Press
This section will keep all press releases relating to any activity the club have, or will be, involved in, this month. This should keep Spartans Supporters who don't receive the local press, up to date with news and views from Croft Park.
For older news, please use our Press Archive.
22nd April 2007 - Post Lancaster City
At the time when those on their couches in front of Saturday night TV were considering that “Any Dream Will Do” those Spartans supporters on their coaches, returning from the win at Lancaster City, were considering only one particular dream – a play-off place to possibly gain promotion to the National Conference.
Blyth’s General Manager Ian Evans was pleased with the result in Lancashire. “We didn’t play particularly well,” he said. “But the home side was quite different from the one which was being heavily beaten on a regular basis at the turn of the year. They have a decent set of lads there and should do well next season in the Unibond First Division. Indeed, with a little bit more composure in front of goal they might have given us a few problems” he added. “The football wasn’t great and the pitch was rock hard but that’s what should expected at this time of year and I’m sure that will be the case up and down the country.”
Man of the Match, Blyth’s Chris McCabe, took both his goals with a cool assuredness and is certainly one of Blyth’s most improved players this year. Manager Harry Dunn was comfortable leaving both Gildea brothers, Alex and Liam, at home in Scarborough to recover from illness as he felt he had the squad to do the job at Lancaster. Both players are likely to be available for the game at home to Hinckley this Saturday.
The promotion dream is still alive in Evans’ heart. “There is still an outside chance of a play-off spot,” he said. “It depends partly on a fixture during this week and, of course, our match on Saturday – that could be a tremendous occasion! We had fantastic travelling support at the weekend and I’m sure all our fans will rally round to support us against Hinckley. Our average crowd this season is 647, which is 100 up on last year, and I hope we can push that average up with a big crowd this week.”
Should the dream become reality the Club has a plan in place to operate in the Conference. “To a certain extent we will need to go fulltime with some positions off the pitch and with some players” commented Evans. “But we have thought it through and recognise the leap which it would be and what steps we need to take to progress.”
Evans sent the Spartans’ congratulations to Conference North Champions Droylsden. “After they beat us 3-0 earlier in the season I have always said that they are the best side in the League, They play good football and, although we certainly held our own when we played them away, they are still worthy Champions.”
So it could be Saturday which witnesses whether Blyth
can enter the play-offs with a chance to join Droylsden in achieving
promotion.
A day which might show if dreams actually can come true.
15th April 2007 - Post Vauxhall Motors
With Saturday’s defeat at home to Vauxhall Motors it appears that Blyth’s promotion drive has stalled. But, if truth were told, the Spartans have been misfiring for the past few matches.
Blyth captain Peter Snowdon still holds out hope however. “There’s always a chance of the playoffs” he said, probably with more conviction than real confidence. He made comparisons to this time last season when he said “Then, we had played our best football early in the campaign and managed to grind out results in the spring to gain promotion. This time around, after a similar scenario, we just can’t manage to get the regular three points. “That said, the class of team we are playing in the Conference North is that much better than last year. “It is still frustrating though as we have not picked up points from recent games which we maybe should have.”
Talking of the Vauxhall game Snowdon added, “We started very well playing some good football. I was clattered by one of their players and that broke up the play and the first half then lapsed into a dour spell. The second half never reached the height of the first and after Chris McCabe opened the scoring for us we were undone by lax marking on two corners. We did manage to push forward later in the game with a few set pieces and corners but didn’t really create any clear cut chances.”
Spartans’ Manager Harry Dunn thought both sides
were lethargic in the game and was frustrated at conceding the goals
from corners.
“That’s the first time this season we’ve given away
goals from corners” he commented. “Some of our lads are
lacking a bit of experience at this level and aren’t thinking
quickly enough. Vauxhall came with a game plan and we didn’t react
effectively.”
Dunn was starkly realistic about the position the Club
find themselves in with regard to aspirations to achieve national Conference
status.
“Our hopes have gone,” he said. His realism nevertheless
didn’t subdue his unfaltering belief that Blyth Spartans can make
it to the top level in non-league football – and even beyond.
“Given the resources we can get promotion in the next year or
two. The players are out there in the northeast if we can get a hold
of them” he said bullishly.
Central defender Snowdon’s injury may mean him
missing out on the final few games. Both his knees suffered from the
challenge made on him against Vauxhall aggravating an injury to one
of them sustained in a recent car crash.
He hasn’t had much luck with motors recently.
8th April 2007 - Post Stalybridge
“We were the better of the two teams, especially in the second half ” commented Spartans Manager Harry Dunn after Saturday’s win against Stalybridge Celtic. “Adam Bartlett in our goal was virtually a spectator in that second period and although Stalybridge missed the experienced Ellington up front we coped with them quite easily. The only problem we had was from their set pieces. In recent games we haven’t looked like conceding and, conversely, do look like we can always score.”
