THE INTERVIEWS 5

THE EXILED GEORDIE INTERVIEWS......................
RONNIE CROSBY
the ryhope chairman discusses the wearside quadruple

The following piece is an interview with the chairman of the Wearside League quadruple winners Ryhope Colliery Welfare. The created history by becoming only the third team in the history of the Wearside League (and the first from Wearside) to win the quadruple of Wearside League Championship, Wearside League Cup, Sunderland Shipowners Charity Cup and Monkwearmouth Charity Cup. This has only been achieved twice before in the history of the league - Newcastle Blue Star in 1983, and Marske United in 1996 the other two sides.
A history of Ryhope CW was provided as follows -

Ryhope Colliery Welfare were founded by the coalminers of Ryhope in 1892 making them after Sunderland AFC the oldest football club in Sunderland. This coincided with the formation of the Wearside League making them founder members.

Their first major honour didn’t come until 1928 when they won their first league title.

However it was in the 1960’s when the club really made it’s mark a formidable team was assembled and as a result they captured the Wearside League Title four times, in 1962, 1963, 1964 and 1966. The Monkwearmouth Charity Cup was won in 1966 and 1967. The Ship-owners Cup and the League Cup were both captured in 1964.

However probably the crowning achievement of this era was the club reaching the first round proper of the FA Cup in November 1967. After coming through four preliminary rounds including beating the then mighty Bishop Auckland 4-1 in a replay at Ryhope, the club was drawn against then 4^th division Football League side Workington at Ryhope. On a snow and frost bound pitch before a record 4,000 spectators Ryhope went down to a narrow 1-0 defeat.

A decade later in season 1977-78 under the astute leadership of manager Dick Purdy the club finished 3^rd in the league won the League Cup and remarkably captured the prestigious Durham Challenge Cup for the only time in their history.

In recent seasons under the tutelage of Chris Linstedt, a solid foundation was built and 5^th and 6^th place finishes attained in the League.

The club appointed Martin Swales as manager for season 2009/10 and immediately the move paid dividends with the club finishing runners up to Scarborough Town their highest position for 44 years and also winning the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup once again for the first time in 44 years.

However last season proved to be the most successful in the clubs history with the team making a clean sweep of all the Wearside League honours. The League, Sunderland Ship-owners Cup, the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup and the League Cup, an astonishing achievement.

The club now has aspirations to move up the pyramid and gain admission to the Northern League and with the help of Sunderland Council and other funders it is hoped that the Recreation Park ground can be brought up to standard.

The responses here were actually described by Mr Crosby on completion as being his version of 'War and Peace'.

THE EXILED GEORDIE - The obvious starting place is that of the quadruple. This has only been achieved twice previously in the history of the Wearside League, by Blue Star in 1983 and Marske United in 1996. Effectively yourselves at Ryhope are the first wearside-based team to achieve this. Describe this accomplishment and what it means on both a personal and club level?
RONNIE CROSBY - Winning the Quadruple is a fantastic achievement,unbelievable.I was always confident we'd challenge for honours this season,particularly the League but I never in my wildest dreams thought we would win all four.From a personal level it just gives you so much satisfaction seeing the club having the success and the profile you think it deserves on the local scene.

Equally as satisfying however is the achievment of Martin Swales Gary Errington and Sean butler and a fantastic group of players in making it possible.Nothing can take this away from all these lads it's there now in black and white on their CV's.

They've now made their own bit of history because for too long the club had to look back on the fantastic achievments of the sixties side and one excellent season in the seventies as the only measure of the clubs success.

EG - Is there a specific match, or moment that defined the clubs season and how it would ultimately finish?
RC - By general consensus the game away to Windscale which is one of the few I missed is the game which is recognised as kick starting our season. Ritchie Jordan scored a stunning goal early on which was ultimately voted our goal of the season and we went on to comfortably win 3-0 against strong opposition.

I would possibly argue that our game at home the previous Wednesday against a very strong Teeside side turned the corner for us.We had lost consecutive Wednesday night home games in the preceeding weeks both 1-0 against Jarrow and Hartlepool despite dominating both games we just couldn't score,particularly in the Jarrow game we just huffed and puffed without testing the keeper.The Teesside game however was totally different it was a fantastic advert for the league played at a blistering pace between two good sides and although we drew 1-1 I just think it got us going again.It was the best game I saw all season by a mile.

