Three miles west - Issue Six by Craig Dobson

THREE MILES WEST THE WEST ALLOTMENT CELTIC MAGAZINE

JANUARY 2014

ISSUE SIX

More than just good fortune After a strong start, what does 2014 hold for Allotment?

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THREE MILES WEST Editor Craig Dobson Contributor/ Archivist Stephen Allott Photographer Graeme Jackson

The Shattered Peace West Allotment’s pre-war resurgence, inter-war success and post-war malaise 12 The Once in a Blue Moon Club 16 Sunday Bloody Sunday

Glenn Ford The centre-half on an Alliance title, his time in the top flight, and his fight to stay fit

26 Top Five... Players Who Get The Most Coverage Michael Bell The promising midfielder on reaching 100 games in emphatic style

Advertising Jonny Thompson David Dodds Paul Mason Have an Allotment story that you’d like to share? Or any interesting or useful snaps hidden away in the attic? Send your articles, photos or queries to magazine@ westallotment celticfc.com.

34 Crunching the Numbers 38 New Year Resolutions

Sowing the Seeds The positive changes being made down at Allotment’s development side

46 The ‘A’ Team: The Story So Far 48 Through the Lens

50 One Up Top?

52 Just Onside

54 Creatures of the NL

west allotment celtic www.westallotmentcelticfc.com

JANUARY 2014 THREE MILES WEST

HISTORY

THE SHATTERED PEACE The Second World War hit everyone hard - not least of all West Allotment, as Stephen Allott discovered... Whilst the decision to move to a higher league was made by the club officials, the selection of the new competition was left to the people of West Allotment. A meeting was held in the Institute building and over fifty people turned up for the vote. The choice was between either the Northern Amateur League or the Cramlington & District League. They chose the former and the club took up a place in the Second Division of the NAmL in time for the start of the 1938/39 season. By now, the club was ready to play on the Farm Ground. It was located down a track, next to a colliery railway running by the Northumberland Arms pub and, appropriately, near to a series of allotments. Unfortunately, there were no changing facilities attached to the pitch. To cure this problem, the officials bought a cow-shed from a farmer based in Heaton. Volunteers helped to dismantle the shed and it was taken to West Allotment, in pieces, on a wagon. Although the farmer was highly sceptical of the chances of creating satisfactory accommodation from these chunks of tin, his doubts proved to be misplaced as the Pandon Temperance West Allotment Celtic Gosforth Parish City Mental Hospital

Pl 17 16 15 16

W 13 13 11 9

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D 2 1 1 3

L 2 2 3 4

volunteers managed to contrive a functional pavilion. The amenities were rather limited however, with only one tin bath to cope with both teams plus officials. There was a limited supply of water so those last in the queue often ended up literally having a mudbath. Having recently been a ploughed field, the new pitch was not particularly good, but it did not seem to inhibit the players. The team made an excellent start to the season, winning six of their first seven games and drawing the other. The first setback came against early season pacesetters, Pandon Temperance, who beat Allotment (2-4) at the Farm Ground in November. A key game took place on 19th November when Celtic travelled to meet Gosforth Parish. The match, between two of the pacesetters in the league, attracted a large crowd. The Parish played a close passing game, whilst Allotment tended to switch play from wing to wing. On the day, Celticâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s style was better suited to the heavy pitch and they won 3-0, with goals from Whinfield and two from Ford. Ford was playing left-back, and both of his goals resulted from longrange shots. The victory was to prove very important at the end of the season. F 51 72 46 38

A 25 34 28 30

Pts 28 27 23 21

How the top of the table read at the start of 1939

When they were drawn at home to Prasons Athletic in the NFA Amateur Cup, Celtic were given the opportunity to test their quality against a side destined to finish runnersup in the First Division of the NAmL. The clash attracted a big crowd to watch a game which was described as the best contest seen between two local clubs during the 1938/39 season. Allotment had a youthful side and it was well into the second half before they tired and the experience of the Parsons players began to show. Dixon put Parsons a goal ahead in the tenth minute and although Osborne equalised for Allotment, Shanks soon restored the works side’s lead. In the fortieth minute, Barber grabbed a second equaliser and he went on to help Celtic dominate the game. With the match finely balanced, some lax defending cost Celtic dear when a through ball put Dixon clear, and he finished well to give Athletic the lead for a third time. Duncan then evaded Allotment’s offside trap and though his shot was blocked, Dixon was on hand to complete his hat-trick. Celtic were beaten, but had given a supposedly superior side a very difficult game. Ford, King, Barber and Brown were particularly outstanding for Allotment. The team sustained their outstanding form and with six games left to play, a familiar situation was emerging. Allotment were top of the division, six points clear of Pandon and eight points ahead of Gosforth, although the latter had three games in hand. Celtic had scored an incredible 134 goals in only two dozen league matches. The side then fell victim to their annual attack of the jitters whilst approaching the finishing line. Gosforth Parish had pursued Allotment relentlessly, and another defeat against Pandon finally cost Celtic leadership of the league.

Pl Gosforth 30 Allotment 29

W 26 25

D 1 1

L 3 3

F A 106 46 158 47

Pts 53 51

The position at the top of the league on the 2nd of May 1939 Celtic had to play their last league game knowing that a victory would lead to yet another play-off and possible promotion to the First Division of the NAmL. Their outstanding match was away to Bath Lane Guild. It was scheduled for 6th May but league officials pulled the date forward to the evening of Tuesday 2nd May. This time, the nerve of the players held firm and Bath Lane were beaten. So, for the fourth consecutive season, Celtic had to face a play-off to decide their fate. As Allotment and Gosforth Parish prepared to face each other, it was announced that their rivals in the race for promotion, Pandon Temperance, were to fold. Their ground was to be taken for development. A contemporary report lamented how “the increasing demand for building space is having a serious effect on junior football”. However, a much greater threat to the nation as a whole was evolving ominously as these local issues were about to be decided. Whilst the world focused on Germany, Celtic attempted to concentrate on their now customary play-off. The decider was held at Newton Park in Heaton, and at the fourth time of asking, Celtic managed to win a play-off game. The star of the performance was Jimmy “Cooper” Ford, who capped a fine game by netting the winning goal. West Allotment were now the holders of the Eaton Cup, the trophy presented to the winners of the Northern Amateur League Second Division.

JANUARY 2014 THREE MILES WEST

HISTORY

The outbreak of World War II prevented Celtic from enjoying their hard-won promotion for seven years. However, the immediate end-of-season celebrations were thoroughly enjoyed by all. At the presentation night in the Northumberland Arms, a blind piano player was on the bill until he got so drunk that he kept falling off his stool. Tommy Thompson, from Lemington, had just refereed the FA Cup Final between Portsmouth and Wolves. He brought along the ball used in the Final, and Allotment officials erected some goalposts outside the pub. People were charged 1d for a kick of the ball to raise cash for the club. Finance was always a problem for minor clubs, but Celtic employed various means to balance the books. A large proportion of the club’s revenue was raised through an annual raffle covering the whole village. Officials, armed with a large clothes basket, used to call on villagers and ask for donations of food. This basket was lugged up and down the streets and people could buy raffle tickets

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for 1d. The club were always amazed at the amount of food donated, considering that a lot of families could ill-afford to give items away. The proceeds from the raffle were usually enough to cover all the league fees plus the purchase of a Tomlinson “T” ball. This ball cost 21/3d and had to last a whole season. As the club became more stable, stockings were bought for the players, plus some boots. Previously, players provided their own boots, and played in pit stockings. Another source of revenue was through the collection of waste paper. Committee members used to travel around the streets on Fridays with a horse and cart and collect old newspapers and other paper from the villagers. They stored the paper in the Garden Association allotments until the council came to take it away - and would pay the football club for its efforts. The club could not afford to turn down any legal money-making scheme.

WAR AND WEST ALLOTMENT Britain was at war from 3rd September 1939, and the 1939/40 football season was promptly abandoned. However, it did not take long for a revamped regional competition to emerge which fitted in with the demands of war. Local teams were split into East and West divisions, with the winners of each division playing for the wartime league championship. Celtic won the East Division championship, and Parsons Athletic prevailed in the West Division. So, in rather different circumstances than on previous occasions, Allotment faced their fifth consecutive seasonal play-off. At Bigges Main, Celtic went two goals up in the decider, but then contrived to concede four goals and the championship was snatched from their grasp. Nevertheless, the club had also reached the final of the wartime Challenge Cup competition. Their opponents, in a game played one week after the title playoff, were none other than Parsons Athletic. The Cup Final was played on Heaton Stannington’s ground and Celtic exacted full revenge, albeit in curious circumstances. Allotment were leading by five goals to one when a Parsons player showed persistent dissent towards the referee after Celtic were awarded a penalty. The official, Mr. Stewart, from Cramlington, had no option but to send the player off. The dissenter refused to leave the pitch and eventually the whole Parsons team walked off in a dubious show of solidarity. After an enquiry into the incident, West

Allotment were awarded the trophy and kept it in the village for the duration of the war. They felt that the trophy was marginally safer in West Allotment than in the NFA offices in Newcastle. Mr. Stewart must have wondered if all the hassle was worth the fifteen shillings he was paid, with his linesmen receiving 7/6d. At least he could have a long break, as no more local football was to take place until 1946, as the impact of the war began to hit home. The careers of several local players were cut short due to the war, Teddy Barber being a prime example. He was of small stature but an outstanding local footballer and starred for Allotment on many occasions. Barber signed for Blyth Spartans from Celtic and was given a trial by Everton in April 1939. He scored for Everton Reserves in a two-all draw against Newcastle Reserves in a match played at a windswept Goodison Park. Unfortunately, war broke out before he could make any further impression, and he returned to West Allotment to work down the pit. During the war, Teddy played for various combination teams and represented North Shields St. Columbas. When the Saints played a match against a Newcastle United XI, they were approached about the availability of Barber. It had to be pointed out that he was still technically an Everton player. Sadly, though, he was never to have a chance to prove himself at league level. Jimmy “Cooper” Ford was another Allotment player who came close to earning a JANUARY 2014 THREE MILES WEST

HISTORY

West Allotment Celtic’s league and cup-winning side of 1939/40. The team was arguably entering its best form as they moved toward the 1940s, only for the advent of the Second World War to curtail the progress of the club and the star players within the setup. professional career with a Merseyside club. Ford was outstanding in the pre-war Celtic team, and his form was not overlooked by Liverpool scouts based locally. Their reports led to a Liverpool director visiting the Farm Ground to watch Ford in action. Subsequently, a telegram was sent to Celtic officials to arrange for “Cooper” to play for Liverpool’s fourth team. To the disappointment of everyone, Ford played terribly, and Liverpool did not follow up their interest. Allotment officials reckoned that his poor form was caused by the gusty conditions. He was well-known for never performing well when high winds played havoc with the ball.

