Welcome back everyone! This time we sit down and speak to yet another key figure in world of football and a massive advocate and champion for non-league football. A shared interest between myself and this guest, we are both supporters of Gillingham FC & Chatham Town, it is clear that I most certainly rate his taste and also (in relation to Gillingham) share a lot of his recent pain.

Anyway for this TTTONLF meets we are sitting down with ‘Matt the Groundhopper’ a vlogger who’s videos encapsulate the raw essence of football and includes no fluff or clickbait, just pure raw football alongside true and honest opinions.

So let’s get into it!

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Name – Matt

Team – Gillingham FC

One thing I Love about football – the tribal feeling of being with your fellow fans especially at an away game

Pet hate – The corporate feel of the large premier league clubs, too much like the NFL

Best player(s) you have seen in real life – Robert Taylor and Carl Asaba playing together for the Gills in the late 90’s, fantastic team

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Q) How did your passion for groundhopping begin, and what made you start vlogging your visits to different stadiums?

I had originally visited approximately 60 grounds of the 92 and always wanted to complete the ‘Doing the 92’ list prior the channel starting. Then I decided to start the channel and document my journeys as a reflective video diary re-visiting many grounds and visiting new ones. I then added the 42 Scottish grounds, the 24 in the National League, Wembley and Hampden Park to give me my target list of 160.

Q) What goes into planning a groundhopping trip—especially when you’re juggling multiple games and locations?

I ‘hard pin’ certain games in my diary, new away grounds to visit and watch Gillingham or Chatham Town or a neutral fixture that catches my eye. If it is an open weekend then I start looking at the league and non league fixtures on Tuesday or Wednesday. I then decide whether to drive or get the train and then check to see if there are any train strikes! 

Q) Why do you think groundhopping has become such a niche yet growing community in recent years?

Ground Hopping has always been around with the achievements of ‘Doing the 92’ and ‘Doing the 42’ in Scotland. However with the growth of YouTube and X and specific apps like Futbology which allows a vlogger to record and share their experience the popularity has exploded. This has encouraged more people to travel around and create their own content.

Q) How do you select which games or stadiums to visit? Is it based on the teams, the grounds, or something else?

I am obsessed with lists and ticking them off. I have my main list of 160 (92 England + 42 Scotland, + 24 National League + Wembley + Hampden Park). I then created a Kent list, and a Sussex list. I will add to that an Essex list. I have also started working my way through a National League South list and will probably start a National League North list. The objective of the channel is to visit ALL the main grounds in the league and non league in the UK. It would be nice to create a personal directory. 

Q) What’s the most unexpected or memorable moment you’ve experienced while groundhopping?

SPFL League One play off final 2^nd leg between Hamilton Accies v Airdrie. I was sat in the away end with the Airdrie fans. Speaking to the Airdrie fans it was their ninth attempt to win a play off and get promoted. The game was all square on aggregate AET and went to penalties. Airdrie won on penalties and got promoted at the same time as relegating Hamilton. The Airdrie fans stormed the pitch and celebrated with the players. The sheer joy on the faces of the Airdrie fans will live with me forever. The passion in Scottish football below the big two Old Firm clubs is real.

Q) What is it about non-league football that you find so special compared to higher-level leagues?

The majority of the non league grounds are older and what I class as ‘Old Skool’. I like the freedom of walking around the ground and watching and filming in different vantage points. It is nice to stand up on a terrace, it comes with a different atmosphere. Each ground is so different and unique and they all have a different story.

Q) How do non-league clubs and fans react to your visits, and has this changed over time as your channel has grown?

Non league clubs are generally supportive. The lower down the pyramid I go the more support a club will normally give. They will happily ‘re-tweet’ a link to the game and on some occasions, they will invite me to the ground. Fans like to comment on the videos and educate me if I appear to get a fact or stat incorrect!

Q) What are some of the unique challenges you’ve faced while attending non-league matches?

The facilities can sometimes be a little basic including the catering and the toilets.

Q) What’s been the most rewarding aspect of covering non-league football through your vlogs?

Many comments I receive on the videos are requests from people to visit their club or visit random grounds that are not normally covered. The more obscure the better!

Q) On the flip side, what are the low points or difficult moments you’ve experienced while covering these smaller clubs?

Non league grounds always seem to be colder and wetter during the long winter months!

Q) How do you handle the unpredictability of non-league football, such as last-minute cancellations or poor weather conditions affecting games?

I have been very lucky as I have not had a postponed game as of yet! Many non league grounds now have an artificial pitch so the games are on. My coldest memory was at Maidstone United in December 2022 when the temperature was minus five.

Q) Vlogging in public can be tough—how do you manage to film without being intrusive to fans and players, especially in smaller grounds?

The key is to relax and be as natural on camera as possible. For some reason I find it easier talking on camera whilst walking. I try not to be too intrusive and invade peoples personal space. You can talk to the camera at the back of the stands or in the corner of the grounds. On the flip side, some people just want to be on camera.

Q) What’s one aspect of groundhopping that people watching your videos might not realize is challenging behind the scenes?

The traveling can be very tiring especially on the way home from a game. I enjoy editing the videos but sometimes it would be nice if the video was instantly edited.

Q) If you could only visit one more stadium for the rest of your life, which one would it be and why?

Priestfield Stadium – Gillingham, last game of the season, win to get promoted to the Championship, we can dream!

Q) Describe your ideal matchday experience—not just the game, but everything surrounding it, from pre-match atmosphere to post-match reflections.

An obscure non league derby who haven’t played each other for a few years. The game gets delayed due to crowd congestion. The terraces are packed and the underdog scores a last minute winner to win away from home, Roy of the Rovers stuff!

Q) If you could pick one match from history that you didnt get to attend, what one would it be and why?

Carlisle v Plymouth in 1999, Jimmy Glass the goalkeeper scoring the last minute winner securing Carlisles league status and relegating Scarborough 

Q) And finally what would your best piece of advice be to someone who is looking to start vlogging their football journey?

To just start doing it, get yourself out of your comfort zone and give it a go, don’t talk just do.

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A massive thank you to Matt for giving up his time fot this feature. The groundhopping scene is alive and kicking and that is down to people like Matt who are leading the charge in the content which is made simply for all of us to enjoy. And thank you from me and I am sure a big thank you from many others.

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And before I let you all go, you may or may not have seen that Through the Turnstile has just been named as a finalist at this years Football Content Awards!

SO…I have got to ask you all a favour and one that I would be beyond grateful for. Could you all please cast a vote for me via this website: https://footballcontentawards.com/voting/

(Simply select Best in non-league, Editorial, Through the Turnstile of non-league football, then scroll to the bottom and submit)

Until next time!