stoke City, Premier League
Details on all of this week's games can be found in the following match map. If you've never used it 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.
Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.
TICKET DEALS
There's not much to report this week although it's only £3 to go and watch Fulham play Middlesbrough in the U21 Premier League at Craven Cottage on Friday night.
Looking further ahead, the next round of the League Cup at the end of August sees several London clubs playing at home.
The best deal is to be found at West Ham who are charging only £10 for adults, if bought in advance, as they entertain Cheltenham Town.
QPR host Swindon Town with tickets starting at £15. It's also Watford v Bournemouth and Leyton Orient v Hull City but I've yet to find any details for these games yet.
Looking further ahead, the next round of the League Cup at the end of August sees several London clubs playing at home.
The best deal is to be found at West Ham who are charging only £10 for adults, if bought in advance, as they entertain Cheltenham Town.
QPR host Swindon Town with tickets starting at £15. It's also Watford v Bournemouth and Leyton Orient v Hull City but I've yet to find any details for these games yet.
If you know of any other deals I may have missed or your club is running a promotion let me know.
There are well over 80 matches in the London area this week. The Premier League finally gets going as do the Conference South and Southern League to mean all our local sides are now in fully competitive action. Aside from this, the highlight for many people will the playing of the opening round of this season's FA Cup with many local clubs involved - the 'Road to Wembley' starts here.
As always, check with clubs before you travel just in case a game has been called off or venue has been changed. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.
As always, check with clubs before you travel just in case a game has been called off or venue has been changed. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.
Details on all of this week's games can be found in the following match map. If you've never used it 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.
Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.
MATCH MAP
Yellow pin - Monday fixtures
Yellow pin - Monday fixtures
Green pin - Tuesday fixtures
Turquoise pin - Wednesday fixtures
Turquoise pin - Wednesday fixtures
Magenta pin - Friday fixtures
Blue pin - Saturday fixtures
Red pin - Sunday fixtures
Red pin - Sunday fixtures
View London match map 12-18 August 2013 in a larger map
Next up is this week's TLFG match recommendations where I list a few games which I think could be worth a watch. Add your own in the comments section below.
TLFG TOP TIPS
Monday 12 August
Hendon v Dulwich Hamlet - the early Ryman League leaders against the team who beat the pre-season favourites meet in what will be Hendon's first competitive game at their latest home. Club info
Kingstonian v Enfield Town - two more teams with 100% records in the Ryman Premier do battle at Kingsmeadow. Club info
Wealdstone v Bognor Regis Town - the Stones are expected to challenge for promotion again this season and began with a draw at title favourites Maidstone. Club info
Tuesday 13 August
Cray Valley PM v Tunbridge Wells - both sides recorded 3-0 wins in their opening games to go joint top of the Southern Counties East League. Club info
Phoenix Sports v Corinthian - they share the lead with these two who recorded less emphatic victories but could both be among the title contenders. Club info
Wednesday 14 August
England v Scotland - these two old rivals haven't played each other since 1999 when they met in a Euro 2000 play-off. I actually went to the nervy second leg at Wembley which Scotland won 1-0 but it ended 2-1 to the hosts on aggregate. The fact that tickets are still available shows the significance of this fixture has waned somewhat. Ticket info
Welling United v Cambridge United - this will be the Wings' first home match following promotion to the Conference Premier and for some reason it's been scheduled against England - strange. Club info
Grays Athletic v Leiston - again if England's not for you then a trip to Aveley might appeal where two of the Ryman Premier's early pacesetters come face to face. Club info
Friday 16 August
Enfield 1893 v London Tigers - the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round gets under way on Friday with this tie. The match is being played at Haringey Borough's ground on White Hart Lane. Club info
Saturday 17 August
Arsenal v Aston Villa - the Gunners get their Premier League campaign under way against a side who struggled last season. Ticket info
West Ham United v Cardiff City - the Hammers start their season against newly promoted Cardiff who have only won once at Upton Park since 1950. Ticket info
Queens Park Rangers v Ipswich Town - the hosts have made an encouraging start to life in the Championship but could find the visitors tricky. Ticket info
Welling United v Grimsby Town - another tough test of the hosts' Conference Premier credentials as this former Championship club travel to Park View Road. Club info
VCD Athletic v Aveley - at the time of writing, these are the top two in the Ryman Division 1 North so it should be worth a watch. Club info
Egham Town v Royston Town - the Sarnies have just been promoted to the Southern League after winning the Combined Counties and start with one of the toughest fixtures going as Royston are second favourites for the title. Club info
Cockfosters v Hanwell Town - two Spartan South Midlands League rivals meet again in the FA Cup in what should be a closely contested game. Club info
Whyteleafe v Epsom & Ewell - the visitors have got off to a flyer in the Combined Counties League winning all three games and will fancy their chances against the Leafe who only started their Southern Counties East League season with a draw. Club info
Sunday 18 August
Chelsea v Hull City - the first game back in charge for Jose Mourinho comes against newly promoted Hull who will probably feel like lambs to the slaughter. Ticket info
Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur - the Eagles have also just been promoted and also face a tough first game in this derby against Spurs. Ticket info
If you have any questions or want advice about watching football in London, you can contact TLFG using the comments section below or via Facebook, Twitter or email.
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