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An honourable mention should also be made of two other men from the area whose professional careers in the game were blighted by World War II. John Surtees, an inside forward who left Shiremoor Rovers for Sheffield Wednesday, won an FA Cup winners medal in 1935 when Wednesday beat West Bromwich at Wembley. However, his days as a professional ended with the start of the war. John Robinson, another product of Shiremoor, gained four caps for England in the late thirties after starring for Sheffield Wednesday. Although he played for Sunderland and Lincoln City after the war ended, his best days had been lost to the hostilities.

A POND AND A PLOUGHED PITCH HOME SWEET HOME! Once it was agreed that football could recommence after the conclusion of World War II, most local sides faced a variety of problems. A lot of men were still unavailable and playing facilities were often unobtainable. The Northern Amateur League restarted with only one division. Nevertheless, it was a strong competition with sides such as Wallsend Rising Sun and Seaton Delaval Amateurs amongst the participants.

Soon after the war, the publican at the Northumberland Arms pub mentioned to Celtic officials that he could obtain some railing posts if they were interested. The offer was seized upon, as it meant that by using the posts, the Farm Ground could be roped off. The opportunity to enclose the land was highly attractive, as one of the more unusual match day tasks was to chase cows off the pitch, and then remove the inevitable “debris” they left behind!

West Allotment were placed in this tough league due to their pre-war success. However, the club faced a big problem over its pitch. The Farm Ground had reverted to exactly that during the war, so the club were left with a ploughed field where once their pitch had been. The surface could no longer be flattened satisfactorily. The only option was to change the direction of the pitch. Unfortunately, this meant that a large pond, which had previously been out of harm’s way, was now directly behind one goal.

The farmer agreed to the erection of the posts, as long as they were not concreted in permanently. It took an age, but eventually, all of the posts were put in place, with the majority in concrete despite an occasional visit from the farmer. In spite of all this ingenuity, the Farm Ground never really recovered from its contribution to the war effort, and it remained a poor playing surface during the time that Celtic were based there.

Prior to one cup-tie, the goalposts nearest to the pond were actually submerged after torrential rains caused the pond to overflow. The club officials managed to retrieve the posts with some skilful digging before moving the pitch several yards further away from the pond. The lines on the “new” pitch were re-marked on the morning of the match and the game went ahead as scheduled.

The scarcity of pitches and players was compounded by other issues such as the provision of kits for the team, at a time when rationing was affecting everyone. West Allotment officials appealed for help from the villagers and, as ever, they overwhelmed the club with their generosity. So many clothing coupons were received that not only could the team be fully kitted out, but a set of towels was also bought. JANUARY 2014 THREE MILES WEST

HISTORY

KICKING-OFF ONCE AGAIN West Allotment Celtic actually restarted league action in the 1946/47 season. The Whitley Seaside Chronicle reported that many ex-servicemen had returned to the area during the summer of 1946, and prospects for sport looked much brighter. A show staged by the Doddles Concert Party was one of various entertainments organised by the West Allotment committee to raise funds for the new season. The side made a moderate start when football activity recommenced, scoring lots of goals but conceding far too many as well. There were impressive victories, such as the 7-2 win against Heaton Stannington, but they were countered by results such as the 6-5 defeat away to Gosforth Bohemians. The first post-war season was destined to be a long one, due to the big freeze which wiped out numerous fixtures in the first three months of 1947. West Allotment were forewarned of the impending snow-in when their game against Monkseaton was abandoned after only ten minutes on 11th January, due to what were described as “atrocious weather conditions”. An altercation between Celtic and Ringtons Welfare was the direct result of the poor weather. Allotment had drawn away to Ringtons in the third round of the NFA Amateur Cup, but the replay kept being postponed due to the snow. Eventually, after seven weeks without a game, Celtic decided to make a determined effort to get the match

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played. Volunteers from the village cleared literally tons of snow from the pitch on the morning of the match day. However, Ringtons did not turn up. One of the villagers then noticed that the game was listed as having been postponed, according to the Journal newspaper. It transpired that Ringtons had given the newspaper the incorrect information. The match referee, Joe Blackburn of West Moor, deemed the pitch playable, leaving the Welfare at the mercy of the League committee. This storm in a teacup did Celtic no good. Ringtons were fined the small sum of 2/6d, after it was discreetly pointed out that the company did a lot of cheap printing for the League committee! Even worse was to follow when the game did finally take place, as Allotment were thrashed by five goals to one. Although no trophies had been won, club officials, players and villagers enjoyed themselves at the end-of-season celebrations held in Holystone School. According to the Whitley Seaside Chronicle “modern, old-time and novelty dances to the music of Mr. J. Hall’s band were enjoyed by the large number of dancers”. The following two seasons were not unlike 1946/47. Lots of goals were scored at both ends of the pitch but Celtic’s results were inconsistent. This is clearly shown by the two league games against Gosforth Parish in 1947/48. Allotment hammered the Gosforth side at home (9-3) yet were beaten away (1-3)

Allotment’s cup-winning side of 1948/49. Back: N. Temple, B. Thompson, F. Spencer, J. Ford, A. Smith, T. Wall, S. Hetherton, G. Connor, T. Jackson, S. Hope Front: J. Brown, R. Thompson, J. Park, B. Robinson, J. Osborne to the same club. Celtic did have a promising run in the NFA Amateur Cup in 1947/48. They beat Coxons (3-1) and followed this up by knocking out Seaton Delaval Amateurs after a replay, winning 3-2 after extra-time. The run ended at Percy Main, as the strong home side beat Allotment by four goals to nil in the fourth round. Celtic did enjoy some Cup success in the following season, as they won the Tynemouth Infirmary Cup. It was not the biggest prize on offer, but it was a sign of better things to come. The team had some very good players. “Cooper” Ford was still around, and Freddie Spencer was the first player from West Allotment to be selected for representative honours with Northumberland. However, perhaps the most significant event in the immediate post-war years was

the creation of a Junior team. The Juniors commenced action in 1949/50 and were to provide the nucleus of the highly successful West Allotment team of the fifties. Celtic were about to enter a period of unprecedented success.

Stephen Allott’s Playing in the Back Yard, a comprehensive history of West Allotment Celtic, is available to buy on Amazon. JANUARY 2014 THREE MILES WEST

BLUE MOO

THE

ONCE IN A BLUE MOON CLUB STEPHEN ALLOTT considers the club servants who rarely threatened to trouble the scoresheet for Allotment Had Tom Vickers’ inadvertent touch on Paul Stoneman’s header against Alnwick Town not struck David Dormand on its way towards the net, he would have become the seventeenth different player to find the net for Allotment this season. This variety of scorers has been one of the strengths of the team this season but it still hides some surprises, such as why such skilful players as David Henderson and Kallum McGlen have, at the time of writing, found the net a grand total of once between them (and only thrice between them in over 150 career games). Of course, it doesn’t take long for such records to be rewritten; witness the case of Michael Bell, who had scored a mere six goals in two whole seasons but recently embarked on a run that has seen him strike nine times in just thirteen matches. So perhaps there is time for Kallum and Hendy yet. To appease those struggling to acquaint the ball with the net, this article is a celebration of a selection of players in Allotment’s history whose strike rate was lower than an England bowler in the recent Ashes series. Admittedly, most of these lads played at the back and their main role was to prevent, not score, goals. Still, David Malone provides a bit of context, seeing as he notched almost seventy goals whilst performing as a centre-half (although, admittedly, quite a few of those goals came via ferocious strikes from the penalty spot).

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GEOFF ALLISON Games played: 618 Goals scored: 6 Games per goal: 103

THE HITLIST 19/11/1994 v Haltwhistle 27/4/1996 v Westerhope 19/10/1996 v Walker Central 19/9/1998 v Benfield Park 13/5/2000 v Seaton Delaval 26/8/2000 v Heaton Stannington

W 7-0 W 3-0 W 3-0 W 4-1 W 2-0 W 8-1

Geoff Allison holds the proud record of making the most appearances for Allotment – a magnificent total of 618 matches. Yet, despite all those games, Geoff beat the opposing keeper on just six occasions. Indeed, he scored goal number six in August 2000 and then failed to find the net again in the final seven years of his Celtic career. The number of opponents thwarted by this true club stalwart is countless as he captained his side to a treasure trove of trophies but, let’s forget his robust defensive qualities on this occasion and, instead, recount the times that he had the Allotment faithful rubbing their collective eyes in disbelief.

