THE NORTHERN LEAGUE 125th anniversary match
The Ebac Northern League XI v A Football Association XI Tuesday, March 25 2014 - Heritage Park, Bishop Auckland - Price: ÂŁ1.00
A message From greg dyke On behalf of the FA, I am delighted to see you all at Heritage Park this evening. This special match, featuring teams representing the Northern League and the Football Association, marks the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Northern League. This is a wonderful achievement and we should pay tribute this evening to all those players, coaches, referees and administrators who have helped the league to thrive over so many years. Having been founded in 1889, the Northern League is the oldest surviving football league in the world after the Football League. This is something to be very proud of. Northern League clubs continue to excel on the national stage, having remarkably won all five of the last FA Vase finals at Wembley. Well done to Whitley Bay, Dunston UTS and Spenymoor Town. Blyth Spartans, such a force in the 1970s, reached the fifth round proper of the FA Cup and would have played Arsenal if they had won their replay against Wrexham, watched by an incredible 42,000 crowd at St James’ Park.
Bishop Auckland, our hosts this evening, lifted the FA Amateur Cup a record ten times and their final against Hendon in 1955 drew a capacity 100,000 crowd to Wembley. The Northern League has enjoyed so many great days and great memories over so many decades and I hope it goes on to have many more successes and continues to be a force for good in the North-East, such a passionate area for football. You will always play to win – but you will find friends in the bar afterwards. There is nothing like football for bringing people together. Best wishes to you all from the FA.
Greg Dyke
Chairman, The Football Association
Chairman’s It’s both a real pleasure and an immense privilege to welcome everyone to Heritage Park tonight, 125 years to the day since the meeting which formed the world’s second oldest football league. Very much has changed – a great deal of it, it seems to me, for the better. Whatever the debate about that, there’s no doubt that the 125th anniversary finds the Ebac Northern League in pretty good fettle. Particularly I want to welcome players and officials of both teams, match officials, civic guests, officials of the FA, County FAs and other leagues, sponsors and all who’ve helped make tonight possible. It’s a true delight also to welcome Bob Rogers, grandson of Charles Samuel Craven, our founder, who has flown from his home in Hong Kong for the celebrations. Through Bob’s generosity, players and match officials will each receive a commemorative tankard in addition to the mementoes kindly provided by the FA. There was never any doubt that we should ask Bishop Auckland to host the match: for many years no non-league club in the land was better known, nor any more successful. Their history is entwined with that of the Northern League and they are pushing out the red carpet tonight. Thanks, guys. Thus far the 125 celebrations have gone wonderfully well. We had a truly unforgettable morning when the FA Amateur Cup returned to its accustomed home, a most enjoyable civic lunch at Durham
welcome
County Hall, a great day at the NL exhibition opening at the National Football Museum in Manchester. The exhibition runs until April 30. Thanks to Harvey Harris’s immaculate organisation, three one-day groundhops have passed successfully, with the major four-day event planned over Easter to bring the 125th anniversary season near to an end. Maybe Wembley will crown it. Northern Conquest, our 125th anniversary book, has been internationally acclaimed, remains a number 1 bestseller on Amazon and is still available for just £3.99 (or £4 for cash.) I’m pretty sure that Sunday’s lunch will have been pretty special, too.
1889.
Against the rich tapestry of celebration, however, the routine of league and club administration goes on, day in, day out. It’s impossible – invidious, too – to try to tell every story, to acknowledge every unsung hero. Suffice that there are hundreds today and have been many thousands down the past century-and-a-quarter – wonderful football folk from North-East England and Cumbria – who by decades of selfless effort have given this league its unique standing and reputation today. One of our great strengths is regional identity, 45 clubs which don’t just turn up to play football but which are deep rooted in their communities. Another strength is hospitality; we must burnish it. Past and present, there are also league officials who voluntarily put in 40 hours a week – sometimes many more – to ensure that the Northern League really is first among equals. Many people, it’s said, have a head for football. Perhaps one of the distinctions is that Northern League people have a heart and soul for it, too. Those hearts are very big: they’ve carried us through 125 years, got us where we are today. I look forward to a wonderful evening, thank you most warmly for coming. Whether in Bovril or in brown ale, here’s a toast to the incomparable Northern League.
Mike Amos MBE
Chairman, Ebac Northern League
Charles Samuel Craven called a meeting to form a Northern Football League at Brown’s Hotel in Durham. Nineteen clubs invited, seven attend. Numbers increase to ten when the league, the second in the world, kicks off on September 7. The Newcastle East End match starts 45 minutes late because Darlington’s train is late; Elswick Rangers lose 4-1 to Birtley but register a protest – as they will on every other occasion that they’re beaten that season.
1890.
Darlington St Augustine’s, a Roman Catholic church side with several Scottish “professors”, are the first champions. Elswick are bottom. Eight teams include Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End – shortly to become Newcastle United, and to play Northern League football at St James’ Park.
1891.
Sheffield United join the league, with players Harry Lilley and Mick Whitham picked for England’s full side while playing Northern League football. The following season United join the inaugural Football League second division but remain Northern League members – often attracting bigger gates in the NL.
1895.
Middlesbrough become the first NL winners of the FA Amateur Cup, introduced the previous season, beating Old Carthusians 2-1 at Headingley – the ground developed by Charles Craven. The league will record another 23 victories before, amid allegations of shamateurism, the competition ceases in 1974.
1897.
Second division formed, the seven clubs including Loftus, Brotton and Middlesbrough side Britannia Rovers, who won’t last the course. Howden-le-Wear are champions but fail to gain promotion and will be bottom the following season. The experiment lasts just three years.
1898.
Because of a smallpox epidemic sweeping Middlesbrough, the Amateur Cup semi-final between Boro and Thornaby is played behind closed doors at Brotton’s tiny NL ground. All leading NL clubs had refused to entertain them. Boro win and go on to lift the cup for the second time, beating Uxbridge.
