The Non League Football Show

It is the last 16 in both the FA Trophy and the FA Vase.  We speak to a manager in each and find out what success in a national competition means to their clubs. First up, Banbury United boss Andy Whing enjoying life in a very competitive National North this season after promotion last season. They face a home tie this weekend against National League opposition whose league position he admits beli...

Seven seasons ago he was managing in Step 6. Now he's managing in the top tier of non-league at a club that until the summer had spent over 70 years in the Football League. His first task is to stabilise the club under a new regime and Jimmy Dean is more than up for that task at Scunthorpe United. Chairman at Cambridge City. Kevin Satchell has dealt with ground eviction, nomadic existence, High Co...

They are still trying to play the majority of games in Round Four of the FA Vase. Hopefully it will be third time lucky for many this weekend. We speak to a Chairman of a club that survives on volunteers alone behind the scenes, we chat about the impact in the post COVID era, about postponements and why the FA Vase is so important to a club like his. Brian Rose of Clevedon Town also gives us some...

We start this week with the youngest manager in the pyramid. Just 20 years old, fate has forced him out of playing- for a while at least - he’s gone into the dugout and Sammy Mould has helped new club Yaxley to their first win of the season already. A great listen and inspiration to all young managers. Inspiring other clubs in the pyramid Ascot United. Chairman Simon Negus his fellow board members...

We reach the last 32 in both the FA trophy and the FA Vase. Steve Baker’s Harrow Borough welcome FC Halifax Town in the FA Trophy and he’s well prepared on how they might turn out and why his side need to be on their game. Given us insight into the FA Vase it’s Phil Annets with his @FAVase Factfile hat on.  He also gives us a heads up on the return of the Generation Cup, celebrating those clubs wh...

As the FA Cup reaches the Third Round, we reach for player opinions. Ben Tozer rarely gives interviews and tries to stay out of the Wrexham spotlight but the defender has an inspiring story and an incredible work ethos we are proud he chose to speak about with us. If that doesn't prove hard work and empathy lead to success, Jamal Fyfield's story will do. Now in his fifth year at Boreham Wood, he's...

As the year draws to a close Tim Fuell speaks with Dartford manager Alan Dowson on his first half a season in charge, winning the local, top-of-the-table derby on Boxing Day and what it takes to be a manager. If managing, is hard being a fan can be tough too as Stefan Appleby can testify. His first book is all about a decade or so in the life of being a Gresley Rovers fan... then a Gresley fan ......

As Christmas races upon us we talk to the November manager of the month in the National South who sees his Eastbourne Borough side in the play-off zone after a difficult start to the season. Hoping to go better than last season's play-off defeat Danny Bloor is realistic that there is much still to be done but he's encouraged by the great spirit within the club. Trevor Knell kept many of us enterta...

As the FA Trophy reaches the Third Round, non league hope it beats the freeze. Among the games hopefully on this weekend. Bath City hosting current Trophy holders Bromley. Manager at Twerton Park Jerry Gill is pleased to be the underdog for once and looking forward to another chapter of success after the troublesome recent months, following the terrible matchday injury to player Alex Fletcher. He...

As December progresses so do a number of clubs lower down the pyramid. Top of Step 4's Southern League DIvision One South Sholing have come a long way in recent years, all under the guidance of Manager Dave Diaper, who has seen over 1100 games in charge as gaffer. With a clutch of long-serving players, a gaggle of much appreciated volunteers and a constructive board, the club are ready to take the...

Celebrating Round Three of the FA Vase this week we start with the tats and facts of the round from @FAVaseFactfile Mr Phil Annets. We then return to Anstey Nomads, catching up with joint Chairman and Manager Tony Blanchard after their FA cup spotlight and focus on their FA Vase progression and a glut of games to play. From Step 6 Whittlesey Athletic player boss Ricky Hailstone has steered his sid...

More sound Gremlins as we reach FA Cup Round 2. Phil Annets is on hand - although seemingly abducted by aliens in the sound department - as we discuss the 40 sides and 20 ties in this round of the greatest cup competition in the world. One man who agrees with that definition is Boreham Wood boss Luke Garrard. Just one more win and it will be a remarkable three successive Third Rounds in the compet...

