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Crumpy Gunt

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I think Shields have the potential to make a go of getting into the Conference. Spartans ambition seems to be to remain in the Conference North, unfortunately. Seems little intent at boardroom level to push for promotion. :(

 

Blyth lost £150k last year which was filled by the chairman. The gates are just not high enough to go up- in fact they are towards the bottom of the NLN. There is certainly more the club could do to boost gates, but I always get riled up when the guys who have footed the bill with their own cash are accused of not spending because they are unambitious. Until a lot more people start turning up every week (not just after a couple of good wins or on sunny days) then NLN is as far as the club can go.

 

They're averaging 700 as a struggling team which isn't too bad and makes them 14th best supported out of the 22 teams in the league. Obviously if they were doing better or were even promoted crowds would increase but even as things are they are only getting around 150 less than Gateshead who have been competitive in the Conference National for a good few years and is more than Gateshead were getting when they were playing at that level.

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Versus the last 20 years or so the crowds are good- but it's clearly not enough to keep a side at the upper end of that level of football. Geography plays a part as well as the fact there are more ex-FL sides at that level than ever before.

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Versus the last 20 years or so the crowds are good- but it's clearly not enough to keep a side at the upper end of that level of football. Geography plays a part as well as the fact there are more ex-FL sides at that level than ever before.

 

Some big clubs in the Conference these days, the vast majority professional, but Blyth could easily attract 1k+ in that league. It's a decent sized town and they also draw plenty of support from Cramlington, Ashington and Bedlington. They don't suffer when NUFC play at home as much as Gateshead do either.

 

As you say though Geography does play a massive part and they still lose players to NL clubs because of the travelling.

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I think South Shields getting into the Conference North, would help the likes of Blyth (certainly when it comes to travelling!) Will have to hope that Morpeth and Marske keep progressing too.

 

Alan Armstrong has built a fairly young side at Blyth, with the exception of the mecurial Robbie Dale. Hopefully the side can and will only get better. Leamington at home, on Saturday. I've got the bairn this weekend - might see if she fancies going again.

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The NE needs clubs at the different levels of the pyramid- it keeps players in the area who want to progress and also attracts those coming home after pro / youth stints elsewhere. It's good to see them all doing well in the Evo prem / east.

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The NE needs clubs at the different levels of the pyramid- it keeps players in the area who want to progress and also attracts those coming home after pro / youth stints elsewhere. It's good to see them all doing well in the Evo prem / east.

 

This 100%. Now that promotion is compulsory from the NL to the Evo Stik league more teams from this area are going to be playing higher up the ladder in the seasons ahead. It's difficult for the likes of Morpeth and Marske at the moment regarding travel and even worse for South Shields who have a ridiculous amount of travelling (more than Blyth in the league above) but the more NE clubs working their way up the pyramid the more local games there will be higher up.

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Big test for Hebburn in the Vase – cracker of a tie at home to City of Liverpool! Both teams are joint 2nd favourites to win it! They’re expecting to bring between 250 and 300 and it falls on international weekend so it should be a record crowd!

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Harrogate Railway managed a draw yesterday. Were undone by an amazing free kick from 25 yards. New manager in the seat now. First one lasted 4 games. Best thing is one of the strikers is barely 5ft 2 and watching him dance round lumps of defenders is class.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Dunston were the lowest ranked club in the 3rd qualifiers too. Amazing result.

 

EDIT: home to the Heed next round.

 

Blyth at home to York too. Couple of bumper pay days for them both.

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