One-armed bandit country Almost 200,000 watched two Northern League teams battle it out in the greatest final of all It was almost exactly 60 years ago, April 10 1954, that it all kicked off. Northern League clubs had been involved in some epic cup finals, would take part in many more, but there was never a final like Bishop Auckland v Crook Town. The teams were just five miles apart, first and second in the league. Twenty special trains and 200 coaches left south-west Durham for Wembley. The crowd was 100,000, North Terrace tickets 7/6d, receipts £29,000. Johnny Ray was at the Palladium, Ted Ray at The Strand. Bishops were favourites. “Star studded,” said The Northern
Echo. “Five internationals to Crook’s one.” Arthur Appleton previewed the match for Sports Parade on the Light Programme, Raymond Glendenning provided match coverage for the Home Service. A youthful Kenneth Wolstenholme offered second half coverage on television and thought it the best two hours sport of 1954. “Oh it was hard, hellish hard,” Crook centre half Bobby Davison once recalled – and harder yet for Bob because he lived in Bishop Auckland. Bishops’ Jimmy Nimmins, a near-legendary Consett steel worker, broke his ankle after
four minutes – no substitutes back then. Though the ten men led 2-1 at half-time through Dixon and Oliver, Crook’s Eddie Appleby equalised to send the game to a St James’ Park replay nine days later. “Never in the history of Wembley has a greater display of pluck been seen than that displayed by the Bishops,” wrote Pat Reekie in The People. Former Crook president Ernest Craggs found it all so exciting that he died during the match. At Newcastle in the Easter Monday sunshine, each club allocated 20,000 tickets, school teacher Ken Harrison put Crook two up inside four minutes. Bishop Auckland, pluckier yet, again made it 2-2, through Cullercoats lifeboatman Ray Oliver. The crowd topped 56,000; three days later another 36,000 crowded in when they tried again, at Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough. In each match the referee had been the one-armed Alf Bond, from Middlesex. In the third, his intervention – or lack of it – was to prove crucial. Harrison scored
the only goal after 41 minutes, Davison claiming that he had been fouled – “climbing all over me” – in its execution. Bond allowed it to stand, known for years thereafter in Bishop Auckland as the one-armed bandit. It was Crook’s first Amateur Cup for 53 years, the return by open top bus taking them – however unwisely – down Newton Cap Bank in Bishop Auckland. From an upstairs window someone poured water over them. “At least I hope it was water,” said
Davison, the Crook captain. Fifteen thousand thronged the Millfield as, led by the Church Lads Brigade band, the heroes returned with the trophy. The Essoldo, one of Crook’s three cinemas, showed Isn’t Life Wonderful. So, for all of Crook, it must have seemed. Bishops would record a hat-trick of wins in the immediately succeeding years; Whitley Bay emulated the feat between 2009-11. For many, nothing would ever compare with the events of 1954.
1902.
Middlesbrough, Newcastle United and Sunderland all enter their “A” teams – the reserves – the Magpies winning the league despite having two points deducted for fielding a wrong un (nothing new under the sun). United ask at a league meeting if they’re obliged to provide “stripping facilities” for visitors and are told that they’re not.
1906.
The three “A” teams leave for the North Eastern League, the NL annual meeting resolving that the competition will be “strictly amateur” in the future (see under “shamateurism”, above.) There are complaints about Stockton’s dressing rooms – “not fit to put a cat in,” says Col Thomas Dowling, the league chairman – but the Teesside club mucks in to reach the Amateur Cup final and win the league by five points.
1908.
The league has 12 clubs and 3,103 registered players – of whom only 242 have played. York City have registered 745 players – “an absolute scandal” says Col Dowling – but still finish second bottom, just two points above Leadgate Park. Bishop Auckland are champions, after a play-off against South Bank.
1911.
Having beaten FC Winterthur of Switzerland in the final of the inaugural Sir Thomas Lipton trophy in Italy in 1909, West Auckland successfully defend it – thrashing Juventus 6-1, with four goals in the first 15 minutes. Rumour has it that the “WAFC” invitation was meant for Woolwich Arsenal, but the team of miners is allowed to keep the handsome trophy.
1915.
War notwithstanding, the league decides to continue. Ten clubs start – Eston, Grangetown and South Bank withdraw because of the conflict’s demands. Harrogate fail to fulfil their opening fixture, because the secretary and 17 players have joined the colours, and relinquish league membership without having played a match.
1920.
The first league management committee is elected and has continued sagaciously, not necessarily with the same personnel, ever since. Tow Law Town rejoin the league after 20 years and will play their record 3,000th NL match in the 125th anniversary season.
Picking and choosing By Northern League team manager Jason Ainsley Profile A living legend at Spennymoor Town with over 20 years of service to date. Jason counted Spennymoor United as one of his former clubs as a player, along with Hartlepool United, Barrow, Gateshead and Blyth Spartans. Moors’ former captain returned to the Brewery Field as manager in 2006 as the ‘new’ club romped to the Northern League Division Two title in his first season. That was followed by three first division titles in a row, the Durham Challenge Cup, the Northern League Challenge Cup, three JR Cleator Cup successes and then last season’s FA Vase victory at Wembley.
To be asked by Mike Amos and the Northern League to manage a representative side against an FA XI is a tremendous honour and one to which I have been thoroughly looking forward. After enjoying some very successful years with Spennymoor Town, I would like to thank the chairman, players and staff with whom I’ve worked. Without them I wouldn’t have had this opportunity. It tops off a truly memorable year. The game will be a very special occasion for everyone connected with the Northern League. I hope that football followers throughout the North-East will come out in force to support us. We are very fortunate to have such an array of talent in the Ebac Northern League that whatever team I pick, we’ll certainly be a match for our opponents and a credit to the league. We’ve lots of players who’ve played a bit higher than
Steps 5/6 and young players who, for a variety of reasons, have come out of full-time football. Some, hopefully, will use the Northern League as a platform back into the full-time game. I do know that choosing a squad of 18 is going to be extremely difficult – you only have to look at the forwards who are scoring goals for fun. What an unenviable task choosing four is going to be. Since – at the time of writing – we will still have at least one team in the FA Vase, that will also affect selection. A lot of hard work goes into setting up a game like this and the players selected should be proud to be part of such an historic event. Hopefully they will look back in years to come with real pride. I know that I will. Enjoy the game!
Jay
Back where it began
1924.
The league Challenge Cup is instituted, Cockfield beating Ferryhill Athletic 3-1 in the first final, played at Bishop Auckland in front of a 2,500 crowd. Mark Gooper,who scores twice, later makes 423 appearances for Sheffield Wednesday, 258 consecutively, scoring 136 goals.
1927.
“League in danger of extinction” says The Northern Echo headline as hundreds of players and officials are suspended when the Crook Town “tea money” affair overflows. Talk about stirring it. Again we’re talking shamateurism – and in 1927-29, £2 10s did seem a little expensive for a post-match cheese sandwich and a cuppa.