Geoff’s duck was broken on 19 November 1994 at Backworth Welfare. Haltwhistle had held Allotment to a goalless stalemate until the 69th minute but a belated opening strike by John Kiddie led to a deluge of seven goals in the final twenty minutes. There, scoring number three in the 72nd minute was one Geoff Allison; firing home after being set up by Mick Chilton. Almost a season and a half passed before an unsuspecting Westerhope side were hit by the second Allison strike. At Cowgate, he finished calmly following some neat work by Ossie Baird. Enjoying the taste of goal-grabbing glory, just six months elapsed before he hit the target again, this time versus Walker Central. Set up by a clever lob from Jimmy Moses, he coolly rounded the Walker keeper and stroked the ball home with a forward’s nonchalance. There was another long barren period until Geoff struck at home to Benfield Park in September 1998. However, goal number five was undoubtedly the most important and probably the best. Against Seaton Delaval in the penultimate league match of last season, Allotment were desperate for the points in order to take a major step towards retaining the Northern Alliance title. The scoresheet was still blank when Allison surged forward and, following some slick passing, he spotted a gap in the home defence. After taking careful aim, his thumping shot saw the ball smack into the net from fully twenty yards. Everyone supporting Celtic took a deep breath of relief but all were delighted to see the vital goal scored by such a loyal and outstanding servant of the club. The half-dozen was brought up with a goal during an 8-1 rout of Heaton Stannington early in the 2000/01 season. And then…nothing, as Geoff failed to embarrass a keeper again until his retirement at the end of the 2006/07 campaign. JANUARY 2014 THREE MILES WEST

BLUE MOO

PAUL CHADKIRK Games played: 305 Goals scored: 4 Games per goal: 76

Left-back Paul Chadkirk played 305 times for Celtic and set up a number of goals with his darts up the flank and his delivery of crosses; however, he was not so often on the business end of moves. Indeed, his strike rate is only marginally better than another left-back who was notorious for his net phobia – Frank Clark, the Newcastle United defender of yore. Chad’s first goal for Allotment came at home to Benfield Park at the back end of the 1995/96 campaign when he got on the end of a cross from 16/3/1996 v Benfield Park W 4-0 Michael Storey to score Celtic’s fourth goal in a 10/5/1996 v Walker Central W 7-1 comfortable win. Paul also set up the opening goal 28/12/1996 v Seaton Delaval W 2-0 that afternoon for Les Yeomans. 1996 proved to 13/11/1999 v Walker Ledwood W 4-0 a profitable year for Chad, with three of his four strikes occurring in the space of nine months. After that though, he appeared on the scoresheet just once more, in a cup-tie away to long-defunct Walker Ledwood during the 1999/2000 season.

THE HITLIST

KEVIN HUGHES Games played: 188 Goals scored: 1 Games per goal: 188 In recent years, the most notable recruit to the “Blue Moon” club has been Kevin Hughes. Now plying his trade for rivals North Shields, Kevin was outstanding in his 188 appearances for Allotment; a point reflected in his impressive haul of Player of the Year awards. Not noted for going forward on many occasions, Kevin found himself in uncharted waters on 20 April 2007 in Celtic’s final game of the season at home to Chester-le-Street. A goal down to the Cestrians, 20/4/2007 v Chester-le-Street W 2-1 Ben Dawson swung in a 55th minute corner and there, to everyone’s surprise, was Hughes to head home the equaliser. The turnaround was completed in the dying moments when Alex Houlsby struck a winner for Celtic to make it a very pleasant end to an often fraught campaign. That header proved to be his sole goal for Celtic despite him representing the club for a further four seasons.

THE HITLIST

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ROLAND MATHER Games played: 370 Goals scored: 12 Games per goal: 31

THE HITLIST

Current club chairman Roly Mather was positively prolific compared to Allison and Chadkirk but, although plying his trade in the centre of defence for most of his 370 appearances, he does admit to being pushed up front on occasion. This explains why one third of Rolyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dozen goals came in just two games, as he recorded braces against Winthrop United in 1964 and repeated the trick versus Gosforth Bohemians two years later.

21/12/1963 v NE Marine L 3-4 19/9/1964 v Winthrop United (2) W 4-3 23/10/1965 v Winthrop United W 3-0 3/9/1966 v Bohemians (2) D 5-5 1/2/1969 v Heaton Stannington W 2-1 28/3/1970 v Whitley Bay Amateurs W 2-1 7/4/1973 v Willington St. Aidans D 2-2 20/10/1973 v Wills Imperial W 12-0 3/11/1973 v Rose Villa W 5-3 8/3/1975 v Willington St. Aidans W 3-1

So, who will be next to join this exclusive band? The aforementioned Mr Henderson and Mr McGlen appear to looking in the window; although whether the Blue Moon Club should be open to midfielders is a point for debate. An eye is also being kept on the likes of John Pendlebury and Marc Dummett; both very infrequent names on the scoresheet yet purveyors of spectacular strikes when they do come around.

JANUARY 2014 THREE MILES WEST

SUNDAYS

SUNDAY BLOODY SUNDAY When the Lord created the world in less than a week, he reportedly put his feet up, “rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done” (Genesis 2:2). Try telling some of West Allotment’s players to do the same. Not content with a midweek game or training session and a blood and thunder encounter on Saturday afternoon, many of those same players can be found in an altogether different kit the next day. Their heavy legs trudged off the immaculate turf at Whitley Park at five o’clock, but could be found sprinting around a local park or farmer’s field a mere seventeen hours later. It’s no wonder the coaching staff are beside themselves on what should be a leisurely Sunday afternoon with the family, nervously waiting for that dreaded text, containing words like ‘sprained’ or, Heaven forbid, ‘broken’. Paul Stoneman, an ex-pro with the likes of Blackpool and Halifax Town, would be the last person you’d see lacing up on the Sabbath. “I hate it! I know they get to know each other if they play for the same clubs and what have you, but as far as I’m concerned, Sunday morning is just a massive hindrance to Saturday afternoon football,” insisted the player-manager in November’s issue of Three Miles West. Tip top team spirit arguably counts for less when half of your team are crocked as a

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result. Sunday football is a different beast to its Saturday counterpart, a place where two groups of men can kick seven shades out of one another under the less than watchful eye of the local referee. Even with a healthy majority of Northern League players on the pitch, the game can still end prematurely for one, two or three unlucky players. Stoneman’s fears are not unfounded, having lost Chris Bannon, Marc Allen and Kallum McGlen to injuries sustained on Sundays. Even away from the blood and thunder of the morning leagues, casual football is ill-advised. Ryan Beal endured a spell on the sidelines after picking up an injury in an innocuous five-aside game, whilst last season’s number one Aiden Ames suffered the first of many knee injuries in a near-identical arena. However, let’s look at it from a different angle. Could Sunday football be used to get returning players back to full fitness? Not if Kallum McGlen’s example is typical of the status quo: Kallum: “I’m just starting to get fully fit, and starting matches is helpful.” Press: “Don’t you play on a Sunday?” Kallum: “Aye, I do a lot of running on a Sunday, but the standard’s not as good as this. You get used to playing in a slower league.” The fitness benefits seem few and far

Early Sunday mornings in a park or public playing field; a place often frequented by fastidious dogwalkers, excited children and exhausted parents. For two hours, these pitches are graced by some of the Northern League’s finest, often at the behest of their respective managers. Is Sunday football an unnecessary risk for Saturday players, or does it have its unlikely benefits?

between, and certainly not worth the risk. The pace of the game - and the nature of some of the tackles - means that, ironically, a Saturday player injured during Sunday football can rarely use Sunday football to regain fitness ahead of Saturday football. After a gruelling ninety minutes for Allotment on a Saturday afternoon, and a midweek fixture already on the horizon, any manager would prefer his charges to stay at home, wash the car, take the wife shopping (or, rather, the other way around). But, as Stoneman himself concedes, the players do enjoy it, and will lead a life of footballing hedonism for as long as they remain uncontracted. “I think you’ll find on Sundays that everyone is just playing with their mates, locally, and having a good laugh and carry on, having a few drinks afterwards. It’s a good hangover cure!” The wise words of Glenn Ford, himself retired from Sunday action with Blakelaw. It’s also a perfect environment in which to let off some aggressive steam. When Stephen Little did so against Jarrow Roofing in the 90th minute, he deservedly received his marching orders and a three match ban. Liam Hudson, on the other hand, is a perfect example of how to vent that pent-up rage. Over the course of last season, Liam collected just three yellow cards, most of which were for dissent. Take a peek at the Sunday suspension list, JANUARY 2014 THREE MILES WEST

SUNDAYS

© Sportpix99 The wildly successful Blakel aw Social Club side, pictur ed with the NFA Sunday Cu Player-manager Paul Clark p in 2012/13. could count Marc Dummett , John Pendlebury, Glenn For McGlen amongst his charge d and Kallum s, as well as old Allotment favourites like Aiden Ames, and Marc Walton. Chris Hutchinson

Cup victory. r NFA Sunday rson, ei th g in at br le de Social Club, ce d members in David Hen f Springbank o ua f sq af y st ke ng s c’ hi ti d coac of Cel The players an ng outfit contained three ni in w yph The tro las. d Chris Doug Dean Lee an

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however, and you’ll find a litany of offences for his pub team, many coming with three match bans as standard. Players need an outlet; for the minority, it may be painting Airfix models or some form of embroidery, but most just prefer to kick lumps out of one another. Each to their own. Sunday’s most significant contribution to the preceding day’s football is by far its rudimentary, and somewhat unintentional, ability to function as a scouting pool. Almost every player that rocks up at the club seems to have been persuaded by words exchanged before showers and a roast dinner. Every player and his friend have come across John Pendlebury at some stage on a Sunday, seemingly joined by Marc Dummett in a subtle recruitment drive. Indeed, some players have emerged from complete obscurity off the back of pub football. Connor Graham was playing for Longbenton no less than four months ago, but some impressive performances alongside Stephen Little and David Henderson for Lemington opened the door for a Northern League move. “I scored five in a game, so they introduced Hoggy to come and watch me when I played against Greenside,” explained the winger. “I ended up scoring another three, so he said come along to training. I was just meant to be training, but they’ve given me a shot in the team.” The keen wide man may have been in and out of the team in the past month, but another player in the form of Marc Allen has shown just how effective the system can be. Coming in for trials on the recommendation of Sunday teammate Liam Hudson, ‘Alge’

soon repaid the club’s faith, going on to make twenty-four impressive appearances in a Celtic shirt. When coaches are spread thinly in their search for new recruits, they could do far worse than rely on the judgement and perception of their current stock. On more than one occasion, one of our coaches has sought the counsel of a player in relation to one of their Sunday teammates. The reports are perhaps not as comprehensive as a one produced by, for instance, Alex Smailes - the players’ options seem limited to “Aye, he’s canny” or “Nah, he’s *****” - but they do proffer an insight which no scout, no matter how technically astute, could possibly match: that of character, behaviour, temperament. It is just as important as their footballing ability - perhaps even moreso. There is an intermittent danger that a player can sometimes go too far in the other direction, having to choose between two clubs in awkward circumstances - with some even forgoing Saturdays altogether. “He’s good, he’s very quick - but he’s hard to get there on a Saturday, that’s the only trouble with Hutchy!” said Blakelaw manager Paul Clark, referring to his - and former Allotment - winger Chris Hutchinson, who made one solitary start before disappearing back into the ether (or Kenton Bar). Most managers will consider Sunday football to be an additional - and dangerous - day of work, but for their eager charges, it is simply a different form of rest; one which can strengthen the Saturday side, embolden team spirit, release tension and, most importantly, serve as a good laugh. If God were a football manager, he may see it differently. If he were a player, I’d like to think he’d be the first one

