NON-LEAGUE football has something unique about it which you cannot find anywhere else.

The compact grounds, the pitch being at a touching distance – there is nothing not to love.

Due to events in recent years where larger clubs have become more like a business, many have turned to their local team to support.

Yes, it may not have the same quality that Premier League football offers, however, it is still a respectable level of football that you can go and enjoy.

But why is non-league football important to a community?

First of all, there is a sense of belonging if you are at a non-league club.

Even as a fan on the terraces, you would be much more involved than you would be at a Premier League club.

If you are a spectator at a Premier League game, you are considered to be just another person.

This is never the case at a non-league ground – you always feel a part of something.

Additionally, prices for things like tickets, food and drink are a fraction of the price of games higher up the football pyramid.

The revenue also goes to better use with the money made on a matchday going to the day-to-day running of the club which is extremely important for those who are just managing to stay afloat.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the vast majority of the lower leagues were made ‘null and void’ which had a catastrophic effect for the income of clubs.

As they were not playing, they had no revenue from matchdays coming in which put them in a bad situation financially.

Non-league clubs need money from matchdays to survive and without that, they are just about keeping their head above water.

That was why it was so important that fans returned at the beginning of the 2021/22 campaign.

Fans make a non-league club and without them, the clubs can barely survive.

These non-league sides are always looking for more supporters and they are on the lookout for volunteers.

So why don’t you get involved with your local side who are likely in need of support?

The excellent thing about non-league is that there is usually a club right on your doorstep that would love some extra support.

I have had personal experience with this.

I went to a Billericay Town match when they were occupants of the Vanarama National League South, and I started talking to one of the stewards.

They needed help on the media side of things so I began to help out by doing their match reports for The Non-League Paper.

Now, I do much more for the club including match previews for their website and articles in the matchday programme.

So why don’t you go down to your local non-league club?

It is a great way to get involved with the community and you could make such a difference by helping out at these clubs.

These non-league clubs are there for the community and they rely on volunteers, why don’t you join them?