North Shields v Morpeth Town (19/02/20)

Official North Shields Match Programme

ÂŁ1.50

Man of the Match Sponsor: Chris Hunt

Wednesday, 19th February | 7:30pm KO Daren Persson Stadium

North Shields FC

@NorthShieldsFC

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IN TODAYS ISSUE Page 4: Today’s Fixtures Page 5: Chairman’s Corner Page 7: Manager’s Notebook Page 8: North Shields Squad Profiles Page 10: North Shields Player Stats Page 11: Results Grid

NORTH SHIELDS FC Daren Persson Stadium West Percy Road

Page 12: Northern League Round Up

North Shields

Page 14: Northern League Tables

NE29 0LH

Page 16: Photo Gallery Page 17: North Shields Club History Page 18: Match Report Page 20: Feature Interview Page 22: Match Report Page 24: Morpeth Town Club History

CLUB OFFICIALS

Chairman: Alan Matthews Club President: Malcolm MacDonald Honorary Vice President: Dave Thompson

Deputy Chairman: Trevor Campbell Club Treasurer: Mike Taylor

Page 26: Morpeth Town Player Profiles

Club Secretary: Sean Redford

Page 29: It’s In The Numbers

Commercial Managers: Steve Arkle & Carl Redhead

Page 31: Why The Fans Matter Page 33: On This Day Page 34: 2019/20 Season Grid Page 39: On The Road Page 40: Squad Lists

Lottery Manager: Sam Cave Gateman: Joe Cave Maintenance Manager: Mick Woodhouse

Player Liaison: Bob Scott Club Historian: Trudi Thompson

MEDIA TEAM Head of Media: Sean Mulligan Media Officer/Programme Editor: Ed Painter Club Photographer: Chris Chambers

NORTH SHIELDS

V

MORPETH TOWN

BLYTH SPARTANS

V

NEWCASTLE UNITED U23s

•

FA Vase Winners: 2015

•

NCEL League Cup Winners: 1992

•

European Amateur Cup Winners: 1969

•

NCEL Presidents Cup Winners: 1992

•

FA Amateur Cup Winners: 1969

•

Northern Counties League Winners: 1960/61

•

Northern League Division One Winners: 1968/69

•

Northern Counties Cup Winners: 1961

•

NEL Division One Winners: 1949/50

•

NEL Division Two Winners: 1928/29

•

NEL League Cup Winners 1945, 1957

• • •

Northern League Division Two Winners: 2013/14 Northern League Cup Winners: 1969, 1972 Wearside League Winners 1998/99, 2000/01, 2003/04

•

Northern Alliance Winners: 1906/07, 1907/08

•

NCEL Premier Winners: 1991/92

•

Northumberland Senior Cup Winners: 1906, 1912, 1938, 1948, 1954, 1958, 1960, 1966, 1976, 1979, 1991, 2016

CHAIRMAN’S CORNER Tonight we welcome the officials, players and supporters of Morpeth Town to the Daren Persson Stadium for this Northumberland Senior Cup semi final game.

As you will all know this is the Semi-Final and the glory for the winners is that the Final will be played at St. James’ Park; home of Newcastle United.

As a club, we have done well in the competition over the past four years, reaching the final three times in that period.

We were there last season where we played Morpeth, who won beating us 2-1 with the winning goal coming in the last moments of the game.

Morpeth of course now play their football at a higher level than ourselves and boast a class side. Never the less, cup football is all about one off occasions, and I'm sure Marc Nash will have the lads geared up for this once in a lifetime opportunity to reach the final.

Well Storm Dennis did for us last Saturday and almost every other club in the Northern League. Only Stockton survived and managed to play on their plastic pitch.

The result was as expected and they extended their lead at the top. So it's fairly safe to sat that it will be them plus two that are promoted at the end of this season.

Here's hoping the wind and rain keep away for this encounter this evening.

It's not easy to predict attendances but I feel sure we will maintain our current average of 320 plus tonight. However, Wednesday evenings and the inclement weather have taken their toll in the past, we're in the lap of the gods as far as that is concerned.

So, it's back to tonight's game, and here's hoping we are in for a feast of top class football, with Shields showing just what we are capable of.

Up the Robins.

Alan Matthews

MANAGER’S NOTEBOOK Good evening as we welcome Morpeth Town for a repeat of last season’s Senior Cup Final.

We are now the last remaining Northern League side in the competition and we know we now need to beat two higher class opponents to win this trophy. We can take great encouragement from last years final as we took a very good side to the brink of penalties.

As we know, football is an ever changing sport and we both may look quite different in terms of our line ups.

Obviously, there is now two leagues between us, but we are having a solid season and would love another return to St James’, although we face an extremely difficult tie against an in form Morpeth Town.

I have to say that this current little winning run has delighted me in terms of the squad showing great character and resilience when needed. We have seen two big cup wins against Northern League Division Two high flyers but more impressively, it has seen three very tough places to go and get anything in Benfield, Seaham and Newton Aycliffe. We collected maximum points and conceded just one goal in the process.

In each game, we have come across poor playing surfaces and terrible windy conditions and we have grinded it out each time. We love to try and play the right way on the deck but it has been literally impossible lately so the players have had to adapt and I can’t speak highly enough of their team spirit and attitude.

Regardless of the big money clubs around us in the league table, we are in the mix and intend to be as long as possible. There’s 13 league games to go so we are nearing the run in and it’s going to be exciting to the bitter end so hopefully the fans will continue to get behind us because you really make a difference.

Of course whatever happens tonight we also have the League Cup Quarter Final, with another home tie, so we have laid the foundations earlier in the season for an exciting last couple of months.

Enjoy the game,

Marc Nash

M

Sponsor: Sam & Joe Cave

Marc Nash Nashy joined North Shields in 2018 from near rivals Whitley Bay. Marc has managed the Bay Reserves before moving to their first team. Mark also works at TyneMet College as a coach and is also UEFA B licensed.

GK

Sponsor: Ed & Craig Cramman

AM

Sponsor: Mick Laidler

Anthony Woodhouse Woody is a former player who followed Marc from Whitley Bay in 2018. Previously had a stint in charge of Division One side Newcastle Benfield. Also went on to make 27 appearances for the Robins.

GK

Sponsor: Graham New

FT

Sponsor: Mike Taylor

Steve Swinyard Steve is a UEFA B licensed coach and former assistant to Woody. He also spent some time in a coaching position at Ashington as well as spending time working at the Newcastle United foundation.

DF

Sponsor: George Wilson, Mick Lowden & Ian Goicoechea

P

Sponsor: Alan Matthews

Graeme Scott Graeme joined the Robins in the summer of 2019. He is a Clinical Operations Manager Paramedic and also has coaching experience coaching with Cullercoats U13’s. Will play a big role in keeping the Robins ticking.

DF

Sponsor: The Reed Family

Greg Purvis

Bradley Skirpan

Paul New

Jack Donnison

Greg joined the Robins in 2018 from now defunct Team Northumbria. He is a extremely talented keeper who is a rock at the back for this North Shields team.

Has previously spent time at Sunderland Academy.

Young shot-stopper who joins us from Blyth Spartans reserves. Made an impressive debut against Guisborough and will look to push Greg all the way for the number one jersey.

A former Royal Marine who joins the Robins after a spell in Cornwall with St Blazey.

He also spent four years with Darlington Railway Athletic. Can play anywhere in defence or midfield. Has excellent timing and world class discipline.

A solid fullback whose love for a tackle has made himself a firm fan favourite with the Robins faithful. He is a confident defender as well as a excellent attacker who can strike fear into the opposition defenders.

DF

Sponsor: Tommy Crawford

DF

Sponsor: Trevor Campbell

DF

Sponsor: Eden Dene Tree Services

DF

Sponsor: The Fraser Family

Chris McDonald

Ben Christensen

Rhys Williams

Wayne Buchanan

Chris joins the Robins from Morpeth Town, having also played for Berwick Rangers and Whitley Bay. Chris is strong, versatile and knows how to score the odd screamer. Played under Nash whilst playing at Hillheads Park.

Ben is an experienced defensive player who will not shy away from a battle on the pitch. He is comfortable playing anywhere across the defence. the Robins fought off a lot of competition to secure his services for the rest of this season.

Rhys joins the Robins after spending last season with Division Two side Washington as their captain. A combative defender with bags of potential, Rhys also played for Hebburn Town in their most recent promotion from Division Two in 2018.

