How I watched football: 2025-26

Two stewards watch Doncaster Rovers take a corner kick during the away win at Port Vale.

Football seasons don’t always end how you’d hoped. In fact they rarely do. Only one team can be champions. There can be only one cup winner. Only a handful can get promoted or contest play-offs. Only one or two will survive a real relegation scare.

For three or four sides, sometimes less, the season will end in relegation – something no-one ever hopes for. And for the rest of us, for the many not the few, football seasons have a habit of fizzling out. Despite what broadcasters may have you believe there is no ‘battle’ for eight, or ninth, or fourteenth. And so after all that hope, all that excitement, all that chase, what is there to show for those 30 or 38 or 46 games of graft, but a team name next to an inconsequential number. Mid-table. The very word feels unresolved.

Wales had hoped to end their season on the other side of the Atlantic, but instead crumbled in their own capital. Colwyn Bay – the team I watched the most this season – had hoped to end 2025-26 with a first European qualification, instead they finished with a play-off performance so flat you could play snooker on it. I’d hoped to end my own season at Barmouth, or Blaenau Ffestiniog, or Bodedern via a long walk through the North Walian landscape. But life, and work, and weather, and body conspired against me, and so instead my season ended three weeks after its final game with the anti-climax of an OS map put back on the shelf and walking boots tossed back in the cupboard.

But even in seasons that fizzle out rather than fizz the time is spent not wasted; there are always reasons to be cheerful. I saw a nine goal thriller in a December downpour, and found a grand old ground in East Berlin. I enjoyed long languid walks to the mountain homes of Talysarn and Mynydd Llandegai and lazy late season end-to-end free-for-alls at Penmaenmawr and Gwalchmai. I saw Wales turn in their most complete performance in a decade to knock North Macedonia for saith, and in a corner of South London I celebrated an improbable 97th minute Doncaster Rovers winner with such gusto that my phone still bears the gouges and dents from where it flew out of my pocket and landed several rows away.

The Rovers were up and down – they did what all football teams do to their fans; they impressed me and frustrated me, enlivened me and bored me. Over the course of the season I watched them when they were second in League One, and I watched them when they were second bottom, but through all that they never felt destined to finish anywhere other than mid-table. A prophecy they fulfilled with games to spare. Football may rarely deliver you what you hoped for, but it can only delay the inevitable for so long.

by Glen Wilson

Below is a photograph from every match I attended this season. All photos were taken using an iPhone.

Match 1 | July

A football match in rolling country hills viewed from behind one goal. The match action is at the other end of the field. The goalkeeper at the near end stands with his hands on top of his head.

Rhos United 6-0 Pentraeth
FAW Welsh Cup 1st qualifying round, Bettws-yn-Rhos Recreation Ground

Match 2 | August

Cray Wanderers celebrate a goal, the goalscorer races off to the corner flag, fans behind the goal jump in the air in celebration

Cray Wanderers 2-0 Canvey Island
Isthmian League Premier Division, Flamingo Park

Match 3 | August

A night match at Huddersfield Town viewed from the back of the away end, thousands of heads illuminated by the floodlights watch a Doncaster Roves attack.

Huddersfield Town 2-0 Doncaster Rovers
EFL League One, Accu Stadium

Match 4 | August

Match action during Port Vale vs Doncaster Rovers viewed from the shadowy depths of the stands on a sunny day; spectators are silhouetted against the sunshine.

Port Vale 0-1 Doncaster Rovers
EFL League One, Vale Park

Match 5 | August

Colwyn Bay supporters in shorts and claret and blue Colwyn Bay shirts watch on from the stands.

Colwyn Bay 1-1 The New Saints
Cymru Premier, Llanelian Road

Match 6 | August

A trio of Lewisham Borough supporters watch their team during a night match from behind a railing and a long jump pit.

Lewisham Borough 0-2 Bridon Ropes
Southern Counties East League Division One, Alex Yee Ladywell Arena

Match 7 | September

A goal mouth scramble during Penmaenmawr Phoenix vs Waterloo Rovers against a mountain backdrop.

Penmaenmawr Phoenix 2-1 Waterloo Rovers
FAW Welsh Trophy 2nd qualifying round, Cae Sling

Match 8 | September

A Wales defender holds off an Austrian player by the touchline during an under 19s international at Colwyn Bay

Cymru 2-2 Austria
Under 19s international friendly, Llanelian Road

Match 9 | September

Supporters watch some goal mouth action unfold from the dry safety of the stand behind the goal during a soggy Caernarfon Town match at their temporary home in Llandudno.

