Non-league football

[Bamber Bridge FC]

Do any Rovers fans take it in non-league football?

Darwen have a good set-up and appear to be ready to climb back up the National League system and I've heard that Mill Hill are looking to join the West Lancs league.

I've recently joined the committee at Bamber Bridge and have taken on the task of looking to almost double our average attendance from around 450 to over 800. Yes, it's going to be a challenge but without significantly increasing our revenue we are genuinely in danger of giving up 35 years of being 100% fan funded in the National League system and selling our soul to an investor.

We have a good relationship with the youth set-up at Rovers and recently had winger Lorenze Mullarkey-Mathews on loan and had goalkeeper Felix Goddard with us the season before when we lost out on promotion to the National League North to Warrington Town so Blackburn is an obvious place to try and drum up some extra support.

Given the new Sky deal in the Championship, the days of the Saturday 3pm kick off are going to be reduced but for the traditionalists out there we're going to be offering an alternative to those with a free Saturday if there's lots of Friday and Monday night fixtures in the championship.

By the time the fixtures are released we're aiming to have a new ticketing structure in place with offers on aimed at getting new people in during international breaks so would be interested in hearing views from folk on what might work.

[arbitro]

1 hour ago, Bamber Bridge FC said:

Do any Rovers fans take it in non-league football?

Darwen have a good set-up and appear to be ready to climb back up the National League system and I've heard that Mill Hill are looking to join the West Lancs league.

I've recently joined the committee at Bamber Bridge and have taken on the task of looking to almost double our average attendance from around 450 to over 800. Yes, it's going to be a challenge but without significantly increasing our revenue we are genuinely in danger of giving up 35 years of being 100% fan funded in the National League system and selling our soul to an investor.

We have a good relationship with the youth set-up at Rovers and recently had winger Lorenze Mullarkey-Mathews on loan and had goalkeeper Felix Goddard with us the season before when we lost out on promotion to the National League North to Warrington Town so Blackburn is an obvious place to try and drum up some extra support.

Given the new Sky deal in the Championship, the days of the Saturday 3pm kick off are going to be reduced but for the traditionalists out there we're going to be offering an alternative to those with a free Saturday if there's lots of Friday and Monday night fixtures in the championship.

By the time the fixtures are released we're aiming to have a new ticketing structure in place with offers on aimed at getting new people in during international breaks so would be interested in hearing views from folk on what might work.

Last season I went to Atherton Colls, Atherton LR (twice), Darwen, Euxton Villa, Wythenshawe Town (for a NWCL final), Chorley and Bamber Bridge. One thing that non league games invariably give is value for money and two committed teams. At both Atherton LR games it was free admission of you had a season ticket for a PL or EFL club. And one thing every non league club does is make you feel welcome. Hopefully there will be opportunities next season to visit a few more grounds.

[Bamber Bridge FC]

6 minutes ago, arbitro said:

Last season I went to Atherton Colls, Atherton LR (twice), Darwen, Euxton Villa, Wythenshawe Town (for a NWCL final), Chorley and Bamber Bridge. One thing that non league games invariably give is value for money and two committed teams. At both Atherton LR games it was free admission of you had a season ticket for a PL or EFL club. And one thing every non league club does is make you feel welcome. Hopefully there will be opportunities next season to visit a few more grounds.

Which Bamber Bridge game did you get to? Is price/offers a big factor in choosing which ground to go to or is visiting a "new" ground the number one consideration?

For me, a big plus point with non-league football is the connection between fans and players is still there. At Brig supporters are allowed to travel on the team coach to away games and have a drink with the players and coaching staff after the game. Plus, the standard of football, on the whole, is probably a lot better than people expect. 

[arbitro]

13 minutes ago, Bamber Bridge FC said:

Which Bamber Bridge game did you get to? Is price/offers a big factor in choosing which ground to go to or is visiting a "new" ground the number one consideration?

For me, a big plus point with non-league football is the connection between fans and players is still there. At Brig supporters are allowed to travel on the team coach to away games and have a drink with the players and coaching staff after the game. Plus, the standard of football, on the whole, is probably a lot better than people expect. 

I saw your game against Radcliffe so probably not Bamber Bridge at their best. I usually find a game to go to in the international breaks but as you rightly say next season will offer up lots of opportunities to visit different grounds with the new Sky deal. It makes a change for me to watch a game in close proximity to the pitch as you can do at most non league grounds. And I have to say that the catering at these grounds puts many professional clubs to shame.

