Why Is Non-League Football In England So Good?

In most countries, non-league football is played in obscure leagues by amateurs in front of only a handful of spectators.
In England, Notts County attracted a crowd of almost 13,000 at their nearly 20,000 capacity Meadow Lane stadium in the Vanarama National League last season, Wrexham have players who reportedly earn in excess of £4,000 a week, and the standard is almost on par with the EFL League Two.
So in this video, HITC Sevens investigates why non-league football in England is so unique, why the stakes are so high, and where all the cash is coming from.

[@TheJamesEarly]

What's so great about football in England is no matter how small a town is, it'll most likely have it's own football team that you can go and support on a Saturday afternoon.

[@dddgtsd]

I'd say this is also the case in France, Italy, Germany, Netherlands etc...but I'd agree the quality and infrastructure of those clubs is definitely more impressive in England.

[@F.O.O]

@@dddgtsd no country matches our attendances for football

[@dddgtsd]

@@F.O.O agreed.

[@noreturn2231]

@@F.O.O In the 4th and 5th tier, yes. But the Bundesliga including its 2nd and 3rd division has a higher attendance than the english leagues :P

[@uroreocookie]

That's why I love england/UK 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧 your people invented the sport 👏 how incredible

[@DynoKea]

My favourite little non-league fun fact is that since 2 promotion spots were awarded from the National League to League 2, no team has come straight back down. This season will mark the 20 year anniversary of this happening and with both Grimsby and Stockport looking clear of the drop, that makes the number of teams to have this happen set to reach 40/40

[@smitbe1]

Demonstrates the quality in the fifth division nowadays. I believe the whole pyramid would benefit from 3-up 3-down between L2 and NL. Although I'm a bit biased as a Notts fan

[@connorledwith98]

@@smitbe1 it would. Kept Scunny up for an extra year, saved Barnet so many times over the years, some non league teams that are really ran well and would benefit from football league money get screwed imo

[@alex10991]

@@smitbe1 Notts will be fine regardless this season but totally agree. It must be a relic of the times when getting demoted to non-league was clubs being in serious trouble financially

[@aidanm5849]

@@smitbe1 not until financial equality is implemented throughout, the whole origin of this phenomenon is from the financial advantages obtained by national league teams, now exacerbated by Wrexham or Stockport, we cannot afford to open the floodgates to killing off more efl clubs by adding a 3rd transition spot, until all divisions have financial equality

[@lordgemini2376]

3 up 3 down, bringing the national league into the EFL fold as a "League 3" and turning the National League North & South into the new "national league" by combining the top teams in each into a single league would be the way forward as the current national league is almost entirely professional as is

[@jontalbot1]

It’s impossible to understand why non league football is so popular without understanding the central role football clubs play in peoples identity and sense of belonging. Football clubs do not just glue people together: they are something everyone can feel part of

[@Northstander]

Agree...plus the lower down the pyramid you go the more a club feels like a community, most of the supporters are likely to be from the local area who want to support the team because it represents them, rather than just picking one of the most successful ones from the top. I had a conversation with someone a while back who declared that their family supported (insert name of large Premier League team) but when challenged admitted that they hadn't been to any games and followed them because they were successful, despite being hundreds of miles away. Give me a team from a lower level, where you can have a sense of belonging, rather than just being an anonymous customer whose sole purpose is as a revenue stream.

[@jontalbot1]

@@Northstander Amen brother! Unless you support your local team you will never know the joy of sharing the experience with others. Football clubs are not just another thing you buy or identity you assume.

[@kyh148]

Isn't it in that sense paradoxically very similar to international football? lol

[@jontalbot1]

@@kyh148 Yes it’s about identity and a sense of belonging. It just seems to extend to everywhere in the UK. People are really passionate about their local team

[@kingofracism]

You're not wrong. English football fans care more about their local football team than they do about their own family and nation. English football culture, especially when coupled with the English drinking culture, is the most disgusting thing to exist in this nation​@@jontalbot1

[@TheIkaraCult]

I remember when I was a teenager and i used to think I could have possibly played at conference level, because one of my team mates ended up doing so. But you go and watch those teams today and the standard is absolutely superb. It's a humbling experience to go and watch the local lower leagues now, they're all serious players.

[@hans8025]

I'm thinking of going to play non-league myself.

[@James-vy5jg]

@@hans8025 non league or Sunday league?

[@declangaming24]

@@hans8025 ask for a try out at any non league team impress them get a contract then your a pro footballer.

[@BuckledFrame2187]

@@declangaming24 or semi professional or amateur player

[@matthewcoombs3282]

In my crappy 5 a side team, I got my work colleague (who I admit was a former Everton Academy player) to play in our team. He played for Circencester in the Southern League (Tier 7 of the pyramid). We thought we were ok at football. None of us could get the ball off him. It was embrassing and I think he got bored with the game. God only knows how we would have played against him if he was a PL player. When slagging off PL players as being crap you need to remember this!

[@paulcope834]

So proud of the strength and depth of the leagues in England. Football didn't need to come home it never left from the moment we created it.

[@Dreaded-Flower]

to say england created footbal is like to say the usa created american football. you just took an existing game and changed the rules

[@charlieparker1036]

@@Dreaded-Flower I completely disagree before the rule changes in England from the Cambridge and modern-day Sheffield rules you could walk with the ball in your hands there were no free kicks, corner kicks, handballs, throw-ins, or a crossbar just to name a few. There have been many games with a round ball but to even say oh it was an existing game is ridiculous the term football has obviously been used many times before because kicking a ball with your feet in a game is very generic the modern day game is so so so different not even comparable

[@5minutesaside]

Love this mate

[@aussie_cones]

this is beyond cringe lol

[@RS__7]

@@aussie_cones Get out foreigner

[@user-qb9pq1dz7e]

I would actually really want to see 2 teams + playoff winners promoting from the non-league to league two, it is sad to see so many good teams unable to promote due to strict 2 promotion places right now

[@aaaabbbb2483]

Totally agree 👍

[@declangaming24]

They should do this promotion format the top 2 teams get auto promoted and teams from 3rd to 6th go into a playoff 3rd vs 6th 4th vs 5th that's the playoff semis winners of both semis advance to the final at a neutral venue Wembley but if it isn't avaliable they would use another venue they winner gets the playoff trophy so 3 teams go up to league 2, 3 teams go down to national league.

[@bigstan5705]

@@declangaming24 eh no

[@declangaming24]

@@bigstan5705 why

[@jaidenbrisley9722]

@@declangaming24 so they exact same system from the championship?

