Football Focus ISSUE 82 | Page 27

Newcastle Benfield Newcastle Benfield FOOTBALL CLUB The early part of the 2018/2019 season saw a change in management for Newcastle Benfield FC and with Tom Wade now in charge they are looking to push on in 2019. Football Focus Magazine recently caught up with Club Representative Ian Cusack to find out more about their plans. The Role “I regard being involved with a club that I love with every fibre of my being as an absolute honour. I am proud beyond words to have this role and would love to do it for as long as I’m needed. Everything to do with editing the programme brings me rewards; even the challenges involving deadlines, such as six home games in twenty-one days at the end of 2017/2018, are positive experiences.” Youth “Youth football is essential to us. Benfield has a proud reputation for junior football sides, both boys and girls from U8s upwards. We try to involve the youngsters from He told us, “Speaking personally, I first became a supporter of Benfield in September 2003, which was the start of the club’s first season in the Northern League. Back then I was still a Newcastle United season ticket holder, but because of some game or other being moved for Sky, I had a spare Saturday, so I took a wander down to my nearest Northern League side and saw a thumping 4-1 win over Thornaby in the FA Vase. The game was great; the welcome warm and genuine, so a bond was formed. After about a decade as a fan, I then stepped up to become programme editor. I’ve not regretted it for one second.” Expectations were high at the start of the season, as we’d signed a raft of excellent players to complement the vast majority of last season’s squad. Sadly, things didn’t gel, for whatever reason. We simply couldn’t score enough goals and suffered several narrow defeats. Previous boss Mark Convery and his assistant Craig Heward, who’d done a great job for three years, simply felt they couldn’t take the club any further and left in early October. Since then, Tom has come in with his assistant Ross McKay and our fortunes have turned around. Of course, we’re deeply grateful to Mark and were sad to see him go.” Involvement Present “We have a superb squad of lads, blending experience, youth, craft, guile and skill. The manager, Tom Wade, is an experienced and astute tactician who shows every indication of taking the club not just forward, but onwards and upwards. Studio 12 is a specialty Coffee shop and Art space designed to help grow the skills of people in recovery from addictions. Artisan food, locally sourced and made fresh daily. Our art gallery supports local artists and inspiring creativity and positivity in the community. @studio12ne For any enquiries please email us at the below [email protected] Arch 12, Forth Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 3NZ www.footballfocusmag.com 27