EG - Overall there were 25 clean sheets, close to 150 goals, from 52 matches in all competitions. Would you say that the club has found the perfect combination, was it just good luck, or both, and why?
RC - There was no luck about it,what happened was that important players who hadn't been firing on all cylinders became fit and started performing up to their usual standards.

At the back our two centre halves Greg Swansbury and Phil Hall both had fitness issues in the first half of the season,missed some games and when playing they just wern't quite 100%. Equally at the other end our leading scorer John Butler was struggling he too wasn't quite 100% fit at this time.

However as we got into the second half of the season they all simply started to look sharper which resulted in a rock solid back four clean sheets and goals at the other end. It's pretty simple really.All of the other players were fantastic but if you're struggling in those areas then the whole team struggles.

EG - Please describe each of the cup final victories - Kirbymoorside, Easington and Willington.
RC - The Kirkbymoorside Final was a great day down there.They had the whole village out and we took a couple of coaches down! As for the game well I just think we dominated it all the way through.They defended manfully and in the end had a couple of chances to pinch it including missing a penalty,but I don't think anyone could deny we deserved to win it,even though it took young Jonathan Davis to score in the last minute of extra time!

The Easington Final at our place in front of a great turnout was a different kettle of fish it could have went either way.I don't think we played particularly well but give Easington some credit for that and there were times when I thought it was going to be their day even though we were never behind in the game.

Once more we came good in extra time with a winner from all people Davie Anderson who much to my bemusement had been tossed up front,what do I know!

The Willington game was similar in many ways to the Kirkbymoorside game namely we had all of the play for 120 minutes and couldn't score.Willington to their credit in front of a great crowd gave it their all and could have won it late on but much to our relief their centre forward headed wide with an almost open goal.

We really showed our bottle in the penalty shoot out namely Jonathan Davis,James Dunne,John Butler and that man Davie Anderson again saw us through to complete a remarkable Quadruple.

EG - The only cup defeat inflicted on the club as away to Gateshead in the Durham Challenge Cup. They play some six divisions higher than yourselves and, although Ryhope lost 3-2, the Heed were ran close. Although Ryhope just fell short, what were the deciding factors from the game and any specific memories?
RC - This game to me showed our qualities against a side who would go on to win the Trophy.This was the second year running we've been knocked out by the holders after losing 3-1 away to Billingham Synthonia last season after matching them all the way.

What I remember of the Gateshead game basically is us showing a great deal of confidence to go to the International Stadium without any fear and take the game to them. There were times when we were under pressure against a good side but we coped well and what was really pleasing was our fitness levels where we lost nothing by comparison.

What was frustrating was at the point we equalised to make it 2-2 we were well on top and I could only see one winner then they broke and they scored from our point of view a very bad goal.After the game although we'd played really well I remember Martin laying in to the players for switching off and letting it slip,which was a good thing really.Why be happy to lose even against opposition of that level,when you know you've probably gifted them the winner?

EG - What are the clubs plans for and how do you for-see the upcoming 2011-12 season going?
RC - The clubs plans for the coming season and beyond are simple really,to gain admission to the Northern League. Everybody's sights we'll have to raise our game even more.

Second myself and the committee have to continue our efforts to get the ground upgraded to Northern League standards.The process is ongoing and with the help of Sunderland Council and other funders we're confident it can be achieved.

(The above piece is the work of myself, Peter Mann, writing as The Exiled Geordie. This shall not be copied or used in any other publication unless the expression permission is given myself)

THE INTERVIEWS 4

THE EXILED GEORDIE INTERVIEWS……………..

THE TURNBULL’S, STEPHEN AND PHILIP.

24 year old twins, Tyneside born and bred, the Turnbull’s are a product of the Hartlepool United Youth System. Both have had similar yet different paths, from the Dallas Cup with Pools (Stephen as captain in 2003), to both being on loan at Gateshead and then playing for the Tynesiders. But the similarities end there as their careers have diverted elsewhere, but still with the footballing tradition. Philip has been at Blyth Spartans (on loan) and York City, before spending the past three years and near 150 appearances for Gateshead helping them into the Conference National. Stephen meanwhile has had loan spells with Football League sides, Bury and Rochdale, before spending a season at Gateshead and then onto Croft Park where he’d spend the past two seasons.

Here, the twin brothers provide a brief insight into their lives as footballers on the pitch.

THE EXILED GEORDIE - Lets start by having your thoughts on the before, during and after a certain FA Trophy quarter-final match between Gateshead and Blyth Spartans this past season.

