Grassroots Plus

Episode 37 - Luke Parsons

Luke chats about his second spell managing a club he also played for and can look back on a season that saw his team reach their highest ever pyramid position, He talks about his early playing days at school, adult football and getting in to management. We discuss preparing for Step 5 football with a few weeks notice and how the squad and club have grabbed the opportunity.We look at the relegation and promotion issues and an on-going saga in the South.

Episode 36 - Mr Teversal - Kev Newton

Kev Newton talks about his life in Grassroots Football including 36 years at Teversal as a player and club secretary. He also gives a fascinating insight into the importance of community and friendship between clubs in his area. We discuss the difficulties clubs in the area have faced with the demise of the Mining and Hosiery Industries. Teversal's fortunes have changed over the years but as well a senior team they also maintain 15 other teams across the club. We look at the Final Day of the regular UCL season and some of the relegation and promotion issues elsewhere. 

Episode 35 - Gav Rice

Gavin Rice joins us to talk about promotion as a referee as well as the progress of a couple of other local refs.We also discuss the effects of VAR and whether over-scrutinization of elite level officials is creating a public perception that standards are dropping across the game. Gav mentions some of the bigger stadiums he has officiated at places to unwind and leave the ref's whistle and notebook behind.We have a few stories you may not have heard and Gav takes on Mick's foreign stories.

Episode 34 - A Look Back

 
This week it's just Mick and Dave.We look back of life outside the pyramid and the Vase Semi Finals.We also take a look at the heritage of pit clubs and travel back 50 years.
More of the promotions and relegations have been resolved and we look at a few stories you may have missed.

Episode 33 - Johnny Upton

This week the Southwell City manager Johnny Upton talks about managing the club he played for until U13, including a ground move from their spiritual Bishops Drive home to a new ground a few miles away at Brinkley. The Zebra's also won promotion to the pyramid and have enjoyed adjusting to life at Step 6. He also talks about  the club's business model and ethos. We look back at the first leg of the FA Vase Semi Finals and more confirmed movements in the promotion and relegation game. A few stories you may have missed and a few suggestions for games to watch.

Episode 32 - Stadium Plans - Steff Wright

Episode 32 - Stadium Plans 
Steff Wright chairman of Newark and Sherwood United is in the hotseat, He talks about the plans for a new stadium back in the Town, the importance of a solid foundations across the club. We look at the up and downs as the season gets closer to a conclusion and a few clubs with long term league membership. We add an item to Room 101 as well as a few of the stories you may not have heard.
You can read about the plans at:
https://www.change.org/p/support-the-yorke-park-project-a-community-stadium-facilities-for-all?recruited_by_id=999f8df0-06a0-11f0-b6a2-29ebe41ae0f6&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&utm_medium=native&fbclid=IwY2xjawJSg7FleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHQku1ep6QYTehS7jftzB3YxPL7N3KQBwpGasNuhSIOOZDrLNYuP-kBdJwg_aem_XHwbSvmYGg4ooB8teIb-gA

Episode 31 - Jimmy Sirrel's Lovechild

Steve Field is a free-lance sports journalist and writer who’s work includes the book “Give My Regards to Queen Street” and the man behind the social media site “Jimmy Sirrel’s Lovechild”. Steve recalls watching Exeter in the seventies before moving falling in love with West Brom and twenty years at Telford. He now regularly watches Blackburn Rovers and has an item for Room 101. We look at the promotion and relegation as the stories continue to unfold and a few you may not have heard.
@jslovechildhttps://jimmysirrelslovechild.co.uk/

Episode 30 - Jake Topliss

Jake Topliss
This week’s guest is an FA Level 2 qualified coach, he also covers many miles every season visiting games at all levels across the country and further afield sampling the atmosphere and game experience for his successful Youtube channel “Topliss at the Turnstiles”. Jake recalls some of his visits and has some dislikes for room 101.We look at a few results as well as the teams who are already securing their promotions and play-off spot and the clubs who have already slipped through the trap door to a lower level.

Episode 29 - Karl Steed

Karl Steed in the hot seat talks about coaching from the age of 15, taking a break around 2014 then started again when his lad played at Selston under 9s and moved through to assisting with the 1st team in the Midland League and the UCL. In October 2022 he joined Heanor as Assistant and has just enjoyed a great run in the Vase. We get news about changes to the Town Ground as The Lions look to the future. We also review the last weekend's Vase action as well as a few stories you may not have heard. 

Episode 28 - The Last Eight of the Vase

We look back to last weekend & forward to this weekend's Vase action, We recall some lost grounds in the area. The promotion race and relegation, some teams have already secured a playoff place and a couple are doomed plus a few stories you might have missed.

Episode 27 - A Trip Back In Time

A Trip Back in Time.We take a look at some top flight stats since the formation of the Football League and a fond look at the founding members of the Notts Alliance League and what they are doing now. Plus a few stories that you may not have heard.

Episode 26 - Lee Wood - Eastwood CFC

Lee Wood talks about an extensive playing career, falling out of love with the game and then coming back in to football via Sunday Morning football, investing in a club. We talk about the his plan for Eastwood and the importance of the club living within it's means and being sustainable and Lee dispels some of the myths and stories that appeared after he became involved with the club. We also look at a few stories that you may not have heard in the world of grassroots football.

Episode 25 - Rhys Watkinson

Rhys Watkinson @Wocko94 talks about transitioning from Playing To Refereeing - Experiences, Dementia, Blind Football & @EnKFCofficial, Making his debut for Eastwood Town away at FC United of Manchester, and some of the managers he's played under in his career. 

Episode 24 - Tom Ward

Tom Ward talks about playing for over 20 years, and managing including a spell at Sleaford Town where a dynasty of three generations of his family have played. He recalls the differences between styles of play in the North and the South and the importance of managing a playing home life balance. A quick look forward to the Vase and some stories you may have missed.

Episode 23 - Ben Marsh - Carlton Town

Carlton Town Supporter Ben Marsh talks about his involvement with the club as a volunteer, producing media content for the Club's TV Channel. He looks at the long distance travelling for away games and the implications to the club along with his hopes for the future for the club.We look at the Vase results as well as a mega penalty shoot out and a few stories you might have missed.