1928.
Dubbed “the wonder village” after reaching the Amateur Cup semi-final five years earlier, little Cockfield go one better by getting to the final – losing 3-2 to Leyton before a 12,200 crowd at Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough. In the third round, our boys forfeit ground advantage to St Albans – allegedly for £100 – but still win 1-0.
St James’ Park, home of Newcastle United, will stage the Brooks Mileson Memorial League Cup final on May 6th – a truly memorable way to end the 125th anniversary season. It’s by no means the first time, however, that the famous ground will have staged Northern League football. Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End were both founder Northern League members in 1889 – West End playing at St James’ Park which, despite its slope, was said to have better facilities than East End’s ground on Chillingham Road. Paul Joannou, the Magpies’ marvellous historian, is already trying to source images of the way things were back then. When West End folded, the East Enders (as they may never have been known) took over their liabilities, took on their ground and became Newcastle United. “United’s” first Northern League game was on December 7 1892, losing 2-1 to Middlesbrough Ironopolis. The Magpies
moved to the new Football League second division the following season. “It’s brilliant that things are coming full circle in this way. We’re hugely grateful to Mike Ashley and his colleagues at Newcastle Untied,” said Northern League secretary Tony Golightly, himself a Magpies’ man. The Northern League Cup has been contested since 1924, Cockfield beating Ferryhill Athletic 3-1 in the first final, in front of a 2,500 crowd at Bishop Auckland. Willington lifted the trophy five times in the first nine seasons, their two subsequent wins putting them equal with Shildon and Bishop Auckland – who haven’t won the League Cup since 1976 – at the top of the leader board. The competition is now named in affectionate memory of Brooks MIleson, the insurance entrepreneur who between 1997-2008 poured more than £500,000 sponsorship into the league. It may not be Newcastle’s biggest of the season, but we hope for a very good crowd on May 6.
1930.
It’s Easter Monday, April 19, and two games are abandoned because it really is grim up north. At Chilton, their side winning 6-0, four home players walk off because they’re so cold. When a fifth player collapses and is carried semi-conscious from the field, the ref finally decides to call the whole thing off.
1937.
South Bank’s Jack Coulthard hits ten in the 13-0 win over Ferryhill, a league scoring record shared with fellow Banker Jack Calvey, whose ten had come in the 21-0 win over North Skelton on April 29 1895. That’s a league record, too. Coulthard goes down with HMS Bramble in 1942; for five years his father goes every night to meet him off the last train into Marske.
1939.
The golden jubilee season is marked by an all-Northern League FA Amateur Cup final, Bishop Auckland – including future Liverpool manager Bob Paisley – beating Willington 3-0 at Roker Park. The jubilee dinner is held at the Kings Café in Bishop Auckland.
1940.
Stockton depart for the North Eastern League after 50 years continuous membership, but it’s war which casts the real cloud. Just six clubs, including Heaton Stannington whose ground will be requisitioned, finish the season. Shildon take the title for the fifth time in seven seasons but thereafter everything is suspended.
The Northern League XI Andrew Grainger Newcastle Benfield
age
31 GK
Joined Newcastle Benfield aſter spells with Darlington and Barry Town, helping the club to the Northern League title in 2008. Has completed over ten years of service for Benfield and won the league’s Safe Hands trophy in 2009. Andrew is also the England international goalkeeper for their beach football side.
Liam Connell Dunston UTS
age
28 GK
Darren Craddock Shildon
age
29 DEF
Spennymoor Town
age
31 DEF
Ashington
age
26 MID
Shildon
age
33 MID
Experienced defender who spent three seasons with Hartlepool United, making 24 first team appearances, before moving to York City, Whitby Town, Newcastle Blue Star and Blyth Spartans. Signed for Shildon at the start of this season from fellow Northern League Division One side Newton Aycliffe. Was placed on standby for the England C squad in 2008 while at York City.
Daniel Madden Durham City
age
23 DEF
age
24 FWD
Joined the Citizens in 2011 aſter leaving Sunderland, where he was a regular in the reserves. Was appointed club captain at Durham aſter only one season at the club. Played for Durham during their Evo-Stik years before the club requested to return to the Northern League in the summer of 2012.
Stephen Capper
Gari Rowntree
Has international experience with Republic of Ireland, captaining his country at the U20 World Cup in 2002 and the Youth Olympics, as well as the U19 FIFA Youth Championships. The Dublin-born player was also capped at U21 level while at Sunderland. Won triple Northern League titles with Spennymoor as well as the 2013 FA Vase.
The Cumbrian started his career at Blackburn Rovers going on to spend six seasons at Workington before joining the Nation revolution at the start of this season, turning down offers to remain in the Skrill North with both the Reds and Barrow. The leſt-sided defender has twice fought his way back from serious injuries during his career.
Celtic Nation
age
27 DEF
Andrew Johnson
Craig Gott
Has spent the majority of his career with Ashington, having progressed from the Northumbrians’ Colliers reserve side having joined the club from local team Ellington Juniors. Had a spell at West Allotment Celtic before following Gary Middleton back to Ashington upon his appointment as manager. Is the current captain at Woodhorn Lane, and has scored over 20 goals this season.
Won the Northern League title last season with Darlington having signed for the Quakers from Billingham Synthonia in September 2012 aſter previous spells with Spennymoor Town, Tow Law Town and Norton & Stockton Ancients. Aſter starting the season in the Evo-Stik League, work commitments forced a return to the Northern League with Marske United last September.
Marske United
age
24 MID
Mark Hudson
Ben Sayer
Played in the Premier League for Middlesbrough and the Football League for Chesterfield, Carlisle United, Huddersfield Town, Rotherham United, Blackpool and Grimsby Town. The prolific midfielder, already with 19 goals this season, has also played in the Northern League for West Auckland Town, Ashington and Sunderland RCA.
Joined Newcastle United as an 8-yearold, spending a number of years at the club and progressing to the reserve team - making his debut at that level against Everton Reserves in 2011 - before his release from the club. Studies Sports Science at Northumbria University and appears in the Northern League for their football side, Team Northumbria.
Team Northumbria
age
20 MID
Luke Sullivan Consett
Aſter starting his non-league career at Gateshead, the goalkeeper has plenty of Northern League experience having played for Ryton, Chester-le-Street, Durham City and Crook Town. Won the FA Vase in 2012 with Dunston UTS, keeping a clean sheet in the Wembley final win over West Auckland Town.
