Name – Alex Wickett
Age – 24
Favourite team – Stafford Rangers & England Home + Away
Occupation – Project Coordinator for an engine manufacturer
Thing I love about football – The fact that it is a universal language, the comradely, the way it brings communities together behind the one common goal.
My football pet hate – Armchair Premier League fans who refuse to watch their local teams because of the quality of football.

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How did you first become a supporter of Stafford Rangers?

I’m actually a third generation Stafford Rangers fan, following in both my Grandad and Dad’s steps. I even grew up just a 10 minute walk from Marston Road! Hearing the stories from my Dad about how strong our local team was back in his childhood days fueled my love and ambition to see SRFC back at the very top of non league football!

What makes the club so special to you personally?

A big part of my love for the club is the legacy. As we enter 2026 the clubs enters it’s 150th! We’ve had a rich history with 3 trips to Wembley in the 70s putting 2x FA trophies in the trophy cabinet whilst being close to being elected in the football league which would have been history defining! The club is special to me because it founded my love for the beautiful game. Without Stafford Rangers, I never would’ve supported England, I never would’ve visited the amount of countries I have been whilst watching the game we all love. It was very much the origin and remains the beating heart of my passion for the game, no matter where I go, I’m always listening in for how the Rangers are playing!

What is your favourite memory following Stafford Rangers, home or away?

In my lifetime, success has been limited. The majority of the limited success we had was when I was under 10 years old so unfortunately I can’t remember a lot! My favourite memory has to be Coalville away, 2015/16, last game of the season. After 3 relegations in 6 years, and 1 season of stability, this was a true football redemption story. I remember, we needed at least a draw to win the league and the feeling of pure jubilation as Christian Dacres put Stafford in front. Coalville later equalised, and when they had a corner in the final minutes of the game and sent the goalkeeper up, I just remember how nervous I was! Thankfully, the goalkeeper put the last kick of the game, a volley, narrowly over the bar, 1-1. Stafford Rangers, Evo Stik Northern Premier Division One South champions 2015/16!

How would you describe the matchday atmosphere at Marston Road?

It’s a community, you can agree, you can disagree but we all want what’s best for the club. Without fail, you will see the same people, from all walks of life at Marston Road, no matter how bad it gets, still supporting. On our day our atmosphere is like no other at step 4! We are loud and proud and the potential is astronomical for a club like ours!

When did your passion for travelling the world to watch football begin?

My first international football trip was only back in 2022. I had just graduated from University and decided I wanted to do some solo traveling whilst integrating my love of football. My first game was Lazio Vs Bologna at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, on the same trip I visited, Empoli, Ac Milan, Monza, Sampdoria, Barcelona and Real Madrid!

What’s the most memorable country or stadium you’ve visited on your travels?

My favourite stadium is a rogue one! Stadio Luigi Ferrari, the home of Sampdoria and Genoa, a proper classic old school ground. I’m a sucker for old school grounds and this is about as old school as it gets! Fun fact, it was actually the inspiration behind Preston North Ends Deepdale! Most memorable countries watching football were probably either Belarus or Saudi Arabia as they are quite unique and rogue! In Belarus I went to watch FC Minsk and in Saudi Arabia I saw the Riyadh derby, Al Nassr Vs Al Hilal. My most memorable fixtures both finished in a 3-3 draw. Sparta Prague Vs FC Copenhagen in the champions league play offs and Red Star Belgrade Vs Partizan Belgrade in Serbias eternal derby.

What do you enjoy most about football culture in different parts of the world?

I think the variance in atmosphere and passion between nations is super interesting. Even if you aren’t into football, I often think football culture is a great way of understanding current affairs and political opinions of a nation. Football is the world’s universal language. When there’s a big chance, a VAR decision, a red card. You can feel the same emotion, the same passion that we feel about our teams. I have to admit I’m a big fan of ultras culture when done right! The tifos, the pyrotechnic displays. I think it looks really smart and makes for a super intimidating atmosphere. This year I was fortunate enough to witness 2 of Europe’s biggest rivalries, Red Star Belgrade Vs Partizan Belgrade in Serbia and Maribor Vs Olimpija Ljubljana in Slovenia. The rivalries are fierce and the displays are incredible to see live!