Wayne is an experienced centre-half who joins the Robins from Division One rivals Ashington. He counts Gateshead, Blyth Spartans, Morpeth Town and plenty more as his former clubs. A no-nonsense player who adds strength and reliability to the team.

DF

Sponsor: Paul Nelson

MF

MF

Sponsor: Mick Laidler

Sponsor: Anthony Beck

MF

Sponsor: Steve Barras

Marc Jacques

David Hall

Kyle Patton

Denver Morris

Marc joins the Robins after an exciting spell abroad in the United States where he was on a scholarship. A defender who played for Middle Georgia State University, Marc returns to his roots.

Joined the Robins from Whitley Bay in 2018. He played under Nashy during his time with the Bay and adds quality to our midfield.

David has a serious amount of potential and has can snuff out opposition attacks.

Kyle joins the Robins in the summer of 2019 from Bishop Auckland. A diminutive winger who has pace to burn, Kyle also chips in with the goals and assists. Another former Nashy player during his time at Whitley.

He returns home after spells with West Auckland and Bishop Auckland. A versatile midfielder who won the Man of the Match award during our 2015 FA Vase win. Skilled player with endless amounts of energy.

MF

Sponsor: Daytona Dave

MF

MF

MF

Sponsor: One Stop Stores

Sponsor: Dave Paterson

Gary Ormston

Josh Skivington

Cam Cunningham

Paul Robinson

A goal-scoring midfielder who is comfortable across the park. His experience will bring on the younger players and his 100% attitude will always be a huge plus to the squad.. He also scores a goal or two.

The youngster of the side at only 17 years of age. The attacking midfielder was released by Newcastle last year and has been up to Dundee. Josh signed for North Shields in 2018.

Definitely one to watch.

Extremely talented young winger who burst onto the scene at Whitley Bay. Made the transition to adult football with ease and is tipped to go very far if he keeps his head down and works hard.

An experienced midfielder who joined from Morpeth Town and has bags of top level experience with Blyth Spartans. Won the FA Vase three times whilst at Whitley Bay and just doesn't score boring goals.

MF

MF

MF

Sponsor: Steve Barras

MF

Sponsor: John Lillford

Sponsor: Daytona Dave

Nick Cassidy

Adam Forster

Paul Van Zandvliet

Callum Smith

Nick joins us after an impressive two-season spell with Consett AFC where he played a pivotal part in the Durham Challenge Cup success in 2017. He has also comfortably played at rightback and loves to take a freekick or two.

Adam returns to the Robins from Blyth AFC. The talented midfielder also played for Blyth Spartans and will add quality to our team. He is also an FA Vase and Senior Cup winner.

Replaced Kev Hughes as the Robins captain in 2019.

Local lad Paul is another product of Tyne-Met College. His performances last year attracted the attention of Sheffield United. Paul’s box to box and powerful style will no doubt propel him to be a fans favourite in time.

An exciting left winger who came through the Newcastle United setup, impressing as a member of their under 23 squad. Spells at Newcastle and Hull led him to Dunston UTS before joining the Robins

Sponsor: Daytona Dave

Sponsor: John & Chris Sayers

ST

MF

ST

Sponsor: Daytona Dave

Sponsor: Sean Taylor

Gaz Bainbridge

Ryan Carr A speedy attacker with an eye for goal. He progressed through the ranks at AFC Farsley before returning North. Scored the late winner in the 2016 Senior Cup Final against Blyth.

PLAYER NAMES

A man who bleeds North Shields Football Club. Gaz has scored crucial goals at Wembley and St James’ Park. Since joining from Ashington, Gaz has gone on to score 160 goals.

LEAGUE APPS

LEAGUE GOALS

Sponsor: Carl Redhead

Connor Campbell

He returns to the Robins in 2019 after a seriously prolific spell with Heaton Stannington. Formerly of Whitley Bay A, the extremely talented striker will look to build on an impressive season.

CUP APPS

CUP GOALS

SUB APPS

CAREER APPS

CAREER GOALS

2

1

8

240

163

23

1

BAINBRIDGE, GAZ

2

BUCHANAN, WAYNE

16

1

7

CAMPBELL, CONNOR

12

2

6

3

10

31

5

CARR, RYAN

21

7

9

7

2

222

66

CASSIDY, NICK

23

6

1

1

30

1

CHRISTENSEN, BEN

3

4

2

9

0

2

2

0

9

41

9

249

12

CLARK, JAMIE CUNNINGHAM, CAMERON

15

4

3

FORSTER, ADAM

16

2

7

3

HALL, DAVID

6

30

0

JACQUES, MARC

2

2

0

McDONALD, CHRIS

21

MORRIS, DENVER

3

1

9 1

4

35

1

80

18

NEW, PAUL

24

1

7

1

32

1

ORMSTON, GARY

22

1

7

2

202

18

PATTON, KYLE

22

18

6

3

31

22

PURVIS, GREG

23

9

ROBINSON, PAUL

10

7

SKIRPAN, BRADLEY

2

SMITH, CALLUM

5

1

VAN ZANDVLIET, PAUL

10

2

WILLIAMS, RHYS

10

1

5

4

1

63

0

11

99

14

2

0

4

10

1

3

13

2

1

16

0

0-3

3-2

0-0

WAT

WBA

5-3

THO

1-2

2-0

1-4

5-1

WHC

2-0

ST

RCA

SHI

3-3

2-0

SRS

2-2

2-1

3-0

PEN

RCW

1-2

NT

0-0

1-1

2-3

0-0

NB

2-4

NS

5-1

HEB

2-1

2-1

2-1

1-4

2-1

3-2

2-1

2-3

2-4

2-2

2-3

1-2

3-0

2-3

2-0

1-4

3-1

2-9

2-1

0-5

2-2

0-3

2-1

1-2

0-0

3-2

3-0

2-3

0-0

CONSETT

NA

2-1

ASHINGTON

GUI

BILLINGHAM TOWN

4-1

GUISBOROUGH TOWN

CON

BISHOP AUCKLAND

0-2

1-0

0-2

0-2

0-2

0-3

3-0

2-2

1-2

5-2

4-5

2-3

2-2

3-1

4-0

1-4

0-3

1-4

1-5

1-3

2-2

4-4

1-2

0-2

2-3

3-2

4-0

0-2

0-3

1-2

4-2

1-1

1-1

3-4

1-2

0-4

5-0

2-0

0-5

3-2

0-1

3-2

2-1

1-2

2-3

1-3

1-1

2-1

3-1

3-0

1-2

0-3

2-3

0-1

0-2

1-4

2-1

2-1

2-1

1-0

3-0

2-4

1-2

2-3

4-3

6-1

1-0

1-0

3-1

1-2

6-0

3-0

5-1

3-2

2-3

3-1

3-0

4-0

1-1

3-0

2-1

2-2

1-1

0-2

2-2

4-1

5-1

2-1

3-1

2-0

3-0

7-3

4-1

3-2

7-1

2-3

1-2

1-1

1-1

2-0

1-1

2-2

6-1

2-0

5-1

2-2

1-3

1-2

1-1

4-0

2-2

1-0

0-3

2-3

0-3

3-1

1-3

1-5

1-5

2-4

1-1

0-4

0-4

0-3

0-2

1-0

1-2

1-1

2-2

0-2

1-2

1-2

0-6

3-1

1-2

2-0

2-0

2-2

1-1

1-2

1-3

3-0

1-2

3-1

2-1

SUNDERLAND RCA

0-1

HEBBURN TOWN

3-0

NEWCASTLE BENFIELD

BA

NEWTON AYCLIFFE

0-1

NORTH SHIELDS

3-1

NORTHALLERTON TOWN

2-5

PENRITH

0-3

RYHOPE CW

1-0

STOCKTON TOWN

4-1

SEAHAM RED STAR

1-0

SHILDON AFC

0-5

1-1

2-0

4-1

4-2

1-0

8-1

4-0

1-1

3-1

4-0

1-0

1-4

1-1

2-2

1-0

THORNABY

2-1

1-3

0-0

1-1

3-0

0-3

0-0

1-0

3-2

1-1

3-2

1-0

1-2

2-2

2-1

WEST AUCKLAND TOWN

BT

0-0

3-0

0-2

1-2

2-0

3-2

2-1

2-1

1-0

0-3

3-1

5-0

2-0

WHICKHAM

ASH

5-1

2-2

2-6

4-3

1-0

3-1

2-1

2-1

1-2

1-0

1-1

4-4

2-0

1-2

WHITLEY BAY

Techflow Northumb

Semi-F A chance at revenge was given to the Robins when the Semi-Finals of the Techflow Northumberland Senior Cup were drawn. Last season’s final was about as tense as you could possibly imagine, with Craig Spooner’s leveller cancelling out an earlier Morpeth Town strike. But with the game heading for a penalty shootout, the Highwaymen scored a crucial late goal and secured the win.

