Our club reporter Rob Bird takes a look into state of football and some it's history. Have you say and comment below. Read Rob's articles exclusively in our matchday magazine.
You, I and everyone else involved with this football club shares a love and passion for Frome Town. Leaving the comfort of your sofa to go and support the team in the blistering cold under the blanket of night is a staple of the English game, and one that shouldn’t be forgotten.
Football hasn’t always been a game that’s supported however, after the First World War football acted as a vehicle for social and communal rehabilitation, after violence tore through the nation. Since then sport as a whole has become greatly appreciated as a method of bringing peace and development to suffering countries.
It doesn’t take a genius to see how far football has come, with elite players now worth hundreds of millions and football the biggest sport on the planet, on paper all looks to be going well, but is all progression good?
During the 19th century football was loved among working men predominantly, with games commencing even during working hours between neighbouring factories in places like London and Birmingham, games which could be deemed as somewhat brutal, broken legs and arms a common occurrence.
So it seems somewhat sad when you see England captain and newly awarded MBE Harry Kane diving to the ground against Wolves, under no contact at all. This shouldn’t be confused as me condemning the violence of early 19th century football, but it seems a huge dent in the DNA.
The same can be said with fan attendance, using Manchester City’s Etihad stadium as an example, for a team which is ‘playing the best football the EPL has ever seen’, not reaching maximum capacity is an insult to the game. Looking back in history, nothing would stop locals from supporting their teams, even considering the standard was nothing like it is now. Is there really an excuse?
Today non-league football offers a unique experience, a game much more alike the old times, 11 men giving it their all for the love of the team. That’s what it’s all about, right?
ROB BIRD Frome Town Journalist
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