30th April 2004 - Harry - post Wakefield-Emley

Queen’s “We are the Champions” boomed out over Croft Park as current Captain Peter Snowden and former Captain Richard Forster picked up the Unibond Premier League Champions Trophy from League Chairman Peter Maude at the end of Saturday’s match.
It was a moment when the weight of expectation and the burden of physical and mental exhaustion following a gruelling 11 games in 26 days was lifted allowing the spirits of players and fans alike to soar. It was a joyous moment and rightly so. Blyth Spartans had completed an astonishing, and indeed surprising, season. As much as anyone it surprised Manager Harry Dunn.

Had the Blyth boss expected, to any degree, at the start to the season that the Spartans would be eventually be crowned Champions? “In a word – no!” he responded. “It was only after the win at North Ferriby that I began to think it may be possible. Even then I was concerned going into the matches at Witton and Matlock.”

The way Dunn has rotated his players during April in order to achieve success has been masterly but he looks to his players to receive the praise. “After our FA Cup and Trophy exits against Chasetown and Welling I looked at their reactions and got want I wanted. Those sorts of defeats can floor some players but they bounced back superbly.”

Again resting some key players in the Wakefield-Emley match Dunn commented after the game “It really doesn’t matter who I put out – they all do their best.”
He did, however, pick out centre back Brian Smith and midfielder Craig Price for a special mention. “Both lads were great and Pricey weighed in with a goal worthy of winning the Premiership – never mind the Unibond!” Both players also received accolades from others. Smith received the Drager Man of the Match Award and Price was described as the best player on the pitch by journalist, and former Hereford FA Cup hero, Ricky George.

While the players celebrated in Newcastle Dunn had a quiet pint at the pub round the corner from his Bishop Auckland home. “I wouldn’t dare to go out with that lot!” he joked. “And, anyway, it gave me time to think about the Chairman’s Cup game on Monday.