After opening the season in indifferent form, the new-look Robins have settled brilliantly, sitting in fifth (at the time of writing this) and having games in hand on fourth, third and second place. Confidence will be high that the Robins can prove one or two people wrong by beating a team several divisions above them.

What could prove crucial of picking up a win against a side North Shields have struggled against in recent years is that fact that they are at home. Only Hebburn Town and Sunderland RCA have beaten Shields at the Daren Persson Stadium this season and with their passionate supporters packing the ground out, an electric atmosphere could swing things in their favour.

After losing out in the National League North Play-Offs last season, Blyth Spartans have found things very difficult on the pitch this season.

Lee Clark’s experiment with bringing Northern League players up to a National League level hasn’t worked out as hoped. A mid season revival looked as though the Spartans had turned a corner but as of today, they still sit second bottom.

Despite this, their still have a chance of silverware as they host Newcastle United U23’s at Croft Park, with the chance of a final appearance at St James’ Park on the table.

Given the youth of the opposition, the experience of players such as Robbie Dale could prove to be crucial but having said that, with survival in the National League North the main priority this season, does a long run in the Senior Cup serve as a unwanted distraction?

Having seen off Northern League Division Two strugglers Bedlington Terriers in the previous round, Newcastle will obviously be a tougher challenge but similar to North Shields, if the Croft Park faithful pack the stadium out, who is to say they aren’t able to pick up a moraleboosting win

Updated on

berland Senior Cup

Finals The reigning Techflow Northumberland Senior Cup champions will feel reasonably confident that they are set to repeat their success for a second season in a row. After winning promotion to the National League Premier Division, they have settled in reasonably well and with the additions of former South Shields and Whickham striker Carl Finnigan joining the Highwaymen, they certainly have the tools to succeed.

Today’s Semi-Final will also see Morpeth assistant manager Jon McDonald returning to his former club, no doubt keen to put one over his former employers, having enjoyed a largely successful spell at NE29.

But unlike last seasons Semi-Final, where they hosted Newcastle United U23’s in front of a record crowd, they have been drawn away from home against a team who have lost only twice at home all season. First team manager Nick Gray will need his squad to be at their best to get past the Robins. Especially given their indifferent away form this season; losing six of their 13 away games so far.

Last season’s Techflow Northumberland Senior Cup campaign didn’t go to plan quite as much as they wanted it to. Having qualified for the Semi-Finals, they came unstuck away to eventual winners Morpeth Town at Craik Park.

The team, consisting of talented midfielder Matty Longstaff at the time, with his brother Sean in the crowd, didn’t deal with the physicality of the hosts on the day and found themselves bullied off the ball for large spells of the game.

Their management team will need to be careful that the same thing doesn't happen again when they travel to face a Blyth Spartans team that are fighting for their lives in their league this season.

Having said that, with the exciting 20-year-old forward Tom Allan likely to feature tonight, they possess yet another young star who looks set to feature for the first team in the not too distant future.

If they can get on top early on against the Spartans and quieten what will be a raucous crowd, expect to see the U23’s feature at St James’ Park in the final!

n 09/11/2019

DIVISION ONE TABLE 2019/2020 CLUB NAME

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Stockton Town

27

22

4

1

67

13

54

70

2

Hebburn Town

28

18

4

6

77

45

32

58

3

Shildon

27

17

4

6

70

36

34

55

4

Consett

26

14

7

5

71

36

35

49

5

North Shields

25

15

4

6

50

36

14

49

6

Guisborough Town

26

15

2

9

40

33

7

47

7

Newton Aycliffe

25

15

1

9

55

38

17

46

8

Billingham Town

28

12

6

10

51

48

3

42

9

West Auckland Town

26

11

8

7

49

29

20

41

10

Bishop Auckland

30

12

4

14

58

60

-2

40

11

Newcastle Benfield

26

10

7

9

44

43

1

37

12

Sunderland RCA

26

10

4

12

43

52

-9

34

13

Ryhope CW

26

9

5

12

38

57

-19

32

14

Whitley Bay

29

7

7

15

48

58

-10

28

15

Seaham Red Star

26

6

7

13

38

64

-26

25

16

Ashington

26

7

3

16

30

60

-30

24

17

Penrith

27

5

5

17

31

64

-33

20

18

Northallerton Town

25

6

1

18

28

50

-22

19

19

Whickham

26

5

3

18

30

62

-32

18

20

Thornaby

27

4

6

17

31

65

-34

18

TOP GOALSCORERS NAME

CLUB

GOALS

Graeme Armstrong

Hebburn Town

32

Dale Pearson

Consett

30

Billy Greulich-Smith

Shildon

29

Dean Thexton

Shildon

27

Jamie Owens

Stockton Town

24

Dan Wilson

Seaham Red Star

23

Kyle Patton

North Shields

22

DIVISION TWO TABLE 2019/2020 CLUB NAME

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

West Allotment Celtic

25

20

1

4

91

36

55

61

2

Crook Town

26

17

3

6

65

32

33

54

3

Redcar Athletic

26

16

5

5

56

32

24

53

4

Ryton & Crawcrook Albion

26

15

3

8

57

34

23

48

5

Carlisle City

25

15

3

7

59

50

9

48

6

Billingham Synthonia

26

15

2

9

58

39

19

47

7

Heaton Stannington

25

14

4

7

56

26

30

46

8

Tow Law Town

25

13

4

8

53

37

16

43

9

Jarrow

24

13

3

8

44

34

10

42

10

Easington Colliery

26

10

5

11

63

54

9

35

11

Birtley Town

24

10

3

11

34

33

1

33

12

Newcastle University

24

9

5

10

55

57

-2

32

13

Chester-le-Street Town

26

10

1

15

38

56

-18

31

14

Esh Winning

26

8

6

12

45

53

-8

30

15

Willington

24

9

2

13

39

48

-9

29

16

Bedlington Terriers

24

9

1

14

42

63

-21

28

17

Sunderland West End

26

7

5

14

37

58

-21

26

18

Washington

28

5

3

20

32

71

-39

18

19

Brandon United

23

2

5

16

25

70

-45

11

20

Durham City

25

2

2

21

18

84

-66

8

TOP GOALSCORERS NAME

CLUB

GOALS

Adam Preston

Redcar Athletic

37

Matthew Hayton

West Allotment Celtic

30

Shane Jones

West Allotment Celtic

29

Abubaker Salim

West Allotment Celtic

23

Robert McCartney

Carlisle City

22

Scott Jasper

Ryton & Crawcrook Albion

19

Daniel Kent

Crook Town

19

PHOTO GALLERY Featuring CJC Photos

NORTH SHIELDS CLUB HISTORY

The club was formed in 1896 as North Shields Athletic, playing initially in the South Shields and District League.

They subsequently became members of the Northern Combination and were runners-up of this league in the 1900– 01 season. The club moved to the Appleby Park ground at Hawkey's Lane, North Shields around 1900. After eight seasons as a Northern Combination club, in 1904 North Shields Athletic joined the Northern Alliance. They soon were successful, winning the league for two successive seasons in 1906–07 and 1907–08. Following this the team were admitted to the North Eastern League and North Shields Athletic remained members until 1914–15 when competition was suspended owing to the First World War. At least two players, Alan Grenyer and Harry Chambers went on to play for the full England team after starting their careers with North Shields Athletic.

The club became North Shields F.C at the start of the 1928–29 season and were immediately divisional champions and promoted back to Division 1 of the North Eastern League where they remained playing (except for a seven-year suspension of the league caused by the Second World War) until 1958. North Shields achieved their best to date performance in the FA Cup in reaching the second round proper in 1933–34 (this feat was not equalled for forty-nine years). In the first round Shields defeated Midland League Scarborough 3–0 at Appleby Park. They were drawn away in the next round to local rivals Football League Third Division North club Gateshead who won the tie, 1–0.

