Welcome back everyone to what I think is just what everyone needs at this time of year a lovely article on two of the best things in life: Football and Dogs!

Now I have been following this account for a long time and it is always guaranteed to make me smile. Non League Dogs is a social account which does exactly what it says on the tin, it shows off all of the wonderful dogs which attend non-league football games around the UK!

So, I decided to sit down and ask some questions to the founder of the page Ruth, looking at why she decided to setup the page originally and how it has grown. Now get comfortable and enjoy a really lovely look behind some of the amazing work she has done and continues to do.(With some awesome dog photos throughout)

Lets get into it!

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Q) Hey Ruth, firstly for those who dont know, what is the non-league dogs social account and what made you set it up?

The nonleaguedogs social account is simply a collection of photos of dogs enjoying the delights of nonleague football. People submit their photos of dogs, sometimes their own dogs, sometimes dogs they just see at games.

I set it up way back in 2012, starting on Tumblr and Twitter and then moved to Instagram. I had started to take my own dogs, Lou and Sid to my local team’s (AFC Fylde) matches and from the reaction we got realised that people really enjoyed seeing them. Did a bit of digging on the internet and realised that other dogs were going to football as well. It was a time when there a few other accounts celebrating different aspects of nonleague football so I joined in with nonleaguedogs.

Q) Why do you think we love seeing dogs at the football so much?

I think initially it’s the out of context thing that just grabs your attention, dogs in shops, dogs on trains etc. I mean, I’m happy to see a dog in any situation but if you’re not expecting to see one then it can be unexpected. Then seeing the different dogs reactions to the match in the photos. Some completely indifferent, some watching more than the humans and some just there for the chips.

Q) What is your favourite ever photo submitted and why?

The two classic photos of the genre have to be Mowglii the Guiseley Lion and Yardley of Pollok
The one of Mowglii just sums up nonleague support for me. All ages, an old boy having a vape, the kids at the back. All of them looking at Mowglii and Mowglii being the only one watching the game.

And Yardley because he just looks like he’s been dropped off at the match and someone has said ‘pick you up after’.

Q) Do you think non league football is even more special as most grounds allow dogs?

It’s definitely part of the attraction and I’ve had people say that taking their dog to football has helped them with mental health. They don’t feel like they’re going on their own and other people will always talk to you if you have a dog with you. That was an unexpected result of doing this so that is really special to make people feel that way.

Q) What personal joy do you get from running the page?

Well for starters, the more photos of dogs I can set my eyes on the better! Seeing the enjoyment other people get from taking their dogs to games and then seeing people’s reactions to the photos. It’s great to see dogs grow up from being puppies and going to football every week. I’ve travelled to clubs i probably would never have gone to if it wasn’t for doing nonleaguedogs and met lots of lovely people and dogs along the way. Social media can be a bit of a toxic place a lot of time so to be a nice corner of the internet is a great thing to be.

What made you start to sell the branded merchandise and how does it make you feel seeing dogs in it?

Stickers are part of football culture, with clubs supporters groups producing their own so had to be a part of that. The first couple of designs I commissioned and then I’ve been very lucky to have some artistic followers who have designed the others for me. The badges and stickers are free, they’re a little thank you to people for sending photos. If I see you at a match with a dog, you’re not going home without something!

The bandanas are made by another follower who donates proceeds to a local dog sanctuary. Off the back of that, some clubs have started producing their own doggie merchandise now which I’m all for.

Is there a particular dog breed that has been featured the most?

Smaller dogs tend to feature more often, I guess they’re easier for people to manage at a game, cockapoos are having their moment currently.

Have you ever had the chance to meet any of the dogs you have featured?

I’ve met lots of dogs that have been featured. Including travelling to Germany to meet Paul at Altona and Campino at HFC Falke. I’ve been all over the UK just to meet dogs, there’s worse ways to spend a weekend!

Have you noticed any particular non-league clubs that are especially dog-friendly? What do they do to stand out?

Clubs don’t really have to do a lot to be dog friendly, a water bowl and a jar of gravy bones definitely help. Various clubs have held nonleaguedog days to promote their clubs, West Didsbury & Chorlton, Maltby Main, Fisher FC and most recently Crook Town have all had successful nonleaguedog days and I’ve been at them all, giving out toys, treats and merchandise.

What’s the funniest or strangest thing you’ve seen a dog do at a non-league game?

I love to watch Toby the West Didsbury supporting Border Collie. He stands on his back legs all match and watches every kick of the ball. Barking when appropriate. I saw West win the league at Barnton a few years ago and Toby led the pitch invasion with pyro going off all around him. That was iconic!

How has the account helped you connect with the non-league community, and has it changed the way you see football culture?

I have connected with so many followers and clubs from doing nonleaguedogs, helping with nonleaguedog days, helping getting dog bans at clubs overturned, just promoting clubs in general. It’s been amazing and so much more than I ever thought it would be. The page has been featured in several publications; Stand, Four Four Two, Il Freunde and Staantribune and now your site.

Football culture is extremely different at the different levels. I’m a nonleague fan through and through and not just because there are no dogs at league football! Opposing fans standing side by side getting on can’t be beaten.

Q) What was your initial goal in setting up the page and has that changed at all?

I don’t think I ever really had a goal when I started apart from just collating great photos. If it’s changed at all I’m probably more of a champion of nonleague in general now and if I can help promote clubs through nonleaguedogs or help in changing clubs no dogs policy then job done.

And finally…How can people get their dogs featured on the page? (as our dog Jak will be going to a game soon and we’d love to get his face on there)

If people want to have their dogs featured they can either tag me in their posts or send me a DM on X, Instagram and now BlueSky. The best pictures obviously with the pitch in the background or something else that is immediately recognisable as nonleague.

The page wouldn’t be what it is without people sending their photos so a big thank you to anyone who has ever made a contribution 🐕

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Thanks to the Ruth for being the champion she is for Non-league and for getting access for owners to take their four legged friends along with them.

If you are wondering if you can take your four-legged friend to a game, you can check out this interactive Non League Dog ground map which details if you can or cannot take your best friend in! (click the image to take you to the full webpage)

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If you love non-league football then why not purchase a copy of the brand new ‘Parks to Pitches’ brought to you by Through the Turnstile of Non-league Football, this 40 paged programme sized magazine is dedicated to non-league football and is available now for an introductory price of just £1.50 + postage.

(Click the image to head to the shop)