With no Premier League or EFL Championship fixtures this weekend due to the international break, West Ham United is encouraging supporters to get their live football fix from lower league clubs in the local community on Non-League Day, in collaboration with Prostate Cancer UK.
An initiative which began in 2010, Non-League Day is an annual celebration of the football pyramid, highlighting the importance of lower-league clubs to their communities. Many of these clubs are run almost exclusively by volunteers, with matchday income helping to fund youth programmes, local projects, and facilities.
Fans in east London and Essex have plenty of options to catch a game this weekend, and can find their nearest Non-League Day fixture by clicking here.
Local Fixtures to Watch
In the Essex Senior League, the eighth tier of English football, an east London derby will be taking place at the Bobby Moore Sports Hub in Dagenham, where Athletic Newham host Frenford FC on Saturday 22 March at 3pm. The match will also be raising funds for Prostate Cancer UK.
The visitors Frenford FC, a community club based in Ilford, have been partnered with West Ham United since 2022, hosting the Club’s Emerging Hammers Programme, which provides young players aged 14 and under with a pathway to develop before potentially entering the West Ham United Academy. The partnership also plays a key role in widening the talent pool from South Asian communities, helping to increase representation in football.
PRINTED PROGRAMMES! 📖
Just for this weekend game vs @Frenfordfc on #NonLeagueDay we be not just having our digital programme we will have a limited number of printed ones as well, Just for this special occasion.
If you would like to make sure you have your programme for the… pic.twitter.com/wz6z6lqCXy— 𝗔𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝗵𝗮𝗺 𝗙𝗖 l Est 2015 (@Athleticnewham) March 17, 2025
At the same time, Clapton Community FC, a club with deep roots in the West Ham community, will take on Croydon FC at the Old Spotted Dog Ground in Forest Gate, London’s oldest senior football venue. Formed in 2018, Clapton CFC is a fan-owned club that secured the historic ground in 2019, helping preserve its place in east London’s footballing history.
For those looking to make the most of Non-League Day, the Essex Senior League is offering a ‘Non-League Day Passport’. For £30, supporters can attend four matches across two days, starting with either West Essex v Barking or Woodford Town v Ilford on Friday night. Saturday’s schedule includes Benfleet v FC Clacton at 12noon, any of the 3pm kick-offs, and finishes with Takeley v Saffron Walden Town at 7.45pm, where fans can get up close to the Premier League trophy. The package also includes matchday programmes, drinks, food, and exclusive pin badges.
🎟 Still time to grab your @nonleaguedayuk ESL Passport
4 games in 2 days? Are you up for the Groundhop?
Some great games in the @EssexSenior this weekend...and you could see the @premierleague trophy at three of them
We can't wait - let's celebrate Non League Football#ESL pic.twitter.com/lZjSDkB2i2— Essex Senior League (@EssexSenior) March 18, 2025
Academy Loanees in action
Several West Ham United Academy loanees will also be in non-league action this weekend.
Regan Clayton and Dagenham & Redbridge travel to Sutton United in the Vanarama National League on Saturday, 3pm. Simultaneously, Brad Dolaghan and Aldershot Town host bottom-of-the-table Ebbsfleet United.
In National League South, young goalkeeper Mason Terry, who this week extended his contract at West Ham United, will feature for AFC Hornchurch away at St Albans City.
There are also dozens of Academy graduates playing at various levels throughout the pyramid, in the National League, National League South, Isthmian League, Essex Senior League and others.
Whether heading to a local derby or following our young Hammers out on loan, Non-League Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the rich football culture in our local communities.
Fans in England and Wales can find their nearest Non-League Day fixture by clicking here.
