A late release and shorter version due to technical gremlins affecting guest interviews this week. Disappointing but hopefully those guests can come back in the coming weeks as they have some exciting stuff to share. So just Matt Badcock from The Non League Paper this week but what a week of football news. He joins us straight from the press conference at Maidstone United as they gear up for their last 16 tie in the FA Cup at Coventry City. It’s also been a busy week on the clubs in crisis front. Better news for Taunton Town but worrying times for Torquay United and Rochdale. There’s a whole host of managerial changes as ever and keep an eye on the weather as non league football tries to get through its fixtures with an early season finish.

Just the one club guest this week so a slightly abbreviated show but an important insight nonetheless. With some of the Fifth Round FA Trophy ties still to be played due to weather postponements, we speak to a manager who is probably putting more on the chance for Wembley than any other club still in the competition. Bishops Stortford owner and manager Steve Smith was last with us celebrating his side’s romp of the IShtmian Premier Division. As he tells us he still can’t come to terms with the decision - even post-appeal - to place his side in the National North and not the South this season. That has meant additional travel, additional costs and pretty much an entire new squad. Whilst competitive in most games it hasn’t worked out this term for the Blues who are rock bottom of the Step 2 Division and need to double their current points even to get level the club currently in safety. Whilst he’s not given up all hope, Smith is realistic enough to understand the FA Trophy and their great run already is probably where his and his side’s hope is better pinned. Coalville Town - under new management - and from a level below stand now between them and progression into the Quarter Finals to meet Macclesfield.  Rounding up the week’s news including his presence at the FA Trophy and Vase draws earlier this week, Executive Editor at The Non League Paper Jon Couch is on hand with his expert insight into the draw, the talking points of the week and those managerial moves.

We’ve reached round 5 in both the FA Trophy and the FA Vase. 16 clubs left in each competition 8 ties apiece to get through, with the weather looking to play a hand in that.  In the Trophy those from outside the top tier have their sights set on a Wembley final they may not have expected, whilst there are still some looking to battle on more than one front this season. But our focus this week is the FA Vase. @FAVaseFactfile Mr Phil Annets is on hand to give us oversight of all the clubs and the ties in this round. We then get a rare treat. Chairman at Falmouth Town of the Western League Graham Medlin doesn’t do many interviews. He’s happier ensuring his club continues to survive and indeed thrive with sights even this year set on promotion to the Southern League. His side face one of their biggest ever games with a trip to Jersey Bulls in the FA Vase final 16 this weekend and it’s clear he’s pretty proud of the sa,e. Rounding up the week’s news including and what’s coming up in the wekeend’s paper Editor at Large  at The Non League Paper Matt Badcock is on hand with his own expert insight.

To counter the clubs in peril stories we’ve had to report on this season, it’s time to celebrate a story of dedication, persistence and desire. London’s oldest football club finally coming home. Not quite yet fully ready for the return of the Isthmian Premier side but youth and women’s teams of Cray Wanderers are moving into Flamingo Park. CEO Sam Wright is rightly proud but far from done yet, not only seeking to get the men’s first team back in for some prestigious pre-seasons for next season but also building these community links they’ve missed out for in the 26 years as groundsharing wanderers Rounding up the week’s news including the FA Cup success of Maidstone, the multitude of managerial moves and what’s coming up in the weekend’s paper Executive Editor at The Non League Paper Jon Couch

It is the FA Cup Fourth Round weekend and just the one non-league representative. Phil Annets @facupfactfile is on hand to give some insight into this round and the competition so far. Many will have written off National South’s Maidstone but having already dumped Barrow and Stevenage out for the competition to go further than the club ever has in this competition, or the former club before it in fact… there’s some magic in the air that might make, even high flying hosts Ipswich Town quiver a little. So why not send another shiver down their spine…? Remember Roy Essandoh? He of the FA Cup and Wycombe Wanderers fairytale? You soon will, as I speak to Maidstone’s new striker Manny Duku, who aims to repeat the highs of his fellow striker. Rounding us up, Editor at Large at The Non League Paper Matt Badcock is here to help with the week's news and previews the weekend’s edition

