NOTTS SENIOR LEAGUE GROUNDHOP ADVANCED TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE

NOTTS SENIOR LEAGUE FOOTBALL GROUNDHOP 2013/14

The Notts Senior League will host the Annual Football Bonanza Groundhop in April 2014, with fans flocking from all over the World and Advanced Tickets have gone on sale.

Having been hosted by numerous leagues in the past, the Football Groundhop has a proud and famous history of providing non-league football fans from all over the globe with a unique and well-organised experience.

This year’s Groundhop will feature five games between clubs from the Precision Notts Senior League over two days from Friday the 11th of April to Saturday the 12th.

Rob Hornby, the man behind the event’s thorough organisation, knows only too well the prestige and history behind it: “Bonanzas, or as the fans sometimes like to call them, groundhops, began in the Northern League in 1990. Since then, the Devon League, the South West League and others all around the country have hosted their own event.

“It has gathered quite a bit of a following over the years. I have organised  nine years for the Central Midlands Football League and last seasons Notts Senior League was a massive success and it’s an extremely fulfilling experience.”

Perhaps the biggest aspect of participating for the clubs is the potential revenue. Advance tickets to see all five games and get all 5 programmes can be booked for £15, with proceeds being split between the clubs.

The event also has a far-reaching appeal, boosting a club’s publicity above and beyond the British Isles.

“Home clubs make quite a bit of money,” says Hornby. ”All clubs make a bit as well through Advanced Ticket sales. So even if someone is only going to do 3 or 4 of the games, it is well worth buying a Advanced Ticket, so each club gets a fair cut.

“Through advertising the event, it is well-known worldwide. It puts the clubs on the map and brings football fans to clubs that they wouldnt usually come and see.  we have far from as far as Sweden & Germany as well as from all over the UK buy the Advanced Tickets, as well as those who pay on the day.

“Clubs will make money through food and refreshments and the ticket sales on the day. The money non-league clubs can generate benefit them massively in terms of helping to run the club as costs can often be more than expected.”

There will be a different choice of food at each ground, all costing under the £2.50 mark and each club will have its own stall with old shirts, programmes and club Badges etc on sale.

On the Saturday, the coach has been  booked to ferry the fans to four separate games in a bid to cover as many grounds in the area as possible. 

First on the list will be Wollaton FC’s 10:10 game against Beeston AFC at their Wollaton Road Ground, then we head to Elms Park for a 12.50pm kick off, where hosts Ruddington Village FC entertain Boots Athletic FC

Next up, it is off to Platt Lane, the home of Keyworth United who face Sandhurst FC with a 3.40pm kick off, with the Groundhop coming to a close as West Bridgford FC play Bingham Town FC on their Regatta Way Ground.

The event will kick-off at 7.45pm on the Friday Evening however, at the Welfare Ground, as Cotgrave FC take on Burton Joyce FC. 

Hornby’s sentiment on the revenue generated through the Football Groundhop undeniably rings true.

The Notts Senior League Committee are fully aware of how important the groundhop is and how the clubs will welcome the financial boost with open arms:
 “It’s a costly venture, running a football club. Any sort of extra money they can get into the club is more than welcome.

“This is where the Football Groundhop comes in. It represents both a short-term and long-term financial boost for the clubs involved. It’s a great experience for the fans as well. Rob has been running these kinds of events for years now and he ensures that everyone has a great time, no matter where they’ve come from. It also puts the clubs along with the Notts Senior League on the Map not just in this Country”

But where exactly do the fans come from? You’d certainly be forgiven for assuming that flocks of Nottinghamshire’s non-league supporters will provide the bulk of the attendance, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.

In fact, the term “worldwide” would be more than apt to describe the event, it seems.

People do book from places like Swedan, Holland, we have even had a Australian and his wife from Japan come as well, Rob believes it’s the offer of good entertainment at cheap prices.

“You can get tickets for all the games for £15 which includes all the 5 programmes as well and travel on the coach oin the Saturday round the grounds to the matches for £15 but the seats do get booked up very quickly” says Hornby. “Factor in food prices and travel and it’s a fun-packed day for a relative pittance.”

“You won’t see the bigger clubs doing stuff like this, so to get really involved and immersed in the game it’s great to see clubs at the lower level taking part. It’s such a unique experience and I’d really recommend it.”

For more information or a booking form 

  please e-mail hornby60uk@yahoo.co.uk or
phone Rob Hornby on 01623 486678  / 07973517603.