By Matt Badcock
Ever wonder how things could have turned out differently? If only a player had shot instead of passed or the referee had put his contact lenses in?
Every year has Sliding Doors moments that change the course of history. But wonder no more as we guide you through the alternative reality of 2017, where Lincoln City didn’t win the National League and Ryan Giggs took a Non-League manager’s job…
January
FA Vase favourites South Shields are knocked out by holders Morpeth in the fourth round. The clash of the Northern League heavyweights is temporarily plunged into darkness with 11 minutes to go and Morpeth 4-2 up. But the problem is quickly rectified and the ambitious Mariners are left to concentrate on their ultimate goal of winning promotion to Step 4.
There are rumours Southport’s infamous axe may be about to fall again, but the club issue a statement confirming Steve Burr will remain in charge until the end of the season.
Lincoln reach the FA Cup fifth round by beating Ipswich Town and Brighton & Hove Albion, while Sutton join them by dumping out Leeds United.
February
When Chris Brass is sacked by League One Bury, Salford City duo Anthony Johnson – a Bury fan – and Bernard Morley get their dream of managing full-time following four successive promotions. Class of 92 owners Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Ryan Giggs take over. Giggs says: “Just because we played at the highest level, doesn’t mean we’re too big to start really learning the craft of management in Non-League football.”
Sutton United take on Arsenal in the FA Cup. It’s a close game, but when keeper Ross Worner rolls his ankle, keeping coach Wayne Shaw – dubbed the roly-poly goalie by the national media – comes off the bench for the final ten minutes and saves an Alexis Sanchez penalty.
March
Lincoln’s remarkable FA Cup story rolls on. After beating Premier League Burnley 1-0 they are handed a dream trip to Arsenal. Theo Walcott’s shot at the end of the first half deflects into the grateful arms of keeper Paul Farman and they are level at the break.
Roared on by 9,000 fans, the Imps hold out in the second-half until the 90th-minute when Sean Raggett is the hero yet again with a booming header to send the Non-League side into the FA Cup semi-finals.
Arsene Wenger announces he’s to take up a director of football role at the club and signals the Gunners’ intention to sign Raggett in the summer.
April
The National League title race continues to come down to the wire. Tranmere Rovers moved to the top of the table after Lincoln were held 0-0 at Eastleigh. They bounce back with a win against Chester, but fall to two defeats over the Easter weekend. Trailing to Torquay on Good Friday, Harry Anderson has a great chance with four minutes remaining but he can’t get his shot on target. And Sam Habergham’s free-kick cannons back off the post.
On Easter Monday they travel to Gateshead where they are trailing 1-0 in the 90th-minute when a penalty shout is waved away by referee Peter Wright.
Tranmere win the title on the final day of the season with a 1-0 win at Maidstone and the Imps have to settle for the play-offs. Their remarkable FA Cup run comes to an end in front of 85,000 people at Wembley in the semi-finals. Sergio Aguero scores the only goal in a 1-0 win.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola runs onto the pitch at full-time to tell Alex Woodyard, in his true animated fashion, he’s the best midfielder he’s seen since Iniesta.
Southport survive comfortably as Steve Burr’s positive results continue, while York City beat the drop on the last day of the season at the expense of Guiseley, who would have survived with a late goal.
Darlington announce they will take part in the National League play-offs, should they get there, after their Blackwell Meadows home passes the ground grading for 500 covered seats. Poole get the green light in the South.
May
Play-off season: Lincoln bounce back from their title disappointment to reach the final against Forest Green Rovers. But they can’t make it three wins out of three against them in the season. Hopes are high for the next season, but they will have to do it without the Cowley brothers, who are off to the Championship to manage Leeds United.
In the National League North, Darlington beat Kidderminster in the semis and FC Halifax in the final as Martin Gray achieves yet another promotion at the club.
Chelmsford City win the South final – Ebbsfleet United are a goal behind and down to ten men and it proves a bridge too far for Daryl McMahon’s men, who can consider themselves unlucky not to go up automatically for the second year running.
Leyton Orient drop into Non-League football for the first time in their history. Hartlepool United survive by the skin of their teeth as Newport County can’t quite muster the last-gasp winner they need.
Dulwich Hamlet finally end their play-off hoodoo by beating Bognor Regis Town in the play-off final to reach the National League South. Sales of craft beer in south London rocket. York City win the FA Trophy and Morpeth retain the FA Vase.
June
The Football League show leadership and announce 3G pitches will be allowed in their competition from the 2018-19 season. It leads to a number of Non-League clubs committing to put down the surface ahead of the new season, including Newport County, who were faced with a £1m bill to fix their natural pitch issues.
July
It’s a good month for the goalscorers. Dave Tarpey joins Coventry City from Maidenhead, while defender-turned-striker Simon Ainge gets a shock move to the club where he started out, Bradford City. Takeover sorted, Leyton Orient appoint former player Daryl McMahon to the hot-seat. His departure from Ebbsfleet sees Liam Daish return as manager.
August
Orient and Lincoln?City get off to a flyer, Billericay Town owner-manager Glenn Tamplin sacks himself as boss following their opening-day defeat to Kingstonian and re-appoints Craig Edwards.
September
Kettering Town fans get welcome news when the council announce they’ve reversed plans to knock down their former Rockingham Road home. Chiefs see the benefit of having a club at the heart of its community and plans are swiftly put into place for a homecoming from Burton Latimer.
John Askey is appointed Chesterfield manager and Steve Watson steps up from his role as assistant to take charge of Macclesfield Town.
October
Neil Aspin leaves Gateshead for Port Vale. Rumours circulate the Heed would have appointed former Newcastle defender and new Macc boss Steve Watson, but instead opt for Blyth Spartans boss Alun Armstrong who has led his side to the top of the National League North.
York City are faring well following their survival last season and make their way into the play-off places.
November
After a slow start, Justin Edinburgh returns to manage Newport County and makes Kettering Town striker, and scorer of the Exiles’ promotion-sealing goal, Aaron O’Connor, his first signing. England C win the International Challenge Trophy in Slovakia thanks to Jake Gallagher’s goal.
December
Six Non-League clubs reach the FA Cup third round, leaving no one to question the strength of Non-League football this season.
*This article originally featured in The @NonLeaguePaper, which is available every Sunday