[@TheAdamwalters]

I’m a forest fan but went to the notts county game this week with a mate who supports them and the atmosphere was really good. A guy banged a drum the entire 90 mins. It was a bit awkward when they were singing “forest get battered everywhere they go” and I sat there awkwardly in silence 😅

[@gm2407]

Great atmosphere then. You don't hear drums at PL games often. Used to when Shef Wed were in the PL over 20 years ago. Would you go to County games again?

[@kaitlinbilous4605]

And then Forest beat Liverpool

[@TheAdamwalters]

@@gm2407 yeah I’ve been two a few with him It’s very rowdy but I would go again. A guy kept staring at me when they were singing about forest it was like he knew. But I was still pumping money into the club. I won my bet of 3-0 final score as well so a good evening al round

[@gm2407]

@@TheAdamwalters That tickles me that the guy knew you weren't one of them and he was totally confused and angry about it. As you said, you were there for the football and company, spent your money so he has nothing to complain about. Still must be the tribal legacy of football.

[@therealuncleowen2588]

Next time you go, make it an even more lively time by wearing a Forest shirt.

[@J_ZD]

While on the topic of non-league. A video on the rise of Dorking Wanderers could be interesting. From tier 16 to the National League within 23 years is incredible

[@mokkaveli]

Never heard of them but thats a phenomenal rise

[@wsg8283]

Yep that'd be a great vid

[@bantam-tx9im]

And unlike Fleetwood & Salford they have not bought their way up the leagues - just good management.

[@wsg8283]

@@bantam-tx9im exactly

[@liambushen2377]

They get enough recognition. Respect to them but if I see one more thing about dorking I’ll cry

[@LordZontar]

I know from my experience in America that my best baseball enjoyments have been in the Minor League game. The stadiums are cozier, more intimate, with terrific sightlines just about anywhere in the place, and with lots of open space above and around the diamond. The crowds are smaller, friendlier, the whole atmosphere is more relaxed and yet the baseball thrill is every bit as satisfying as with the Majors if not more so. And it's far cheaper: a ticket is from $3-$7 and parking is just $3 and although the concessions are a bit pricey they're not anywhere nearly as outrageously overpriced as in an MLB park. The level of baseball is also fairly high-standard so it makes an outing worthwhile. Minor league, lower division and non-league football, which I've been watching a lot of lately, seems also to be saner all around. The leagues are less predictable, the stadiums are more comfortable and far less claustrophobic, the fan experience is pretty positive overall, the level of play has been pretty damn good in the English non-league game and the German lower divisions, as well as the WSL, and I can catch a lot of action right off KZbin instead of having to pay through the nose for a premium channel subscription. The Big Leagues are plastic, corporate theme-park spectacle. The small leagues are brick and concrete, grass, competitive, and wholly real at the community level.

[@paulstarr6316]

Great comments mate,I think many people are tired watching too many over-paid cry-babies,& our British game is often just a plaything for wealthy foreigners.Even tho' I have supported Man.United since I was a schoolboy nowadays I check their results more from habit than wholehearted interest.I have recently been watching some 1970s football games on KZbin and it was so very different then,the game was not polluted with greed.Passion & honesty were evident,but by God they were tough in those days,perhaps too much so.The words "blood & guts" spring to mind.If you get a chance to watch some games from the 70s & 80s you may enjoy them.I guess sports fans in the UK,the US,Germany etc are yearning for genuine.Enjoy you sport wherever you watch, best wishes.

[@LordZontar]

@Reed Miller I can tell you from personal experience that there was a great deal of fan involvement in the New Orleans Zephyrs, particularly when we won the pennant in 1998 and 2001. Those were some of the best baseball years in my hometown. Regardless of how the games are marketed, you'll get plenty of fans taking a keen interest in the on-field action, the strategy, the close plays and the performance of the pitcher as well as the umpire's calls. Not only do I still have the foul ball I snagged for myself at Zephyr Field but remember the game and the play: last day of the 1999 season against the visiting Tacoma Rainiers, top of the eighth, 2-2 foul to right off Chad Aakers.

[@phoenixjim0527]

Absolutely! The US has very good semipro teams both men’s and women’s. A perfect example is the Red Bulls B team playing at a state college.

[@hattorihanzo2275]

@@Reedjohnmiller There are plenty of minor league teams without MLB affiliation not to mention the vast majority of players will never even sniff a cup of coffee in the show.

[@Pencilman246]

Very much agreed regarding minor league baseball games, they’re a lot more fun to attend overall. Funny enough it’s the reason I support my local MLS club too; despite being a major league soccer team, their stadium is pretty small, the atmosphere is great, a mix of passionate fans and families but all interested primarily in the game, and the tickets and concessions are so much cheaper than NFL and MLB games here. The level of play isn’t quite as exciting to watch as Premier League or EFL but being a fan and watching in person is more fun which makes up for it.

[@matthewlovell2557]

As a Bradford Park Avenue fan and volunteer, I am really happy you made this video and totally agree that non-league in England is brilliant! The price of a season ticket at our club is at most £150, which is probably the same as 2 or 3 Premier League or even EFL Championship matchday tickets. You still see 90 minutes, and the quality is still at a respectable level :)

[@RepeatBennett]

Non league fans are the best regards from a Rotherham fan

[@mats7492]

thats expensive.. pay less for my season ticket at a german second division team..

[@johnruby147]

I am in my mid 60's but i remember Bradford Park Avenue being in the old 4th Division (now League 2) back in the 1960's and early 70's till they were relegated from the Football League .

[@danielkarmy4893]

Great to see you pick up another 3 points yesterday, things are starting to look up hopefully! How good it would be to see Bradford Park Avenue back in the big time. Never mind Premier League teams in the fifth tier, how about First Division teams in the sixth...

[@Drakshl]

Went to school with a good number of park avenue fans (from our Clayton way), great to see the club going strong!

[@dd-uf9nw]

Back in India we had live telecast of lower division English football. Quality of games was ofcourse different than PL but the atmosphere was phenomenal, small stadium and full attendance was best thing to watch like most of the stadium were like Fulham's stadium or Highbury.

[@RM-hj7zo]

Still a few decent sized old grounds like that around. I must say, it can be crap at times on them Tuesday nights but they have character

[@dd-uf9nw]

@@RM-hj7zo i used to watch those matches more than PL even league 1, 2 had absolute atmosphere and competitiveness. If i have ever managed to go to England i will surely visit those stadium.

[@aniketprasad3128]

@@dd-uf9nw oh yes I remember watching football league. Felt a raw version of football

[@abhirupnath3261]

Yup remember those days when we used to have EFL on TV

[@BrownmannZero]

When was this?

