The commonwealth games are over, schools are still on holiday, leather is still striking willow but once again after probably 6 or so weeks of pre-season training and matches featuring clubs fielding numerous trialists the non league pyramid football season has started though for the step 5 and below the season is already a week old.
The league structures have been finalised though Salisbury City fc may yet join a league court cases and ownership confirmation permitting.
Once again fans of non league clubs will be debating whose budget is bigger than whose, which teams are full time and which team has the most away supporters.
BT Sport are for a second season broadcasting games from the Vanarama conference as per last year there is likely to be an emphasis on the perceived larger budgeted ex league sides.
The early fixtures this season are
Saturday 9 August: Bristol Rovers v Grimsby Town – 12.45pm (BT Sport 1)
Thursday 14 August: Eastleigh v Aldershot Town – 7.45pm (BT Sport 1)
Monday 25 August: Forest Green Rovers v Bristol Rovers – midday (BT Sport 1)
Wednesday 10 September: Dover Athletic v Barnet – 7.45pm (BT Sport 1)
Monday 22 September: Chester v Wrexham – 8pm (BT Sport 2)
Wednesday 9 October: Kidderminster Harriers v Welling United – 7.45pm (BT Sport 1)
Saturday 11 October: Alfreton v Torquay United – 5.30pm (BT Sport 1)
With Luton Town now back in the football league the mantle will fall on Bristol Rovers and Grimsby Town to vie for the largest home gates. The opening fixture put these two head to head for Bristol Rovers first venture in the non league pyramid. a crowd of 7069 witnessed a 0-0 draw. It will be interesting to keep an eye on Bristol Rovers gates last season they averaged 6420. By contrast in the conference in 2013/14 Hyde Utd FC averaged 689. Welling and Alfreton had crowds of 611 and 613 respectively for their first home games. A mere 188 witnessed Whitehawk play Staines town in the Vanarama Conference South
Whitehawk fc are now managed by Steve King one of the most talked about non league managers who has a reputation for achieving success though with perceived high budgets and for high profile public dismissals. Will be interesting to see what he can achieve at Whitehawk.
