Non-League football is football for the fans and in Manchester we have over 20 teams you should go to watch. With a lack of Premier League football, this boxing day is the perfect opportunity to get down to your local teams.  

 Non-league teams are perfect for your fix of football in the modern-day cost of living crisis. Whilst the cheapest season ticket in the Premier League in the 24/25 season was £342 and all the monthly subscriptions to not watch all the games is £140 a month, you can go to a local game at West Didsbury and Chorlton AFC for £6 for 16-18 year olds and still have the full matchday experience for an average of £20.80. Even Championship football is full of greed as, for example, Coventry are charging my team, Swansea, £45 for a ticket on boxing day.  

 A recent study by Reading Today found out that 75% of Brits have never attended a non-league game. 34% of us cannot even name a non-league team, maybe this explains why so many people sit on their comfy chairs and watch football on the TV. The Chairman of the North West Counties Division, Chris Stirrup, said “people see non-league football as ‘lesser’ football sometimes yet when they go along, they enjoy it”. He believes “fans are the most integral part of football. Without them football is nothing”. So, this Boxing Day you can go to a welcoming environment where you are valued as a fan by the players and the club.  

 West Didsbury and Chorlton, who play at Brookburn Road Stadium, have averaged 887 fans each game over the last few seasons and have a great and quirky atmosphere. The famous Shed End features many typical football features as it is decorated in stickers and scarves, but it also reflects the multi-cultural area it is situated in. You’ll hear Chants and stickers featuring hummus and quinoa, krombacher and wainwrights to the tune of Pulp, Blink 182 and Cyndie Lauper. Traditional football ‘scran’ is often complimented by food from some of Manchester’s best such as Wrapscallion. One loyal fan said that: “non-league is like a family. You feel a part of it. You high five the players after the game and they say thank you”. That is why many non-football fans enjoy non-league football as well as the connection to the players can feel and be more real. 

 However, as many non-league fans will tell you, the football itself is not to the premier leagues’ standard. The football is often seen as more traditional and with scrappy goals and muddy pitches, but this adds an extra layer of unpredictability that is not seen on TV. The players themselves, although they lack the ability of the top players, match or go beyond the passion. The managers and limited staff as well as the referees are all great characters and add to the experience.  

 So, this Boxing Day, trade the armchairs and popcorn for a pie. Get yourself down to your local non-league team because with the joy of non-league who knows what you might find.