Non-league football is enjoying a resurgence with attendances higher than they have been for many years.
This was reinforced by the bumper turnouts for Northern Premier League fixtures on December 27, the biggest for years.
And locally there was joy for Mossley and Stalybridge Celtic.
Mossley had a home gate of 830 for the visit of Glossop North End, their highest home league attendance since January 1990 and largest overall crowd for almost 20 years.
It was not many years ago the Lilywhites averaged gates of 120. Now they are disappointed if they don’t reach 400.
It was a similar scenario at Celtic who had a crowd, of 1,367 for the visit of Hyde United, their largest attendance for many years.
They were unable to provide exact stats, but the gate was higher than the recent ones for the visits of FC United who traditionally have a huge following that swells the numbers.
The Northern Premier League issued stats for December 27 which showed there were 10 four-figure crowds across the four divisions, including more than 2,000 at FC United, Matlock Town and Marine.
A total of 12,213 fans went through the turnstiles in the 11 premier division games, an average of 1,110 per game.
As well as 2,279 at FC United for their 4-3 thriller against Ashton United, there were 2,155 at Matlock to watch the hosts go top of the league with a 2-1 come-from-behind victory against fierce rivals Buxton.
Stalybridge welcomed 1,367 against Hyde, and 1,112 saw play-off rivals Whitby Town and South Shields battle out a 2-2 draw.
There was also a four-figure crowd at Stafford Rangers, who squandered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Nantwich Town in front of 1,076.
There was also 1,282 at the Flamingo Land Stadium as Scarborough equalised in the final minute to draw against Morpeth Town.
In the west division, the average crowd was even bigger – 1,155 across the seven games.
That included a sell-out 2,150 crowd for Marine’s local derby with Bootle, spoiled by the visitiors who won 3-0.
There was 1,679 at Clitheroe for their 5-1 win over Colne, while 1,100 saw Leek Town win away at Kidsgrove Athletic.
There was a four-figure crowd in the east division, too, where Marske United lost at home to Stockton Town in front of 1,250.
The average crowd in the east division was 674, while an average just under 500 watched the nine games in the midlands division.
Across all four divisions, clubs showed their support for the Shelter No Home Kit campaign, to raise awareness of homelessness and funding for the charity.