allotment
WEST ALLOTMENT CELTIC MATCHDAY PROGRAMME 2013/14
washed out The wet weather has finally relinquished its grip on Whitley Park
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welcome 16
Club Officials
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President Chairman Vice-Chairman Secretary Treasurer Commercial
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contents
Committee
the history
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the squad
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the backroom staff
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the last match
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the last meeting
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the preview
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the visitors
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washed out
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the letter draw
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the onion bag
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on this day
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harry milburn
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the player statistics
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fixtures, results, table
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rottweiler’s notes
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Press Officer Photographer
Alex Smailes Roland Mather Jimmy Wilson Ted Ilderton John Alexander Jonny Thompson David Dodds Paul Mason Above, plus Al Liddle,Michael Wilson, Les Scott, Kath Orr, Harry Bell, Stephen Allott, Richie Marks Craig Dobson Graeme Jackson
Backroom Staff Manager Assistant Manager First Team Coach Physio
Paul Stoneman Wilf Kielty Paul Hogg Charlotte Ferguson
Selected Club Honours Northern Alliance champions
1987, 1991, 1992, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004 Northern League D2 champions 2005 NFA Amateur Cup winners 1957, 1975 NFA Benevolent Bowl winners 1993 Craven Cup winners 2005 Ernest Armstrong Mem. Cup winners 2013
eighty-five Stephen Allott takes you on a whistlestop tour
from creation to contenders
...and the decade of decline
West Allotment Celtic were formed in 1928, the culmination of a merger between West Allotment Primitive Methodists and West Allotment Juniors. After moving to the newly-created Tynemouth & District League in 1935, the club began to grow in stature. The club had to face Whitley Bay & Monkseaton Reserves in a play-off for the title, but unfortunately, the decider went the way of the seasiders. Remarkably, Allotment also finished in a play-off position in the following two seasons – and, in both cases, had to settle for a runner-up spot.
The sixties started promisingly enough, as Allotment looked to build on their previous successes. The club finished as runners-up in the Northern Amateur League in 1960, and were consecutive Minor Cup finalists in 1960 and 1961.
changing leagues, sheds and times In 1938, the club joined the Second Division of the Northern Amateur League. Now playing at the aptly-named Farm Ground, fans helped to dismantle a cowshed in Heaton and move it, piece by piece, to West Allotment, where it was reassembled at the ground. The shed was not for spectators – it served as the players’ changing facilities! The club earned instant promotion (after a play-off, such is club tradition), but World War II put a stop to any further progress.
a succession of successes... The club recommenced operations in 1946/47 and enjoyed an unprecedented run of success from the mid-fifties onwards. Allotment won the championship for four consecutive seasons between 1956 and 1960, along with the NFA Amateur Cup in 1957 and the NFA Minor Cup in 1958.
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West Allotment Celtic v South Shields
However, whilst Celtic remained loyal to the Northern Amateur League, the bulk of the team moved on, and Allotment entered a period of decline as a result. The club stagnated badly during the sixties in an uncompetitive league, and closure become a distinctly worrying possibility. The threat of dissolution was eventually staved off by the introduction of new blood into the club towards the end of the decade, as Allotment finally began to build towards a more positive future on and off the pitch. Celtic also moved to Backworth Welfare in 1968, consigning the ponds and mud of the Farm Ground to memory.
champions at long last A rejuvenated West Allotment won the NFA Amateur Cup again in 1975, largely thanks to the goalscoring exploits of Benny Williams,
years in the making of the club’s history, studded with hardship, success and numerous relocations... who averaged almost one goal a game in his 400 appearances for the club. Williams was ably supported by a talented and hungry squad, and, with strength in depth, Allotment were always considered title contenders. However, the championship remained tantalisingly out of reach until yet another play-off tie in 1982. Allotment finally won the coveted title, defeating Annitsford Welfare by the odd goal in seven.
Alliance titles, never finishing lower than sixth. Terry Mitchell and Brian Latty built upon Ken Scott and Billy Hays’ consecutive Alliance league titles, leading Allotment into the Northern League.
the modern day
When Celtic retained the title with relative ease the following season, the decision was taken to move up a tier for the first time since 1938.
Having acted as tenants at Hillheads in Whitley Bay since 1995, the club set out to find a new home, and found it in Benton. In 2001, the club moved to Whitley Park, also known as the Blue Flames Sports Ground. The ground is well-known as one of the best kept pitches in the Northern League, and also serves as the headquarters of the Northumberland FA.
the colossus of the alliance In 1983, Allotment made its debut in both the Northern Alliance and the FA Vase. The first honour of the period arrived just one season later, as Allotment dispatched Ponteland United in the Alliance Challenge Cup Final. This success was followed up two seasons later by the first of Celtic’s eight Alliance titles. In 1987, West Allotment emerged victorious from two nail-biting play-off games against Gosforth St. Nicholas, ushering in a wave of success not enjoyed at the club since the fifties. Throughout this period, Celtic won seven further Northern
The club earned promotion from Division Two as champions, losing just twice throughout the entire 2004/05 season. After six seasons of holding their own against the Northern League’s top tier, Allotment slipped back down a league. The current crop have gone some way to restoring success at Allotment, winning the Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup last May, and will be aiming for those promotion places this season. the history
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the squad
Chris Bannon GK Age: 26 Formerly of Washington and Hebburn Town, popular and reliable ‘keeper Chris returns to Allotment for a second stint between the sticks, and will jostle with Ryan Beal for the number one jersey.
Glenn Ford CB Age: 29 Glenn rejoined the club during the 2012/13 season, making a handful of solid appearances. Having committed for this coming season, fans can expect to see much more of Glenn and his defensive abilities.
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Ryan Beal GK Age: 25 An excellent shot stopper, Ryan featured extensively in last season’s cup-winning campaign, and will look to consolidate his place with similarly strong performances this season.
GK Chris Bannon GK Ryan Beal GK Bob Rodgerson GK Jack Thompson
CB Simon Wilthew CB Glenn Ford CB Stephen Little CB Paul Stoneman RB John Pendlebury
Bob Rodgerson Stephen Little GK Age: 31 CB Age: 26 A Percy Main Amateurs The ex-Annfield Plain regular, Bob performed and Killingworth stopper admirably when filling shone at the back for in during a goalkeeping Allotment last season, crisis towards the back putting in a series of end of last season, and superlative defensive has registered once again showings, earning the to be our third choice Player’s Player of the Year ‘keeper. Award in the process.
