952 matches called off and 700 games postponed. So, just your average Non League week in January. Chances are if you were off to a lower league football game this week, it would have been called off, yet chances also are unless you were at Histon v Swansea, you won't have heard the referee explain the reasons why.

Dot com minnows seeing stars cherry-picked

Battersea Ironsides GSA, an amateur side signed off the internet, are losing talented players to the Premier League just a year after being formed.

Plying their trade in the amateur leagues of the Southern Counties Division One, the Wandsworth-based outfit have already lost one player to the Premier League, one to the Championship, a player to League Two and one to non-league, just a year after recruiting them straight off a barely-known internet website.

PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester United made sure of the Premier League title on 16 May

Manchester United were crowned champions of England for the 18th time on 16 May following their 0-0 draw with Arsenal.

United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal have all qualified for the Champions League.

Grass roots and beyond Last Saturday the Rebels faithful, otherwise known as the fans of Southern league strugglers Slough Town FC, witnessed an unusual event. On 14th March, Steve Daly celebrated his tenth anniversary of being a STFC centre half. While his appearances have been seldom in the 2008/09 season due to the previous administration believing he was "surplus to requirement", the Rebels appointed a new manager a fortnight ago and Daly may yet get to pull on an amber and blue shirt before hanging up his boots for the last time.

I remember when I used to answer the phones for Danny Kelly (now talkSPORT) and we'd sit in the studio wondering what would take off that week. How could we get the phones buzzing? And the one that caused meltdown more than most? The best ways of getting into the ground for free.

These boots were made for walking One area where non-league football often shines over its professional counterparts is in its fans and players' devotion to do something daft for charity. The latest craze appears to be in wearing bright pink shirts to raise awareness of Breast Cancer. Oldham Athletic (all right, they're not non-league but they're hardly Chelsea) recently donned neon pink shirts in aid of the worthy cause and even managed to hold rivals Leeds United to a one-all draw.

Luton Town FC RIP

And so, on April 13th, Luton were finally consigned to step five football for the 2009/2010 season.

We were all expecting it of course. Only a miracle could have saved the Hatters this season, something which ex-newsreader come chairman Nick Owen happily pointed out on Sky News this morning.

This Confederations Cup is good isn't it? Well, it's not actually that great but it will do until the proper football arrives. Italy's unlikely exit has been the highlight so far without a doubt.

Italy have the look of an aging team and with little in the way of flair coming through the ranks and they definitely look a side to oppose at next summer's World Cup despite the bookies still making them 14/1 shots.

As a sports presenter on our local community radio (Every other Saturday afternoon 3-5pm), I feel duty bound to keep an eye on our local football team "Forest Green Rovers" who inhabit a local hill and the Blue Square Premiership.
The club sponsors the station and we regularly play jingles encouraging people to go along to watch.

Living in a Non League world and I am just a material girl. How much would you pay to watch your team in action? A fiver, a tenner? Twelve pounds fifty? Why do I ask? Well one wag suggested this week that you should pay however much you think its worth to get into a game.

During the current cold spell, it is a good time to remind referees of their responsibilities regarding pitch inspections. There is, it has to be said, a fair old deal of information on the FA website: Referees should visit the ground in good time before a match to see that everything is in order.

10 years of enjoyment Last week we saw the so-called professionals of the footballing world sack Tony Adams and Big Phil (I appreciate why he hates the nickname that can be now used in the headlines "not so Big Phil") there has been a little celebration down Non League way.

"If I tell you I'll have to kill you." Not the words of a secret agent but rather a Non League Football manager I was trying to get some information from this week. Now, as much as I'd rather not be acquainted with the old concrete boots, the world of football behind closed doors is becoming somewhat of an unhealthy fascination for me.

There was a sickening moment last year when a well known celebrity died and the 24-hour rolling news networks couldn't make up their minds if he'd actually left this mortal coil or not. Reason being, they reported rumour before checking out the facts.



I remember when I used to answer the phones for Danny Kelly (now talkSPORT) and we'd sit in the studio wondering what would take off that week. How could we get the phones buzzing? And the one that caused meltdown more than most? The best ways of getting into the ground for free.

These boots were made for walking One area where non-league football often shines over its professional counterparts is in its fans and players' devotion to do something daft for charity. The latest craze appears to be in wearing bright pink shirts to raise awareness of Breast Cancer. Oldham Athletic (all right, they're not non-league but they're hardly Chelsea) recently donned neon pink shirts in aid of the worthy cause and even managed to hold rivals Leeds United to a one-all draw.