BLYTH SPARTANS FOOTBALL CLUB © Blyth Spartans Association Football Club Limited - Croft Park, Plessey Road, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 3JE Tel: 01670 352373 - Fax: 01670 545592 Company Number: 409564 BACKGROUND STAFF ______________________________________
COACHING STAFF ______________________________________ MANAGER: Alun Armstrong ASSISTANT MANAGER: Darren Holloway ASSISTANT MANAGER: Neal Hooks PHYSIOTHERAPIST: Chris Bell MEDIA STAFF ______________________________________ MEDIA MANAGER: Stuart Dick PRESS OFFICER: Glen Maxwell PROGRAMME EDITOR: Dan Simmonite CAMERA OPERATOR: Jordan Cronin RADIO BLYTH LIVE COMMENTATORS: Sam Donovan, Ross Jackson, Hannah Sewell WEBMASTER: Chris Ferguson MATCH DAY PHOTOGRAPHERS: Bill Broadley (wf.broadley@gmail.com) Kris Hodgetts (khphotos.co.uk)
CONTENTS ___________________ 4. General Manager welcome 5. ‘View from the Terrace’ 6 & 7. Ryan Hutchinson Q&A 8 & 9. Opposition preview 10. Opposition facts 14. Ron Guthrie biography 15. Dave Clarke biography 16 & 17. Blyth Spartans profiles 18 & 19. Brackley Town profiles 20 & 21. Brackley Town history 22 & 23. Player sponsorship 24. Non-League Paper column 25. Darlington v Blyth Spartans report 27. Commercial news 28. National League North fixtures 29. National League North table 33. #HowayBlyth - Best of social media 35. 3G Pitches in the Football League?
WELCOME TO CROFT PARK
CHAIRMAN: Tony Platten VICE CHAIRMAN: Kevin Scott COMPANY SECRETARY: Colin Baxter GENERAL MANAGER: Anthony Seghini COMMERCIAL MANAGER: Mark Scott DIRECTORS: Ian Evans, Colin Baxter EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Andy Bowron, Steve Frake, Jane Freeman, Steve Ord, Ian Evans FOOTBALL SECRETARY: Anthony Seghini FIXTURE SECRETARY: Jeff Young LIFE MEMBER: George Watson PA ANNOUNCER: Ken Teasdale STADIUM MANAGER: Colin Blackett GROUNDSMAN: Peter Henderson KIT MANAGER: Ted Lock
WELCOME
FROM GENERAL MANAGER
Welcome to today’s Vanarama National League North match against Brackley Town, in association with JAKO, the league’s official kit and ball provider. We extend a warm welcome to their players, officials and supporters. We hope you enjoy your visit to Croft Park and have a safe journey home later this evening. We go into today’s game hoping for a performance and result that will get us back on track for the remainder of the season. Following a tremendous first half of the season, our form has dipped in recent weeks, but we still remain within grasp of a play off spot. It is in spells such as these, that the supporters can play a huge part, by getting firmly behind the team with encouragement and support. Let’s hear that today & hopefully we will take all three points! Today’s match sponsors are F Southern & Sons Ltd and two gentlemen celebrating their birthdays; Mick Stephens and Mr Bromley. Happy Birthday to the birthday boys and thanks to you all for your support. Most of the match sponsorship packages are for the remainder of the season are now taken, however, there is still availability for the game against AFC Telford on Saturday 31st March. Interested parties should contact me in the general office. Continuing our series of guest appearances by members of the wonderful 1977-1978 squad, we are delighted to introduce before kick off today, Ron Guthrie and Dave Clarke. A warm welcome to you both. Tickets are on sale from today for the 1977-1978 commemoration social event on Friday 2nd March. These are available from the Official Supporters Club store and the general office, priced at £10 to include hot food. We will be announcing details in relation to the auction of the match worn commemorative shirts early next week. It is not too late to join the 1899 Club, for further details please contact Ian Evans on ian.evans1899@ icloud.com or 07905 984308. The next game at Croft Park will be the Vanarama National League North fixture on Saturday 17th February against Bradford Park Avenue, Kick off 3pm. Enjoy today’s match. Howay Blyth.
Anthony Seghini | General Manager 4 | BLYTH SPARTANS V BRACKLEY TOWN
VIEW FROM THE TERRACE *The views expressed are from the author and do not necessarily represent the football or supporters club.
Trivia quiz - Blyth once travelled 272 miles one way to play a league fixture in what was their longest ever trip in any division. Who did we play?
