The Hearle World, Your Local Paper, Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Radcliffe joint boss Anthony Johnson has never been short of a word or two down the years and is rightly known (along with the other half of the Radcliffe management team Bernard Morley) as one of the most colourful characters in non-league football.

However, on his 'X' account on Saturday evening, Johnson typed three words 'Little ol' Radcliffe' and enclosed a screenshot following the weekend's round of fixtures, of the National League North table, showing his team occupying third place, just four points from leaders South Shields.

It was a simple statement from a man clearly proud of his team's early-season achievements, which had culminated with the 3-1 victory at the Docherty Walks Stadium earlier in the day.

It was a statement, though, that should be copied and pasted and used as an encouraging tool to other teams, not only in National League North, but throughout the game, to say it's not only about the so-called 'big boys' and to believe that anything is possible if you apply yourself in the right way.

I've said before that, in my opinion, this step of non-league football is the most difficult to get promoted from, such is the level of teams and players competing in what is a competitive league.

You have to be 'on' your game, week in, week out, if you want to be successful because, just like other past seasons, every team on their day is capable of beating each other.

It's also a league where the playing field isn't level when you take into account the full-time teams (including the Linnets) who compete with those who train only two or three evenings a week as opposed to the daytime sessions enjoyed by the full-time lads.

You do wonder at times if the part-time players raise their levels a touch higher when they come up against those who are fortunate enough to earn their full wages playing football as opposed to those who deliver parcels or fit windows, with their football money a mere top-up.

I'm still yet to be fully convinced that being a full-time team in the National League North or South, really does give that bigger advantage over those who are not.

On paper, the full-time training and preparation, travelling usually a day ahead of a game and the extra rest time should give an unreal advantage.

Often, though, it's been seen in the past that the part-time scrappers can be more than a match for a full-time side on their day.

Both Johnson and Morley have been around the football block a few times, forming a formidable combination on the touchline, and their 'streetwise' ethics will continue to ruffle the feathers of the likes of Kidderminster, South Shields and Chester a few times in the dark days of winter that lie ahead.

Whether they will still be occupying a playoff spot when the first strong signs of Spring return in April remains to be seen.

One thing, though, is whatever happens, they will have certainly made their mark on this season.

I won't dwell long on Lynn's latest defeat to Radcliffe last weekend but again it proved that a team must take chances when it's on top in a game at whatever level you're playing at.

Town played some nice football in the opening half at the Docherty Walks Stadium but again came up short in the second 45 to a visiting side who showed their clinical goalscoring side despite probably not being at their best.

A good team will always find a way, as was again proven on this occasion.

Lynn are down on their luck at the moment and need something, somewhere on the pitch to provide a spark which will ignite a season that is turning into a real challenge, not only on the pitch but off it as well.

As I write this column on Monday evening, despite a whole host of circulating rumours, Joe Simpson remains the man charged with leading the Linnets at Curzon Ashton on Tuesday and at Southport this coming weekend in a game that already could possibly be called a 'six-pointer'.

As I've stated over the last couple of weeks, I have the utmost sympathy for Joe, who it seems is in a hugely difficult situation with how his position stands.

The rumours that continue to swirl around The Walks like Autumn mist refuse to go away and won't until either Joe is given a firmer indication of his length of time in the job or another manager is brought into the club.

Until that confirmation is received, I fear performances on the pitch will continue to suffer.

Curzon on Tuesday evening would have been difficult in whatever form you find yourself in and is something of a free hit, you would say.

On the other hand, Southport does present the opportunity for much-needed points to be gathered and added to the Linnets' tally. Let's hope the long journey is a fruitful one.