Leading the line for his local club, the forward known as Sully Van Persie at Belle Vue has five hat-tricks already this season, along with over 30 league goals. Forms half of a lethal partnership with former Hartlepool forward Michael Mackay - both of whom scored in Consett’s first win at their new ground this season, with Luke’s being a 40-yard wonder strike.
Gavin Cogdon Spennymoor Town
age
30 FWD
Joined Spennymooor five seasons ago from then Evo-Stik side Durham City where he was top scorer. Has since knocked in over 100 goals for Moors, including the opening strike in last season’s FA Vase final at Wembley and was a member of Jason Ainsley’s team that won three consecutive Northern League titles.
Player Profiles Callum Anderson Whitley Bay
age
23 DEF
Progressed from the reserves at Hillheads to the Whitley Bay first team and was a member of the triple FA Vase winning squad between 2009 and 2011, playing in the second and third Wembley finals. Has recently agreed a new deal at Hillheads that ties him to the North Tyneside club for a further two years.
Ben Cattanach Dunston UTS
age
32 DEF
Captained Dunston UTS to FA Vase glory in 2012 when the club beat West Auckland Town 2-0 in an all-Northern League final. Originally joined the Northern League club in 2006 having previously played for Gateshead, before moving to Ireland to play football. Returned to Dunston for a second spell and is the current club captain.
Willie Gibson Celtic Nation
age
29 MID
age
31 MID
Scorer of the winning goal as Spennymoor liſted the 2013 FA Vase at Wembley, the Dublin-born ex-Sunderland player has represented his country at U16, U18 and U20 level. Previously played for York City, Gateshead and Blyth Spartans as well as fellow Northern League clubs Durham City, Sunderland RCA and Bedlington Terriers.
Danny Johnson Guisborough Town
age
21 FWD
Known as the Red Wizard in North Yorkshire, the diminutive forward has over 40 league goals to his name this season. Aſter starting his career with Middlesbrough and then Hartlepool United, where he scored 21 goals in 18 youth games, Danny moved to Spain and Real Murcia before signing for Guisborough via a trial at Rochdale and spells with Harrogate Town and Billingham Synthonia.
Paul Chow Whitley Bay
age
33 FWD
War is over, the league resumes on August 25 with newcomers Billingham Synthonia winning 5-4 at Shildon. Bishop Auckland reach yet another Amateur Cup final but it’s little Stanley United, the village on the hill top, who win the league – by seven points from South Bank.
1947.
The great whiteout. Just one game is played, at Crook, between February 1 and March 22 and though there are only 14 clubs, absence of floodlights means a huge backlog. Stanley United win the League Cup final on May 31, Bishop Auckland the championship play-off a week later.
1949.
Jack Waine of Bishop Auckland tells the management committee that the league has “no hopes whatsoever” of winning the Amateur Cup unless standards improve. Four months later, 88,000 at Wembley watch Willington beat Bishops 4-0 in an epic final. “The best 90 minutes of football this year,” says Raymond Glendenning on the North Home Service.
Joined Celtic Nation at the start of this season aſter making over 100 appearances in the Scottish Football League for Queen of the South. Played over 50 games for SPL side Kilmarnock before joining Dunfermline Athletic and then Falkirk. Helped Crawley Town to promotion to the Football League and to a fiſth round FA Cup tie away to Manchester United.
Keith Graydon Spennymoor Town
1945.
Aſter being a prolific scorer for Jarrow Roofing BCA, who he helped to the FA Vase semi-final in 2005, moved to Whitley Bay and has since scored 243 goals for the club, including 31 league goals this season. Scorer of the fastest goal at the new Wembley, and the fastest ever in any Wembley cup final, aſter 21 seconds in 2010. A triple FA Vase winner with the Seahorses.
1952.
Billingham Synthonia are the first Northern League to play under lights, beating an RAF XI 8-4. More than 16,000 at Kingsway see Bishop Auckland go down 4-1 to Coventry City in the FA Cup second round. Two seasons later they reach the fourth, losing to York City.
1954.
A total of 200,000 spectators watch the twice-replayed Amateur Cup final between Bishop Auckland and Crook Town, Though the goal’s disputed – by older fans to this day – Crook win the second replay 1-0 at Ayresome Park.
1957.
Bishop Auckland complete a unique Amateur Cup hat-trick, beating Wycombe Wanderers 3-1 in the final before a 90,000 crowd. Derek Lewin has played in all three finals. Synners win the league title, though, by eight points – still just two for a win – from West Auckland.
1964.
Crook Town’s 2-1 win over Enfield makes it four Amateur Cup triumphs in 11 seasons, left winger Jimmy McMillan uniquely appearing in all of them. The first four rounds have gone to replays. Stanley United, a couple of miles up the hill, again win the league.
Founding father The visionary who steered the Northern League’s formation was a man of very many talents Charles Samuel Craven was a sporting pioneer. Chiefly credited with the formation of the Northern League in 1889, he had become founding secretary of Darlington FC six years earlier and after leaving the NorthEast became the first Secretary of Leeds Cricket and Rugby Club, responsible for the development of Headingley. He was also an early member of the FA Council and became a Football League referee, a task described at the time as “arduous.” Clearly some things never change. Eldest of eight, he was born at Staveley in Derbyshire in 1863, moving to Darlington at 16 to serve an engineering apprenticeship with his uncle, Robert Pease, a member of the Quaker family upon whose vision and industry the town prospered.
At the meeting to form the football club he was appointed secretary “pro tem”, also becoming the goalkeeper – a task to which contemporary reports suggested he was rather less well suited. After Darlington’s 4-1 defeat to Auckland Church Institute in October 1887, The Northern Echo’s correspondent was quick to blame “the utter lack of judgment for which Craven is notorious”. There may have been a personality clash. The match, incidentally, was played at the Bishop’s Park, a venue perhaps not quite as fitting as tonight’s. “Several large trees lie within the field of play,” the Echo added. The “temporary” appointment lasted seven years, Craven received a testimonial and “purse of gold” when he left for Leeds.