Although they left it late to score the decisive goal on Saturday it was a fitting reward for the hard working Robbie Dale and Dunn’s decision to throw on former Cambridge midfielder Richard Hodgson. Drager Man of the Match Dale’s run saw him shrug off one defender, outpace another and cross decisively for the astute Hodgson who did well to ensure he remained onside. “Hodgson gives us good balance,” said Dunn. “I’d taken Scott Bell off as he looked out of sorts and the player himself said that he had felt a bit lethargic but we will still be looking to play with three forwards on the pitch wherever possible in the final stages of the season. Four four two is a safety formation but we need now to push hard for promotion.”
The question on supporter’s lips is whether Blyth can continue
to grind out results as the season draws to a close and the chance of
a second successive promotion for the Spartans stills lies tantalisingly
within their grasp. With three wins from the last four games Dunn has
good reason to be positive. “We’ve done well that’s
true, and we have decent cover now and I’ve also signed Richard
Heiniger from Ryton and Kenny Boyd from Whickham to bolster the squad.
I’ve also been able to extend midfielder Phil Turnbull’s
loan period from Hartlepool. Robbie Dale picked up an ankle injury against
Stalybridge and Ben Christienson suffered from blisters but I expect
them to be OK for the next few games.”
He recognises that the idea that the Spartans could
finish up outside of the playoff zone but still be eligible due to a
question mark over other sides not being able to go up because of ground
criteria is a further boost to his team’s ambitions. ”At
the end of the day, however, it’s up to us to keep winning matches”
he said. Although the League is the current focus for Blyth the announcement
that the Northumberland Cup Final, in which the Spartans will take on
Morpeth Town on 8th May, will be held at St. James Park presents a further
spur to Dunn’s hungry young squad.
On the 15th anniversary of first sponsoring Conference North club Blyth Spartans Viz comic has reluctantly agreed to continue its support.
“Sponsoring Blyth Spartans was probably the worst
business decision we ever made” said Editor Graham Dury.
“When we started we were led to believe by the Board of Directors
that the Spartans would be playing Premiership football by the year
2000 alongside the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea, and that
our logo would be seen by millions of people every week on Match of
the Day. We feel somewhat let down to say the least. We’ve decided
to give it a few more seasons to see how things go and then review the
situation,” he added.
Viz and the Spartans have recently agreed a new undisclosed two-figure sum sponsorship deal as act of good faith.
The comic will sponsor Manager Harry Dunn’s moustache
till the end of the season.
“Dunn’s moustache is probably the best in football since
Mark Lawrenson had the snip, and we’re proud to see our logo adorn
it at every match” commented Graham Dury.
Phil Castiaux, from the Club, said “Moustache
sponsorship is still very much in its infancy in this country so we’re
delighted to be part of this historic deal.
“We’d been searching for a new way to increase our revenue
from sponsorship for some time now and, wouldn’t you know it,
the answer was right there under our noses all the time. . . .well,
under Harry’s actually.”
26th March - Peter Snowdon visits Midnight Football League
Blyth Captain Peter Snowdon took time out after the
home game against Redditch to visit the Blyth "Midnight Football
League".
Held in the Sports Centre the League is for 14-16 year olds and is coordinated
by GAME ON (the Coalfields Regeneration Trust) and Blyth Valley Arts
and Leisure Trust
Supporters of Conference North club Blyth Spartans were heaving a collective sigh of relief today as Manager Harry Dunn pledged his future to the Club.
Dunn had been approached by Northern League club Durham
City to take over the vacant managerial position at the Archibolds Stadium
and was reported to have been thinking over his future this weekend.
“I want to put an end to the speculation,” said Dunn.
“I intend to stay with the biggest non-league Club in the region.
Of course it’s flattering to have other clubs interested in you
but my heart is with Blyth. We achieved a great deal last season in
gaining Conference North status and although it looks like we may miss
out on promotion this season fans can rest assured that we haven’t
given up yet. If we don’t get into the national Conference this
year then we’ll put even more effort into getting there next time
around,” he continued. “Indeed I am already talking to players
about next year – whichever League we find ourselves in.”
Spartans’ Chairman Tommy Hedley said, “It’s great news. Harry is a brilliant Manager and a really nice guy too. He’s worked wonders at Croft Park and I’m sure I speak on behalf of all supporters when I say this is just the news we wanted to hear.”
Meanwhile defender or midfielder Anth Lowther has moved
to Benfield Bay Plastics although Blyth have an agreement with the Tyneside
club that he remains on the Spartans’ books with the view of a
possible recall. Forward Scott Bell is the latest Blyth player to sign
a contract as Manager Dunn looks to secure the services of several top
players.
25th March - Post Redditch
A cloud of uncertainty hung over Croft Park before Saturday’s game against Redditch following pre-match reports of Blyth boss Harry Dunn being approached by managerless Northern League side Durham City to take over at the Archibolds Stadium. As a result of the Spartans’ 2-1 defeat the gloom intensified and the forecast for the week ahead could have been said to be “unsettled” as Dunn was reportedly considering his future.
On the Friday before the match he had said “I’m happy at Blyth, we’ve fantastic support and a great deal has been achieved while I’ve been here”. After the final whistle on Saturday the usually effusive Dunn was circumspect in his comments. “We were poor today and I’m very very disappointed.”