Good afternoon everyone and welcome to all those who have made the long journey up from Northamptonshire. It’s their first ever visit to Croft Park as it was the same for Spartans when we went down to St James Park. Yes that’s right, Brackley play at a St James park as well as our Premier League rivals! We got beat 3-1 that day back in October and Brackley Town are continuing another excellent season in the National North. Unless Salford fall away in their promotion push it will almost certainly see Brackley in at least the play off this season. I did not go down to Brackley Town earlier in the season with Blyth. I have been before and that was in 2012 when eventual champions Chester were the visitors that day. The game ended 3-2 to Chester. Brackley went on to the play off final that season but were ‘pipped’ at the post by Halifax Town 1-0 to deny them promotion to the National League. In the FA Cup this season Brackley reached the 4th qualifying round after beating Kingstonian and Braintree in previous rounds. In the last stage before the first round proper Brackley became unstuck at high spending Billericay in a replay. They have done well in the FA Trophy this season and have beaten Salford City, Braintree Town (again in a cup competition this season) and away to Barrow in a replay. As of last Saturday they were at home to Sutton United in the 3rd round proper. For travelling supporters there are no trains to Brackley itself but the nearest one is Kings Sutton which is 6 miles (10km) from the Town. Blyth are at home again next Saturday when Bradford Park Avenue are the visitors. Between today and then Spartans are away this following Tuesday night when they travel down to Tamworth. Hopefully this will be their last away midweek trip of the season. Trivia quiz answer - Longest ever league trip was away to Bishops Stortford in December 2011 the season we were relegated from the Conference North. Enjoy the game and get behind the team and manager in a positive manner, despite what happens on the pitch. Malcolm Stephenson - Supporter (For more years than I care to remember!)
5
SON
Q&A WITH RYAN HUTCHIN 1 - First pair of boots you owned? Nike total 90s. 2 - First game you went to? Newcastle v Barcelona is first one I can remember.
Hopefully help the lads finish in the Playoffs. 13 - Header or volley? Volley.
23 - Who listens to the worst music? Daz (Darren Holloway) sometimes likes to put an old school song on before games.
3 - First kit you owned? Newcastle united with the Brown Ale sponsor. 4 - First team you played for? Leam Rangers. 5 - Best player you’ve played with/against? With - Robbie Dale. Against - Ryan Fraser. 6 - Best stadium played at? St James Park.
you’ve
7 - Your footballing idol? Tino Asprilla. 8 - Which team do you support? Newcastle United.
22 - Who has the worst dress sense? Definitely Damo (Damen Mullen) he somehow pulls it off.
14 - Take a risk or play it safe? Take a risk. 15 - Home or Away? Home. 16 - Goal or Assist? Goal. 17 - Free kick or Penalty? Penalty.
24 - Biggest joker in dressing room? Busted (Ian Watson). 25 - Who’s the loudest? Laidler. 26 - Who spends longest doing their hair? Damo (Damen Mullen). 27 - Funniest thing you’ve seen in training? Young Jack Butler tackling the goals.
18 - Right foot or Left foot? Right foot. 19 - Step over or dummy? Dummy.
9 - Who will be the star man this season? Nipa (Dan Magire).
20 - Who is the best dancer? Maybe Damo (Damen Mullen).
10 - Who will be top scorer this season? Nipa (Dan Maguire).
21 - Who would make the best manager in the squad? Lidds (Michael Liddle).
11 - Which game were you most looking forward to this year? The two against Spennymoor over Christmas. 12 - What are your personal goals this season? 6 | BLYTH SPARTANS V BRACKLEY TOWN
28 - Who’s the biggest moaner? No one is that bad! Maybe give it to Robbie Dale. 29 - Who’s the most intelligent? Not many to choose from... Carty (Andrew Cartwright). 30 - Who’s the least intelligent? Has to be Lewis Horner!
PHOTOGRAPH BY KRIS HODGETTS
OPPOSITION PROFILE
Blyth Spartans host 3rd-placed Brackely Town in a mouthwatering tie today at Croft Park.
run of form, but the players will be fired up as ever with the prospect of regaining their top 7 spot with a win today.
The visitors will travel up from Northamptonshire this afternoon with an unbeaten league run of 8 games as well as the best defensive record in the divison - conceding only 24 goals in 27 fixtures.
Big games elsewhere today which could affect Spartans’ league position are: Bradford Park Avenue v Darlington, York City v Salford City and Stockport County v Nuneaton Town.
The Saints will also be full of confidence gong into this tie having beaten National League side Sutton United 3-1 to progress to the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy last week. On the other end of the spectrum, Spartans find themselves without a league win in 4, havng only won once since the start of the calendar year. The Green Army have slipped outside of the playoff places since their poor 8 | BLYTH SPARTANS V BRACKLEY TOWN
Spartans could go as high as 6th should they win today. On the contrary, Brackley can bridge the gap between themselves and 2nd-placed Harrogate Town as they hope to capitalise on a game in hand over their promotion rivals. Brackley, like Spartans’ North East counterparts Newcastle United, play at a ground called St James Park. Opened in 1974, it holds 3,500 spectators with a seating capacity of 507.
