Local clubs set out on the road to Wembley...
THREE of our local non-League clubs set out on the road to Wembley on Saturday in the FA Vase.Pelsall Villa, Lichfield City and Heath Hayes are all at home in the first round qualifying and with The Saddlers having a free weekend and it also being Non-League Day, we encourage as many of you as possible to get along to the club nearest to you.
At The Bush, home of Pelsall Villa FC, a former Saddler with almost 200 appearances for the club to his name, will be gearing up for his first taste of FA Vase action.
Richard Taundry has been a regular for The Villians so far this term, where he has kept himself ticking over as he looks to get back into The Football League.
“Richard’s whole attitude and commitment has been absolutely first-class,” said Pelsall manager, Craig Timmins, who himself is a former youth team player here at Banks’s Stadium before going on to be part of the LA Galaxy squad during David Beckham’s time at the club. “He is a credit to himself and his profession.
“He’s worked extremely hard in training and then given his all in every game that he has been involved in for us so far.
“To have someone around the place with his experience and quality has given us all a boost.”
Any Saddlers’ supporter who turns up to Saturday’s Pelsall Villa v Barnt Green Spartak clash wearing a Walsall FC replica shirt, scarf or hat or in possession of their 2013/14 season-ticket, will be entered into a free prize draw to win a signed, match-worn Walsall shirt from last season and an autographed Walsall FC football.
Kick-off is 3.00pm at The Bush Ground, Walsall Road, Pelsall WS3 4BP. Admission is £4 (adults) and £2 (concessions). A full-colour Matchday Programme will be on sale for £1 each and a range of refreshments will be available.
There will be history in the making at Brownsfield Park, home of Lichfield City FC, on Saturday when they play their first-ever FA Vase tie.
Further spice is added to the occasion as local rivals, Brocton, who have started the season is explosive fashion, provide the opposition.
There are sure to be thrills and spills aplenty in this one. Kick-off is 3.00pm on Saturday and the game will take place at Brownsfield Park, Brownsfield Road, Lichfield WS13 6BX. Admission is £4 (adults), £2 (concessions) and free for under-16s.
Over at Midland Football Alliance outfit, Heath Hayes, it’s Studley who provide the opposition and they will include former Walsall youth teamers, Jack Cresswell and Connor Deards in their ranks.
Steve Taylor has taken over as manager at Heath Hayes this year from Simon Davies, who was at the helm for the past seven years, and he has introduced some exciting young players into the team.
This tie will take place at Coppice Colliery Ground, Newlands Lane, Heath Hayes WS12 3HH with a 3.00pm kick-off. Admission will be £5 (adults) and £2 (concessions).
Non-League Day was set up by James Doe in 2010 as a social media experiment, after being inspired by a pre-season trip to Devon to watch Queens Park Rangers play at Tavistock. It has now grown to become an annual part of the football calendar, backed by Premier League and Football League clubs, MPs, celebrities, media organisations, charities and most importantly the non-League clubs themselves and the fans that decide to turn up on the day.
Always scheduled to coincide with an international break, Non-League Day gives fans across the country the chance to see what's going on at a club that might be on their doorstep which they may be unfamiliar with or even knew existed.
Many non-league clubs are almost exclusive volunteer run, with money taken at the turnstiles often funding thriving youth set-ups, projects and facilities which are of benefit to the whole community.
Non-League Day isn't about supporting just another team, it's about supporting grassroots football which will ensure the foundations of the game in this country stay strong. Moreover, Non-League Day is a celebration of the diversity, passion and commitment that makes football in this country so popular and enduring.
You can make a difference on Non-league Day. Get involved!