Dunn’s Captain wasn’t too chuffed either. Peter Snowdon played the last half hour of the game having recovered from a medial ligament injury sustained in a car accident. His knee, which had hit the steering column, has now fully healed thanks to the expertise of Blyth physio Gary Neasham. “Neash has been brilliant and has certainly got me back on the scene quicker than I could have expected” commented 25-year-old Snowdon. “I am delighted to be back as I’m definitely not a good watcher of football and have been quite frustrated with not playing since our game at Kettering a few weeks back. It was tough yesterday coming on late in the game when everyone else was up to speed and I felt although Redditch scrapped and battled for every ball some of our lads could have competed better. And that’s down to the players themselves not the Manager and his Assistant – the players must accept responsibility.”
Snowdon is adamant that the season mustn’t be allowed to peter out. “I said to the lads after the game that although we are very much up against it now in terms of the play-offs we mustn’t give up the ghost. The play-offs are still a possibility if we put together a run like we did at the back end of last season. But for that to happen we must compete better than we did yesterday” he added. “At the start of the season my aim was to avoid relegation so, although dropping points in some games has been disappointing and might mean us missing out on promotion, this season has been a learning curve and we should see it as that.”
With goalkeeper Adam Bartlett reflecting on an offer to play for Vancouver Whitecaps next year and other Blyth players also being tracked, Snowdon is taking the pragmatic view. “It’s what happens in football – your better players often move on to bigger clubs. However we need to build for the future as the region’s premier non-league club and I would be disappointed if any of our lads went to Northern League sides.” Blyth supporters would be equally disappointed to see their Manager go to a Northern League side, or indeed anywhere else, bearing in mind the success he has brought to Croft Park.
On a brighter note Saturday’s Man of the Match,
defender Ben Christianson, has signed a contract with the Spartans and
work is under way on the ground to bring it up to national Conference
standard. In addition Peter Snowdon is looking forward to the next game.
“Our home match with them earlier this season was one of the most
physically demanding games I have played in. I’m told the atmosphere
at Barrow is a bit special so a good game can be expected and I know
all our lads will be up for it.” Three points in Cumbria would
be a welcome ray of sunshine for the Spartans.
18th March - Post Leigh/Alfreton
Following the 3-1 midweek defeat at relegation-threatened Leigh Blyth Spartans Manager Harry Dunn commented, “It was one of those nights, we arrived late leaving little time for a proper warm up plus Leigh were fighting for their lives. Nevertheless the performance was not acceptable and we had no real excuse.” On Saturday the team arrived in good time at Alfreton in Derbyshire with a more focussed sense of purpose and delivered a significantly sturdy performance both of which were missing from the earlier trip to Greater Manchester.
“It was a bit of a struggle,” commented
Dunn after this weekend’s game. “It was windy and the ball
was bouncing erratically.
“We didn’t get it together in the first half despite playing
down the slope with the wind at our backs but in the second period we
were more organised and, when we had to, defended well.” Dunn
continued, “Scott Bell’s goal was a corker and with that
finish alone I think we just about deserved the three points.”
Three points which see the Spartans now lying in ninth position in Conference
North.
Bell’s goal was applauded by both sets of supporters. His composure and agility to wrap his right foot around Wilford’s measured cross to effect the goal bound volley was exemplary. The strike was especially significant for the player himself having made the Blyth starting line up after missing recent games due to a persistent back problem.
The points see Dunn’s target for the week fall one short of the four he had hoped for in the push for a play-off position but that is not to say that he has picked up a towel with an intention of projecting it in any direction at all. “It’s still all there to play for” he said. And with Redditch the visitors this Saturday lying three place off bottom the Blyth boss will certainly be looking for another three points to keep the Spartans handily placed. Having said that the visitors from Birmingham are likely to have the desire to scrap and scrape, much as Leigh did, in their attempt to stave off relegation.
Dunn hopes that defender Captain Peter Snowdon will be available at the weekend following a knee injury although midfielder, or striker, Liam Gildea will probably miss out on a comeback as his hand injury is unlikely to have recovered in time.
This week saw the launch of “300 Spartans”
– not the new film but a fund raising effort by the Club to pay
for the new seating arrangements needed to achieve national Conference
standards. “An individual supporter of the Club has very kindly
loaned us £40,000, interest free” commented General Manager
Ian Evans. “Our aim is to raise about £30,000 from 300 people,
or businesses, paying upwards of £100 each, with the Club itself
making up the difference. If we beat that target the extra monies will
be ploughed into further improvements to Croft Park bearing in mind
that our longer-term objective is Football League status. “All
contributors will be recognised by having their name engraved on a stainless
steel plaque which will be placed on the Port of Blyth Stand,”
he added.
Anyone wanting to be one of the “300 Spartans” should contact
Ian Evans on 01670 352373 weekdays between 10am and 1.00pm.
