NON-LEAGUE football fans are a special breed of people, often seen as the driving forces behind their favourite club.
You could head down to many local clubs on a Saturday afternoon and find a number of loyal, die hard fans who have their own special story to tell.
Non-League is often seen as ‘proper’ football without the glitz and glamour and where only the most committed of fans brave the terraces.
You could search through the Non-League game and find plenty of people who go that extra mile to support their team regardless of what league they’re in, who they’re playing or even where they’re playing.
And that’s why we’ll be honouring that one true supporter with the William Hill Fan of the Year award at our National Game Awards in association with Budweiser Club Futures.
Some fans go that extra mile not only for the benefit of their team but also for the good of the local community in which the club can play a big part.
And that’s part of the reason why Histon super fan Val Graves picked up the award last year. Graves has more or less done it all at the Stutes.
From driving the supporters’ minibus to away games, to selling programmes and 50-50 tickets, to providing food to the media suite – Graves has more than done her bit.
“I am chuffed,” said Val, after picking up her award. “I do it all because I’ve been brought up with the club.
“I’ve seen so much change, and players come and go. It’s just a great atmosphere here, and people that go always keep in touch or come back to see us.
“The club’s been going since 1904 and I don’t ever want to see the club fold. I just do what I do because I love it.”
They don’t do it for a pat on the back or for validation, but that’s where we come in. A pure love for their club is what fuels them to sacrifice their time for the greater good.
Fans are the lifeblood of a football club and that’s something that is thankfully still a main part of the Non-League game.
If you think you know a fan who deserves to be honoured at our bash at Fulham’s Craven Cottage on May 13, let us know in less than 150 words by emailing [email protected]!