BRACKLEY
KEY PLAYERS
Chairman: Francis Oliver Manager: Kevin Wilkin League Position: 3rd National League North Top Scorer: A. Williams (16) Nickname: ‘The Saints’ Colours: Red/White
The record attendance was set at St James Park Brackly against FC Halifax Town in the 2013 Conference North Playoff final. 2,604 people turned up to see Brackley lose in the 74th minute when Lee Gregory scored the only goal of the game. Since their Playoff defeat The Saints have escaped relegation to the Southern Premier League twice; in 2014/15 and 2015/16, and have most recently finished just outside the Playoff places in 2016/17. The club missed out by just a point to Chorley, despite finishing the season with an impressive +23 goal difference last season.
Gareth Dean // Defender Club captain and a vital part of Brackley’s back line, conceding the least goals in the National League North so far this season. Luke Graham // Defender Journeyman who has played for 11 different non league sides, most notibly playing for York City in their Playoff final defeat to Oxford United in 2010 at Wembley Stadium. Aaron Williams // Forward Top goalscorer this season for The Saints, averaging a goal every 105 minutes in the National League North.
LAST FIVE RESULTS WON 3-1 vs Sutton United (FA Trophy) Saturday 3rd February 2018. WON 2-1 vs Salford City Saturday 27th January 2018. DREW 1-1 vs Tamworth Saturday 20th January 2018. WON 0-2 vs Barrow (FA Trophy) Tuesday 16th January 2018. DREW 0-0 vs Barrow (FA Trophy) Saturday 13th January 2018.
9
10 | BLYTH SPARTANS V BRACKLEY TOWN
1977/78 FA Cup run: 40th A
Today we welcome former spartans Ron ron guthrie
Ron was an insurance company rep in 1977/78 and he played in every game of the cup run. Having been in the Sunderland team that beat Leeds Utd to win the FA Cup in 1973 his experience proved invaluable as our cup run progressed. Ron started his career at Newcastle Utd in 1963 as a 19-year-old. A tough tackling left back he played 68 times for United before being transferred to Sunderland in 1973. Had the Sunderland fans taken to this ex-Magpie? “Yes, I always got on well with Sunderland fans,” Ron said. “In those days supporters would watch Newcastle one week and Sunderland the next. There was no hatred like today.” He made 81 appearances for Sunderland gaining further European experience playing in the Cup Winners Cup, having played in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup with Newcastle against the likes of Porto and Real Zaragoza. He was released in June 1975 and joined NPL Gateshead playing a season before leaving for a spell in South Africa. Ron commented: “Malcom McDonald had been out there the previous season and Tommy Cassidy rang me to say he was coming home and would I like to go out for three months.”
14 | BLYTH SPARTANS V BRACKLEY TOWN
When he returned home Jackie Marks stepped in quickly to sign him up, “I used to watch Blyth on Tuesday nights in the 1960s with the likes of Brian Slane and Eddie Alder playing for them plus I was 32 so it seemed a good fit, “said Ron. Speaking of his time at Croft Park Ron said: “I really enjoyed it. Of course, we were robbed at Wrexham and the penalty they won in the replay was never on. I got a £25 cheque from Jackie Milburn for being Man of the Match in that game. I scored earlier in the run against Crook. I hit it like a golf chip. It was a good goal – at least I liked it anyway! “At Newcastle and Sunderland, they had a bottle of whisky on the table in the dressing room before games so the lads could have a sip to warm up. I suggested this to Jack Marks and it might have been the Stoke game where the Spartans started that. I remember Jack on the pitch in the warm up at Wrexham with a bottle tucked under his coat!” Ron played on at Blyth for another three years after the cup run, retiring in 1981.
Anniversary celebrations
n Guthrie and Dave Clarke to Croft Park dave clarke Dave was spotted playing for Montague and North Fenham Boys Club by Joe Harvey’s Newcastle United and signed for them as a professional. He had previously turned down Burnley, Bolton and Hull City. He was the backup goalkeeper in United’s 1969 Fairs Cup success but was released by Newcastle at the end of that season and was signed by Doncaster Rovers’ manager Lawrie McMenemy. Following a bad injury Dave went on loan to Darlington. He turned semi-professional at South Shields; a club which folded and re-emerged as Gateshead. It was from there that Dave signed for the Spartans in the summer of 1977 on the same day as Terry Johnson, just as both of them had also signed for Newcastle on the same day! “I had 11 years at Croft Park and played over 400 games,” Dave commented. “I really enjoyed it at Blyth. Those were probably my happiest days in football. It was a smashing club. In fact I nearly didn’t sign but a pal of mine said Blyth was a great club. It turned out to be the best move I made. The highlight was obviously the FA Cup run but winning five Leagues titles in a row was brilliant too.”
Dave picked up 16 England non-league team caps. “I was the England number one for six years,” he said. “We played in end-of-season tournaments against Scotland, Holland and Italy. I also played for the Rothmans National X1 and in a tournament in Tenerife was in the same side as Bobby Charlton.” Dave was a character in the dressing room with boss Brian Slane commenting: “He was a great lad to have around to keep the lads’ spirits up.” Dave took over the reins at Croft Park following the sacking of Jim Pearson. Dave commented: “It wasn’t a successful time. I was a player one minute and the manager the next. That doesn’t work.” He did, however, find success at Alnwick Town as assistant to fellow Spartan Mick Dagless before going to to play for them and become manger there after Dagless left.
