Whitley Bay v Blyth Spartans
Posted by: nicnaim on 14 October 2006
With Newcastle not playing until Sunday, I was invited along to the biggest sporting event of the day in the North East, the battle between "The Bay" and "The Spartans".
A top crowd of 2,023, meant that the kick off was delayed by 15 minutes to let the crowd in (£6 adults). Stella in the ground club house, £2.00-2.50 depending on who served you, and a range of pies up to £1.20. The pies were filled with molten lava as you would expect, several are still in the burns unit, as they forgot to cool them down with brown sauce first.
What a top day out. More passion and interest than many a premiership game, far cheaper and considerably more insight from the crowd.
Whitley Bay had come from 1 nil down to 2-1 up, but a late equaliser from Blyth ensured a replay on Tuesday.
You do not get this much fun at Stamford Bridge or Old Trafford (or SJP for that matter!).
Nic
Posted on: 14 October 2006 by TomK
Sorry I can't resist making a completely irrelevant reply but I spent many happy holidays in Whitley Bay in the early 60s. I'd love to revisit the place but don't want to risk spoiling my childhood memories. I know the Spanish City's closed but is there enough left from that period that I'd recognise? I remember the paddling pool and showing off to the girls by climbing the rocks. There were swing boats run by an old leathery guy who used to let me play all day for free just to keep things going.
What happy memories of long gone simpler times.
Posted on: 15 October 2006 by nicnaim
Tom,
No one can take your childhood memories away, unfortunately most of the sea front area is pretty tacky and horrible these days. See
Whitley Bay regeneration.
Regards
Nic
Posted on: 15 October 2006 by Guido Fawkes
quote:
Originally posted by nicnaim:
You do not get this much fun at Stamford Bridge or Old Trafford (or SJP for that matter!).
Nic
Or Portman Road.
Posted on: 15 October 2006 by Guido Fawkes
Nic
It sounds a great day and match to see. Players who play because they love playing rather than because they are getting a fortune for it.
All the best, Rotf
Posted on: 15 October 2006 by Diccus62
quote:
Originally posted by nicnaim:
Tom,
No one can take your childhood memories away, unfortunately most of the sea front area is pretty tacky and horrible these days. See
Whitley Bay regeneration.
Regards
Nic
Nic
I think you've killed any idillic memories of Whitley Bay with that link
I havent seen the plans for the regereration of WB but has been overdue for a long time. Is it still as dodgy at Bank Holidays with the drinking culture?
As for Sunderland our 'Keano' honeymoon period is well and truly over. Back to the reality of The Championship.
Diccus
Posted on: 15 October 2006 by TomK
quote:
Originally posted by nicnaim:
Tom,
No one can take your childhood memories away, unfortunately most of the sea front area is pretty tacky and horrible these days. See
Whitley Bay regeneration.
Regards
Nic
Thanks for the link. I'd heard the place was pretty run down so perhaps it's best just to leave it as a happy memory.
Posted on: 18 October 2006 by nicnaim
Whilst looking up the result of the replay, which unfortunately I was not able to go to (too much homework), discovered this link giving a far more in depth match report of the game I went to see. You will gather this chap was equally enthusiastic!
Match report Result last night , for those who are interested, was Blyth Spartans 1 Whitley Bay 2.
After the Bolton match on Sunday, I can see a cheaper and potentially far more enjoyable experience awaits. Shame that the season ticket requires payment up front!
Nic
Posted on: 19 October 2006 by JoeH
I'm sure you have read it, but in case you haven't, Harry Pearson's 'The Far Corner' is an excellent and very funny review of a season of (mostly non-leaue) football in the North-East of England.
Posted on: 19 October 2006 by nicnaim
Joe,
You are spot on, an excellent read that was lent to me a few years ago by one of my fellow attendees at the game.
The characters he describes in the book are immediately recognizable when you go to one of these non league games.
Non league could easily become something that you get fully embroiled in. Great fun, because everyone wants to chat and talk football. Unlike some of the miserable gits that sit near me at SJP, who just want to insult players (of both sides).
My first Newcastle match was in 1974, so it is hard to break the habit, despite the lack of success. However people forget that until recently Chelsea had not won the league for 50 years. Still keeping the faith.
Regards
Nic
Posted on: 19 October 2006 by Chillkram
My dad used to take me to see non league Southall play when I was a kid in the early seventies.
Non league football was a big deal back then compared to now it seems.
I remember watching Alan Devonshire (later of West Ham), Gordon Hill (later of Man Utd) and in the eighties Les Ferdinand.
There was even a charity friendly game that George Best was due to play in (I'll leave you to guess what happened!)
This was my introduction to watching football and I loved it.
As you say, Nic, the crowd was full of characters who knew their football.
In the nineties their ground was sold to a property developer and is now a small housing estate. The club themselves don't really exist anymore.
Later, in 1972, my dad took me to see the local 'big' team, QPR, and I was hooked. Stan Bowles, Gerry Francis, Terry Venables, Phil Parkes. What a team! Their 'glory days' are now well and truly in the past, though. If we only have wait 50 years to win something again I'll be happy! (That'll be the 'league cup' in 2017, then!)
But I still remember those first games watching Southall from behind the goal, and the smell of horsesh*t wafting up from the goalmouth every time the goalkeeper dived into the mud at the feet of the onrushing forward, like they were yesterday!
Regards
Mark
