To counter the clubs in peril stories we’ve had to report on this season, it’s time to celebrate a story of dedication, persistence and desire. London’s oldest football club finally coming home. Not quite yet fully ready for the return of the Isthmian Premier side but youth and women’s teams of Cray Wanderers are moving into Flamingo Park. CEO Sam Wright is rightly proud but far from done yet, not only seeking to get the men’s first team back in for some prestigious pre-seasons for next season but also building these community links they’ve missed out for in the 26 years as groundsharing wanderers

Rounding up the week’s news including the FA Cup success of Maidstone, the multitude of managerial moves and what’s coming up in the weekend’s paper Executive Editor at The Non League Paper Jon Couch

It is the FA Cup Fourth Round weekend and just the one non-league representative. Phil Annets @facupfactfile is on hand to give some insight into this round and the competition so far. Many will have written off National South’s Maidstone but having already dumped Barrow and Stevenage out for the competition to go further than the club ever has in this competition, or the former club before it in fact… there’s some magic in the air that might make, even high flying hosts Ipswich Town quiver a little. So why not send another shiver down their spine…? Remember Roy Essandoh? He of the FA Cup and Wycombe Wanderers fairytale? You soon will, as I speak to Maidstone’s new striker Manny Duku, who aims to repeat the highs of his fellow striker.

Rounding us up, Editor at Large at The Non League Paper Matt Badcock is here to help with the week's news and previews the weekend’s edition

The highs and lows of football spotlighted this week but also the magic of why we all do it and why we all love it.

First up a return to these waveforms of Barnet boss Dean Brennan. Into the FA Trophy last 16 and sitting third in the National League, life isn’t looking too shoddy. A Saturday tea-time visit of table-toppers Chesterfield is on the menu this week but as Dean says, he can only take one game at a time.

Some might think even one game at a time would be too much after 27 league games without a win this season. That’s the story from Bishops Sutton of the Western League Divison One but Chairman George Williams isn’t perturbed. Disappointed yes, but 50 years after helping reform the club he’s still doing everything he can to keep the club ticking over and he has everything crossed that they can stay in step 6 somehow this season, and after speaking to him this week I think the whole of non league would love that too.

Executive Editor at The Non League Paper Jon Couch is here to help with the week's news round-up, sadly including more clubs in peril and the seeming demise of one of non league’s historic clubs.

The FA Trophy and the FA Vase reach the Fourth Round this weekend. The last 32 and the clubs still involved have every right to be distant dreaming about that Wembley final.

We speak to an experienced non league manager who has enough behind him to know few will give his side a chance against visitors Chesterfield on Saturday. Welling United boss Danny Bloor is wiley enough to have a few tricks up his sleeve to make it a big day out for all involved at the club, with an outside chance of that upset.

Phil Annets is on hand with his @FAVaseFactfile hat on ,with some insight into the 16 ties featuring the Step 5 and Step 6 sides. We also speak to a lady Chair of one of those Step 6 sides. In the historic hotbed of North East non league football Blyth Town haven’t got the glorious or lengthy history of their neighbours but they are a side on the up and with former winners the visitors looking to add another chapter to their own story. Sandra Orr is one of those folk to whom non league owes so much, perhaps this is one of those magical weekends football returns the favour?

Matt Badcock returns for his first update of 2024. The Editor at Large at The Non League Paper helps cover FA Cup, FA Vase and FA Trophy news, clubs in peril and a whole host of managerial changes.

It’s the FA Cup Third Round and four of the 64 in action are from Non-League Circles. First up Phil Annets is here with his FA Cup Factfile Hat, giving us all the insight into those four ties and more ahead of the weekend.

Next an old friend of the show. A very old friend of our very old show. Hugo Langton used to grace the studio at BBC London in what seems another lifetime ago but now he’s set for the biggest game of his life as Assistant Manager at Aldershot as they travel to West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup Third Round.

Executive Editor at The Non League Paper Jon Couch brings us news of more big managerial changes, clubs surviving and clubs heading into hibernation and much more besides.

Another slightly shorter show going into the New Year but still much to entertain and inform.

First up he’s led this club to the only 100% league record still intact as the end of the year arrives. Paul Johnson’s Farnham Town top the Combined Counties Premier South and remains in the FA Vase, yet he’s only been in the job just over 12 months. Lots achieved but much more to come, as he sets out his stall for a long-term commitment to his growing club.

Bringing us up to date with the news, Executive Editor at The Non League Paper Jon Couch. Some big managerial changes, the highs and lows of being a football fan and some insight into what’s to come in the final issues of the Non League Paper of 2023.

A slighter shorter show going into the Christmas break but we have two of football’s hardest-working non-league experts to take you into the festive weekend.

First up he’s back in non-league with perhaps perfect timing. 12 years since he took Fleetwood Town into the Football League from the Conference, 6 years since he took Tranmere Rovers back to the 92, he’s settling in quickly at Oldham Athletic with sights on the National League play-offs. Micky Mellon likes good people and he’s one of the best himself and won’t even have Christmas Day off.

Getting ready to create our CHristmas Eve read, Matt Badcock Editor at Large at The Non League Paper. National League insights, managerial moves and revolutionising refereeing all on the agenda in our discussion with more to come in the paper out Christmas Eve.

A mixed bag this week. We speak to an old friend of the show making progress every season at his club, now in the FA Trophy Fourth round and pushing for a play-off promotion in the National League. Phil Parkinson - yes non-league’s very own - thinks his Altrincham side is coming together nicely, although the Christmas schedule isn’t as he’d hoped, highlighting the big sacrifices those involved in football often have to make.

With a similar schedule after weeks without competitive football is step 5 Tividale. They hope to get their FA Vase Third round tie played this weekend at the third attempt. Competing still in four cup competitions but not having had a league game since October it's been a strange season but one manager Stuart How is confident will bring rewards.

Rounding up the week’s news and the show is Jon Couch Executive Editor at The Non League paper.

A double hit of FA cup competitions this week. With great non-league success in the FA Cup, we talk to a manager who faces a trip to league opposition in a replay on Tuesday with a Third Round spot, the prize. Billy Heath’s Alfreton Town drew 0-0 this week with Walsall but know they have all the opportunity to become heroes and make the Third Round for the first time in the club’s history.

Next, we talk FA Trophy with a man perhaps known best as a manager on memorable FA Cup runs but who now operates as Chairman, in the club he’s spent most of his life at. Jamie Vermigglio is clearly enjoying his new role, among familiar surroundings with familiar faces at Chorley but admits every day is a learning day. 

Editor at Large at The Non League Paper, Matt Badcock rounds up the show with the week’s news and a preview of this weekend’s Non League Paper.

It is FA Vase 3rd round and FA Cup second round this weekend so we have Phil Annets on hand with first, his @favasefactfile hat on, and then, his @facupfactfile hat.

The FA Cup 2nd Round has 10 non league representatives this weekend and we speak to the Chairman of the lowest-ranked side. James Lawson, Chairman at Ramsgate, already has a plethora of stories with his club and he hopes to make more starting on Monday at AFC Wimbledon.

Executive Editor at The Non League Paper, Jon Couch rounds up the week’s news and previews this weekend’s Non League Paper a the end of the show