The highs and lows of football spotlighted this week but also the magic of why we all do it and why we all love it. First up a return to these waveforms of Barnet boss Dean Brennan. Into the FA Trophy last 16 and sitting third in the National League, life isn’t looking too shoddy. A Saturday tea-time visit of table-toppers Chesterfield is on the menu this week but as Dean says, he can only take one game at a time. Some might think even one game at a time would be too much after 27 league games without a win this season. That’s the story from Bishops Sutton of the Western League Divison One but Chairman George Williams isn’t perturbed. Disappointed yes, but 50 years after helping reform the club he’s still doing everything he can to keep the club ticking over and he has everything crossed that they can stay in step 6 somehow this season, and after speaking to him this week I think the whole of non league would love that too. Executive Editor at The Non League Paper Jon Couch is here to help with the week's news round-up, sadly including more clubs in peril and the seeming demise of one of non league’s historic clubs.

The FA Trophy and the FA Vase reach the Fourth Round this weekend. The last 32 and the clubs still involved have every right to be distant dreaming about that Wembley final. We speak to an experienced non league manager who has enough behind him to know few will give his side a chance against visitors Chesterfield on Saturday. Welling United boss Danny Bloor is wiley enough to have a few tricks up his sleeve to make it a big day out for all involved at the club, with an outside chance of that upset. Phil Annets is on hand with his @FAVaseFactfile hat on ,with some insight into the 16 ties featuring the Step 5 and Step 6 sides. We also speak to a lady Chair of one of those Step 6 sides. In the historic hotbed of North East non league football Blyth Town haven’t got the glorious or lengthy history of their neighbours but they are a side on the up and with former winners the visitors looking to add another chapter to their own story. Sandra Orr is one of those folk to whom non league owes so much, perhaps this is one of those magical weekends football returns the favour? Matt Badcock returns for his first update of 2024. The Editor at Large at The Non League Paper helps cover FA Cup, FA Vase and FA Trophy news, clubs in peril and a whole host of managerial changes.

It’s the FA Cup Third Round and four of the 64 in action are from Non-League Circles. First up Phil Annets is here with his FA Cup Factfile Hat, giving us all the insight into those four ties and more ahead of the weekend. Next an old friend of the show. A very old friend of our very old show. Hugo Langton used to grace the studio at BBC London in what seems another lifetime ago but now he’s set for the biggest game of his life as Assistant Manager at Aldershot as they travel to West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup Third Round. Executive Editor at The Non League Paper Jon Couch brings us news of more big managerial changes, clubs surviving and clubs heading into hibernation and much more besides.

Another slightly shorter show going into the New Year but still much to entertain and inform. First up he’s led this club to the only 100% league record still intact as the end of the year arrives. Paul Johnson’s Farnham Town top the Combined Counties Premier South and remains in the FA Vase, yet he’s only been in the job just over 12 months. Lots achieved but much more to come, as he sets out his stall for a long-term commitment to his growing club. Bringing us up to date with the news, Executive Editor at The Non League Paper Jon Couch. Some big managerial changes, the highs and lows of being a football fan and some insight into what’s to come in the final issues of the Non League Paper of 2023.

A slighter shorter show going into the Christmas break but we have two of football’s hardest-working non-league experts to take you into the festive weekend. First up he’s back in non-league with perhaps perfect timing. 12 years since he took Fleetwood Town into the Football League from the Conference, 6 years since he took Tranmere Rovers back to the 92, he’s settling in quickly at Oldham Athletic with sights on the National League play-offs. Micky Mellon likes good people and he’s one of the best himself and won’t even have Christmas Day off. Getting ready to create our CHristmas Eve read, Matt Badcock Editor at Large at The Non League Paper. National League insights, managerial moves and revolutionising refereeing all on the agenda in our discussion with more to come in the paper out Christmas Eve.