11th March - Post Worksop
The New Year hangover may be a thing of the past as Blyth consolidated their recent run of decent results with three points against Worksop on Saturday in an encounter more dour than dashing. Without a League win since the New Years Day victory at Scarborough until last week’s at Moor Green the Spartans are seemingly back on a roll with a recent point picked up at Kettering and the midweek win at Whitley Bay in the Northumberland Senior Cup semi-final.
Blyth Manager Harry Dunn, as usual, combined cool-headed
analysis with composed intent after the game. “We were mediocre
in the first half but in the second we could have run away with it.
It could have ended up for or five nil.” he suggested. “Worksop
played their part and, it has to be said, they defended very well as
well as coming close to scoring on one or two occasions.”
Dunn was pleased with the early signs of linkup play between the resurgent
Robbie Dale and debutant Aaron Wilford. “Robbie was excellent
“ he commented. “Aaron did well too on his debut and could
have scored in the second half curling a shot just beyond the post.
He is only 23 and I had him with me at Whitby where he scored over 26
goals in one season after his release from Middlesborough. The thing
about him is that he can also play as a sweeper and has been playing
in that position for Whitby recently so we will need to give him time
to readjust to a role in attack.”
The game also featured notable performances in midfield
by two other new additions to the Blyth squad. “Phil Turnbull,
on loan from Hartlepool, gives us the option of keeping play going.
He doesn’t panic and can calmly play nice 10 or 15 yard passes
with ease and assuredness,” said Dunn. “Ritchie Hodgson
gives us better balance on the left and seldom gives the ball away.”
Dunn left Christian Graham out of Saturday’s team despite him
being influential in recent games as his midfield options now give him
the opportunity to rest players in the closing stages of the season
– the closing stages which could see the door of the play offs
opening to his side.
“Chris has done really well and worked very hard and did well
again when he came on as substitute.”
“ We’ve picked up seven points from the last possible nine and I reckon that if we can get four more from the midweek game at Leigh and Saturday’s at Alfreton then the playoffs may be on for us” he said. “If we can get 56 or 58 points by the end of March things will be looking interesting!”
Top scorer Scott Bell missed the Worksop game with a back problem which he has had from being a youngster. It is something which comes and goes but Manager Dunn hopes will clear up once again soon so that he has the option of returning to playing three up front – Dale, Wilford and Bell. It would be a potent strike force and one which, coupled with an adaptable and increasingly cultured midfield, plus a resilient defence may just be enough to turn Dunn’s playoffs intent into actuality.
Off the pitch Friday saw the local authority handing over the keys of the new toilet facility at Croft Park to the Club. Coincidentally it was on the same day as a slightly more grandiose handing over ceremony was taking place. – the FA receiving the keys to the multi million pound Wembley stadium. Spartans fans nevertheless will be relieved to see another convenience in place as Croft Park is brought up to national Conference standards.
4th March 2007 - post Moor Green
Northamptonshire one week and Birmingham the next. Such is life on the
road in the Conference North for Blyth Spartans.
And that life is not too bad for the green and whites at the moment
with a point gained from second placed Kettering last Saturday and three
points picked up at Moor Green at the weekend. The win takes Blyth up
to ninth in the League with a pay-off place not out of the question.
On a sunny Solihull afternoon Blyth started the first half kicking up a slight slope in a deceptively blustery cross wind. The opening period saw Blyth threaten on the wings but without any real penetration although one Robbie Dale run up the left flank saw the striker breaking through and claiming a free kick on the edge of the home box but referee Geoff Law was unimpressed. Scott Bell then advanced on the opposite wing to set up on loan midfielder Phil Turnbull with an opportunity but the Hartlepool youngster could only fire wide.
It was not all Blyth though with Moor Green’s physical presence up front causing a few issues for the visiting back three. Indeed on 25 minutes both Andrew Leason and Alex Gildea had to make decisive clearances as the home side took more control of the game. Blyth goalkeeper Adam Bartlett, who flew out to Canada on Sunday for a trial with the Vancouver Whitecaps, had to block bravely at Daniel Davidson’s feet as the home forward advanced. Bartlett as in the thick of things again minutes later when his decision to charge out of his penalty box to thwart the onrushing Junior English could have been disastrous but with Williams chasing back the Moor Green player side footed past the Blyth goal when he should have done better.
If Blyth’s performance was a bit flat in the first half it was flat out at the beginning of the second. With the wind in their sails they poured forward with Dale’s trickery causing the Moor Green defence numerous problems. On 48 minutes Gildea was fouled 30 yards from the Moor Green goal. The free kick saw Chris McCabe’s effort well saved by keeper Lewis only for the ball to fall to Dale who calmly prodded the ball into the net for Blyth’s opener. The Spartans continued to dominate and Lewis had to react sharply to smother the ball at Bell’s feet as the striker’s pace saw him elude the home defence. Dale then outwitted the fullback to cross but Christian Graham just failed to connect, as the second goal was looking increasingly likely.
