Greetings everyone and welcome back to TLFG after what seems like a very short four-week break.
As many hardened groundhoppers will be well aware, the match action has never really stopped with a handful of pre-season games having already been played.
I've brought the blog back this week as we have our first friendly involving an EFL club and there's a decent selection of games involving non-league teams on Saturday.
The highlight of my month off was going to the National Game Awards a couple of weeks ago.
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| Yours truly winning big at Plough Lane |
Hosted by the Non-League Paper, the lunch was held at AFC Wimbledon's new ground giving me the chance to have a nose around for the first time.
Having caught up with some old friends and met some new ones, it was on to the awards themselves.
Towards the end of the ceremony, the Buildbase Unsung Hero award came up.
Of all the awards, it was the only one that the winner had not been pre-warned about and as they were described, it became obvious that it was me for Non-League Day!
What an honour - but one I was totally unprepared for so the interview I did after winning was all over the place.
Many thanks to all those who've worked on Non-League Day over the years - you know who you are and I couldn't have done it without you.
I think that's it from me for now - enjoy your week.
MATCH MAP
As always, please make sure you check with clubs before you travel just in case a game has been called off or the venue or kick-off time has changed - this is highly possible for some of the lower non-league clubs. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.
Details on all of this week's games can be found on the following match map. 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 drop down menu at the top of the map page to make sure you get all the information. Games are listed from top to bottom in date order so Monday's games (yellow pin) will appear first and Sunday's (orange pin) last. Games are also ranked in terms of status so the higher the division, the higher up the list they will appear on each day.
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.
It should also be noted that the top four levels are for fully professional teams. Level 5 has a mixture of professional and semi-professional teams, while Levels 6-10 will see most players paid but it will vary from no more than travel expenses at the bottom, right up to several hundred pounds a week at the top.
MATCH MAP
Friday fixtures - black pin
Saturday fixtures - blue pin
Sunday fixtures - orange pin
TLFG DAILY DIGEST
In the following section, I list, by day, what are in my opinion the most notable games of the week and give some brief reasons for my choice. Check the maps above for kick-off times, ticket info and directions.
Friday 1 July
Friendly
Haringey Borough v Leyton Orient @7pm - the pick of the week's action takes place on Friday night as League Two side Orient send their first team to Coles Park to play Haringey. Ticket prices haven't been announced yet but they're usually around £10
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Saturday 2 July
Friendlies
Raynes Park Vale v QPR U23 @3pm - RPV kick-off their eye-catching pre-season programme with this fixture against the R's youngsters, quite a coup for a ninth-tier side. I wonder if new QPR boss Michael Beale will be in attendance. Adult admission is £5
Abbey Rangers v Eastleigh @3pm - the hosts are also in the ninth tier and they've also done well to land a warm-up game against National League opposition
Sutton Common Rovers v Tonbridge Angels @3pm - SCR did well to hang on to their Isthmian League status last season and start this campaign with a new groundshare at Whyteleafe. Tonbridge were among the also-rans in the sixth tier
Bedfont Sports v Potters Bar Town @2pm - situated next to Heathrow Airport, the Recreation Ground is always good for a bit of plane spotting while watching the football. Bedfont came unstuck in the Isthmian League South Central play-offs and will want to go one better this time. PBT play a level above them
Clapton CFC v CSM London @2pm - after months and months of work, the Tons are now back at the Old Spotted Dog which is the capital's oldest ground. I don't think I've been there since Non-League Day 2015 but I love the place and heartily recommend a visit. Both of these sides play in the 11th tier. Capacity for this game is limited to 450 and it's pay what you can on the door
Broadfields United v Hillingdon Borough @11am / Rayners Lane v Hatfield Town @3pm - if you fancy a doubleheader, these groundsharers both have games on Saturday. You'll have to go out between games and pay separately (it's pay what you want for the Rayners Lane game) or alternatively you could combine the Broadfields game with another match of your choosing as you'll have plenty of time to travel
UEFA Women's Euro 2022 Roadshow
With the tournament finally kicking off next week, get into the spirit of things at Potters Field Park near Tower Bridge. Featuring interactive challenges, an immersive TV studio, live music, trophy visit, showpiece football pitch and legend appearances, this
free event runs from 1000-1600
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Sunday 3 July
Friendly
Maccabi GB v Cockfosters @tbc - representing British Jews, the Maccabi GB team will soon be heading off to Israel to play in the 2022 Maccabiah Games. They've been drawn against France, Spain and Australia in the group stage. This match will be played at Rowley Lane near Borehamwood. Sadly I haven't been able to confirm the kick-off time or any admission details
Railway Flexi League Play-Off Final
Thameslink & Southern v Southern Engineers @2pm - Rectory Park in Northolt plays host to this big end of season decider. Beforehand, there's also a friendly at 12pm between AFC Old Oak and Barkingside Reserves
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If you're going to see a game, whether you're a local or a visitor, please let me know what you've been up to. If you're interested in reviewing a ground in the London area for this blog then get in touch. I also very much welcome photos of your football travels.
Got any questions about visiting London? Don't hesitate to ask - be they football or more general travel/touristy queries. I do not charge for this advice like some other sites so don't hold back!
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