“A LOT OF THE LADS THAT PLAY SATURDAYS ARE KEEN TO PLAY ON SUNDAYS AS WELL.” PAUL CLARK, BLAKELAW PLAYER-MANAGER JANUARY 2014 THREE MILES WEST

glenn fo

THE DRIVING AMBITION Having captained Ponteland to the Alliance title and sampled First Division life at South Shields, what is motivating centre-half Glenn Ford at West Allotment Celtic? In financial consultant Glenn Ford, West Allotment have a centre-half that is as safe as houses - though perhaps not in the current climate, as Glenn himself will probably tell you. Like property prices in the North East, the 29-year-old’s stock has taken a hit after a series of setbacks. The road to recovery is a laborious and often frustrating one, but when he does return, Ford owes us some more good performances - with interest. We know he’s good for it. For Glenn, the footballing journey started fourteen years ago, when the manager of a Northern Alliance Division Two outfit spotted his potential at a five-a-side competition. “The manager of Otterburn was there, and

20 THREE MILES WEST JANUARY 2014

“I think it’s a big step, because you’ve got the experience side of things. But we could stay up there (in Division One), definitely.” poached myself and my brother, who was seventeen at the time, and then I played for Otterburn for a couple of years,” he recalled. A centre-half throughout school despite his small stature, Glenn was soon deployed in a more advanced role, where he linked up with sibling Paul. “I played central midfield, believe it or not, and my brother played up front. He was a whippet, so I used to just turn the ball over the top. How many goals we scored like that, I don’t know! It didn’t bring me on at all, but it was just enjoyable.” After two years with Otterburn, a combination of coincidence and comradeship led Ford, now in his late teens, down the A696, but two steps up the non-league ladder. “I think I was working with the manager at the time, and a friend went up for trials. I went to Ponteland, and I never looked back, in all honesty.” The move was a no-brainer, reuniting the defender with his roots, his friends and his familiar position. “I went to

school in Ponteland, my friends were from Ponteland, so it just grew from there. That club was built on school friends, friends of friends. There wasn’t big money there at all, we weren’t getting paid, it was just literally a load of lads playing together.” Back at centre-half, Ford describes himself as “very raw” in his early United days. “I think I was young and stupid, really! It was probably my biggest downfall - I never played alongside someone that brought me on.” In the present day, the stalwart is a calm and collected presence at the back, playing thirteen times without ever threatening to get his name in the ref’s (and Ted’s) bad books. Ten years ago, it was a very different matter. “I think I was just silly. I used to get involved, and used to think it was pretty funny, but I think I got sent off every season, at least once or twice. It was a bit of everything referee, tackles, scrapping, the lot! I think everybody did at that age, but I did get sent

Right: Glenn alongside his older brother Paul and their various trophies in their younger, diminutive days. JANUARY 2014 THREE MILES WEST

glenn fo

Left: captain Ford with the Alliance trophy, sitting alongside his Ponteland United teammates

“It was the first season in my career when I was involved in every single game, played every single minute, and we won the league.” off quite a few times.” Ford went from strength to strength in his seven years with United, but his defining season with the club was almost certainly his last. He formed a formidable partnership in the heart of defence with Anthony Anzevui, a former pro who had returned from Stateside, described as “just tremendous” by his central compatriot. Alongside future teammates Marc Dummett and ‘keeper Gareth Powell in a “tremendous” back five, Ponteland did the unthinkable, clinching their first ever Alliance title in 2010/11. “It was my biggest achievement - I was captain as well. I attended every training session, played every pre-season game, and every single minute of every game, including cup games and league games. Didn’t get sent off once!” he laughed. “It was the first season in my career when I was involved in every single game, played every

22 THREE MILES WEST JANUARY 2014

single minute, and we won the league. I kept myself fit, and we did quite well.” It could so easily have been a different story. By the 21st of May, only two challengers for the trophy remained in the hunt: Ponteland, and Northumberland rivals (and future Northern League outfit) Alnwick Town. “There was a guy sitting on the A1, waiting to see which way it went,” said Ford. To the surprise of many, Heaton Stannington stunned the Northumberland outfit with a 2-1 win, handing Ponteland the opportunity to clinch the title by a solitary point with a win against Blyth. For sixty-five of the ninety minutes, Ford’s side looked to have fallen at the final hurdle, as their opponents raced into an early two goal lead - but Ponteland hit back in the final five minutes. Andrew Davidson grab a quickfire brace, before Harry Tulip’s desperately late winner sealed the most remarkable turnaround in the league’s history. “It was literally the last

kick of the game, and everybody just piled onto the pitch. It was amazing. We had been fighting that much, battling for the whole season, it was just incredible. It was a massive achievement, and probably my best to date.” The unexpected success at arelatively modest club had, in Glenn’s opinion, caught everybody by surprise - not least of all Ponteland’s own committee. “I just think that they never thought that it was going to happen. We were chasing it towards the end, but it was just too late,” the former captain bemoaned. “The floodlights were always an issue up in Ponteland as well, the money, and like I say, it was just a good group of lads playing together. But I don’t think we had the infrastructure to move up from the Northern Alliance. It was a bit of a shame, really.”

for Ponteland, I kept myself unbelievably fit, but for the first season, I obviously got injured again, and I don’t think I had the time through work commitments to keep myself fit. It’s the story of my life with injuries!” After a frustrating season with Celtic, Glenn began to seek pastures new. “I think the start of that season, I thought there was something different in the fibre. I thought we were missing something, and I thought that the huge trials that we had, I just thought we were missing a trick. I think the players we brought in, I just didn’t think that they were going to be successful at that time,” he candidly admitted.

Although a wholesale switch of allegiance to a Northern League club never transpired, the group did break up - and, once again, Glenn’s network of contacts facilitated his next move. “We know John Pendlebury quite well, and I think that I lot of the Blakelaw lads have been here as well.” Marc Dummett was one of those lads, and when he was invited to Whitley Park for trials, Ford travelled along in tow. “I haven’t looked back from there.” His first season was, he joked, “pretty much like my career” - a disappointment, largely down to injuries and initial insecurities. “I suppose it was a bit of a transition, because at Ponteland, I loved everything about it. I’d been there for years, and I was part of the culture of the club, but it was pretty new at Allotment. Maybe I didn’t have the same passion for it as I did for Ponteland. But that season, when I played JANUARY 2014 THREE MILES WEST

glenn fo

Ford in action during the season opener at Alnwick Town

24 THREE MILES WEST JANUARY 2014

“I did miss everything about Allotment...”

“It just shows you that there’s a big difference between other teams and Allotment. The craic around the team and the camaraderie, it’s really good.”

At a crossroads in his career, he sought a move to Team North, but when that mysteriously fell through - “I’ve no idea what happened to this day” - he signed for Division One’s South Shields - and soon regretted his departure. “It’s the worst thing I’ve ever done. I wish I’d stayed. I didn’t enjoy it one bit.” He had moved on to “try and play at that standard, which I felt comfortable doing,” but longed for the family feel that was dyed in the wool at his two previous clubs. “I did miss everything about Allotment. It just shows you that there’s a big difference between other teams and Allotment. Even moreso now, where there’s a massive difference. The craic around the team and the camaraderie, I think it’s really good.” Paul Hogg got in touch with an increasingly discontented Ford, whose days at Filtrona Park were all but numbered. “I wanted to play football and I wanted to enjoy it. And obviously the lads were pleased when I came back,” he insisted, neglecting to mention his own secret delight at his return to the fold. Re-registered in March, Ford managed an entire month away from the treatment table - a possible record in Allotment colours before a footballing favour in late April set in place another frustrating chain of events. Now nursing a double hernia, the 29-yearold can recall picking it up - six months before the diagnosis. “I was playing for Sage, just helping them out, and it just didn’t feel right at that time - and I played ever since. There were always problems before the game, and I never knew what it was - I thought it was just a slight strain. I’m silly at times; I always try to battle through it, but it just got progressively worse.” The protrusions cause him immense pain when stretching in any capacity, and striking the ball with his right foot is a no go - “when I do, it’s excruciating pain, as if it is going to snap” - but, with Celtic light at the back, he committed his body to the cause. “I can get through games, but as you’ve probably

seen, I’ve been using my left foot more than anything! Even then, it’s difficult. It’s totally gone. But I knew where I stood, and I said I’d come back to try and help the lads.” With Little and Stoneman both fit, and the operation pencilled into the planner, Glenn has been reduced to little more than an impatient observer, watching the games pan out alongside his father Bob. Unlike the elder Ford, he is far from a keen spectator. “It’s horrible! As you can tell, I’m one of the worst for sitting there and watching the games. I love to see the lads win, but it’s the most frustrating thing. It’s great to still be amongst it and to be respected, but it’s very difficult to come and watch games, especially for me. It’s just really, really hard.” Despite his latest injury woes, Ford has already made a sizeable contribution to Allotment’s promotion push, featuring in over a third of the games across all competitions. Having experienced first division football first-hand, the stopper knows exactly what is required of himself and his teammates. “I think it’s a big step, because you’ve got the experience side of things. There’s a mixture in this league of young and old, and experience and a bit of battle, but in the first division, you’re going to come up against some very clever teams with very clever players - and they’re very, very fit.” Glenn’s projections for the current footballing campaign are optimistic, but, like all good financial advisers, he does sound a note of caution, urging Allotment to consider the future market. “I think we’re good enough to get up - I think we will get promoted but without investment and new players, with the squad that we’ve got and the age of some of the players, we may flatline. We may be just be a mid-table team. But I think we could stay up there, definitely.” For now, at least, it is out of the centre-half’s hands. Only one thing is certain: with a tricky run-in looming at the end of the season, Allotment will be banking upon his return. JANUARY 2014 THREE MILES WEST

TOP FIVE

PLAYERS WHO GET THE MOST COVERAGE (according to Glenn Ford) The disgruntled centre-half names the five Celtic players that he believes take up most of the News Guardian’s column inches...

