Grassroots Plus

As the end of the season approaches we look at who has secured promotion, who has secured a playoff, who has it all to do while other teams are watching the relegation trap door. Some teams are already down while others will sweat on a reprieve and some will be happy to see the season out.

Philip Hiscox @phiscox46 League Secretary of The South West Peninsula Football League talks about the large number of games that have been postponed this season and the knock on effects, we discuss artificial surfaces and ground grading. Phil recalls the South west groundhop and a memorable game. We look at the Vase and a bit of local news and invite you to get involved.

Matt Harrison - A Merthyr lad living in Spain talks about supporting Malaga C de F home and away including hosting a podcast. He recalls his time living in Slovakia along with a memorable match and Salford City pre "Class of 92". We review last weekend and look at some of the local and not so local news, plus your chance to get involved with our end of season awards.

We take a look at last weekend's action, A local club looking for a new home, the cost of match day officials, a chairman announces his forthcoming departure. The Poacher Line reaches Skegness, while the final countdown starts. Clubs having to change venues to fit games in plus some local and international news.

Gav Cooper Manager at Crowle Colts returns, He talks about their season so far, changing leagues, ground improvements, an upcoming cup final and the work of the "The Iron Foundation" Gav also recalls a memorable match. We look at last weekend's action, the predictions for promotion, and your extreme weather matches. 
You can visit the foundation here: https://www.ironfoundation.co.uk/

Max Oldham in the Hotseat, He talks about growing up and playing football in America, moving to England and playing in the Isthmian League. Receiving an unexpected call up and playing in the CONIFA World Cup. Forming Half Turn, championing  wellbeing for non-league footballers, caring for players, on and off the pitch. The Poacher Line reaches Boston, we review last week's results, look at the promotion race and Max recalls a memorable game. You can visit Half Turn here: https://halfturn.com/

Joe Skelton visits, we talk about his Youtube channel Match Days, commentating, reporting and ladies football. We look at last weekend's results, the step 5 projections and your famous players seen playing at grassroots level. Joe recalls his most memorable match from a huge number seen.

Luke Castledine is in the hotseat, talking about his love of the Grassroots game and Manchester United. along with his Premier League to Non League and Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Football Twitter / X Accounts. We look at last weekend's results and Luke compares the Professional matchday experience with the grassroots one. Dave struggles with Italian and we travel towards Boston by train. We look at your responses to last week's question and Luke makes a five year prediction. Your weekly non-league fix sponsored by Gusto Homes.
 
@NottsDerbyFBal@PL2NL

Episode 27  -   Tom Carter joins us to chat about his media work in grassroots football, commentating, writing, radio and podcasting from an early age whilst also studying sports journalism. Tom also recalls his memorable game. We review last weekends results, look at more predictions and look at your best ground hops.  
https://open.spotify.com/show/7frdD4yi4VN2oT8hXldoOQ?si=Znm8FTQpRM67P8lJnJbCMA&nd=1&dlsi=4848c53c5a364803
 
https://open.spotify.com/show/0IuOqLXC3YqFf2bwVGmMJJ?si=jK2uQpZZSLSF7AnFIOO4uQ&nd=1&dlsi=0de859250bff4bab

Rob Hornby is in the hotseat, talks about his life in Non League Football, club and league level, programme editor, groundhop organiser and his charity blog. We look at the forthcoming Vase games and review last weekends games. We take a train towards Skegness and look at your answers to last week's question.
You can find Rob's blog here: https://aroundthegrounds2024.blogspot.com/

Nobby Clark - Secretary at Clay Cross Town talks about Step 6 life after promotion, the logistical, travelling and financial changes and planning for the future. He recalls a game imprinted in memory. We review last weekend's action and look at some of your favourite ground names and a quick look at the Step 5 predictions.

Ian Braid, owner of Docia Sport, Former CEO of British Athletes Commission, Lewes FC Owner, Sport Aid, talks about the importance of mental health support right across sport from grassroots to professional. He recalls interesting days with British athletes following the Athens Olympics right up to London 2012. We review last weekends results, take a look at early step 5-6 promotion projections. We meet a new British Empire Medal holder recognised for his contribution to football, some "must have" items of memorabilia and an item for Room 101.
You can find Ian on Linked-In plus and at www.dociasport.co.uk and @DOCIA_sport on X

Andy Sutton visits to talk about his passion for matchday programmes, owning a collection of over 125,000 issues. He also runs The Archives.Football online database and recalls over 30 years of following Grantham Town. We review last weekend's results, look at the Vase as well as looking at your answers to the "Is the Pyramid good for Grassroots Football" debate.

The New Year started with disruption due to the weather in the East Midlands and beyond. We look at what action took place. We also look at the rising cost of watching grassroots football, and ask if the pyramid is good for clubs with implications of overstretching themselves financially to achieve promotion.

This week's Episode is sponsored by "To be a Poacher", Simon Ashberry's second book chronicling the history of Boston Town, first published in 2022 and features every game they have played since 1964. Andy Porter returns to discuss player conduct, financial stability of clubs, the usual reviews, previews and gossip.