A mixed bag this week. We speak to an old friend of the show making progress every season at his club, now in the FA Trophy Fourth round and pushing for a play-off promotion in the National League. Phil Parkinson - yes non-league’s very own - thinks his Altrincham side is coming together nicely, although the Christmas schedule isn’t as he’d hoped, highlighting the big sacrifices those involved in football often have to make. With a similar schedule after weeks without competitive football is step 5 Tividale. They hope to get their FA Vase Third round tie played this weekend at the third attempt. Competing still in four cup competitions but not having had a league game since October it's been a strange season but one manager Stuart How is confident will bring rewards. Rounding up the week’s news and the show is Jon Couch Executive Editor at The Non League paper.

A double hit of FA cup competitions this week. With great non-league success in the FA Cup, we talk to a manager who faces a trip to league opposition in a replay on Tuesday with a Third Round spot, the prize. Billy Heath’s Alfreton Town drew 0-0 this week with Walsall but know they have all the opportunity to become heroes and make the Third Round for the first time in the club’s history. Next, we talk FA Trophy with a man perhaps known best as a manager on memorable FA Cup runs but who now operates as Chairman, in the club he’s spent most of his life at. Jamie Vermigglio is clearly enjoying his new role, among familiar surroundings with familiar faces at Chorley but admits every day is a learning day.  Editor at Large at The Non League Paper, Matt Badcock rounds up the show with the week’s news and a preview of this weekend’s Non League Paper.

It is FA Vase 3rd round and FA Cup second round this weekend so we have Phil Annets on hand with first, his @favasefactfile hat on, and then, his @facupfactfile hat. The FA Cup 2nd Round has 10 non league representatives this weekend and we speak to the Chairman of the lowest-ranked side. James Lawson, Chairman at Ramsgate, already has a plethora of stories with his club and he hopes to make more starting on Monday at AFC Wimbledon. Executive Editor at The Non League Paper, Jon Couch rounds up the week’s news and previews this weekend’s Non League Paper a the end of the show

Some techie gremlins means a late release and shorter show but plenty to delight, entertain and inform. First up Russ Penn manager at Kidderminster Harriers. From play-off winners last term to rock bottom of the National League this, but there’s still hope and still expectation that the small margins can be pushed in the right direction at Aggborough. Matt Badcock is back with his insight into the week’s news and previews of the content for this weekend’s Non League paper.

We talk FA Trophy this week. Second Round action with 40 ties. We talk to two sides involved and focus on clubs with joint managers as the season begins to hit super busy. First up, Anthony Johnson now joint manager at Radcliffe has had an amazing start to the season in the Northern Premier League which he admits is the focus for him and Bernard Morley, but who’d turn down an FA Trophy run with a trip to National North Farsley Celtic this weekend, between them and Round Three. Enjoying home advantage in his FA Trophy tie is Jamie McClurg, joint manager at Bracknell Town. After reaching the FA Cup First Round already this year, they face fellow FA Cup first rounders Horsham in a Step 3 battle that he says he, his fellow manager Carl Withers and his squad are looking forward to with the side in a rich vein of form.  Executive Editor at The Non League Paper, Jon Couch helps with the week’s news round-up the FA Cup, FA Vase, FA Trophy, clubs in trouble, managers in and out, and much more besides, as well as previewing this weekend’s Non League Paper.

As the final teams come into the FA Vase we celebrate Round Tw , and @FAVaseFactfile Phil Annets offers insight and stats into the 64 ties. One of the all-Step 6 ties features a club only formed in 2017 but one that has already begun the climb up the pyramid and entered the Vase this year at this round due to last year’s progress to Round 4. It’s not often you speak to a manager who has been the only one in the history of the club, but Johnny Payne is just that plus an ex-player of the former club in the village, and he's rightly proud of Horden Community Welfare and all involved With the week’s news, it is Executive Editor at The Non League Paper, Jon Couch. FA Cup, FA Vase and much more besides featuring in this weekend’s Non League Paper.