5. MARC ALLEN Last year’s John Jackson Commitment Award winner has struggled with injuries this term, restricting him to just eight starts - but, according to Ford, he “always seems to creep in”. It will undoubtedly become even more noticable upon Alge’s return to full fitness.

4. STEPHEN LITTLE Ford’s former partner in crime at Blakelaw is in at number four, the Player’s Player of the Year picking up where he left off last season. “Stephen is always in there, even though he’s always on his arse. Not too sure why!” snarled the green-eyed monster...

3. SEAN REID “Reidy, of course”. The playmaker has stolen many of the headlines this season, having fired his way to the top of the scoring charts from midfield. The 21-year-old’s exploits even earned him an interview with Sky Tyne & Wear - the kind of coverage Fordy can only dream of!

2. MICHAEL BELL Described as a “fan favourite”, the unassuming midfielder is arguably in the form of his career at present, helping himself to nine goals, including vital winners against Tow Law, Thornaby, and Tow Law again. The wordplay potential that comes with his surname undoubtedly helps.

1. PAUL STONEMAN Another rival centre-half tops the list, and few could argue that Stona “is definitely up there”, having featured on no less than four of the six magazine covers, as well as in countless spreads and features. If Glenn is to get his name up in lights ahead of his ex-professional player-manager, he has his work cut out.

26 THREE MILES WEST JANUARY 2014

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ELL

MICHAEL B

With an average age of 27 - arguably distorted by the inclusion of one veteran centre-half - West Allotment Celtic’s squad is currently in its prime. In order to continue a tradition of success, the club has established its own youth development side (more on page 40), but the coaching team at Whitley Park has been blooding hot prospects in North Tyneside for years. The new intake could do far worse than look towards Michael Bell as a role model. Starting out as a teenager, the midfielder made his name in the Alliance. Now in his early twenties, he can consider himself not just a member of the squad, but an integral cog in the promotion-chasing machine. Like most young boys, a career in football was always the dream. “I played from a very young age, since I can remember kicking a ball. Obviously I used to play for Whitley Bay Boys Club, and enjoyed playing for the school as well, so I always aimed to play at the highest standard I could, really, and just enjoy it more than anything.” Even at a young age, Michael impressed, playing his part in winning the National Schools Cup at under-19 level. His encouraging performances opened the door to a semi-professional career in the beautiful game. “It was one of the teachers at Whitley Bay High School that got me along to Shankhouse to begin with, and I enjoyed it for them,” says Bell. “After that, I thought I’d try and step up a bit, so I went to Ryton, and had a good few games there in the first division of the Northern League.”

“This season I’ve scored a few more goals, so I’m starting to enjoy it.” 28 THREE MILES WEST JANUARY 2014

RINGING IN THE NEW AGE Experience is one of the cornerstones of success in the short term, with the exuberance of youth accounting for its sustainance. At 22, with four years of Northern League football under his belt, Michael Bell brings both to Allotment. Michael is not the only player to have turned out for the Albion prior to his arrival at Whitley Park, with John Pendlebury, Liam Hudson and Chris Douglas all former regulars across the water - but despite the club’s shortcomings, the up-and-coming Bell was grateful of the early opportunity to test himself. “It’s quite a way away from where I live, so it was quite awkward to get to, but it was a nice set of people up there, and I thank them for the time that I had. The committee were nice up there, and that experience of playing for them in the first division was something that was good, just to see what the standard was like to begin with. I had a good time there.” A second spell at Shankhouse followed - a natural move for the midfield man, in no small part down to his love of the club. “The people at Shankhouse are really nice - it’s more like

a community rather than just a football club,” he enthuses. “There’s a really nice committee there, and I got on really well with the manager. He always said that if I needed a game, or if I was out injured and I needed time playing, he was happy to have me back.” Along with David Dormand, the prospect registered once again for the Northern Alliance Prmier outfit. “We finished our fixtures quite early, and the Alliance quite often has a lot of games left over at the end of the season, so I went back and played a few games for them.

Bell rising to nod home a Liam Hudson cross, putting Celtic one up against Chester-le-Street.

JANUARY 2014 THREE MILES WEST

ELL

MICHAEL B

The 22-year-old scoring against his old side Ryton - his third headed goal of the season in the Northern League, but I think that comes with growing up as well, when you get used to it and start challenging for headers, which I like to do, it gives you confidence.”

It’s always nice to go back and help teams out when they’re short of players. It’s nice to have that establishment with another team as well.” Allotment were keeping a close eye on the young Bell, who continued to turn in a number of impressive performances in amber colours. At the age of 19, assistant manager Wilf Kielty snapped him up, bringing him along to Whitley Park - four miles down the road, but a far greater distance in footballing terms. “It was a little bit of a step up, as school football is a lot different, but the Alliance was quite tough. There are some hard tackles

It was a level to which Michael aspired, and, whilst he was quick to aquaint himself once more with the hard knocks of the Northern League, it took a little longer to acclimatise to his new surroundings off the field. “When I first came, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. It was quite a big step up, to be honest,” he admits. “The first season, it took me a while to settle in to begin with. Last season, I got to know the lads. I tend to be one of the quieter lads in the changing rooms, but once I got to know the lads quite well, it was good, and this season I’ve scored a few more goals, so I’m starting to enjoy it. We’re doing well at the minute, so I’m hoping that we can get promoted and push on.”

Left: The midfielder challenging for possession against Norton & Stockton Ancients 30 THREE MILES WEST JANUARY 2014

Despite only turning 22 in June, Bell has featured extensively for Allotment, bringing up a century of appearances with a goal in the 5-0 thrashing of Northallerton Town. Did he ever envision turning out one hundred times for one club at this early juncture? “Not really, no. I’ve been here two or three seasons now, and I’ve played quite a lot of games, but I’ve enjoyed them all so far. I’m just trying to catch up with how many Stona has played, take his crown off him! You can’t really guess how long you’ll be here for in the future, but I just enjoy playing as much as I can at the minute, and hopefully I’ll get a lot more appearances in the near future.” The close-range finish against the Yorkshiremen was Michael’s third of the season - and, since playing a number of roles across the midfield, he has added another six to his tally, scoring more in three months than in the rest of his Allotment career combined. Third in the scoring charts, the in-form Bell believes a number of factors are behind his recent spree - not least of all self-belief. “After scoring one or two, my confidence started to grow a lot, and all of a sudden, when you start getting more chances in future games, you feel more confident to put the ball away.” That self-belief may have stemmed from, or

A younger Michael in action earlier in his West Allotment Celtic career

Right: Bell angles a header towards goal in the 4-3 victory at Tow Law Town

JANUARY 2014 THREE MILES WEST

ELL

MICHAEL B

become a product of, a significant change in his playing role. ““I think it’s playing in a more advanced role in midfield. I used to play alongside Dunny, which was more defensive midfield. I’ve also been playing on the right wing, where I find it a little bit easier to come around at the back post when the crosses are coming in from the left, so I’ve been scoring a few headers at the back post as well.” Getting amongst the goals on a more frequent basis has delighted Michael, for reasons beyond the strictly personal. “It was something that I wanted to add to my game - I didn’t want to just be known for heading and tackling, putting a shift in. It’s always good to help out and score goals, because we had struggled. It’s always best if you’ve got four, five or six players chipping in all of the goals. I hope to score a few more in the rest of the season.”

“After scoring one or two, my confidence started to grow a lot, and all of a sudden, when you start getting more chances in future games, you feel more confident to put the ball away.”

Although in the form of his fledgling career, a number of squad members are vying for his place in the side, with competition from another five players in the middle of the park, and yet more on the flanks. Despite its potential impact on his own first-team opportunities, Bell insists that a larger squad has more benefits than drawbacks. “When there is pressure, you know that if you’ve had a bad game, you get pushed out, but it’s always good to have a big squad as well, as there are times where we’ve had a lot of injuries. We have possibly got a little bit of a light squad at the minute, but we’ve got a good set of lads, which is the main thing. We’re all gelling together quite well, so it’s a good squad I would say.” Good enough for the top flight? Barring another injury crisis - a not uncommon occurence at Blue Flames - Allotment should be there or thereabouts, according to one of Celtic’s star men. “We’ve certainly started off well, and we’ve got a definite chance. We’ve got some key games coming up against a few of the top teams, but we’ve definitely got a chance, and we’re all really hungry to get promoted and make the step up to the First Division. I hope so!”

32 THREE MILES WEST JANUARY 2014

THE MICHAEL BELL HEADING MASTERCLASS When it comes to heading a football, few can be considered more capable than Michael Bell. “It’s funny - my dad likes to think that I’ve inherited it off him, but I’m not having any of that! I’ve had a lot of comments about it, people asking if I’ve got springs in my shoes and stuff.” Despite standing at around 6ft, and by no means a brick outhouse, ‘Belly’ wins the majority of the aerial challenges he contests

across the pitch. How does he do it? “It’s just about timing it, and having the bottle to go for it. I think I use my left foot to leap off, and then I glance it on.” His dominance in the air has drawn plenty of comments - not just from the dugout. “It’s something I hear Wilf shouting a lot from the sideline when I win a header, and the lads take the mick out of that a bit in the changing rooms. But it’s always good to head the ball!”

