Welcome back everyone – now this week we have something completely different for you and that is a feature on a current non-league player who is also branching out into the world of media by hosting a podcast with his friend. All of this alongside a full-time job of being a teacher!

We often speak about how non-league football is more relatable and the whole scene being much more welcoming and friendly for fans. Well today we are going to look from the other side and speak to current Folkestone Invicta winger, Khale Da Costa, touching on his experience and thoughts on non league football. As well as looking at his other footballing venture, his podcast ‘1league’ a show that features numerous non-league household names.

Anyway, that’s enough from me… let’s dive in!

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Q) Khale, let’s start with your own playing career in non-league football. What originally drew you to non-league football, and how has playing at that level shaped your outlook on the game compared to those playing in higher leagues?

Non-league football has always had a special appeal for me because of its authenticity and rawness. What originally drew me to it was the competitive nature and the sense that you really have to work for everything—nothing comes for free. That’s actually shaped my outlook on life in general. I’ve been involved in non-league for the last 12-13 years, and it’s taught me so much about discipline, resilience, and earning your place. At this level, you quickly learn that hard work and dedication are non-negotiable if you want to succeed.

Q) Non-league football is often described as the heart and soul of English football. From your perspective as a player, what sets non-league football apart in terms of the culture, the fans, and the atmosphere on match days?

Non-league football is real. What sets it apart is that we’re just normal people, and the fans connect with that. It’s affordable, so it gives the community a place to vibe, enjoy the game, and back their local team. There’s something raw and authentic about it. And honestly, people are starting to see the talent in non-league—there are ballers out here who can make it at the top. The atmosphere on match days is mad, and the culture is different. It’s pure football, and that’s what makes it special.

Q) Many people view non-league football as a grind, with limited pay and tough conditions. Can you walk us through a day in the life of a non-league footballer, and what some of the biggest challenges are? Any amusing stories from the trenches?

Non-league football is a serious grind, no doubt. Most of us are working 9-5 jobs, then heading straight to training in the evening. You’re not getting home until after 10 at night, only to be up early the next morning to do it all again. It’s tough mentally and physically. I remember this one time we had an away game against Truro, and I left my house at 6 a.m. on a Tuesday morning, didn’t get back home until 6 a.m. Wednesday. That shows you the difference between us and players in the higher leagues. They’d get a Wednesday off to recover properly, but for us, it’s straight back to work. The grind is real, but it builds character.

Q) There’s a misconception that non-league players are just amateurs who play for fun, but a lot of people don’t realize the level of dedication it takes. How do you balance football with your career and personal life, and what advice would you give to someone considering a non-league career?

I’ll be honest, non-league football has stepped up massively in recent years. The way the game has improved, you can’t just show up and expect to perform anymore—you’ve got to put in the extras, like gym sessions or going for runs. Balancing football with work and your personal life is tough at first, but it does get easier once it becomes routine. That said, your week is built around football. You’re missing out on a lot—whether it’s evening plans because of training or not being able to do much on Fridays because of Saturday matches. My advice? It’s definitely like having a second job, but when you’re getting paid to do what you love, it doesn’t really feel like work. If you’re thinking about a non-league career, just know it takes commitment, but the passion makes it all worth it.

As someone who’s played in non-league football, what’s been your proudest moment on the pitch? And if you could replay one match from your career, which one would it be and why?

My proudest moment has to be a game when I was at Tonbridge and we played Billericay. Honestly, the first half was rough—I missed three big chances, and we were down 2-0. I wasn’t feeling great, but we came out in the second half and turned it around, winning 3-2. I ended up scoring two of the goals, and that feeling of redemption was unreal. If I could replay any match, it would definitely be that one. It’s a reminder that football is all about resilience—you can have a bad half, but things can flip if you keep grinding. That day showed me how quickly things can change.

Q) Switching gears to your podcast, 1League. What inspired you to start a podcast focused on non-league football, and what gap did you see in the media coverage of this level of the game that you felt needed to be filled?

It all started with a phone conversation between me and my business partner and close friend, Doja. We were just chatting one day about my connections in non-league football, and the idea kind of sparked from there. We realized no one around us was really doing anything like this, and we saw a gap in the media coverage at this level. Non-league football doesn’t get the attention it deserves, despite being full of talent and great stories. We thought starting the ‘1League’ podcast would not only be something we’d enjoy, but also a way to shine a light on the players, the grind, and the culture of non-league football. It’s about giving this level of the game the platform it deserves.

Q) Starting a podcast isn’t easy. How did you and your co-host come up with the idea for 1League, and what were those early conversations like when you first decided to dive into this project?

The idea for 1League really came from me constantly going back to Doja and telling him all these wild and interesting stories my teammates had shared with me over the years. Every time, he’d say, ‘The world needs to hear this!’ That’s when it clicked for us. Those early conversations were really just about how many untold stories there are in non-league football—stuff people don’t usually get to hear. We both agreed that there was something special in giving these stories a platform. From there, we decided to dive into the podcast, thinking it’d be a great way to bring those moments to life and show people what non-league football is really about.

Q) The name 1League is quite catchy! Can you tell us a bit about what it symbolizes and how you landed on that name for the podcast?

The name 1League really came from the idea that non-league football, even though it’s made up of so many different levels, feels like one big community. It’s all connected, and that’s where the name came from—non-league is like one league. It just stood out to us as a strong symbol of the unity and grind of this level of football. Now, it’s become a bit of a signature for us. We always end the podcast with me saying it, then Doja, and we try to get the guest to say it too—it’s a little test to see if they’ve actually been watching! Some get it, some don’t, but it’s all part of the fun.

