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The Non League Show is back!

The BBC Non League Show is back and available to download via http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/podcasts/nonleague/

Remember if you've got a story let us know, and shout about your club on the radio, email nonleague@bbc.co.uk

(The BBC Non League Football Show is based at BBC London, but is all about Non League Football across the country, your BBC Local Radio Station may also provide great stories and radio on your local club)

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"I don't think the FA will ever be in a position to say, when a club gets into financial difficulty, we'll bail it out" that from Lord Triesman the Chairman of the Football Association this week, who told me he's "not keen on (The FA) becoming a banker of last resort".

Ok, so the country's governing football body can't, and perhaps shouldn't, provide the cash for clubs when the barrel has been scraped, but between you, me and the goalpost, who IS there to help?

We're just weeks away from another season which we should greet with a fanfare, pomp and ceremony, but I have to admit there's a little bit of me feeling like the first day of school, "whoa! Look at that big scary building and who's going to hold my hand?"

I know one such side at the moment, let's call them Tin Whistle FC - apologies to any team actually called that (great name by the way but any coincidence is just that). So, this Tin Whistle FC are just about to embark on a season where by all accounts they're trying to buy themselves out of their league, an entirely new squad, big money signings and an eye on the prize. Great if it happens, a disaster if it doesn't and the money men pull out leaving the club with massive debts to handle and that old cliché "just look what you could've won".

Lord Triesman rightly says that "there are arguments for strengthening the fit and proper persons test" and that "we need to feel a greater level of assurance in people in charge at clubs" but just how are we going to get to that stage?

I'm frightened by the huge impossible task THAT would be. Old Tin Whistle FC's situation is replicated up and down the country, and no one stands in the way because, well let's face it, we're all after that dream. Would you blame a fan for wanting promotion to the football league? Would you blame a fan for wanting the best team possible on the pitch? Would you blame a fan for seeing Abramovich as their ticket to the good times and welcoming him with open arms? The Russian leaves Chelsea and can you really imagine the Blues being allowed to fold? Mr local business man quits Tin Whistle FC and takes the ground with him.

Lord Triesman says: "It isn't just a bit of real estate..it's about running a football club". In Triesman The FA have a man who certainly understands what Non League means to the fans, but sadly I've got a feeling we have whole decade of destitute clubs on the way, before we're any closer to safeguarding grassroots clubs. Until that point I'm hoping the likes of TWFC keep a little back for a rainy day. You have been warned.

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Remember the BBC Non League Football Show is all about promoting your club, so the more news you tell us (nonleague@bbc.co.uk) the more you get people to subscribe (by linking to http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/london/nonleague/rss.xml) then the more free publicity for your club!

Here's your chance to beat the Premier League to a pulp once and for all, by getting the Non League Show to the top of the Itunes chart, in 4 easy steps!

Step 1: Insert an RSS link on your webpage to our RSS feed: http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/london/nonleague/rss.xml

Step 2: Attach a groovy Picture from the Non League Show <>

Step 3: Send us a link to your website to put up on our site

Step 4 Sit back and enjoy!

Posted: Wednesday, July 23, 2008

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mpbaz

"cant wait to play in the prem.."

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thanks BSP editor for putting us in the poll !!! hope you dont have to rub us out too soon.... MORE >>

By lutonphil on Fri, 19th March 10

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