programme article 12 10

It was great to see so many clubs have improved attendances on Non-League Day. Hopefully, those supporters that visited one of our grounds for the first time, will want to come back and sample the hospitality that our clubs have to offer. There have been a number of positive comments coming out of Non-League Day about the experience that football at this level offers. People have been pleasantly surprised by the quality of football, overwhelmed by the welcome they have received from supporters and officials alike, and, the big one, cannot believe how much you get for your money. This is the message that we have been putting out there for some time but it appears that this is finally hitting home. The challenge for us all, is to build on this and not just to wait for another Non League Day to capitalise on the increased interest. If 1 in 5 of our supporters, players and officials could bring a friend / colleague /neighbour / family member to a game, just think what a difference that would make to attendances? An increase in people through the door means increased programme sales, more burgers purchased, increased bar takings, a snowball effect for all of us. Every club should look at their fixtures and the fixtures of their local football league clubs and designate a match of their choice as their own Non League Day. Get the press onside, get the league clubs onside and let’s make this work, all year round. After all, we know how good the Midland Football League is, why keep it a secret?