Sittingbourne v Ramsgate Match day programme 28th December 2015

Christmas may be over for another year but the tradition of Boxing Day football
means that clubs may be able to extend the celebrations with three points for their
valued fans.
As players, managers, officials and supporters travel all over the country, surely
now is the time to celebrate your club’s achievements over the last year.
But it is also a time to thank YOU – the loyal fans and volunteers that keep this
great institution of football going.
Christmas is a busy time for many and not least football clubs. With a packed festive
schedule, sacrifices have to be made in order to perform on a day like today.
When Premier League players miss out on a glass of wine or excessive amounts of
turkey, sympathy is limited due to the other excess in their life – their bank balance.
But in the world of Non-League, this reward does not exist. With a range of other
commitments – not to mention family life – travelling to a game today is not easy for
the players, managers, volunteers or supporters.
The Class of 92 documentary just a few months ago highlighted this with Salford
City’s volunteers at the forefront of their football community.
Despite their FA Cup second round heroics, they were cruelly knocked out after extra
time at Hartlepool.
But one thing that won’t change now they have returned to Evo-Stik Northern
Premier action are those same volunteers who graced our television screens.
This is true for all clubs at this level and no doubt all sides in action today will want
to reward their loyal supporters and volunteers for their continued hard work.
What makes them particularly special? They do it for the love of it – nothing more
and nothing less.
In the wake of some Football League adversity, the Non-League flag once again
flew high and proud when Welling auctioned off their match ball following their
match with League Two side Carlisle United.
The money will be used to help the community of Cumbria that have been severely
affected by Storm Desmond. Subsequently, the club who ultimately ended Welling’s
FA Cup dream, has suffered more heavily than many can imagine.
All clubs – Non-League or otherwise – have come together in a time of crisis and
for once there has been a number of positive stories about football and how powerful
it can be.
So whether it be a painful relegation battle or an exciting promotion challenge that
your side are facing today, none of it would be possible without the volunteers selling
food and drink or the selfless people who do their upmost to keep matches on
in this time of unpredictable weather – to name just a few.
As the (slightly adjusted) cliché goes, a football club is not just for Christmas – it’s
for life and no matter how much we want to sometimes, we can’t alter the place the
club has in our hearts.
Sheridan Robins