JANUARY 2014 THREE MILES WEST

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The nerves that jangle towards are three kinds of lies: lies, damned 23456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345 the final whistle are often steadied soon lies and statistics. The first two are 78901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890 after the first. Celtic generally start far 23456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345 potentially libellous, so we’ll stick with 78901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890 brighter than their opponents, hitting the the third, the most convincing and 23456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345 target 14 times in the first 15 minutes, least incriminating of them all: the 78901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890 conceding on just four occasions. That 23456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345 power of numbers. 78901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890 dominance persists throughout the half, 23456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345 scoring two goals for every one of their The league figures certainly make for 78901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890 opponent’s in the first half. 23456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345 good reading. 17 wins from 28, eight 78901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890 draws, and just three defeats registered. 23456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345 What follows is known to all at Whitley The result? A positively healthy goal 78901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890 Park, but is borne out in black and 23456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345 difference - +18 at home, +12 away - 59 78901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890 white by the statistics. The second half points in the bag. and a firm footing in 23456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345 begins much like the first, only with the the promotion race. 78901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890 23456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345 prolific football boot very much on the 78901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890 other foot. Allotment have conceded the Sean Reid has been integral to Celtic’s 23456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345 same number they previously scored 78901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890 promising early start, having scored 40% 23456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345 in the game’s early moments, finding of the side’s league goals - but it’s far 78901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890 the target just four times themselves. Is from a one-man show. David Dormand, 23456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345 concentration or complacency the issue? 78901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890 Michael Bell and Liam Hudson have 23456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345 It is something that all are desperate to contributed their fair share of strikes, 78901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890 address (see page 38 for more details). whilst the back four have conceded at 23456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345 Thankfully, the malaise is temporary; 78901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890 a fairly respectable rate of 1.5 goals per 23456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345 Celtic generally regain control once the game. 78901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890 hour is up, before scoring and conceding 23456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345 roughly the same number of goals in the 78901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890 Eight of the club’s seventeen wins have 23456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345 game’s all too dramatic finale. Never a been by the narrowest of margins less 78901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890 dull moment at Whitley Park... emphatic on paper, perhaps, than their 23456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345 78901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890 free-scoring rivals, but more points in 23456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345 The stats are there for the anoraks (like the bank than most. Nevertheless, it is 78901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890 myself) to analyse and scrutinise, but occasionally just a little too close for 23456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345 ultimately, only two numbers matter: the 78901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890 comfort - as exasperated fans present 23456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345 minutes on the clock, and the points on 78901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890 the board. 23456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345 34 THREE MILES WEST JANUARY 2014 78901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890 23456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345

CRUNCH1NG 7HE NUM8ER5

first half

Goals scored so far this season

Sean Reid Michael Bell David Dormand Liam Hudson Ian Dunn Lawrence McKenna

second half

Chris Douglas Other

JANUARY 2014 THREE MILES WEST

234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 ANALYSIS 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 Hudson - 12 Henderson - 7 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 Bell - 7 Douglas/Dummett - 7 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 Instead of bulldozing a trail between the 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 centre-halves, former forward Liam 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 Hudson is now tasked with terrorising the 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 opposition’s full-backs. The 25-year-old 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 demonstrated in the opening months why 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 the decision to deploy him out wide was an 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 astute one. No fewer than twelve assists 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 represents a strong yield from a player that 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 has added another dimension to his game 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 and that tally could well double, should he 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 recapture his blistering early season form. Fellow 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 midfielders Michael Bell and David Henderson have 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 also weighed in with seven key passes apiece. 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 Scored 14 Scored 13 Scored 21 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 Conceded 4 Conceded 11 Conceded 8 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 ‘Reidy’ may have grabbed the headlines with his five 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 free kicks, but the most telling contributors from 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 dead ball scenarios are rarely splashed across the 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 (inside) back pages of the News Guardian. Many 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 clubs have one set-piece specialist, but 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 Allotment are graced with two. Full-backs 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 Marc Dummett and Chris Douglas are 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 capable of delivering corners with near 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 metronomic precision, accounting for 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 seven goals apiece. ‘Dougs’ just gets the 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 nod over his defensive counterpart, having 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 set up two more from free kicks - though 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 Marc did score a peach of his own, netting 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 a vital thirty-yard winner against Stokesley. 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 Douglas - 9 Reid - 6 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 Dummett - 8 Dormand - 1 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 36 THREE MILES WEST JANUARY 2014 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456 234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456

THE ASSISTS

SET PIECES

67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 Bell - 9 Reid - 29 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 Hudson - 7 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 Dormand - 11 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 No midfielder in the Northern League has 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 scored quite as many goals as Celtic’s 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 finest. The coveted playmaker is at his 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 imperious best playing between the lines, 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 racking up 29 goals from 31 games. From 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 free kicks to poacher’s finishes, headers 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 to half-volleys, Sean has scored them all 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 ways, reinforcing his reputation as one of 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 the division’s most gifted starlets. Tireless 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 grafter David Dormand is currently eighteen 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 goals adrift, having recently reached double 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 digits, whilst another in-form prospect in the shape 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 of Michael Bell has added another nine from midfield. 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 Scored 4 Scored 14 Scored 17 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 Conceded 14 Conceded 5 Conceded 18 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 Much like last season, injuries rather than form have 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 dictated the occupant of the number one jersey. A 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 foot injury may have limited his appearances, but 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 Chris Bannon still boasts more clean sheets 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 than Suffolk-born rival Ryan Beal, conceding 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 an average of 1.11 goals per game, 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 compared to Beal’s 2.06 average, despite 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 the latter’s impressive performances. Bob 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 Rodgerson, arguably the best third choice 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 in the division, comes in at 2.26, but the 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 best record goes to ‘A’ team graduate 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 Jack Thompson, whose average comes 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 in at 0.00, having kept a clean sheet in 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 his only first-team outing! 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 Bannon - 4 Rodgerson - 1.5 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 Beal - 2.5 Thompson - 1 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 JANUARY 2014 THREE MILES WEST 37 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 67890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789

CLEAN SHEETS

cle

THE GOALS

YEAR THE NEW

2014 THE NEW YEA TO REMAIN SWITCHED ON AFTER HALF-TIME

TO ESTABLISH - AND MAINTAIN - THAT TWO GOAL CUSHION

On all too frequent an occasion last year, Celtic’s players would be the happier of the two parties as they headed down the tunnel at half-time, having dominated the opposition in the opening forty-five minutes. After some brief respite, words of encouragement and a handful of Les’ oldschool treats, the lads would take to the field once more - and promptly squander their slender advantage.

The second resolution follows on from the first, and can almost be considered to be part of the same process. Much like eating healthier food and exercising more regularly, the ultimate goal is the same. For Allotment, that goal, similarly, is all-round betterment quantified by three valuable points.

The post-interval capitulations have been kept to a relative minimum this term - less noticeable, perhaps, having been eclipsed by a series of blinding comebacks. Allotment’s powers of recovery do tend to kick in after the hour mark, but even their Lazarus-like second-half revivals could not spare them from narrow defeats to Heaton Stan and Jarrow Roofing. Somebody had better start vetting those sweets before they make it to the dressing room...

38 THREE MILES WEST JANUARY 2014

In truth, the statistics do not necessarily back up the desperate need for a second goal. Celtic have never lost from a winning position after sixty minutes of play - but they have dropped points, surrendering draws when a win ought to have been in the bag. One could be forgiven for thinking that the Roofing game would be the most hurtful example (see resolution one for more details), but the mere utterance of another team’s name around Whitley Park is enough to make the witnesses of that September afternoon shudder and wince in dismay. Esh Winning.

AR’S RESOLUTIONS TO START THE YEAR IN A SIMILAR FASHION TO 2013

TO FINISH IN THE TOP THREE - AND GO UP A DIVISION

On a decidedly more positive note, the new year is not just about correcting wrongs, but also continuing the rights (though far too many people tend to concentrate wholly on the former, and for no more than a month).

After three years of careful consolidation and squad building, could this be the year that Allotment join former landlords Whitley Bay in the Northern League’s top flight?

West Allotment came into 2014 off the back of a nine-match unbeaten run, and soon rang in the new year with another victory, a gutsy 4-3 victory at Tow Law. With three players injured and the odd bout of handbags, there weren’t many cups of kindness on offer - but the three points were more than welcome. Remarkably, Allotment only lost seven league games throughout 2013 - form that could have sealed promotion last year, had it extended across the Northern League calendar rather than the Gregorian one. The turn in form also occurred at the turn of the year - and, if Allotment can replicate last year’s run, they could well fulfil the final resolution...

The criteria both on and off the field are certainly in place. The setup at Blue Flames ticks all of the boxes, but more importantly, the team looks ready to ascend to the next level. Not withstanding another injury crisis - which would account for our third in an often brutal and trying campaign - Allotment should have the depth to maintain their challenge for a promotion berth. Seven or eight teams remain in the mix for those three coveted spots, but the future - much like the fate of regular resolutions remains very much in our own hands. It will require steadfast willpower, gutsy courage, and perhaps even some forms of abstinence to keep it that way - but we all have faith in the side’s ability to break the Second Division habit. JANUARY 2014 THREE MILES WEST

AM THE A TE

SOWING THE SEEDS FOR THE FUTURE A NEW MANAGER, NEW PLAYERS, AND NEWFOUND BELIEF; THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS FROM OUR DEVELOPMENT SIDE West Allotment Celtic’s fledgling development side is still very much in its infancy, with the players and the team slowly growing in confidence and stature. Fourteenth in the Alliance’s second division, the progress may seem measurable in baby steps only, but within the camp, Celtic’s youngest prospects are coming on leaps and bounds, under the tutilage of familiar faces in redrawn roles. Allotment ‘A’ seemed to have turned a corner as they entered November, only for inaugural manager Henry Brandon to unexpectedly resign his commission. Able deputy Reece Chapman has taken his place in the hotseat, and under his and assistant Gary Corney’s guidance, Celtic have started to produce some of their better football. Having watched his adolescent side put in a series of inconsistent performances over the past four months

from a coach’s point of view, Reece is relishing the prospect of moulding a team - and style - of his own. “It’s just my chance to put my stamp on things, really,” said the 24-year-old. “The biggest thing is, can we produce a style of play, so we don’t just go out there, and we don’t just play football. We go out there and we do it our way. We do it the Allotment ‘A’ way, where we’re creating, which suits our players, and suits my way of doing things, and ultimately driving that way forward through the good side of football.” The new manager acknowledged the difficulties that his predecessor faced, but has gone back to basics in order to get the best out of his team. “I think it was hard. New team, a bunch of players that didn’t really know how to play with each other, and I think myself and Henry as a coaching team before found it quite hard to try and nail down what we wanted to do. I actually said to the

