TIM DALTON discovers the true power of football after Harrow Borough FC gave his disabled friend Michael a 50th birthday he will never forget
THE soul of football is not dead, it is hiding, and as with anything hidden, you can find it if you look in the right places.
Let me tell you about my long-time friend Michael. He has just turned 50 and lives in a care home in Harrow, northwest London. Michael loves heavy metal, wrestling and football and is one of the funniest, most irreverent people you will meet.
Michael is also disabled, he has very limited use of his legs, is registered blind and has learning difficulties.
One of Michael's releases is football, he listens to it on the radio and talks about it constantly. He grew up in Palmers Green and thus supports Tottenham but aside from having a weird obsession with Derby County he also supports and watches his local team, Harrow Borough, in the Isthmian League South Central.
Michael's 50th birthday was coming up so we all put our heads together to decide how we should celebrate it. One idea topped the bill - a day out at a Harrow Borough match, so I gave the club a ring.
It was about 5.15pm on a quiet Thursday and I was not expecting anyone to answer, but the call was answered directly by the chairman himself, Peter Rogers.
Denne historien er fra September 08, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
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Denne historien er fra September 08, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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I'M READY FOR A NEW PROJECT
LEAGUE One, League Two, National League John Coleman doesn't care. He just wants to manage a club with scope for 'doing an Accrington'.
BEARNE'S DOUBLE IS A PITMEN TRIUMPH
HEDNESFORD Town marched on as this tie was settled in the first 21 minutes with a glut of goals in favour of the Pitmen.
STAG-DO SPOILED BY LIAM DOUBLE
AFC Totton and Basingstoke played out an entertaining draw at The Snows Stadium.
FOALLE'S THERE AT DEATH TO STEA IT!
A GOAL with almost the last kick of the game from Jack Foalle saw Ashton's unbeaten start to the season go up in smoke at Hurst Cross after they had hit the post in each half.
TUDORS STAY TOP THANKS TO AJAYI!
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD TOWN secured a crucial victory over Slough Town that solidifies their position at the top of National League South.
MOLS ON ROLL AS NASH GO SECOND!
CURZON ASHTON moved up to second place after doing a job on former boss Adam Lakeland and his King's Lynn Town side at the Walks.
REAL DEAL HEED KEEP PILING ON THE POINTS
GATESHEAD scored early in each half to strengthen their position at the top of the table after they stretched their unbeaten start to the season to seven games.
JOSH JOY DELIGHTS DAGGERS BOSS BEN
JOSH UMERAH marked his first league start for Dagenham & Redbridge by grabbing the goal that ensured a share of the spoils at Maidenhead.
DOGGED DALE WILL NOT BE MOVED!
ROCHDALE cruised to victory with a superb first-half performance which settled the age-old debate as Dale's immovable defensive object blunted Aldershot's previously irresistible attacking force.
SPITFIRES BACK IN THE GROOVE
EASTLEIGH bounced back from their last-gasp defeat at Gateshead last weekend as they edged past lowly Tamworth in a lackluster affair at the Silverlake.