Simon Wilthew John Pendlebury Chris Douglas CB Age: 25 RB Age: 27 RB Age: 29 Simon featured 15 times A first-team regular since The ultimate utility player, at the back for Allotment signing for Allotment Chris can be employed last season. Strong at from Ryton in 2010, anywhere down either centre-half and adept at John’s relentless work flank to devastating left-back, the Monkseaton ethic and tenacious effect. The former North defender will be looking tackling bring stability Shields man’s pace and to build on his impressive to the back four. The perception underpins his debut in the Northern full-back often serves as undoubted ability, be it League. captain in the absence of as a full-back or a wide Ian Dunn. midfielder.
West Allotment Celtic v South Shields
RB Chris Douglas LB Marc Dummett CM David Borley CM Roy Gordon CM Ian Dunn
CM Marc Allen CM David Henderson CM Michael Bell CM Sean Reid RM Kallum McGlen
Marc Dummett LB Age: 26 The former Ponteland United and Dunston fullback has proven to be an asset to the club in both defence and attack. His crossing ability in both regular play and from set-pieces is second to none.
Roy Gordon CM Age: 31 Roy rejoins Celtic for a second spell, having last played for the club during the 2011/12 season. Able to play in a number of positions, the experienced utility man has also turned out for North Shields, Consett and Annfield Plain.
Michael Bell CM Age: 22 Brimming with potential, “Belly” won the Under-19 National Schools Cup with Northumberland and has also represented Ryton. Bell is unbeatable in the air, and can also operate on the wing and as a supporting striker.
RM Tony Lancaster LM Paul Chapman LM Dean Lee LM Connor Graham ST Lawrence McKenna
ST Liam Hudson ST David Dormand ST Jed Findlay ST Rob Nolan
David Borley David Henderson CM Age: 30 CM Age: 31 Central midfielder David David Henderson turned out for Bury in rejoined the club last his youth, and the football season, and the former coach has gone on to North Shields schemer represent the likes of provides another option Bedlington Terriers, going forward through Hebburn Town and the middle. Henders Jarrow Roofing in the is arguably one of the Northern League. A most skilful players in the dynamic playmaker. squad.
Ian Dunn Marc Allen Sean Reid CM Age: 31 CM Age: 26 CM Age: 21 Long-serving, tough Marc previously turned Rangy, pacy and tackling midfielder Dunn out for Whitley Bay technically gifted, Sean has grafted tirelessly Reserves, but has can play as a roaming for three years at West become a mainstay in the central midfielder, a Allotment, earning the Celtic squad. His astute dangerous centrecaptain’s armband in the passing, ball retention forward, or even an adept process. “Dunny” remains skills and battling tenacity centre-back. The former one of Celtic’s key men are evident whenever he Ryton forward is one of deep in the heart of is called upon in central Celtic’s most promising midfield. midfield. attacking outlets.
the squad
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the squad
Kallum McGlen RM Age: 21 A former Montagu & North Fenham favourite, Kallum features on the right hand side of midfield, where his energy and technique often causes problems for opposing full-backs.
Liam Hudson ST Age: 25
Tony Lancaster RM Age: 28
Dean Lee LM Age: 30
David Dormand ST Age: 25
Signed from Wark in March 2011. Tony struggled with injuries last term, but will hope to be back to his pacy, dangerous best this season. Tony can also operate as a wholly competent right-back.
A winger with the scoring nous of a striker, the former North Shields man has all of the tools required to strike fear into the hearts of defenders. One of Celtic’s most prolific threats going forward.
David’s prolific record precedes him, and the former Morpeth forward has already replicated his goalscoring form since joining Celtic, topping the charts with 30 goals. A clinical poacher and a hard worker up front.
Lawrence McKenna ST Age: 25
Jed Findlay ST Age: 24
Another former Ryton Lawrence is wellforward, army soldier travelled, having topped Liam is capable of the scoring charts for pressuring his opposite Whickham, before going numbers into submission on to play for Bedlington with his strength and high Terriers and Newcastle work rate. “Hud” can Benfield. Is known to be also be deployed on the a deadly finisher in the right wing. division.
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West Allotment Celtic v South Shields
Rob Nolan ST Age: 24 Signed from Cramlington Rob scored 30 goals for North Shields before Town last February, Jed earning his big move to is a promising forward with plenty of attacking Blyth Spartans, and after brief spells at Whitley potential. Having made a Bay and Bedlington, the handful of appearances last season, the striker clinical forward is looking to once again make his will be hoping to get mark upon Division Two. more game time this campaign.
the squad
the backroom staff
Paul Stoneman Player/Manager
Wilf Kielty Assistant Manager
Paul Hogg First Team Coach
Charlotte Ferguson Physiotherapist
The stalwart centre-half has played for Blackpool, Colchester United and Halifax Town. Despite turning 40 last year, ‘Stona’ was ever-present last season, remaining unbeatable in the air and impervious in the tackle.
Right-hand man Wilf has been around the local non-league scene for many years, both as a player and in a management role, giving notable service to North Shields as manager for several seasons.
The UEFA-licensed coach is held in very high regard at North Shields, having played, coached and managed there for over a decade. Paul has also managed Annfield Plain, and is working with the Newcastle United Foundation.
Charlotte is in her final year of her Physiotherapy studies at Northumbria University, and is currently on her final placement at the RVI. She is also a qualified sports masseur.
