Features

2008: Just half of an amazing season

Now's your chance to listen to the BBC Non League Shows from 2008. It's been a year which has seen Ebbsfleet United taken over by a website, and the FA go toe-to-toe with a Blue Square Premier club. With reorganisation, pledges of more funds for grassroots and increased media coverage, there has never been a more interesting time to follow Non League. Listen to how this year unfolded below.

JANUARY

The month kicked off with the FA's Head of Football Development, Kelly Simmons in the studio to answer some tough questions on how the FA wanted to shape the future of grassroots football. We celebrated Havant and Waterlooville drawing Liverpool in the FA Cup. There were big games in the FA Trophy too, and once again the ugly side of football raised it's head as clubs went under and managers packed their bags. 

Dutch Ducks

FEBRUARY

With February came some star-spotting. A Non League footballer on Deal or no Deal, AFC Wimbledon getting their own TV Show and a whole host of songs about clubs from the Highland League to Sittingbourne. There were plenty of exclusives too, with the news clubs up and down the country could be about to be booted out of their leagues as their grounds failed to make the grade.

MARCH

March, saw the Vase march on, and with it we welcomed a new fan to the world of Non League, Texas Dave wanted a team to support and wanted you to suggest it! The Trophy got to the Semi Final stage and we had our first Royal visitor to the show, and to grassroots football.. Maidenhead United were going places (and hopefully still are!) Trouble in Bolton though, as Non League football took a massive hit. Find out more by listening to the shows below.

APRIL

With the season drawing in, every game mattered. We caught up with the Seadogs of Scarborough, met Del Deanus as he battled to save Edgware Town and celebrated titles with Dover and Kettering. Justin Edinburgh also popped in for a chat, and we brought the Ducks home, if only in song.

MAY

One month to go and clubs were going up and down all over the show. With the biggest names involved in the game, including Liam Daish on his Trophy adventure and Mark Goldberg on coming back to football. More woe for Halifax, and the restructuring of the leagues just left us scratching our heads. Listen to all of May's shows below