It's the magical First Round of the FA Cup.n 32 Non League sides involved, some against each other - guaranteeing representation in the Second Round, some eyeing a big cupset against League opposition. @FACupFactfile Phil Annets is back on hand to offer insight into who may be the David and who may be the Goliaths to fall this round and we speak to a manager ahead of his club's attempt to break competition records against near neighbours some 5 steps above them in the pyramid. Cray Valley Paper Mills don't play Charlton Athletic until Sunday evening but that doesn't mean manager Steve McKimm will change his preparations as he explains. Matt Badcock rounds the weeks news up and the show off and also previews the Non League Paper's content this weekend

This week we celebrate a manager reaching 500 games at a club he first joined in 2013. Pat McManus may not have a multitude of promotions or silverware in the cabinet but as he explains success comes in different ways at Brockenhurst. Similarly, they may be former back-to-back FA Trophy Winners but nowadays whilst a Trophy run would be most welcomed by Kingstonian it might not be the primary focus it once was, as current manager Simon Lane explains. Rounding the show and the week's news up is Matt Badcock of The Non League Paper in another week of managerial changes and cup competitions.

It's the FA Vase First round this weekend and Phil Annets is here with his @FAVASEfactfile hat on with more impressive stats and facts. Our main guest is a former player with over 500 Southern League appearances, now operating as player-manager in Step 6 Divison One of the Western League leading a group of young local lads to one of the best starts of any club across the pyramid so far this season. Their trip to higher-ranked opposition this weekend in the FA Vase is a shot to nothing in his eyes with a chance for glory and certainly another great day in the story of Portishead Town as a thriving club at the very heart of the local community Rounding off the show and helping round up the week’s news is the Executive Editor of The Non League Paper, Jon Couch. There’s FA Cup, FA Vase and plenty of managerial moves as well as insight into the stories featuring in this weekend’s Non League Paper.

It’s FA Cup weekend again. The Fourth qualifying round. We speak with Phil Annets with his @facupfactfile hat on offering some impressive stats and facts. We then speak to the secretary at Horsham FC who have a local derby at home to Dorking Wanderers in the FA Cup this weekend and looking to cause an upset in front of a sell-out crowd. Jeff Barrett has been involved with the club for nearly 50 years through highs and lows but the club is now on a sure footing and looking to make gradual progress season after season. Rounding up the show and the week’s news is Editor at Large at The Non League paper, Matt Badcock. Giving us a heads-up on the stories to be featured in this weekend’s Non League Paper.

Our manager this week is an old friend of the show. He won the Vase at Wembley, won hearts with this approach to those working with him and won a place in history in his latest role managing a club looking to rise back up to the Football League from their current Step 5 rank. Dave McNabb is just two weeks into the role at Bury FC but already you can sense the impact it has had on him and the potential he knows the club has. Our Chairman this week is another old friend of the show. Another FA Vase winner at Wembley, he’s hoping his club can replicate and go further their successes in recent years in the FA Trophy this weekend as they commence their part in this season’s competition in the Third Qualifying round.. When he was first involved in the club as a player they were a Step 7 side. Now they are a Step 3 side with aspirations to reach the top in non league. Ken Beattie of Morpeth Town is always good value and that’s what he’s always trying to drive through at his club The Newspaper journalist is our own Jon Couch Executive Editor at the Non League paper. A big news week, a big week on the managerial merry-go-round and plenty of big reasons flagged up to buy this weekend’s Non League Paper.

The FA Cup reaches the Third Qualifying Round with 40 ties and 80 clubs just one win away from potentially meeting one of the big boys of non league. First up this round and @FACupFactfile Phil Annets helps guide us through with highlights of his tie-by-tie previews. One club in the mix this weekend is Winchester City. An in-form team in the Southern League Premier South at the moment they host an equally good form Maidstone United from the step above. Long-serving manager Craig Davis is in no doubt of the challenge ahead but he's looking forward to his players doing him proud. Rounding up the non league news and this week's show is the Non League Paper's Matt Badcock.