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Paul Stoneman the backroom staff
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the last match
15TH MARCH 2014 NORTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION TWO WHITLEY PARK
West Allotment Celtic 2 Ryton & Crawcrook 1
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WO goals in the space of two minutes from Rob Nolan secured three points for West Allotment Celtic on Saturday afternoon, emerging narrow victors against a dogged Ryton & Crawcrook Albion side. The wind of change swept through Whitley Park, with player-manager Paul Stoneman choosing to rest a number of players - not least himself - after Tuesday’s win at Whickham. Paul Chapman, a recent acquisition from Heaton Stannington, returned for his second spell at Celtic, and was one of six fresh faces in a revamped starting line-up. The changes in personnel were accompanied by a change
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in shape, with the manager eschewing his regular 4-2-3-1 for an outright 4-3-3 formation, with Chapman joining Nolan and David Dormand in the more attacking setup. Unfortunately, the violent winds that whipped around the ground soon put paid to any hope of seeing how the newlook Celtic would fare. Backed by the wind, Ryton looked dangerous from kick-off, belying their lowly league position. One early half-chance for Chapman aside - failing to connect with a free header within the box - it was all Albion in terms of opportunities created, as the away side did a better job of working the ball forwards along the floor. Philip Hodges was first to threaten, lashing clear
West Allotment Celtic v South Shields
of the bar from just inside the area, and Lee McGill soon followed suit, albeit from a greater distance. Allotment’s lofted balls around the corner, often a source of success when looking to break forward, were routinely blown off course by the elements, and the hosts looked less comfortable on the ball in deeper areas. Albion’s early probing was a cause for concern, but a switch to the more traditional 4-4-2 did little to halt John Wilson’s men. The wind almost grabbed an expected assist, catching Leigh Shickle’s inswinging corner and gusting it onto the crossbar, before Orin Parkinson skied the followup under pressure from six yards out. Errors started to creep into Allotment’s game
in the trying conditions, and, after Scott Gunn had fired over, the visitors were gifted another opening via some poor decisions at the back. McGill, who looked to cause Allotment problems throughout the ninety minutes, dragged his effort just wide of the far post.
approached the hour mark, as he produced a moment of brilliance which superseded that of Shickle. Receiving Sean Reid’s throw-in, the forward gave his marker the eyes and burst in the opposite direction, before rifling into the top corner from a difficult position.
A goal seemed forthcoming, and it was Ryton who deservedly opened the scoring just short of half-time in spectacular fashion. Captain Shickle was afforded space to drive forward from left-back, unleashing a superb 25-yard strike that rose beyond Bannon and into the top corner. Albion could even have made it two before the whistle, Glenn Ford charging down a venomous strike from Gunn, before McGill belatedly tested Bannon, who had to get down quickly to push away the low drive.
The fans were still celebrating the first moment of class when Nolan produced a second, doubling his tally within two minutes. The in-form forward collected the ball in the box and unleashed a low shot past the despairing Kevin Quigley in the Albion goal, completing a remarkable turnaround that left the Albion’s defenders somewhat shellshocked.
Despite having to replace the injured Michael Bell with Ian Dunn during the interval, Allotment’s luck otherwise changed with the wind as they came out for the second half, with Nolan probing from the outset. The striker saw one effort well blocked within the area, before lifting a second clear of the crossbar. Having rediscovered his eye for goal at Allotment, the 24-yearold is beginning to show the kind of form that saw him move from North Shields to Blyth Spartans last year. It was there for all to see as the game
Surprisingly in the ascendancy, a now rampant Allotment side started to turn the screw, and could have put the game to bed in a frantic five minute period. Reid was the architect of the first opportunity, his delightful back-to-goal flick playing in Douglas down the left. The square ball across the box found Dormand, but a combination of goalkeeper and defender did enough to deflect the effort behind. Ian Dunn was next to test Quigley, the captain’s wind-assisted cross forcing the ‘keeper to spill the ball away for a corner. Allotment’s reliable anchor man came closer still with a more intentional effort from the following set-piece, his looping header nodded off the line by an Albion defender.
Despite the scoreline remaining close, Allotment looked reasonably comfortable, with the combination of Dunn and Allen breaking the game up well in the middle of the park. Dormand nodded a difficult header over the bar - but it was to be the last chance they had to secure the win, as Ryton came surging back in the final ten minutes, and could have snatched what would have been a deserved point. Celtic were reduced to ten for the final ten minutes, goalscorer Nolan forced off with an ankle injury, and the visitors looked to take full advantage. Breaking effectively down the left, McGill looked set to convert a pullback from the byline, but, though his shot was well-struck, Bannon was equal to it, getting his body behind the ball to deny the attacker once more. Albion piled forward, and were within inches of equalising from a corner, only for Douglas to clear the ball from the line towards the far post, sparing Allotment’s blushes. There was still time for one more crack at goal, and the opportunity that fell to Hodges was gilt-edged. The promising wide man lost his marker as he darted to meet a whipped cross from the right, but his free header into the ground was saved - and, significantly, held - by the excellent Bannon. West Allotment ultimately held on for another vital victory. the last match
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the last meeting
10TH DECEMBER 2013 NORTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION TWO EDEN LANE
South Shields 2 West Allotment Celtic 2
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ESPITE a dominant first-half showing, West Allotment Celtic were made to pay the penalty for their early wastefulness, drawing 2-2 with ten-man South Shields on Tuesday night. Allotment should have been sight after an eventful opening half, which saw Shields reduced to ten men, a penalty save and two successive glaring misses, but the returning Paul Stoneman led his side off just one goal to the good. As has happened all too often, Celtic were pinned back after the break by a vastly improved South Shields outfit, whose never-say-die attitude earned them a share of the spoils. The visitors got off to the
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perfect start, scoring within two minutes at Eden Lane. South Shields failed to clear a high cross into the box, and the ball drifted towards Chris Douglas within the area. The wide man leaned back to hook a volley around his marker and into the far corner with aplomb, justifying his selection on the left flank with his third goal of the season. Defenders Dan Hall and Ben Riding fired wide for South Shields, either side of a wayward Liam Hudson halfvolley, before a more dangerous outlet forced West Allotment ‘keeper Ryan Beal into action. The Mariners worked the ball square towards the advancing Adam Burnicle, whose strike across goal was pushed away from danger by the 24-year-old
West Allotment Celtic v South Shields
stopper. His counterpart went one better, as Celtic were denied a second by recent acquisition Andrew Hunter. The former Harton & Westoe ‘keeper first got up well to parry Stephen Little’s header away from the top corner, and had to demonstrate similar agility to tip another headed effort from Paul Stoneman over the crossbar. Hunter would go on to prevent Allotment a third time, though Liam Hudson should have done better with his gilt-edged chances. Sent clear of the defence by a perfectly weighted David Dormand through ball, Hudson raced through on goal, but his tame effort was too close to the ‘keeper, who held
The match report from a midweek December trip to Eden Lane, where West Allotment Celtic once again failed to put the game to bed - allowing the ten men of South Shields to hit back and claim a point. onto a similarly weak follow-up from the burly attacker. Despite holding a slender lead, Allotment were in near total control, and their cause should have been assisted by two refereeing decisions in quick succession. Midfielder Barrie Smith was shown a second yellow card for directing verbal abuse towards the referee, and the official spotted a push in Sean Reid’s back when play resumed, handing the playmaker the chance to double Celtic’s advantage. His penalty was well-struck, but Hunter guessed right, flinging himself to his left to keep out the spot-kick, and Liam Hudson dragged the rebound agonisingly wide.