[@boundsgreenboy]

I follow Haringey Borough in the Isthmian League. The support is mainly made up of disenchanted Arsenal & Tottenham fans wanting something different from the crass commercialism of the Premier League. To encourage a growth in support season tickets are free. The atmosphere is superb and they have a great clubhouse too. If you live in North London I highly recommend it.

[@MS45636]

Hashtag united league eh

[@boundsgreenboy]

@@MS45636 Dodgy club by all accounts.

[@MS45636]

@@boundsgreenboy oh thats the opinion is it :(, i did kinda like watching them on youtube. On the other side of country though myself.

[@boundsgreenboy]

@@MS45636 They used to share Haringeys ground. I'm not going to say anything else.

[@trevorphilips5252]

Fantastic pick

[@jonathanford7440]

Oldham fan here: we were discussing this topic yesterday. Why after relegation to Non League are we getting twice as many home fans as when we were two divisions in L1? Some good points made - agree with PL disillusionment however it’s not cheaper in Non League. Ticket prices are still around £20 same as in L1 (£5 too much IMO) and with it being a very Southern based league it is v expensive being a Northern club to follow away. Two additional points I’d make. Levels of fitness of players is surprising long gone are the days of big CH/CF lumps. Secondly - Perhaps over the next two months with the World Cup we could see a continued resurgence as PL fans seek out live Saturday football action and realise they like it due to the points you raise.

[@gm2407]

I remember when there were players making a living with less technical ability on the ball then your average person on the street. Now even non league players have ability with both feet better than EPL players in the 90s, an era notoriously one footed. So if technical ability and fitness have improved clearly only one of player personality or bad club judgement is stopping these players making it. If I were a Seri B/C or second tier club in France, Germany I would be looking in English lower leagues for gems ignorantly thrown away by the PL. Hell even Scottish teams are missing out, although their game is struggling for money as well.

[@TheDavidb1995]

Bad owners, abdallah and they ones before him, people didn't want to put money in their pockets Franks brought life back to OAFC

[@andrewplant2047]

Good point about Premier League supporters popping down the road to see a non league club. Think £20 is about right price. 2 to 3hrs of entertainment and the floodlights must be costing a fortune this season.

[@att6484]

not being funny lad for yous thats probably the fact your owners before were utter wankers. im a southend fan and our average attendance is only slightly lower here in the NL as it was in league one. and we've still got the same shit owner

[@RW-nr6bh]

@@andrewplant2047 The price of watching non League football was spiralling well before the cost of living crisis and although I enjoy going and still hand over my cash I don't agree that it represents good value anymore. In the 1997/98 season it typically cost £6 to watch in the Conference as an adult; cheapest I saw was £5.50 at Southport, and Woking at £7 was most expensive. Adjusted for inflation, using the Bank of England calculator, £6 would be £10.60 and £7 would be £12.36 as of September 2022. Is it proportionally more enjoyable now than it was in 1997? In my personal experience; no it isn't.

[@LiamK-ep6fs]

I love watching my local non league Dulwich Hamlet get bigger crowds than some EFL clubs

[@nathanm5594]

Up the Hamlet! Sell out at Champion Hill again yesterday

[@LiamK-ep6fs]

@@nathanm5594 good atmosphere as well

[@matthewcoombs3282]

Great club. When I used to live in London you were my non league Team's main local rivals. (I used to watch Tooting and Mitcham at Sandy Lane in those days). I live in Berkshire now and see you beat my local non league team yesterday Hungerford Town. Good luck for the season.

[@jamiemoore2463]

Whats the crack with you lads? Feel dulwich should be alot higher with the backing they have. I support notts and see us in a similar boat in that sense.

[@LiamK-ep6fs]

@@jamiemoore2463 we should but now Paul Barnes has come in hopefully we will go on a good run and climb up the table

[@TheCatDrinksAllTheRedBull]

I live in Australia, but I take great interest in the non-league game. If I was to ever move to England, one of the first things I would do is check out my local non-league side

[@bury_the_elite65294]

Non-league football (i.e. outside the A-League) is pretty good here too. I often go to watch local teams in the Victorian Premier League and State leagues. The standard of football is actually very respectable, even though the players are semi-professional or non-professional. I usually don't have to travel more than 10 km to see these matches, and the admission prices are dirt-cheap compared to the A-League (and far better value for money IMHO). And the atmosphere is excellent - there may be only 100 to 150 people in attendance, but there's always a really tangible community spirit at local games that you just don't get at the highest level.

[@TheCatDrinksAllTheRedBull]

@@bury_the_elite65294 I do support a club here that's non-league standard: Brisbane roar

[@anthonyferguson4678]

It's true about the Oz NPL. My local mid table WANPL side has sold players to the Saudi league, had one reserve player join Coventry City, and hosted a South Sudan international.

[@Divad6686]

What a great video! I experienced something similar starting around a year ago. I live in Canada and started paying attention to our local team (Forge FC) in the newly formed and somewhat quaint Canadian Premier League. That in turn got me watching games in the CONCACAF league, Caribbean Club Shield etc. Great fun to view. Something highly appealing about watching matches played at small stadiums with passionate fans.

[@badasstasticusbadass4908]

It kind of reminds me a bit to the situation between the Bundesligue 1 and 2 over the last few years, due to the absolute dominance of Bayern Munchen (besides of this current season) Bundesligue 2 has become more fun to watch and engage because of how tight the competition is to achieve promotion compared to the first league. That could be a nice topic for a next video, how the absolute dominance of one club can damage the overall performance of the league.

[@theultumateprezes6379]

I think Alfie already made a point about one team dominating the league being damaging in the old video about Ludogorets and Bulgaria.

[@alainerookkitsunev5605]

Union Berlin is a point away from Bayern Munich and RedBull Leipzig two points away.

[@badasstasticusbadass4908]

@@alainerookkitsunev5605 At the this current time yes... which is good that now the Bundesligue is exciting to watch after nearly ten years of pure Bayern dominance.

[@grobariza]

3. Liga is better

[@fletch3758]

Recently I traveled to the UK from the US and decided to visit various Non-League grounds! I can honestly say the quality in stadiums, pitches and infrastructure was incredible! Chesterfield FC ground was one of the nicest I'd ever visited in person. I'd highly recommend to anyone who visits the UK to go watch Non-League matches! Had more fun doing so than some of the Prem matches I've been to

[@richardfothergill8090]

You’d like the bunch of amateurs KZbin channel

[@fletch3758]

@@richardfothergill8090 cheers mate will most definitely check them out! 👍

[@acustomer3518]

snhame you never made it to saltergate or bootham cresent

[@loyalroyal]

Your best piece yet. I have started to follow Egham Town over the last 2 seasons, and i have rediscovered my love of the game It is exactly like watching league football thirty years ago.

