WE'RE AT A WHOLE NEW LEVEL
The Non-League Football Paper|April 02, 2023
WHEN one of NonLeague football’s biggest success stories champions the standard of the English game below the Football League, you tend to take note.
Tony INCENZO
WE'RE AT A WHOLE NEW LEVEL

Starting his playing career in the Isthmian League with Southall and Hayes in the 1980’s, Les Ferdinand MBE famously went on to attain Premier League stardom with Queens Park Rangers, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Leicester City and Bolton Wanderers as well as winning 17 full England caps.

Now, in his current role as QPR’s Director of Football, Ferdinand still keeps a very keen eye on developments below the EFL where a seismic battle for the National League title has ensued.

Both Wrexham and Notts County are on track to achieve 100+ point seasons having already netted a century of goals. Steeped in history, both of these famous clubs are clearly geared for an emotional return to the Football League but only one can do so automatically while the other will be forced to lick their wounds of missing out on top spot and negotiate their way through the ‘lottery’ of the play-offs.

Arguments for an extra promotion place have fallen on deaf ears in recent years but have resurfaced this season as part of the EFL’s contribution to the game’s financial reset, as demanded by chairman Rick Parry.

I caught up with ‘Sir Les’ for an in-depth chat this week and he was clearly in support of the plan.

“If leading National League clubs are capable of coping in League Two, why shouldn’t it be three teams going up and down,” the 56-year-old said.

“If you look at other EFL divisions, three sides get promoted so why isn’t that the case for the National League as well?

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL PAPERView all
CRAIG'S BOOSTS
The Non-League Football Paper

CRAIG'S BOOSTS

MANAGERIAL stalwart Craig Edwards is back in charge of Barking – 23 years after he left!

time-read
2 mins  |
November 10, 2024
LENNIE GETS THE LOVE
The Non-League Football Paper

LENNIE GETS THE LOVE

VETERAN caretaker chief Lennie Lawrence says he is “excited” to be handed the reins at Hartlepool United permanently – just a few weeks before his 77th birthday!

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024
MOTORS FEELS LIKE HOLMES!
The Non-League Football Paper

MOTORS FEELS LIKE HOLMES!

WHEN he was younger, Danny Holmes played video games that simulated being a football manager.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 10, 2024
REES HITS FAB FOUR AS TOWN ROMP IT
The Non-League Football Paper

REES HITS FAB FOUR AS TOWN ROMP IT

RICARDO REES struck four times to help Merthyr Town maintain their spot at the top of the table with a dominant home win against play-off chasing Havant & Waterlooville.

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024
DULWICH DISPLAY DELIGHTS COACHES
The Non-League Football Paper

DULWICH DISPLAY DELIGHTS COACHES

GOALS from Danny Mills, Luke Wanadio and Lorenzo’s stoppage-time finish fired Dulwich Hamlet to a comfortable win over fellow play-off hopefuls Potters Bar Town, though the scoreline doesn’t tell the full story.

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024
ANCHORS A RAPID
The Non-League Football Paper

ANCHORS A RAPID

ASHTON UNITED hit two goals in two minutes to come from behind to win at Stockton Town.

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024
SEAGULLS KEEP THE HEAT ON ROMANS
The Non-League Football Paper

SEAGULLS KEEP THE HEAT ON ROMANS

BATH City were made to pay for their mistakes by high-flying Weston-super-Mare.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 10, 2024
CLINICAL COLEMAN KEEN AS MUSTARD
The Non-League Football Paper

CLINICAL COLEMAN KEEN AS MUSTARD

CIAN COLEMAN’S hat-trick lifted Buxton to their highest league position of the season as they became the latest side to frustrate Scunthorpe.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 10, 2024
KEV SEES RED IN REE PANT!
The Non-League Football Paper

KEV SEES RED IN REE PANT!

SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher hit out at referee Abigail Byrne following his side’s defeat to Yeovil Town at Roots Hall.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 10, 2024
MARVEL MATTY DENIES MOORS
The Non-League Football Paper

MARVEL MATTY DENIES MOORS

BOTH managers insisted their teams deserved more after Altrincham came from behind to steal a point in a six-goal thriller at Solihull Moors.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 10, 2024