Grassroots football will take centre stage on the 28th of March as clubs across England prepare to celebrate Non-League Day, an annual event dedicated to highlighting the importance of lower-league and community football.

First launched in 2010 by football fanatic James Doe, the initiative encourages supporters to attend local non-league matches, particularly when the top divisions pause for international fixtures. Since its creation, non-League Day has grown into a nationwide celebration of grassroots football, shining a spotlight on the volunteers, players and supporters who keep community clubs alive.

As part of this year’s celebrations, Flixton FC will be playing against old rival, FC United at their home stadium of Broadhurst Park. The two clubs had their last league face-off all the way back in November 2008 and reunite again now 18 years later to celebrate community football and give fans an opportunity to experience the electric atmosphere of grassroots football up close, potentially bringing in new life-long supporters. Flixton FC is a football club dedicated to strengthening community ties and giving back to the fans that have shown unwavering support during their hiatus and rebirth into an exciting new era. This game will be a highlight for fans, as playing a major grassroots club gives them an insight as what could potentially come in the future.

Much like Flixton FC, FC United is a prime example of the power of grassroots football, as following Manchester United’s takeover by the Glazer family, the club was built as a fan-owned alternative on the principles of affordable football and strong community Involvement.

Flixton FC gave FC United one of their first-ever games not long after their creation in 2005 and now 21 years later the clubs come back together to celebrate non-league football. These clubs are the epitome of football fostering community, and it is only right they go head-to-head on the pitch in an epic game for fans of both sides.

Flixton FC manager Alex Mortimer and assistant manager Rhodri Giggs are both former FC United players with Alex making 44 appearances for the club in the 2007/07 seasonMaking the game even more special. Rhodri played for FC United in the Northwest Counties First division when the club won the league.

Rhodri said, ‘me and Alex are looking forward to it, it will be good for the players, good attendance, good for the fans, and we’ve got good memories going back there.’

‘Believe it or not my first goal for FC United was against Flixton!’ And now he is back at Broadhurst park all these years later as Flixton’s assistant manager.

Even Flixton FC’s chairman and owner of the club will be flying all the way from the USA to attend the celebratory fixture and watch his newly reborn club reach new heights. Rhodri said, ‘he’s all about winning, which is music to my ears!’

This will be a monumental game for both sides and a great way for Flixton FC to end the season