Indeed on 60 minutes it was playmaker Graham who got the goal which sealed the points for Blyth. The visitors beat the offside trap and Graham sidestepped Phil Midworth creating space to be able to hit a right foot shot across Lewis’s goalmouth and into the far corner of the net from 12 yards to the delight of the highly vocal travelling support. Moor Green pushed forward in an attempt to salvage something from the game and Davidson curled a shot just wide of Bartlett’s goal but it was Blyth who continued to have the upper hand and in the dying minutes a flowing move by the visitors saw Bell drive a 20 yard cross-field ball to Dale who stroked another 20 yarder back across the pitch to the advancing Turnbull whose effort was plucked out of the air by keeper Lewis. Blyth had the ball in the net again in the final minute but Gildea’s effort was offside.
After the match Spartans Manager Harry Dunn was pleased with the outcome although he had concerns with his side’s first half performance. “Whether it was the long bus journey or a bit of “after the Lord Mayor’s Show” following the Kettering fixture last week but we looked very lethargic,” he said. “The wind was a bit tricky and on the big pitch we struggled, at least initially. However I was really pleased with the second half when we played ever so well and thoroughly deserved the points “Dale and Bell did well for us again and 19 year old Phil Turnbull had another good game. We had to adjust the side a little because of Captain Peter Snowdon’s knee injury sustained in a car accident last week but we adapted nicely. “The players did well and so did our supporters who never stopped chanting throughout the second half. They really make a difference and all the players greatly appreciate them,” he added.
Dunn hopes to have his skipper back for this weekend’s home game against Worksop but the Club’s goalkeeping situation needs his further examination. With Adam Bartlett in British Colombia Dunn will play Consett-based James Platten in the Northumberland Senior Cup tie at Whitley Bay on Tuesday and intends to talk to Newcastle United about a loan deal for a keeper for next Saturday, and possibly a longer term. Meanwhile former Darlington midfielder Ritchie Hodgson who missed the Moor Green game through suspension comes to Croft Park with a strong endorsement from his previous Manager. “Ian McDonald at Farnborough rates Ritchie highly and is in no doubt he will do a job for us” commented Harry Dunn. “The lad has moved back to the north east because of his job and has a good left foot. He also gives us more strength in depth so that I should be able to rest players if needs be in the run in to the end of the season.”
Off the pitch there was excellent news from Croft Park
with funding being available to bring the ground up to national Conference
standards during the close season. This matter and others will be debated
at an Open Forum to be held in the Spartans’ Social Club on March
14th from 7.30pm. The Forum will see the official launch of a new fundraising
scheme to help pay for the improvements
20th February 2007 - Adam Bartlett
Blyth Spartans goalkeeper Adam Bartlett is aiming to follow another former Newcastle United player’s footsteps in kicking off his career in Canada.
The highly rated keeper is to go on trial at Vancouver
Whitecaps for a week in March.
A spell on Canada’s west coast helped launch Peter Beardsley’s
career which later saw him starring, not only at St. James’ Park,
but also Liverpool.
“Adam has been a class act in our first season in the Conference North” commented Blyth’s General Manager Ian Evans “and he goes on trial with our blessing. He is on a contract with us so we will just have to see how it goes but I’m sure he will enjoy his time over there.”
18th February 2007 - Post Workington
Three potentially crucial points slipped away from Blyth on Saturday and the Club slid into bottom half of Conference North. Is the possibility of promotion to the national Conference slip-sliding away and, if so, what can Manager Harry Dunn do to arrest it?
“I’ll be doing my level best” he said
resolutely “and so will my players. Promotion is still a possibility.”
His optimism is surely welcomed by Spartans fans but while Dunn’s
heart yearns for success this season his head tells him the real world
is threatening to haul back any overly ambitious dreams. “One
or two of our lads are struggling at the moment and finding it hard
going. I’ve been after several players to strengthen the team
but have been unsuccessful over recent weeks” he commented. “There
are various reasons for this. Sometimes players don’t want the
time-consuming travelling that our League sometimes demands, some want
to see out the season with their present Clubs – and I can’t
fault loyalty, and others would simply cost too much.”
Using the recent move by forward Mattie Moffat to Unibond side Gateshead Dunn stressed how he and the Club were not prepared to start the game of upping wages to sign or keep players. “If wages are driven up in any Club there is a chance that the demands for money may spiral out of control and at Blyth we are certainly not going to go down that route for the sake of short term success.”
Dunn is still on the look out for players and indeed was up early on Sunday to take in a game. “With restricted resources it is not at all easy to bring in players better than we have already” he added. On potential new additions to his squad he said “ Chris Fawcett, the right sided Ashington player, is injured at the moment and is also considering all his options while Phil Lumsden of Benfield is currently having trials with Darlington so I’m afraid there is no real progress on those fronts.”
Currently in what Dunn calls the “first slump
at the Club for 18 months” and bearing in mind he was not able
to fill his bench with substitutes for the Workington game he remains
remarkably upbeat. “We must ensure the slump does not continue.
It will be a tough game at Kettering this weekend but we have shown
this season that we play better against the bigger teams. It’s
a good set-up down there and there will be a good atmosphere.