After a successful first stint in management at Banbury, Andy Whing flew the nest in the summer and ended up with some old friends close to home at Solihull Moors. The only unbeaten side in the top of non league this season, 10 games in, they sit second and whilst realistic, Whing seems relaxed and confident they are ready to continue the same form for the rest of the season. Another busy week of non league cup football. The FA Trophy and FA Vase reach the second qualifying round this weekend. We speak to one of non league’s longest serving managers. Vill Powell is in his seventh season as gaffer at Brighouse Town and a former FA Trophy winner as a player he knows the magic of the competition as his club prepares for a home time against fellow Step 4 opposition.  Helping with the insight of the 340 odd clubs in this weekend’s FA Vase second qualifying round Phil Annets is back again this time with his @favasefactfile hat on. Rounding it all up Jon Couch Executive Editor at the Non League Paper, with the news of the week from the world of non league and a heads-up on the issues to be covered in this week’s Non League Paper.

It’s the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup with the National League South and National League North clubs joining the competition and those who have got the competition to this stage are beginning to dream of some proper giantkillings. We kick it all off with the man in the know, FA Cup statistician extraordinaire Phil Annets with his @FACupFactfile hat on joins Tim Fuell to give some insight into the 160 clubs in 80 ties this weekend. Then we head down to the south west again. A bit further than last week’s show, this time the most westerly side in the top four steps of the National League system. A club on the rise not only on the field but also off it. Leading the way in building online followings and communities supporting a club that now boasts an international fan base for what is truly a village side, but a lovely village at that. Jake Ash is the manager at Mousehole AFc and as it turns out he is as big a fan of this show as we are of his work and those around him at the club. Mousehole are unbeaten this season, joint top scorers in the competition and whilst they host higher level opposition in the FA Cup this weekend there’s little doubt there’s a respectful belief that their unbeaten record and FA Cup journey aren’t about to come to an end just yet. Rounding it all up Matt Badcock Editor at Large at the Non League Paper with a few reception issues but hopefully not impacting too heavily on his insight into the big news across the pyramid this week and the issues to be covered in this week’s Non League Paper.

We go to the West Country this week and specifically two clubs in the Bristol suburbs. The FA trophy begins this weekend with the First Qualifying Round with Step 4 clubs kicking the competition off. We link up again with Richard Luffman gaffer at Cribbs. Promotion last year to step 4 and now this year they’ve already dumped one step 3 side out of the FA Cup and travel to another next week, first up though, a club from their own division in the FA Trophy. Also in the Bristol area but two levels below, the story of the week. In the middle of a heatwave they had the heartache of a match abandoned in the 83rd minute they were leading 5-2... abandoned due to flooding! Manager Liam Greening tells us about Shirehampton FCs woes. Rounding it all up Jon Couch the Executive Editor at the Non League Paper with managerial changes, clubs facing demise and the inside track on clubs preparing for the FA Cup next week.

It’s the FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round this weekend with the STep 3 sides coming in across the pyramid. Mr Phil Annets @FACUPFactfile is with us offering all the stats and facts of the round.  We talk to Chairman at Darlaston Town Neil Chambers about their history, their successes, and their aspirations as they prepare for a BBC Red Button game as visitors to local rivals they know well. Rounding it all up with thoughts on some of the biggest stories this week is Editor at Large at The Non League Paper Matt Badcock along with his preview of this weekend’s issue.

We are back with a new series of weekly looks at the world of non league football. As the 50th year of the FA Vase kicks off we speak with our resident Statto Mr Phil Annets with his @FAVaseFactfile hat on and speak with Holmer Green Chair Rob Shed who would like to do well in the competition this season but fears the timing might not be right, especially with even the Reading festival hitting team selection for his  young first team. Rounding up the week's news and previewing the weekend's paper is Jon Couch of the Non League Paper on a very busy weekend of non league football.... It's good to be back!