40 THREE MILES WEST JANUARY 2014

lads, ‘Well, now that Henry’s moved on, we’re going to do it a different way, that suits you, suits me, brings everybody together’. I’ve had a chat with them all, and I think everybody’s buying into it a bit more now, because it’s our way of playing, it’s not just imposed on them.” The morale in camp is arguably at its highest point - demonstrated by Michael Monnanou’s impressive samba dance after a cheeky finish in the 5-2 win over Alnwick Town Reserves. It’s something that Reece is keen to encourage. “We’ve got some new lads in which are chirpy, which are always full of a joke, which always helps,” insisted the coach. “Can we play our way, can we have a laugh, can we have a bit of fun and just enjoy it? It’s football, it’s meant to be fun.” Having played alongside one another for six months - some even longer, given the club’s close links with Whitley Bay Boys Club - the

lads have settled in well, even with new faces arriving by the fortnight. “We getting a core group of players now. I’m still looking to make some more changes. There will probably be a couple more players leave, and there might be a couple more entering the fray, but we’re pretty much there now,” Reece explained, before adding: “We’ve got a good little squad at the minute.” Many of the new additions do not originally hail from the former mining villages of Allotment or Backworth, or even the larger towns like Wallsend or Whitley Bay. One hails from Paris, and others from the African continent, with players seemingly coming from all four corners of the world to develop their skills on the exalted turf of Churchill’s playing fields. Perhaps not, but the strange pattern of migration was by accident rather than design. “It’s just sort of happened. A few friends have told a few more friends, and they’ve all come down. The ones that we’ve got, they bring something different. They bring a bit of character, charisma, alongside their footballing ability. So they’re all good players, and they add that little bit extra. It’s not just a traditional English football game now,” he duly noted, the flair elements not limited to well choreographed celebrations. Even at this early juncture, some of the development side’s players have begun to stand out as potential

PROMOTED COACH REECE CHAPMAN, IN HIS NEW ROLE AS MANAGER, LOOKS ON FROM THE TOUCHLINE JANUARY 2014 THREE MILES WEST

AM THE A TE

ONE TO WATCH

JACK THOMPSON AGE: 19 POSITION: GOALKEEPER Despite only taking up the gloves in an eleven-aside format at the age of 16, Whitley Bay Boys Club product Jack has come on leaps and bounds, even within his first five months with Allotment’s ‘A’ team. An astute shot stopper that is forever growing in confidence, Jack’s early promise has been recognised at first team level, promoted into the fold in the midst of an injury crisis. The teenager did well at Chester-le-Street that night, keeping a comfortable clean sheet, and has already established himself as a viable backup.

Allotment stars of the future - some more immediate than others. The new manager, also the coach of Sunderland’s under-12 side, knows a thing or two about spotting and developing potential, and believes he already has two starlets that are a few good performances away from senior level. “I’ve spoken to Paul a couple of times since I’ve been in charge and discussed a few players, and Matt (Slater) is one that I think could probably play there now. Ben Jackson could play there now.” Of course, whilst the primary aim of the Alliance side is to blood youngsters in preparation for first team action, they do have their own identity and independent goals for the season. “It’s the same thing, trying to balance it between getting enough experience at senior level, not forcing them onto the first team, because they’ve got their way of doing things,” Chapman explained. “We don’t want to lose influential players in our team, so we want to keep them involved as much as we can, exploit all of their abilities and use them to the best of our advantage, and then make the most of it. But if Paul comes knocking, those two will be definitely getting told, ‘you’re good enough, you can go up there and you can do a job, and you can really serve Allotment well over the next couple of years’.” Two of the ‘A’ team have since

42 THREE MILES WEST JANUARY 2014

gone on to make appearances for the first-team; Jack Thompson filled in admirably amidst a goalkeeping injury crisis, keeping a clean sheet, whilst Matt Slater’s reward for his fine form was a fifteen minute run-out for Allotment against Norton & Stockton Ancients. Chapman admitted that the call-ups provided a boost to the entire squad as well as those baptised in the Northern League font. It demonstrated synergy between the seniors and the juniors - and, perhaps more importantly, showed the young guns that they belong with West Allotment. “They’re all happy to see the committee there, a bit more interest from them, and they actually feel part of the Allotment brand now. Two or three months ago, it seemed like we were a standalone team. Now we are part of the Allotment brand, and maybe because I liaise a little bit more with Paul (Stoneman), they see those links developing.” These links are not merely one-way, with Stona sending Stephen Little and Tony Lancaster down to Churchill in a bid to regain match fitness, with Chapman particularly impressed by the latter. “When players that come down have been there, done it, pass on their knowledge, it’s good. We’ve had Tony the last two weeks, and it’s been a real boost; he’s been strong at the back, and he’s been nice and commanding for us, and when he’s got

ONE TO WATCH

MATT SLATER PREPARES TO MAKE HIS FIRST TEAM DEBUT AGAINST NORTON & STOCKTON the ball down, he’s played it simple.” Reece can see positive similarities between the attitudes championed in both setups, and believes that it can benefit the young charges seeking to move up to the next level. “The messages that myself and Gary are sending across as the coaching team are obviously messages that Paul is sending across up there as well. So the lads can see that if we do it right here, that we can get up to the first team, because that’s how they do things as well. They like to play football, they want to win games. So it’s nice that we are blending. It’s all coming together.”

BEN JACKSON

What’s more, having seen two Allotment regulars in action, the ‘A’ boss is convinced that his players could be ready in the foreseeable future. “Some of the lads are not stupid, they can see that Tony’s a good player, and Stevie’s a good player, but we’re just as good, so we can actually go up there and play. If they can play up there, we can play up there. I think some of them are really champing at the bit now, really wanting to be noticed.” The link-up between Whitley Bay Boys Club and West Allotment has undoubtedly formed the backbone of the team - not only on the pitch, but also on the sideline,

AGE: 18 POSITION: MIDFIELDER Though registered initially as a defender, Ben Jackson has proven himself to be a persistent threat when deployed in a more advanced position, more than capable of beating his opposing number with his pace and quick feet. The 18-year-old also has one of the better goal returns amongst his teammates. Despite often featuring mostly on the wing, he has racked up seven goals in fifteen games for the development side. Such blistering form has led to speculation that a firstteam call-up may be on the cards.

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AM THE A TE

ONE TO WATCH SHAUN BOYLE

AGE: 22 POSITION: CENTRE-HALF Still only 22, centre-half Shaun is arguably one of the more senior members of the ‘A’ team - and has certainly accrued the most experience, having turned out for Uxbridge F.C. in the Southern Football League Division One Central - two steps higher on the football league ladder than West Allotment Celtic. Commanding in the air, hard in the tackle and a good organiser at the back, Boyle has the commitment and the attitude to progress further, and could prove to be a valuable deputy at centreback for the likes of Paul Stoneman and Stephen Little.

BEN JACKSON SCORES ALLOTMENT’S THIRD GOAL IN as under-18s coach Gary Corney, father of another promising defender in 17-year-old James, serves as Reece’s assistant - though the manager doesn’t quite see it that way. “ I don’t see it as me being the manager and him being the assistant - we just do it together. We pick the team together on the Friday night, and we discuss the squad, we discuss our messages. It’s me that delivers that, but Gary is just as big a part as what I am. He’s good for me to bounce ideas off. We both have a similar style of doing things, so we both like football

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to be played as football, not just as a traditional hitand-follow game. We get the ball down, we want to play it. It’s important to have him there, especially by my side as a shoulder to cry on or somebody to cheer with, whichever way the result goes!” At the beginning of the side’s debut campaign, the previous manager set his sights firmly on promotion - a lofty and somewhat unattainable target for a side barely out of nappies. After a difficult start to the season, it fast became apparent that Allotment ‘A’ would not be

ONE TO WATCH MATT SLATER AGE: 19 POSITION: WINGER

A 5-2 VICTORY OVER ALNWICK TOWN RESERVES ascending rapidly through the leagues. Instead, the recently appointed Reece considers a mid-table finish to be a more realistic target. “think we’re at the stage now where we’re picking up a good couple of results, and we’ve just got to take it game by game. I don’t really look at the table - whether that’s naive or not, I don’t really look at it! Let’s take it game by game. If we can pick up a win, progress onto next week, get another win there, and if we get to February or March and we’ve had a couple of back-to-back results, we start progressing nicely, then

why not finish mid-table?” The recent performances have given Chapman cause for optimism, in the short term and beyond. “I think now we’re settled as well, we understand the league, and we’ve got a few players that work really well together. It’s not just me, it’s the team, and it’s working really well. I think we can only look forward to the second half of the season. It’s got to be good.” The team is still very young, and will have to learn to crawl before it can walk. Now, however, it is standing on its own two feet, with its parent club proudly looking on.

Ask any regular at Churchill Playing Fields who they would tip to be a fully fledged West Allotment squad member in the foreseeable future, and Matt Slater’s name will be towards the top of the list. The 19-year-old is a handful for any side, whether he is deployed out on the flank or tasked with carving out space in the middle of the park. Never unnerved by the prospect of a hard tackle nor shy of a dribble, Slater has earned the ‘A’ armband, often leading by example, and his performances have already led to an outing with the first team - likely the first of many.