[@SilliusSodus]

Some of the highlight goals are crazy. Best way to spend an hour on YT.

[@WagnSund]

As a Dane I grew up watching football from the top leagues in Britain, and as a schoolboy we all had our different favourite English football teams. Most of those were typically Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester United, however most of us did not know the whole team, its history or about rivalries between them. Danish teams rarely had any international succes, I believe that is why our national team has such a great support, because they are "our boys." Nowadays top teams buy themselves out of troubles if they can afford it, so most people with an average income prefer to supoort their local club , because at least that team is "our boys!" But maybe I am wrong?

[@stalfithrildi5366]

From Sheffield; much love to Danes and their run as Champions here in 1996. Superb fans.

[@Mike-br8zt]

As someone who briefly played for Congleton Town in the old Cheshire League, this brought back memories of a training regime that often ended up at the fish and chip shop! I have been a supporter of non-league from the late 1970s - Nantwich Town, Barnstaple Town, Goldenhill Wanders, Congleton Town and Alsager Town are amongst the clubs I would follow over the years.

[@TheCloudburster]

my grandad owned a chippy back then. not sure if it was in mac or congleton tho

[@Mike-br8zt]

@@TheCloudburster Mac was too posh for the likes of us. The chippy in Rode Heath was a regular.......followed by the pub!

[@effexon]

this looks great, ppl truly enjoy when they make goal and fans enjoy too.... PL and second league ppl are mostly in suits from office or even work meeting with work expense... and that shows in atmosphere. Also, these non leagues should be much better motivation for youth as it is just to play if you enjoy it, not to compete with blood between teeth every day. Id guess in england it aint too much challenge to find decent job outside of football.

[@justwatch908]

I used to think that Sunday league football is better than non-league football since from the name, Sunday league is an actual league and non-league means no league.

[@MS45636]

Haha yeah yeah its a crazy name. Like its just people having a kick about in the park or something with jumpers for goal posts.

[@MTGDan101]

I love going to see my local team, Skegness Town. A couple hundred people, sometimes, all cheering on a team very few people know exist. Better than any premier league match day in my opinion.

[@wsg8283]

Same with my team Dartford in the National League South (Tier 6) crowds are seeing a significant rise each game

[@L1RW]

I like the fact that you can actually get a ticket to these kind of matches. You would probably end up waiting years, to watch some PL teams play.

[@dart2691]

@@wsg8283 I'm a dartford fan too. I see your comments a lot on our highlights videos. Up the darts.

[@wsg8283]

@@dart2691 Up the darts. Brilliant result yesterday 👏🏻 I was there. Welling's keeper was quite dodgy and a great turnout

[@jimik89]

COST!

[@thegloriouspyrocheems2277]

Day 71 - The Fall and Rise of FK Velež Mostar From a Club that has beaten Borussia Dortmund, Twente, Derby County and many others to a club that was forced from their own stadium, reduced to nothing during the Bosnian War, becoming a mediocre top-level team in the 00s to nearly being forced into folding in 2016 to its amazing comeback to European competitions in 2021 seeing the early exit of Greek giants AEK Athens in a sensational win in Athens!

[@twaddle29]

Love seeing my hometown club Sutton United feature in a video - we were promoted to the EFL a couple of seasons ago for the first time in our history which was a mega achievement, made even better given our mid-table finish the previous year - it also led to a great sound bite of our chairman commenting that the manager's job was to keep us in the league, so on that metric he actually failed 😄

[@andrewplant2047]

Really good summary:- Many non league clubs have spent an awful lot of time and effort in making matches affordable, family friendly, friendly towards away fans, and just a genuine welcome atmosphere. Stockport County have just got promotion back into the football league for the first time in eleven years. Really competitive with three or four really large clubs with 7,000 to 13,009 crowds. Great atmosphere and many excellent players. Smaller clubs do struggle but most somehow survive. Non league football is very special to England.

[@harold6863]

Very interesting video thank you. I have been a Blackpool fan for 52 years. Recently we got back up to the Championship. The standard of football is better than I can remember yet it’s not the same friendly club a few years back in the fourth tier. It’s all about squeezing fans for more money and hospitality. Most of the so called fans never went before. They don’t care about us anymore. You could pick the phone up and call someone in the ticket office or club shop who you would be on first name terms with. Now it’s just a business. I can see your point that non league engages the community and is far more affordable. Thanks again.

[@mr.harambe2658]

Comeon now be a real realistic too. A shit ton of money is needed to run this institutions at high level. It's not easy

[@GuinessOriginal]

Absolutely brilliant video. One of your very best. Thank you

[@YCFCfollower]

We (York) have been getting higher attendances in the National League North and now National League than we got in L2 less than 10years ago

[@depekthegreat359]

Good friend Alfie,congratulations to your beloved Hull City for winning last two matches which included the yesterday's massive 4-2 away at Rotterham United to move to sixteen in the standings of the English Championship!!!Glory Glory Hull City,good friend!!!🏋‍♂️

[@alexwallach7683]

What a great vid. Some great points that really hit the nail on the head. It will be interesting to see whether current financial circumstance start to have a knock on effect in the PL which may continue to make non-league football an attractive option.

[@papanga1197]

My coach was released by Southampton U19 and was just 2 years older than Gareth Bale. He's damn good. Probably the best coach in the country right now. He played for our national team. Most of his students are either playing abroad or playing as starters in the top universities in out country. I believe one of our younger club members is in LaLiga academy right now as a student which he helped developed. UK football system is good.

[@Jon14141]

Nice

[@nicolassalamanca8051]

Hi Alfie you're amazing I love your videos and kudos on perfecting that voice its really soothing

[@coryyoung1876]

Another great video Alfie, surely the best channel on KZbin for football. Your scriptwriting and research must be so grueling to write these, produce and edit consistently whilst keeping the quality high. Side note, I instantly recognised the picture at 18:28, it's on the old York Road about 5 minutes out from Leeds city centre for anyone who's interested

[@twitter.comelomhycy]

Seconded.

[@shahidnyker2900]

Another excellent video! Well done, Alfie 👏

[@anfieldreds_1892]

it’s strange that England does not dominate world football with such deep level of football in its culture and blood. I wonder why?

[@MassEffect1988]

Maybe it's the culture and natural talent to a degree. Look at Brazil - the most successful nation in football history and in their country, kids are playing street football 10 hours a day from the age of being able to walk. Our culture in England is nowhere near that way inclined I'd say 👍

[@anfieldreds_1892]

@@MassEffect1988 true. but u have much greater chance of being a pro in England than Brazil.

[@notacloutchaser7407]

Cause these players arent better than thai rice farmers.. England is just a football crazy country that is easily traversed. With stadiums.. thats all the difference. I just checked out x4 non league game highlights; they arent that hood.