Have your global football trips changed the way you see the game back home?

My perception of English football has definitely changed. I’ve realised the game and it’s role in the world is so much bigger than I ever imagined as a kid! I think after watching some top level football abroad, it made me appreciate the quality of the game back home, but it’s made extremely jealous of ticket prices and fan culture in other parts of the world. My ticket at the San Siro was actually less than I pay on a weekly basis at Stafford!

How do people abroad react when you tell them you support a non-league club?

Usually the reaction I get is “Who?!?” When I explain they are my local 8th division team, they usually are surprised but are interested to know more. Usually, the question is followed by, “Do you not support a big team” to which my answer is always “Stafford are a big team”.

Do you have a favourite “hidden gem” football experience from your travels?

Picking one hidden gem on my travels is difficult.. some of my highlights include; football on top of a shopping centre at FK Vozdovac in Serbia, Slovenia’s eternal derby, Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Bohemian Praha. The list is too big. I honestly believe you can find a football hidden gem in every town and city you go to.

What similarities or differences do you notice between non-league football in England and local football overseas?

The game is fundamentally the same. The community spirit and sense of local pride is the same in English non league and overseas lower league football. People still care about seeing their local side, the team that represents their community does well. If I’m in a city to watch a big team, I make a conscious effort to watch their non league peers and put money into the teams that need it! I find it really cool to see pyrotechnics and ultras at non league teams! You just don’t see that in the UK.

How do you balance supporting Stafford Rangers with your global football adventures?

Thankfully SRFC radio exists! I listen in at every opportunity that I can! I’ve literally even listened in from the Bernabeu before kick off! It’s difficult to balance any voluntary work I want to do to support the club along with my career progression, my love for travel and watching video and whilst trying to grow my football social media pages. I also run the Stafford Rangers Supporters coaches so find this difficult to plan around my games abroad sometimes but that’s only possible with the great support of my fellow fans.

What’s one place you haven’t watched football yet but really want to visit?

South America, 100% I made a very good friend at my first game abroad, Lazio Vs Bologna who is a Boca Juniors season ticket holder. La Bombonera is top of my bucket list and I cannot wait for the day I can get over there!

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start travelling for football?

My advice would be, be prepared to sacrifice comfort to have engaging experiences! I’m more than happy to get the Ryanair and Wizz air budget 6am flights, to rent a driveway and walk to the airport, to stay in a hostel room (once a 24 person room), all to save pennies and get on more trips! Football travel doesn’t have to be expensive, if you can go with friends and can split costs, it can become even cheaper. If you don’t have friends, or your friends are reluctant, wait for no one! Live your life, follow your passion, you won’t regret it!

What are your hopes for the future of Stafford Rangers and your own football journey?

My hopes in life are to go to every country in the world and watch football in every country in the world! Just a small ambition I know! I run small social media accounts – ‘Alex Wickett groundhopping’/HoppinAllOverTheWorld on Tiktok, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram, covering my journey where I aim to show people budget, affordable international groundhopping. I’ll also be heading to the world cup next summer, although still picking and choosing my games due to the extortionate costs surrounding the tournament. It would be mine, like everyone’s dream to be in New Jersey to see England lift our first World Cup since 66’! For Stafford Rangers, in the short term, I am hopeful for a change in fortunes. This season hasn’t gone to plan so far and non league football is becoming increasingly competitive.

I may be naive but I still see Stafford as at least a step 2 club! I think the history, the size of the town, the fanbase, I really think reaching the national league North should not be seen as unobtainable if as a club and fanbase we put the strategy in place. Who knows what the future holds! The last 2 decades have been turbulent for my club, but that turbulence has fueled an undeniable love for our game that I will continue to chase the world to experience.

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Football and travelling…is there a better combo out there?

Alex seems to have everything figured out and I will be definitely keeping tabs of his adventures and taking notes for some of my own future trips!

Until next time!

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