around the post. Centre-half Riding nodded marginally wide at the back post, and a reflex save from Beal kept out another pointblank header, as the Mariners began to bombard Celtic’s goal. They got the goal their fightback deserved, though it was not without controversy. To the surprise of Allotment’s back four, the referee waved for play to continue when Dormand suffered a head injury. On the back foot, Little clearly clipped the dangerous Kane in the box, and Stephen Ramsey duly despatched the resulting penalty.
The assistant referee’s injury and subsequent replacement caused a brief delay in restarting the game, and South Shields looked a completely different side thereafter, belying their depleted state with relentless pressure.
Just as the hosts threatened to complete a remarkable turnaround, Allotment struck back, and were back in front within six minutes. Dormand’s square cross was flicked on by substitute Tony Lancaster into the path of Reid on the right, the 21-year-old thumping a half-volley past Hunter at the near post.
Peter Kane’s pace started to cause problems for the away side, the winger darting past two challenges and firing towards goal, only for Beal’s fingertips to divert the ball
With only ten minutes remaining, Celtic looked to have snatched all three points, but the dogged Mariners were not to be denied. Ramsey bagged his second of the
evening, his decisive touch on a Henderson strike wrongfooting Beal and levelling the scores. Despite their sub-par second half performance, there was still one more opportunity for Allotment to steal the win. Reid and Hunter raced to get to a dangerous through ball, the former getting there first and striking against the latter. The ball spun into the path of Lancaster, who chose to cross rather than shoot from an awkward angle, but Riding got back towards the line to head away from danger. His clearance ultimately mattered little, as the assistant on the far side had bemusingly raised his flag against the delivery’s desired target, despite Hudson being played on by the covering centre-half. The result may have been a fair reflection on the game, with both sides controlling one half apiece, but West Allotment will still be the more aggrieved of the two, having spurned many of the game’s best chances in the opening forty-five minutes. Nevertheless, the draw extends Celtic’s unbeaten run to six games, and the point sees the side leapfrog Heaton Stannington into second place.
the last meeting
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the match preview
form: WLDWW
WEST ALLOTMENT CELTIC
T
HEY may have done it the hard way - not for the first time this season - but Allotment kept the heat on in the promotion race with another victory on Saturday afternoon.
fewer than six changes omitting himself from the squad - and altered the formation accordingly. New signing Paul Chapman was one of the faces drafted into the line-up, along with Marc Allen and Glenn Ford.
Ryton & Crawcrook Albion were the visitors, and pushed Allotment all the way at Whitley Park, the hosts only narrowly edging the relegation-threatened outfit in a 2-1 win.
Those players featured at the expense of regulars like Liam Hudson and Ian Dunn, whilst Marc Dummett also occupied a place on the bench. All three, along with their playermanager and goalkeeper Ryan Beal, could be in line to return - although some deputies, particularly Chris
In light of tonight’s game, player-manager Paul Stoneman had made no
SOUTH SHIELDS form: LDLDW
S
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TALEMATE specialists South Shields visit Whitley Park this afternoon, knowing that despite their opponents’ high placing in Division Two, it is possible to take something from the promotion candidates. The Mariners hit back twice, despite captain Barrie Smith receiving his marching orders soon after half-time, holding Allotment to a 2-2 draw. That result took South Shields’ unenviable stalemate record into double figures for the season, and Jon King’s men would go on
to rack up their eleventh in the following game. Deadly stiker Stephen Ramsey, potent against Allotment last time out, may have struck an impressive hat-trick, but three goals from the Railwaymen consigned the hosts to yet another draw. Defeats against Birtley and West Auckland followed, prior to a goalless draw at home to Willington. They were ultimately drubbed by five goals on their travels to another promotion favourite in Seaham Red Star, but did manage to take a point off Thornaby, Richard Logan’s strike cancelled out after half
West Allotment Celtic v South Shields
Bannon, staked a claim for more game time. However, some players may struggle to make it in time for tonight’s fixture. Rob Nolan, whose superb brace sealed all three points at the weekend, was forced off late on with an ankle injury, and could miss out. Dean Lee will not feature, as he remains sidelined for the long term. Tonight’s game is one of three that Celtic have in hand compared to Seaham and we could close the gap this evening. an hour. However, they have returned to winning ways, beating Norton by a single Ozioma Davidson goal. Currently 16th in their first season back in Division Two, Shields have suffered their fair share of trouble, having to relocate almost 20 miles south to Peterlee to play their ‘home’ games. However, the recently relegated side have been holding talks to return to South Tyneside in the near future. The positive boost off the pitch may well galvanise the squad when they take to the field.
Previously Allotment’s stricken Robbie midfielder Nolan has Dean barely Lee been made at the his longclub a month, awaited but he has return already from a made an persistent impression. knee Picking injuryup from where inhe midweek, left off atstriking Red House the Farm, crossbar the former andShields missing poacher ahas further bagged gilt-edged four goals in chance as many bystarts. mereThe latest inches. two - aNow two-minute fully recovered brace against from Ryton the injury showed - initially just what he sustained is truly capable at of, Northallerton but the 24-year-old last season was forced - ‘Deano’ off late will add on after extrataking firepower a to the knock squad. to the ankle. He may be forced to sit out tonight’s game.
statattack 43
The attendance for the last meeting at Eden Lane
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No. of goals scored by Stephen Ramsey in a South Shields shirt
previous meetings P 5 6 11
25-year-old striker Stephen Ramsey was the telling difference between one solitary point and all three in December’s reverse fixture, tucking away a penalty in the first half and scoring a poacher’s effort in the second. The deceptively strong centreforward has thus far scored 64 goals in 210 outings - a decent return of one goal every three games.
