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10 must visit non-league football grounds in 2024

Written by Will Murray
Last Update: October 15, 2024
Published on

During the international breaks across the 2024/25 season, fans across the UK will be struggling to find their football fix. A solution is to spend your Saturday afternoon sampling some non-league football and supporting your local club.

10 must visit non-league football grounds in 2024

The depth of the English football pyramid is extensive, and fans are spoilt for choice for potential ground visits in the UK. So much so, you might need some help picking a destination. Here are ten must visit non-league football grounds we suggest you should try in 2024 from The Old Spotted Dog Ground to The Dripping Pan.

Broadhurst Park – Home of FC United of Manchester

Located in the north of Manchester, Broadhurst Park is the home of the supporter-owned FC United of Manchester. Opened in 2015, the ground was the first to be built and funded by a club owned by supporters.

The 4,400-capacity has four covered stands and can be easily accessed by Manchester’s tram network.

Community is central to FC United of Manchester’s identity after the club was formed in the wake of Malcolm Glazer’s takeover of Manchester United by disillusioned supporters. Fundraising events are common, and the ground is used as a community facility for local sporting activities.

For fans unable to get tickets at Old Trafford or for Manchester City matches, Broadhurst Park is where supporters are welcomed with open arms at a fan-owned club that looks to better the Manchester community through the power of football.

Rossett Park – Home of Marine AFC

If you’re looking for alternative destinations in the northwest of England, then look no further than Rossett Park, the home of Marine AFC.

The ground gained mainstream coverage in 2021 when the Merseyside outfit reached the FA Cup Third Round and faced Tottenham Hotspur at home.

Rossett Park is built within the middle of a housing estate and has one side of the ground that has a net covering the houses.

Marine AFC only have three stands at their ground. On the other side which has netting covering the houses, they attach the house number to the net – so the ball boys know which house to go knock on and retrieve the ball.

Brilliant 👏 pic.twitter.com/OWHd2nMFgn

— Football Away Days (@FBAwayDays) February 7, 2020

Before the cup tie with Tottenham, a lot of noise was made around the fact that house numbers are attached to the net, so that when the ball goes over it, ballboys can locate the house number to retrieve the ball.

Another fun fact about the ground is that in 1949, Marine played a touring Nigeria side, which saw over 4,000 people attend.

Marine currently play in the Northern Premier League, which is step three in the non-league pyramid. If you’re looking to watch a good standard of non-league football at a tight, intimate, and old-fashioned-style stadium, Rossett Park should be your choice of destination.

The Old Spotted Dog Ground – Clapton CFC

This ground opened in 1888, making it the oldest in London. It has held West Ham, Tottenham Hotspur, and Ajax matches in the past, including in 1966, when the Hammers’ World Cup winners played the first game under floodlights at the ground. It was even used as an anti-aircraft station during the Second World War.

Clapton FC and Hackney Wick FC were the main tenants of the ground until 2019, however, a lease issue over unpaid rent meant both clubs were swiftly ejected shortly after.

Clapton Community Football Club have now taken ownership of the stadium, hosting men’s and women’s league matches. The club is 100% fan-owned, and redevelopment works on the ground started in April 2023, which will be operated by the Old Spotted Dog Ground Trust, who work with Clapton CFC.

The stadium is easily accessible by London transport, with six stations, on eight different lines, within a 20-minute walking distance of the famous old ground.

Gigg Lane – Home of Bury FC

The financial troubles of Bury FC were well documented in 2019, resulting in the club’s expulsion from the EFL. This meant that the club were unable to play their matches at Gigg Lane, leading to speculation that the League Two match against Port Vale on May 4, 2019, was the last match that would be ever played at the stadium.

However, as a result of the hard work of Bury supporters, a merger with Bury A.F.C. led to the club playing again at the ground once again in 2023 after four years away.

The club now play in the North West Counties League, which is the fifth step of non-league football, and sit top of the league.

Given the struggle from Bury supporters to get the club playing back at Gigg Lane, the stadium is the perfect venue for groundhoppers looking to take in what has now become a precious commodity in the English footballing community.

The Home of Football Stadium – Home of Sheffield FC

Sheffield FC are the oldest club in world football, founded on October 24, 1857. They are clearly proud of this history, aptly naming their current stadium ‘The Home of Football’. The ground has two covered stands with a capacity of just over 2,000, as well as the Coach & Horses pub, which is adjacent to the ground.