“”I’ll also be reinforcing my thoughts to the players
that they should continue to try and play the ball around and be prepared,
in doing so, to make mistakes. This happened against Workington but
it’s the style I wanted – playing football on the ground
rather than just hoofing it forward. I told the lads that that is why
they are playing in the Conference North – because they make more
mistakes that players higher up the pyramid but that if mistakes are
made to just forget about them and get on with it.”
Dunn actually was more disappointed with his side’s second half performance against Bedlington in the Northumberland Senior Cup in midweek than Saturday’s showing. He felt that Blyth had chances to get back into the game but failed to take them.
With news expected in the next few weeks with regard
to grant aid being made available to the Spartans to upgrade Croft Park
with the national Conference in mind the season for the club is entering
a crucial phase both on and off the pitch.
10th February 2007 Show Racism the Red Card
Saturday saw the launch of the Blyth Spartans’
support for “Show Racism the Red Card”.
This national campaign, which has the support of professional clubs
and personalities like Bobby Robson and Thierry Henry, has been running
for 10 years and aims to harness the profile of football to combat racism.
As project Coordinator Ged Grebby says, ”Footballers
are role models and can help fight racist myths and prejudice. You can’t
fight racism by ignoring it and hoping it will go away, you need to
fight it through education combined with action.” He went on “We
have many Premier League Clubs behind us but the message is just as
important at the non-league level so I am delighted that the Spartans
are joining the campaign.”
7th February 2007
The latest winner in the BBC RaW sports writers’ competition has been announced.
Louise Shaw from Seaton Sluice was adjudged to have written the best match report on the Blyth Spartans match against Worcester City. Assisted by father Barrie, Louise’s entry was an excellent one according to Mark Annis from Blyth Library. “It isn’t easy to describe a football match which not only tells the reader what happened but actually makes the reader feel like he or she was actually there. Louise has done a good job and deserves her football and ticket to a forthcoming Spartans game,” he said.
The next match for which entries can be submitted is
this Saturday - 17th February.
Forms are available from Blyth Library
4th February 2007 - post Nuneaton
It was unfortunate that after the positive announcement
earlier in the week from Croft Park regarding the upgrading of the ground
that the team couldn’t deliver another good news story against
Nuneaton on Saturday.
The club refuted suggestions that the necessary seating required by
the Conference to enable the Spartans to participate in the playoffs
– should they finish in the top five, would not be in place. Three
points against their visitors from Leicestershire would have made that
possibility more likely but even after the weekend’s defeat Blyth
remain only three points from the play off zone. Taking this into account
Manager Harry Dunn was far from despondent.
“I told the lads in the dressing room after the match to think of where they’d come from – Ryton, Tow Law and Seaham and to consider that they had been up against players who have been at West Bromich Albion, Peterborough and wherever. They were disappointed but there is nothing to be disheartened about.”
“We started the game well and ideally would have liked to hang on to our one gaol advantage till halftime but poor marking allowed Nuneaton to equalise. In the second half I have to say that they were the better side and we struggled. However we are still in ninth place so they is certainly everything to play for” Dunn added.
Captain Peter Snowdon reiterated his Manager’s
disappointment with the result. “We had a good long chat afterwards
but we concentrated on the positives. We just need to be taking our
chances better. We currently have seven or eight players performing
under par and against a team like Nuneaton, who are more experienced
at this level than us, it made life difficult. “For us Robbie
Dale was excellent and he got about them really well in the first half.
Perhaps we need to get the ball to him on a more regular basis for him
to do his stuff.”
Dale certainly tormented the visitors with a series of searing runs
in the opening 45 minutes but could not keep it up in the closing stages
of the game as Nuneaton pressed forward. Centre back Snowden will miss
the Spartans games at Gainsborough this weekend and the home match with
Workington the following week due to work commitments.
The lack of strength in depth is still exercising the Manager’s mind. “I will be looking at the character of my players to bounce back from this and I will be speaking to three players this week to see if I can add extra impetus to our season. At the moment we are not good enough to really dominate games and too often it looks like we don’t have what it takes to go on to win matches.”
Dunn is keen to resist Gateshead’s interest in
forward Mattie Moffat. The Tynesiders have put in seven days notice
of approach for the former West Auckland player and are expected to
talk to him this week.
“Mattie is enjoying things with us and I hope that he will remain
at Blyth” said Dunn.
28th January 2007 - post Worcester
Football is “the beautiful game” according to one of the world’s best ever players – Pele. Blyth’s draw on Saturday against Worcester City at Croft Park was not beautiful in the usual sense of the word, and in terms of what the great Brazilian had in mind, but it had a rugged beauty which the founding fathers of the FA meeting in London for the first time in 1863 would have recognised and appreciated. It was a combative, feisty and not unskilful encounter played in blustery northern conditions on a heavy pitch by players from both sides giving their all. Indeed a real football match, somewhat removed from the cushioned sterility of some Premier League fare – and all the better for it.
