WOULDN’T it be nice to be able to go the match and come back with a full set of fingernails? To just sit and enjoy the game without being put through the emotional wringer?
As Liverpool fans, we are never afforded this luxury, writes RACHAEL HUNTER. The Reds seemingly have an extraordinary knack of making us suffer, and it’s only afterwards, once the dust has settled, that we can truly appreciate it for what it was.
That’s why non-league football can give you something different. A chance to enjoy a different kind of beauty in the beautiful game, support your local club minus the astronomical prices and the health risks, and put something back into the game you love where your pound matters.
Tomorrow is Non-League Day, and with the football powers-that-be deciding this weekend should be devoted to international football, it means we’re left waiting another week to finally see Liverpool play at Anfield this season.
So how to fill the gap. ‘Big Sam’ and England and the usual fuss about nothing? Or community-run football clubs, a chance – in most cases – to have a pint and watch the game, and a chance to take any younger members of your family who may need reminding that football isn’t only played on the telly?
READ: Giving Up A Lifetime Of Love For The Reds – Swapping The Premier League For Non-League
If you fancy giving hippo head and the Three Lions a swerve and actually going to a game at 3pm on a Saturday (old school), the Non-League Day website is really useful. Just type in your postcode and it will throw up the nearest games to you.
The closest 10 games to Liverpool are listed below. The Anfield Wrap will get along to (hopefully) a couple and write something up for the site next week. Burscough’s a tempter as it’s the magic of The FA Cup – the first preliminary round.
Non-League Day: The Club That Can’t Play Its Players
Non-League Day: Turn Off The TV And Do Something Less Boring Instead
CAMMELL LAIRD 1907 v ABBEY HEY
St Peter’s Road, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead CH42 1PY
Adults £5, Concessions £2
Lairds host Abbey Hey on Saturday. Perfect chance to try out Wirral's only semi-pro football club! #lairds pic.twitter.com/LKlHYlBEs0
— Cammell Laird 1907 (@cammelllairdfc) September 1, 2016
BOOTLE v CONGLETON TOWN
Delta Taxis Stadium, Vesty Road, Bootle, L30 1NY
Adults £5 Concessions £2 U16s Free
@nonleaguedayuk this Saturday @Bootle_FC v @CongletonFC 3pm ko @DeltaMerseyside stadium please RT @LivEchoEFC @LivEchoLFC @LivEchonews
— Official Bootle FC (@Bootle_FC) August 31, 2016
RUNCORN LINNETS v PADIHAM
Millbank Linnets Stadium, Murdishaw Avenue, Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 6HP
Adults £6, Concessions £4, Accompanied young persons aged 16 & under: Free, Unaccompanied young persons aged 16 & under: £1.
This SATURDAY is Non League Day, Premier & Super league season ticket holders get reduced admission! #ANewChapter pic.twitter.com/cGAcUoxMnO
— Runcorn Linnets FC (@RuncornLinnets) August 30, 2016
BURSCOUGH V MAINE ROAD
Bobby Langton Way, Mart Lane, Burscough, Lancashire L40 0SD
Adults: £8, Students/Concessions: £4, Juniors(U16): Free
The FA Cup resumes this weekend as we travel to @BurscoughFC1946
— Maine Road F.C. (@MaineRoadFC) September 1, 2016
ASHTON ATHLETIC V MOSSLEY AFC
Brocstedes Park, Brocstedes Road, Wigan, Lancashire WN4 0NR
Admission: £6/£3/£1
Another massive game this Saturday 3pm in the #EmiratesFACup Ashton Athletic v @Mossleyfc support your local side pic.twitter.com/Wj67d0BeOd
— Ashton Athletic FC (@AshtonAthletic) September 1, 2016
CHESTER v FOREST GREEN ROVERS
Lookers Vauxhall Stadium, Bumpers Lane, Chester CH1 4LT
Adults: £18, Concession: £12, Under-21s: £10, 16-17 Year Olds: £5.
KIDS GO FREE | Children can watch the #Blues for free this weekend, with a paying adult. @nonleaguedayuk pic.twitter.com/JurQG84tPC
— Chester FC (@ChesterFC) September 1, 2016
SOUTHPORT v DOVER ATHLETIC
Merseyrail Community Stadium, Haig Avenue, Southport, Lancashire PR8 6JZ
Seating: Adults: £15, Concessions: £11, Under 19s: £5
Terrace: Adults: £13.50, Concessions: £10, Under 19s: £5. Under 11s accompanied by an adult are admitted free.
Our next match is at home to Dover Athletic in the Vanarama National League on Saturday, kick-off 3pm at the Merseyrail Community Stadium
— Southport FC (@southport_fc) August 30, 2016
ASHTON TOWN V SANDBACH UNITED
Edge Green St, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan, WN4 8SL.
MOLD ALEX V FLINT TOWN UNITED
Alyn Park, Denbigh Road, Mold, Flintshire, CH7 1FT
Adults: £5, Concessions: £3, Children Under-12: Free.
SALTNEY TOWN v LEX GLYNDWR
Sandy Lane Chester CH4 8UB
*2PM KICK OFF*
It's #NonLeagueDay2016 this coming Saturday, and we welcome @LexFc1965 to Sandy Lane! Kick-Off 14:00 #FAWTrophy pic.twitter.com/AWSj4UkmcP
— Saltney Town Sports (@Saltneytownfc) September 1, 2016
And if you fancy an away trip…
It's @nonleaguedayuk this weekend – are you coming to watch the purples try & make it 7 games unbeaten? We're away at @OfficialDHFC 3pm, Sat
— City of Liverpool FC (@CityofLpoolFC) September 1, 2016
After Monday's win at Colls, next up, we travel to @AFCDarwen1 on Saturday afternoon. 3pm ko.
— AFC Liverpool (@AFCLiverpool) August 30, 2016
It's the big one this Saturday!! @EmiratesFACup and we are away to @MarskeUnitedFC – catch the match action here! pic.twitter.com/NvJiFYB2I9
— Marine Football Club (@MarineAFC) August 31, 2016
Only one day to go until we play @PrescotCablesFC at Shawbridge on #NonLeagueDay2016. #COYB pic.twitter.com/Z7KJu6JV08
— Clitheroe FC (@ClitheroeFC) September 2, 2016