W 4 3 5
D 0 1 1
L 1 2 3
F 16 11 23
A 8 11 18
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Assists laid on by Hudson this season
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No. of draws racked up by the Mariners
the preview
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south shields the history
T
HE history of Shields mark 1 is blurred but reports in the local Gazette suggest that the South Shields Association Football team’s first recorded result was a 2-1 win in September 1889 against Gateshead Albion, though mention was made of three games the previous season. South Shields Athletic formed in 1897 to play in the Northern Alliance, but folded in 1902. South Shields Adelaide, nicknamed the Laides, were formed in 1899 by Jack Inskip, and after joining the Northern Alliance, moved to the North Eastern League in 1908 – 09, becoming a limited company, Adelaide had been dropped from the name in 1905 and in 1913 the club unsuccessfully applied to the football league polling no votes. In 1919 they contested the post war Victory Shield alongside Newcastle, Sunderland and others, and joined the extended Football league division two in 1919 – 20 amassing 28 club votes. The first game was a 1-0 defeat at Fulham watched by 20,000, but the biggest recorded home crowd was in 1926 – 27, when 24,348 turned out for an FA Cup quarter final with Swansea Town, and the Welsh underdogs from Division Three (South) spoiled the party. Relegation came the following season, and after two Division Three (North) seasons the club folded in 1930 despite finishing seventh, and was taken over in its entirety by Gateshead. That was it until 1936 – 37 when, with financial support from the Shields gazette, the team re – formed in the North Eastern League and enjoyed immediate success in both league and
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West Allotment Celtic v South Shields
Durham Challenge Cup before war broke out. Gates often exceeded 10,000. The record at Simonside Hall (the clubs home from 1951) is thought to be 18,000 for the 1957 – 58 FA Cup tie with York City, though the figure 21,000 has also been reported. Numerous great FA Cup days included the 4-1 defeat at QPR in 1970, and the 10 goal feat by Chris Marron – claimed to be an FA Cup record – in the 13-0 win over Radcliffe Welfare in 1947. After the folding of successive leagues throughout the sixties, the Northern Premier League was Shields’ next stop. Though the league didn’t fold, the club did, in 1974. Its demise was common knowledge before the event, and even though the club reached the FA Trophy semi-final losing 3-0 on aggregate to a Morecambe side it had beaten 6-0 and 7-1 in the league, only 1117 bothered to watch the home leg. The club in its present form was born that year, a phoenix from the ashes. After two title winning seasons in the Northern Alliance, and a run to the ¼ finals of the FA Vase, Shields joined the Wearside League. Ultimately it fell to chairman John Rundle and his family to provide a new ground at Filtrona Park, which was redeveloped and first used by the club in 1992. Having staved off liquidation in 2006, the Mariners were promoted just two seasons later, and won both the Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup and J. R. Cleator Cup in 2009-10. However, Shields slipped back into the second tier last season. To make matters worse, the club has lost its Filtrona Park home, having to play its home games 18 miles down the A19 at Eden Lane, former home of Peterlee’s side. The Mariners have overcome their fair share of adversity in the past, and will undoubtedly rally round to place well this year.
Nickname: The Mariners Ground: Eden Lane Chairman: Gary Crutwell
Rivals: North Shields, Jarrow Roofing, Hebburn Town Largest home crowd 2013/14: 367 v North Shields Distance travelled today (approx.): 28 miles
the players Jak Wells
The pen profiles of some of The Mariners’ key squad members
Jordan Fraser
Tony Burnell
Colin is a commanding central defender, good in the air but also comfortable with the ball at his feet, Colin’s height makes him a threat in both penalty areas.
Barrie Smith
Lewis Lynch
Ben Riding
Chris Feasey
Stephen Ramsey
Chris has made almost 200 appearances for the club; Chris will pose a threat to opposition defences with his pace and superb distribution.
A strong centre forward, holds the ball up well and has a good touch. Stephen has made over 200 appearances for the club and has scored over 50 goals.
Peter Henderson
Adam Burnicle
Jak is an agile shot stopper with a wealth of Northern League experience, having signed this season from Morpeth Town.
Colin White
Ben is in his second spell with the club having previously played as an 18 year old. Ben has developed into a strong central defender.
William James
Luke joins us from local football, a strong tackling left sided defender that enjoys attacking opposition defences and contributes with his fair share of goals.
Mark Brown
Mark is a combative defender, comfortable as either a full back or centre half.
“Boomerang” returns to Shields for a third spell An imposing central defender, Jordan is strong in the air and also comfortable with the ball at his feet.
Barrie is in his fourth season at the club. A tenacious tackler, Barrie patrols the right flank. As club captain, Barrie always leads by example.
Peter joins us from neighbours Hebburn Town. A right sided player, Peter causes problems for opposition with his pace and ball control.
Daniel Hall
Former Cowdenbeath and Darlington player, comfortable at both right back or in midfield,
Tony is another player making a return to South Shields, a strong target man and holds the ball up well to create opportunities for his fellow forwards.
Lewis is a strong running forward with at experience at both Hebburn and Chester Le Street where he was leading scorer last season.
Adam rejoined Shields from Consett at the start of the season, Adam is a strong running forward, he holds the ball up well and contributes well to the goal scoring charts.
Richie Logan
Richie in his second spell at the club, and has the ability to prise open opposition defences with his pace. the visitors
17
today’s match sponsor
Quadrant Leisure is set up to deliver sports, leisure, health and fitness activities, support and advice across the North East of England. Our four key focus areas are Social: By focusing on community access and support Psychological: By focusing on lifestyle choices to encourage learning experiences and participation Physical: By focusing activities and exercise to raise fitness and well-being Technical: By focusing on our infrastructure and support network to deliver or priorities We currently deliver a very successful Mini kickers programme to 4-6yr old boys and girls on a weekly basis in Walkergate. We have fitness classes based in Dudley and Walker with new programmes due to start in March across another 4 sites in the region. Further development plans in 2014 include Multi-Sports school holiday camps and Mini Tag Rugby. Our ‘Healthy Lives’ programme is a family centred approach to health and wellbeing with specialised courses and activities across three key areas, Families with young children, 18+ and a special ‘Toon-Agers’ programme for the active minded 50+ within the region. To support the business aims and objectives all our staff are fully qualified coaches and/or instructors, have full Disclosure & Barring checks (DBS), licensed with relevant associations where appropriate and hold first aid and safeguarding certificates.