If you find yourself near this stadium, then it is a must visit given the club’s historical significance. Sheffield FC have also announced plans to move into a new 5,000-seater stadium in time for the 2025/26 season. They have played at the ‘Home of Football Stadium’ since 2001, however, it is based in Dronfield, Derbyshire.

The new stadium would see Sheffield FC return to their home city, while also accommodating the Sheffield Eagles rugby league club.

Sheffield FC currently play in the Northern Premier League Division One East, sitting 20th in the table.

War Memorial Ground – Home of Stourbridge FC

Next up is the War Memorial Ground, home of the Southern League Premier Division Central side, Stourbridge FC. Located near Birmingham, Stourbridge have played their home matches at the War Memorial Ground since 1888.

The main stand sits alongside the cricket pavilion, covering two-thirds of the length of that side of the ground. There is also an old-fashioned-style terrace located behind one goal, which has been in place since before the Second World War.

Redevelopment and relocation plans have not come to fruition yet, meaning the stadium has maintained its ancient feel.

The Glassboys have reached the first round of the FA Cup numerous times over the last 15 years and are looking to gain promotion into step two of non-league football this season.

Wellesley Recreation Ground – Home of Great Yarmouth Town

Another ground steeped in history is the Wellesley Recreation Ground in Great Yarmouth. Built in the summer of 1892, the main stand was recognised by English heritage as the oldest football stand in England. In 2000, the historic main stand was even awarded Grade II listed building status.

On the opposite side of the ground is the less attractive covered benching, which means the capacity of the stadium stands at around 1,000. It is also worth noting that the pitch is surrounded by an all-weather athletics track.

Great Yarmouth currently play in the Eastern Counties Division One North, however, the main attraction is the historic 19th century grandstand. If you are ever in the Norfolk area, this ground is another must-visit.

Queen Elizabeth II Stadium – Home of Enfield Town

The cylindrical café building located in the main stand is a unique feature of the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium. There are covered seating areas on the other three sides of the ground, albeit they are a lot smaller and less raised than the seating in the main stand. As well as this, the outside of the pitch is covered by a running track.

Queen Elizabeth II Stadium opened in 1953 and is another Grade II-listed building. It was named after Queen Elizabeth in 1977, as she received her Silver Jubilee. The venue has been used as a training facility for high-profile British athletes in the past, such as Sebastian Coe and Daley Thompson.

Enfield Town have played at the stadium since 2011 and currently play in the Isthmian League Premier Division. If you’re looking to find non-league matches to watch in London, Queen Elizabeth II Stadium should be at the top of your list.

Dripping Pan – Home of Lewes FC

Unique in name and design, Dripping Pan is the home of Lewes FC. Steep sides and grass banks cover the outside of the pitch, which can be explained by the fact that the ground used to be an excavation pit.

There are terraces behind each goal, including the Philcox Terrace, which provides views of the South Downs. However, the clubhouse located next to this terrace obscures the view of the corner flag. Lewes FC’s solution to this was the installation of beach in the corner for fans to watch the game.

The Rookery Stand was recently built in 2007, but the stadium still has an old-school feel as it has been in use since 1885.

Lewes FC play at step three of non-league in the Isthmian League Premier Division, while the women’s team play in the Women’s Championship. Last season, they reached the quarter-finals of the Women’s FA Cup, losing 3-1 to Manchester United at Dripping Pan.

Silverlands – Home of Buxton FC

Located in the peak district, Buxton are the home of the highest football ground above sea level in England, standing at 310 metres (1,020 feet) above sea level.

The ground has been the home of Buxton since November 1, 1884, when they played a Derbyshire Cup match against Bakewell.

Around 5,200 fans can be held inside the stadium, including a 500-seater main stand, and the Scratching Shed and the Railway End Terrace.

The surrounding Buxton area is full of local shops, pubs, restaurants, and parks, making it the perfect destination for travelling non-league supporters.

Buxton are currently mid-table in the National League North and have ambitions of playing in the EFL one day.

Avatar of Will Murray

Will Murray

Freelance football journalist. Experience writing for When Saturday, Comes, Goalkeeper.com, Elite Scholars and Total Football Analysis. Recently finished an MA in Sport Journalism at the University of Brighton. Long-time season ticket holder at the two-time European Champions Nottingham Forest.

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