Record numbers backing NLD

The Evo-Stik Northern Premier League is setting a new record for backing Non-League Day with all but two of the weekend's fixtures taking part in Saturday’s nationwide event.

Out of 34 NPL fixtures scheduled, only two in First Division North are missing from NLD’s annual roll of honour this season. In the Premier Division and First Division South every club playing at home club has pledged their support.

The Evo-Stik NPL’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 Leagues 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 Evo-Stik NPL’s clubs are making the most of NLD in all sorts of ways. Many, like Clitheroe and Ilkeston, are offering free admission to fans aged 16 and under to help recruit the next generation of supporters. The Robins are taking on Witton Albion at the New Manor Ground and like Clitheroe, who host Darlington, are reducing entry prices to season ticket holders from PL and FL clubs to £5.

In First Division South, Coalville Town are also running the £5 offer when they host Carlton Town. They have also given club mascot Rickey the Raven special responsibility for entertaining a surge in young fans they are expecting!

A number of clubs like Ashton United and Blyth Spartans are also looking forward to taking part for the first time after finally being handed a home fixture on NLD.

Spartans are hosting Grantham Town at Croft Park and are going all out to finally take advantage, with a number of events and activities planned to mark the occasion. As well as parading a host of Spartans legends on the pitch before kick off, they are also celebrating the club’s community work with special mascots and have invited two local junior sides to entertain the crowd at half time with a small sided game. Radio Northumberland will be also be broadcasting live at the ground from 1pm, talking to supporters about what makes Non-League football special.

Skelmersdale United are just one of a number of clubs who've been tapping into their community work to support NLD. Skem are hoping for a bumper gate at the West Lancashire College Stadium for the visit of Frickley Athletic after handing out more than 500 tickets to local schools. Each admits an adult and a child for just £1.

Chairman Paul Griffiths is looking forward to seeing many more young faces at the weekend and in future. He said: "We are always looking to attract new support and where better than the local schools. It is their town team and they are the football supporters of the future. As for the big clubs, we are finding an increasing amount of football fans are getting fed up with Premier League clubs and the way people are just a number."

Marine Chairman Paul Leary echoed his views and added that the Mariners are once again using NLD to promote their mission to see fans of Merseyside’s big three – Liverpool, Everton and Tranmere – adopt them as their second club.

Leary said: "National Non-League Day provides a great opportunity for football clubs like Marine to attract new fans. This is a great way for local football fans to visit the Arriva Stadium, possibly for the first time, and we’re looking for even more Premier or Football League supporters on Merseyside to adopt Marine as their second team."

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

Confirmed NLD fixtures

Premier Division
Ashton United v Trafford
AFC Fylde v Matlock Town
Blyth Spartans v Grantham Town
Chorley v Stafford Rangers
FC United of Manchester v Rushall Olympic
Ilkeston FC v Witton Albion
Kings Lynn Town v Droylsden
Marine v Buxton
Skelmersdale v Frickley Athletic
Stamford v Worksop Town
Stocksbridge Park Steels v Nantwich Town
Whitby Bay v Barwell

First Division North
Clitheroe v Darlington 1883
Curzon Ashton v Bamber Bridge
Farsley FC v Cammell Laird
Kendal Town v Wakefield
Ossett Town v Burscough
Ramsbottom United v Northwich Victoria
Radcliffe Borough v Mossley
Salford City v Padiham
Warrington Town v Ossett Albion

First Division South
Belper Town v Sutton Coldfield Town
Bedworth United v Halesowen Town
Brigg Town v Mickleover Sports
Coalville Town v Carlton Town
Eastwood Town v Chasetown
Gresley FC v Loughborough Dynamo
Kidsgrove Athletic v Goole AFC
Lincoln United v Leek Town
Newcastle Town v Rainworth Miners Welfare
Romulus v Scarborough Athletic
Sheffield FC v Market Drayton Town