James founded Non-League Day in 2010. He hails from Shepherd's Bush in London.
He supports QPR and is a follower of Isthmian League club Harrow Borough. He also runs The London Football Guide blog which is published on a weekly basis. Having spent 10 years at the BBC Sport and 606 websites he now works for South West Trains at London Waterloo.
Martin Tyler is one of the most revered and recognised commentators in world football, with a career in the media spanning over forty years.
In addition to covering several World Cups and European Championships, he has been the voice of the English Premier League since its inception in 1992.
Martin’s love of and involvement with the non-league game started in childhood following his local side, Woking FC. He played football semi-professionally for Corinthian Casuals in the 1970s and is still involved in the game as Assistant Manager at Hampton & Richmond Borough of the National League South Division, having previously been first team coach at Walton & Hersham and Kingstonian.
Martin’s love of and continued involvement with the semi-professional and amateur game make him a perfect ambassador for Non-League Day.
In Martin’s words: “Non–League Day is a chance to celebrate the 40,000 semi-professional and amateur clubs in the UK and I am honoured to help fly the flag”.
Mike grew up in the West Midlands supporting Kidderminster Harriers. Having spent five years as committee member and Community Manager with Isthmian League side Wingate & Finchley, he has gained a good insight into the workings of non-league football and speaks at national workshops and conferences.
When not working as a Project Manager, Mike enjoys writing about football culture and contributes to respected publications such as Two Hundred Percent, The Ball Is Round and When Saturday Comes. His latest book project, “100 British Football Grounds To Visit Before You Die” is scheduled for release in early 2017.
Mike joined Non-League Day in 2010, after meeting James Doe on BBC Radio’s The Non-League Show. He describes the event as “a chance to celebrate affordable local football and the volunteers who work tirelessly to preserve it”.
Francis joins this year's Non League Day team as our newest national ambassador having supported the event from behind the scenes for several years now.
As a non league player with almost 20 years experience gained at all levels from Step 1 to 4. He has experienced most things a non league player can, and has seen first hand the work and effort that goes on behind the scenes for clubs at these levels, so wholeheartedly supports the aims of Non League Day.
Francis has gone on to form the UK's only players union for amateur and semi-professional players called The ASPSU (www.theaspsu.com) and also a generic support and membership service, called Our Game Football, for everyone with an interest in the non league game, be it player, fan, manager or otherwise www.ourgamefootball.com and will be celebrating this year's Non League Day event with some special offers for all!
Mark has been involved in non-league football for just under five years now and is currently the Editor of NonLeagueDaily.com
He began his work in non-league football as Press Officer of Blyth Spartans and was in that role when the Northumbrian club made their way to the Third Round of the FA Cup in the 2014/15 season. Mark credits the experience of working with Spartans and in non-league with "rekindling a love of the game”.
Mark has also written for the likes of Four Four Two and The Football Pink.
Having experienced first-hand the pleasures non-league football can bring, Mark is keen to see people get involved in this year’s event: “Non-League football is the game at its purest. Every club I visit has its own quirks, characters and traditions which make it such a wonderful experience.”
Darren is a lifelong supporter of Maidstone United FC and former club supporters association secretary, press officer and club secretary, a role he held until the start of the 2012-13 season when the Stones successfully returned to their home town after an absence of 24 years.
Darren was ill health retired from the City of London Police in 2007 where he worked in counter-terrorism. He has unfortunately been unable to work since then due to disability and has subsequently used much of his spare time devoting his efforts to his passion for non-league football.
Darren now provides opposition scouting reports on behalf of NKFA Scouting to client clubs, and writes non-league match reports for Kent Sports Network. He has also dabbled in radio and TV commentary.
Ian is a Chelsea season ticket holder and follower of Tunbridge Wells FC in the Kent League. He has been watching football since his early 20s, and has completed ‘the 92’ in England and ‘the 42’ in Scotland.
Ian, now self-employed, responded to a Non-League Day request for help, and was happy to get involved as he can tailor his work commitments around football. Speaking of the non-League game he advises: “I enjoy non-league football as you can chat to various people and move freely around the ground. I tend to watch as far down as Step 6 whenever I can.”
Introduced to Vicarage Road at a tender age by a sport-mad Grandfather, Ashley rode the Graham Taylor crest through the divisions before being dragged down into footballing reality.
Hooked, but having given up on the 92, he now indulges himself in themed-groundhopping and writing of his experiences on the putajumperon site. Ashley's first book, The Long Way, was published in 2012 and he regularly contributes to Watford matchday programmes, Late Tackle magazine and, some rather splendid websites.
Away from Watford, he loves Non League and advocates watching football from the bottom up; if cornered by him he'll probably try to encourage you to do likewise. Still waiting to score the winner in The FA Cup Final, his day job is something far nobler, but ultimately less exciting.
Stuart Tree is a passionate follower and photographer of non-league football. He regularly has his work published in the Non-League Paper as well as other well known publications and blogs.
Alongside his photography, he has recently taken up the position of matchday programme editor for Ryman side Corinthian-Casuals. Stuart also writes for popular photography blog We Are So Photo
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