Tuesday 28 February 2017

Great Yarmouth Town FC

The Grandstand at Wellesley Road, Great Yarmouth Town FC

Pay What You Want admission this Saturday (4th March) for the 3pm kick-off between Great Yarmouth Town FC and Felixstowe & Walton United in the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League Premier Division.

Five for the Weekend

A handful of matches that may of interest over the weekend.

With Newport County facing a big relegation battle against Leyton Orient in League Two, ticket prices at Rodney Parade have been reduced to £10 for Adults, Young Adults and Seniors and £1 for Under-16’s.

At the time of writing, the two sides occupy the bottom two places in the division and defeat for either on Saturday will make avoiding the drop into the National League very difficult indeed.

Grays Athletic
host Met Police on Saturday (at Aveley FC) and there is a special offer on admission for season ticket holders from any Premier League or Football League club.

Show your season ticket at the turnstiles and it will cost you just £1 to watch the game while those aged 16 and under always pay just £1 for home matches at Grays, where supporters successfully completed the transfer of ownership of the club earlier this season and where the local community have a true say in its running.

There is a big game at the top end of the National League North as leaders AFC Fylde travel to face play-off contenders Harrogate Town at the CNG Stadium.

Home season ticket holders can bring a ‘Friend for a Fiver’ (£1 for Under-18's) with the club also promising ‘a number of other activities and incentives for those who do attend’.

Stretching the weekend into Monday evening and Dover Athletic take on Folkestone Invicta in the Kent Reliance Cup semi-final.

Admission to Crabble for the 7:45pm kick-off has been reduced to £5 for all with free entry for Under-11's.

And in the FA WSL Spring Series, Durham Women host Sheffield Ladies at New Ferens Park, kick-off 12pm on Sunday at New Ferens Park.

Admission to watch the Wildcats is priced at £5 Adults (£2.50 for season ticket holders of other WSL clubs), £2 for U16's, Students & OAPS and £12 for a Family of Four.

Saturday 25 February 2017

And On Twitter...

Friday 24 February 2017

League One Football For £1 At Rochdale

Good times at Spotland, or the Crown Oil Arena as it is currently known, with Rochdale pushing for promotion from League One and in a healthy financial position that was boosted recently by a sell-on fee received from the sale of Scott Hogan by Brentford to Aston Villa.

Competition remains fierce in the local area, from the big boys of Manchester (and the never-ending diet of live, televised action) to the thriving Non-League scene but, from a distance, Rochdale seem to be in a good place to survive and thrive whatever division they may be in.

It is a far cry from the hand-to-mouth existence of the mid-1990’s as the club board and staff toiled endlessly to keep football alive in the town, a period chronicled superbly in the book
‘Kicking In The Wind’ by Derick Allsop, which went behind the scenes at Spotland for the 1995/96 season.

To gauge interest in a special season ticket offer for next season,
Rochdale are offering admission to all, home and away supporters, for just £1 when Port Vale visit on Tuesday (28th February) for a League One fixture of importance at both ends of the table.

Thursday 23 February 2017

Countdown Begins To Women’s Champions League Final

Two days before the Principality Stadium in Cardiff plays host to the 2017 UEFA Champions League Final, the Cardiff City Stadium will be the venue for the showpiece occasion in the European club calendar for women’s football.

I was confident that the final, on Thursday 1 June, would be competitively priced but the organisers have really gone a step further by making tickets available at just £6 for Adults and £3 for both Concessions (65 and over) and Under-16’s.

The competition is currently, after a winter break, at the quarter-final stage with added interest coming along in the shape of American stars Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan,who have joined Manchester City and holders Lyon respectively.

City take on Fortuna Hjorring in their quarter-final and the second-leg tie will take place at the MCFC Academy Stadium on 30 March with a 7pm kick-off.

Tickets are priced at £6 Adults, £5 Concessions and £4 Under-16’s with a family ticket available, priced £18.




Wednesday 22 February 2017

York City FC

Bootham Crescent, York City FC

The entrance to Bootham Crescent taken on Wednesday afternoon after a disappointing home defeat against Gateshead the previous evening left the Minstermen still deep in relegation trouble in the National League.

Attention turns to the FA Trophy this Saturday when admission for the quarter-final tie against Brackley Town has been reduced to just £8 Adults and £4 Concessions.

On Saturday 4 March, it is Kids for a Quid for Under-11's when Eastleigh are the visitors.

