Save Non League Football - Before It's Too Late
You don't have to look far to find a non league club in trouble. We all heard the sad news about Hereford United being wound up earlier in the year. But although this made the headlines, the sad reality is that the number of clubs being made bankrupt or resigning from their leagues is extortionately high.
The FA needs to take action now. They are selfishly hounding non league football, so much so that many clubs have no other option but to pack it in - despite the fact that a lot of these clubs have been going for in excess of 50 years if not much more.
But I think there is a solution: of course I'm not saying that it will solve everything and that by doing this we will completely eliminate clubs going bankrupt, but will help no end. What I propose is the FA introduce a Midlands Division at step 3 - thus reducing travel for both the Midlands teams themselves and teams in the far North or South. This would mean more local derbies, easier access for fans and players to games and less money spent on team and supporter coaches.
This new look step 3 would consist of 80 teams; 20 in each league. The cut back on number of teams in each league means less midweek games which, as a result, means less midweek matches therefore clubs won't have to waste as much electricity on putting the floodlights on.
Clicking the button below will take you to a map I made earlier of what step 3 would look like if the FA were to include a Midlands League. As you will see, a lot less travelling for teams...
The FA needs to take action now. They are selfishly hounding non league football, so much so that many clubs have no other option but to pack it in - despite the fact that a lot of these clubs have been going for in excess of 50 years if not much more.
But I think there is a solution: of course I'm not saying that it will solve everything and that by doing this we will completely eliminate clubs going bankrupt, but will help no end. What I propose is the FA introduce a Midlands Division at step 3 - thus reducing travel for both the Midlands teams themselves and teams in the far North or South. This would mean more local derbies, easier access for fans and players to games and less money spent on team and supporter coaches.
This new look step 3 would consist of 80 teams; 20 in each league. The cut back on number of teams in each league means less midweek games which, as a result, means less midweek matches therefore clubs won't have to waste as much electricity on putting the floodlights on.
Clicking the button below will take you to a map I made earlier of what step 3 would look like if the FA were to include a Midlands League. As you will see, a lot less travelling for teams...
And once again I say, FA take note. Because without a re-think of the current pyramid system we have, many more clubs are bound to suffer the consequences of your greed.
Ben Bullock
Ben Bullock