Gremlins got into the desk, making the two guest interviews - and the original open and closers - unlistenable. So up against time for release here's a minimal show with Tim Fuell and Matt Badcock rounding up the week's news and hopefully later on today will follow the very interesting interviews with this week's other guests! Thanks for your patience. 

We hit Round 2 of the FA Vase competition. Phil Annets is on hand wearing his @FavaseFactfile hat to give some insight into the big stories set to break with his stats and facts on those taking part this weekend. We thentalk to last year’s winning manager, Gary Flinn still at Newport Pagnell Town and hoping to get his side’s defence of the crown off to a winning start this weekend. We also talk to...

As the FA Cup reaches the First Round and we begin to share the competition with the Pro Clubs, @FACupFactfile Mr Phil Annets has another batch of stats, facts and interesting insights about the 32 non league clubs taking part. We talk with Coalville Town boss Adam Stevens on his love for the club, beating Notts County last round and where his club is heading, competing on multi-fronts this season...

For the fans  by the fans has always been our motto and it's fair to say our two guests this week are Non League fans through and through. First up this week is old friend of the show Neil Cugley. A Non-league legend with all he has achieved at Folkestone Invicta in his 26 years there as manager. He was due to step down at the end of the season but this week announced an early departure. Putting s...

It's FA Vase Round 1. Tim Fuell speaks with @FAVaseFactfile Phil Annets about the 206 ties ahead this weekend before talking to a club from Step 5 and one from Step 6. From Step 5, unbeaten in the Hellenic Premier, Cribbs boss Richard Luffman is eyeing promotion but also a decent run in the FA Vase as he believes the club have all the right ingredients to go a long way. At Step 6 Kelly Scott is Ch...

This week we celebrate the Fourth and final qualifying round of the FA Cup. Yes, the Step 1 clubs join the competition but our focus is the clubs from Step 5 who began their competition journey in August in the Extra Preliminary Round.  First up though @FACupFactfile Mr Phil Annets provides us with stats and insight into the 32 ties. Then we speak with Tony Blanchard, who manages not only the firs...

He's back. Dave Anderson returns to the dugout at Chertsey Town and to the show to tell us how it all came about. In the FA Trophy it's Third Qualifying Round and the Step 3 sides move in. One Step 3 club against another side in their division is Nantwich Town and new joint-manager Gary Taylor-Fletcher reflects on how it might be the perfect match to kickstart their new era. Executive Editor at th...

As we reach the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, Tim Fuell is joined by @FACupFactfile Phil Annets and two managers hoping to make the final qualifying round of the competition at least. Tommy Widdrington as Manager at Kings Lynn has been the man to emulate this season with his side atop the National North and unbeaten until this week, ironically beaten by the very club they face in the FA cu...

It's a busy week in non-league football a perfect window to encourage newbies down during the international break. That international break comes true for some Step 7 players next week too as they represent the amateur game in Italy in a prestigious Continental tournament. We hear more from the Jersey FA Chief Executive David Kennedy. It is the Second Qualifying Round in both the FA Trophy and the...

The FA cup second qualifying round is upon us and the Step 2 sides from National North and National South now join in. There are Stats and Facts from @FACupFactfile Mr Phil Annets and some positive vibes from the camp at Binfield FC where joint manager Carl Withers is preparing his in-form giantkillers to host Step 2 Tonbridge Angels.  Rounding up the week's news especially on the managerial front...

The FA Trophy gets underway with 79 ties and 158 Step 4 clubs getting it all started in the First Qualifying Round. We speak to two managers who have had unbeaten league starts and hope to transfer that form into an FA Trophy run too, although the league is always the priority. First up Newcastle Town's Robin Van de Laan. With over 300 Football League appearances and two Wembley finals he has plen...

It's the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. @FACupFactfile Phil Annets is on hand to feed stats and facts on the 112 ties before we talk to two managers involved in those ties. First up, Michael Clegg manager at Ashton United who have started brightly in the Northern Premier League and now embark on their FA Cup journey this weekend. Always honest and great value, his answer to the final questi...

It's the start of this season's FA Vase and Phil Annets has his @FAVaseFactfile hat on to provide insight and stats on the 352 clubs competing this round, including our guest club FC St Helens in their first season in the competition. St Helens Chairman Steve Leather explains more about his progressive club and their ambitions, but first off we speak with Barnet Assistant boss John Dreyer on their...