And against Braintree Town on 1 April, Season Ticket Holders can bring a friend for a fiver.

Monday 20 February 2017

Five for the Weekend

A handful of matches that may be of interest over the weekend…

I keep meaning to make a visit to Bootham Crescent before York City’s much-delayed new stadium does eventually come to fruition and this Saturday would have been a good opportunity if I wasn’t otherwise engaged.

The Minstermen entertain National League North side Brackley Town in the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy and admission prices for the 3pm kick-off have been reduced to £8 Adults and £4 Concessions.

Also in the FA Trophy, Tranmere Rovers have reduced admission prices for the visit of fellow National League side Barrow. Getting into Prenton Park on Saturday will cost £10 Adults, £5 for and £1 for Under-18’s.

The second ‘Football for a Fiver’ match of the season at the Valley sees Charlton Athletic entertain Bury in League One.

AFC Telford United host international action on Saturday as England Women Under-17’s take on their USA counterparts in a warm-up for the Elite Qualifying Round tournament next month that will determine participants in the European Championships.

Admission to the New Bucks Head is £3 Adults, £1.50 Seniors and £1 Children.

And, probably the pick of the week, in the Sydenhams Wessex League Division One, Alton FC are marking half-term by making everything half-price for the visit of Andover New Street to The Enclosure.

That means admission is £3 for Adults (free for Under-18's), tea and coffee is 50p and a jumbo hot dog is just £1.

Don't forget also, 'Pay What You Want' at Fairford Town on Saturday and free football at a trio of Championship grounds on Monday evening.

Sunday 19 February 2017

Belated Mentions And The Week Ahead

Affordable Football isn't a full-time job (I wish) but I still get annoyed with myself when I have missed out on promoting an offer.

So, belated mentions to Mossley FC who reduced admission prices for their Northern Premier League game against Goole Town on Saturday to £4 for Adults and also to Biggleswade United where it was 'Pay What You Want' admission for the visit of Cockfosters FC in the Spartan South Midlands League.

Matches to watch out for in the early part of this week include West Ham United Under-23's in action for the first time at the London Stadium where Fulham are the visitors on Monday at 7pm with admission free for season ticket holders, £5 & £3 otherwise.

And there is free entry to Leigh Sports Village on Wednesday at 7pm when Manchester United Under-23's take on FC Porto in the Premier League International Cup.

Keep up to date on our Twitter page and also by clicking the 'Coming Up' tab at the top of the blog.

Friday 17 February 2017

Coming Up

February 18: Chelsea Under-23’s take on Manchester City in Premier League 2. The game takes place at Aldershot Town at 1pm and admission is £3 Adults, £1 Concessions and free for both Chelsea and Shots season ticket holders.

February 19: There is free admission as Manchester United Under-23’s take on Reading in Premier League 2. Kick-off at Leigh Sports Village is at 12pm. There is also free admission to the same venue on February 22nd when United host FC Porto in the Premier League International Cup. Kick-off is at 7pm.


February 20: Free admission to Goodison Park for Everton Under-23's against Southampton in Premier League 2. Kick-off 7pm.

February 21: Eastleigh have re-arranged their National League game against Macclesfield Town for this date and have once again made it free admission for all spectators. Kick-off is at 7:45pm.


February 23: Some very attractive prices for the Europa League game between Spurs and Gent at Wembley, kick-off 8:05pm. General sale prices start from £10 for Adults and all Concessions tickets are £5. 


The Upper Tier of the stadium has now been opened for sale after a very good response to the initial sale of Level 1 and 2 tickets.

February 25: Charlton Athletic have their second 'Football for a Fiver' game of the season for the visit of Bury in League One.


February 25: 'Pay What You Want' for the Hellenic League game between Fairford Town FC and Tytherington Rocks, kick-off 3pm.

February 25: Reduced FA Trophy prices at both Tranmere Rovers (£10 Adults, £5 Seniors, Young Persons, £1 Under-18's) for the game against Barrow and at York City (£8 Adults, £4 Concessions) for the visit of Brackley Town.

February 27: Free admission to St James' Park for the FA Youth Cup tie between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur and also to Deepdale as Preston North End host Stoke City in another of the quarter-finals.

It's a good evening for free football as Norwich City host Dinamo Zagreb in the Premier League International Cup. Kick-off at Carrow Road is at 7pm. 