PHILIP TURNBULL – I really enjoyed everything about the Blyth game, all the interviews and everything that came with it was fun. In terms of the game we both agreed afterwards that here was a class apart with the two teams. To be honest, we battered them and never really looked in danger. They’re a good team and a good club but the differences in leagues and us being full-time were very evident. Afterwards we spoke and he congratulated me and the lads he knew from Gateshead. Occasionally I’ll bring it up when we argue.

STEPHEN TURNBULL – The quarter-final game against Gateshead was one I was desperate to play in, not just because my twin was playing but because I’d been at Gateshead previously and it hadn’t worked out. I felt like I had a point to prove to certain people. During the game I just remember being frustrated as I couldn’t really get involved much as Gateshead had so much possession. All I wanted to do was to get a 50/50 with Phil and show him who the tougher twin was!!! After the game I couldn’t do anything but hold my hands up and say the better team won. I felt however, some of our bigger players didn’t really turn up on the day which was also frustrating.

EG – Your careers have taken similar but different paths. How has that been for you both?

PT – It was good as kids always being on the same team. We were successful with every team we played in so that helps. As we have got older we’re a little bit similar to play in the same team but then again he tends to play on the left now so maybe we could. Personally I don’t like playing for the same team as coaches, managers and fans subconsciously class us as the same person, so if I make a mistake then Stephen makes a mistake. People will say we are having a nightmare when really we aren’t; we just made the one mistake but they class us as the same person. I don’t blame them for it; it’s just one of those things. But, I hope we play together again one day, but not at the moment, I’m enjoying it too much at Gateshead and don’t want anything spoiling it.

ST – Yes, both of our careers have seemed to have gone in different directions lately, but that doesn’t matter to either of us as we both like to see each other do well. When we were at Hartlepool things went in my favour and I played 40 or so league games, however, it seems Philip is doing better at the minute playing in higher league. Although I feel like I’ve done well this last year. Scoring more goals than I ever had.

EG – Hartlepool United Youths winning the Dallas Cup. What are your thoughts, looking back now, on the start of your respective careers?

PT – To be honest I’m a little bit bitter with the start of my career because I honestly know that I’m easily good enough and was easily good enough at the time to be given a better chance at Hartlepool. I only made one appearance and to be fair I think I could have achieved a lot more. I absolutely loved my time at Hartlepool though, made friends with some great people and that’s were I learned my trade in some sense. My coach in the Youth Team, Paul Stephenson, was unbelievable, and I used to love going in every day. The Dallas Cup is a long story and would take weeks if I could mention everything; it was without doubt the best experience I’ve been involved in. It was literally the best ten days of my life and to win it was amazing, but even coming third the following year was even better, we managed to get further than Aston Villa and a few other Premier League teams, it was amazing.

ST – Hartlepool United was some of the best years of my life. I’ve made friends for life during my time at that club and whilst I was there I couldn’t ask for a better youth team coach than Paul Stephenson. He was a top, top fella who was so enthusiastic to see his players do well and break into the first team. Speaking of the Dallas Cup, I could be here all day talking about the place, it was the best ten days of my life, the football was amazing and the social side of it was possibly even better. My friends still say to me now, seven years later ‘you still talking about Dallas?’ it was quite simply unbelievable. Like I say, football-wise, it was good. There was a lot of good teams out there who play different styles of football as they were from all over the world……to win it was amazing, it just summed up the whole trip really.

EG – Both of you have played for both Gateshead and Blyth at some stage of your careers, with recent years seeing both of you over the battle lines with Phil at the Heed and Stephen at Spartans. How was that on a personal level?

PT – We have both been very fortunate to represent Gateshead and Blyth, they’re both quality clubs. We both look to see how the other got on; it’s the first result I look for when I come off the pitch. We hammer each other now and again if one team gets battered and we hammered each other before the Trophy game, but to be honest, we both wish each other the best of luck and hope they’re as successful as possible.

ST – Playing for teams that don’t really like each other doesn’t really bother me and Phil. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll always want to see Blyth do well even though I’ve left, as I had two excellent years there and got on really well with the fans. However, I have a lot of friends still playing at Gateshead so to be honest I like to see them do well as they’re a northern team as well.

EG – You are both essentially midfielders. Have you always played in that position, elsewhere, or where do you feel the most comfortable?

PT – Yes, I prefer to play in midfield. When I was at Sunderland they used to play me out left which I used to dislike. Getting on the ball in midfield is what I like to contribute with, late in his career; Paul Scholes is whom I try to play like. Playing at Gateshead with Krissy Gate, compliments the life out of me because we both compliment each others game, we know each other to a tee, and he loves to get forward and I like to get on it. It does work pretty good.

