MANY professional football clubs in the lower leagues are constantly struggling to make ends meet - but the state of the game is not all bad if you take a look lower down the ladder.

While AFC Bournemouth's dropping attendances and financial problems act as a reminder of how difficult life is for clubs outside the cash-rich Premier League and, in some cases Championship, the semi-professional circuit seems to be flourishing.

More and more fans are turning to non-league for their footballing fix - and it's not hard to see why.

As a keen follower of the Southern League and Wessex League both through work and as a passionate football supporter, I can vouch for the entertainment provided.

I was among the 600-plus people at Tuesday night's Dorset derby between Wimborne Town and Poole Town, a game which demonstrated many of the factors that lure people away from a professional game they increasingly struggle to associate with.

Staged at Cuthbury, the match itself was not high on quality, with heavy rain and a swirling wind playing a major role.

But what the fixture lacked on that front, it made up for in excitement, with the advantage constantly switching in favour of both sides to offer an absorbing spectacle.

As well as the committed nature of the play, a look in the bar afterwards pinpointed other potential plusses of choosing to go and watch your local side.

Supporters and players alike shared the facilities, mingled with one another and enjoyed a chat about the game.

I'm 24, and this has never been the case with top-flight matches since I've been attending, and I don't think it ever will be again.

With players now millionaire celebrities, the man in the stands couldn't be further away from the participants on the pitch and has perhaps begun to fall out of love with the game at the highest level.

This is an old and obvious argument for the apathy, I know. But perhaps as crucial is that people have seen first-hand that they can enjoy football and see some decent players a stone's throw from their houses - then meet the stars of the show afterwards.

Many local football watchers once went to see their favourite professional teams play and some still do on an occasional basis, but there does seem to be a shift towards watching non-league as an alternative, whether that is driven by ticket prices or a fading passion for the pro game.

The early-season statistics support this, as shown in the attendance figures factfile (see left).

Although the current campaign is only a few weeks in, the numbers add up favourably towards non-league, the Wessex Premier Division in particular.

Wimborne Town, Hamworthy United and Christchurch are among the clubs to enjoy rocketing gate receipts, with the division itself boasting a 12.7% boom.

When I tell friends I'm heading to Cuthbury, Hurn Bridge or other little-known venues on a Tuesday night, they look at me in disbelief, before turning their attention back to the Champions League on TV.

Don't get me wrong, I love watching football at its highest level, but I also highly recommend non-league as a cheaper alternative.

It may lack glamour and the silkiest of skills - but it still has plenty going for it.

So next time you're bored at home or wondering what to do with your Tuesday night or Saturday afternoon, give non-league a try. You never know, you might even get hooked like the rest of us.