March 17: Group 4 of the Elite Round qualifiers for the UEFA Under-17 European Championship takes place in Scotland on March 17th, 19th and 22nd.

There are six matches in total, taking place at the homes of St Mirren, Dumbarton and Greenock Morton and admission to all of them will be free.

March 30: Manchester City Women host Fortuna Hjorring in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. The quarter-final, second-leg tie will take place at the MCFC Academy Stadium with a 7pm kick-off.

Tickets are priced at £6 Adults, £5 Concessions and £4 Under-16’s with a family ticket available, priced £18.

Wednesday 15 February 2017

Alresford Town FC, Fairford Town FC

Based in the attractive Hampshire town of Alresford, the Magpies are enjoying a solid season in the Wessex League Premier Division, currently sitting in seventh place in the table after just one defeat in fourteen matches.
 
And they are inviting supporters to watch this Saturday’s match at home to Hamworthy United for free. Kick-off at Arlebury Park is at 3pm.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, manager Richard Luffman said: “Having a free gate on Saturday is to say thank you to those who come along to support us regularly and to invite new fans along to watch the resurgent Magpies.

“We came to the club with a three to five-year plan to compete with the likes of Sholing and Moneyfields at the top end of the table and this year is our building block.

In existence since 1891, Fairford Town ply their trade in the Hellenic League and are currently pushing for promotion to the Premier Division.
On Saturday 25th February they entertain the superbly-named Tytherington Rocks at Cinder Lane (the club website has an excellent matchday guide) and admission will be on a ‘Pay What You Want’ basis.
Anyone paying the usual Adult price of £5, or more, will be entered into a prize draw and the club's charity of the year, League of Friends, will be collecting around the ground.

Monday 13 February 2017

Five for the Weekend

A handful of matches that may be of interest over the coming weekend.

On Friday evening there is the chance to watch how the Under-16 teams of England and Spain are shaping up when they meet in a friendly at Harrison Park, the home of Leek Town.

Under-16 internationals are usually played behind closed doors but this match will act as a warm up for next year's UEFA European Under-17 Championship in England and admission to the 7pm kick-off is priced at £3 Adults and £1.50 Concessions.

Chelsea and Manchester City Under-23's meet in Premier League 2  at the home of Aldershot FC on Saturday, kick-off 1pm and admission is priced at £3 and £1. (This is a change from the original time of 7:05pm on Friday evening).

Dagenham & Redbridge FC host their annual ‘Daggers Against Racism’ Day when Guiseley are the visitors to East London for a National League clash on Saturday afternoon.

Tickets purchased ahead of the day of the game are priced from just 50p for Concessions (Over 65, 10-16-year-olds) and £2.50 for Adults on the terraces with free admission for Under-10’s when accompanied by a paying Adult.

The Fourth Round of the FA Women's Cup takes place on Sunday and Coventry United will be hoping to cause another upset against a team from WSL2 after defeating Oxford United last time out.

Aston Villa Ladies are the opponents this weekend in a 2pm kick-off at Butlin Road, home of Rugby Town FC, with admission priced at £4 Adults, £3 Concessions and £1 Children.

There is also free football on Sunday afternoon at 12pm when Manchester United Under-23’s return to Leigh Sports Village for a Premier League 2 fixture against Reading.




Sunday 12 February 2017

Free Football at Goodison, Carrow Road, Deepdale and SJP

Four good opportunities before the end of February to watch a match under lights at one of these famous old grounds, all kicking off at 7pm so family-friendly as well.

That especially applies to the first game. Everton Under-23's versus Southampton at Goodison Park, as it takes place during half-term on Monday 20th.

The Blues currently top the Premier League 2 table, there will be pre-match activity from 5.30pm in the Fan Zone and funds will also be raised for the city's homeless through the 'Home Is Where the Heart Is' campaign.

Dinamo Zagreb visit East Anglia on Monday 27th for a Premier League International Cup quarter-final against Norwich City Under-23's.

And on the same evening there are two last eight ties in the FA Youth Cup as Preston North End host Stoke City and Newcastle United take on Tottenham Hotspur at St James' Park.

Stoke supporters are also being offered free travel up to their game.

Thursday 9 February 2017

Twitter Update

There's plenty going on at the moment in terms of special admission offers, reduced prices and interesting fixtures.

The @AffordableFooty page is updated every day so keep an eye on Twitter for matches that may catch your eye.



