Name – Jeff Grove

Age – 53

Favourite Team – I have a few non league teams I support, Bognor Regis Town FC is my local English club. My local home team is FC Dallas.

Occupation – School bus driver for special needs students.

One thing I love about football is – When I’m at the football, I don’t have to worry about anything for those two hours. I can put all my troubles aside and enjoy the moment with family and friends.

Football pet hate – Ha Ha, I have a few. On the field, I would say VAR, diving and time wasting, although I know it’s just become a big tactical part of the game now. Off the field. Disrespectful fans. You know the ones. They drink too much and start throwing coins at players. They are there just to start trouble and not for the football. That’s just not cool. Also, The ones that leave before the match is over get on my nerves too.

Best player you have ever seen play in real life – Thierry Henry, Louis Saha, David Beckham and Mia Hamm to name a few. I’m sure I’m forgetting someone.

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What inspired you to start ground hopping, and how did you first get involved with non-league football?
I started ground hopping with my cousin Robert when I would come over to visit. We would go see Fulham play home and away matches. I first got involved with non-league football after they (my English side of the family) moved to Bognor Regis. It’s addictive.
I loved it from the moment I walked through the turnstiles. It doesn’t get old for me.

Collcection of just some of the non-league shirts!

What makes non-league football appealing to you compared to higher leagues or professional football?
There’s a lot of appeal to nonleague football for me. I like the grassroots part of it. I like that it’s not grossly overpaid players out there. I believe it’s more about the love of the game for the supporters, players, the staff and everyone involved. It brings the community together. It’s their sons, daughters, plumbers, painters or neighbors out there on the pitch. Working or schooling full-time and combining that with training and matches on the weekends.

Why did you choose to ground hop in England specifically? What draws you to the English non-league scene over other countries?
That’s an easy one. England is where my family is and I come to see them and visit with them. My aunt who is in her 80s also goes to the football and she loves it. She doesn’t miss many Bognor matches if any.

Can you describe your experience of attending a non-league match in the UK for the first time?
I’m really struggling to remember my first actual non-league match. It may have been the Bognor Regis v Lewes Boxing Day match in 2015 that ended 4-0. That’s a way to make a good first. Impression.

What are some of the most memorable matches or grounds you’ve visited during your ground hopping trips in England?
I’ve had a lot of memorable matches. Sometimes, I will meet really cool people on my travels. The idea that somebody from Texas would come and visit the ground and be there to watch a match apparently is not a common practice. Non league is so much more on a personal level. The idea of meeting the chairman, managers and players is not that far out of the question. Most are very welcoming to new people visiting the club.

How does the atmosphere at non-league matches in England compare to those in the States or other countries you’ve visited?
Non-league football does actually exist here in the states. It’s not the same with the promotion and relegation. There are amateur football leagues like the NPSL, and lower division leagues such as USL and the NASL. Yeah, that NASL that you remember from the 70s it’s still going

What challenges do you face as a non-league football fan traveling from the States to the UK regularly?
I wouldn’t say it’s a challenge. I only get to go over to England twice a year. Usually two weeks in the summer and a couple of weeks for Christmas. I did not get to go this summer because it’s really expensive at the moment. So I guess that’s the challenge. Yeah, it’s money, that is the challenge. So Christmas it is.

How did you become a kit sponsor for AFC Portchester? What motivated you to support this particular club?
Well, it’s sort of a long answer. I had never heard of a Kit sponsor before after my cousin explained what that was. It seemed like such a cool idea. Around four years ago, I saw online Chichester City Women FC were looking for sponsors. So after a brief few messages, I sponsored two of those players. And then a different one and then another one. One of those players, Molly moved to Selsey FC and I continued to sponsor her there. And then Elinor moved to AFC Porchester and needed a sponsor, so I was happy to do that. They had a great season and won the league undefeated. So promotion this year. She’s a legend and a really good player that enjoys her football. I will continue to sponsor her for as long as she wants me to.

What impact do you hope your sponsorship will have on AFC Portchester and the local community?
Hmm, I have never really looked at it that way. Not on that level. I just enjoy it. I think it helps the player and it’s a bit of money for the club. I don’t have a business so it’s not for the advertising or anything like that. I sponsor because I like to help out. That brings me joy.
I wish I could sponsor more.
But, I drive a special needs school bus here in Texas. So I don’t have a large income.

Do you have any favorite non-league clubs or grounds in England? What makes them stand out to you?
Oh definitely, each ground has been unique and has its own special charm. Nyewood Lane from Bognor Regis Town FC, I consider my home ground. The Dripping Pan for Lewes FC is an awesome ground with its beautiful scenery.Mill Road. home of Arundel FC, I really enjoy visiting. With the castle right there next to the pitch. Americans love that sort of thing. We don’t have castles here. well, at least not here in Texas as far as I know. They took great care of me there on my visit.
Corinthians Casuals FC, Dulwich Hamlet, Wick FC and Whitehawk FC also had very cool grounds to visit. I could go on forever. I am hoping to get to Portchester this year.

How do you keep up with non-league football news and updates while living in the States?
Definitely the easiest way for me is social media. I follow my favorite clubs on the various platforms. Elinor will give me reports on her matches. I get to hear if she’s scored any goals and how many. And I speak with my cousin on the weekends and he fills me in on any Bognor Regis news.

What advice would you give to other non-league football enthusiasts considering ground hopping in the UK?
I don’t know if I’m qualified to give any advice. I would say do your research before you go. Find out where you’re going. Check to see if the buses and trains are going. I dealt with the train strikes last time. See if it’s walking distance from the station unless you have a car. My cousin and I don’t drive. We usually take the bus and/or the train and have to walk from the station.

I had a solo adventure last time I was over. I wanted to visit the Silverlake Stadium of Eastleigh FC on New Year’s Day. Keep in mind, I’m familiar, but not an expert on traveling by train and some coaches, but I made it to there and back. I enjoyed my visit and spent about 80 quid on football shirts, scarves and bobble hats and stickers. They played to a 4-4 draw with a McCallum of Eastleigh hat trick. It was a goal fest. Perfect match for a ground hop.
13, I wanted to mention about my non-league football jersey collection. On my travels I like to pick up shirts from the clubs I visit. Usually, they can find an old match worn shirt in the Kit room that they don’t mind parting with. And my collection has gotten pretty large now. I enjoy it, because it’s a memory that I will keep visiting the club.

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Well firstly a massive thank you to Jeff for giving up his time to answer these questions and also share with us all his non-league football story. I find it incredible the reach that non-league football has and Jeff’s story is testament to just that, an incredible love of the game from afar and an amazing collection of both games, shirts and memories.

Jeff’s story also echos something, which I have now found to be commonplace throughout non-league football, football is so much more than just a game. In Jeffs own words, “When I’m at the football, I don’t have to worry about anything for those two hours” now that is just how powerful and important this game of ours is.

The world is a dark and scary place right now and we need all the support and love we can get, the return of football is a fantastic opportunity for that sanctuary to return where we can park our worries and enjoy time with friends, family and football.

Until next time!