ST – Yes, centre-midfield or left wing for me. However, we both started out as forwards I think and used to do quite well up there. Centre-midfield is probably where I feel most comfortable as I am able to get on the ball a lot in that position and influence the game more.

EG – What are your respective future plans?

PT – Plans for the future would be to get Gateshead into the Football League. I look at teams like Doncaster and you can see what they have done, so why can’t we? The facilities and everything at Gateshead is ready for a Football League team with Graeme Wood in charge and Brian Waits and people like that, the club is going places. We have taken massive strides over the last few years and now it’s time to kick on again and get promoted out of this league.

ST – In the future I would like to play as high as possible. I have recently finished university so I would like to back into professional football if anything came along. In the future I also hop to do a season in either America or Australia as I would like to travel the world a bit and see what other cultures and football is like.

 

(The above piece is the work of myself, Peter Mann, writing as The Exiled Geordie. This shall not be copied or used in any other publication unless the expression permission is given myself)

THE INTERVIEWS 3

THE EXILED GEORDIE INTERVIEWS........................
RAY MORTON

Ray is a gentlemen whom, with the help of numerous others, has turned Thornaby Football Club around in recent years. This was highlighted at the recent Northern League Dinner when he was awarded the Arthur Clark Memorial Trophy for his services to the regions game.
As the former Chief Inspector of Cleveland Police, Ray spent a solitary season during the mid-seventies at Arbroath in Scotland where he made his debut as a centre-forward for their Reserves against Heart of Midlothian. Prior to that he also played for Northumberland College in the Northern Alliance.
He became the manager of Norton & Stockton Ancients in 2003 having already been at the club for a number of years, and went on to join the set-up at neighbouring Thornaby FC in 2008 as manager.
Here, in a brief interview with The Exiled Geordie, Ray Morton answers several questions..............

THE EXILED GEORDIE - Thornaby stalwart, Peter Morris, recently passed away. Obviously he will be sorely missed, but what did he mean to both yourself and the football club as a whole?
RAY MORTON - The sudden death of Peter Morris was a big shock to me and everyone else as he was MR THORNABY FC. and had many more roles including secretary, treasurer, groundsman, sponsor and so much more. He kept the club going when it was in danger of folding on several occasions and I respected him for this although it is true to say that we didn't see eye to eye on everything, but what a lovely man. I felt I had to step in and help out, and in doing the secretary role I got to know how much he actually did.
We are holding a charity game in his memory on Saturday 16th July vs. Guisborough Town and will be naming the main stand after him, which is both a fitting and lasting tribute.

EG - You spent four years as manager at Norton and now the same at Thornaby. Both are Teesside clubs. However, are there many similarities and differences between the two clubs and your respective management spells?
RM - I spent 11 years at Norton commencing with their Juniors, 1996-98, where our Darren played. Then with the Norton over 40's from 1998-2002 where we won the Veterans League twice and I assembled a team of ex-professionals such as Jez Forrest (ex-Southampton), Charlie Bell (ex-Middlesbrough) and Tony Kenworthy (ex-Sheffield United), with my collecting the manager of the year in 2000. I started managing Norton in 2002-03 with Stan Cummins, who then left and then with Alan Gallafant where we managed to keep them from relegation ending in 18th place. The next three seasons then saw gradual progress  when reaching the Second Division Cup final in 2004 and finishing 6th in 2007. The following season I proceeded to take over as club chairman. I let in 2007 to seek a new challenge and went o Easington in the Wearside League for one season before joining Thornaby in May 2008. With the chance to manage again, i didn't realise the extent of the ground problems and had to get a team from scratch which we finished deservedly ibn 20th that season, but no relegation. In 2009 we reached the final of the Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup being beaten in extra-time, 3-1, by Whitehaven, but had played from half-time with ten players. Around this time, and in conjunction with the Chairman Tom Grant, and local resident Phil Genery, we hit on the idea of forming a residents group, Friends of Teesdale Park , to get lottery funding in order to refurbish both the park and the football ground , and, after lots of applications and paperwork, we got the funding in February 2011. My work on the field saw steady progress and we finished in 14th last season. In comparing the two clubs I would say that, as a Community Club, Thornaby has tremendous potential because of the wonderful setting at Teasdale Park and I look back at Norton's progress and hopefully feel I got them on the right road as they are now a good First Division side with outstanding facilities, and my friend, Mick Mulligan, has helped me with the Teesdale Park refurbishments. The similarities are that Norton made steady progress and I think that Thornaby have the potential to do the same in future years with the backing of the community.