A few years prior to the war-time cessation, in 1936 the club saw their record attendance at Appleby Park of 12,800 in a local derby match against South Shields. In 1944–45 following the post war resumption of the league Shields won the league cup. Shortly afterwards in 1949–50 the team won the North Eastern League championship, achieved a second-placed finish in 1951–52 and took the League Cup winners crown again five years later. That season, 1956– 57, was to be temporarily their penultimate as members of the North Eastern League as that league disbanded after the 1957–58 campaign. North Shields joined the Northern League from the 1964–65 campaign and shortly thereafter achieved success. A year after joining they were runners-up and three years later with former Scotland defender Frank Brennan as manager North Shields recorded a unique quadruple in 1968–69 of league winners, league cup winners, FA Amateur Cup winners and joint winners of the Anglo Italian Amateur Cup (after an aggregate draw over two legs against Italian Amateur cup winners Almas). The FA Amateur Cup was the highest ranked nationwide cup competition for amateur clubs and in the 1968–69 final North Shields beat Isthmian League club Sutton United in front of 47,000 spectators at Wembley Stadium.[9] Shields were a goal down after only four minutes but won 2–1 with second half strikes from Richie Hall and Brian Joicey, both laid on by substitute Tommy Orrick a local shipyard worker.

(North Shields Athletic 1995–1999) Despite it being a couple of weeks after the start of competition North Shields were accepted into the Division 2 of the Wearside League - a drop of 5 levels down the football pyramid. Former player Dave Callaghan became the manager and put a new team together. The clubs stay at this level was shortlived, earning promotion - as 1992–93 division 2 runners-up - to division 1 of the Wearside league. Initially the club played at their Appleby Park ground but after a few months relocated to St John's Green, Percy Main and thence for a couple of years from 1993–94 on to Swallow Sports Ground, Wallsend. Thereafter the club relocated back to North Shields to the Ralph Gardner Park which has since been developed into a 1,500 capacity stadium. Success on a national level followed the next season when "the Robins" won the 2014–15 FA Vase beating champions of the North West Counties League, Glossop North End. The final took place at Wembley Stadium and similar to the North Shields Amateur Cup triumph 46 years previously they came from a goal down to win 2-1 (after extra time) with Gareth Bainbridge and Adam Forster scoring. Along the way, a new attendance record of 1,500 was established at the Shields' Ralph Gardner Park stadium at the semi-final second leg match against Highworth Town in which the Shields triumphed 2–0. They also finished 4th in the Northern League First Division and only five points behind champions Marske United.

The following season 2015-6 Shields finished fifth in the league whilst lifting the Northumberland Senior Cup beating Blyth Spartans 4-3 in a thrilling Final at St James Park. Gary Ormston opened the scoring followed by a Gareth Bainbridge brace with Ryan Carr notching a dramatic last minute winner. Brian Smith left the club in February 2018 to be replaced by ex Whitley Bay boss Marc Nash. Nash brought with him Anthony Woodhouse who was welcomed back to his old stamping ground as assistant. The duo marked their debut in charge with a sensational 6-5 victory over Jarrow Roofing after the Robins were trailing 5-2 late in the game. With Steve Swinyard coming in as coach the new management team guided the club to a final 8th position as the season closed.

This campaign in which Wembley skipper Kevin Hughes made his 300th appearance the side enjoyed a promising mid-season run of results which saw them put pressure on the top three.

Saturday, February 8, 2020 | Kick Off 3pm | Daren Persson Stadium | Ebac Northern League Division One

NORTH SHIELDS Subs (used): Forster (63), Campbell (75), VanZandvliet (83) Subs (not used): Bainbridge, Williams

10 Referee: Mr James Bancroft Attendance: 196 Man of the Match: Gary Ormston

NEWTON AYCLIFFE Subs (used): K Carr (46), Phelan (89) Subs (not used): Webster, Barnes, Coles Goals: N/A

Goals: Patton (92)

Purvis

Cassidy

New

Buchanan

Ormston

Carr (c) Smith

Cunningham

McDonald

Patton

McCarthy Jarvie

Ardelean

Petitjean

Wood

Walton

McNamara

Green

Pennal

Brown (c)

Costello (c)

Pickford

North Shields ran out worthy winners in a closely contested affair. North Shields ran out 1-0 winners against Newton Aycliffe at the Beaumont Landscapes stadium. North Shields were forced into a change to the squad with captain Adam Forster dropping to the bench and being replaced by Callum Smith.

North Shields started the better of the two sides, with McDonald sending in an early cross to find Kyle Patton who manages to beat him man and force a save from Pickford.

Aycliffe found their way into the game with Ethan Wood bringing a fine save from Greg Purvis.

The first half was full of end to end football with both sides having a lot of the ball along with fighting against the wind. Both sides had plenty of chances but neither side went ahead at half time.

Kev Carr replaced Pennal at half time.

Aycliffe put together a good team move ten minutes in, but when the ball reached Jarvie, his effort didn’t trouble Purvis. North Shields made their first change as Adam Forster cam on and replaced Scott McCarthy on 63 minutes. Newton Aycliffe

maintained their bright start to the second half as they kept pressing and Shields cleared the ball off the line on two occasions. North Shields then brought on Connor Campbell replacing Callum Smith on the 75th minute.

North Shields looked dangerous on the counter-attack, Pickford having to make a good save from Ryan Carr parrying his shot away for a corner.

Marc Nash made his final change seeing Cam Cunningham being replaced by Paul Van-Zandvliet. Van-Zandvliet was called into action straight away with a cross finding Kyle Patton who is brought down inside the penalty area only for the referee to show a yellow card to the forward for simulation.

Moments later Connor Campbell broke through the Aycliffe line and was one-onone with keeper Adam Pickford, only to see his effort go wide.

It was North Shields who were the strongest going forward and finally broke the deadlock two minutes into injury time.

The ball was played into the box and Patton found the corner of the net.

CHRIS MCDONALD Midway through last season, Chris McDonald joined North Shields after a previous spell will the likes of Morpeth Town, Berwick Rangers and even our near-neighbours Whitley Bay Unfortunately for Chris, injuries limited the fullback to a handful of appearances towards the end of the season. But with after Jordan Summerly aggravated a previous injury during a pre-season game against Musselburgh Athletic, the left back spot was his for the taking and boy did he do just that.

An almost ever-present for the Robins this season, Chris’ performances have led to him becoming a fan favourite at the Daren Persson Stadium; with Summerly departing for Blyth Spartans in search of first team football.

Funnily enough for Chris, when North Shields were drawn at home in the Semi-Final of the Northumberland Senior Cup, it was almost inevitable that Morpeth Town were going to be the next team out of the hat.

Ahead of the match against his former side, we spoke with Chris to talk about his time with the Highwaymen and what made him decide that North Shields was where he needed to be.

Q: On a personal level, how do you feel that your season has gone so far?

A: “Personally, my season has gone a lot better than I had expected, due to the injury hit campaign I suffered last season.

As a team, we have hit a really good level of consistency.”

Q: Having joined mid way through last season, you struggled to get into the team due to injury. Was it frustrating for you to be sat on the sidelines?

Q: “I didn’t get too frustrated being on the sidelines as I always knew it was an injury that needed a lot of time to recover from.

Fortunately, having David Power here last season really helped me.”

Q: Tonight, you will be coming up against one of your former clubs in Morpeth Town. When your time with the Highwaymen came to an end, what persuaded you that North Shields was the right place for you to go?

A: “North Shields, for as long as I have been playing Northern League football, have been a very competitive side who play really good football.

Along with having Marc and Woody involved with the club, it was the right move for me.”

Q: What kind of a challenge are you expecting from tonight’s visitors?

A: “I am expecting a very difficult challenge as they have some exceptional players in their ranks who have that ability to put in a big perform on biggest occasion.”

Q: Team spirit seems to be at an all-time high this season. What do you think has been the reason for this?

A: “In my opinion, I think it is because we don’t really have any bad eggs in the squad as we are all wanting the same thing, to achieve and progress as a unit.”

Q: We all saw how well the team was supported on the road to Newton Aycliffe a week or so ago, especially after Kyle’s last-minute winner.

How much of an impact does having such a passionate support base have on the team, especially when we are away?

A: “The supporters have been having a massive impact, simply because everyone in the team knows how much it means to them travelling all over the north east and further to watch their team.”

Q: Due to our runs in the Senior Cup and Northern League Cup, the fixtures are beginning to pile up, with four games to come in ten days, including tonight.

What kind of challenges does this pose to the playing squad?

A: For me, it would be stupid to think it won’t takes its toll on us.

Like I said earlier, we have a tremendous will to get through games and more often than not reaped the rewards through our hard work and determination.”