Q) You’ve had some great guests on the show. Is there a particular episode or interview that stands out as the most memorable or impactful for you?

This might sound cliché, but honestly, there isn’t a single episode I haven’t found impactful. Every guest brings something different, and I learn something new each time. That said, I really enjoyed Billy Knott’s episode. It felt like therapy for him, in a way. He opened up about his journey, and you could feel how much it meant to him to share his story. Seeing where he’s at now, doing well for himself, makes that episode even more memorable for me. It’s moments like that which remind me why we started this podcast—to give people a platform to speak their truth.

Q) With so many podcasts out there, it’s tough to stand out. What do you think sets 1League apart from other football podcasts, and how do you keep it fresh and engaging for your listeners?

What really sets 1League apart is that we focus specifically on non-league football and the unique stories of the players involved. It’s a platform that shines a light on their journeys, showcasing how everyone’s path is different. We dig deep into their experiences, and listeners often discover so much about these players that they wouldn’t have a clue about otherwise. This isn’t just about football; it’s about life, struggles, and triumphs. To keep it fresh and engaging, we continually seek out a diverse range of guests and topics, ensuring that each episode offers something new. Whether it’s a player sharing their journey or insights into the non-league scene, we aim to create a connection that resonates with our audience.

Q) Now, let’s get a bit meta—what’s it like balancing your role as a player with your role as a podcast host? Have you ever had any awkward moments interviewing someone you’ve faced on the pitch?

Honestly, it’s been great balancing my role as a player with being a podcast host. I enjoy both, and it’s cool when people recognise me for the podcast as well. There have definitely been some funny moments—like when I’ve had to interview players I’ve faced on the pitch. We’ve had some run-ins, and it’s hilarious to bring those stories up during the podcast. Most of the time, I’m the one in the wrong, so it’s a bit of a laugh to revisit those moments. It adds a layer of authenticity to the show, and I think listeners appreciate that we can talk openly about our experiences on and off the field.

Q) You’ve shed light on many interesting stories within non-league football. What’s one story or insight you’ve learned from the podcast that genuinely surprised or inspired you?

It’s honestly tough to pinpoint just one story because there have been so many inspiring moments. But one that really stood out to me was from Ellis Remy. He shared some powerful insights about focusing on doing your job well and honing in on what you’re good at—that’s the key to having a successful career. His perspective was eye-opening, especially in a world where it’s easy to get caught up in trying to be everything at once. Hearing him emphasize the importance of dedication and staying true to your strengths really resonated with me and reminded me of the value of hard work and discipline in both football and life.

Q) Looking ahead, where do you see 1League going in the next few years? Do you have any plans to expand the podcast beyond football, or perhaps even explore other media like YouTube or live events?

The world is truly our oyster with 1League! I see a lot of potential for growth in the next few years. I could definitely envision us having a section on TNT Sports, especially since they cover non-league football. It would be amazing to have a segment introducing matches or highlighting key players and stories. But I’m not limiting ourselves to just that—we’re open to exploring other avenues, whether it’s expanding into YouTube for more visual content or even hosting live events to engage with our audience directly. I believe we can achieve big things, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes us!

https://twitter.com/1LeaguePodcast/status/1763131142415228945

Q) Non-league football seems to be growing in popularity, especially with shows like Welcome to Wrexham. Do you think there’s a shift happening in how non-league is perceived? And how do you think your podcast can play a role in that changing perception?

Absolutely, I think there’s definitely a shift happening in how non-league football is perceived. With shows like Welcome to Wrexham, people are starting to see the passion, talent, and community spirit that exist at this level of the game, and that’s fantastic for non-league football. The world is truly our oyster right now; more people are beginning to recognize non-league for what it really is, and it’s only going to get better from http://here.As for how 1League fits into that, I believe our podcast can play a significant role in changing perceptions. By sharing authentic stories from players and highlighting the unique aspects of non-league football, we’re helping to build a narrative that showcases the talent and dedication within this community. We aim to be part of the movement that brings more attention to non-league, encouraging even more interest and support from fans. It’s an exciting time, and we’re here for it

Q) Finally, we’ve got to ask: If you had to choose between winning a trophy as a non-league player or getting an exclusive interview with a football legend for the podcast, which one are you going with—and why? (No pressure, of course!)

I’d have to say winning a trophy! Haha. I feel like I haven’t won much in football, so lifting a trophy would mean the world to me. There’s something so special about that moment—the celebration, the hard work paying off, and sharing it with your teammates. As much as interviewing a football legend would be incredible and would definitely elevate the podcast, that personal achievement on the pitch has a unique feeling that I’ve always chased. So yeah, give me that trophy any day!

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Huge thank you to Khale for his time, the insight he was able to give on the life of a non league footballer is not only really interesting, but it also provides some true understanding of the huge pressures and sacrifices that are needed to successfully juggle a full time job and a football career.

Throwing into that mix the fact that Khale and his friend Doja are the hosts of a football podcast only increases that workload to juggle even more. And myself being a previous host of a podcast I know that it is much more than just turning up and pressing record, the pre-planning involved, then sourcing the guests and preparing a rough script/outline is all time consuming and harder work than you would think. To do that on top of the other two jobs is incredibly impressive and something to applaud.

Thanks again to Khale for opening up and letting us all peek inside the world of a non league footballer…Until next time!

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