EG - After attending a Supertramp gig instead of the Northern League's Annual Dinner, you were to be presented with the Arthur Cark Memorial Trophy at a recent Thornaby FC open day. How did this make you feel and what are/were your thought on this award?
RM - I was astounded about the award it was totally unexpected. I am humbled by the people who received the award to be in the same category, and it has made me more determined to make Thornaby a force again.  I have been supported both on and off field by the committee, members of the Friends of Teesdale Park group, and locals such as the Head of Thornaby Academy School. They all helped even though the team wasn't doing too well at first and we had relegation hanging over our heads all last season and the lottery administration does not move fast.

EG - How do you foresee the coming season for Thornaby FC both on and off the field ? And how will you go about improving on recent seasons?
RM - Off the field we have several new committee members, sponsors, and park security at the site has now been sorted , which was always a problem in the past. On the field we have several new signings, along with Neil Radigan (ex-Darlington and Scarborough) helping the team. We have also got the services of ex-Stokesely secretary and North Riding's FA Administrator, Trevor Wing, who is like a breath of fresh air to the club. A top ten finish in the league is the target, and perhaps a nice little FA Vase run as well.

(The above piece is the work of myself, Peter Mann, writing as The Exiled Geordie. This shall not be copied or used in any other publication unless the expression permission is given myself)

Bay sign another!

Chandler brings in a third.

Following on from the recent signings of Phill Bell and Lee-Paul Scroggins at Hillheads, Whitley Bay manager has been at it again, this time notching the signing of Jarrow Roofing's midfielder, Kris Hughes.
Still only 22, Kris is a player Chandler rates and said that 'he is lightening quick and very much in demand. We (Whitley Bay) are very happy to say he has agreed to join us and will bring a further attacking option to an already quality squad.'
Hughes is a former Birtley player who is able of operating anywhere in the midfeld, or up front if needed, and therefore, as Chandler said himself Hughes adds more to their arsenal, and with others still in sight, Chandler might just not stop with this one.
Concerning another Bay player, who has recently been touted as joining Cuggy, Fell and Coulson at Blyth, midfielder Darren Timmons is said 'to have seen the light and had to stay', meaning that he will be at Whitley Bay when the season kicks off in August.

The Blaydon Races

THE EXILED GEORDIE PRESENTS………….

THE BLAYDON RACES.

Probably the most famous ballad in the history of a city, The Blaydon Rcaes, today, celebrates its 149^th birthday, dating back to 1862. Its history shows it having been originally composed by a Tynesider named George Ridley. It was actually said to have been first sung, four days prior, on the 5^th June 1862, in that of John Balmbra’s Royal Music Saloon.

Today, the race is in its 30^th year, and the song itself, albeit a lightly modified version, is sung on the terraces, with some gusto, by the fans of Newcastle United Football Club, in order to rally the players on the field as they go to battle.

The Blaydon Races was re-worded, quite famously in terms of Newcastle United’s history, during the 1970-71 season. This came in the aftermath of an Inter-Cities Fairs Cup match between Newcastle and Italian giants, Internazionale of Milan. This ballad was entitled ‘The Battle of St. James’ Park’, and was composed to describe the goalless draw, and ongoing pitch battles, during the infamous first leg match in the Italians’ San Siro stadium.

Aw went to Blaydon Races,

'twas on the ninth of Joon.

Eiteen hundred an sixty two,

on a summers afternoon.

Aw tyuk the bus frae balmbras,

an she was heavy laden.

Away we went along Collingwood Street,

thats on the road to Blaydon.

O' me lads, ye shud only see us gannin.

Passin the foaks upon the road just as they were stannin.

As aw went past the Strawberry Place,

an saw all those smilin faces,

Gannin along the Scotswood Road,

to see the Blaydon Races.

We flew past Armstrong’s factory,

And up to the ‘Robin Adair,’

Just gannin doon to the railway bridge,

The bus wheel flew off there.

The lasses lost their crinolines off,

An the veils hat hide their faces.

An aw got two black eyes an ‘a,

Broken nose in gan to Blaydon Races

Repeat the Chorus.

Noo when we got to paradise,

Thor was bonny gam begun.

Thor was fower an twent on the bus, man,

How they danced an sung.