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AM THE A TE

THE STORY SO FAR The running of a football club rarely goes without a hitch not least within its inaugural season. Despite being just five months into its existence, the West Allotment Celtic ‘A’ team has endured a worrying decline in form, dressing room bust-ups, a change of manager and a small-scale squad overhaul (in that approximate order). Most importantly, the development side seem to have come through their early tribulations, and look set to develop further, as individual prospects and as a standalone outfit. It had all started in positive fashion. At Valley Gardens on a bright summer’s day, new manager Henry Brandon, along with assistant Reece Chapman, ran the rule over the initial triallists. Most hailed from Whitley Bay Boys Club, having matured beyond the remit of junior football. Their early familiarity with one another, coupled with the flashes of promising talent on show in pre-season, were cause for cautious optimism. Forward Ryan Anderson had suitably impressed Paul Stoneman enough to earn first team registration before a ball had been officially kicked; others were touted as potential Northern League stars of the future. An hour before the first team’s campaign kicked off at Alnwick, the youth side were also in Northumberland, setting the ball rolling at Blyth Isabella. Despite taking the lead through Dan Haggerston, Celtic succumbed to their more experienced opponents 3-1. The spirits were yet to be dampened by defeat, and Brandon’s boys soon bounced back with their first ever league win - a comfortable 3-0 victory over Wideopen & District, with Haggerston once again opening the scoring, before Ben Jackson and Dan Surley sealed all three points. Thereafter, the harsher realities of the Alliance began to take hold, the initial gap between youth football and the adult equivalent becoming all the more marked. Thrashings against Gateshead Leam Rangers

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and Longbenton soon followed, with an improved performance in the 3-1 defeat at Grainger Park serving as relative respite for the beleaguered youngsters. Some belief restored, Celtic secured a big result against fellow strugglers Seaton Burn, with Haggerston joined by James Walker in a 2-1 win. The goals were flowing at home to Chopwell, as some sloppy second-half defending allowed the visitors to romp to a 6-3 victory. Heartbreakingly late defeats to Shankhouse and Newcastle Benfield Reserves in two consecutive cup games were hard to take, and Brandon’s young side lost their next two games, before putting five past Chemfica in another knockout competition. The improvement on the pitch continued, with an unfortunate defeat at home to Whitburn preceding two impressive victories against Alnwick Town Reserves and Cramlington. Two narrow defeats on the road followed, going down again in the reverse at Whitburn and losing at Newbiggin and Cullercoats. Despite the noticeable improvements in form, Brandon left the hotseat in midNovember. The mercurial Anderson was nowhere to be seen by September, whilst other key players such as Haggerston, Walker and Scott McLaughlin had also walked for a variety of reasons. Still, the core remained, and Reece Chapman stepped up to unite an occasionally fracturous dressing room, bolstering the squad with new faces. His tenure kicked off with a 6-1 thrashing of High Howdon, with a 5-2 victory over Alnwick Town sandwiched between defeats. Fourteenth out of sixteen teams, Allotment ‘A’ are within three points of a respectable mid-table placing. Room remains for improvement, but the team grows closer with every passing game and training session, which can only result in a stronger side taking to Churchill Playing Fields on Saturday afternoons. It’s early days yet, but give them time: with the right guidance, they could emulate the success of their senior counterparts in years to come. JANUARY 2014 THREE MILES WEST

THROUGH THE LENS

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Images from the ‘A’ team’s cup game against Ponteland United, and snaps from the senior side’s 5-0 win against Norton & Stockton Ancients.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY GRAEME JACKSON

IN PICTURE S

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OP ONE UP T

A POSITIVE SELECTION HEADACHE LOOMS IN THE LONE STRIKER ROLE

ONE UP TOP?

DAVID DORMAND 30 goals 2012/13

ROB NOLAN 30 goals 2012/13

LAWRENCE McKENNA 18 goals 2011/12

In capturing the signature of Rob Nolan from Bedlington Terriers, Allotment have bolstered their attack with one of the divisionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most prolific forwards. But with a solitary spot available within the current setup, who will get to be the most prominent one in the 4-4-1-1?

campaign, and his altruistic work up front stretches the back line, affording Sean Reid the space to do what he does best in the hole behind the lone forward. Despite trailing his attacking compatriot by 19 goals, a return of 11 goals from 24 starts has to be considered a respectable return from a poacher who does far more than the tag suggests.

24-year-old Rob came into his own for North Shields last season, scoring 27 league goals for the Robins before his big move to Blyth Spartans - and, having found first-team football hard to come by in recent months, will be desperate to make his mark. The record speaks for itself, and his pace was there for all to see at Whitley Park fourteen months ago, bursting beyond the back four to slot home his second in a 6-1 Senior Cup demolition. One season on, that clinical boot is very much on the other foot.

Also returning in from the winter cold is Lawrence McKenna, sidelined for weeks with a knee injury sustained at Brandon. A fully-fit Treddy can cause problems for any Division Two defence on his day, and has often made an impact when called upon, bagging four goals from eight starts. Of course, Reidy himself can be promoted into the main role, to often devastating effect, as can newlychristened right-winger Liam Hudson.

Let us be mindful in our collective excitement, lest we forget another 30-goal striker who did the business in green and white hoops last year. David Dormand hit the exalted milestone for Celtic during the 2012/13

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With Nolanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arrival, Allotment can now boast five potential forwards that, between them, hit the back of the net over 100 times last season. Competition is now at its fiercest, both in the battle for a starting berth and in the division at large. Hopefully the former can be the catalyst that has us firing on every cylinder in the latter.

west allotment celtic established 1928

As we chase for a promotion place, join us for another kind of race!

race night

Saturday 15th March 2014 West Allotment Social Club 7.30pm Admission ÂŁ5 inc. pie and peas

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JUSTOnside PICTURES, JAPES AND SPURIOUS STORIES FROM THE ALLOTMENT GRAPEVINE

“If any of you try to claim that one, I’ll rip your faces off with a claw hammer. Don’t let the smile fool you.” Allotment star Sean Reid will be unavailable for the next month of fixtures, having checked into the Sporting Chance this morning to seek treatment for his goal addiction. Player-manager Paul Stoneman took action when ‘Reidy’ was found wandering the streets of Crawcrook at 3am, ball in hand, desperately looking for a net to burst. “We tried making him go cold turkey, even forcing him to stay back against Stokesley, but it hasn’t worked,” admitted a distraught-looking Stoneman. David Dormand denied needing help himself, insisting that he was not a habitual scorer, and “can quit scoring at any time”.

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CELTICCrossword

ACROSS

DOWN

2. One step forward, two weeks back for this unlucky ‘keeper 3. Not quite as flash these days as his comic book counterpart 5. Arguably the baldest man in the Northern League 6. Part-time footballer, full-time quad bike aficionado 12. Young winger often seen thumbing it on the A19 13. Blakelaw’s resident Casanova 15. Not as large as his playing partners 16. Feeds on the blood of discarded fringe players to maintain his vitality 18. Sleeps with his armband (on) 19. Our token ginger, in accordance with the club’s diverse barnet policy

1. Too physically imposing to write a snarky clue about 2. A driving force in midfield 4. Younger brother would happily trade his Scottish League Cup medal for the Ernest Armstrong Memorial equivalent 7. The royal house that fell in 1471 8. Walford’s most unpopular resident 9. Safe hands on crosses and cats up trees 10. Jimmy Hill’s long lost great-grandson 11. Selfish cone hoarder 14. Breakfast on the Beeb / monkey’s heed 17. The smallest man to play right-back since the days of Geoff Allison

A potential headline act at West Allotment Social Club

JANUARY 2014 THREE MILES WEST

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just ons

CREATURES OF THE NORTHERN LEAGUE PART ONE:THE SECRET SHOPPER

ETYMOLOGY

known formally as “The Secret Shopper”, with a Latin name of “Furtive Scribblans”. Also goes under several other handles, usually derogatory and spoken out of the range of the creature itself. The shorthand of “SS” has been used to refer to the creature on certain cyber-based systems, although, of course, this is to be frowned upon.

EVOLUTION

A recently introduced species to the Northern League ecosystem, it is believed that the Secret Shopper is closely related to the “Tell Tale Tit” and “Lesser Snitch”. Considering that the population of Secret Shoppers is still very small, believed to number no more than eighteen, their impact on the Northern League ecosystem has been highly significant over a very short timescale. There is no doubt that this new species has caused a disturbance to pre-existing life forms inhabiting the Northern League. The jury is still out as to whether the longer-term will prove the Secret Shopper to be a positive introduction or something more akin to the cane toad in Australia. There is a school of thought that wonders what the species will feed on once it has consumed all the blue air hanging around the Northern League.

APPEARANCE

Limited in number and by nature extremely furtive, League scientists have yet to agree that Secret Shoppers conform to a standard appearance. Nevertheless, unconfirmed sightings have suggested a love of heavy coats with lots of pockets; all the better to hide the stationery that is the effective lifeblood of the Shopper. A strange side-effect of this lack of knowledge is a tendency to suspect all new visitors to a ground to be a Secret Shopper, thus triggering an air of suspicion and mutual paranoia for the remainder of the afternoon or evening.

BEHAVIOURS

Most of the suspected behaviours are solitary and tend to be carried out in private. Therefore, most behaviours have to be assumed, based on the evidence of the report-writing that is the only tangible evidence that the species even exists. These reports have been known to cause much unrest amongst other Northern League life forms, especially those prone to swearing; an activity to which the Shopper is profoundly sensitive and which can cause severe bouts of angst and, in turn, manic sessions of keyboard bashing. Whilst many in the Northern League ecosphere have sympathy for this condition, there is also concern that it is not always manifest in a consistent fashion and there is a call for further research to be carried out in this area. Although Shoppers are strongly suspected of inhabiting all corners of Northern League locations, they do seem to have a penchant for lurking around the dug-outs inhabited by those other highly volatile creatures of the Northern League – the management teams. It is a highly unstable area to visit, thus leading to speculation that some Secret Shoppers do get a vicarious thrill from being so close to such a frenzied atmosphere.

CONSERVATION STATUS

Although numbers are limited, the future seems bright. The anonymity of the creature seems likely to protect it from “Snitches Get Stitches” syndrome, a condition endemic to the species. Furthermore, the creature has “protected species” status through its strong support from the dominant creatures in the Northern League food chain, which have, in turn, enjoyed rewards from the even bigger creatures that prowl outside of the League ecosphere. More support is also being sought within the Northern League through the use of bait in the form of cash prizes for behaving nicely when in the presence of Secret Shoppers. The conclusion has to be that this creature is going to be around for a while yet!

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