Compiled by Phil Castiaux and Graham Usher
15
PLAYERS 2017/18 SQUAD PROFILES RYAN HUTCHINSON // DEFENDER Ryan is a centre-half who is equally as comfortably playing right-back or midfield. He made his debut against Matlock Town in April 2014 before going on to make 152 Spartans appearances to date, netting eight times in all competitions. ‘Hutchy’ is a confident defender who is very good on the ball and calm under pressure. His previous clubs include Celtic, St Johnstone, Morpeth Town and Seaton Delaval. The 24-year-old’s impressive start to the Vanarama National League North campaign has seen him earn a call up to the England ‘C’ team squad, the pinnacle of the semi-professional game.
DAMEN MULLEN // MIDFIELDER Damen Mullen is a central midfielder who sometimes goes unnoticed but was one of the lynch pins of Spartans winning run during this season. A swiss army knife of sorts – he has the ability to play a number of positions but excels in the centre of the park. ‘Damo’ has made 165 appearances in the Green and White of Blyth Spartans, all over the field. He’s a combative midfielder who has an eye for a pass. He re-joined the club from Morpeth Town midway through last season, he came off the bench at Wembley Stadium to help the Highwaymen win the FA Vase over Hereford FC.
16 | BLYTH SPARTANS V BRACKLEY TOWN
SHAUN MACDONALD // GOALKEEPER Young goalkeeper who signed this summer upon his release from Gateshead.
SEAN REID // MIDFIELDER Made his debut in August 2015 against Buxton. Scored 20 goals last season in 50 apps
PETER JAMESON // GOALKEEPER Recent signing from National League North rivals Darlington. Helped the Quakers to two promotions in four seasons.
NEAL HOOKS // MIDFIELDER + ASSISTANT Joint Assistant Manager and midfielder who has played for various clubs in the north and Scotland. Made his Blyth debut in 2010 against AFC Telford United.
NATHAN BUDDLE // DEFENDER After joining from Hartlepool in 2013 Buddle made a name for himself up north and signed for League Two side Carlisle United in 2014. After a stint at Gateshead he re-signed for Blyth 2015. DAVID ATKINSON // DEFENDER After a summer of professional football in Iceland, Atkinson joined Blyth in October to link up with his former teammates. DYLAN MCGLADE // DEFENDER Former Rupublic of Ireland youth international signed from Longfort Town. IAN WATSON // DEFENDER 31-year-old Watson is Blyth’s first summer signing coming from Spennymoor Town. ANDREW CARTWRIGHT // DEFENDER Signed from the Sunderland academy for the 2015/16 season, the 22-year-old has made 67 appearances so far at Blyth. MICHAEL LIDDLE // DEFENDER Experienced defender having played in League One and Two earlier in his career. The Sunderland academy product has also made 5 appearances for Republic of Ireland U21. JORDAN WATSON // DEFENDER Signed from Darlington 1883 Jordan Watson has made 18 appearances in defence, 2 from the bench. DAVID MCTIERNAN // MIDFIELDER Another player who made their debut last season, McTiernan played in 15 games and scored 2 goals from midfield. DAMEN MULLEN // MIDFIELDER Mullen returned to Blyth Spartans from FA Vase winners Morpeth Town in 2016. He made 22 appearances last season.