[@anfieldreds_1892]

@@notacloutchaser7407 dude come on. not better than Thai rice farmers. they may not be brasilians but if they are pros or semi pros of course they are going to better. in the scheme of things, England is one of the top teams in the world and always has been. they’ve consistently produced world class players. They have however, never managed to dominate world football and be the best of the best, not even for a short period of time. Brazilian has consistently done it. Spain has done it. France has done it. Italy, Argentina & Germany too. No other team has dominated for a period of time like the above. It doesn’t mean England is not a top team. they’ve unfortunately always been that one level below best of the best .

[@Scouseviking1990]

They dominate the European cup

[@Ooshgaar]

Im a Redditch Utd fan, they are in the 7th Division from the Premier League, its not my first team but I go more to them now more than my first team. There was literally a few hundred fans at home and only 7 of us going away. 7 of us. I loved it. The players were good people, the backroom staff were accommodating and was genuinely passionate and relatable, I got drove down to an away match by the Chairman himself.... you dont get that from your top clubs. I'm not 1 for "shmoozing" but this level of involvement for me felt like it was MY club, MY players. I'm hooked and I will probably keep going to as many games as I can, made a little harder these days due to the economic crisis. I cannot understate it, the Reds have welcomed me with open arms an I've made many a new friend down there. Anyone reading this far down, go and watch your local team. Go have a look, just go to a few games. I did and I dont regret it at all. #RedditchUnited

[@gdinitiate4775]

Great video Alfie, but I think you used the wrong photo of George Williams a couple of times. The one with black hair also came through MK Dons' academy buy he still plays in the EFL for Cambridge 😅

[@farhi411]

I swear English 5th tier is probably better than my country's (Indonesia) 1st division

[@neilwiddison6529]

Course it is

[@connorsmith1797]

I support Ashington AFC (9th div) and have done for a few years now. The match day experience is amazing. Food is cheap. The football is mint and my child gets to watch the lads play while she kicks the ball about against the stand. Priceless.

[@SilverfoxJB]

One of my favorite things to do when home in the UK is to watch whatever is the local team to the area I am staying in. Lower or non league only. I find it such a fun way to spend an afternoon, especially as (usually) I don't support either team, so I'm free to enjoy the game regardless of the result. The things I enjoy are the different grounds, clubhouses, food options, the atmosphere (or lack of). Even just the excuse to drive to a town I have not visited before.

[@zk1479]

Nice one. Well done. Enjoyed it. Greetings from Abuja Nigeria

[@JamesGoodman84]

Brilliant vid covering the national league my local team torquay United got a brilliant 4-4 draw on saturday so buzzing despite spurs losing and my favourite f1 driver losing

[@rossjefferies6468]

Mixed up the two George Williams there. The one from MK dons you pictured was at Bristol Rovers last Season and now Cambridge but started his senior career as a student at Loughborough University who’s first team play at step 5 of non league.

[@afcjonny1]

Outstanding video once again Alfie, really insightful. Non league football in England is almost unique in Europe, possibly the world. I cannot think of another nation that sees such widespread support so far down their respective footballing pyramids. I'm a scot and I see parallels with our game, its so top heavy in favour of the old firm but yet there is now a thriving lower division/non league football supporting community who are a combination of totally fed up with the old firm centric conversation in our national sports media, fed up with old firm on pitch dominance and are also fed up with ever increasing costs of following your football team at the higher level. Also note there is a total alcohol ban at football in Scotland which the SNP will never lift. Hampden Park was the only ground at the Euros last year where visiting and home supporters could not get a pint in the concourse pre match. At the non league and lower levels of Scottish football there is more leeway with these rules than at the premiership and national team level, I think this has also contributed to a lot of fans getting fed up of being essentially judged as hooligans in waiting.

[@franohmsford7548]

The Lowland League right now is stronger than the Scottish League Two - Spartans just beat Albion Rovers in the Play-off final, Kelty Hearts went straight through the Scottish League Two in a single season and have survived in Scottish League One, Bonnyrigg Rose survived in Scottish League Two this season in a tougher than usual year. Meanwhile Berwick Rangers, Cowdenbeath and East Stirlingshire have all struggled in the Lowland League since being relegated. Heck the addition of Rangers and Celtic B-Teams didn't stop Bonnyrigg Rose and The Spartans from WINNING the Lowland League and Hearts B-Team finished mid table this season. The Highland League needs Aberdeen and Dundee United B-Teams to join it to provide some more competition there.

[@stenic10]

You should look into making a video about the rise and fall of Colne Dynamos. When automatic promotion was first introduced from the conference I believe they were the 1st club with an owner who thought he could buy his way into the football league, they signed Alan Kennedy and several other players from league clubs. I remember someone who used host a non league show on local radio say that in the late 80's Colne had a higher wage bill than any of the football league teams in Lancashire at the time. Their owner spent a fortune on players and as you'd expect they raced through the leagues until they got promoted to the conference when they were denied entry because their stadium was not up to scratch. I believe their owner first tried to buy Turf Moor so it could become Colne's new home ground or then tried, I believe, to merge Colne and Burnley so they could take Burnley's league place. Over the years I've heard so many crazy stories about Colne Dynamos, some I'm sure are true, others may have been exaggerated over the years. Anyways when they were denied entry to the conference and Burnley wouldn't sell them Turf Moor or their league place the owner did what so many other "owners" have done in non league football when they lose interest, he pulled his funding and wound up the club. If he'd have just spent some money on ground renovations I'm sure Colne Dynamos would have been a football league club.

[@Mattitude-29]

Brilliant video! I love Non League you feel part of it and you can’t beat it! ⚽️

[@bannan61]

I'm a Leicester City fan and Jamie Vardy has been amazing. Best million quid the club ever spent. I also follow Macclesfield FC, where a remarkable renaissance is taking place - good football, affordable to attend and a nice family atmosphere.

[@1630revelloify]

By birth and upbringing, I've been an AFC Bournemouth fan since the late 1970s, most of which time was spent bouncing around the lower two divisions of the football league, and I'm still a devoted exile. However, over the past year, I've started following my 'local' team - Wealdstone - playing way above their level in the National League (part-timers as opposed to the majority of teams that (as you say) are full-time). I love the atmosphere, despite the small crowds (2000 is the exception) and the fact that as soon as one of our players starts performing well (Rhys Browne for example) he gets snapped up by a rival. Anyway, Alfie, you're welcome to come down and watch the Stones at home. I can even get you in for a fiver. Come and slum it at Grosvenor Vale.

