Chelsea among Premier League giants backing Non-League Day
Premier League reigning champions Chelsea, as well as Liverpool and Everton are among the top flight football giants backing national Non-League Day this weekend.
With the big boys having a weekend off because of World Cup qualifying fixtures football lovers have a rare chance to sample the wonders of their local non-league club in the flesh.
The nationwide project that started in 2010 and has grown year-on-year, encourages fans of league clubs to experience the delights of small, unsung teams away from the 92 professional outfits across England.
England and Spurs striker Harry Kane, pictured with non-league Biggleswade United's shirt
Liverpool, five-time European Cup/Champions League winners, who are noted for the community schemes, are one of a number of Premier League teams throwing their support behind the worthy initiative.
They posted on their official club website read by millions: 'Show your support on Non-League Day.
'From the star strikers who are taxi drivers and promising goalkeepers who are trainee teachers, to the volunteers giving up their time to help keep clubs running, you can soak up, and support, the non-league experience on Saturday.
'So, why not head out to a match – with local suggestions listed above – and buy a programme, take a chance on a raffle ticket and grab a burger while enjoying the game?'
Neighbours Everton posted on their official Twitter account to their 1.34 million followers: 'No game on Saturday - but plenty of local teams are in action. Get involved in #Non-League Day'.
While Chelsea encouraged the initiative by interviewing the cousin of the much-missed Arsenal icon David Rocastle, Craig, who started out in non-league football.
There are hundreds of club to choose to visit on Non-League Day including Hitchin Town who play in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier League.
The Canaries of North Herts - whose forebears took part in the first-ever FA Cup competition in 1871-72, losing to eventual finalists Royal Engineers and were the first team to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge - will be hosting Stratford Town.
Their evocative, tree-fringed home of Top Field - that was saved from being turned into a supermarket after a campaign was supported by the town and the wider football community - is one to savour with its wooden terraces and homely feel.
Hitchin Town's Top Field, opposite Butts Close, where Henry VIII reputedly played archery
Long-serving secretary and Canaries club stalwart Roy Izzard told the Hitchin Comet: 'Non-League day gives football fans across our area and the country the chance to show support for their local non-league club.'
Well-respected Sky Sports broadcaster Guillem Balague is also backing non-league football. The La Liga expert is also director of football at Biggleswade United and always packs a shirt on his travels for when he meets well-known players so he can grab a snap with them holding the top.
He even persuaded England and Spurs star striker Harry Kane to promote the club by being pictured with red jersey.
Click here for more on Non-League Day.