TRUK United line up with Dulwich Hamlet Women before their friendly in March. Alamy
The Alternative Football League and clubs such as Manchester Laces show demand is there but players still face huge hurdles to wider participation
Stories
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Rod McDonald goes down with cramp as Crewe Alexandra look to protect a 2-1 lead against Northampton Town. Getty Images
Battles of attrition and tedious timewasting in the lower leagues are increasingly a turn-off for supporters, whose entertainment is sacrificed for points
Illustration by Matt Littler
Returning to non-League after 2020’s enforced absence heightened the senses of matchday, as told in this extract from the new book The Silence of the Stands
Lee Clark tries to keep the ball in play as Newcastle United are defeated by Monaco in the UEFA Cup Quarter final at St James’ Park. Alamy
After playing a key role in Kevin Keegan’s promotion-winning Newcastle side, the midfielder repeated the trick with Sunderland – before things turned sour
England’s women after winning beach soccer’s European Championship. England Beach Soccer
England’s women have been European champions and are ranked third in the world, but neither they nor the men get support beyond being able to wear the kit