Wednesday, January 29, 2020 | KO 7:30pm | Daren Persson Stadium | Brooks Mileson Memorial League Cup

NORTH SHIELDS Subs (not used): Buchanan, Shepherd

32 Referee: Graeme Hopper Attendance: 201

Subs (used): Cunningham, Hall, McCarthy

RYTON & CRAWCROOK ALBION Subs (not used): Dobson, Graham Subs (used): Dick, Blewitt, Norris

Goals: Patton (45), Carr (68), McCarthy (90)

Goals: Norris (76, 83)

Purvis Cassidy

Williams

New

Ormston

P Robinson Carr

Patton

McDonald

Forster (c)

Smith Jasper (c)

Thompson

Moody

Dunn

Ord

Davis

Shepherd

Turnbull

Barker Hansen

Below

Scott McCarthy scored a late winner as North Shields progressed to the Quarter Final of the Northern League Cup; beating Ryton & Crawcrook Albion 3-2.

Kyle Patton scored with seconds remaining in the first half to give the hosts the lead heading into the break.

Ryan Carr then doubled the advantage midway through the second period, finishing off Nick Cassidy’s corner.

RACA thought they had taken the game to penalties, with substitute Sam Norris scoring a quick-fire double.

But McCarthy fired home a Cassidy freekick with minutes to spare, at a gusty Daren Persson Stadium, to maintain the Robins’ cup run.

Callum Smith almost got Shields off to a perfect in the second minute but after bursting into the box, his shot was blocked by Liam Barker before the ball was eventually cleared behind for a corner.

Shields kept the pressure up and in the 13th minute, a long-range shot from Chris McDonald stung the palms of RACA keeper David Hansen.

The 22nd minute saw Smith once again threatening the Ryton defence. After being fed through on goal by McDonald, the former Dunston attacker tried to set up Patton, only for Callum Turnbull to deny him an opener.

Two minutes later, Ryton created their first chance on goal, with Jamie Dunn’s effort from outside the box comfortably saved by Greg Purvis.

In the 30th minute, Tyler Davis almost gave RACA the lead against the run of play, with a deep freekick almost sneaking in at the far post.

But almost immediately, the hosts had a glorious chance of their own when an inviting ball from Paul Robinson was nodded the wrong side of the upright by Patton.

Shortly afterwards, Ryton defender David Below found himself charging into the Shields penalty area, only for his shot from the corner of the box to bobble safely into the hands of Purvis.

But just like what happened a few moment ago, Shields broke up the other end at speed, with Smith once again testing Hansen with a low shot.

With seconds until the half time whistle, the Robins finally had their breakthrough when a perfectly executed through ball from Robinson picked Smith out on the wing.

After cutting inside of his marker, Smith’s cross found Patton in the centre of the box, leaving the attacker to turn sharply and finish into the bottom corner.

Shields looked to start the second half brightly and in the 47th minute, after some great play from Adam Forster, Carr’s blocked shot deflected to Cassidy, with the

fullback’s long range effort looping over the bar.

Ten minutes later, McDonald tried his luck from just outside the penalty area, finding Hansen once again equal to his well struck effort.

The Robins were enjoying plenty of possession but were struggling to break down the resolute RACA defence, with Hansen tipping Robinson’s long range goal over the crossbar.

However, in the 68th minute, Shields were finally able to double their lead when Carr was given far too much space to hammer home Cassidy’s menacing corner kick from the centre of the box.

Not long after, the Robins should have scored a third when a beautiful long ball from Forster gifted Patton all the space in the world to break into the RACA penalty area. After the ball was centred to Smith, the former Dunston attacker took one touch before his powerful shot was somehow parried away by the recovering Ryton keeper.

The hosts were immediately made to pay for that miss as straight from the goal kick, one pass from midfield released substitute Norris clean through on goal.

Despite Purvis getting a heavy touch on his initial effort, the ball fell kindly to the former Ashington striker, allowing him to stroke his shot home to reduce the lead.

The only thing between the Robins and a third goal was the excellent form of Hansen, with the former Blyth Town keeper pulling off a fine save at his near post to deny Cassidy.

But once again, the hosts were caught napping and in the 83rd minute, Norris looked to have taken the game to penalties, with the striker converting an excellent pass from James Thompson.

Time was running out for the Robins as they looked to recover from losing a two-goal lead.

However, in the last minute of normal time, a freekick just over the half way line from Cassidy caught the Ryton defence out, allowing for substitute McCarthy to take a touch before hammering the ball into the roof of the net.

Shields could have even added a fourth with seconds remaining in the game, as Smith beat Jack Moody in a foot race to break away on goal, only for his looping effort to narrowly clear the crossbar.

After the 3-2 win, the Robins will join West Allotment Celtic, West Auckland Town, Shildon, Newton Aycliffe, Newcastle Benfield, Consett and either Whickham or Guisborough Town in the next round of the Brooks Mileson Memorial League Cup. The draw will be made at a later date.

Morpeth Town TODAY’S VISITORS

Club Honours • •

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• • • •

Records

FA Vase Winners 2015–16 Northern Premier League Division One East champions 2018–19 Northern League Division Two champions 1995–96

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Cleator Cup winners 2016–17 Northern Alliance Champions 1983–84, 1993–94 Challenge Cup winners 1938– 39, 1985–86, 1993–94 Subsidiary Cup winners 1986– 87 Northumberland Senior Cup Winners 2006–07, 2018–19 Northumberland Benevolent Bowl Winners 1978–79, 1985 –86

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Best FA Cup performance: Fourth qualifying round, 1998–99 Best FA Trophy performance: Preliminary round, 2018–19 Best FA Vase performance: Winners, 2015–16

TODAY’S VISITORS Basford United

Radcliffe

Away 25/01/10

Home 01/02/20

South Shields

Home 04/02/20

Atherton Collieries

South Shields

Away 08/02/20

Away 11/02/20

Club History Morpeth Town Football Club was established in 1894, and through more than a century of football have continued the tradition of carrying Amber and Black as their team colours.

The club was formed after an amalgamation between Morpeth United and Morpeth FC, playing at Stobhill Cricket Field.

In 1954 the club moved to Storey Park, and in the 1980’s enjoyed a successful time in the Northern Alliance, winning the title and finishing runners-up on two other occasions, as well as lifting both the Challenge Cup and Benevolent Bowl in 1986.

The club spent half a century in the Northern Football Alliance before stepping up to the Northern League on their one hundredth anniversary, winning the Division Two title in their first season and finishing sixth in Division One and Northumberland Senior Cup runners-up in their second. In 1998-99 they made it to the final qualifying round of the FA Cup, losing 1-0 at home to Nigel Clough’s Burton Albion.

The club moved to a purpose-built stadium in 1994, which coincided with a League and Cup double, and with it, promotion to the Northern League. Craik Park was named after the father and son W and R Craik who had served as secretary between 1920 and 1985. Current President Ken Beattie was the man behind the stadium and since 1992 he has revived the club’s fortunes. Membership of the Northern League followed in 1994/95 and the following year saw the Second Division Championship being presented to Morpeth. The club finished 6th in the First Division at the first time of asking, as well as reaching the final of the Northumberland Senior Cup. After sitting comfortably mid-table between 1996/7 and 1999/2000, Morpeth narrowly avoided relegation on goal difference in the 2000/01 season, and finished once again one spot above the relegation zone in 2001/02. The next few years saw Morpeth Town move back into the middle of the table before a 6th place finish in 2005/06, Morpeth’s equal top performance in the Northern League.

In 2006/07 Morpeth won the Northumberland Senior Cup for the first time since 1886 (as Morpeth Harriers) with a 3-2 victory over Blyth Spartans. Disaster struck in 2009/10 as Morpeth Town were relegated to the second division and things got even worse a season later as Morpeth Town finished bottom of the Northern League’s second tier.

The club was in dire straits with President Ken Beattie and Chairman Jim Smith trying their best to keep the club running by bringing the ground up to Northern League standards whilst being forced to ground share with local rivals Bedlington Terriers. The club was within weeks of folding at one point.

The Highwaymen began their revival in 2011/12 under the stewardship of Nick Gray who moved to the club from Seaton Delaval and brought a number of players. In his first season Morpeth narrowly avoided promotion back to the top tier, finishing fourth and a one point won fourteen consecutive home games.