Wednesday 8 February 2017

Football for Valentines Day

Where else would you want to spend Valentines Day than at the football and both Mansfield Town and Peterborough United have offers in place to keep supporters away from the local restaurants.

The Stags are making a surge for the League Two promotion places under Steve Evans and chairman John Radford is aiming to get as many supporters as possible through the turnstiles of the One Call Stadium.

Anyone who purchased a ticket for the recent home game against Leyton Orient was entitled to a free ticket for this Saturday's match against Hartlepool United and the offer is being repeated for the clashes with Accrington Stanley on Valentines Day and then the visit of Newport County on Saturday 25th February.

At the ABAX Stadium, Peterborough host Shrewsbury in League One on 14th February and two Adult tickets can be purchased for £20 in all areas of the stadium (excluding hospitality) while season ticket holders can bring a friend for £5.

Two further offers for season ticket holders on the same evening...

Luton Town season ticket holders can bring a friend for a tenner against Hartlepool United on 14th February (and also Crawley Town the preceding Saturday) while Fleetwood fans can bring someone along to the Bradford City game on Valentine's Day for £5.

Please contact me on Twitter if you spot anything else.

Tuesday 7 February 2017

Coming Up

A selection of matches that may be of interest over the next few weeks...

February 11: Notts County host Cheltenham in League Two and tickets for the Meadow Lane game have been reduced to £12 for Adults, 60+ and 18-21’s, £5 for Under-18’s, £3 for accompanied Under-16’s (in the family stand) and free for Under-12’s.

February 17: Chelsea Under-23’s take on Manchester City in Premier League 2. The game takes place at Aldershot Town and admission is £3 Adults, £1 Concessions and free for both Chelsea and Shots season ticket holders.

February 19: There is free admission to Leigh Sports Village as Manchester United Under-23’s take on Reading in Premier League 2. Kick-off is at 12pm. There is also free admission to the same venue on February 22nd when United host FC Porto in the Premier League International Cup. Kick-off is at 7pm.


February 21: Eastleigh have re-arranged their National League game against Macclesfield Town for this date and have once again made it free admission for all spectators. Kick-off is at 7:45pm.


February 23: Some very attractive prices for the Europa League game between Spurs and Gent at Wembley, kick-off 8:05pm. General sale prices start from £10 for Adults and all Concessions tickets are £5. 


The Upper Tier of the stadium has now been opened for sale after a very good response to the initial sale of Level 1 and 2 tickets.

February 25: Charlton Athletic have their second 'Football for a Fiver' game of the season for the visit of Bury in League One.


February 25: 'Pay What You Want' for the Hellenic League game between Fairford Town FC and Tytherington Rocks, kick-off 3pm.

February 27: Free admission to St James' Park for the FA Youth Cup tie between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur. 

March 17: Group 4 of the Elite Round qualifiers for the UEFA Under-17 European Championship takes place in Scotland on March 17th, 19th and 22nd.

There are six matches in total, taking place at the homes of St Mirren, Dumbarton and Greenock Morton and admission to all of them will be free.

Monday 6 February 2017

Sheffield Special

Hallam FC











A look at some of the upcoming action in and around my adopted home city and a good time to do so as there are some interesting local derbies taking place this week and no competition on Saturday afternoon from either Sheffield Wednesday or United as the Owls host Birmingham City on Friday evening while the Blades are away at Peterborough United on Saturday.

Prior to that, Dronfield Town make the short journey (Dronfield is a small town situated between Sheffield and Chesterfield which also currently plays host to Sheffield FC and Sheffield FC Ladies of whom more later on) to Sandygate (above picture) on Wednesday evening to take on Hallam FC in the Northern Counties East Football League (NCEFL) Division One.

Usual admission prices to the world's oldest ground are £5 Adults, £2.50 for OAPs, Children, Students and Concessions and both the tea hut and clubhouse are well worth a visit for a bite to eat and a pint.

Stocksbridge Park Steels FC











On Saturday afternoon, Stocksbridge Park Steels take on Witton Albion in the Northern Premier League Division One South.

I like Bracken Moor, situated high above the steel town of Stocksbridge, around eight miles or so from Sheffield and easily accessible from the city on the Link Bus that connects to the Supertram system at Middlewood.

Usual admission prices at Steels are £7 Adults, £6 Concessions, £2 for 10-16-Year-Olds and free for accompanied Under-10's.