The citation spoke of “long and able service” – and in Darlington he’d become known as an able tennis player, singer and musician, too. For his first year at Headingley, where he and his new bride Mary Gillingham lived in the pavilion, he continued as Northern League secretary. After a spell in sports administration in Maidstone, he joined the Colonial Office becoming water works engineer in the
remembering charles samuel craven Margaret Rogers, Charles Craven’s daughter, wrote recollections of him in 1990, when she herself was 72. We offer a few extracts, from a transcription by Bob Rogers – but football’s never once mentioned.
“When he was only a very small boy he lost the top of his finger playing with a lawnmower when one of the next babies was being born.” “Father was often telling me of (George) Stephenson and the Rocket, the
ground at Headingley. What sent him to the Colonial Office and West Africa I do not know.”
first steam engine standing on view at Darlington station. Eventually in 1929 we went north, and I saw it.”
“CSC and Ella Goody (my mother) were brought together quite by chance at a dinner party.”
“Somewhere he became interested in stamp collecting….I know he had a hand in creating the cricket
“Why they stayed in London (during World War I) I don’t know. It cannot have been a comfortable place.
Charles and Ella Craven photographed together at Felbridge in 1935
1965.
The 75th anniversary is marked by a match between the league and a Sunderland XI at Roker Park, Willie McPheat and Gary Moore scoring in Sunderland’s 2-0 win. A dinner follows, the league making a gross profit of £125 7s. Whitby Town reach the Amateur Cup final, but lose 3-1 to Hendon.
1966.
Substitutes are used for the first time, having successfully been introduced in the Football League the previous season. Bishops and Blyth Spartans need four replays before their FA Cup first round tie is decided, at Roker Park, in Bishops’ favour.
1969.
North Shields record a 24th, and last, Amateur Cup triumph for the league, beating Sutton United at Wembley. The crowd’s 47,500. The Robins also take the league title by a point from neighbours and arch-rivals Whitley Bay.
1971. Gold Coast. Mary died in 1910, Charles retiring to England in 1916 and marrying Ella Goody in 1917. Their daughter Margaret was born seven days after the Armistice. The family lived in a vicarage at Kingates, on the Isle of Wight, moving to the Surrey village of Felbridge – where the Cravens called their new home Kingates – in 1927. Charles Craven died there in 1940 and is buried near his par-
I once found a small scrap of paper in the back of CSC’s briefcase to the effect that ‘The air raid sirens have just sounded, I am going down to the shelter. I leave all I possess to my beloved wife’. Clearly a bad moment of panic.” “CSC also took his part in the Great War guarding Ventnor pier. I have visions of him sitting on
ents in St John’s churchyard. It’s there that Northern League chaplain the Rev Leo Osborn led a wreath laying and rededication service last Friday. Charles Craven’s three grandchildren survive – Liz in Bedfordshire, Anne in Somerset and Bob Rogers in Hong Kong, where he has lived and worked for forty years. After much trawling of the internet, we hope to welcome him this evening to make a very special occasion complete.
the end, dangling his legs, chiefly on the lookout for submarines.” “Somewhere along the line, my father started giving me lessons. I don’t remember anything about them, except there were jelly sweets as rewards. ” “He became more and more prey to asthma and I think the 1929-31 fi-
nancial disaster worried him. I think all his savings vanished, as they were in government stock.” “We had a wireless and he listened endlessly to the news with growing concern and dread.” “There was one period of illness which lasted months. He became an old man – I did not realise how old.”
Evenwood Town – nowt but a village, in truth – win the championship for the second successive season under manager Billy Bell, by three points from Durham City. Former professional clubs Ashington and Consett are admitted at the annual meeting.
1974.
After many years of ill-disguised “shamateurism”, the FA finally abolishes amateur status and the restriction on former professionals playing at NL level. For the first time the league is also sponsored, for £9,500 a season by Rothman’s of Pall Mall. Three points for a win are also introduced, Stanley United, much loved, resign three days before the season starts.
1978.
Incredibly, Blyth Spartans reach the fifth round of the FA Cup, denied a quarter-final tie with Arsenal by Wrexham’s contentious late equaliser and losing 2-1 at St James’ Park in front of 41,000 fans in the replay. Spennymoor United become the first NL team to reach the FA Trophy semi-final and also end Spartans’ five-year championship sequence.
1979.
Newly sponsored by Drybrough’s, the league is invited to be founder members of the FA’s new “Pyramid” system, playing at the second tier and feeding directly into the Conference. Led by chairman Arthur Clark and secretary Gordon Nicholson, the league declines and will do so again two years later.
The Football Association XI Harrogate Town
age
21 GK
Craig MacGillvray
Shane Bland
Started his non-league career for Harrogate Railway Athletic before transferring to Stalybridge Celtic. Moved to Harrogate Town in August 2012, making his debut for the club the following month in a 2-2 draw against Northern League side West Auckland Town in the FA Cup. Dropped into non-league football to concentrate on his studies, leaving Leeds United to do so.
Joined the North Yorkshire side last summer from Football League neighbours Middlesbrough’s youth team. Has kept over ten clean sheets this season for Whitby, combining playing with coaching at Middlesbrough’s Academy. Moving to Georgia at the end of this current season to combine study with playing for the Savannah Bees, the football side at Savannah College of Art and Design.
Whitby Town
age
19 GK
Steve Gardner Frickley Athletic
age
23 DEF
Harrogate Town
age
23 DEF
Blyth Spartans
age
21 MID
Blyth Spartans
age
22 FWD
Aſter starting his career in Hull City’s youth team, moved to Worksop Town and then North Ferriby United who he helped to clinch the Evo-Stik title last season as the club were promoted to the Skrill North. Moved to Frickley during the summer aſter a loan spell at the club, and a further temporary spell at Harrogate Town.
Nathan Buddle Blyth Spartans
age
20 DEF
Leigh Franks
Ryan Hutchinson
Aſter spells with Scarborough and Bridlington Town, joined Huddersfield Town in 2007 before loan spells at both Fleetwood and Oxford United during the 2009/10 season. Aſter being released by the Terriers in the summer of 2010, joined Conference National side Alfreton Town where he played for three seasons before signing for Harrogate Town last summer.
Newcastle-born player who joined Celtic at a young age before transferring from their youth set-up to join fellow SPL club St Johnstone before being released and joining Northern League side Morpeth Town. Is also signed for Northern Alliance team Seaton Delaval Amateurs, making eleven appearances for Delaval this season, scoring twice, in the level below the Northern League.
