by Phil Brennan
During lockdown and the suspension of the majority of non-league football, I spent my spare time looking through my vast collection of photographs of football grounds, matches and people at games with a view to putting together another collection to share with fans.
Once again I am indebted to the army of non-league supporters that have allowed me to use their photographs in putting this book together.
This is a reflection of a day out at a non-league game.
From going through the turnstile, to getting a brew and a pie, to taking up your place in the ground, on the terrace or in the stand.
It’s not just a day out for the fans as there are press and media people at most every game, and staff and players taking part.
There are games played at night, in indifferent weather and of course sometimes games get called off because of severe weather.
As with our other non-league books we pay a visit to some of those grounds that are sadly ‘Gone but not forgotten’ as well as showcasing some former non-league clubs that are now plying their trade in The Football League.
I’m a journalist, author, and editor with a passion for football, storytelling, and creative writing. From working with clubs like Stockport County and Oldham Athletic to writing and editing books on football and beyond, I’ve spent over a decade immersed in media, sport, and the written word. Whether it's matchday reporting, children’s books, or spoken word poetry, my work is all about capturing the stories that connect us.
I’m a journalist, author, editor, and lifelong football enthusiast with a career rooted in storytelling and media. My journey began with roles at the heart of the game, as Press Officer and Media Manager at Stockport County Football Club, and later as Contributing Editor at TheNonLeague Magazine. Initially a regional publication for non-league supporters in the North West, TheNonLeague Magazine expanded into a national platform under my editorial leadership. I played a key role in its growth by securing advertising and sponsorship deals with major companies, helping to bring grassroots football coverage to a wider audience. In 2013, I published my first book, The Man from Uruguay, the biography of Danny Bergara. Its success allowed me to transition into full-time freelance journalism. Since then, I’ve contributed weekly football content, primarily non-league coverage, for newspapers, websites, and magazines across the UK. I’ve also worked directly with clubs, including a spell at Oldham Athletic FC, where I helped rebuild their social media and website presence during a period of internal restructuring. Alongside journalism, I’ve authored a range of children’s books in collaboration with illustrators Rob Purdon, Ric Pennington, and James Richardson. These titles include The Scarf, Football Alphabet, Cricket Alphabet, Football Football Football, Stay at Gnome – A Lockdown Tale, Tangerine Dream, and Granny’s Galactic Garden. As an editor, I’ve worked on several notable football titles, including the Non-League Groundhopper Diaries series and LOST – Football in the 1980s. My writing also extends into poetry, a creative outlet since my schooldays. I’ve written personal poems for family milestones and, more recently, have embraced performing my work at spoken word events, sharing pieces from my collections The Transient Curmudgeon and The Transient Mancunian. Whether through sport, storytelling, or verse, my work continues to explore the spaces where community, culture, and creativity intersect.
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