To find out what Quadrant Leisure activities are available near you, Email: info@quadrantleisure.org.uk | Visit: www.quadrantleisure.org.uk
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washed out
2014 started with a wet wintry whimper for Allotment - but, much like last year, it could be a blessing rather than a curse.
E
VEN when the weather is doing its worst, nobody likes missing the football: not the committee, not the fans, and certainly not the players, who each adopt the role of the proverbial pig in mud when the turf is turned up (though some, like the constantly caked Stevie Little, take it a little too literally). There’s nothing like the frustration of a Saturday wasted, which is what a postponed league match constitutes. This fixture was one of almost half a dozen that fell foul of the elements, as February’s forecast took a turn for the worse. As exasperating as the situation may have been, it was nothing new for Allotment and the rest of the League to boot. Last year saw a relatively healthy Christmas calendar give way to a belated battering in January, with Celtic managing just two games in the entire month. The boys patiently bided their time, intent on maintaining their three-match unbeaten run, and when pitches across the north recovered from the prolonged meteorological assault, Allotment picked up where they left off. One baffling draw
at Ryton was soon washed away by six wins on the bounce, lifting the club back up the table and forward in the cup competitions. In almost three months, the resurgent side dropped just thirteen points. This year, we headed into the enforced winter break on a twelve-game unbeaten run, one which has stretched across ninety-two weather-assisted days - the only silver lining that to be found in those ever-present rainclouds. Since they have parted, Allotment have largely picked up where they left off - at least on paper. Only a shock home defeat to Heaton Stannington and a stalemate at Birtley Town have dented the promotion push; a mere four points dropped out of a possible eighteen. The displays may not have been quite as impressive as they were pre-monsoon, but at the business end of the season, it’s about points rather than performances (though an improvement in the latter would surely guarantee more of the former). As it stands, only Jarrow Roofing or Seaham Red Star can rain on our promotion parade. washed out
19
THREE MILES WEST • Glenn Ford and Michael Bell discuss their respective nonleague careers • The new upward direction of the Allotment ‘A’ team • Celtic’s pre-war success - and post-war struggles • Goal analysis, New Year resolutions and the impact of Sunday football on Saturday players
All-new format!
All this and more for just £2!
ON THE GATE NOW
the letter draw V
L
H
18th March 2014 7 winners of £115 each
For only £1 per draw, you choose 5 letters. 3 different letters are drawn and if your letters match the ones drawn you receive a share of the £800 jackpot – the jackpot is shared between everyone who has chosen the winning letters. The jackpot must be won every week. To play, simply complete the form below and hand it to a club official. -----------------------------------CUT HERE----CUT HERE----CUT HERE--------------------------------Name:
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What 5 letters would you like? Choose each letter only once.
20
West Allotment Celtic v North Northern Shields League Division Two
29th March 2013
20
the onion bag Craig Dobson’s take on the last seven days in the Allotment garden
A
S we move towards April, the pressure may be on, but the pace at the top has slowed somewhat. Those heady four and five-goal thrashings earlier in the season have given way to scrappy affairs, often decided by one moment of genius or a catastrophic error. It should be expected; after all, here are players who have already played almost forty games already, and are still paying the price for the wettest and windiest winter since last year. Even North Shields have looked a little more sluggish, only managing to put three past Willington, where they helped themselves to six goals in September’s reverse. The Jarrows and Seahams of this division have not necessarily had it their own way, either. Thumpings akin to those of bygone months - in Star’s case, against today’s opponents - have been peppered with far closer encounters. In some cases, the South Tyneside titans have even dropped points - an unthinkable occurrence not three weeks ago. Unlike the current top three, little has changed in that regard at West Allotment. Eleven of our twenty-one wins have come by the narrowest of
margins. That two goal cushion often remains tantalisingly out of reach; only on five occasions have the fans ever been afforded a stress-free final fifteen. I remember the Premier League hooking Big Sam up to a heart rate monitor and reacting with surprise when the rotund tactician’s pulse was through the roof. They’d have a heart attack of their own if they attached one of those devices to Les, Alfie or Christine. Walking tools of measurement, you wouldn’t need a monitor to determine what they were going through - the facial expressions and nervous body language so often says it all. That’s even before they begin to vocalise their feelings. In that respect, Les in particular is never found wanting! It can’t be any less stressful for the coaching staff, but at least they know that the squad are capable of grinding out results week after week, having done so for most of the campaign. Aside from the occasional drubbing here and there - Alnwick, R.A. and Norton & Stockton spring to mind - we have quietly racked up the points needed to challenge for a top three berth. We’d all love to see more whitewashes
at Whitley Park, swashbuckling displays of attacking flair, but the sight of the league table persists for far longer than ninety minutes. At present, we have one of the best defences in the division - vital for when we travel to our free-scoring rivals. We also require players who can create something out of nothing, winning us games in mere moments. We always had that in Sean Reid, and occasionally have that in Liam Hudson and Michael Bell, but now we have a different kind of weapon in our arsenal. Robbie Nolan’s brace against Ryton demonstrated quite clearly why we were all so excited that he was coming to Whitley Park. Sharp wits, a turn of pace, and, most important of all, the deadliest of finishes. When the chips are down, Allotment have already proven able to grab that decisive strike. The league is tantalisingly close this year. A single goal could be the telling difference between one point and three; the top flight and the alternative. With Nolan and Chapman joining the ranks, we have a full roster of players capable of getting us over the line - provided it doesn’t go down to goal difference.
goal of the week
man of the week
A contender for goal of the season from Nolan, feinting past his markers and slamming into the top corner with incredible precision.
It has to go to the clinical Nolan, whose moments of brilliance were the difference between three points and none at all.