“It was a bit like a Cup tie at times. There wasn’t a minute in the game when there wasn’t something happening. Another good Spartans game for the large crowd to enjoy” commented Blyth boss Harry Dunn. “We had to hang on a bit in the second half though and our goalkeeper, Adam Bartlett, made two very good saves.” Bartlett was deservedly named as the Drager Man of the Match in recognition of his decisiveness, agility and commitment. Dunn was also pleased to have defender Ben Christianson back in the team. “Ben certainly made a difference for us. He can play either at fullback or behind the central two. We’re lucky in having Ben, as well as Gareth Williams, who can play in either of those roles.
The game featured striker Mattie Moffat’s first goal for the Club following his move from Northern League side West Auckland. Dunn was pleased for him. “Yes it’s great for him to get off the mark and although he maybe could have won the game for us later on the fact that he has scored numerous goals from opportunities like that at his previous club just reflects the better quality of defending in the Conference North.” Dunn was not so pleased however with Saturday’s referee. “I don’t want to say too much but why is it that after such a good game a lot of the talk is about the man in the middle? “ Scott Bell was pulled back when through on goal in the second half and their defender should have been off” he added.
The home dressing room was a disappointed one after the game but for Dunn this shows both how far the Club has come and the direction his players are headed. “To be feeling down after a good point against a big club like Worcester indicates the extent of our self belief and pride. In addition, the doubts over the Club’s ability to get into the national Conference due to the ground improvements not yet being in place, will just give my lads more reason to push on in every game. We won’t get relegated so we may as well have a go in every match. We have nothing to lose. “I do feel however that we are playing at our maximum level at the moment and although a top five position at the end of the season is still possible, I need to find a couple of new faces to come in. Eleven players don’t win things – you need quality throughout a 17 or 18 man squad.”
The Spartans, now lying seventh in the league, host another club which is expected to be pushing for promotion this Saturday when Nuneaton visit the north east. Dunn expects defender Richard Forster, who was substituted against Worcester, to be back and is hopeful that long-term absentee Alex Gildea may be back in contention.
Dunn and his Assistant Graham Fenton received commemorative
trophies before kick off on Saturday to recognise Blyth coming out top
of “The Non League Paper” table to establish the club with
the best overall non-league record of any club in the national Conference
and Conference North and South during 2006. Blyth averaged 2.07 points
from each of their 45 games thus heading the table of 73 clubs.
The Spartans also featured in third position overall for the highest
percentage of games won – 62%.
21st January 2007 - post Hyde
Blyth’s performance last week at top of the table Droylsden was calmly assured and characterised by a solid defence, creative midfield play and fluid attacking. Blyth’s performance at Hyde on Saturday past was full of effort but the usually mean defence had, if not a day off, then certainly an off day. It wouldn’t be fair to say it was Dr. Jekyll at Droylsden and Mr. Hyde at Hyde but somewhere along the line something had changed – something was missing. And as Manager Harry Dunn suggested that wasn’t only one of his players, following the dismissal of forward Liam Gildea.
“No, playing with ten men after Gildea’s sending off wasn’t the only difficulty. Our defending was poor and we were getting caught with the long ball over the top too often. Their use of the long ball was a bit different for them as they usually like to play with it on the ground” said Dunn.
“Our first half performance was alright,” added Dunn. “Plus we had the best of the first 15 minutes of the second half but Hyde showed the difference in class in Conference North from the Unibond. Every time they attacked they looked like scoring and I have to say – their finishing was top drawer. Realistically it could have been six or seven one as in the final half hour we lost our way. “It was a bit of a wake-up call for some of my lads.”
On the sending-off Dunn had no real complaints. “Liam’s first challenge was a bit silly and he needed to keep his head after that. Actually I’m not sure if he caught their player but, either way, we must learn to keep our discipline. That tackle and the one for his second yellow card were more awkward challenges than malicious but, as I say, we must learn from that experience.”
Dunn articulated a little more as to what he thought was missing from Blyth’s performance against Hyde but also, he suggested, against most opposition. “I feel that going in to every game we are just lacking a little. It’s hard to put your finger on it but it has been recognised and must be addressed as best we can” he said. “We need more class on the bench. Our overall attitude is good as you could see at 1-4 down on Saturday we were still pushing forward whenever possible but to be thinking of any promotion, or play-off place, we need that bit extra.”
He added, “In terms of the wider picture we’re
still doing fine but we mustn’t let it slip away.” Worcester
City are the visitors on Saturday and with the Spartans lying sixth
in the League and the opposition tucked in just below an exciting match
lies in wait. “We’ve had three great games against Worcester
already this season and I see no reason why this one should be any different.”
Influential defender Ben Christianson played for 45 minutes against
Hyde and Dunn is pleased with the options his return provides. However
news of midfielder Alex Gildea’s return to fitness is less positive
with the Scarborough-based player taking much longer that originally
expected to return to action.
Former Tamworth player Joe Kendrick, who has been training with Blyth,
is understood to have signed for Durham City.
