It's non-league football Jim but not as we know it

[TB&G]

Yesterday evening I visited the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham Stadium to watch the Essex & Herts Border Combination League match between Dagenham & Redbridge and Romford.

The game, with the hosts represented by their Academy team and the visitors by the Boro’s reserve team, was of a high standard as was the catering and match m/c information.

Unfortunately the accommodation did not qualify for this accolade as I with the rest of a sizeable crowd for a game at this level were all herded into one corner of the ground, the one near the turnstile and catering bar.

Our access to view the game was limited to a stand area which fell some 20 yards short of the half way line and on the terrace behind one goal which stopped some 20 yards past the far goal post.

It wasn’t to bad for the visiting supporters inthe first half as our team kicked into the goal at that end but when I asked a steward at half time if there was someone in authority I could ask to give us access to the other end he said that there was nobody to speak to and he could not allow us to move along as there were only two stewards on duty.

I am not aware that there are many recorded instances of crowd trouble at level 7 of the non-league game. At our Rush Green Stadium a mile or so away visiting supporters mix with the home ones (as they did yesterday evening without any problems that I was aware of) whether they are watching our first, reserve or youth teams are able to go and stand at what ever vantage point they wish which is the ethos of most of non-league football up to Blue Square level at least I believe.

I understand from the steward that this ground arrangement is in place for all their home reserve etc games of the season and have to say that it seems to me that Dagenham & Redbridge FC seem to have forgotten their non-league roots (going back to their Corinthian, Athenian league and amalgamation days) very quickly if that is what they intend to do.

For me yesterday evening was a total non spectacle as a non-league football game.

Perhaps D&R may like to review their policy as this was their first E&HBCL game of the season and they are at home to Basildon United this coming Saturday I understand and a lot of ESL sides play in the same league.

[Hookey]

Hi TB&G, yes it is always like that at D&R. It was like that in Feb (When they were still non league) and will no doubt be like that on Saturday when I'll be there again.

 

Why they would even feel the need for stewards at an EH&BCC league game I don't know.

 

The times they are a changin'!!!

[TB&G]

Originally Posted By: Hookey

Hi TB&G, yes it is always like that at D&R. It was like that in Feb (When they were still non league) and will no doubt be like that on Saturday when I'll be there again.

Why they would even feel the need for stewards at an EH&BCC league game I don't know.

The times they are a changin'!!!

I suspected as much Hooks which is why I made a point of posting this critique which also went on the League 2 forum and another messageboard.

It was almost (but not quite) as soulless last night as visiting The Terrance MacMillan and Mile End stadia.

[Hookey]

Do they still do a leaflet style "programme"?

[MCP]

The soullessness was undone by the Chavs from eastbrook school who were all sitting behind the goal or in the stand and are all complete Cooccckkks who i play football against some sundays

[Natter]

...sounds like a lack of gumption somewhere in the hierarchy at D & R.

People go to football matches (a) for entertainment or ( to make trouble. Maybe some pillocks get (a) from (. They obviously need to be dealt with.

I would have thought that one of the stewards at some point might have wondered whether they were doing enough for (a) and didn't need to worry about (. So much so that they might have thought they'd ask the top banana at D & R whether he thought they had got things out of proportion.

Last season I made a one-off visit (as a neutral) to see Daggers lose to Kidderminster in FA Cup. I wasn't aware of any segregation then. And there wasn't any trouble as far as I know

[TB&G]

Originally Posted By: Hookey

Do they still do a leaflet style "programme"?

No prog at all Hooks.

Even we produce an 8 page one for our home matches.

[TB&G]

Originally Posted By: Natter

...sounds like a lack of gumption somewhere in the hierarchy at D & R.
People go to football matches (a) for entertainment or ( to make trouble. Maybe some pillocks get (a) from (. They obviously need to be dealt with.
I would have thought that one of the stewards at some point might have wondered whether they were doing enough for (a) and didn't need to worry about (. So much so that they might have thought they'd ask the top banana at D & R whether he thought they had got things out of proportion.
Last season I made a one-off visit (as a neutral) to see Daggers lose to Kidderminster in FA Cup. I wasn't aware of any segregation then. And there wasn't any trouble as far as I know

It wasn't segregation it was more like a ghetto Natter.

