EDITOR’S VIEW

The clocks have gone back. The nights are drawing in and the temperature feels more wintery than summer or autumn.

Why is it that I, like many other people love football at this time of year?

Getting wrapped up, eating pie and peas at the side of the pitch, reading the match programme and enjoying football under the floodlights all add to the magic that is the beautiful game.

Non-league football has a growing fanbase thoughout the country as it offers some great value for money entertainment. It is also very local.

When the Premier League clubs are charging £40, £50, £60 and more for each fan to see their team, it is easy to see why non-league can be seen as a bargain.

Costing anything from £5 to £15, it is instantly more affordable and allows a parent to take their children to see live football.

It may not have the glamour of the big leagues, the international sports stars, the experience of being in a crowd of 40,000 to 70,000 and indeed the players may not have the silky skills of a Messi or Bale.

But what non-league has is an intimacy. There are skills on show. There is commitment. There are thrills, twists and turns.

At the end of the day, be it Premier League or NCEL Premier League the rewards are the same - three points.

You can watch the game, get involved in the 90 minutes and then chat to the players and managers after the game in the clubhouse.

You can't do that with league football.

So as the nights draw in and the weather gets colder...pull on your biggest, warmest coat and go down and support your local non-league club. You won't regret it!