2012/13 saw the side improve once more, finishing one place higher in third position, beating out Jarrow Roofing on goal difference to earn promotion. After earning promotion Morpeth Town managed to avoid the drop quite comfortably finishing in 17th place. During the season, they also went on a then historic FA Vase run to the Quarter-Final stage.

In 2014/15 saw further improvement, with the Highwaymen finishing 8th in the table and reaching the Northumberland Senior Cup Final. The club was now beginning to attract high-calibre players to the area, with the likes of Keith Graydon and Ben Sayer signing from higher level football. The 2015/16 season brought Nick Gray his first trophy for the club, and what a win it was, beating heavily favoured Hereford FC 4-1 in the FA Vase final at Wembley Stadium. Despite going a goal down in the first two minutes, the Highwaymen battled back, 45-year old Chris Swailes netting to equalise before halftime. The second half brought an onslaught from Morpeth, Luke Carr scoring after just a minute before Sean Taylor and Shaun Bell netted on a famous day for the Northumberland club. In addition to the Vase, Town finished 4th in the Northern League. The following season, the club narrowly missed out on winning their inaugural Northern League title, finishing in second place behind South Shields.

More recent times have been hugely successful with promotion secured to NPL East at the start of the 2018/19 season and a step into the unknown. Far from being daunted by this prospect, the Highwaymen won the title by a distance and added the Senior Cup to claim an unprecedented double.

Morpeth Town Squad 2019/20

Dan Lowson (GK)

Dimitris Tsapalos (GK)

Jeff Henderson (DF)

Stephen Forster (DF)

An experienced keeper in the Evo-Stik League, Dan has featured for Spennymoor Town most recently, with stints at Blyth Spartans, Alfreton and Luton Town among others.

The Greek goalkeeper spent time on trial with the club during pre-season and impressed sufficiently to earn a spot in The Highwaymen squad. Keen for minutes on the pitch, Tsapalos is currently on loan.

A warrior of a centre-back, Henderson’s most successful time came when winning League and Cup glory at Sligo Rovers. He also played in the Europa League and Champions League while in Ireland before returning to his native north east. He joined Town from Stobswood, where he had been getting fit following injury.

Stephen is an electric fullback, who has made the transition from winger to defender during the course of the 2015-16 season. He has been one of the clubs most consistent performers.

Chris Reid (DF)

Michael Turner (DF)

Callum Williams (DF)

Ryan Hutchinson (DF)

Chris signed for the club from Whitley Bay during the 2015-16 season, and has proved to be an influential member of the squad. He made over 200 appearances for the four-time FA Vase winners, and has excelled at Craik Park.

Michael signed for the Highwaymen and has gone from strength to strength, making 102 appearances by the end of last season. He is a solid and no-nonsense defender, who likes to get forward, with his aerial presence a handy feature for a left-back.

Callum joined during the 2019-20 season from Spennymoor Town. Such were his performances, many fans were disappointed to see him leave. A marauding fullback, Williams can play across the back and has a huge long throw.

Ryan is a classy centre-back, who can play across the back -line. An England C international, Hutchinson signed from Blyth Spartans after being an integral part of their side’s rise up to National League North.

Sam Hodgson (MF)

Jack Robson (MF)

Wayne Phillips (MF)

Ben Sayer (MF)

A versatile member of the squad, Sam signed for The Highwaymen from Shildon in the Summer of 2018. Able to play across the back four, he also provides a calm and composed figure in the centre of midfield.

The midfielder joined from Hebburn Town during the 2019-20 season. His career started as a junior with Newcastle United; there is obvious talent there with an exceptional turn of pace.

Direct and keen to get to the by-line, Robson is a classic winger.

Wayne signed for the club from South Shields, where he won four trophies, including the FA Vase at Wembley Stadium. He is a vastly experienced winger, who has also won the Vase with Spennymoor Town. Hardworking and keen to press, Phillips was given the captain’s armband this season.

Ben joined the club during the 2014-15 season, and is a hard-working player with a superb range of passing. He has a huge creative influence on the side and was named Northern League Player of the Year in 2017.

Shabz Mohammed (MF)

Liam Noble (MF)

Stephen Turnbull (MF)

Jack Foalle (ST)

The midfielder forged a strong reputation during his first season in adult football with Stockton Town. Mohammed represented England U-18 schoolboys. His main strengths are composure on the ball and an impressive tenacity.

A signing during the 2019-20 season, the Sunderland academy graduate has played for Notts County, Forest Green and Hartlepool United among others. Very much a box-to-box midfielder, he chips in with his fair share of goals.

The midfielder returns to the club for a second spell after leaving due to work commitments. He only made four appearances the first time round before a serious longterm injury. The former Blyth Spartans player is a talented ball player and provides a calming influence in midfield.

Jack only made the switch to the Highwaymen in October 2018 but has hit the ground running. Following a run of 17 goals in 15 games at Whitley Bay, ambitious Jack made the move to Craik Park and duly scored a sensational first goal for the club on his home debut.

Quick, energetic and enthusiastic, Foalle is a real threat up top.

Carl Finnigan (ST)

Liam Henderson (ST)

Sean Taylor (ST)

Joe Walton (ST)

Experienced at this level and lethal in attack, Finnigan arrived during the 2019-20 campaign from Whickham FC. He has previously featured for South Shields, where he built a formidable reputation as a free-scoring forward.

Liam is a prolific centreforward who signed for the club from Spennymoor Town. He has finished as the club’s top-scorer for the last two seasons and will, no doubt, be up there challenging for the league’s golden boot again, with his robust style of play a constant thorn in the side of opponents.

There is no better first touch in football! Taylor was part of Sunderland’s Academy after choosing the Black Cats over Manchester United and Newcastle United. The wide man has pace, trickery and is an excellent finisher. He was named third best player in the Northern League last season.

Joe, who won the FA Vase with Spennymoor Town, joined from Washington and has vast experience in the Northern League. He can play in various positions but will best be remembered nationally for a sensational goal against Marske United which went viral.

MANAGEMENT TEAM Nick Gray (M)

Jon McDonald (ASM)

Craig Lynch (ASM)

Dale Walker (GKC)

Nick has helped revitalise a club that was mid-table in Northern League Division Two when he took over.

The club won the FA Vase in 2016 and then were guided to a second-placed finish last season, a result which earned promotion to Evo-Stik East for the first time in the club’s history.

McDonald returned to Morpeth for a second spell at the club this season after leaving Seaham Red Star.

Also managed North Shields.

Craig previously managed Seaham Red Star before leaving the club during the previous campaign. His playing career took him to Sunderland, Rochdale, Hartlepool, Spennymoor Town and Blyth Spartans.

The goalkeeping coach has enjoyed successful times at Blyth AFC – where the team won the league title – before he joined the Highwaymen and helped them to a league and cup double last season.

Formerly of Aldershot Town and Newcastle United.

Steven Shaw (PHY)

Andrew Oliver (KM)

Mark Mowatt (KM)

Steven was with the club back when the side were in Division Two and returned last season from Seaham Red Star. He is a key member of the backroom staff and his enthusiasm for the job at hand is second to none.

Olly is a well-liked character at the club and is highly thought of by everyone. He is thoroughly a part of the Morpeth dressing room and excels at the job in hand. He is well-respected among his

Mark offers support to the team in a number of ways, ensuring kit is prepped and ready for whenever it is required.

Chirton Social Club Proud sponsors of North Shields FC 400 metres up Silkey’s Lane Non members welcome on a match-day

IT’S IN THE NUMBERS

By Ed Painter

NORTH SHIELDS V MORPETH TOWN Based upon the last eleven meetings between North Shields and Morpeth Town

WINS/DRAWS/LOSSES

NORTH SHIELDS WINS: 3 NORTH SHIELDS DRAWS: 1

WHERE WE PLAYED

CRAIK PARK: 5 DAREN PERSSON STADIUM: 6

NORTH SHIELDS LOSSES: 7 Based upon the last 11 meetings between the two sides

North Shields Wins North Shields Draws North Shields Losses

Where meetings have taken place between North Shields and Morpeth Town over the last 11 meetings.

Daren Persson Stadium Craik Park

HIGHEST SCORERS

TOTAL ATTENDANCE

MORPETH TOWN: 21

MORPETH TOWN: 1469

NORTH SHIELDS: 11

NORTH SHIELDS: 2286

Number of goals scored by either team during last 11 meetings.

Total number of fans in attendance at each teams home fixtures over the last eleven meetings.

