Page 5 - Chessington & Hook United vs Epsom & Ewell - 2019-20 Season

the semi-professional game, highlighting its assorted canines, saw the home side win 4-2.
volunteer ethos, sense of community and It is credit to the clubs, leagues and govern-
relative affordability. Meanwhile, Conference ing bodies that every season new ideas and
sponsors Vanarama ran the ‘Thumbs Up For plans emerge to engage the local public. Last
Non-League Day’ campaign to raise money year the FA Vase and FA Trophy were on
for Prostate Cancer (Non-League Day’s of- show at St Austell and Peterborough Sports
ficial charity partner), endorsed by Premier respectively, while over at Grantham Town,
League players, politicians and celebrities. free gingerbread men were handed out in
Post-match hamster racing recognition of the club and town’s historical
The exposure contributed to attendances association with the confectionary. No doubt
spiking across the country, notably at Dul- similar stories will emerge from this year’s
wich Hamlet where an astonishing 2,856 tenth instalment. That Non-League Day has
witnessed a 2-2 draw against Hampton & reached this landmark with limited resources
Richmond Borough in the Isthmian League is reflective of the co-operative spirit running
Premier Division. Many other clubs reported through non-League football, as founder
doubling or even tripling their average gate. James Doe explains:
To top off a memorable day, Western League A small group of volunteers
outfit Welton Rovers organised post-match “When I set up Non-League Day in 2010 I
hamster racing at their West Clewes ground. had no idea it would grow to become the
Clubs continued to innovate event it is today, let alone reach a 10th year.
Vanarama continued their fund-raising ac- It has only been possible thanks to the tire-
tivities for Prostate Cancer in 2015 launch- less efforts of a small group of volunteers
ing a #wearthewig campaign, and by 2016 who have put in considerable amounts of
Premier League and Championship clubs their own time and money to make sure it
were regularly promoting Non-League Day happens, and our partner organisations who
in their programmes and social media chan- have helped us spread the message that bit
nels, signposting supporters without a game further each time. “
to their nearest semi-professional fixture. To Events in France and Germany
capitalise on the increased coverage, non- As for the future of Non-League Day, only
League clubs continued to innovate and offer time will tell. With sister events taking place
something different to potential first-time in France and Germany, and more nations
visitors. West Didsbury & Chorlton of the anticipated to join up in 2020, there is scope
North West Counties Football League ran a for a pan-European celebration of semi-pro-
‘Non-League Dog Day’ in 2017 for their fix- fessional and amateur football. These may
ture against Squires Gate, with discounted seem ambitious plans, but as the last decade
entry to anyone bringing their four-legged has shown, a lot can be achieved when foot-
friend. Sky Sports were so taken with the ball fans work together for a common goal.
idea a TV crew was dispatched to film the af-
ternoon. A crowd of over 300, along with 30