Heading back south

 Heading back south

In the summer Maidenhead returned to the National League South, having spent eight campaigns living the high life in the National division. With almost a quarter of the season gone, here are my thoughts on what had been hitherto the Magpies' natural habitat.

Firstly it makes a change to be looking at the top rather than the bottom of the table. Currently Maidenhead are meeting the expectations of a play off budget which comes with it more modest expectations of opponents who generally arrive at York Road that they “start with a point”. Fortunately the signing of the season Josh Popoola has demonstrated the creativity to unlock the most miserly of defences.

Given this is effectively division six it is not surprising that defensive mistakes are commonplace which leads to the division being relatively competitive. No one would have predicted Hornchurch or Weston-super-mare to be the early pacesetters whilst big spending Dagenham have struggled. It feels like any team could beat another on any given Saturday.

All in all there is now more money at this level. Whereas in the past there would typically be one full time outfit, whether that be an ex league club like Newport or Wimbledon, or a nouveau riches one like Eastleigh or Ebbsfleet, depending on how you measure it there now appears to be at least half a dozen who would fit this category. 

This is funded in at least part by bigger attendances. In United’s 2017 title winning season the division average was 586. It's currently more than double that at 1,242. This reflects the fact that non league football has now caught up with the 90s English attendance boom, helped by better facilities and a post COVID desire for an authentic live experience. 

Off the pitch, matchdays are much better at this level. Altogether everything is more low key and friendly, more like the end to end ethos of non league. Drinking alcohol on the terraces can split opinion but one benefit is the end of the rush to down a pint as kick off approaches or during half time. My two awaydays so far this season, at Enfield and Maidstone, have despite only one goal between the teams across two matches been good days out, thanks in part to a warm welcome followed by supporters freely mixing on the terraces.

The bigger attendances have in some cases led to unrealistic expectations of players and match officials fuelled by hubristic social media. Artificial surfaces abound, with almost half the clubs having one. Not loved by players, I’m agnostic on their use. The community benefits are wonderful as is the certainty of matches not being affected by the weather.

As I write these notes I’ve just read the shambolic scheduling of National League matches across the weekend before Christmas. One aspect of higher level football I certainly don’t miss.