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When's the final? If they get there, I might be able to get there as I'm down south at the moment. Never been to Wembley before and no idea when Newcastle will next give me that opportunity again!

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In other Whitley Bay FC related news: -

 

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-evening-chronicle/2010/03/24/ex-whitley-bay-star-fights-devastating-illness-72703-26099646/

 

Ex-Whitley Bay star fights devastating illness

 

Mar 24 2010 by Liz Walker, Evening Chronicle

 

A FOOTBALLER has told how he could have just a few years left to live after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

 

Mark Taylor was a member of the victorious Whitley Bay FC team which lifted the FA Vase at Wembley in May last year.

 

Crowds lined the streets to welcome the stars back to their home town as the team toured the streets in an open-topped bus.

 

But the 26-year-old defender has now revealed the match was the last he will ever play as he has been given the devastating new he has the debilitating muscle-wasting disease that has an average life expectancy of two to five years.

 

Mark is facing his illness head-on and is determined to do all he can to continue to lead a normal life for as long as possible.

 

And he is continuing to inspire others off the pitch as pupils and staff at Kenton School, Newcastle, where he works as a PE teacher have launched a fundraising drive with a target of £100,000.

 

“I don’t know how long I have left,” said Mark. “It could be three years, it could be 20 years.

 

“I have basically lost the use of my right hand. I walk with a limp and my speech is starting to slur.

 

“I can’t play football any more but I am still at work. I am determined that I want to do everything I can do for as long as possible.

 

“Some people are worried that I will get upset talking about it all. But I feel better thinking I am making a difference by talking about MND and raising money for research.”

 

Mark, a former Whitley Bay High School pupil, proposed to girlfriend Faye Hopkins on Valentine’s Day and the two plan to tie the knot in July.

 

There are different types of MND and Mark has Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It is rare for people Mark’s age to get MND. His specialist said he had seen 10 people under 30 with the condition.

 

He said: “I had a hand injury and then an ankle injury that weren’t getting better. I went for tests and was referred to a neurologist and was diagnosed in January.

 

“I had an inkling before that it might be MND, I had read about the kind of symptoms I was getting, so I was at least a bit prepared.”

 

News of Mark’s condition has sparked a major fundraising drive at Kenton School.

 

Money will be split between creating a fund for Mark to help when he is no longer able to work and to help with the costs of his care and donations to the Motor Neurone Disease Unit at the RVI. Planned events so far include a quiz night, music night, bag packs in supermarkets, a Coast to Coast cycle and a walk along Hadrian’s Wall.

 

Harry Bell director of post 16 education at Kenton School and a Whitley Bay FC supporter said: “Mark is a hero in Whitley Bay. It is tragic that this has happened to such a talented lad.

 

“The next event we have is a quiz night at the Falcons Rugby Club. The 500 tickets are already sold out and we hope it will be a great night but we are still looking for raffle prizes.”

 

The Quiz night takes place on Thursday, April 1.

 

Anyone who would like to donate a prize can call Harry on 07917 056 010.

 

http://www.marktaylorfund.com/

 

http://www.whitleybayfc.com/news/index.asp?ID=1080

 

23/03/2010 - The Mark Taylor Fund

 

Mark Taylor, a winner at Wembley last season with Whitley Bay was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease earlier this year. A fund raising page has now been set up, to raise funds to help Mark fight the disease and to raise awareness.

 

The Mark Taylor Fund website has been set up by volunteers and colleagues of Mark from Kenton School.

 

Mark, who's played a vital role in both of our FA Vase victories, recently got engaged and the team joined him for his celebrations shortly before the FA Vase win at Shildon.

 

The Mark Taylor Fund website have several events planned, please visit their site regularly for further information. Online donations are not available at present but when they are added we will set up a method to donate from this site also.

 

The club are also planning a fund raising game, the 2002 FA Vase winners against the 2009 winners, the game will be either at the end of this season or pre-season for next year.

 

Bay Boss Ian Chanlder told us "All of us at Whitley were devastated to hear the news about Mark, we all remember Mark playing at Wembley back in May 2009, and to see how this disease has affect him is almost too much to bear, however we have to be positive and treat Mark as if he’s one of the boys, that’s what he wants and everyone respects that.

 

The game planned for either the end of this season or early pre-season will hopefully generate a lot of interest, I think it will as myself & Cuggs will be putting our boots on again!"

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What date's the final?

 

Sunday 9th May, same day as the last day of the Premier League.

 

Cheers.  If they get there I'll be there.  Sod's law last year - I'm based in the South atm but I'd already booked train tickets to be back in Wallsend.

 

I've been to the new Wembley for an England game and I'm really hoping the Bay get there so I can go see them.  Howay the Bay and that.

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WITHOUT TEMPTING FATE.

 

I'll try my best to sort train tickets out if (nay, WHEN) they get there. Took a shitload down last season and had a cracking day out. Much cheaper than the charabanc the club ran!

 

what kind of price was it last year mate?

 

£46rtn and i'll try keep it at that if i can. (£28u16)

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