Caernarfon Town 3-1 Barry Town United
Cymru Premier, Maesdu Park

Match 10 | September

Doncaster Rovers fans high in the stand are silhouetted by the sunshine during a defeat at Wigan

Wigan Athletic 3-0 Doncaster Rovers
EFL League One, DW Stadium

Match 11 | September

A young ballboy watches on during a night match at Colwyn Bay

Colwyn Bay 0-1 Bala Town
Cymru Premier, Llanelian Road

Match 12 | September

A Doncaster Rovers fan's 'Coppinger 26' shirt stands out in a huge crowd watching Rovers League Cup defeat at Tottenham.

Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 Doncaster Rovers
EFL League Cup 3rd round, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Match 13 | September

An old man and a young boy head down a narrow alleyway between Luton Town's Kenilworth Road ground and neighbouring houses.

Luton Town 1-0 Doncaster Rovers
EFL League One, Kenilworth Road

Match 14 | October

A Conwy player in their distinctive orange kit takes a corner in an otherwise empty corner of the ground; the flag has fallen over, mountains rise up behind him.

Conwy Borough 1-1 Boded (4-2 on penalties)
FAW Welsh Amateur Trophy 1st round, Y Morfa

Match 15 | October

Night match action glimpsed through the side of a perspex dugout at Llandudno as Caernarfon play The New Saints.

Caernarfon Town 1-3 The New Saints
Cymru Premier, Maesdu Park

Match 16 | October

A middle aged couple watch Colwyn Bay take on Cardiff Met from a grass bank beside the main stand.

Colwyn Bay 0-0 Cardiff Met
Cymru Premier, Llanelian Road

Match 17 | October

The Wales players have a pre-match huddle on the pitch before their World Cup qualifier with Belgium.

Cymru 2-4 Belgium
FIFA World Cup Qualifier, Cardiff City Stadium

Match 18 | October

A group of young lads watch on from the fence as Talysarn Celts host Llanerch-y-Medd against a mountainous background.

Talysarn Celts 1-1 Llanerch-y-Medd
Cynghrair Arfordir Gogledd Cymru (Gorllewin), Uwch Adran, Gloddfa Gai

Match 19 | October

Beneath autumnal trees and beside fallen leaves Rhos Alewyd take on Dolgellau AA.

Rhos Aelwyd 0-1 Dolgellau AA
Ardal North East, Parc Ponciau

Match 20 | November

A young fan stands with older relatives outside the ground ahead of Crew Alexandra's FA Cup tie with Doncaster Rovers.

Crewe Alexandra 1-2 Doncaster Rovers
FA Cup 1st round, Gresty Road

Match 21 | November

The ball disappears into a low autumn sun above the pitch as Llanfairfechan Town host Y Glannau.

Llanfairfechan Town 2-3 Y Glannau
North Wales Coast East League Premier Division, Y Rec

Match 22 | November

Wales fans go crazy as down on the field their players celebrate another goal in their 7-1 win over North Macedonia.

Cymru 7-1 North Macedonia
FIFA World Cup Qualifier at Cardiff City Stadium

Match 23 | November

Rhyl supporters stand on the terrace beside the club bar as their team's FAW Welsh Cup tie against Cwmbran Town takes place behind them.

Y Rhyl 1879 3-2 Cwmbrân Town
FAW Welsh Cup 3rd round, Belle Vue

Match 24 | November

Fans watch on from the seats of the main stand as Colwyn Bay and Penybont players get ready to challenge for a header in heavy rain.

Colwyn Bay 5-4 Penybont
Cymru Premier, Llanelian Road

Match 25 | December

A fan sits on a picnic table and watches Penmaenmawr Phoenix play Mumbles Rangers against a mountainous backdrop.

Penmaenmawr Phoenix 2-0 Mumbles Rangers
FAW Welsh Amateur Trophy 4th round, Cae Sling

Match 26 | December

A Caersws player runs up to take a corner into a low sun at Mold Alexandra; beside him the assistant referee shields his eyes.

Mold Alexandra 0-2 Caersws
Cymru North, Alyn Park

Match 27 | December

Silhouetted supporters shield their eyes and look into the setting sun during Caernarfon Town's defeat to Colwyn Bay at Llandudno.

Caernarfon Town 1-2 Colwyn Bay
Cymru Premier, Maesdu Park

Match 28 | January

A Colwyn Bay player takes a corner in front of the home support at Llanelian Road.

Colwyn Bay 1-2 Flint Town United
Cymru Premier, Llanelian Road

Match 29 | January

A Doncaster Rovers supporter catches the action on her phone as Southampton take a first half corner at the Eco Power Stadium.

Doncaster Rovers 2-3 Southampton
FA Cup 3rd round, Eco Power Stadium

Match 30 | January

Doncaster Rovers' Luke Molyneux takes a corner at Wimbledon's Plough Lane in a terrible lurid kit.

AFC Wimbledon 0-1 Doncaster Rovers
EFL League One, Plough Lane

Match 31 | January

Bangor City supporters celebrate their second goal at a packed Nantporth during their FAW Welsh Cup quarter final win over Caerau Ely.

