Page 8 - Deal Round Up December 2018

Continued from page 7
Remembering Non-League Day, October 13th - By David Richardson
For many of us today is no different to any other Saturday. The same pre-match
rituals were had, the same pub visited and the same turnstile entered. But today
is also the eighth instalment of Non-League Day, an initiative setup by James Doe
where Non-League clubs can showcase the lower-league game to supporters of
Premier League and Championship clubs, in particular. The day is always scheduled
within an international break to give these fans a chance to experience some Non-
League action at a club local to them.
Doe initially setup NLD as a social experiment
in 2010 but now it is an eagerly anticipated
date that football fans look out for when
the fixtures are released. Its success has
stemmed from the superb backing Non-
League sides have given it as well as from
the ones in the top-flight, and of course the new and old supporters!
In a bid to increase attendances on the day, many clubs reduce ticket prices or
put on offers for Football League or Premier League season ticket holders but also
organise a host of extra activities for all ages.
In 2014, a crowd of 2,856 watched Dulwich Hamlet take on Hampton & Richmond
while the following year 761 fans saw the Step 5 London derby between Clapton
and Ilford.
Premier League and Championship clubs have supported the initiative by advertising
local fixtures that their supporters can take in. It is believed the day has helped
raised millions of pounds for the Non-League game and plenty for charity too.
Prostate Cancer are once again NLD’s official charity partner and we urge you to
please support their campaign if possible.
Kick It Out, who have been lobbying for equality
in football for 25 years, have partnered with
NLD for a seventh time. Seven teams will be
dedicating their fixtures to football’s equality
and inclusion organisation – Worksop Town,
Southport, Tamworth, Sporting Khalsa, Edgware Town, Kensington Borough and
Burgess Hill Town have chosen to recognise Kick It Out’s work by organising extra
activities throughout the day to encourage engagement with a diverse range of
communities.
So, please embrace NLD and show off everything that we love about Non-League
football. For the newcomers: welcome and thank you for supporting the day, your
contributions will make all the difference to these clubs. We hope to see you again
next year… or sooner!

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