Two matches, one historic football ground and the chance to make non-league history. Great Yarmouth is preparing for a special day as AwayDays creator Ellis Platten brings his latest football takeover to the Norfolk coast on Saturday 24 October 2026.

Following the success of a previous AwayDays event earlier this year, Ellis Platten is returning with an ambitious challenge: bring supporters to the Wellesley Stadium for two local matches and help break the reported attendance record for the Anglian Combination.

What is the Great Yarmouth attendance record attempt?

The event will feature two fixtures at the Wellesley Stadium on the same afternoon. The headline target is to beat the reported Anglian Combination attendance record of 1,000 spectators during the second match, between AC Mill Lane and Shrublands. That figure is reported as having been set by Watton United against Norwich City in 1985.

For clubs operating at this level of the non-league pyramid, attracting a crowd of that size would be an extraordinary occasion. The event aims to raise the profile of grassroots football, introduce new supporters to local clubs and create a memorable matchday for players and volunteers.

Two matches, one ticket

Great Yarmouth Town vs Stowmarket Town — 1pm

The afternoon begins with Great Yarmouth Town taking on Stowmarket Town in the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties Premier Division. The fixture gives the home club an opportunity to showcase its supporters and historic ground to a wider audience.

AC Mill Lane vs Shrublands — 4pm

The second match sees AC Mill Lane face Shrublands in the Anglian Combination Division Three South. This is the fixture at the centre of the record-breaking ambition, with organisers hoping fans will stay for the second game and help generate a crowd capable of surpassing the reported league record.

Why Great Yarmouth matters to Ellis Platten

The event has a personal connection for Ellis Platten, the creator behind the AwayDays football channel. Great Yarmouth is his hometown, making this takeover about more than attracting a big crowd. It is also an opportunity to give something back to a place that means a great deal to him.

The plan is to bring football fans to the Norfolk coast, introduce them to clubs in the local pyramid and help grassroots teams benefit from the attention. It is an example of how football content creators can use their platforms to encourage people to attend live matches and support clubs in person.

Building on the success of Witham Town

The Great Yarmouth event follows an AwayDays takeover at Witham Town in March 2026, when 1,205 spectators attended the match against Gorleston. That turnout showed the potential for online football communities to translate into real-world attendances at non-league grounds.

The Great Yarmouth challenge is different: supporters are being asked to travel to the east coast for a double-header, with a specific league attendance record in their sights. The event organisers say proceeds will go to the clubs involved rather than the creators.

A boost for grassroots football

Football at this level is built around volunteers, local communities and people who give up their time to keep clubs running. A big attendance can introduce new supporters, generate matchday income and give players the experience of playing in front of a crowd they may not normally see.

The event also shines a spotlight on the Wellesley Stadium, a ground with a remarkable history. Its Grade II-listed grandstand opened in 1892 and is widely recognised as one of the oldest football stands still in use. For groundhoppers and supporters who enjoy discovering the stories behind non-league grounds, it is an especially fitting venue for an event built around football history.

Great Yarmouth takeover: ticket and fixture details

• Date: Saturday 24 October 2026
• Venue: The Wellesley Stadium, Sandown Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR30 1EY
• 1pm: Great Yarmouth Town vs Stowmarket Town
• 4pm: AC Mill Lane vs Shrublands
• Reported ticket prices: Adults £10; under-18s and over-65s £5
• Ticket: Admission covers both matches.

Supporters should check the official event page for the latest ticket availability and arrangements before travelling.

Can non-league football make history again?

The Great Yarmouth takeover is another example of the enthusiasm and creativity that make non-league football special. Whether supporters are travelling from nearby Norfolk towns or making a longer journey, the message is simple: turn up, support the clubs and help make the occasion count.

Breaking the attendance record would be a significant achievement for the Anglian Combination and the teams involved. Just as importantly, the event offers a chance to introduce new people to grassroots football and remind everyone that the non-league game has stories, characters and experiences worth celebrating.

On Saturday 24 October, attention will turn to the Wellesley Stadium. The challenge is set, the fixtures are arranged and the hope is that supporters will once again show what can happen when the non-league football community comes together.

NonLeagueReview will continue to cover the stories that make grassroots football special, from non-league news and ground reviews to club features and the people behind the game.

Further reading: Great Yarmouth Borough Council on the history of the Wellesley Recreation Ground.