Grassroots Plus

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.

Episode 22 - Girls Go Groundhopping

Girls Go Groundhopping - @GGGroundhopping Tony Hodgkinson visits to talk about the Social Media success he has created while groundhopping with his two young daughters. They show how affordable and fun non-league football can be while spending quality time together. We look at favourite grounds and recall some of the experiences going to games. We also look at last week's limited action and a few stories you may not have heard.

Episode 21 - Nick Labbate

Nick Labbate joins us to talk about his time as a player and manager at Steps 5 to 7. He looks at the difficulties each raise, and recalls some of the managers he played under starting in men's football at 15 years old. Nick recalls his favourite ground plus his greatest sporting moment as he steps back from the sharp end of the game. He looks to the future as he helps players find clubs. We look forward to the Vase and have a few stories you might have missed.

Episode 20 - Robin Bourne - Happy Christmas

Robin Bourne joins us for the last podcast of the year. He reflects on almost a half century in local football, officiating at games including a game at Wembley, serving as chairperson in a local Football Association, his pride when his son was appointed to the Football League list. We look at a few Christmas games past, last weekend's Vase and look forward to a few festive fixtures. A big thank you to our sponsor for 2024 Gusto Homes, all our guests, listeners and contributors over the last year.
Happy Christmas and see you next year.

Episode 19 - Steve Penny

Steve Penny is an author of many non league football books, has been programme editor for several clubs as well as sports writer and editor with several newspapers and as a freelancer, His current book is raising money for The Offside Trust an organisation committed to supporting survivors of sexual abuse and working to make sport safer for children.
links:
Latest news on Facebook – ‘Steve Penny Media’Email steve@stevepennymedia.co.uk 
On the drag – the football grounds of Suffolk – available on Amazon from January 2 and already on eBay £19.95. Also bookshops in Beccles, Diss and Halesworth.Direct from me at £18 – mention Grassroots Plus – via email for payment details.
Pilgrims’ Patch – the football grounds of Lincolnshire (with Martyn Girdham) – Amazon £19.95Direct from me £18, as above.
Island Hopping – the football grounds of Lanzarote – Amazon £15.99 Direct from me £13, as above.
Tarts, Trams & Tuk Tuks – Amazon and eBay £7.50Direct from me £6, as above
Soap Stars and Burst Bubbles – Amazon £11.24 (£9.99 ebook)
Towering Tales & a Ripping Yarn – Amazon £12.24 (£9.99)
The Mont – Amazon £16Direct from me £12
The Totty Cup – Amazon £26Direct from me £20
Wath Wonders – due out Christmas 2025

Episode 18 - Anthony Heppell

A long-time supporter and head of media at Bourne Town, Anthony Heppell joins us to talk about his role at the club. We look at the prospects of the existing team as they look forward to a tie in the FA Vase. We also look at the new developments at Abbey Lawns with regard to the club's future plans and sustainability. We look at the winners and the losers while Mick spots a club badge he likes.

Episode 17 - Max Bailey

This week's guest in Max Bailey from Emma's Ground Guide, With the season roughly at the half way point we look at how teams have progressed so far in the United Counties North and Division 1, Lincs League, Central Midlands Alliance and the Nottinghamshire Senior League. We discuss the popularity of the Vase and the FA Trophy. We also have a local lookout, the winners and losers as well as the stories you may have missed.

Episode 16 - Last Minute Fixture change

A fixture change as this week's guest gets a late call in to work.We look back at last weekend's UCL Premier North games and a ban in Bridlington. We have the local lookout, winners and losers and The FA's National League System Stadium Accreditation documents for 2024-25. Uncle Albert visits Hampshire and a few stories you may not have heard.