The last six years have seen Non-League Day (NLD) grow from being an event on Facebook to an annual national campaign which has grabbed the attention of clubs, leagues, the media and most importantly the fans.
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As NLD has grown we’ve received many requests to run a second event during the season to get even more people involved. Given the huge amount of time and effort and to preserve the uniqueness of NLD, we’ve never really been able to entertain this idea but have thought about other ways we could do things.

Our favourite alternative was to create an event where, rather than send football fans to a wide variety of grounds around the country, we would encourage them to head to just one ground, bringing as many members of the non-league community together in the same place at the same time. We just weren’t quite sure how to do this.

Last year The Football Association asked us to help promote the FA Trophy Final at Wembley providing us with arguably the perfect game and venue for such an event. This season we are working with them again in the build up to the first ever Non-League Finals Day where the FA Vase and FA Trophy will be played back-to-back on the same day at the national stadium.

With Hereford playing Morpeth Town in the former (k.o. 1215pm) and FC Halifax Town taking on Grimsby Town in the latter (k.o. 415pm) it promises to be a great day. With tickets at only £25 adults, £10 concessions and £1 kids it represents great value too. Not only this but for group bookings of 12 or more, the price of adult tickets halves to just £12.50.

Fans will be allowed to pass in and out of the stadium to see exhibitions, information and examples of The FA’s work in the wider game and Sport Relief will also be charity partner for the day.

The record attendance for an FA Trophy final is 53,262 and we believe we should be able to beat that if we, as a community, see the value of the day and come together. With American football and rugby teams able to sell out and set world record crowds at Wembley – why can’t we?

With thousands of tickets already sold and interest in the non-league game rising all the time, this is a great opportunity to celebrate what we have and enjoy a great day out. It could be a defining moment. Be part of it.

James Doe
Founder, Non-League Day

Tickets can be purchased here.

Corinthian-Casuals Football Club have been charged by The FA for fielding a player whilst under suspension. The charge arises from David Hodges participation in the home fixture against Faversham Town in the Ryman League Division One South which ended in a 3-1 win for Casuals.

The club had made all the necessary checks to ensure Hodges was eligible for selection for this fixture as confirmed by the club's Parent FA.

The one match suspension was due to be served in our tie with Sittingbourne F.C. However, this match was postponed and the next available fixture was a County Cup match. Confirmation (written and verbal) was given by London FA that this fixture could count towards Hodges' suspension. The club followed this advice along with the response that no further verification would be needed. Upon completion of the County Cup fixture, Hodges' name had been removed from all online suspension checks.

However, after the Faversham fixture, which Hodges had played, under guidance that his suspension had been lifted, the Club received a message via the Whole Game System which highlighted a potential discrepancy. On investigation, it became clear that David had played whilst under suspension due to incorrect information.

The club was subsequently charged by The FA for a breach of rule E10. An FA commission fully accepted that the club and player had done nothing wrong, that the Club had performed all relevant checks and that the Club had been misinformed by the Parent FA.

Despite The FA's acceptance that we were not to blame, 'strict liability' meant the charge was enforced and Ryman League rules dictate that points gained shall be deducted. Therefore, despite an appeal, Corinthian-Casuals Football Club has been docked three points.

All involved at the Club are devastated at the news, especially in light of our league position. From players, management and officials, all whom are unpaid and perform their duties for the love of the game, all are bewildered by these events. Immense effort is put in, not least by James Bracken, his players and coaching staff for the monumental effort of achieving a club record-breaking points haul despite remaining strictly amateur. We'd also like to thank the league for being incredibly supportive of Corinthian-Casuals throughout this ordeal, but had their hands tied by The FA.

We understand that rules are to be re-written and hope that at the very least, our situation doesn't happen to any other football club, especially where volunteers work so hard to maintain survival.

Brian Vandervilt - Chairman, Corinthian-Casuals Football Club

Corinthian-Casuals moved into the playoff places with a dramatic 3-2 win over Walton Casuals in the Ryman League Division One South.