ADAM WRIGHTSON // MIDFIELDER 19-year-old Wrightson scored 4 goals and made 18 appearances for Blyth last season, 12 as a substitute. LEWIS HORNER // MIDFIELDER 25-year-old Horner is another who re-signed for Blyth Spartans following a spell in the SPL with Inverness CT. ROBBIE DALE // FORWARD Robbie Dale is one of the most well known names at this level in football having been with Spartans since 2005, having a spell at Whitley Bay then coming back to play at Croft Park later on. DALE HOPSON // FORWARD Big signing for Blyth this summer from Whitby Town where he scored 30 goals from midfield. He is making a step up to the sixth tier this season in the National League North. GREG RUTHERFORD // FORWARD 6’ 4” striker who who was named Scottish League Two Player of the Month back in March. Signed in October from Berwick. JORDAN LAIDLER // FORWARD Released from Sunderland as a youth player, went on to play for Northern League sides West Auckland Town and Newton Aycliffe before signing for Blyth Spartans in Janaury 2017. DAN MAGUIRE // FORWARD 24-year-old Dan Maguire has made over 150 appearances for Blyth Spartans in the past five seasons and has scored over 100 goals in the process. JARRETT RIVERS // FORWARD Known for his exploits in the FA Cup with Blyth Spartans, the former Whitley Bay man gained a move to EFL club Blackpool in 2015 but rejoined Blyth the following year. 17
DANNY LEWIS // GOALKEEPER
Danny joins Kevin Wilkin’s side bringing huge experience to the goal-keeping jersey. Danny enjoyed two spells at Kidderminster Harriers making 185 appearances including a league debut against Northampton Town. He has also had spells at home-town team Redditch United and Moor Green and most recently played two seasons at Solihull Moors making 49 first team appearances in all. LUKE GRAHAM // DEFENDER Luke joined Brackley in the 2015-16 close season from Alfreton Town where he was captain. Previous clubs include Hereford United and Luton Town. Aside from his Brackley Town commitments he currently works at Kettering Town in the Southern League club’s academy. Connor FRANKLIN // DEFENDER
Connor is another player signed from Solihull Moors ahead of the 2017-18 season. Connor is a talented player providing options for Kevin Wilkin. He had spells at Hinckley United and Alfreton Town before two seasons at Solihull Moors. Connor is renowned for his long throw. 18 | BLYTH SPARTANS V BRACKLEY TOWN
Gareth DEAN // DEFENDER Central Defender and club captain Gareth (”Gaz”) Dean was signed from Solihull Moors in the close season ahead of 2016-17 and was ever present at St James Park in his first season here making 56 appearances and scoring on four occasions. Alex GUDGER // DEFENDER Alex signed from Worcester City ahead of the 2016-17 season. At City he played 46 games winning the Sponsors’ Player of the Year award. Alex brings pace and ability on the ball to the back line. Ellis MYLES // DEFENDER Right-back Ellis Myles, who featured at SJP in the 2011-12 season, signed again for the Saints after spending the 2015-16 season at from Corby Town. Ellis started his career as a trainee at Leicester City, before spells at Brackley Town and Rugby Town. James ARMSON // MIDFIELDER James had progressed through Nuneaton Town’s youth set-up and gained an England “C” cap in 2013 against Latvia. He is the personification of versatility having played for Nuneaton in every position on the pitch, including goalkeeper. However James favours an attacking midfield role. He is a former ‘Boro Player of the Year and immediately became a fans’ favourite at SJP. Adam WALKER // MIDFIELDER Adam was another to make the move from Solihull Moors joining Kevin Wilkin’s side in pre-season 2016. In his first season at SJP Adam made 56 appearances and spent more game minutes on the pitch than any other player.
Matt LOWE // MIDFIELDER Kevin Wilkin moved quickly to secure Matt as one of his first signings having come in as manager in September 2015. Matt played a big part whilst on loan in Brackley’s successful fight against the drop in 2015/16 and has already appeared 69 times in a Brackley shirt scoring eight times. Glenn WALKER // MIDFIELDER Glenn re-joined Saints for the 2015-16 season after one season at Hednesford. Glenn is another club legend who, like Steve Diggin, made it into the club’s “All time XI” when it was announced in 2016. Perhaps most famously remembered for his FA Cup goal against Gillingham in 2013. Shane BYRNE // MIDFIELDER Shane Byrne signed for the 2016-17 season from Nuneaton Town where he enjoyed a successful spell. In his first season at SJP Shane made an outstanding contribution to Kevin Wilkin’s side as they finished 7th in National League North, reaching the 2nd round of the FA Cup and the quarter finals of the FA Trophy. He made 52 appearances and scored four goals, his first a memorable finish against Darlington.
Jack BYRNE // MIDFIELDER Jack is one of four players signed from Solihull Moors in the 2017 close season. Vice-captain at Moors, he was Players’ Player of the Season. At 28 Jack is highly regarded, technically gifted and hard working, and his addition to Kevin Wilkin’s squad marked a key moment in pre-season preparations. Lee NDLOVU // STRIKER Lee is a striker formerly with Ilkeston and Grantham Town. Lee joined Brackley in February 2016 and had made 66 appearances scoring 15 goals by the start of this season. Steve DIGGIN // STRIKER Steve started out on Aston Villa’s books and has spent time at Corby Town where he scored a hat-trick on his debut. He returned to SJP for the 2016-17 season after a spell at Hednesford where he was top scorer in 2015/16. Andy BROWN // STRIKER Andy signed from Solihull Moors in pre-season. He is a proven goal-scorer and has shown at previous clubs he has a real winning mentality, earning promotion three times. Andy started at Telford United before having spells at Nuneaton and then latterly Solihull Moors, where he made 26 appearances last season.
