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Northern Ventures
2005-2006

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NVNG 101

NVNG 101 - Christmas Edition 2005

Win a dinner for two with wine: the writer of the best letter in every issue in NVNG will receive a meal for two in the award winning Silver Buckles brasserie at the Whitworth Hall Hotel, near Spennymoor, County Durham. 

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Star Letter - Fair to middling

At times, as you know, I can be quietly critical of match officials. I feel it only fair, therefore, to give praise when it's due. All six officials in our last two games, away at Consett and home to Peterlee, have been excellent, particularly the men in the middle.

Tony Young from Blyth was in charge of the Peterlee match and was "miked up" for a television programme. I was a bit wary of how it would affect his performance, but he handled things very well.

Paul Davison was in charge at Consett and very impressive. He looks destined for bigger things and even managed to give me a right bollocking without trying to make me feel like a school kid. Long may it continue.

TONY HARRISON, Manager, Prudhoe Town FC

Youthful fling

Full marks to all concerned for NVNG100, dedicated to Steve Tierney, and I found the facsimile first edition from 1989 absolutely fascinating - a marvellous read for nowt. That was my first Northern League season, at Spennymoor, and the names in the Skol Northern League XI took me back to scarier times, playing against some of them. I'd previously played in the Banks Group Northern Youth League, which Spennymoor won in 1988.

Can you answer one of the quiz questions in issue one about the biggest winning score in the Banks League? I remember Spennymoor putting nine or ten past Whitby in 1988 and wondered if that was the answer - I scored a first half hat-trick and then went back to centre half in the second.

LES DIXON, Whickham FC

Sponsored by H J Banks and Co, who still pay for an advert in NVNG, the Northern Youth League ran from 1987-94. The highest score came on the first day, September 5 1987, when Billingham Synthonia overwhelmed Evenwood 22-0. Ian Grey hit eight - Ed.

Steve Tierney

Words cannot express the very sad loss of our son Steve, but we would all like to thank you for the tributes in NVNG100. It gave us a lot of comfort, and more tears.

He was a true character, as you must know by the wonderful response of those who knew him. Thanks again, and God bless.

CHRIS and MARGARET TIERNEY, DOTTIE and family, Hartlepool

Lost cause

Packing for a forthcoming house move stopped the moment that NVNG100 and the facsimile first edition arrived. They were totally engrossing. Congratulations on a great milestone - NVNG is the best football mag bar none and 100 not out special in any sport. The facsimile was a big bonus, full of interesting reading.

May I also offer a special mention to Martin Haworth for Northern Wisdom, the Northern League Club magazine, and for that invaluable grounds guide he produces. Perhaps those players who get lost on the way to matches should be enrolled as Club members forthwith.

KEN LYONS, Stockton-on-Tees

Quid's in

As the Quakers were away, I took in the Vase tie on October 22 between Darlington RA and Dunston Fed - a typical cup tie with 22 players giving their utmost.

The crowd of 300 or so included a number of colleagues from my sadly distant playing days. Being a good Yorkshireman, I also appreciate a bargain and that afternoon I certainly got one.

Admission for a pensioner was £1, £2 for full adults, and I'd defy anyone to suppose that it wasn't value for money - hardly worth climbing over the fence, even if I were still capable of doing so.

These teams in leagues like the ANL deserve decent crowds. I'd urge anyone with a couple of spare hours on a Saturday afternoon to give it a go.

ALF HUTCHINSON, Darlington

Hop talk

Despite having my car stolen on the first Northern League ground hop in 1992, I was wondering if there was any chance of your considering running another one, so we can catch up on the new grounds in the North.

Truly it was the original and best. (Note to ed, always include flattery). I have great memories of the Northern hops and while I can't promise that my son, who's 23 now, will be as enthusiastic about attending, I'm darn sure that there'd still be a tremendous turnout.

MIKE BUTLER, by email

Maybe in 2006-07. Anyone know if any other Hops are planned that Easter? - Ed.

On song

Following Seaham's example with Telstar, you asked in NVNG100 for suggestions of other pieces of music to which ANL teams might run out.

Bedlington would surely like Hound Dog by Elvis while Tow Law might prefer Working Down the Coal Mine after their recent pitch problems.

Given their towns' railway history, both Shildon and Darlington RA might find The Locomotion suitable.

For those teams contemplating leaving the ANL for pastures new, there seems no shortage of possibilities. Classics like "Long and Winding Road" and "Baby You Can Drive My Car" spring to mind but my own favourite would be “Trains and Boats and Planes”. They'll see plenty of those.

MARTIN BIRTLE, Billingham, Cleveland

Scoot's honour

The extraordinary thing about turning up at a new non-league ground is the suspicion it arouses among the locals.

On my first visit to Seaham Red Star recently, I was twice asked if I was a "Scoot". The penny finally dropped, a talent Scoot. A similar thing happened watching Kildare County, in Ireland, when I was asked if I was "watching anyone in particular."

Friends tell me it's my new coat, purchased for a modest £25 at Asda, which has been described as being in the style of Big Ron Atkinson, I presume.

ROSS BREWSTER, Carlisle, Cumbria

Clip joint

Probably you'd claim that it's another Northern League first, but did you really have to use an image of a beer pump clip - for Amos Ale - to top the Ed Lines page in NVNG100?

Though I've not yet had the pleasure of trying it, I'm sure it's very drinkable. The problem wasn't the beer it was the milk on my cornflakes, which turned sour at the sight.

The picture now stands on the mantelpiece, to keep the bairns away from the fire. As probably they say about the Arngrove Northern League chairman, the old ones are the best.

RICHARD CLARKSON, Gateshead

Fed best

I feel compelled to write following Seaham Red Star's Durham Challenge Cup game with Dunston Federation. The ANL rightly prides itself in being family orientated, and this was epitomised by officials, committee, players and supporters of the Fed.

It was a real pleasure to play host to them - before, during and after the game. All of us at Seaham enjoyed the crack of a great bunch of people. We hope it won't be too long before we meet on a more regular basis.

JOHN SMITH, Secretary, Seaham Red Star