Forget Premier League's 'big six', support your local non-league team says Horsham manager Di Paola

Forget English football’s ‘big six’ – get down to your local non-league football ground.
Horsham manager Dominic Di Paola urged disaffected supporters of the 'big six' to get behind their local non-league teams. Picture by Steve RobardsHorsham manager Dominic Di Paola urged disaffected supporters of the 'big six' to get behind their local non-league teams. Picture by Steve Robards
Horsham manager Dominic Di Paola urged disaffected supporters of the 'big six' to get behind their local non-league teams. Picture by Steve Robards

That’s the rallying cry from Horsham boss Dominic Di Paola following this week’s sensational formation and subsequent likely dissolution of a European Super League.

English heavyweights Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur were among 12 founding member clubs who agreed to join the breakaway competition.

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The six were due to be joined by European giants AC Milan, Juventus, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid as founder clubs.

But in a sensational turn of events, all six Premier League clubs pulled out of the proposed competition on Tuesday evening following widespread criticism from supporters, pundits, clubs and players across England and Europe.

The European Super League was looking consigned to the scrapheap on Wednesday morning.

Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli, one of the architects of the new tournament, said the project could not proceed following the withdrawal of the six Premier League clubs.

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At the time of writing, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid and AC Milan have also pulled out of the Super League.

Hornets boss Di Paola urged disaffected supporters of the so-called ‘big six’ to get behind their local non-league clubs after a tumultuous few days for English football.

He said: “I’m not a massive fan of top-level football anyway. I find a lot of it quite boring to watch.

“I’m not really an expert on the top level but it’s all to do with money.

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“Hopefully it (the actions of the ‘big six’) brings more local people to non-league. Everyone should watch non-league anyway in my opinion.

“I’ve always watched a lot more non-league football than the professional game.

“You’re closer to it, it’s a nicer environment, there’s a better atmosphere, you can wander around, you’re not stuck to your seat, you can have a beer.

“Get yourselves down to Horsham instead of watching Tottenham or Arsenal.

“Come down to Horsham and watch a local game and I’m sure you’ll see something that’s enjoyable.”

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