A (long) trip to Blyth Spartans A.F.C.
So, my journey began with the short walk through Urmston towards Shawe View where the coach would be waiting. I arrived in my disguise, in which I was attempting to hide from Steve 'Mini' Mason, whom I had wrongly accused of gifting Matlock their goal on Saturday, after recieving some inaccurate info from an unnamed source! (Sorry Mini!)
With us motley crew in tow, the 'super whites' set off on their long journey up North, passing through that horrible county on t'other side o' t'pennines.(Sorry Goody), passing the exotic locations we would be missing out on visiting this year. (Garforth anyone??)
We arrived at the service station and allowed to stretch our DVT threatened limbs around about 3 hours in. As we disembarked, a certain Shelton Payne spied my Fruit Pastilles and asked if he could have one which ended up being three. YES I SAW!!!
The local delicacy of McDonald's was sampled by a few, as were the Gregg's butties stored away for the players. Inside the services I discovered the Non League Paper, and just as I did Mini walked through. I tried to hide it but to no avail!
After a 40 minute break, we continued our journey to Northumberland, passing by the Angel of the North, which isn't as impressive in the flesh (and yes I know it's not made of flesh) as you'd think, past the biggest indoor shopping centre in England, the MetroCentre, and around the outskirts of Newcastle until we arrived in the port town of Blyth.
We avoided the original recommendation of Cappy's tours, and instead headed for the Sports bar, where after a few games of pool with Ash and Popeahontas, I accompanied Ash on a trip to Gino's fish bar. Conveniently, there was a turnstile located just next door to the chippy, where I paid my dues to the gateman (£10), plus a further £2 for the glossy programme, imaginatively titled, Blyth Spartans.
I do, however, personally think that, with all due respect, £10 is a little steep for this level.
Croft Park is quite impressive, old yet atmospheric, it reverberates with the history of years gone by, including the famous FA Cup visits a couple of years back of AFC Bournemouth who were vanquished late on by Ged Dalton, in a 1-0 success, and the resultant tie with then Premier League side Blackburn Rovers, who only just scraped through, also by 0-1. It boasts four stands, one on each side, including the main Port of Blyth Stand which can be accessed for an extra £1 fee (an offer I declined). Croft Park has an official attendance of 4,435 of which 556 can be seated.
History Lesson:
Blyth Spartans began life in 1899, joining the Northumberland League in 1901. They had 3 league title wins before joining the Northern Alliance, where a further 2 titles were attained.
They turned semi-pro in 1913 linking up with the North Eastern League, with a little success, acheiving 1 league and 2 league cup wins during their tenure there. However the league soon folded, and the club forced into fleeting visits to the Midland league and the North East Counties, but both leagues' demise ended with the club rejoining the re-formed North Eastern League in the early 1960's. However this revival was short lived and folded for good within the decade.
After the demise of the league and the lack of a suitable replacement they ended up reverting to amateur status in 1964, in the Northern League, winning 10 League titles
and finishing runners-up on a further five occasions. They achieved promotion to the NPL First Division in 1993-94 and immediately won the league and league cup double.
During their time in the Premier Division they lifted the President's Cup before acheiving promotion as league winners to the Conference North in 2005-06. They also won the Chairman's Cup and the Peter Swailes Memorial Shield. They remained there for six seasons before finally succumbing to relegation in 2011-12 wherupon they returned to the NPL Premier for 2012-13 season.
Onto the game now, which was tidy, and played at a good tempo, with Trafford taking the lead from the spot after Shelton Payne was brought down. He converted said spot kick, but somehow the 'keeper avoided any sort of card.
Joe Kendrick returned the favour just three minutes later, his second pen in two games, before Dan Maguire rounded off a fine Blyth move seven minutes before the break.
At half time, a trip to the public conveniences was in order, of which I will mercifully spare you the details....
The second period saw Blyth on top, despite a few niggling challenges, and a very debatable refereeing performance which left both sets of fans livid, but Ally Brown almost nicked a point, but saw his low drive saved. Ally must be one of the most attacking full backs I've seen, regularly popping up in the six-yard box! Rory Fallon was also impressive, as was Andy Smart who was complemented widely bu Blyth fans near us, and our skip Nia Bayunu. Also a mention for Martyn Andrews who looked absolutely knackered at the end!
Despite the result there were many positives to be taken from our performance, in which we showed we could more than match a big name player in the league on their own patch after a long journey, which is no mean feat. This can only bode well for the future.
After the game, a visit to the tidy clubhouse was in order, where I was mistaken for a player, so I must be doing something right! This included an offer of food (it would be rude to refuse!), despite a commitee member making a tongue-in-cheek remark that I should be refused service due to the fact (or lack of) my sending off. The girl serving asked whether I had been, but just as my namesake George Washington once said 'I cannot tell a lie'.
And so, we left Blyth behind and set off on our three hour journey home, back to the bright lights of Manchester.....
P.S. The non attendance of King Leonidas at the Spartans game was a big disappointment. :)
RATINGS:
Game (7)- good, but unspectacular
Ground (9)- would have been 10 if not for the in game PA announcements.
Food (6)- the chicken and pasta had broccoli in it!
Programme (7)- informative
Fans (7)- marked down due to two obnoxious ones. The rest were great, and very sporting.
Value for Money (4)- CHARGING £10
Match Coverage (9)- live on Radio Northumberland. Impressive!!
Referee (4)- questionable for both sides.
My TFC M.o.M- Rory Fallon
My BSAFC M.o.M- Arjun Purewal
Featured Supporters Roll Call
Ash Saddoo (the newest addition to the travelling band. Also a goalkeeper. Once known by the alias ashdakeeper *cringe*).
Mike 'Cappy' Capp (leader of Cappy's Tours, he knows his real ale and struggles on double 1).
Mike 'Popeahontas' Pope (ask him why, popeahontas. He'll happily tell you. Rovers fan).
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