14th January 2007 - post Droylsden
Droylsden nil Blyth nil. No score, but this certainly wasn’t a
no score bore. It was a very good result for the Spartans against one
of the promotion favourites but it was as much a statement. And that
statement read – Blyth Spartans are worthy of their Conference
North status and, what’s more, well worthy of their place near
the top of it. It may not have been Blyth’s best performance of
the season but it was a telling one. It told the rest of the League
that the Northumbrians aren’t just battlers but are a highly skilled
squad as well as being full of drive and desire.
Captain Peter Snowdon said “It was a good performance but we’ve played more football in previous games. And it was an excellent pitch which is conducive to our style of play.” Typically understated he added “We were a shade disappointed really because we could have made more of our chances but – three up front worked well again for us and Droylsden’s lauded front two, Fearns and Banim, were a handful but we coped.” Observers of the game would have been a little more bullish. The Spartans were excellent.
Snowdon thinks a play-off place at the end of the season is certainly up for grabs. “There are about eight teams vying for the top five positions. I would be very very disappointed if we’re not in the top seven or eight.”
Manager Harry Dunn was asked if he thought it was Blyth’s best performance of the season. “ It was probably not far away,” he said. “We played very well and could have won the game. Looking at it we had no weak links. The front three’s movement was good and we created several chances. In terms of work rate and concentration, however, it may have been our best.”
Dunn intends to keep Dale, Moffat and Bell up front again this weekend when the Spartans again cross the M62 – this time to visit mid-table Hyde. Defender Ben Christianson and midfielder Alex Gildea are both likely to miss the game through injury although Dunn hopes to have both players back in contention very soon. Joe Kendrick, the former Newcastle left sided player, who has been released by Tamworth has been training at Croft Park with Blyth.
7th January 2007 - post Hucknall
Someone tall dark and handsome should always be a first-foot. Spartans’ Robbie Dale is certainly, at least, the first two of those so it was particularly appropriate that on the first home game of the New Year at Croft Park he brought, if not coal, a goal, to the party on Saturday.
“Robbie is a good player and was delighted with his goal” commented Blyth Manager Harry Dunn after the game. “Having said that we now have three excellent strikers – all capable of scoring goals. Scott Bell and newcomer Mattie Moffat, playing alongside Dale, are a potent strike force” he added. “I intend to stick with three up front as we aren’t the kind of side to play on the break, our instinct and strength is to push on to the opposition.” Certainly all three impressed on Saturday and Bell’s quick feet were enough to make even Billy Elliot jealous.
23-year-old Moffat signed from Northern League West Auckland played his third game for the Croft Park club against Hucknall on Saturday. “I’m settling in well at Blyth and the lads have made me very welcome” he said. “ The football is much quicker at this level and the players’ first touch is excellent but I am quite pleased with my game so far – but I could do with a goal!” A prolific scorer at his previous Club it is only a matter of time before he does just that. It is clear from his first games, however, that Moffat is not only a goal scorer he is quick, has a good first touch and is an unselfish team player.
Manager Dunn thought Saturday’s game was thoroughly good entertainment. “Yes, it was a good game. I thought they were possibly the better side in the first half but we dominated the second. Hucknall’s first goal was a cracker but I was disappointed to concede the second. The ball travelled a long way to the far post and maybe we should have dealt with it. “Our keeper Adam Bartlett is struggling with a bit of an injury at the moment but is getting treatment with us and at Newcastle. We’re very lucky to have an first class physio in Gary Neasham who has worked hard with Adam and others over the Christmas holidays to keep the squad as fit as possible.”
Dunn continued, “Either side could have nicked the three points but again it showed that we can compete at this level against good sides. We always try to keep the ball on the ground as it suits our players - especially the front three. But it isn’t always easy when the pitches are heavy.”
Next weekend sees the Spartans travel to Greater Manchester
to take on League leaders Droylsden who Dunn believes will be Champions
come May. “The game will be extremely tough but we will have a
go at them. We’ve done well away from home against other big name
clubs this season so there’s nothing to fear.” The following
Wednesday Blyth are away again, this time to neighbours Bedlington Terriers
in the Northumberland Senior Cup. Will Dunn approach this game in any
significantly different way to a League fixture? “I will give
games to some of the lads who have been on the bench recently but, in
principle, I don’t believe in teams making wholesale changes to
their starting eleven for cup ties. People come out of the house and
pay good money to see decent performances and we want to win the competition.
It was an enjoyable occasion at last year’s Final and we want
to achieve that once more. Every season we must go out wanting to win
something. Last season, and the three trophies, is now history. We must
not rest on our laurels or lose our competitive frame of mind.”
Young Football Coaches
Young people from Blyth have successfully completed their first step to becoming football coaches.
Lads from the Blyth “Midnight League”, which is supported by the Council’s Arts and Leisure Trust and GAME ON (the Coalfields regeneration Trust), passed their Junior Football Organisers course and were presented with their certificates by Blyth Manager Harry Dunn before a recent Spartans match.
Pictured are Anthony Farrer, Adam Stoker,
Phil Douglas and Ross Mcloud.
Also successful were Grant Henderson and Stephen Hardy.
