Non League Tranmere Rovers lost to Non League Cheltenham in front of a crowd of 5418 at the weekend. When they played each other last season in the Football League 2, they mustered fewer than 2000.
Crowds in many Non League football matches are better than those reported at Bury, Fleetwood and Rochdale from League 1 and 7/12 Vanarama games have higher attendances than those recorded in League 2.
Forest Green Rovers recently promoted to the Conference averaged 600 last season but attracted over 2500 to their last match. Not surprising as Dale Vince, their owner, has created the world's first All Vegan Club! People are interested to get along to sample Dale's unusual match food and drink. So who attends? Hippies, vegans? Not really, just interested people who enjoy a good afternoon out. Below is FGR's ground and a match.
So what is happening? The Non-League clubs offer something very different from the Football League. There is no huge gulf between players, staff and crowd. You can meet them and the referee and his mates in the clubhouse after a game, if you wait long enough.
People can stand to watch matches and move around the terraces to suit their comforts. They pay sensible prices, sometimes nothing at all if under a certain age, or are charged low prices for concessions and should you be female on Valentine's week, it's free so long as you are with your Valentine! You might even get a free drink at half time if your partner buys one!
Some crowds are encouraged to "pay what you think is appropriate". It's fun.
There are no megalomaniacs running the clubs, no crowds who are blatantly anti this and anti that, abuse is easily exposed and overpaid players do not cheat. Football here is genuine, whole hearted stuff and people love the honest approach.
The average crowd for the Conference last season was 1906; in 2001-2 it was 1306. Not a huge change but crowds are on the way up.
FC United and Salford City FC pull in large crowds, over 3,000, and that is not surprising considering the attention they get from media but other clubs nearby who play them benefit from their popularity.
In the Fifth tier (i.e. One step below League 2) are Bristol Rovers, Luton, Lincoln, Wrexham and Stockport, all well known, well supported ex league clubs. Lower down are Barrow, Workington and Bradford Park Avenue who have sound fan bases. Crowds still turn up to see their revival.
With the semi-finals of the FA Trophy and Vase coming up next week, expect more on Non League from me! Below is Fraserburgh FC from the Scottish Highland league. They get a few more when there's a game on,but what a treasure
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