The third Step is fully taken

So, here ends the third 'Step' on my non-league Quest.

As per the rules, I have visited every home ground and travelled over 800 miles in total, and in so doing have watched twenty games of Step 6/Level 10 football.

As one might expect, the quality of the football has generally been of a higher level, but there have still been some dire games to endure (that can happen at any level!).
The facilities have also become noticeably more structured, as per the standards required as the levels get higher, but often still retaining that quirky, homely character that differentiates non-League from the EFL.

The 'Best & Worst' are listed elsewhere, but among the notable memories are:

- the wonderful homemade curry at West Allotment
- the PA speakers at Thornaby that blast your eardrums out
- Willington's chatty kiosk lady and Heaton Stan's lastminute volunteer
- the supportive community and kind words at Billingham Town and Birtley especially
- the Only Foods and Sauces kiosk at Crook

Away from the physical environment, it was the people - inevitably - that added the real character. As ever, the laughter and camaraderie, shouts of despair and encouragement, effing and jeffing were just as evident as the lower levels!
And on a personal note, my daughter has been joining me a lot recently, so we can savour the experience together.... and compare hot chocolates!

I am grateful to all the folks of Division Two for their hospitality, integrity and commitment. The FA continues with the pyramid restructuring, and I suspect that the composition of Step 6 will alter a little in the coming seasons so I may dip back to check out any new clubs or venues that come along.

Also, as I move on to Division One, there may well be more than one team who get promoted too, so possibly a few familiar faces to reacquaint with. 

The Quest goes on: twenty more matches, twenty new places, twenty great memories. My whole Quest so far totals fifty-two.... roll on Step 5 for twenty more!