[Natter]

cue Elvis eh?

[PORTENCROSS]

The Opportunity for Football League and Conference sides to play their Reserves in Step 6 Division's of Leagues has been suggested and put forward by the F A though my understanding is that they will never be able to be promoted to Step 5. As most folk know I am about to take part in talks with the FA for an ESL Step 6 Division - Hope these threads don't put folk off wanting such clubs to join us in the future if that is their choice ? Food for thought ?

[Hookey]

Originally Posted By: LgeChairman

The Opportunity for Football League and Conference sides to play their Reserves in Step 6 Division's of Leagues has been suggested and put forward by the F A though my understanding is that they will never be able to be promoted to Step 5. As most folk know I am about to take part in talks with the FA for an ESL Step 6 Division - Hope these threads don't put folk off wanting such clubs to join us in the future if that is their choice ? Food for thought ?

Why would it? From both a fan and a players point of view, I'd rather visit grounds like D&R than some of the ESL grounds I could mention.

[TB&G]

Originally Posted By: LgeChairman

The Opportunity for Football League and Conference sides to play their Reserves in Step 6 Division's of Leagues has been suggested and put forward by the F A though my understanding is that they will never be able to be promoted to Step 5. As most folk know I am about to take part in talks with the FA for an ESL Step 6 Division - Hope these threads don't put folk off wanting such clubs to join us in the future if that is their choice ? Food for thought ?

Point taken LC.

As long as we don't lose touch with the non-league ethos that binds us all together when travelling the path to expansion and remember that bigger is not always better!

[TB&G]

Originally Posted By: Hookey

Originally Posted By: LgeChairman

The Opportunity for Football League and Conference sides to play their Reserves in Step 6 Division's of Leagues has been suggested and put forward by the F A though my understanding is that they will never be able to be promoted to Step 5. As most folk know I am about to take part in talks with the FA for an ESL Step 6 Division - Hope these threads don't put folk off wanting such clubs to join us in the future if that is their choice ? Food for thought ?

Why would it? From both a fan and a players point of view, I'd rather visit grounds like D&R than some of the ESL grounds I could mention.

It all comes down to personal taste and opinion in the end don't it Hooks?

Purely from a spectator point of view I know where mine lie!

[Hookey]

I know what you mean TBaG and I'm sure the novelty of going to the likes of D&R week in week out would soon wear off.

 

However, if you had unrestricted access to all areas at D&R, your experience may have been a different one and one you would not mind repeating.

[TB&G]

Originally Posted By: Hookey

I know what you mean TBaG and I'm sure the novelty of going to the likes of D&R week in week out would soon wear off.

However, if you had unrestricted access to all areas at D&R, your experience may have been a different one and one you would not mind repeating.

Exactly Hooks.

Which is the point I was trying to make in my original post!

[Brewerytown]

I was at the game last night too, I was sitting half way back in the stand and had a perfect view of the whole pitch. The only complaint I had last night was the prices in the tea bar. A bit steep for my limited budget.

[MCP]

I was going to sit in the stand but i didn't really want to go anywhere near them kids at the back unless i had to but it was the same last year in regards to how the ground was set up

[HTFCew]

Originally Posted By: LgeChairman

The Opportunity for Football League and Conference sides to play their Reserves in Step 6 Division's of Leagues has been suggested and put forward by the F A though my understanding is that they will never be able to be promoted to Step 5.

It's already happening, and down to the reserve sides of step 3 clubs as well. Cheshunt & Bedford Town ressies are playing at step 6 in Div 1 of the SSML this season. As you say, they are not eligible for promotionto step 5.