West Allotment Celtic v South Shields
the onion bag
21
March
19
on this day... Stephen Allott looks at this day in the club’s extensive history
1955 A red letter day for Allotment as they reached the final of the NFA Amateur Cup for the first time in their history. However, it didn’t look that way with just five minutes remaining and Hirst East End leading 3-2! Played at Bates Welfare, goals from Herriott and Peacock had kept Allotment in touch with Hirst but, with time ticking away, it appeared Celtic had fallen at the semi-final stage once again. In the 85th minute, Mackay somehow spotted a narrow gap between the keeper and his goal, and that joy was increased tenfold almost immediately as Hope slalomed his way towards goal before sliding below the Hirst keeper to complete the comeback.
1983 Parson Athletic’s ground was the venue for the Rediffusion Shield semi-final between Allotment and Clarke-Chapmans, who had previously knocked Allotment out of the Heddon Homes Cup following a penalty shoot-out. The first step in the revenge mission was achieved in the 25th minute when Daz Ridley netted following a Richardson free-kick. The scenario was repeated soon after, with Chater on hand this time to convert Richardson’s set-piece. Brown did pull a goal back, but Allotment would not be denied and a second goal from Ridley settled the tie. Celtic went on to win the competition, beating Ponteland United in the final.
2005
22
During their debut season in the Northern League, Allotment were in the middle of a purple patch of the deepest hue. The team went twenty-three games unbeaten in Division Two from mid-November and all but two of those matches were won. The latest side to feel the brunt of an outstanding Celtic team was promotion rivals Newcastle Blue Star. Goals from Ben Dawson and John Fitzpatrick eased Allotment to a 2-0 win at Blue Flames and completed a league “double” over Star. West Allotment Celtic v South Shields
on this day
“harry was a wizard” Harry, centre, with his teammates at Seahorse - many of which would play for West Allotment.
harry milburn 1952 - 2014 West Allotment Celtic are sad to announce the loss of one of its legends. Harry Milburn, a member of the progressive Allotment sides of the seventies, has passed away at the age of 62. Described by former manager Alex Smailes as “a wizard”, Harry was a vital component in the Allotment midfield. One of many players to join the club from Sunday league side Seahorse, Harry made his debut on the 28th of November 1970, coming on as a substitute against Whitley Amateurs. He would go on to form a formidable partnership with Derek Stoneman in midfield, frequently chipping in with important goals during his six seasons at the club. Renowned for his skills and quick feet, Milburn was described by teammate Benny Williams as “a showboater, but good, tough, stocky”, He was an integral member of the side that won the NAmL Challenge Cup in 1973/74 and the last ever NFA Amateur Cup Final in 1974/75. Harry will be sorely missed by all at the club, and will go down as one of Allotment’s greats.
harry milburn
23
top scorers
player statistics
the mainstays
Sean Reid - 38 (1) Ian Dunn - 34 (4) Paul Stoneman - 34
gk Liam Hudson - 13 Michael Bell - 8 Chris Douglas - 7
Chris Bannon Ryan Beal Bob Rodgerson
12 22 7 (2)
2 0 0
0 0 0
0 0 0
0 0 0
defence
the playmakers
yel
John Pendlebury Marc Dummett Chris Douglas Simon Wilthew Paul Stoneman Stephen Little Glenn Ford Roy Gordon
29 (3) 22 (2) 33 (3) 1 (1) 34 27 15 (1) 8 (9)
1 3 3 1 5 3 0 0
0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
0 7 7 0 3 1 0 1
1 1 3 0 3 4 0 0
midfield
Sean Reid - 29 David Dormand - 13 Michael Bell - 10
apps
Paul Chapman Ian Dunn Michael Bell Marc Allen Sean Reid Bernat Roca Bart Oliver-Berga Kallum McGlen David Henderson Tony Lancaster Dean Lee Connor Graham
1 34 (4) 26 (6) 11 (9) 38 (1) 1 (2) 1 (3) 8 (7) 29 (2) 6 (7) 13 (7) 2 (7)
1 6 2 1 6 1 0 0 3 2 1 0
0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 8 0 7 0 0 2 7 1 0 2
0 6 10 1 29 0 1 1 1 1 3 0
attack
name
Liam Hudson David Dormand Lawrence McKenna Rob Nolan
30 (4) 28 (8) 8 (11) 4 (2)
4 1 1 0
Tow 00Law135Town138 0 0
2 0
4 4
Beal
Pendlebury
Little
Stoneman
Dunn
24
gls
average starting XI
the bad boys
Paul Stoneman - 5 1 Ian Dunn - 6 0 Sean Reid - 6 0
red asts
Hudson
West Allotment Celtic v South Shields
Douglas
Henderson Reid
Bell
Dormand
the player statistics
fixtures and results nl div 2 table
1
team North Shields
pl 34
w 26
d 5
l 3
gd pts 93 83
2
Seaham
37
25
4
8
50 76
3
Roofing
34
22
7
5
52 73
4
WAC
34
21
9
4
34 72
5
Heaton Stan
32
18
5
9
14 59
6
Nort & Stock
37
16
8
13
6
7
Northallerton 34
15
8
11 13 53
8
Ch-le-Street
33
14 10
9
4
52
9
Birtley
33
14
7
12
6
49
10 Washington
34
15
4
15
-8
49
11 Darlo RA
35
13
8
14
9
47
12 Thornaby
35
13
5
17
3
44
13 Tow Law
35
13
5
17
-2
44
14 Whickham
31
12
5
14 11 41
15 Willington
35
10
8
17 -22 38
16 South Shields 28
8
13
7
17 Whitehaven
31
10
5
16 -29 35
18 Stokesley
36
8
7
21 -28 31
19 Alnwick
33
8
7
18 -29 31
20 Esh Winning
36
8
2
26 -72 26
21 Brandon
33
7
4
22 -43 25
22 Ryton
32
5
4
23 -53 19
-9
56
37
OFFICIAL NORTHERN LEAGUE SPONSORS
AUGUST 10th Alnwick Town 14th Heaton Stannington 17th Billingham Synthonia 21st Willington 24th Stokesley SC 30th Whickham
NL D2 NL D2 FA Cup NL D2 NL D2 NL D2
A A A A H H
W 4-0 L 3-2 L 4-0 W 2-0 W 3-2 W 3-1