PLAYERS 2017/18 SQUAD PROFILES
19
History | Established 1890 The first records of Brackley Town Football Club can be traced back to 1890 and around the turn of the century they were a prominent side in the South Northants / North Oxfordshire area. At one time the name of Tottenham Hotspur appeared on the fixture list, London being a short journey away on the newly opened Great Central Railway. In 1974 they moved back to the North Bucks League and this coincided with a move to the current St James Park ground. A small clubhouse and changing rooms were built and within 3 years the major step up into the Hellenic League was made. They stayed in Division One until 1983, winning the Knock-Out Cup in their final season before moving into the United Counties League, winning the Division One title at the first attempt and gaining promotion into the Premier Division. After finishing in the bottom half of the league for the first few seasons, they then experienced their most successful season ever in 1988/89 finishing as runners up and also reaching the final of the Northamptonshire Senior Cup. On the way to the final they had beaten Conference side Kettering Town under the newly erected floodlights. After this success the side then broke up and there followed several years of real struggle around the foot of the table with even the very survival of the club in doubt. The 1992/93 season ended with the ignominious distinction of having the worst playing record of any senior side in the country. It was only the fact that others did not have the required facilities for promotion that they were spared relegation. Drastic action was needed and accordingly the club was restructured and became a limited company. In 1994 they moved back across the pyramid into the Hellenic League and, after a mediocre first season, things improved dramatically during the 1995/96 campaign. Phil Lines, who had been manager of the successful side in the late ‘eighties, took charge again and a runners-up position was achieved in his first season. 1996/97 saw them go one better and win the Premier Division title. Minor miracles were then performed in order to make the ground suitable for elevation into Southern League.
20 | BLYTH SPARTANS V BRACKLEY TOWN
With finances at full stretch, the club was forced into voluntary liquidation in February 1999. It was saved at the last minute as Mike Bosher and Ray Styles stepped in to buy the assets and ensure that the season was completed. The “new” club finished bottom of the Southern Section and were therefore demoted back into the Hellenic League. Fast forward 10 years and the 2009/10 season saw the side in the top three for nearly the whole campaign and an eventual 5th-placed finish and defeat in the end of season play-off semi final, while 2010/11 ended in a 9th-placed finish but a first ever Senior Cup win which was followed by victory in the County Maunsell Cup, defeating Northampton Town in early July. 2011/12 saw arguably the most successful season in the club’s history culminating in winning the Southern League Premier Division and a second Senior Cup victory. The team lifted the Southern League shield at a jubilant St James Park after a 6-0 thrashing of St Albans City. The new season had seen the start of major ground improvements including new changing rooms, terracing, improved parking and the upgrading of the floodlights. The first season in the Football Conference began with a 4-1 at Altrincham to announce the arrival of Brackley Town at Step 2 and saw the side make it all the way to the play-off final losing by a single goal to FC Halifax Town at St James Park. The 2013/14 season brought a 7th-placed finish and FA Cup success beating Division One Gillingham at St James Park in a 1st round replay on live TV. The addition of an artificial grass pitch was a further big boost to the club as it expanded its community programme. The last two seasons have ended in fairy-tale escapes at the wrong of the table with last day wins. In April 2015 only three wins from three could save the Saints and, with two wins in the bag, a 1-0 home win over Hednesford on the final day of the season courtesy of Ryan Rowe’s stunning late strike saved the day against all odds. Jon Brady’s time in charge ended in October 2015 with ex-Chelsea defender Frank Sinclair taking temporary charge before former Cobblers striker and Nuneaton and Wrexham manager Kevin Wilkin was appointed to the hot seat. Wilkin led an FA Cup charge to the first round, losing only in a replay at league side Newport County, but the team laboured at the wrong end of the table until only a last day combination of a Brackley win at home against Tamworth and results elsewhere going their way would be enough to maintain National League status. For a second successive season the remarkable happened and Glenn Walker’s goal allied to Lowestoft’s inability to beat Gloucester City brought another heart-stopping afternoon that ultimately saw the Saints survive on goal difference only. Last season was one to remember with an FA Cup run that saw the Saints beat Gillingham 4-3 in a televised tie and play Blackpool away. In the Trophy Brackley progressed to the quarter finals where they were narrowly beaten 1-0 by eventual winners York City. The League saw us finish 1 point off the play-offs with a finish of seventh. Rumour of moves into National League South proved unfounded and a sixth season in National League North beckons. 21
PITCH SPONSORSHIP // £5-£20
Sponsor your part of the Croft Park turf. Single squares cost just £5, while the larger premium - penalty areas and centre circle - cost £20. COLIN COOKE AVAILABLE
MARTIN CAIN
EDDIE CAIN
AVAILABLE AVAILABLE
AVAILABLE
AVAILABLE EDDIE CAIN AVAILABLE AVAILABLE
AVAILABLE
AVAILABLE
Carney
AVAILABLE
AVAILABLE
AVAILABLE AVAILABLE AVAILABLE AVAILABLE
AVAILABLE
COLIN COOKE
AVAILABLE AVAILABLE AVAILABLE AVAILABLE
AVAILABLE
SHIRT SPONSORSHIP // £45
You can sponsor your very own shirt for the 2017/18 season - and take the jersey away at the end of the year. Sponsors will be presented with their desegnated shirt at the club’s end of season awards or at the sponsors’ evening. Available
Nicola Ives
Iain Charlesworth
Available
Julie Tuck
Carney
Nathan Tong
Available
Fred Wyres
Isaac Woodford
Julie Tuck
Available
Available
Available
Available
Available
Available
Available
22 | BLYTH SPARTANS V BRACKLEY TOWN
23