They called on me to sing a song,

Aw sung them ‘Paddy Fagan.’

Aw danced a jig an swung me twig,

That day aw went to Blaydon.

Repeat the Chorus.

When we got the wheel put on away we went agyen,

But then that had their nasses broke, they came ower hyem,

Sam went to the dispensary, an sum to Doctor Gibbs,

An sum went to the infirmary, to mend their broken ribs.

Repeat the Chorus.

We flew across the Chainbridge reet into Blaydon Town,

The bellmen he was callin there – they call im Jacky Brown,

Aw saw im talking to sum chaps, an the, he was persuading,

Te gan an Geordy Ridley’s concert in the mechanics hall at Blaydon.

Repeat the Chorus.

The rain it poured aw the day an myed the ground quite moody,

Coofy Johny had a white hat on – they war shootin ‘who stole the cuddy’

There was spine stalls as monkey shows, an aud wives selling cider,

An a chep wiv happeny roond aboot shootin ‘noome lads, for riders.’

(Repeat the Chorus to finish).

O' me lads, ye shud only see us gannin.

Passin the foaks upon the road just as they were stannin.

As aw went past the Strawberry Place,

an saw all those smilin faces,

Gannin along the Scotswood Road,

to see the Blaydon Races.

(This is also on my Toon Talk blog page, which can be found here  - http://www.fansonline.net/newcastleunited/cats.php?cat=27)

And Another One

Bay boss Ian Chandler is working hard behind the scenes to build a title-winning side at Hillheads and this was shown againg this evening with news breaking that he has again delved into the transfer pond of the Northern League.
Having signed former front-man, Phill Bell a few days ago, Chandler has raided rivals South Shields for their captain, LeePaul Scroggins. Speaking to Ian, he told me that he was again happy, saying ''we are absolutely delighted to get him. He is a great player with an eye for goal having scored over 20 last season from midfield.''
Scroggins adds himself to an impressive attacking force awhich includes the likes of Bell, as well as Chow, Kerr and Robinson, and some exciting midfield talent to boot.
No doubt there will be more to come over the coming weeks as both Chandler, and the rest of the Northern League gear up for kick off, with the Bay at home to Dunston UTS on August 13th. Between now and then though, who knows, anything can happen.

Bell rejoins the Bay

Chandler rings in Bell's Bay return.

Whitley Bay's long-standing manager, Ian Chandler, today revealed the re-signing of a former Bay star, and one of the many Vase heroes of the 2009 and 2010 campaigns. Phill Bell, the 27 year old forward returns from his sole season at Northern League rivals, Ashington FC.

The signing arrives in the aftermath of Chandler's backroom staff, Steve Cuggy and Gavin Fell, along with captain David Coulson and defender Darren Timmons, all leaving for pastures new when they recently joined Blue Square North side, Blyth Spartans. However, with several other possible signings looking more likely than that of departures, things are still rosy over at Hillheads.

Hopefully this particular signing will help ease any worries that any of the Hillheads faithful might have had, even though Chandler himself will be the first to say that he wasn't worried, even when I interviewed him for my website at the time he said “I’ve moved on already and we have been speaking to several players and hopefully will have a couple on board very soon. I always use something like this to motivate myself and the team, I hardly need to say anything everyone works hard to prove we are still the best.”

When asked about his return to Hillheads, Bell said that “it would be the only place that I would have left Ashington for. I'm looking forward to getting back amongst a lot of friends both on and off the pitch as well as hoping to contribute to further success at the club over the coming years.”

On his brief spell at Ashington he added “having joined them six weeks into last season, I throroughly enjoyed my spell at the club. They have an excellent setup, a good management team and a good nucleus of players which, if they manage to keep them together, and with the club's infrastructure as a whole, then they can start challenging for a top three or four finish in the next couple of seasons.”

However, he will be making up for lost time, especially as the Bay have won a third FA Vase, something which Bell wasn't a part of last season “I was a bit jealous” he said, “ who wouldn't be when they were playing at Wembley. However, having been there the two previous seasons I was their biggest fan on the day and was both desperate and pleased for them to win. They are good friends and they deserved it.”

On the re-signing of Bell, Chandler was happy in saying that “I'm absolutely delighted. He is a top player and an even better person who will, and does fit into our changing rooms. He'll be better than ever this season.”

(The above piece is the work of myself, Peter Mann, writing as The Exiled Geordie. This shall not be copied or used in any other publication unless the expression permission is given myself)