Seaton Delaval Amateurs
age
21 MID
Matty Wade
Tom Portas
Played Northern Alliance football for Seaton Delaval Amateurs and Northern League football for West Allotment Celtic and Washington - where he spent last season, making a number of appearances in the second division - before moving to Blyth Spartans last summer, making his debut against Marine in August and scoring his first goal the following month against AFC Fylde.
Joined Guisborough Town from Middlesbrough’s youth team in the summer of 2009, winning the Supporters’ Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards during his first season. Helped the Priorymen to promotion from the Northern League Division Two at the end of the 2010/11 season before moving to Newton Aycliffe. Whitby Town signed the midfielder in November 2011.
Whitby Town
age
21 MID
Arran Wearmouth
Dan Maguire
Came through the youth team set-up at Middlesbrough before joining Northern League side Bishop Auckland. Moved to Blyth Spartans at the start of the season, making his debut for the club against Trafford on 20 August before scoring his first goal for the club against Worksop Town four days later.
Joined Spartans during the 2012/13 season from Northern Alliance side Seaton Delaval Amateurs and forced his way into the first team before the campaign was out. Was Blyth’s Player of the Year last season, leading the goalscoring charts this season and last. Recently had trials with Football League side Oldham Athletic.
Blyth Spartans
age
21 FWD
Lee Mason Whitby Town
age
23 FWD
The Northumbrian moved to the Spartans from Hartlepool United at the start of the current season, having previously progressed from the famed Wallsend Boys Club to the youth team set-up at Victoria Park before being one of a number of players released following Pools’ relegation last season.
Played Northern League football for both Whitley Bay and Newcastle Benfield aſter being released from Hartlepool United. Had a spell playing in the Swedish third division for Unik FK before joining Blyth Spartans in the summer of 2011. Aſter two seasons in Northumberland, moved down the coast to join Whitby Town in September 2013.
age
64
Player Profiles Marc Lancaster Blyth Spartans
age
20 DEF
Young defender who is currently on loan at Northern League side Morpeth Town having joined from Blyth in November 2013. Previously played in the Northern League for second division side Birtley Town. Joined Spartans at the start of this season having also spent time at Hibernian and Berwick Rangers, making his Evo-Stik debut in September against Ashton United.
Louis Storey Team Northumbria
age
20 DEF
A product of the famous Wallsend Boys Club. Signed a pro contract with Newcastle United, who converted him from a centre forward, in February 2010 aſter twice winning the County Cup while a pupil at St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School. Leſt the Toon to sign for Northern League side Ashington before moving to Team North. Studies Applied Sport and Exercise Science at Northumbria University.
Lewis Horner Blyth Spartans
age
22 MID
Started his professional career in Scotland with Hibernian, making one appearance against Inverness Caledonian Thistle before joining East Stirlingshire on loan. Was released by the Hibees last summer and joined Newcastle Benfield before moving from the Northern League to the Evo-Stik League when he signed for Blyth in September 2013.
1982.
Long mooted, favoured by most clubs but still opposed by the league committee, a second division kicks off on August 28, 82 years after the last one folded. Eleven clubs include Esh Winning, Billingham Town, Northallerton, Bedlington, Norton, Alnwick and – from across the border – Gretna. Peterlee are the first champions.
1987.
The Banks Group Northern Youth League kicks off on September 5 with a 22-0 win for Billingham Synthonia over Evenwood and 14-2 for Shildon over Durham City. Aimed at building a bridge between youth and senior football, it will last seven seasons.
1988.
Members for all but three seasons since the league’s formation, Bishop Auckland announce their resignation – together with Whitley Bay – on the eve of the centenary season. The league’s continuing reluctance to join the “Pyramid” system is blamed.
1989.
Northern Goalfields, a 450-page league history written and researched over seven years by Brian Hunt, is published to mark the centenary. Other highlights include a match against a Juventus/Liverpool XI. The league magazine, photocopied and hand stapled, appears for the first time in October.
Shane Henry Whitby Town
age
23 MID
Joined Guisborough Town for the 2009/10 and helped the Priorymen to the Northern League Division Two title in 2010/11 - a season that saw him scoop a hat-trick of awards with Players’ Player, Manager’s Player and Supporters’ Player of the Year titles. Aſter joining Billingham Synthonia in December 2011, he joined Whitby Town in August 2012.
Ashley Worsfold Harrogate Town
age
23 FWD
Started his career with Sheffield Wednesday before moving on to Goole and then Parkgate, scoring over 20 goals in each of his two seasons there, and Sheffield FC. Signed for Alfreton Town for the 2012/13 season before joining Harrogate Town last summer. Has scored ten Skrill North goals this season as Town challenge at the top of the table.
Paul Fairclough
ENGLAND C MANAGER Made his name as a non-league manager by taking Stevenage into the FA Cup fourth round and forcing a replay against Premier League side Newcastle United. Won the Conference title with the club before doing the same with Barnet and leading them into the Football League. Has managed the England C side since 2003 - the longest serving manager of the team.
1990.
Though still opposed by some management committee members, clubs vote 32-6 at a special meeting on November 27 to join the Pyramid – but only step four is on offer, two tiers lower than 20 years earlier. “The decision is long overdue,” says league president Ernest Armstrong.
1992.
The Northern League stages the world’s first groundhoppers weekend, the first of five over successive Easters. The innovation will become widely copied. Peterlee hosts the first. Gretna take the title for the second successive season and then head off to begin what will become a great adventure.
1993.
Armed police swoop on Norton & Stockton Ancients after reports of a spectator with a gun. It turns out to be a giant hot dog. South Bank, the only remaining founder member, have membership suspended amid a series of arson attacks and skulduggery. Homeless, they are thrown out the following season.
Tonight’s Match Officials Scott Duncan (Referee) Played Northern League football for Whitley Bay and Consett, scoring for Consett against Billingham Synners after ten seconds on the opening day of 1982-83. A record, he wonders? Refereed the 2007 Northern League Cup final between Newcastle Benfield and Nissan before promotion to the national list. Has officiated more than 250 Football League games as referee or assistant. Now a level 4 coach for Northumberland FA.