Ever met someone who seems to have it all go their own way in life? No stress. All upside to their day from the moment they wake up. A happy wanderer walking down the street humming a jovial tune because life is just grand. Then there are the rest of us – the people who drive Vauxhalls. You can relate this to football with the Premier League and the FA. The Premier League in its goliath standing is only getting richer and extending its outreach across the seas. The league’s own community initiatives aided by mega-rich clubs who have their own programmes to help those disadvantaged, and I have no intention of making any negative suggestion towards that. But the Premier League can do so much more for football in this country, we all know it. Yet there is no obligation. All the obligation falls on the Football Association. Their workload is a juggernaut-sized headache with topics ranging from doping tests to investigating cases of ineligible players being played by clubs. Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has so much freedom to act under as a result of his and his team’s own hard work, that there is a monopoly over what can be done next. With a 2019-2022 domestic TV rights deal to be settled this year, the Premier League has announced it is seeking the introduction of a winter break. Let’s just see who wins the tug-of-war with the FA and the EFL almost certain to object given their Cup competitions. A Premier League statement confirmed: “The Premier League has been in discussions with the FA and EFL for several months regarding the challenges of the increasingly congested English football calendar and ways in which we can work together to ease fixture congestion while also giving players a mid-season break.” So what for the Non-League pyramid as the Premier League sets its sights on an improved deal from Sky Sports and BT Sport? Should a European-style winter break come from the deal, all Non-League clubs would have 21 days to attract fans through the turnstiles to watch our own brand of football. Some people may not appreciate this notion but just because you support a Premier League or a Championship club does not mean you cannot appreciate watching a game along with 250 others rather than 25,000. Being a Leyton Orient fan I frequently overhear regular supporters sat around me talking to a friend they have brought along who may follow Arsenal or Spurs and there is a genuine interest in talking about the O’s. I’ve heard plenty of talk about disgruntled Sunderland fans taking in the goal fests often served up by South Shields this season, so it’s encouraging to see the club’s stadium developments be utilised. Let’s not pretend that the role of the Non-League pyramid hasn’t helped clubs develop their youngsters and give purpose to their academies. And furthermore the cases of Sam Clucas, Chris Smalling et al are success stories to be championed. In recent years I’ve been to Sydney and Cape Town and I have seen enough replica shirts from England’s top league to know Richard Scudamore doesn’t have to worry about a loss in profit anytime within the next 20 years. So can’t more be done to assist more clubs with the basic necessities of acquiring defibrillators and other essentials? By Adam Ellis (@AdamEllis22)
24 | BLYTH SPARTANS V BRACKLEY TOWN
3-0
MATCH REPORT
SATURDAY 3rd february 2018 written by sam donovan | PHOTOS BY KRIS HODGETTS Blyth succumbed to another defeat as Darlington deservedly claimed all three points against a Spartans side who are badly out of form. Stephen Thompson fired home from the penalty spot on the stroke of half time, after Ryan Hutchinson had brought down Reece Styche. Styche then doubled the lead just before the hour mark sliding home before David Syers powered home a header. Next up for Spartans is a home game on Saturday against promotion chasing Brackley Town. It is sure to be a fantastic game one of the league’s highest scorers go up against one of the best defensive sides in the league. Blyth Spartans: Jameson, Atkinson, Liddle, Mullen (Wrightson, 61), Buddle, Hutchinson, Rivers (Rutherford, 69), Reid, Maguire, Hopson, Dale (c). Subs not used: MacDonald, Laidler, Watson. Darlington: Pears, Trotman, O’Hanlon, Turnbull, Heaton, Galbraith, Caton (Gillies, 77), Wheatley, Styche (c) (Saunders, 81), Syers, Thompson (Scott, 87). Subs not used: Bancroft, Brown. Attendance: 1,526 FULL REPORT ON WWW.BLYTHSPARTANS.COM
25
45 | BLYTH SPARTANS PRE SEASON 2017/18
L A I C R E M COMS UPDATE NEW OST
...THE M
WITH “
AGUE
ON-LE
US N FAMO
TEAM TBALL
FOO
IN THE
D”
WORL
Today’s match sponsors are local firm F.Southern Painting and Decorating Contractors who joined the clubs list of advertisers in December 2016 proudly displaying their name at Croft Park. They have pitch-side boards located at the tunnel entrance as well as behind both goals. Based in Blyth but working all over the UK, F Southern is a commercial painter with 40 years experience (established 1978) serving the needs of business and public sector organisations. They combine the ethos of a family-run firm with the scale to carry out large projects. Founder Frank Southern started the business at home and today they operate from a large unit and depot in Blyth. Stephen Southern (Managing Director) and Paul Norvell (Commercial Director) are both from Blyth and have lived in the town all their lives. Although not regular supporter’s both do attend on an occasional basis and support the club when work and young families allow. “Stephens dad, Frank, owned the company, and he used to have a board at Croft park years ago. We employ over 40 painters at the moment. Around a third come from Blyth and the others are from Ashington, Blyth, Morpeth and Newcastle. Most of our workload is local for the likes of Arch, Ascent Homes, Port of Blyth, Bede and Blyth Academy amongst others. We’re very familiar with a number of the club’s existing sponsor’s and we thought we’d like to have our name associated too.” “The board we have designed have the new High Light Lighthouse which was painted in 2016 as well as the Commissioners Quay Inn for Arch. In 2016 we donated labour and materials to the Port of Blyth as part of a community investment programme so as you can tell we have strong links with Blyth and want to show people that we’re here and ready to support and invest in our home town.” F Southern are proud of their great reputation that’s built on reliability, quality and continual development of our workforce to stay up to date with customer demands and new technologies. They are CHAS accredited; members of Construction Line and all of their operatives hold CSCS cards and are trained in the use of mobile elevated platforms. They offer value engineering wherever possible to make sure their clients receive the right product at the right price. We’d like to thank F.Southern for their continuing support. Pitch side boards are available for £100+VAT manufacture and annual hosting starts at £100+VAT.