North Shields Goals Morpeth Town Goals

North Shields Attendance Morpeth Town Attendance

WHY THE FANS MATTER Written by Ed Painter When I moved to the North East, I will admit that I was guilty of not really paying any kind of attention to the goings on of non-league football. Having said that, I always knew that deep down, I didn’t really care too much about the Premier League.

The team I grew up supporting was Southend United and to this day, through gritted teeth sometimes, I still count myself as a die hard supporter. Probably the worst time supporting the club was around a decade ago when the club was hours away from liquidation. What upset me the most, other than the prospect of losing the club I love, was seeing supporters who would normally be sporting Southend jerseys wearing the colours of other clubs instead, such as West Ham United, QPR and even in some cases, Tottenham Hotspurs.

Fast forward to today and the club are deep in the doldrums again, maybe not as severely as before but enough for crowd numbers to start dipping. What really stood out to me was how the remaining few still cheered the team, chanted their favourite songs juring the game and applauded the team off the pitch, regardless of how good or bad the game had gone.

Now I am sure you are wondering, what on earth has all this got to do with North Shields Football Club? Well, as some of you may or may not know, I have been on a work placement with York City, meaning that I was unable to travel with the team to the away game at Newton Aycliffe. I was absolutely delighted when I saw that Kyle Patton had netted us a 92nd minute winner but what impressed me even more was the noise created by the Shields support.

The official gate, according to the Northern League website, was 196 but I tell you what, all I could see in the footage was the North Shields support. This is not too much of a surprise to me, however, as at every away game this season, whether we had won, drawn or lost, our supporters always showed love for THEIR team.

You want to know the secret behind the success of the Robibns this season? The answer is simple: its YOU! Each and every one of you who turn down the chance to watch someone like Newcastle or Sunderland, each and every one of you who pays your hard earned money to watch us play the beautiful game, each and every one of you who takes to the road week in week out, no matter the weather or distance.

The players, management and committee could not be more greatful for the support we have received this season. With your incredible backing, absolutely ANYTHING is possible for this club!

Howay The Robins!

www.highhowdonsocialclub.com

ON THIS DAY 19th FEBRUARY

19th February 1966 - North Shields 1 (Gidney) Bishop Auckland 1 19th February 1977 - North Shields 2 (Holmes, Donaldson) Billingham Synthonia 0 19th February 1983 - Evenwood Town 0 North Shields 1 (Varty)

19th February 1985 - Whitley Bay 2 North Shields 2 (Harmison, Mills) 19th February 1994 - Cleadon SC 2 North Shields 6 19th February 2000 - Annfield Plain 0 North Shields 2 19th February 2005 - North Shields 0 Northallerton Town 3 19th February 2011 - Birtley Town 0 North Shields 0 19th February 2014 - Northallerton Town 1 North Shields 3 (Elliott 2, Richardson)

AROUND THE WORLD

1943: Singer Frank Sinatra debuts on radio's "Your Hit Parade"

1980: John Wayne Gacy goes on trial for the murder of 33 young men in Cook County, Illinois

2005: Tony Blair, now the longest-serving Labour PM, marks 2,838 days as British Prime Minister

2018: Elon Musk's company SpaceX launches Falcon Heavy, world's most powerful rocket

2019/2020 NORTH SH RSLT

ATT

03/08/19

DATE

SUNDERLAND RCA (A)

OPPONENTS

1-2

110

1ST XI Purvis

Christensen

McDonald

New

Williams

Buchanan

07/08/19

WHICKHAM (H)

1-0

340

Purvis

Christensen

McDonald

New

Williams

Buchanan

10/08/19

GUISBOROUGH TOWN (H) FAC EPR

2-2

250

Purvis

Christensen

McDonald

New

Williams

Buchanan

13/08/19

GUISBOROUGH TOWN (A) FAC EPR R

0-1

304

Purvis

Cassidy

McDonald

New

Williams

Buchanan

17/08/19

WEST AUCKLAND TOWN (A)

1-1

201

Purvis

Cassidy

McDonald

Ormston

Williams

Buchanan

21/08/19

SHILDON AFC (H)

3-1

302

Purvis

Cassidy

McDonald

Forster (c)

New

Ormston

28/08/19

SEAHAM RED STAR (H)

2-2

258

Purvis

Cassidy

McDonald

Ormston

New

Buchanan

31/08/19

RYHOPE CW (A) FAV FRQ

0-2

86

Purvis

Cassidy

McDonald

Ormston

New

Buchanan

04/09/19

CONSETT AFC (H)

3-2

265

Purvis

Cassidy

McDonald 1

Ormston

New

Buchanan

07/09/19

ASHINGTON (A)

1-2

282

Purvis

Cassidy

McDonald

Ormston

New

Buchanan

11/09/19

SEAHAM RED STAR (H) NLC GS

3-0

190

Purvis

Cassidy 1

McDonald

Ormston

New

Buchanan

14/09/19

HEBBURN TOWN (H)

1-5

364

Purvis

Cassidy

McDonald

Forster (c)

New

Buchanan

18/09/19

STOCKTON TOWN (A)

1-3

441

Purvis

Cassidy

Morris

Forster (c)

New

Ormston

21/09/19

PENRITH AFC (A)

3-0

151

Purvis

Cassidy

Morris

Ormston

New

Williams

28/09/19

BILLINGHAM TOWN (H)

0-0

321

Purvis

Cassidy

Morris

Ormston

New

Williams

02/10/19

BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA (A) NLC GS

6-0

107

Purvis

Christensen

McDonald

Ormston

Williams

Buchanan

05/10/19

BISHOP AUCKLAND (H)

3-0

282

Purvis

Cassidy

McDonald

Ormston

New

Buchanan 1

09/10/19

HEATON STANNINGTON (H) NLC GS

2-2

308

Purvis

Christensen

McDonald

Ormston

Williams

Buchanan

12/10/19

WHICKHAM (A)

3-1

250

Purvis

Cassidy

McDonald

Ormston

New

Buchanan

14/10/19

NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY (A) NLC GS

4-3

85

Purvis

Christensen

McDonald

Cassidy

New

Ormston

19/10/19

NEWCASTLE BENFIELD (H)

4-2

318

Purvis

Cassidy

McDonald

Ormston (c)

New

Williams

26/10/19

GUISBOROUGH TOWN (A)

4-1

203

Skirpan

Cassidy

McDonald

Ormston

New 1

Williams

09/11/19

NORTHALLERTON TOWN (A)

3-2

161

Purvis

Cassidy

Christensen

Ormston

New

Williams

07/12/19

NEWTON AYCLIFFE (H)

3-2

306

Purvis

Cassidy

McDonald

Ormston

New

Williams

11/12/19

STOCKTON TOWN (H)

1-1

307

Skirpan

Cassidy

McDonald

Ormston

New

Buchanan

14/12/19

SHILDON AFC (A)

0-3

353

Purvis

Cassidy

McDonald

Ormston

New

Buchanan

18/12/19

THORNABY (H)

3-1

211

Purvis

Cassidy

McDonald

Ormston 1

New

Buchanan

26/12/19

WHITLEY BAY (H)

3-1

676

Purvis

Cassidy

McDonald

Ormston (c)

New

Williams

04/01/20

SUNDERLAND RCA (H)

1-3

318

Purvis

Cassidy

McDonald

Ormston

New

Buchanan

11/01/20

NEWCASTLE BENFIELD (A)

2-0

225

Purvis

Cassidy

McDonald

Ormston

New

Buchanan

22/01/20

WEST ALLOTMENT CELTIC (H) (NSC)

2-1

214

Purvis

Cassidy

McDonald

Ormston

New

Buchanan

25/01/20

SEAHAM RED STAR (A)

2-1

135

Purvis

Cassidy

McDonald

Ormston

New

Buchanan

29/01/20

RYTON & CRAWCROOK (H) (NLC)

3-2

201

Purvis

Cassidy

McDonald

Ormston

New

Williams

08/02/20

NEWTON AYCLIFFE (A)

1-0

196

Purvis

Cassidy

McDonald

Ormston

New

Buchanan

19/02/20

MORPETH TOWN (H) (NFA SC S/F)

22/02/20

BILLINGHAM TOWN (A)

26/02/20

RYHOPE CW (H)

29/02/20

BISHOP AUCKLAND (A)

03/03/20

CONSETT (A)

07/03/20

ASHINGTON (H)

11/03/20

CONSETT (H) (NLC Q/F)

17/03/20

THORNABY (A)

21/03/20

GUISBOROUGH TOWN (H)