The Northern League enjoys a remarkable record as a springboard for match officials to the game’s highest levels. Men like George Courtney – league president since 1997 – Pat Partridge, Peter Willis and Kevin Howley have all had charge of the FA Cup final and officiated at international level. The younger generation – former NL men like Michael Oliver and Mark Clattenburg – are helping maintain that reputation. Two of tonight’s four officials – referee Scott Duncan and assistant Mick McDonough – both have long experience of the game at Football League and Premiership level. Few would bet on them being followed by Lindsey Robinson and Daniel Woodward, who make up the team
Mick McDonough (assistant) Started refereeing in 1992, running his first Northern League line – Easington v Evenwood – in 1995. Though his first match in the middle wasn’t until Ryhope CA v Evenwood in 1998, he made such an impression that two years later he had charge of the League Cup final between Dunston and Durham City. In 2000 he also became a Football League referee, promoted to the Premier League in 2006.
Lindsey Robinson (assistant). Former player, qualified as a referee in 2008. “I used to get frustrated with referees,” she admits. “It wasn’t dissent, but I was always having a little word with them, so I thought I’d see what it was like. I think I caught the bug; I’ve never regretted it.” Already a Northern League second division ref, tipped to go higher, she regards patience, a sense of humour and calmness as essential qualities. Aged 33, she is a development officer with County Durham Sport.
Daniel Woodward (fourth official) A George Courtney protégé, started as a Northern League assistant referee when just 16 and was a second division referee two years later. In 2012, when still only 20, he became a first division referee. Lives in Coxhoe, Co Durham.
The Ebac Northern League would like most warmly to thank all four match officials for giving up their time tonight.
A word on our sponsors Until 1974-75, the year that “amateur” status was abolished nationwide, the Northern League had never had an official sponsor – which is not to say that a lot of people didn’t put hands in their pockets. Then Rothman’s came along, sponsoring five senior “non-league” competitions in a package worth £9,650 apiece and promoting the Rothman’s Knock-Out Cup across the leagues. One was the Channel Islands League – amazing how many NL clubs found themselves on a Biggles flight southwards. From those adventures are travellers’ tales still told. It lasted three years, not exactly a puff of smoke but a disappointingly short deal. The league then had two further seasons without an official backer – save for Radio Luxembourg, whose £208 input equated to their position on the medium length waveband – before becoming the Drybrough’s Northern League in 1979. The Edinburgh-based brewery promised £10,000 in hard cash every season but, understandably, wanted to sell ale, too. They were very good, the arrangement continuing until 1988 when Joshua Tetley took over the company but allowed the Drybrough name to continue. Between 1988-90 we were the Skol Northern League, beneath the same amiable umbrella. After three more dry years, substantial backing was agreed in 1993 with the Dunston-based Federation Brewery, whose chairman Jim Ramshaw had played with distinction
for Shildon. When the Fed unexpectedly withdrew, the league again got lucky. Pony-tailed entrepreneur Brooks Mileson, then sponsoring Whitby Town, was at the 1997 FA Vase final and in a good mood. Approached about league sponsorship, he signed a lucrative deal three days later on the inside flap of a Marlboro Lite packet. Negotiations lasted 90 seconds. Successively under the Arnott, Albany and Arngrove banners, the sponsorship proved so mutually enjoyable that Brooks announced an “in perpetuity” deal throughout his lifetime and that of his sons. It ended, tragically, with Brooks’s illness and death. Caught a bit short, the league came up with something novel – raffling sponsorship at £250 a ticket. £30,000 worth were sold, a testament to generosity and to pulling power. Skill Training came out of the hat. When they were unable to continue, dehumidifier manufacturer Ebac became our sponsor. Just three years in, the magnificent arrangement has already increased in value by 66 per cent. John Elliott not only continues to take an enthusiastic interest in the league – and in West Auckland FC, of whom he is president – but to believe that there are positive benefits from the deal. In the autumn, the company plans to become Britain’s only washing machine manufacturer. The league looks forward to spinning along with them for many years to come.
1996.
Arthur Clark stands down after 21 years as league chairman, replacing Ernest Armstrong as president. Both men will die within months. Jarrow Roofing join the league; homeless Ferryhill Athletic survive 19-18 a management committee recommendation to suspend their membership.
1997.
Whitby Town become the first Northern League team to lift the FA Vase, beating North Ferriby 3-1. A deal struck at half-time in the Wembley VIP suite secures a sponsorship deal agreed on the inside flap of a Marlboro Lite packet from North-East businessman Brooks Mileson. Over 11 years it will be worth £5,000. World Cup referee George Courtney MBE become league president.
1998.
Tow Law Town, hithero best remembered for that 1967 FA Cup win over Mansfield, reach the FA Vase final after an amazing run. Beaten 1-0 by Tiverton on a gloriously sunny May afternoon, the Lawyers – managed by Peter Quigley – claim that they failed to acclimatise. The crowd’s 13,139, the referee Mike Riley.
1999.
Bedlington Terriers thrash Colchester United 4-1 in the FA Cup first round before going out at Scunthorpe. West Auckland also reach the first round. Terriers’ title win is the second of five in succession, but – amid much woof-woofing and questions about who let the dogs out – they lose the FA Vase final 1-0 to Tiverton.
2003.
Managed by Kenny Lindoe, little Brandon United claim one of the most improbable championships in league history, by seven points from Bedlington. Shildon become the last NL club (so far) to reach the FA Cup first round, losing 7-2 at Notts County after fighting back from 3-0 to 3-2. Deducted 15 points for administrative irregularities, Eppleton CW leave at the end of the season and are replaced by Newcastle Benfield.
homes of football Photos by Stuart Roy Clarke Renowned football photographer Stuart Roy Clarke has unveiled his latest exhibition from his Homes of Football collection featuring the players and fans of the Northern League - the world's second oldest league. Capturing the spirit and dedication in amateur football and commissioned by the National Football Museum, the collection helps to celebrate the league’s 125th year. The exhibition encompasses Clarke’s travels be-
Shildon - pre-match focus
Billingham Synthonia v Newton Aycliffe
Marske United - drives 500 miles to play
tween the league’s two divisions and 45 clubs, covering the area from East to West coast and between Alnwick in Northumberland and Northallerton in Yorkshire. 'The Northern League' is on display at the National Football Museum in Manchester until June 30.
Sunderland RCA - sells programmes
Esh Winning - lineswoman keeping up
2006.
Just 14 years after leaving the Northern League Gretna, bankrolled by Brooks MIleson, are in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden. They lose to Hearts on penalties, two coach loads of Northern League friends among the crowd. Newcastle Blue Star win the league, but will burn out three years later.
Not so DAFT Chairman Keith Belton
2011.