[@richl6966]

Got to about 6 minutes and realised you are spot on. My club, Leamington FC (National League North), have taken on a lot of player at 18-21 when rejected from bigger clubs. Our manager of 12 years seems to build them up and then let them go to league teams again. If you'd like make a video about how managers at a lower level can rebuild players careers please get in touch. Examples at Leamington include Courtney Baker-Richardson, Colby Bishop and Kieron Morris. Sometimes a player can't thrive under PL or Football League mandates as kids but can be trained to be real players in non league and put into the the Football League again. I am sure there are other teams who have done the same but our budget is minimal, we have no money, no backer and we keep our heads above water.

[@sammacdaibheid]

I followed my local non-league club closely last season. The football was exceptional for level 9. Everything was on the ground and to feet. The title race was really exciting, too. Two clubs finished on 100+ points and both got promoted, including my local team. They set an attendance record for the division, too. Managed to pack 1900 people into the ground ... AT LEVEL NINE! I went the other day and they're still getting good crowds of 600+. 'Only' 3 promotions away from the National League. 😂🤣 They're currently second in a new division, so things are going well. Hoping for another promotion to level 7.

[@wsg8283]

Good luck! My team is pushing for promotion into the National League, currently 2nd right noe

[@L1RW]

The players relationships with the fans and local community, at this level, is what it’s all about. Especially when some teams are part time and the players also work, as well as play football.

[@ioannisgavrilidis3594]

You can make a video about olympiacos! They Sacked 2 managers since June, went on a buying spree ( brought players like Marcelo and James) and now have a roster of around 40 players, currently are last in their Europa league group and 4th in the Greek league

[@dariusbaja21]

I'm from Toronto, and I moved briefly to the the U.K in 2012 for about 2 years. Lived in Coventry n Birmingham. And what I remember most is being so blown away seeing all the football pitches as the plane got lower below the clouds . It was just football pitch after football pitch , and as a footy fan this was so beautiful to see . As u can imagine here in Canada there's not many football pitches around. It was a beautiful sight as we flew over London n the surrounding area

[@laurencetickell3086]

I remember from reading the Miracle of Castel di Sangro book the author saying that US sports that no one past their mid 20s who is not playing at the top level earns a sustable wage from sport. They would only continue in the hope of making the main leagues. He contrasted how in Italy at the lower levels people will still play out their whole career on reasonable pay compared to a normal job

[@dylan__dog]

sports culture in europe is different americans dont follow local clubs, they follow big franchises they can see on tv and on average there is like one per state imagine the champions league being an actual league and there's 1 team per country, and that team is pretty much the only actual fully professional team in the country that's the NBA and NFL i mean sure theres college and high school leagues but once youre an adult youre either in or youre not, where else would you even go to play? i know theres a couple of other leagues in america but theyre very very irrelevant

[@laurencetickell3086]

@@dylan__dog Its interesting the difference in culture, with amateur sport much less popular in Europe. I lived in Japan and High School is the most popular sport.

[@mets137781]

If you go back a hundred years in american baseball this was definitely not the case. Leaving aside the Negro leagues for the moment (as they are their own problematic history) There were independent baseball teams with veterans that played their careers in the lower level for a variety of reason. Some didn’t want to come east(the MLB didnt extend past the mississippi river pre 1950s), some were due to rule quirks, and some were simply happy where they were. what xhanged was the arrival of Branch Rickey and the farm system whereby Rickey (who was known for eye for talent) essentially did what Chelsea did with loans and City group with owning multiple teams ro a macro level. By supplying teams with his talent that was destined for the majors he unintentionally ran those vets out of the minor leagues.

[@dylan__dog]

@@mets137781 American baseball is the worlds first modern professional sport as far as I am aware, and it is definitely the outlier in this case

[@cdog857]

What a book that is btw

[@jaydenfisherncfc]

Good thumbnail!

[@sarcasticrobot303]

No need to tell any1 to subscribe in case you get sacked. Trust me we only come here because of you. Everyone left (myself included) the other channel when Irish Guy left not only because we are loyal to him but because he is just damn good at what he do (terrible predictions and humor) You my friend, I don’t what to say about you but you are a legend. Keep up the good work. HITC you will be done if Alfie leaves

[@viktorious5792]

Great insight as usual mate, think timestamps in your videos would really help though

[@haroldine9838]

Huddersfield Fan here: we are in the Championship at the min (maybe not for too much longer), but I absolutely adore the ups and downs of English League Football. Other countries have football pyramids, but non seem to have the level of following and dedication of the English Football Pyramid. I remember first going to watch Huddersfield back in the August of 2001 as a 4 year old, and distinctly remember being sat in the crowd in 34 degree heat watching a game against Cambridge in the league cup I think. I think we were in the Leagues 1 and 2 for around the first 10 years of my footballing experience after this, and as shit as the football can be in league 1 and 2, it was a roller-coaster and never boring. Rain, hail, wind, sun, snow, abuse, awful football, goals, joy, despair - football in the lower echelons of professional English football is great and full of character. Eventually we managed to solidify ourselves as a C'ship team and even managed to get to the big time PL, but in a sense none of it can ever compare to the trials and tribulations of life in League 1 and League 2. Obviously not non-league, but I guess its related to it. I now support and follow a local non-league team called AFC Emley as well as my beloved Huddersfield Town, and as different as the standards of football are, in a sense nothing can compare to the weird and counter-intuitive beauty of lower league/non-league footie

[@luisnutter]

Live in Spain but my grandparents live in Fixby Huddersfield near the Stadium although I support Bradford City because of my dad. To be honest the atmosphere in England is way better than in Spain where people only support Barça or Madrid

[@jesuisunstroopwafel]

Non-league football: When the good ol' days are actually not bad. That's a slogan for you.

[@GamingOnIce]

when you showed the picture of Mcauley Langstaff at gateshead, it reminded me of how good last season was and the memories I made. Now we're dogshit and pobably gonna get relegated lol But also, in the years leading up to covid we averaged 600-700 fans in attendance. Last season we averaged 1k in the league (a bit more overall taking into account the Charlton Athletic FA Cup tie) and this season we're still doing well, we had over 1k on a tuesday game in the fa cup vs Altricham in a replay and on saturday gone against Woking there was 1300 in. Given how rich the north east is for football and being able to see St James Park from inside the Gateshead Intenational Stadium, it's crazy to see us getting fans back in.

[@SurplusJester]

It's just like that in Germany, where teams that used to play in the Bundesliga, now play in the 4th or 5th tier. And even though, it is not a single league, the atmosphere is absolutely insane and I recommend it to everyone

[@jamiedoyle1754]

Another great video as always Alfie. Just wondering if you heard about the controversy surrounding the celebrations of the Ireland's Women's National Team qualifying for the World Cup? Would love to hear your opinion. Scottish police have been involved and English politicians have talked about it as well. Seems extremely overblown to me.

