The appeal of Non-League Day has spread far and wide over the past 15 years since James Doe, inspired by his pre-season visit to Tavistock AFC, decided to set up the day as a social media experiment to encourage others to give the non-League game a try.
It has even reached the shores of Spain where LaLiga giants, Athletic Bilbao, are preparing for a third edition of their own Euskal Non-League Day over the coming weekend.
“Non-League Day is an initiative that connects directly with Athletic Club’s identity,” said a club spokesperson. “Besides playing a crucial role in local communities, grassroots football is a fundamental part of the club’s youth development strategy and Athletic has affiliate agreements with close to 170 clubs across the Basque Country.
“We are the only side in LaLiga that organises such an event with the purpose of celebrating non-professional football and encouraging attendance at local grounds during the March international break.”
Athletic Bilbao, who are eight-time LaLiga winners, have also got involved in the UK version of Non-League Day by collaborating with six clubs from the non-League game who share their famous red and white stripes, two of which are members of the Southern League.
Both Bromsgrove Sporting of the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central and Pitching In Southern League Division One South high-flyers, Evesham United, have received Athletic Bilbao shirts to raffle off in order to raise funds for their chosen charities and there will also be other cross-club initiatives.
“Athletic Bilbao reached out to us and we were only too happy to get involved,” said Max Banner, Bromsgrove Sporting’s Media Officer. “They wanted to do something to mark Non-League Day that was linked to the heritage of their red and white stripes and so the idea was born.
“Six clubs are collaborating on this; as well as ourselves and Evesham United, there’s also Altrincham, Sheppey United, Steyning Town and Witton Albion. It’s really exciting and unique and has created plenty of interest.
“We’ve used it to promote our own events that will be taking place at Saturday’s game and we’re discussing ways in which we can also develop things further.”
For their home encounter with Banbury United, Sporting are offering 50% off admission prices for 2024/25 season ticket holders of all FA Premier League and EFL clubs as well as various offers on drinks in the Clubhouse. They will also be raffling off the Athletic Bilbao shirts, with monies raised going to their chosen charity for the season, St. Basils, an organisation that helps young people who are homeless and vulnerable.
Meanwhile at nearby Evesham United, they too are offering 50% reduced rate admission to any professional club 2024/25 season ticket holders. They also have a Race Night after the game, commencing at 6pm with free admission to all who attend the afternoon’s game.
They too will raffle off their Athletic Bilbao shirts for the benefit of local good causes.
Athletic Bilbao is known for its unique policy of only fielding players who were born or raised in the Basque Country or have Basque ancestry.
Their distinctive red and white stripes are iconic in Spain and have been the clubs chosen colours since 1910 when Juan Elorduy, on a trip to England, was tasked with bringing back new kit.
The club, formed by British migrant workers, had previously turned out in kit purchased from Blackburn Rovers, which was blue and white, but when Elorduy was unable to purchase new kit in the same colour scheme, he turned to the local football club of where he was based, which happened to be Southampton FC, and he was able to buy kit from them, red and white striped shirts with black shorts and socks. These colours have become synonymous with the club.
It’s fantastic that Athletic Bilbao have got involved in this way both here in the UK and closer to home.
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