28/03/20

RYHOPE CW (A)

04/04/20

NORTHALLERTON TOWN (H)

07/04/20

HEBBURN TOWN (A)

10/04/20

WHITLEY BAY (A)

18/04/20

WEST AUCKLAND TOWN (H)

HIELDS SEASON GRID

1

SUBS Patton

Forster (c)

Patton 1 Patton

REFEREE

Campbell

Carr 1

P Robinson

Bainbridge

Cassidy

Cunningham

Mr C Chatten

Forster (c)

Campbell

Carr

P Robinson

Bainbridge

McCarthy

N/A

Mr M Burrows

Forster (c)

Campbell 2

Carr

P Robinson

McCarthy

Ormston

N/A

Mr G Hopper

Patton

Forster (c)

Campbell

Carr

P. Robinson

Bainbridge

Ormston

Cunningham

Mr M Wright

McCarthy

Forster (c)

Bainbridge

Van Zandvliet

Patton 1

Carr

P Robinson

Campbell

Mr M East

Van Zandvliet 1

Carr

Campbell 1

P Robinson

Patton

Christensen

Bainbridge 1

Cunningham

Mr M Ryan

Van Zandvliet

Carr (c)

Campbell

P Robinson

Patton 2

Bainbridge

Cunningham

McCarthy

Mr C Joyce

Patton

Forster (c)

Bainbridge

Carr

P Robinson

McCarthy

Cunningham

Campbell

Mr J Mulligan

Van Zandvliet

Forster (c)

Campbell 1

Carr 1

McCarthy

P Robinson

Cunningham

Bainbridge

Mr D Wade

Cunningham

Forster (c)

Campbell

Carr 1

McCarthy

Morris

Bainbridge

N/A

Mr D Pill

Cunningham

Forster (c)

Campbell

Carr 1

Bainbridge 1

Robinson

Patton

Morris

Mr G Hopper

Campbell

Van Zandvliet

Patton

Carr 1

Cunningham

Christensen

McCarthy

Morris

Mr C Scott

Patton

Carr

Campbell

Cunningham

Robinson

Bainbridge 1

McCarthy

N/A

Mr M Conroy

Campbell

Forster (c)

Bainbridge

Carr

Cunningham 1

McCarthy 1

Patton 1

Robinson

Mr G Hart

Patton

Forster (c)

Campbell

Carr

Robinson

Cunningham

McCarthy

N/A

Mr A Clark

Salmon 1

Cunningham 1

Campbell

Carr (c) 3

Robinson 1

New

Hall

Jacques

Mr J Cann

Cunningham

Forster (c)

Campbell

Carr

Patton

Robinson 1

McCarthy

Morris 1

Mr D Williams

Morris

Forster (c)

Campbell

Carr 2

Salmon

Cunningham

Robinson

Patton

Mr S Dial

Cunningham

Van-Zandvliet

McCarthy 1

Carr (c)

Patton 2

Williams

Salmon

N/A

Mr S Lawson

Cunningham 2

Robinson

Campbell 1

Carr (c)

Patton 1

Salmon

Jacques

Summerly

Mr C Joyce

Van-Zandvliet

Cunningham

McCarthy 1

Robinson

Patton 3

Carr

Campbell

N/A

Mr D Wade

Cunningham 2

Forster (c)

McCarthy

Robinson

Patton 1

Van-Zandvliet

Campbell

N/A

Mr C Dean

Cunningham

Forster (c)1

McCarthy 1

Carr

Patton 1

Robinson

Campbell

Van-Zandvliet

Ms H Conley

Cunningham

Forster (c)

McCarthy

Carr 2

K Patton

C Patton 1

Robinson

Van-Zandvliet

Mr J Bancroft

Cunningham

Van-Zandvliet

Patton 1

Car (c)

Smith

Clark

N/A

N/A

Mr M Burrows Mr D Williams

C Patton

Van-Zandvliet

K Patton

Carr (c)

Smith

Hall

Robinson

Campbell

Cunningham 1

C Patton

Campbell

Carr (c)

K Patton 1

Robinson

McCarthy

Smith

Mr S Ross

Cunningham

Van-Zandvliet 1

McCarthy 1

Robinson

K Patton

C Patton

Smith 1

Clark

Mr A Clark

Robinson

C Patton

McCarthy

Carr Š 1

K Patton

Smith

Hall

Campbell

Mr A Nichols

Smith

Forster Š 1

McCarthy

Carr

Patton 1

Campbell

Robinson

Hall

Mr M East

Robinson

Forster (c)

McCarthy

Carr

Patton 2

Smith

Campbell

Hall

Mr K Freeth

Cunningham

Forster (c)

Smith

Carr

Patton 2

Campbell

McCarthy

N/A

Mr C Joyce

Forster (c)

Robinson

Smith

Carr 1

Patton 1

Cunningham

Hall

McCarthy 1

Mr G Hopper

Cunningham

Smith

McCarthy

Carr (c)

Patton 1

Forster

Campbell

Van-Zandvliet

Mr J Bancroft

Today’s businesses demand a robust and dependable energy solution provider, Northern Gas and Power has already built strong foundations and has a reputation for exceeding expectations.

Since we launched we have worked with thousands of businesses in a range of sectors, our service has evolved to become the most dynamic energy procurement and management service on the market today.

At NGP we offer Global buying power with a personal touch. In 2018 along we contracted almost 12,000 energy meters, equating to 5.1 billion kilowatt-hours!

That’s equivalent to the entire energy consumption of Tanzania!

Quite an achievement from a company that starts from our MD’s bedroom only 7 years ago, even if we do say so ourselves!

Baltic Floor 8 Ea Gateshead We NE8

enquiry@n

0845 64

Howay

Place, ast Tower, d, Tyne and ear 3AE

ngpltd.co.uk

We treat our clients as we want to be treated ourselves and our people are a huge part of this ethos and are the bedrock of our business.

It is their professional integrity that keeps our customers happy.

We were voted Best place to work in the UK 2017 by Glassdoor and Best Places to Work 2018 by Newcastle Chronicle, accolade’s we are extremely proud of and continue to strive to achieve in the future.

We really do want to give our staff the best possible work life balance and be the best place to work on the planet!

We know that together, both North Shields Football Club and Northern Gas and Power can do the North East proud!

43 5432

y NGP

ON THE ROAD To Billingham Town

22nd February 2020 | 3pm Kick Off I Bedford Terrace TS23 4AF

By Road

By Bus

From the Daren Persson Stadium, get on A19 in Wallsend from Waterville Rd and A193.

Walk from the Daren Persson Stadium to Chirton Green—Obilisk. Take the number 1 Coaster bus to Gateshead before getting off at Gateshead Interchange.

Follow A19 to A1027 in Stockton-onTees. Take the A1027 exit from A19.

Continue on A1027. Take Central Ave and Cowpen Ln to Surrey Terrace.

By Train Walk from the Daren Persson Stadium to Meadow Well metro station. Take the metro from platform 2 to St James.

Change at Monument and travel to Central Station.

From there, take the Northern Rail service to Nunthorpe before getting off at Billingham Train Station.

From the station, walk the rest of the way to Bedford Terrace.

From there, take the X10 bus to Middlesbrough before you get off at Army Reserve Centre.

From there, get the number 52 bus to Low Grange before getting off at Warwick Crescent and walking to the ground.

The Ground Nicknamed ‘Billy Town’, Billingham Town play at Bedford Terrace in Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees..

The ground is located 15 minutes away from Billingham Station by foot.

Alternatively, the ground is a 15 minute drive from Middlesbrough City Centre.

ST

SB

G

YC

RC

ST

Greg Purvis Bradley Skirpan

Dan Lowson Dimitris Tsapalos

Wayne Buchanan

Jeff Henderson

Ben Christensen

Stephen Forster

Jack Donnison Marc Jacques Chris McDonald Paul New Rhys Williams Ryan Carr Nick Cassidy Cam Cunningham Adam Forster David Hall

Chris Reid Michael Turner Callum Williams Ryan Hutchinson Sam Hodgson Jack Robson Wayne Phillips Ben Sayer Shabz Mohammed Liam Noble

Denver Morris

Stephen Turnbull

Gary Ormston

Jack Foalle

Kyle Patton Paul Robinson

Carl Finnigan Liam Henderson

Callum Smith

Sean Taylor

Paul Van Zandvliet

Joe Walton

Gareth Bainbridge Connor Campbell

Referee:

Assistants:

SB

G

YC

RC