[@matthewcoombs3282]

I think due to the age of the players they probably didn't know how offensive the chant was to people who lived through the troubles. Same as some of the dumwits who sing about bombing Germany, need a lesson on the horrors of Dresden, when they chant that crap at England games.

[@davelovemartin]

The Memorial Stadium's main stand was shown when talking about League Two clubs but Bristol Rovers were promoted from League Two last season (by beating Scunthorpe 7 (Seven) - 0 on the final day of the season).

[@RM-hj7zo]

That result changed the landscape of our (port vale) play off campaign too. Meant to be for all that went up (apart from Forrest green)

[@davidspear9790]

Coincidently the exact result needed...I wouldn't mind betting the EFL had a behind the scenes enquiry about it though.....

[@davelovemartin]

@@davidspear9790 …yeah, and the moon landings were faked too 😂

[@RM-hj7zo]

@@davidspear9790 maybe but clearly nothing found if they did. Rovers were ruthless and scunny were in a right state.

[@davidspear9790]

@@davelovemartin I'm not saying for one minute I think the match was fixed, I'm just commenting on how the EFL might look at it.

[@kttink02]

Love the thumbnail , I remember cal roberts scoring for Newcastle in the cup a few years ago then subsequently getting released like many of Newcastle’s top talent

[@harryjflanagan]

He was quality for us gone to Aberdeen now

[@henrygaming869]

I think the wrexham documentary really got people into supporting there local team or a lower league team

[@MS45636]

Non league is a better experience than premier league, i go every week its awesome!

[@sfa2]

I've watched non league for 40 years now, first with Enfield then Enfield Town after the split in 2001 when we became the first 100% supporter owned club in the UK. As well as Town, I go to other non league games in North East London and have seen 38 games this season already. Non league is a vital part of the game in the UK and needs all the support it can get, especially below the National League.

[@stayawayfromthewoke3412]

Coys

[@normanby100]

Remember occasionally watching Enfield at the old Southbury road. Watched Andy Pape clout an impudent Aylesbury fan around the head after he mockingly ruffled the luckless keeper's hair when he fumbled a late penalty to lose an FA Trophy tie.

[@ThisIsRiky]

For me it’s about being that close to the action, you really feel like an ingredient in the experience. It feels real and rugged and alive.

[@mercjohnson9125]

What a glorious shot of Matlock Town FC at 09:15. That made my day.

[@TheAuthorizedJay]

I love Non-League Football since the stakes are so high. If a team loses too many seasons, they're at risk of dissolving.

[@xxrumlexx]

The non-league and football pyramid in England is why i love the premiership. I of course have a club i support in the premiership, but theres so many great stories further down that I love to follow as well

[@TheJoseGarcia325]

Yep im a chelsea fan thru but also support non league teams like Rochdale AFC who just got relegated to the non league division from football 2 🤦🏾🤦🏾 i always use them on the fifa games but since they got relegated now i wont be able to build them towards PL

[@decb]

I can't believe you didn't mention Wes Morgan when you said about Jamie Vardy. Morgan started off playing in the (then) 10th tier for Dunkirk before signing for Nottingham Forest for the princely sum of 2 sets of kit.

[@viperswhip]

It is kind of the same with hockey here in Canada. When I went to university, we had a small league with 5 teams just from that university. The difference was, our team had one guy that had played in the BCJHL. Our goalie had a late class and missed the 1st period, so Tim would play the whole period skating around with the puck. We would start the 2nd period down 2 nothing or something, then Tim would take most of the 2nd period off, and we got more competitive until the 3rd period when Tim got back on the ice and won the game for us haha

[@andyproductionsltd]

I'd encourage you to also check out the non league in Scotland. maybe not the same size but very well supported and well loved. The integration of the junior system is interesting but some of the former junior teams can wipe the floor with championship and below sides.

[@bigt6665]

no they couldnt "wipe the floor with championship or below teams" a good championship player would be a scottish international

[@boulderbill1783]

He’s talking about the Scottish championship

[@andyproductionsltd]

Auchinleck Talbot have beaten both Hamilton Academicals and Ayr United in the Scottish cup as well as taking out multiple league one and two sides. I was referring to the Scottish championship. Aye.

[@steveburgess9709]

One of the best play off games ever occurred in the 5th tier, Wrexham 4 - 5 Grimsby! Just watch the extended highlights, awesome game!

[@garydansie6625]

Mariners 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿😜

[@bhobg]

Excellent as always

[@callmedavid9696]

it's also very fun in football manager, really need to work the loan/trial/scouting expiring contracts system

[@danielkarmy4893]

It's a strange situation, and one that almost mirrors that of the Scottish pyramid: if you go down from League Two, you're actually entering a league that is far more competitive, whose standard is some way above the league you were just relegated from...yet with only one automatic promotion spot, you're trapped there. The 'old boys' club' mentality is still alive and well: the established names can keep going in the Football League as long as they scrape by in 22nd place out of 24, even though most of them would be beaten on a regular basis by the teams in the division below - but those pesky blighters are kept nice and safe in non-league, unless they risk complete financial catastrophe by bankrupting themselves for a shot at the title. Those who do come up from the National League often go straight up to League One or at least challenge for immediate promotion. League Two is a doddle for them. That says everything you need to know.

[@curtisdoe3726]

E I E I E I O up the Football League we go, when we get promoted this is what we’ll sing “We are County We are County Williams is our king”

[@richl6966]

One of the best football videos I've seen. But I am sure you've done a load of good stuff by your voice. Can't fault any of this as someone who supports teams really from National League North and below. I think you know a lot about football.

[@sonsofthewestredwhiteblue5317]

I’ll always have a place in my heart for Northampton FC despite being an avid Arsenal supporter, as they were the first Div 3 club I was assigned on FIFA ‘back in the day’.

[@michealdefaoite8404]

Can you start posting your videos on Spotify, I’d love to be able to download them like podcasts

[@colinwalker6994]

Always enjoy your video matey. I'm a season ticket holder for Notts County. There isn't much different between The National League and L1 and L2, The biggest difference between the National and EFL MHO, are officials, they are absolutely shi!the.

[@samborgensjr6456]

Eastleigh fan from Oregon. Salute!!!

[@davidsimms6609]

Brilliant analysis.

[@danielliens5360]

As a Scunthorpe fan, I'm not enjoying non leauge football. But for the last few years, I haven't enjoyed leauge football either!!

