The smell of pies, the crunching tackles and pints on the terraces... why you should try semi-pro football on Non-League Day
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The smell of fresh-baked steak pies. The sound of a crunching tackle yards in front of you. The crisp taste of a pint of lager on the terrace.
These are just some of the reasons why I love non-league football - and why you should get out and try your local football team today, on national Non-League Day.
For the seventh consecutive year, semi-professional clubs up and down the country are opening their doors to newcomers with special offers and charitable initiatives.
For me, non-league football is my life. My dad is manager of Curzon Ashton in the National League North and he has been in charge of clubs in the lower echelons of the football pyramid ever since I can remember.
(Image: Daily Mirror)
(Image: Handout)
I've grown up on the terraces and found myself travelling everywhere from Workington to Poole for football.
Plenty of people ask me why I do it, but it's tough to put it down to one thing.
It's the warm welcome as you walk through the turnstile and purchase your ticket for the meat raffle.
It's the characters you come across, whether it be Doris in the tea hut serving cuppas as a volunteer for the 45th consecutive year or Harry in the boardroom, the club founder still dreaming of that money-spinning run to the FA Cup first round.
(Image: Harry Taylor)
(Image: PA)
It's getting a lift to an away game with a director. It's standing where you want in the ground. It's listening to every eff and jeff that is bellowed from the dugouts.
And beyond all that, the actual football, competed between a mix of seasoned ex-professionals and local talent, is a far cry from the Sunday league hoofball that many expect.
(Image: Alistair Lockyer/Wikipedia)
(Image: Getty Images)
So please, if you're free this weekend, just go and give it a go. It's not that expensive.
It might not be for everyone, but there are dedicated volunteers at every single club who deserve your support.
And you never know... you might just like it.