Potton United won 4-1 over Aylesbury Vale Dynamos at the Hutchinson Hollow yesterday, in their final match of the 23/24 season. This put them 9th in the Spartan South Midlands league table, with Aylesbury following close behind in 11th place.

In a fruitful season for Potton, they have scored 73 goals (Source: The FA) and had many memorable games, notably defeating local rivals Biggleswade United 0-2 away in March earlier this year.

With an impressive result, this final match was an excellent way to close the season, providing the well-loved informal style of non-league football that is the beating heart of the beautiful game. Spectators were even lucky enough to be joined by the sun for much of the game.

Grassroots football matches like this one are so important to not only local communities but football as a whole: its what the culture is built on, and a remnant of its organic beginnings. Going down to the local, a pint and some half-time chips, 50/50 ticket in hand, cheering on the lads while they argue with the referee and break each other’s legs. It’s a small pocket of community in a world where community is rapidly being replaced with automation.

As much as the glitz and glamour of top-level football attracts the attention of wider society, non-league football must not be discounted. It’s engaging, its shabby, and its humble. Watching elite athletes play football on the big screen is enthralling in its own right, but the irrefutable charm of non-league is just as attractive.

Even the smaller teams in the EFL can’t compare: there’s just nothing like 50 blokes, 20 children, 30 women and 2 dogs turning out to stand at pitch side in whatever weather is thrown at them for the full 90 minutes, just for the love of the game. Theres nothing like the retired man who bartends in the clubhouse, or the joiner who swaps his tools for basket deep fryers on a Saturday to churn out the crispiest chunky chips you will ever eat to all who showed up.

Not only is it the birthplace of footballing culture, but its essential to the sport’s continued survival. Non-league teams make football accessible to all: they’re cheap, usually totally wheelchair accessible, and most importantly they’re approachable.

For new fans, bigger teams feel intimidating, and the fierce allegiances fans have to their clubs is frightening. There’s so much one has to know about club histories, rivalries, players and managers, that it’s no wonder it’s so easy to feel like an outsider, particularly if you’re new to football.

At grassroots level, this disappears. To walk into a ground knowing nothing might still take a lot, but expectations are nonexistent. The clubs are just happy to get more funding from your support, and the fans are there to shout at the referee and have a laugh. New fans have a chance to enjoy the match without fear, and fall in love with the beautiful game.