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Northern Ventures
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NVNG 94 - November 2004Win 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. ******************** Star Letter - Badge of honour Describing himself as "a serious badge collector” Mr Kirchner from Opava in the Czech Republic wrote to Synners secretary Graham Craggs in December 2003 seeking to add to his collection. Graham passed the letter to me, and a badge was despatched with our compliments. Momentous events then unfolded. Boro won the Carling Cup, qualified for the UEFA Cup and were drawn against Banik Ostrava. I was desperate to see Boro's first venture into Europe but I'd given up my season ticket because of Synners' responsibilities so stood no chance of an away leg ticket. While I wistfully looked at the Czech Republic map, the town of Opava jumped into view. It looked very close to Ostrava and I immediately remembered Mr Kirchner's letter, which fortunately I'd kept. I sought his help. After a few anxious days an airmail letter ensured I was on my way - a great example of the fraternity which exists between football supporters around the world. The moral: do someone a favour if you can, you never know what lies ahead. RAY WATTON, Billingham Synthonia Sign language How sad to read Evenwood Town managing director Ken Houlahan's letter (NVNG93) about not signing up to the offensive language charter. He ends by saying that his club didn't want to be hypocrites, but it appears to me that they didn't want to sign because they thought the initiative would fail. I know standards have been allowed to fall, but isn't it worth trying to achieve something so worthwhile that decent women and children can attend matches without having to listen to foul language? Ken would do well to remember that the glory is not in never failing but in raising yourself when you fail to try again. There are no short cuts to anywhere worth going. If Ken feels that some clubs are only paying lip service to the charter, then surely it's important for him to show how to do it properly. The Albany Northern League is the finest football institution in the country, so please make the effort to uphold its long and proud traditions. JOHN DUFFY, Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough Cred alert A recent League Cup tie I attended had eight goals, a penalty shootout and plenty to talk about. The evening and the ANL's credibility were completely ruined, however, by the personnel in both dugouts. With the exception of the home team manager they were screaming abuse and hurling insults for most of the second half and extra time. Even more surprising, the visiting manager had recently been fined and banned from the technical area for 35 days for similar behaviour. Sadly the match officials - see no evil, hear no evil - also let the League down. Now I learn that you are fining clubs for not providing match programmes. Isn't it time you got your priorities right and began banning these individuals from the League - and not giving appointments to match officials who decide not to hear abuse. Gordon Nicholson was ridiculed for such things when League secretary, but referees did as they were told or it was bye-bye. I never thought I'd say it, but come back Gordon Nic. TED ILDERTON, League vice-president, Whitley Bay Deaf ears At a recent match at Tow Law there was constant use of four letter expletives from the visiting technical area throughout the ninety minutes. The three match officials just seemed to ignore it. Even when I complained to visiting officials and to the assistant referee nearest the visitors' dug-out, no action was taken and the foul language continued. With this sort of attitude from officials, it's going to be very hard to make your campaign against offensive language a success. HARRY WILKINSON, Crook Both Harry and Ted identified the sides concerned but asked us not to include the names in NVNG. The clubs concerned have been contacted - Ed. Youth club I'm 15, a big fan of Brandon United and have just applied for membership of the Northern League Club. I think NVNG is a real bargain and a real treat for football fans. Brandon will be back. JAMIE ROBINSON, Brandon Crying sham The legacy of shamateurism could be to blame for the problems highlighted in NVNG93. Shamateurism brought fame and glory to the few, mediocrity and disappointment to many. The article on the Crook Town affair in Northern Goalfields tells it how it was - player payments had been revealed and continue to haunt us. Half time oranges on the balance sheet of some famous clubs cost more than Mexico's national debt. It covered up rule breakers and went unchecked - unfortunately I wonder if the League would be so famous without it. The payment of many mediocre footballers was allowed and many feel today's problems stem from that decision - the same thing is happening in cricket, meaning little investment in grounds for the foreseeable future. In both cases it's putting unacceptable pressure on fund raisers. Our League should go back to basics, and tell the Pyramid and the rest of the world to go and whistle. MICHAEL HOBAN, Houghton-Le-Spring Not welcome Hospitality is an integral part of our League, not only the 90 minutes of football but the crack (as you put it) after the game - so it's quite a shock when it's thrown back in your face, so to speak. After Billingham Town's FA Cup tie with Ossett Town, the visitors had disappeared by 5.15pm apparently on the instructions of their manager. If that's an example of teams in the UniBond League, then thank goodness for the Albany Northern. The following Tuesday we played Dunston Fed, were unlucky to go down 2-1, but the friendly hospitality was embraced by all throughout the evening. It made the defeat bearable. ALEX MATTHEWS, Billingham Town Car bar I used to get around as many ANL grounds as possible each season, spreading support as evenly as I was able. At the back end of last season, however, my car was twice vandalised outside grounds. That and the purchase of a new car in the summer means I daren't go home to the missus if it happens again. Now I'm restricted to public transport and to grounds close enough for her to drop me off, plus those godsend clubs like Blue Star and Thornaby where you can watch your car while watching the game. I know there is no easy answer for many clubs, but more could be done to protect our motors. Clubs like Shildon and Tow Law could provide secure parking, and I'm sure there are those who'd be prepared to pay for the privilege. Or am I the only one who's bothered about his car? ALAN PRICE, Wardley, Gateshead    |
