I’d like to
take this opportunity to welcome all players, officials and supporters of Ellington
FC and Stobswood Welfare FC to the first of our 2017/2018 Tyneside Amateur
League finals, which also marks the end of our season. I’d also like to extend
a warm welcome to any players, officials or supporters of other Tyneside
Amateur League clubs and indeed to everyone who is here today to watch the
Tyneside Amateur Challenge Shield. It seems ironic that the word Tyneside is
being bandied about when both of our participating teams come from England’s
border county, Northumberland.
The campaign
just ending has been a fraught one, with atrocious weather hampering every team
in the league; even those with the benefit of 4G pitches as the phrase “All
Weather” is something of a misnomer when there’s 6 inches of snow on the
ground. However, we’ve made it to the end of the campaign and the two sides
with the best playing records face off against each other, possibly to win the
double or to find a trophy to mark the end of a season of hard work.
Unfortunately print deadlines mean I’m unable to congratulate or commiserate
the two sides who sit at the top of the Tyneside amateur League at the time we
go to print. Therefore, I must state;
may the best team win!
I am particularly
pleased that the game is being played at Sam Smith’s Park, the home of my
beloved Newcastle Benfield FC. Consequently, I must pay sincere and humble
gratitude to Chairman Jimmy Rowe, who has allowed us to use the ground for both
end of season showcase events. In addition, thanks go to the rest of the
Benfield committee and volunteers for all their hard work today and throughout
the season: cheers to Stan, Dave, Allan, Alan, Ian, Graham, Tommy, Gary, the
lasses from Snack Attack and the
incomparable Johnny Innes. If you could put a few quid Benfield’s way by
getting a couple of hot drinks and a burger that would be great. If you fancy
hanging around at full time (remember, unlike the Northern League we still have
extra time in cup ties, if necessary) to celebrate with the winners or
commiserate with the runners-up, that would be even better.
While the
eyes of North East non-league will be on Wembley tomorrow, where Stockton Town
travel in expectation rather than hope against Thatcham Town in the FA Vase
final, we at the Tyneside Amateur League have plenty of reasons for optimism
about the future. On Wednesday we will be here again for the final of the
Neville Cowey Cup, when Stobswood will again participate; this time against
Jesmond FC. Kick off is 7pm, admission is £2 and a competitive game is assured.
Please join us, if you can. We think we
run a cracking local league and we hope you enjoy what is on offer here today.
Even more, we hope you can return next season to see games at our level. Indeed,
if you find yourself at a loose end, every single club would welcome volunteer
helpers.
I’d like to
take this opportunity to welcome all players, officials and supporters of Jesmond
FC and Stobswood Welfare FC to the second and final of our 2017/2018 Tyneside
Amateur League finals; the Neville Cowey Cup, which also marks the end of our
season. I’d also like to extend a warm welcome to any players, officials or
supporters of other Tyneside Amateur League clubs and indeed to everyone who is
here tonight to watch the game. If it is half as good as Stobswood’s 2-1
triumph over Ellington in the Tyneside Amateur Challenge Shield final on
Saturday just gone, then it will be a game well worth watching.
The league campaign
just ending has been a fraught one, with atrocious weather hampering every team
in the league; even those with the benefit of 4G pitches as the phrase “All
Weather” is something of a misnomer when there’s 6 inches of snow on the
ground. However, we’ve made it to the end of the campaign. We are now able to
publicly congratulate both Ellington and Stobswood, who have been accepted into
the Northern Alliance. It is of immense satisfaction to all of us on the TAL
committee when a team moves upwards in the non-league pyramid, as the
meritocratic sporting principle should be adhered to at all times. Ellington
and Stobswood were the two sides with the best playing records in our league.
Unfortunately, Stobswood fielded an ineligible player during their end of the
season and so sadly endured a points deduction that handed Ellington the title.
This is an unhappy and unsatisfactory situation for everyone concerned, but we
were left with no choice. Behind those two, Haltwhistle Jubilee finished third
and commendably fought all the way to the final of the Northumberland FA Minor
Cup in their first season as a Saturday team. The other team in action tonight,
Jesmond FC, finished fourth and will be desperate to add some silverware to
their creditable season. Jesmond also have the stated ambition of moving
upwards to the Northern Alliance; we wish them well in their future endeavours.
As regards this evening, I have to
remain completely neutral. Therefore, I must state; may the best team win!
I am
particularly pleased that the game is being played at Sam Smith’s Park, the
home of my beloved Newcastle Benfield FC. Consequently, I must pay sincere and
humble gratitude to Chairman Jimmy Rowe, who has allowed us to use the ground
for both end of season showcase events. In addition, thanks go to the rest of
the Benfield committee and volunteers for all their hard work today and
throughout the season: cheers to Stan, Dave, Allan, Alan, Ian, Graham, Tommy,
Gary, the lasses from Snack Attack
and the incomparable Johnny Innes. If you could put a few quid Benfield’s way
by getting a couple of hot drinks and a burger that would be great. If you
fancy hanging around at full time (remember, unlike the Northern League we
still have extra time in cup ties, if necessary) to celebrate with the winners
or commiserate with the runners-up, that would be even better. I’m sure there
will be plenty of buffet to go around.
To conclude,
we think we run a cracking local league and we hope you enjoy what is on offer
here this evening. Even more, we hope you can return next season to see games
at our level. Indeed, if you find yourself at a loose end, every single club
would welcome volunteer helpers.
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