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Reply | 20 team divisions
at 18:56 2 Dec 2025
I follow Slough Town - National League South (Joint division 6 with National League North) I like the idea of North, Midlands and Southern sections as this would reduce travel, boost crowds and stop the ridiculous type of situation where Oxford City play in National League North etc.
On the other hand Baz, I don't think your plan would go down well with clubs in either of these Leagues as we would all be effectively split into 3 divisions with only one promotion place up for grabs each season. Currently, the two leagues at this level have 2 promotion places (one automatic, one play off winners place ) and this is felt by many to be too limited, hence the recent '3 up' campaign at non league level where clubs kicked off at 3.03 pm to publicise the issue. One promotion spot would cause even more of a glut of well funded, full time clubs chasing too few opportunities to rise higher. Surely, more promotion opportunities (as well as the relegation liabilities this would entail) would increase excitement and competitiveness?
It's positive that there is discussion on making all Leagues below the Premiership more exciting, competitive and attractive though. More and more people I meet at non League level are converts from the higher levels or like me, switch between the two. Non League is definitely a big growth area and it's good to see more and more younger fans in particular coming to games. Its much more affordable and sociable than trying to follow football teams in the Prem for example. [Post edited 2 Dec 18:58]
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Reply | tonight
at 08:11 6 Nov 2025
I wasn't there, watched it on my laptop in a pub in Edinburgh. Thought it was a good game, pretty much end to end, after a slow start by us. We should have been in front by half time, just poor finishing and decision making in and around the box letting us down. Yes, poor defending for both their goals, but credit to Southampton they capitalised on those mistakes well.
After that, thought we battled our way back into the game well and after Burrell's superb strike I was sure we were going to get at least a draw. You could see from the close ups of the Saints bench and faces of their fans how nervous they were as the game headed into injury time. We battered them but we just didn't get the rub of the green.
Overall, I thought we played very well and were extremely unlucky to lose. The context of having lost our last few matches just makes it feel worse. If we play like we did for most of last night we will be fine. We played some exciting, attractive football. [Post edited 6 Nov 8:16]
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Reply | Willie Young RIP
at 08:22 1 Nov 2025
Brilliantly effective, no nonsense, old school centre back though. A man monster of a defender who had a decent touch too. Another of those legendary players of my youth. Sad to see he's gone. |
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Reply | Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal
at 11:13 23 Oct 2025
I know what you mean - in some sense it feels like football is trying to use Remembrance and profit from it.
On the other, hand if all profits go to the Royal Legion then I think it is legitimate.
Also, football has a good record when it comes to Remembrance - it's a feature of all matches in the pyramid at this time of year.
Furthermore, many of our old soldiers were footballers or football fans themselves. It's something that unites all of British football in terms of history. |
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Reply | Another Prick in the Wall - kitty litter edition QPR vs Millwall match thread.
at 06:36 18 Oct 2025
Got a last minute ticket in A block for this one. Right next to the Wall fans. Anticipating some 'friendly banter' and Sombrero Man entertaining us all with his rattle and vuvuzela.
Only been to two games this season so far, and both draws, like others have said, it will take a lot to break Millwall down and beat them.
Really excited about it and I'm 57. Its like I'm 11 years old again on days like these. (Except I tend to drink a lot more beer now than when I was 11 so even better 🙂)
Love it when the old place is packed to the rafters.
3-2 the R's. |
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Reply | FA Cup 4th Round Qualifying
at 13:50 10 Oct 2025
Glad you enjoyed it. Next time let me know if you're coming and we can meet for a beer or 3. There's few of us fellow R's down there. Scott Davies is our player manager and as you say a Slough Town legend. Very clever bloke. He's probably got another year or two playing as well, but I hope he stays at the club for many more years yet to come.
Enjoy the game tomorrow mate - I'll keep a close eye out for your score. Will be tough against higher level opposition. |
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Reply | FA Cup 4th Round Qualifying
at 21:06 9 Oct 2025
I hear you mate - I have the same duality and tend to prioritise rhe Rebels over Rangers these days. I go to Rangers when Rebels are playing a long way from home, so will be at the Millwall match. Like you , I'm always checking the R's score on the phone or the screen in the bar.
Like you say, it's much better value for money and the experience is fantastic - it's a good day out whatever the result, and the gems you find, like the Hofmeister on tap, keep you wanting to seek out brand new grounds and return to old ones. Last week at your place, half the Slough team joined us in the bar after the match for a chat!
And going to the Rangers games seems a real treat now, rather than the chore it often felt like when I was a season ticket holder. I plan the games I'm going to well in advance and always look forward and enjoy them whatever the result or performance. Variety truly is the spice of Life!
It's great to see non League flourishing and can see it getting bigger with the attractions of affordability, decent football and excellent hospitality. [Post edited 9 Oct 21:14]
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Reply | FA Cup 4th Round Qualifying
at 19:11 9 Oct 2025
Slough Town v Enfield Town for me. Noah McCann, young QPR defender, was on loan at Enfield and was an unused substitute in our league match against them at the end of August. Not sure if he's still there or injured - he doesn't seem to have featured much for them. Will keep an eye out out for him on Saturday.
