REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL IN 2021...

LEAGUE suspensions, no clear end in sight, frustrating ‘free weekends’. 2021 doesn’t start off with a great outlook for Non League football. But inspired by Ian Drury – there’s one for the older generation – I am confident that Non-League, if it pulls together, can thrive in the coming months.

- TIM FUELL

My attempts to re-write The Blockheads’ hit Reasons to be Cheerful, Part 3 not-withstanding!

• Banter, Cup o ‘Bovril’, Programmes a la novel;
• Away days at Borough, Pies, chips and gravy
• Poor beating rich, smell a grass pitch
• Half-time end switch, winning 1-0.

Here’s five Reasons to be Cheerful as Non-League enters 2021:

1 Leading the way Three points for a win is now universally accepted as the standard of recognition for successful teams in league competitions – and it began first at Non -League level!

Whilst many may believe The FA pay too little attention to football beyond the Premier League, the fact is, the Premier League is effectively autonomous in how it runs and develops, so the reality is that Non League is how, and where, the FA can, and do listen to the masses and implement change, however slow.

The football pyramid and its continued evolution is a result of the pressures of those in Non-League seeking equity and recognition over many, many years.

Already Non-League has led the way in the COVID era. It was at the heart of project restart and bringing fans back in safely and what Non-League taught the FA authorities and scientists will go a long way to creating the new normal that will allow us all to enjoy football again, hopefully in the nontoo-distant future.