Salvation can be found in the non-league

This is a pivotal moment of realisation in F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel. Gatsby, who had spent his life pursuing the woman he had thought would make him happy, realised that she too had become corrupted by an age of excess and money.

As football fans up and down the country save up their hard earned money to watch their cherished team, often watched by generations before them, they may well come to a similar conclusion as Gatsby; their love, and their game, has become corrupted by money. High ticket prices, overpaid players, and kick-off times ruled by the demands of television are just the by-products of a game overcome by excesses of money. Keith Harrison's blog summed up the current state of modern football: "Football may be a beautiful game, but it's also a loathsome cesspit of humanity, devoid of morals and corrupted by money."

But do not despair- when this moment of realisation arrives, the story does not need to descend into eventual oblivion, as is the case for Gatsby. Instead, salvation may be found in the non-league. As the Chairman of Halesowen Town told me: "There's something of the old game that can be found here." The non-league is a place where footballers still play for their love of the game, where dedicated fans remain the heartbeat of their club, and where football is still played on a Saturday afternoon (or midweek on a Tuesday).

There could have been no greater advert for the non-league game than Stourbridge's 5-3 victory against Nantwich last Tuesday. Played in front of a crowd of 362, this seventh tier match had everything required to restore faith in the beautiful game. It was not just the fast-paced, seesawing affair between the teams which was so appealing, but the whole non-league experience. Entering the ground, fans are greeted and welcomed by raffle ticket and programme sellers who are proud and happy to volunteer for their local club. The lady at the café selling chips is not just an employee or a volunteer, but also a fan. The steward at the turnstile does not just take your money, but chats about the team's recent results and fortunes. The Chairman is not a distant figure in a boardroom, but stands on the terraces with his partner, chatting with fans and buying from the raffle ticket seller. This is a local, tightly knit club, which every fan feels proud to be a part of.

As for the game, it was a thriller. Key Stourbridge frontman Luke Benbow returned from injury to net a stunning hat-trick. The first of his goals, a curling shot from outside the penalty area which hit the post before going in, was particularly impressive. Manager Gary Hackett told the Stourbridge website afterwards that "...I thought his hat-trick on Tuesday night was as good as any I've seen at any level, and that just showed what he can do." His mum, watching on a front row bench, was clearly delighted with his performance as well.

The football, however, was not the only entertainment on offer. The travelling 20 or 30 Nantwich fans created a cracking atmosphere too. Particularly entertaining were their renditions of Bob Marley's 'Everything is gonna be alright' when losing 4-1, and 'we're gonna win 6-5' when trailing 5-2.

Perhaps the greatest drama, however, occurred when the assistant referee, or linesman as they used to be known, had to come off injured. This led to a barely discernible announcement on the crackling tannoy, calling for a qualified FA official. Eventually this was answered by a Nantwich fan, who barely looked fit enough to be a linesman, but as everyone wanted the game to go on, he was accepted. A further delay ensued whilst the fan changed into his linesman's kit, before the game finally restarted. "You wouldn't get that down the Albion" one fan joked behind me, and in that regard, he was right. If the advert for non-league football needed strengthening any further, it was duly done so the following night through England's tedious 1-0 victory against Norway. I know which match I preferred, and it wasn't the one that cost between £30 and £60.

So, if and when you reach that moment of disillusionment with the professional game, go down to your local non-league club. Here you can stand on the terraces with a pint of beer, and enjoy the game amongst fans and players who are truly passionate about the beautiful game. For a mere £10 you can get a front row seat (or a bench) on the half-way line. You might not be so lucky as to see a 5-3 thriller. But you might just be surprised at the beauty which can still be found in the old game.