[@harold6863]

Blackpool fan here. It’s awful what has happened over a short period of time. Hope you make it back soon mate👍

[@joegilbert3149]

same as a Torquay fan😂

[@chaz2705]

It's not the non league football thats not enjoyeable , unfortunately it's your club that's the problem

[@davidpalin1790]

its a tragedy what happens to the majority of young players 😪

[@jpeters1734]

Do you think every young player is entitled to riches and glory? How's it a tragedy? They were given an opportunity, they failed, life goes on.

[@bigt6665]

@@jpeters1734 they kill themselves bro...

[@petesmart1983]

Sadly only one or 2 out of each academy make it in football. But these clubs don't encourage education that they end up in dead end jobs etc.

[@GARYBLONDER]

A great well-researched vid, that explains very well why non-league footie is at such a high standard. I watch National League footie on BT sport and I love it - all the passion and drama you could want from football. Much less about marketing than it is about local people passionate about their local team, it's how football should be.

[@debnbhuy]

You must have loved Torquay v Altrincham this weekend if you say it. If not watch it on catch up ! An absolutely mental game ! By the way I am a long suffering Torquay supporter !!

[@GARYBLONDER]

@@debnbhuy I did indeed, it was a fabulous watch for the neutral. The last goal was an absolute cracker - a great climax to a great game.

[@wsg8283]

Same!

[@MassEffect1988]

Good job being a Pompey fan and local is we have quite alot of strong non league teams close by aswell 👍 Gosport Borough, Havant & Waterlooville and Eastleigh are all within a few miles 👌

[@pompeyfitnessjames6298]

Pup

[@billmiller2368]

Amazing as always! As a Footy fan living in America I can’t bring myself to support any of the MLS teams. Especially in New York City where I live where it’s either the red Ball team or the main city group. But Ithere’s a pyramid of non-mls football the (usl, nisa, uspl, etc) that allows people who don’t feel served by those MLS teams to watch local teams for cheap. And they must be doing OK because the leagues seem to be expanding every year. Of course they don’t have promotion and relegation which takes away some of the excitement but it’s definitely the only parallel for USA has for non-league. Look into it!

[@LordZontar]

I've been catching a lot of USL action lately on KZbin and I've liked what I've seen. And I hear New Orleans, my hometown, is in line to get a USL club.

[@billmiller2368]

@@LordZontar The USL isn't bad! I've been following the Pittsburg Riverhouds for the last couple of years and they are fun to watch. High scoring matches. I'm from NYC but the on;y USL team is the Red Bulls reserve and I cant bring myself to support them but next season (2023) nyc is getting another team called Queensboro FC which is going to feel much more like a local team (as long as they dont' change their name to Monster Energy Drink FC).

[@accesscrimea]

MLS is great! What's the problem?

[@stockportlad8560]

As a Stockport fan, our 11 years in non-league was certainly a journey. Sometimes great, other times horrible. Saw County play (and lose at) some teams I had never even heard of previously, Brackley Town, North Ferriby United and Leamington to name a few. The support in Non-League is incredible and the atmosphere is miles better than pretty much any premier league ground.

[@att6484]

its been a weird few years. im a southend boy and a southend fan but my mums a manc and all her family are county fans. its fucking mad watching two teams i support essentially switch places.

[@att6484]

watched county lose many times in the north and national league. just goes to show how exciting and borderline insane lower league english footie is

[@stockportlad8560]

@@att6484 Absolutely, it's a travesty a team like Southend are even down there, just shows doesn't matter how 'big' a team is, mismanagement both on the touchline and in the boardroom can devastate a club in no time. It was in my lifetime we were beating City as a Championship club and you lot were beating United as a C'ship club. Genuinely hope to see you lot back up sooner rather than later, Southend is always a top away day and whenever you come to EP, even though you always seem to lose your fans are always a right laugh!

[@Baronovic]

North Ferriby are my local non league team, they went into liquidation and are playing in the Northern Counties East Football League (9th level) now.

[@wsg8283]

Agreed 100%

[@richardreed-eaves2148]

I think not having the big teams reserve squads competing in the league structure helps too. Some conference north or south teams would be playing two or three levels lower if they were.

[@makearunat]

Wrexham got me into non-league football. I now find myself looking up teams near the top of the feeder leagues (National League North/South and below) just to see which ones could potentially get promoted

[@billhal6444]

That is an interesting one.

[@MastinoNapoletano420]

I wish American sports would adopt this model. It is a sustainable model that spreads the wealth around. It also makes for some great stories. Thanks for sharing Alfie, hope all is well.

[@mahootissherlockis2055]

Problem is, it’s not sustainable at all. Francises that get demoted will lose so much income they will likely never go back up or they will fold

[@RionAgrias]

You could buy countless non-league sides with the cost it now requires to register a new team into the MLS. It's not financially viable for a new side to be sent back to the USL. If it was all the sudden easy enough for Louisville FC to win their way up to the MLS and a team like Charlotte to be relegated after spending hundreds of millions, there would be mass revolt.

[@CaptainPriceAndGaz06]

@@mahootissherlockis2055 but with the current system, sporting clubs can benefit from being terribly run because they cannot be relegated, and lower league sporting clubs have no choice but to fold because no matter how well run they are, they never go up.

[@MastinoNapoletano420]

@@mahootissherlockis2055 Good. The best run clubs should stay at the top not the ones that paid to get into the club(MLS, NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL)

[@mrepix8287]

@@MastinoNapoletano420 That’s good in theory but money is what is necessary for a team to stay in business, it takes way more than just being good in the field.

[@ossiaigbedo7223]

Recently got into rugby because its so local to me, and even though I support arsenal through and through, travelling every weekend in this current financial climate is stupid. If they play a team in the north west, I’ll watch. If not then am not travelling I’ll watch the highlight and go about my day.

[@nollienick1121]

There’s something great about watching people who aren’t the best of the best. Their good but you got the moments that make it better. And it’s more personal.

[@matthewcoombs3282]

I agree the standard esp technical standard of football has improved through the English football pyramid. That can only be a good thing. I would say in the old days you did get some good non league players. What you need to remember is that the wages between divisions were not as wide as they were. Players in Division 3 or 4 in the `1970s were not getting much more pay than players in divisions like the Northern League, Southern League and Isthimian League. Some of the players esp if they were professional people like lawyers or architects preferred to be semi pro as they overall earned more than a fully pro player in the lower divisions of the main league.

[@Mike-br8zt]

Absolutely correct and it was more fun to play non-league.

[@normanby100]

Someone told me a player at Fisher Athletic was offered a transfer to a league club and turned it down as he would have been earning less money. And his wages at Fisher were part-time so it was on top of his regular pay packet. Mind you, we all know what happened to Fisher shortly afterwards.....