Contact Mark Scott on markscott@blythspartansafc.com or 07570 794 374 in relation to all commercial and advertising opportunities.
28 | BLYTH SPARTANS V BRACKLEY TOWN
*ACCURATE AS OF 8/2.18
29
33
3G PITCHES IN THE EFL // DAN SIMMONITE
@dan_simmonite |
/dansimmonitesport |
dansimmonite.com
Sutton United are a team who face relegation from the top tier of non league football down to the National League South if they are promoted and do not take the step up into the Football League. The fact that Sutton United would have to rip up their pitch is absolutely insane considering the surface was only just made eligible in the National League when they won promotion in 2015/16. Why can’t the EFL accept that it is 2018, football is modernised, and we have to move on with the times. They are already implementing goal line technology and VAR into refereeing decisions – why can’t the EFL allow a modern take on football turf? Upholding the ban on 3G pitches could be very detrimental to Sutton United and destroy all the hard work the club have put in off the pitch over the past few years. “We have always considered ourselves to be a non league club and the ambition has been to play at the top level of non league.” Sutton United chairman Bruce Elliott told BT Sport. “But ambitions change, and if we had the opportunity to play in the Football League, would we take it? Yes of course we would.” The main argument is that the technology has moved on so much since the 1980s when Oldham, Luton, Preston and QPR installed plastic pitches. The latter being at Loftus Road which Joe Royle, of Oldham Athletic, recalls a lot about. “It was a nightmare, basically a layer of Astro Turf on top of concrete,” he said. “I once saw a keeper take a goal kick and it bounced so high that it flew over the crossbar at the other end.” Royle told BBC Sport.
As a consequence of these abominations 3G surfaces were banned in 1995 for all professional clubs. That was twenty-three years ago. Fast forward to today and the FA Cup is a competition which allows artificial turf. This means that clubs as high as the Premier League have the possibility of playing a competitive fixture on the surface. This was seen in last years FA Cup when Arsenal played at Gander Green Lane in the 5th round. 3G turf is also used in the Champions League, Europa League and Euro qualifiers. In my opinion it’s a psychological thing for teams that they have a disadvantage on 3G pitches. This assumption is only helped by the mainstream media who jump quickly to assume that because a surface is different then it must be deemed a game changer – it no doubt instigates a discussion in the news! Especially in non league you see more and more teams investing big money in these pitches. Teams like Scarborough Athletic, Newmarket Town and Maidstone United all rely on the surface. It forms part of their business plan and secures the club financially for years to come through an abundance of revenue streams. The clubs can also play and train on the pitch due to it’s durability so a training ground is not needed. 35
BLYTH SPARTANS V
BRACKLEY TOWN Saturday 10th February 2018 15:00 Kick Off
Shaun MACDONALD (GK) Peter JAMESON (GK) Nathan BUDDLE
Danny LEWIS (GK) Luke GRAHAM Gareth DEAN ©
Ryan HUTCHINSON
Alex GUDGER
Jordan LAIDLER
Steve DIGGIN
Michael LIDDLE
Matt LOWE
David MCTIERNAN Damen MULLEN Sean REID Jarrett RIVERS Lewis HORNER
Lee NDLOVU James ARMSON Adam WALKER Ellis MYLES Glenn WALKER
Jordan WATSON
Shane BYRNE
Adam WRIGHTSON
Andy BROWN
Robbie DALE © Andrew CARTWRIGHT Chris BELL Ian WATSON Dale HOPSON Neal HOOKS Dan MAGUIRE Greg RUTHERFORD
Connor FRANKLIN Jack BYRNE Khris OTI Aaron WILLIAMS Jamie LUCAS Theo STREETE