THIS weekend marks an important time in the non-league football calendar.
Saturday (March 22) is the latest Non-League Day, which encourages fans to head out and support their local non-league sides.
With Premier League and Championship teams not in action due to the international break, there is no better time to show semi-professional and grassroots football some love.
Six of our clubs across Tameside are in action – two on home soil – as they hope to encourage fans young and old to come through the turnstiles, particularly those who haven’t experienced it before.
Hyde United are at home in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, with the Tigers welcoming Prescot Cables to the Project Solar Stadium. Nick Spooner’s side will be looking to return to winning ways after back-to-back defeats.
Also playing at their own stadium is Mossley AFC, who host third-bottom Wythenshawe FC in the Northern Premier League West Division. The Lilywhites, who announced this week that Alex Craddock will take over as manager from Dave Fish at the end of the campaign, are seeking their first victory at Seel Park since January 18.
For those who fancy a road trip, four of our teams will be on their travels on Saturday.
In the National League North, fifth-placed Curzon Ashton continue their bid to finish in the play-offs again with a crucial match at Edgar Street against a Hereford side who are three places and two points below them in the table.
Curzon’s cross-town neighbours Ashton United are also hoping to give their own play-off ambitions a lift in the Northern Premier League Premier Division. The fourth-top Robins will be seeking to end their five-match winless run when they make the journey to Staffordshire to take on 16th-placed Leek Town.
Stalybridge Celtic are another team with the play-off places in their sights, in the Northern Premier League West Division. Jon Macken’s charges are in sixth spot – one position below the play-off zone, albeit with a five-point gap to bridge – and go into the visit to Cheshire to face Runcorn Linnets in strong form, having won three of their last four outings.
Last but by no means least is Droylsden FC, who have been going well in the North West Counties First Division North this season. Sitting third in the table, five points behind leaders Nelson, Dave Pace’s Bloods make the trip to Wigan as they are up against mid-table Ashton Athletic at Brocstedes Park.
All of the matches mentioned above will kick off at 3pm. Details including travel info and ticket prices can be found on the club’s individual websites and social media channels.
Non-League Day has been a concept since 2010 and always coincides with the period in the calendar where the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City’s men’s teams have a weekend off – so that supporters can make a concerted effort to get behind their local sides and promote the importance of affordable volunteer-led community football.