BERKSHIRE now boasts a senior non-league club with Maidenhead United having been promoted to the National League.

And that will earn an extra cheer from local ‘floating’ football fans.

The prospect of seeing the likes of Torquay United, Wrexham and possibly Tranmere Rovers, Dagenham & Redbridge and Aldershot (all dependent on the play-offs) at York Road is exciting.

One of the oldest football grounds in the country is going to be packed match after match – and there is a good chance of fans travelling there from Reading.

If the Royals return to the Premier League, virtually every game will be a sell-out, leaving many people disappointed.

Even if they stay in the Championship there will be fixtures which look unattractive on paper, particularly as Reading are not the most entertaining of sides despite their results.

To make a visit to Maidenhead more appetising is the fact the ground is easy to get to and is close to the station, just two stops from Reading or one from Twyford, where there is plenty of cheap car parking.

While the Magpies fly out of the nest, one of the sides moving into the National League South are Bognor Regis, who won their Ryman League play-off final against Dulwich Hamlet on Monday.

In goal for the Rocks was Dan Lincoln, the former Reading FC youngster who is still heavily involved in local sport, playing cricket for Finchampstead and Berkshire, two clubs who won their respective leagues last season.

Whilst happy at Bognor, Lincoln still dreams of becoming a full-time professional and I understand at least two League clubs are showing an interest in him.

He conceded fewer goals than any other keeper in the Ryman Premier this season.

“I hope something comes up in the summer,” he told me. “I know there are a few sides who are interested, but will have to see how things go.”

  • IF Highmoor Ibis stick to playing their home games on a Monday, then they could be hosting the very first game in the Hellenic League next season.

It was confirmed this week fixtures will commence during the week beginning Monday, July 31.