The result, coupled with Hastings United’s draw at Ramsgate and Faversham’s surprise loss to East Grinstead means James Bracken’s side move into the last playoff place with just one game left to play. A win against Three Bridges next Saturday at King George’s Arena will see Corinth secure fifth spot.

Goals from Shaun Okojie, Josh Uzun and Jamie Byatt were enough to seal the win against a threatening Walton Casuals side.

After the match, Bracken commented on the win and the playoff push.

“For the first time in months, our fate is in our own hands. We’ve won six games in a row and we’ve put in a lot to get to where we are. Now we know that a win next Saturday is enough.

“We’ll have both eyes on our own game next week. We’re in the playoffs. We don’t need to worry about anyone else. All we’ll worry about is winning. Doesn’t matter what our playoff rivals will do.

“Today’s game was no way vintage Casuals. By our standards, it was poor but we found a way to win. We’ve done that a few times this season and when you take into account that these aren’t full-time professional footballers, they’re obviously going to have off-days. We had one of those today but still found a way to win.

“Jamie Byatt was long overdue a goal. He done a job for us at left back today and done his best there. But I’m delighted that he’s popped up with the winning goal. I’m delighted for him because since he’s been back here, in terms of effort, he’s given everything.  He scored a couple on his first two games and since then it’s dried up. Jamie lives off of goals… that’s why he plays football.

“The players totally deserve the credit for this season. They’re the ones out here doing the work. Saying that, I’m probably more tired than they are. Dan Pringle (Assistant Manager) said to me that he’s got cramp in both legs and he’s on the side-lines with me.  We put in a lot of effort but the boys put in more.  They deserve the credit. They’re the ones who graft, that listen, that do what’s asked of them and they’re the ones who keep getting wins.”

Full Match Report to Follow

Walton Casuals vs Corinthian-Casuals
Saturday 16th April 2016 - 3pm kickoff
Merstham FC
Moatside Stadium, Weldon Way, Merstham RH1 3QB
Admission: £9 Adults. £5 Concessions £2 U12's Free U5's

Casuals make their final league trip of the season as we travel down to Merstham to face Walton Casuals.#

With our playoff rivals continuing to pick up points it seems nothing less than maximum points will do in a bid to break into the play off places.

Please not that the game is at Merstham FC and we have been advised by our hosts that no alcohol is permitted in the stadium.

Follow the action live via Twitter @corinthiancas

Walton & Hersham vs Corinthian-Casuals
Saturday 9th April 2016 - 3pm kickoff
Stompond Lane KT12 1HF
Admission: £9 Adults. £5 Under 16s / OAPs
Preview by Cameron Smith

Winning four of the last four games, the confident Casuals side march to relegation-battling Walton & Hersham on Saturday for yet another must-win game.

The 2-0 victory over Carshalton Athletic in the week has left Corinth in seventh place, one point from the play-offs. Despite being reduced to ten men later on in the game, a two-minute brace from Shaun Okojie secured a vital victory.

Manager James Bracken has taken pressure off his own players and placed it on promotion-seeking rivals. “There’s pressure on one or two teams around us who should have a look at what we’re doing and realise we were six points adrift and now we’re a point outside the play-offs with three games to go. So maybe they’ll feel a bit of pressure.”

Faversham Town (sixth place) lost 5-0 to Kingstonian in the Robert Dyas League Cup final on Tuesday, which leaves them with a game in hand over rivals. On Saturday, Faversham host the unpredictable Walton Casuals while Hastings United face eighth-placed Molesey in a play-off clash. Meanwhile, Corinthians travel to The Sports Ground to face Walton & Hersham. The Swans are five points from safety and could be one step closer to relegation should they drop any points - especially with nearest rivals East Grinstead playing bottom side Whitstable.

Seven goals in four games, Shaun Okojie has been performing fantastically in attack alongside the hard-working matador Jamie Byatt. If the duo continue to score goals, promotion will be clear to see. 

Will Casuals beat the relegation-stricken Walton? Come down to Stompond Lane and find out!