SEPTEMBER Seaham Red Star 4th Stokesley SC 7th th Norton & Stockton 11 th Esh Winning 14 th Ryton & Crawcrook 18 st Penrith 21 th Darlington RA 28
NL D2 FA Vase NL D2 NL D2 Lg Cup FA Vase NL D2
H H A H H A A
W 2-1 W 4-3 D 3-3 D 1-1 W 1-0 L 4-1 W 4-0
OCTOBER Whitehaven 5th Alnwick Town 9th th Birtley Town 12 th Tow Law Town 16 th Ryton & Crawcrook 19 th North Shields 26 th Northallerton Town 30
NL D2 NFA Cup NL D2 NL D2 NL D2 NL D2 NL D2
A H H H A H H
L 3-1 L 2-1 W 2-1 W 3-2 W 4-2 D 0-0 W 3-0
NOVEMBER Brandon United 1st Willington 5th th Jarrow Roofing 8 th Chester-le-Street 12 th Washington 16 rd Chester-le-Street 23 th Northallerton Town 27 th Thornaby 30
NL D2 EA Cup NL D2 NL D2 NL D2 NL D2 Lg Cup NL D2
A A H A A H H H
W 2-1 L 4-1 L 5-3 D 0-0 W 3-2 D 2-2 W 5-3 W 2-1
DECEMBER 10th South Shields 14th Willington 21st Seaham Red Star 28th Norton & Stockton
NL D2 NL D2 NL D2 NL D2
A H A H
D 2-2 W 3-0 D 2-2 W 5-0
JANUARY Tow Law Town 4th 10th Alnwick Town th Stokesley SC 18
NL D2 NL D2 NL D2
A H A
W 4-3 W 5-3 D 2-2
FEBRUARY 22nd Darlington RA 25th Marske United
NL D2 Lg Cup
H A
W 2-1 L 2-0
MARCH Whitehaven 1st Heaton Stannington 5th th Birtley Town 8 th Whickham 11 th Ryton & Crawcrook 15 th South Shields 19 nd Northallerton Town 22 th Esh Winning 26 th Brandon United 29
NL D2 NL D2 NL D2 NL D2 NL D2 NL D2 NL D2 NL D2 NL D2
H H A A H H A A H
W 2-0 L 1-0 D 0-0 W 3-2 W 2-1
APRIL Jarrow Roofing 5th 12th Washington th North Shields 18 26th Thornaby
NL D2 NL D2 NL D2 NL D2
A H A A
fixtures, results, table
25
ee itt m m ing Co eet m pm 8
rottweiler’s notes
Rin g Bloo the dho un
d!
12th Mar
Morgan has been ill during the night and consequently off school today. As normal, Barbara goes to Newcastle. Complete my assessment reports from Monday night and also paperwork from last night’s game.
13th Mar
Barbara takes Morgan to school and just after nine, she storms in to the house shouting she is back. Now what has gone on? Grandma had told Morgan to say she had been off school with an upset stomach, Morgan though tells her teacher she had been sick yesterday. The teacher tells Barbara it is school policy that pupils can’t return to school for 48 hours if they have had a bug. Morgan comes to granddad for a hug and says to me I only told the truth. We have always told Morgan to tell the truth so she can’t be blamed. Mind you, I do wonder if Morgan wanted another day off school.
14th Mar
We visit Silverlink and North Shields and spend rest of the day at home. Quite a quiet day for a change.
15th Mar
Thanks to two brilliant strikes from Robbie Nolan we earn three points from what can only be described as a desperate encounter. In the evening, attend Race Night. Upon leaving the club, I watch a taxi driver and a young person having a discussion and notice a young lady lying on the ground. Taxi drives off and so does Ted. As I am driving home, I am running through my mind what I have just observed, so I turn my car around and go back to the scene. The lad has put the girl in a bus shelter and she is lying unconscious on the ground. It turns out he hasn’t a phone and doesn’t know what to do. I put the girl (who incidentally turns out to be 26) in the recovery position and phone the ambulance service. Eventually I learn they had been drinking in Newcastle, not much he claims. Two ambulances arrive very quickly so I leave the scene.
16th Mar
Cannot believe the number of times I read in today’s Sunday Sun how calm Alan Pardew was yesterday. Is this a message for Hoggy and Wilf? As for fair play, I won’t name and shame the individual who didn’t play fair when heads and tails were played at last night’s race night, though the culprit knows who he is. Great article by Craig in yesterday’s programme about referees, and while on the subject of referees, thought Mark Clattenburg had a poor game today.
17th Mar
Big day today for Northumberland FA Referees when Referees Committee meets to decide which referees will be promoted next season and who will be recommended to FA for promotion to Level Four, which is a big step forward on referees ladder. After the meeting attend NFA Cup Final Referees Workshop.
26
West Allotment Celtic v South Shields
rottweiler’s notes
FOREST HALL YPC
Proud to support West Allotment Celtic Forest Hall Young People’s Club are based at East Palmersville Sports Pavilion, and have no fewer than 25 teams playing under the Forest Hall banner, including youth, senior and women’s teams.
THE MARINERS Manager Jon KING Assistant Glenn LIDDLE Physio Christopher REAY
CELTIC Manager Paul STONEMAN Assistant Wilf KEILTY Coach Paul HOGG Physio Charlotte FERGUSON
MATCH OFFICIALS Referee R CUSHING Assistants F ANDERSON S BERESFORD
West Allotment Celtic Chris BANNON Ryan BEAL Bob RODGERSON John PENDLEBURY Marc DUMMETT Stephen LITTLE Paul STONEMAN Glenn FORD Chris DOUGLAS Michael LATIMER Roy GORDON Ian DUNN (c) Marc ALLEN David HENDERSON Michael BELL Sean REID David BORLEY Bernat ROCA Bart OLIVER-BERGA Matthew SLATER Kallum McGLEN Tony LANCASTER Dean LEE Connor GRAHAM Liam HUDSON David DORMAND Lawrence McKENNA Rob NOLAN
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South Shields Jak WELLS Chris LOCKE Dan HALL Peter HENDERSON Colin WHITE Ben RIDING Mark BROWN Luke RICHARDSON Adam BURNICLE Stephen RAMSEY Tony BURNELL Chris FEASEY Shaun SMITH Lewis LYNCH Michael YOUNG Ellliott CUTTS Barrie SMITH (c) Richard LOGAN Ricky FENWICK Wayne CLARKE
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