Bangor City 1879 3-1 Caerau Ely
FAW Welsh Cup quarter final, Nantporth

Match 32 | February

Llansannan players appeal to the referee for a goal as members of their own team and opponents lie tangled in the goal mouth and net at the latter team's mountain backed home ground.

Conwy Borough 1-3 Llansannan
North Wales Coast East League Premier Division, Y Morfa

Match 33 | February

Two supporters watch on as Colwyn Bay's Matty Hill launches a long throw-in towards the penalty area during a night match against The New Saints.

Colwyn Bay 0-2 The New Saints
Cymru Premier, Llanelian Road

Match 34 | February

Torrential rain falls on Penmaenmawr Phoenix and Llannefydd players during their ultimately abandoned FAW Welsh Amateur Trophy quarter final match.

Penmaenmawr Phoenix A-A Llannefydd
FAW Welsh Amateur Trophy quarter final, Cae Sling

Match 35 | February

A Cemaes Bay player takes a corner during their 4-3 defeat to Penrhyndeudraeth; beyond the pitch the town of Penrhyndeudraeth climbs the hill side.

Penrhyndeudraeth 4-3 Cemaes Bay
Cynghrair Arfodir Gogledd Cymru (Gorllewin) Uwch Adran, Maes y Parc

Match 36 | March

Mynydd Llandegai and Llanerch-y-Medd play against a backdrop of snow-topped mountains at the former's Penrhiw home ground.

Mynydd Llandegai 6-2 Llanerch-y-Medd
Cynghrair Arfodir Gogledd Cymru (Gorllewin) Uwch Adran, Penrhiw

Match 37 | March

Supporters of SV Lichtenberg 47 lean against a barrier to watch their team's match against SV Siedenbollentin in East Berlin.

SV Lichtenberg 47 3-1 SV Siedenbollentin 2000
Oberliga Nord, Hans Zoschke Stadion

Match 38 | March

FSV Mainz 05 take a penalty during a routine away win at Turbine Potsdam's Babelsberg home ground.

FFC Turbine Potsdam 0-4 FSV Mainz ’05
Frauen-Bundesliga II, Karl Liebknecht Stadion

Match 39 | March

Bangor City fans peer through the pitch-side netting to watch their team defeat Penmaenmawr Phoenix in the FAW Welsh Amateur Trophy semi-final at Colwyn Bay.

Penmaenmawr Phoenix 1-7 Bangor City 1876
FAW Welsh Amateur Trophy semi final, Llanelian Road

Match 40 | March

Fans and players watch on as the penalty shoot-out gets under way at the end of Wales and Bosnia Herzegovina's World Cup qualifying play-off semi final.

Cymru 1-1 Bosnia Herzegovina (2-4 on penalties)
FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifying play-off semi-final, Cardiff city Stadium

Match 41 | March

Conwy Borough take an attacking free-kick during their away win at Llandudno Junction. Conwy Castle is visible in the background.

Llandudno Junction 1-2 Conwy Borough
North Wales Coast East League Premier Division, The Flyover

Match 42 | April

Colwyn Bay take a late corner during a 2-0 home defeat to Caernarfon Town.

Colwyn Bay 0-2 Caernarfon Town
Cymru Premier, Llanelian Road

Match 43 | April

Mochdre Sports's second goal sails just beyond the desperate reach of the Glan Conwy goalkeeper during their 3-1 win at the latter team's Cae Ffwt ground.

Glan Conwy 1-3 Mochdre Sports
North Wales Coast East League Premier Division, Cae Ffwt

Match 44 | April

Newtown send on a substitute during their final game of the season at Ruthin Town.

Ruthin Town 2-3 Newtown
Cymru North, Memorial Playing Fields

Match 45 | April

A Colwyn Bay fan in a sky blue gap watches his team tussle beneath a corner kick with hosts Connah's Quay Nomads against a low sun at Flint Town United.

Connah’s Quay Nomads 1-1 Colwyn Bay
Cymru Premier, Cae y Castell

Match 46 | April

A very young Colwyn Bay fan sitting on the steps of the main stand watches his team take on Penybont in bright sunshine.

Colwyn Bay 0-0 Penybont (3-5 on penalties)
Cymru Premier European Play-Off semi final, Llanelian Road

Match 47 | May

The sun sets over the sea during a late season evening match at Penmaenmawr Phoenix.

Penmaenmawr Phoenix 4-1 Y Felinehli
Ardal North West, Cae Sling

Match 48 | May

A Bontnewydd defender rises to head clear a cross beneath a huge blue Ynys Môn sky at Gwalchmai.

Gwalchmai 5-3 Bontnewydd
Cynghrair Arfordir Gogledd Cymru (Gorllewin) Uchaf Adran, Maes Meurig

Further photographs from each of the games featured in this blog can be found on the popular STAND Instagram account

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