16
A CLUB TO BE PROUD OF?
Thirdly, and most importantly in my
eyes, we’ve got a wonderful history of
non-league football on Tyneside, with
the second oldest competition in the
world, the Northern League, more than
adequately represented by Newcastle
based clubs. My beloved Heaton
Stannington, currently 6th in Division
2 of the Northern League, is the fourth
most senior club in Newcastle. I see no
contradiction inherent in following
Heaton Stannington, while fighting
passionately to ensure the future of
Newcastle United.
On Saturday 1st February, the
interminable rain of the previous few
days meant Heaton Stannington’s away
game against Stokesley was called off
around 10.00. I had been offered a
ticket for SJP, but it was completely off
the agenda as far as I was concerned,
as I was heading for my back up plan;
Newcastle’s second most senior team,
Benfield away to Consett in the
Northern League first division.
Travelling by bus, I spent
some time traversing town while the
derby to be proud of was unfolding;
Borini gave them the lead when I
stepped off the 38 on John Dobson
Street and I climbed aboard the 46
outside the Central Station as Johnson
doubled their advantage. Town was
disturbingly quiet; as it must have been
during World War I, the streets were
almost denuded of able bodied men
between 20 and 50. The bus, other than
the driver and an old punk in a too-tight
Buzzcocks t-shirt, was entirely
populated by women who had been or
were going shopping. The Metro
Centre interchange saw an exchange of
consumerists, including the baffling
sight of an elderly lady in a Newcastle
United scarf and overcoat, clutching
two bulging Sports Direct bags; during
a game. Against Sunderland; some
things just confuse and bemuse me
beyond all reason.
As it became more obvious that
Newcastle United could find no way
back against Poyet’s team of quiet,
sincere grafters on the pitch and would
have to cede local bragging rights to
the intelligent, reasonable, articulate
lads showing discipline, discretion and
good judgement off it, who represented
Sunderland, I averted my eyes from
twitter updates on my phone and took
in the charming, inviting scenery of the
Derwent Way. I really have no idea
where I was when the third went in, as
my arrival at Consett FC coincided
with the full time whistle.
A wind with teeth and
sharpened, horizontal rain accompanied
my walk to Belle View, the new home
of The Steelmen, for the first time. I
had been to