Record numbers back NLD

By David Watters

Ryman League

The Ryman League's clubs are giving their strongest backing yet to Non-League Day after all but two of Saturday’s fixtures signed up for the nationwide celebrations.

Out of 36 Ryman fixtures scheduled, only Lowestoft at home to Hendon in the Ryman Premier and Whitstable’s trip to Guernsey in Ryman South, are missing from NLD’s annual roll of honour this season.

The Ryman’s clubs have been supporting NLD since it was first held four years ago to help attract new fans from the Premier League and Football League to Non-League and help raise awareness of the vital role it plays in the national game.

To take part clubs offer free or heavily subsidised admission to visiting supporters who produce a valid season ticket at the turnstiles. A well as helping to encourage Non-League fans to bring along their friends and families, increasing numbers of clubs also using NLD to offer free entry to members of the armed forces and emergency services, a trend that is continuing this weekend.

The Ryman's clubs are making the most of NLD in all sorts of ways. Bury Town are one of the clubs using NLD to celebrate the success of all the club’s teams, volunteers and officials. Before their fixture with Wealdstone, everyone associated with the Ryman Premier outfit will do a lap of honour around the pitch at Ram Meadow.

Margate, who’ve re-christened their event as 'Target 1000 Day', are hoping to reach a four figure crowd after attracting worldwide attention with specially designed matchday posters. They've been spotted as far afield as Holland, Germany, Switzerland, India, Poland, Canada, the United States, China and even Taiwan!

Like a number of clubs, Cray Wanderers are using NLD to help support other good causes. The Wands are hosting Carshalton Athletic at Bromley’s Hayes Lane and will donate the proceeds from the fixture to the Breast Cancer Campaign after making history at the start of the season by becoming the first Non-League club to wear the charity's logo on the front of their shirts.

Hampton & Richmond Borough, who are taking on Maidstone United at the Beaveree, are another. They've invited Kick It Out along to their fixture to help fight racism and other forms of discrimination still blighting football.

Canvey Island, who are offering discounts on their replica shirts when they host Enfield Town at The Prospects Stadium, are among the many clubs who’ve also decided to admit members of the armed forces and emergency services for free.

Elsewhere, clubs like Needham Market, who are hosting Erith & Belvedere, are focusing on attracting the next generation of fans by organising a host of attractions for younger supporters led by a penalty shoot-out tournament.

For more information visit the Non-League Day website - www.nonleagueday.co.uk – or follow them on Twitter @non_league_day.

Saturday's confirmed NLD fixtures

Ryman Premier

AFC Hornchurch v East Thurrock United
Billericay Town v Bognor Regis Town
Bury Town v Wealdstone
Canvey Island v Enfield Town
Cray Wanderers v Carshalton Athletic
Hampton & Richmond Borough v Maidstone United
Harrow Borough v Dulwich Hamlet
Kingstonian v Grays Athletic
Lewes v Metropolitan Police
Margate v Leiston
Thamesmead Town v Wingate & Finchley

Ryman North

AFC Sudbury v Redbridge
Barkingside v Dereham Town
Chatham Town v Witham Town
Cheshunt v Heybridge Swifts
Harlow Town v Burnham Ramblers
Maldon & Tiptree v Waltham Forest
Needham Market v Erith & Belvedere
Soham Town Rangers v VCD Athletic
Thurrock v Brentwood Town
Tilbury v Aveley
Waltham Abbey v Wroxham
Ware v Romford

Ryman South

Crawley Down Gatwick v Walton & Hersham
Faversham Town v Hastings United
Folkestone Invicta v Peacehaven & Telscombe
Herne Bay v Burgess Hill Town
Horsham v Chipstead
Leatherhead v Tooting & Mitcham United
Merstham v Hythe Town
Ramsgate v Corinthian Casuals
Sittingbourne v Worthing
Three Bridges v Eastbourne Town
Walton Casuals v Redhill

Where next?

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