[Bamber Bridge FC]

12 minutes ago, arbitro said:

I saw your game against Radcliffe so probably not Bamber Bridge at their best. I usually find a game to go to in the international breaks but as you rightly say next season will offer up lots of opportunities to visit different grounds with the new Sky deal. It makes a change for me to watch a game in close proximity to the pitch as you can do at most non league grounds. And I have to say that the catering at these grounds puts many professional clubs to shame.

The Radcliffe game was a 1-5 defeat which believe it or not was seen as an improvement as the week before we'd lost 1-7 at home to Marine! Despite those two results, Brig's home form is normally strong and in our final home game this season we beat Macclesfield who lost in this year's play off final.

May's Place at the ground gets a lot of compliments, £6 for pie, chips and peas which is good value these days. 

Obviously we need a bit of luck with the fixture lists but if we get a couple of home games on a Saturday during international breaks where would be the best place to advertise to Rovers fans if we reduce entry prices? Unfortunately our budget would be next to zero so we'll have to be creative.

[chaddyrovers]

4 minutes ago, Bamber Bridge FC said:

The Radcliffe game was a 1-5 defeat which believe it or not was seen as an improvement as the week before we'd lost 1-7 at home to Marine! Despite those two results, Brig's home form is normally strong and in our final home game this season we beat Macclesfield who lost in this year's play off final.

May's Place at the ground gets a lot of compliments, £6 for pie, chips and peas which is good value these days. 

Obviously we need a bit of luck with the fixture lists but if we get a couple of home games on a Saturday during international breaks where would be the best place to advertise to Rovers fans if we reduce entry prices? Unfortunately our budget would be next to zero so we'll have to be creative.

I work with someone who him and his PNE fans and STH but go to Bamber Bridge a few times a season,0

I might attend if during the international break just to watch a game of football and try something new? How much are your prices and what are likelihood catering options? 

1 hour ago, arbitro said:

Last season I went to Atherton Colls, Atherton LR (twice), Darwen, Euxton Villa, Wythenshawe Town (for a NWCL final), Chorley and Bamber Bridge. One thing that non league games invariably give is value for money and two committed teams. At both Atherton LR games it was free admission of you had a season ticket for a PL or EFL club. And one thing every non league club does is make you feel welcome. Hopefully there will be opportunities next season to visit a few more grounds.

Have you ever been to Radcliffe home ground? 

[Bamber Bridge FC]

9 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

I work with someone who him and his PNE fans and STH but go to Bamber Bridge a few times a season,0

I might attend if during the international break just to watch a game of football and try something new? How much are your prices and what are likelihood catering options? 

Have you ever been to Radcliffe home ground? 

Standard gate price is £12 for adults but £8 if you have a Premier League or EFL season ticket. £8 for seniors and £2 for kids.

There's also the sponsors lounge which is available for larger groups - works out at around £25 per person but includes some food and drink so really good value if there's at least half a dozen of you attending. 

The club house has cask ales (changes by the week) various lagers and cider. Also, wine and spirits. Pretty sure all pints are still below a fiver so it's an all round cheap day out.

For bigger games we also on up an outside bar and have extra food stalls on.

I've also been to Radcliffe's ground - facilities good, recommend the pizza in the clubhouse. Supporters not so much. Only issues ever seen at non-league.

[Bamber Bridge FC]

Also, we have something of yours at Irongate. Arrived in 1988 and was originally made in Irlam, Manchester. Any guesses? 

[GHR]

Just now, Bamber Bridge FC said:

Also, we have something of yours at Irongate. Arrived in 1988 and was originally made in Irlam, Manchester. Any guesses? 

Turnstile? Plenty of them embossed Irlam the country over I think?

[chaddyrovers]

44 minutes ago, Bamber Bridge FC said:

Standard gate price is £12 for adults but £8 if you have a Premier League or EFL season ticket. £8 for seniors and £2 for kids.

There's also the sponsors lounge which is available for larger groups - works out at around £25 per person but includes some food and drink so really good value if there's at least half a dozen of you attending. 

The club house has cask ales (changes by the week) various lagers and cider. Also, wine and spirits. Pretty sure all pints are still below a fiver so it's an all round cheap day out.

For bigger games we also on up an outside bar and have extra food stalls on.

I've also been to Radcliffe's ground - facilities good, recommend the pizza in the clubhouse. Supporters not so much. Only issues ever seen at non-league.

who is your manager? 

[Mattyblue]

Something I’ve wondered about non league fans, especially once you get to Northern Premier level and below. Are any purely Brig fans, or Clitheroe etc or are most fans of the local football league club too (or Liverpool, Man Utd etc)

[Bamber Bridge FC]

17 minutes ago, GHR said:

Turnstile? Plenty of them embossed Irlam the country over I think?

It is. Not sure when it dates from but possibly 19th century. Still going strong though.