The Durham Amateur Football Trust, known almost proudly as DAFT, have played a major role in helping the Ebac Northern League celebrate its 125th anniversary. Formed in 2006, DAFT in name but by no means in nature, the Trust has made a big impact in preserving memories of what generally are supposed the good old days. In acknowledging the need to cherish both sporting and social history, DAFT remains rooted in the present. A stated aim is “to get young and old involved in local football clubs.” The Trust played a key role in setting up the Northern League exhibition at the National Football Museum in Manchester – which runs until the end of April – and has exhibition boards at Heritage Park tonight. Based in south Durham – both chairman Keith Belton and secretary Dick Longstaff are lifelong Bishop Auckland supporters – DAFT’s patch covers from Tyne to Tees and sometimes overflows the
rivers, too. Jim McMillan, the president, won four FA Amateur Cup winners’ medals with Crook Town – the only player in history to claim a quartet. DAFT’s office is in Shildon, a little treasure trove of a place in cottages once occupied by Timothy Hackworth, the great railway pioneer. They also have a small permanent exhibition at Locomotion, the National Railway Museum, just down the line. Their collection – caps to cups, mugs to medals, programmes to press cuttings – is incredible, their enthusiasm amazing. They even have a Bishop Auckland Subbuteo team, the only amateur team to be cast in that mould. They exist on a shoestring, volunteer sacrificially, would greatly welcome offers of financial backing and of extra pairs of hands – not just from those who remember the perceived Golden Age, either. Details on www.thedaft.org.uk – or simply talk to the guys tonight.
Whitley Bay complete a unique hat-trick of FA Vase wins, beating Coalville 3-2. The manager’s Ian Chandler, who’d scored the winner when the Seahorses also won the Vase in 2002. Relative newcomers Spennymoor Town take the title and will themselves be Wembley winners two years later. Ebac, an Aycliffe-based dehumidifier and water cooler company, becomes league sponsor.
2012.
Dunston UTS beat West Auckland 2-0 in the first all-Northern League Wembley final since 1954, but the crowd’s little more than 5,000. Officials worry that Wembley may no longer be allowed to stage the showpiece.
2013.
The Moors make it five successive Wembley wins for the league, league officials back two weeks later to collect an FA Gold award at the FA Cup final for the acclaimed Secret Shopper initiative. Darlington 1883, formed from the embers of the woundup original club, are placed in the first division, regularly attract four-figure gates and win the title.
2014.
Enthusiastically supported 125th anniversary celebrations climax with a church service and lunch on March 23 and in tonight’s match – 125 years to the day since seven clubs sat tentatively down at Brown’s Hotel.
Thanks, but... Well, thanks but where to start. So many people have helped bring together arrangements for tonight’s game and for all the events surrounding our 125th anniversary. Someone’s almost certain to be forgotten, and I can only apologise, but rather the risk of that than fail to acknowledge our friends at all. So firstly, thanks to Bishop Auckland FC, in particular interim chairman Richard Tremewan and club secretary John Stubbs, for so enthusiastically and expertly hosting this milestone match. They and their people have been a pleasure to work with, frequently as we watched the rain falling outside Heritage Park. It does get quite clarty out there – so real thanks to the ground staff, too... If our darkest fears have proved prescient, and we’ve needed at very short notice to switch to Plan B, thanks to Billingham Synthonia for their characteristic willingness in providing emergency back-up. That will have been fun! Thanks to the FA for sending a representative squad and particularly to Mike Appleby, leagues manager and former Northern League linesman, for adding that side of things to his myriad other responsibilities. We warmly welcome the FA squad and those FA officials accompanying them – including leagues committee chairman John Ward. Thanks also to our own squad, and to Spennymoor Town manager Jason Ainsley, so proud at being
asked to act as tonight’s team manager. The guys have all come very willingly; we look forward to a great game. That, in turn, wouldn’t be possible without the match officials. Mick McDonough is as familiar on Premiership lines up and down the country as he remains in the Northern League; Scott Duncan is one of many down the years who’ve risen from Northern to Football Leagues and Lindsey Robinson is fast earning a very good name, too. Daniel Woodward, now a first division referee having started in the second division when just 16, is our fourth official. Thanks to sportswear supplier Motif8 who’ve kitted out the Northern League team without charge and to The A68 Café, our caterers, for the guest arrangements upstairs. The programme you hold has mostly been written by me and Jarrow Roofing media manager Andy Hudson, but its vivid appearance is due entirely to the design skills of Nenad Mijaljević, who also designs the Seaham Red Star and Jarrow Roofing programmes. That he lives in Belgrade has made things a little trickier. Nenad has been marvellous. Michael Briggs, another of Roofing’s burgeoning media team, hopes to make a DVD of tonight’s match and other 125 events. Colleagues on the Northern League management committee have, as ever, gone the extra mile when asked. John Elliott and Ebac have proved supportive and hands-on sponsors and we have many volunteers working to make things run smoothly (it’s much to be hoped) on the night. Thanks, finally, to all the spectators for their support tonight and for the Northern League throughout the years. We hope that the 125th anniversary will still be celebrated for many years to come.
Mike Amos
Today’s teams MANAGER Jason Ainsley
Andrew Grainger Liam Connell
MANAGER Paul Fairclough
Craig MacGillvray Shane Bland
Callum Anderson
Marc Lancaster
Darren Craddock
Steve Gardner
Daniel Madden
Nathan Buddle
Ben Cattanach
Louis Storey
Stephen Capper
Leigh Franks
Gari Rowntree Willie Gibson
Ryan Hutchinson Lewis Horner
Andrew Johnson
Matty Wade
Craig Gott
Tom Portas
Keith Graydon Mark Hudson Ben Sayer Danny Johnson Luke Sullivan Gavin Cogdon Paul Chow
Shane Henry Arran Wearmouth Dan Maguire Ashley Worsfold Lee Mason Referee Scott Duncan Assistants Mick McDonough, Lindsey Robinson Fourth official Daniel Woodward
(COVER PICTURE): Back up with the Cup Tens of thousands throng Bishop Auckland Market Place on Monday April 18 1955 to welcome home the triumphant Bishops after their FA Amateur Cup win over Hendon, at Wembley, thanks to two goals from Derek Lewin. It was a first winner’s medal in four attempts for 34-year-old Bob Hardisty. The scene was to become familiar (Picture courtesy of the Durham Amateur Football Trust)
Editors Mike Amos | Andy Hudson Designer Nenad Mijaljević