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A football enthusiast named Tony Incenzo has recently completed an extraordinary journey that spans over five decades. At just 17 years old in 1981, Tony became the youngest individual to visit all 92 grounds of the Football League, a challenge many fans might spend a lifetime attempting. However, rather than resting on this achievement, he broadened his ambition to include every single football ground in the English non-league system, which encompasses hundreds of clubs scattered throughout the country.
On Easter Monday, at a North West Counties First Division North match between Fulwood Amateurs and Thornton Cleveleys, Tony finally marked the completion of his non-league football pilgrimage. This moment came 54 years after he attended his first non-league match, with his treasured scrapbook—a massive collection filled with stamps and signatures from each ground he visited—gaining a fresh page for Fulwood Amateurs. Reflecting on this achievement, Tony expressed his deep emotions: “It’s just overwhelming emotion… To finally do it, on a glorious sunny day, with a lovely green pitch, is a great relief.” Both teams had honored him with a guard of honour, acknowledging his dedication.
The structure of the English non-league football system, covering steps five to ten in the football pyramid, is diverse. It consists of 996 clubs divided into 48 regional divisions, a system that has seen numerous changes throughout Tony’s expedition. Some of these clubs are full-time professional outfits hosting thousands of fans, while others are amateur teams playing on grass fields with minimal facilities and small, informal crowds. Over the years, including clubs that have since disappeared or withdrawn, Tony has visited over 2,000 different grounds. He shares his passion for these matches, explaining that non-league games offer a unique and enjoyable experience, often free from the formalities and costs of higher-tier football. According to Tony, “You can turn up at a non-league game 10 minutes before kick-off, park outside, pay your admission, stroll around the ground, stand wherever you want, buy food and drink – and probably have change from about £15.”
Tony’s love for football goes beyond non-league encounters. He has also been present at every stadium among the top five tiers of English football, every professional stadium in Scotland’s four divisions, and many venues across Europe and worldwide. Despite his extensive travels, he has maintained his steadfast support for Queens Park Rangers (QPR), never missing a home match since 1973, including friendlies and testimonial games. To date, Tony has attended 5,804 matches at 2,689 stadiums, accumulating an impressive total of over 522,000 minutes of live football. His weekends are often packed, frequently fitting in multiple games by carefully planning fixtures with various kick-off times. Even weather concerns do not deter him, as he adapts by finding matches on artificial pitches or rearranging plans at short notice. Tony’s methodical approach involves arriving early, purchasing match programs before they sell out, engaging with local fans, and meticulously recording line-ups and goalscorers in his scrapbook.
His commitment has given him firsthand insight into the vital role volunteers play in sustaining non-league football. Tony recounts a recent trip to Sunderland West End, where a last-minute toilet blockage nearly prevented a game from proceeding. “One of the club volunteers bravely climbed eight feet down under the ground to try to sort it out,” Tony recalls. Fortunately, a plumber among the away team’s officials was called in to help, allowing the match to finally go ahead. Beyond the records and adventures, Tony plans to donate his extensive collection of memorabilia and documents to the National Football Museum in the future, preserving his remarkable legacy in the world of football groundhopping
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