[Bamber Bridge FC]

17 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

who is your manager? 

Jamie Milligan. Started out at playing for Everton, although he's a Liverpool fan, and played 4 times in the premier league. Moved on to Blackpool but injuries put an end to his pro career. Spent a while at Fleetwood as they went up through the non-leagues and played for AFC Fylde before finishing up at Brig and then becoming manager. Been manager for 4 years now and is decent, very good with the young lads and improves a lot of the players we sign but we don't have the budget to keep them, hence our disappointing season just gone.

[Bamber Bridge FC]

20 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

Something I’ve wondered about non league fans, especially once you get to Northern Premier level and below. Are any purely Brig fans, or Clitheroe etc or are most fans of the local football league club too (or Liverpool, Man Utd etc)

Most start out attending Brig just a couple of times a year before being regulars. Not going lie, most Briggers are Preston fans although a few have stopped going to Deepdale. We've got a few Blackpool and Burnley fans. Plus we've got a few random ones like Palace with people who've recently moved to the area. 

It's rare that we get Blackburn fans coming despite it only being a few minutes on the train so there's plenty of you missing out on a good day at the footy.

[Mattyblue]

Cheers. 

Another question. With the ‘coffin ceremony’ etc going back decades, I always thought that there’s a decent amount of Rovers fans in Brig, ok, not as many as PNE, but a decent few.

Take it that isn’t the case, but was there historically?

[Bamber Bridge FC]

2 hours ago, Mattyblue said:

Cheers. 

Another question. With the ‘coffin ceremony’ etc going back decades, I always thought that there’s a decent amount of Rovers fans in Brig, ok, not as many as PNE, but a decent few.

Take it that isn’t the case, but was there historically?

I heard that a few started going on Chorley when Matt Jansen was in charge and there was issues with Steve Keen so the South Ribble contingent may have navigated that way in terms of watching non-league.

Certainly 30 years ago there were a lot of Rovers fans more visible in the area and I know one or two who still live in the area but they don't go to Ewood much now. Arguably Brig's most famous game was the friendly against the Czech Republic in 1996 and in the videos of that game the majority of shirts on display in the crowd appear to be PNE.

[only2garners]

My Mum's family were from Bamber Bridge and were all Rovers fans. The level crossing was always the dividing mark - those to the north were North End fans and those to the south Rovers. I suspect that there might have been a Catholic/Protestant split historically.

I ended up being a Rovers fan despite not living close to Blackburn, or for that matter Bamber Bridge, due to the family link - Ewood was the first ground I was taken to when I started to show an interest in football.

I was at the Czech Republic game but you wouldn't have seen a Rovers shirt as I've never owned one.

[Bamber Bridge FC]

2 hours ago, only2garners said:

My Mum's family were from Bamber Bridge and were all Rovers fans. The level crossing was always the dividing mark - those to the north were North End fans and those to the south Rovers. I suspect that there might have been a Catholic/Protestant split historically.

I ended up being a Rovers fan despite not living close to Blackburn, or for that matter Bamber Bridge, due to the family link - Ewood was the first ground I was taken to when I started to show an interest in football.

I was at the Czech Republic game but you wouldn't have seen a Rovers shirt as I've never owned one.

Interesting, I only crossed the ribble a couple of years ago to Walton-le-Dale so that's the first time I've heard that suggested but I'll ask a few of the old boys about it but it would make sense as Ewood would have been the easier of the two grounds to get to from that point before everyone owned a car. 

[only2garners]

My grandad used to walk to Ewood from Club St, by the Hob Inn in the 30s. He had enough money for the ticket to get in or the bus fare but not both.

[JPTSwindon]

I regularly watch Swindon Supermarine. 30 years ago they played in Rovers blue and white. I continue to press for a return!

[arbitro]

For anybody who might be interested in watching a game today Chorley play Southport at Victory Park with a 1 pm kick off. And for the very keen ones Euxton Villa play Darwen with a 3 pm kick off. The drive between the two is about 15 minutes.

[Rogerb]

2 hours ago, arbitro said:

For anybody who might be interested in watching a game today Chorley play Southport at Victory Park with a 1 pm kick off. And for the very keen ones Euxton Villa play Darwen with a 3 pm kick off. The drive between the two is about 15 minutes.

£18 adult £13 concession at Chorley 

[arbitro]

4 minutes ago, Rogerb said:

£18 adult £13 concession at Chorley 

If you buy in advance online it is £15 for adults, concessions are £11 and it's free for under 12's.

[Rogerb]

36 minutes ago, arbitro said:

If you buy in advance online it is £15 for adults, concessions are £11 and it's free for under 12's.

Only applies if you buy before the day of the match.