Have been enjoying The FA Cup with the Rebels this season so far. Let's face it we rarely get to enjoy this competition with the R's, so it has been a real treat. Trips to Welling Utd and Bedfont Town (right next to Heathrow) and now a thrilling opportunity to progress to the First Round Proper.
It's a massive competition for non league clubs as the prize money is decent and obviously progression to the First Rouund could potentially lead to a big, televised match against the likes of Cardiff, Bolton, Reading or Huddersfield etc.
Therefore, unlike at League level where clubs often field weakened sides so they 'can concentrate on the League', at lower level, the competition is taken deadly seriously- a real throw back to earlier days for some of us of an older generation! I'd urge anyone to go and watch your local team in this weekend. You'll see a full blooded, good old fashioned Cup tie! [Post edited 9 Oct 19:16]
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Reply | FA Cup 4th Round Qualifying
at 18:50 9 Oct 2025
Was there last week for the Slough Town game. Had a fantastic day out. Great set up with the clubhouse and bars and very friendly fans and staff. Wonderful and characterful old style ground with various 'old skool' type terraces and stands. Excellent beer too. Good luck v Eastleigh and hopefully a big tie in the next Round. |
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Reply | M40 pile up Witnail and I edition - Qpr vs Oxford Match Thread
at 00:43 2 Oct 2025
It was frustrating but I quite enjoyed it. Oxford were much better opponents than I remember from last year.
I was impressed with Vale, Dembele, Mbengue. Kone too with some of his touches in the first half. Central midfield is our major weakness. We need a Colback type payer in there to provide a bit of steel down our spine.
It's a very young side and I would be tempted to drop the older players. Frey especially. There's no future there.
I was also very impressed with some last ditch defending we did at times. Players literally putting their heads on the line to keep the ball out. That kind of thing tells you a lot.
Mrs Bletherhasset probably hard the last say kicking us out of the Penrith tea rooms. But we're coming back and gonna buy this place.
Keep the faith [Post edited 2 Oct 0:47]
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Reply | M40 pile up Witnail and I edition - Qpr vs Oxford Match Thread
at 20:08 30 Sep 2025
I'm going tomorrow night. First game since Preston on the opening day. Really looking forward to it and seeing some of the new players in the flesh.
Come 9 pm the sky will be beginning to bruise and we shall be forced to make camp. Hopefully inside the Oxford penalty area. 3-0 to the R's. |
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Reply | Isaac Hayden
at 13:03 25 Aug 2025
Thank God! Some good news at last. 🙏 |
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Reply | Coventry roll call
at 18:07 22 Aug 2025
I've never been to the new Cov ground but went to Highfield Road twice. First time was the 96 Eoin Jess game. Despite the result had a great day out got totally ratarsed with some Cov fans I met in the pub after the game and only just made the last train out of there to Euston . Also last time we played there- early 2005. Took my missus and young nipper who was about 5/6 then. Remarkable George Santos goal to win it in the last minute. Going to see Slough v Ebbsfleet tomorrow but will be keeping close eye on the score. Few of us R's down at Slough too. Would take a goalless draw now in both games. Ambitious or what? [Post edited 22 Aug 18:09]
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Reply | Best film you’ve seen this decade. Since 2015.
at 19:18 11 Aug 2025
I really loved 'La Chimera', a truly outstanding film and have enjoyed Alice Rorwacher's other work too. She directed the last series of 'My Brilliant Friend' and her sister, Alba, starred in it. A wonderful 4 series box set for anyone who hasn't seen it yet, based on the Elena Ferrante novels.
Other Italian films I've watched in the last few months and loved are ' Eight Mountains' and 'Vermiglio'. [Post edited 11 Aug 19:21]
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Reply | Knob End Match Fred
at 21:20 6 Aug 2025
I think I read somewhere that Julien's teams have a habit of starting brightly under his tutelage. So, I think we'll come out all guns blazing. It's not a pre season kick about/warm up anymore and we'll see a completely different QPR animal (albeit with a few of the old creatures and critters we've become accustomed to). Going to be sunny and very warm, full house. Can't wait. 4-1 the R's. |
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Reply | Bannister & Byrne
at 08:13 25 Jul 2025
Circa 1985 my brother went into the barbers with a cut out pic of Bannister and said I want one like that.
In 1990s I used to work with Johnny Byrne's elder brother he had a bit of a mullet too.
Now I'm bald I'd love hair like either of them... |
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Reply | Luke Amos
at 09:50 23 Jul 2025
Pleased for him. I always thought he was a class player, just very unlucky with injuries. He scored a wonderful goal against Reading when we were flying high - 2022 I think. A move he started and finished. Remember sitting in the Inn on the Green after the match talking to a Forest fan who'd been really impressed with us. Forest were languishing lower mid table at that point. Ironically, they eventually made the playoffs and went up, we ended up midtable. Look at the two clubs since.... Fine margins and all that... |
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Reply | The Big Match - ITV4
at 16:09 12 Jun 2025
Absolutely!
That, along with the smell of Sunday roast dinner cooking and the Weekend World theme tune, is my abiding memory of late 1970s Sundays. |
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Reply | The Big Match - ITV4
at 13:42 12 Jun 2025
Superb stuff! It's the archaeology of football, the actual true essence of football itself.
When I die, my only wish is for my coffin to be carried in to the sound of the Big Match theme tune. [Post edited 12 Jun 13:47]
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