The Non-League Paper

09/09/2026

🗣️ “I have no problem with other clubs being ambitious but they are only as good as their owners.

“If something happens with them, as we have seen before, the club and the fans suffer.

“We were trying to ensure we never get in that position.

“We over-reached a little at Step 3 maybe and had to put the long-term safety above the league position for a year.

“The way we did it was fundamentally the best way and not many people do that.

“I’ll never accept what we did was against sporting integrity.

“We have started to become the club we want to become. The shackles are off and we are in a positive place...

🔥 💪 Spencer Owen insists Hashtag United FC will in time return to Step 3 strong and in a more positive place after making a blistering start to the season.

✍️ Matthew Nash

09/09/2026

ICYMI 👀

🏆 The FA Cup second qualifying round draw was made on Monday, with 80 ties set to take place across the weekend of Saturday 19 September.

Clubs from across the National League System are now one step closer to the first round proper, with the second qualifying round bringing a fresh batch of intriguing ties.

The draw follows an action-packed first qualifying round which produced several notable results, including AFC Greenwich Borough’s remarkable 4-3 comeback victory over Sittingbourne in their debut campaign.

The ninth-tier side recovered from 3-1 down before Stefan Payne struck the winner in the 91st minute to send Greenwich through.

There was also a memorable day for fellow ninth-tier debutants SE Dons, who beat Erith Town 2-0, while Snodland Town knocked out higher-ranked Margate with a 3-1 victory.

Bury were among the biggest winners of the round, hammering Wythenshawe 8-0 while Cambridge City thrashed Maldon & Tiptree 6-1...

🤔 Which clash are you most looking forward to? Let us know 👇

08/09/2026

✍️ 🔴⚪️ Worthing FC boss Adam Hinshelwood has strengthened his squad with a triple signing, bringing in forwards Jordan Young and Charley Kendall as well as defender Charlie Waller.

Kendall arrives for an undisclosed fee after a spell with Southend United, where he played a key role in the Shrimpers’ FA Trophy triumph last season.

The 25-year-old striker scored twice in the semi-final victory over Southport before featuring in the Wembley final win over Wealdstone.

Kendall has now made the move to Sussex as Hinshelwood continues to add The National League experience to his squad.

He is one of three new additions at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium, with Young joining permanently, also for an undisclosed fee, from Torquay United and Waller arriving on a three-month loan from League One side Milton Keynes Dons...

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08/09/2026

Eastleigh’s head groundsman George Sheath has earned plaudits worldwide – after going viral with his unique pitch design.
https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/non-league-paper/623547/pitch-pride-gets-george-mow-tivated/

08/09/2026

🚀 From Boreham Wood Football Club to the Premier League.

🪵 🌟 Iliman Ndiaye and Sorba Thomas are two of the biggest success stories to emerge from Boreham Wood’s PASE Academy – and both have taken very different routes to the top.

Now, with Ndiaye joining Manchester City in a £65m move and Thomas landing his Premier League dream with Hull City, academy head coach Cameron Mawer reflects on the journeys that started on the astro at Boreham Wood.

Both players faced setbacks along the way, but their determination, resilience and sheer love of football set them apart from the rest.

Mawer reveals the stories behind their rise, from Thomas’ struggles after leaving West Ham to Ndiaye’s unwavering belief that he would become a professional footballer...

✍️ Full feature by Matt Badcock

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08/09/2026

FRANCIS DUKU: The Abdul Abdulmalik transfer to Swedish club Djurgardens turned out to be a long-drawn affair – and that’s perfectly understandable.

The Abdul Abdulmalik transfer to Swedish club Djurgardens turned out to be a long-drawn affair – and that’s perfectly understandable.

08/09/2026

Boreham Wood boss Luke Garrard says it was a “no-brainer” to bring goalkeeper Ted Curd back to Meadow Park.
https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/non-league-paper/623873/wood-boss-is-buoyed-by-curd-return/

08/09/2026

Groundhopper Tony Morehead may be retired but he has a full-time job watching football – an incredible 550 times during last season!
https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/non-league-paper/623717/550-games-a-season-tonys-on-a-mission/

08/09/2026

Juggling an Etihad education with Aggborough experience, Jack Wint is looking every bit a million dollars.
https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/non-league-paper/623885/kiddy-kid-has-pathway-to-success/

08/09/2026

Macclesfield ace Danny Elliott says getting back to making an instant impact for his team has made the gruelling months of rehab worth it.
https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/non-league-paper/623879/dannys-feeling-smooth-as-silk/