Back to Sheffield FC and the world’s oldest club will be taking on Barnsley-based NPL Division One South leaders Shaw Lane AFC this Saturday at the Coach and Horses in Dronfield (the town has its own railway station on the Sheffield to Chesterfield line).

Ambitious plans
are in place for Sheffield to come back to their home city but for the meantime this is both their home and that of Sheffield FC Ladies who are looking to build on a positive first season in the Women’s Super League.

The FA WSL2 Spring Series begins this Sunday with a local derby between Sheffield and newly-relegated Doncaster Rovers Belles.

Admission to the 2pm kick-off is priced at £4.50 for Adults and £2 for Concessions with the first ever competitive meeting of the two sides given some added spice by Monday's 4th Round FA Cup draw which paired them together.

Sunday 5 February 2017

Wembley Finals Update

Saturday saw the Third Round of the FA Trophy take place with a spot in the last eight of the competition at stake.

The two Non-League clubs who have been performing heroics in the FA Cup, Lincoln City and Sutton United, were both in action and both kept alive hopes of reaching Wembley with the Imps winning 3-1 away to Welling while Sutton's fixture congestion has been added to by a goalless draw with Boreham Wood.

Saturday 18th February is Quarter-Final day in the FA Vase with home ties for South Shields, Southall, Bromsgrove Sporting and Coleshill Town.

The finals of both competitions will take place on the same day, Sunday 21st May, at Wembley with a combined ticket for Non-League Finals Day priced at £25 for Adults, £10 for Concessions and £1 for Children.

On Sunday it was the Third Round of the FA Women's Cup with FA WSL2 clubs entering the competition at this stage before the WSL1 teams come in at Round 5.

And one of the WSL2 clubs, Oxford United, were the subject of the biggest surprise of the round as they were knocked out by Coventry United.

Tickets for the 2017 Final, staged at Wembley on Saturday 13 May, are once again free for children and are priced at £15 for Adults and £5 for Concessions.

With Lincoln currently top of the National League, the play-off places are currently filled by Dagenham & Redbridge, Forest Green, Tranmere and Dover.

The two winning semi-finalists in the play-offs at the end of the season will contest the National League Promotion Final at Wembley on Sunday 14th May.

I was there for an enjoyable occasion last season when Grimsby Town defeated Forest Green and have ordered my tickets for this year's game. 

Early bird prices, for neutral supporters when purchased on or before 28th February, are £20 Adults, £10 Seniors (Over 60) and free for Under-16's (1 per Adult, additional tickets £5 each). 


Thursday 2 February 2017

Twelfth Man for Twelve Pounds at Notts County FC

New Notts County owner Alan Hardy has been hugely busy since taking control of the Meadow Lane club, parting company with John Sheridan as manager and appointing Kevin Nolan in his place.

One of the reasons given for Sheridan’s departure was for an 'appalling' rant at a fourth official which certainly points to the new man at the helm wanting to do things differently from the football norm.

Off the field there was also an instant impact to Mr. Hardy’s decision to cap ticket prices at £20 for the first match of his reign.

A Nottinghamshire derby against Mansfield, with a big travelling support, provided the perfect occasion to generate some momentum and a crowd of over 11,000 responded.

The offer was repeated for the next home fixture against Crawley and more than 5,000 watched a vital 2-1 victory for the hosts.

Next up, Notts host Cheltenham in League Two on Saturday 11 February and tickets have been reduced to £12 for Adults, 60+ and 18-21’s, £5 for Under-18’s, £3 for accompanied Under-16’s (in the family stand) and free for Under-12’s.

Alan Hardy told the official club website: “With excellent vocal support in our recent matches against Mansfield and Crawley, we have seen the players respond with two very impressive displays.

“We want the same again against Cheltenham which, when you look at the league table, is the biggest game of our season so far.

“The supporters play a huge part in our success and, by offering £12 tickets, I hope to see them turn up in their droves to help the players earn what would be a massive three points.”

Notts County featured quite regularly on these pages in Shaun Derry’s early days as manager when there were a number of positive initiatives on matchday and season ticket prices.

As my own club Coventry City have shown, however, when there is upheaval off the field then sometimes the smaller details become easy to forget and engagement with supporters gets lost in the fog of what is happening elsewhere.

I don’t know if that has been the case at Meadow Lane but it is certainly a fresh start under Alan Hardy and one that will hopefully usher in a period of slow but steady progression for the Magpies.