Alliance Analysis

I wrote this article for Peter Mann's new website, set up to promote his potential magazine, "Spirit of the North." It's well worth a look and deserves to be supported: https://sites.google.com/site/nonleague1/

The 2011/2012 Pin Point Recruitment Northern Alliance season got underway on August 13^th, with 44 of the 45 participating teams, idiosyncratically divided in to 3 divisions boasting 16, 13 and 16 teams respectively, scheduled to play. Only Newcastle University, whose constitution requires them, unlike Team Northumbria, to field a team exclusively comprised of current registered students, were allowed to defer their big kick off until term started in September. However, unseasonal downpours in mid-August meant that Hexham’s home game with debutants Whickham Lang Jacks was postponed, as was Shankhouse’s clash with Blyth Town, mainly on account of the fact the council had forgotten to mark the pitch at Northburn Leisure Centre in Cramlington. This latter postponement shows the reality of the strictures many Alliance teams are forced to endure.

Last season, 2010/2011, the Alliance had begun with 51 teams spread equally across 3 divisions, but  Amble, Whitley Bay Town, Tynemouth United, Cullercoats Custom Planet, South Shields United, Stobswood Welfare, Berwick United, Chopwell Officials Club and Newcastle British Telecom all either threw in the towel mid-season, or tendered their resignations in late May. As well as these 9 departures, none of which continued at a lower grade of football, Peterlee Town took a supposed sideways step in to the Wearside League and Alnwick Town were promoted to the Northern League. To complement the 40 teams that decided to continue with their membership, 5 new teams were admitted, all in the second division. The relatively safe bets of Alnwick Town Reserves and Bedlington Terriers A were joined by New Fordley, who are using the Willie John Sams Centre in Dudley that was home to Newcastle BT, Whickham Jang Jacks, whose home turf is Shibdon Park in Blaydon that was once home to Winlaton Hallgarth and Alston. At the Alliance AGM someone remarked that Alston was a long way to go in the winter; the response was “it’s a bloody long way to go in the summer as well.” We shall see how they cope with long journeys to Tyneside each week; perhaps Alston can model themselves on Carlisle based Northbank, who skog back and forth across the A69 for division 2 fixtures uncomplainingly. To me, they are the most heroic club in the whole Alliance set up. 

The main reason for clubs folding at this level is not economics, generally speaking, as almost all clubs don’t pay their players, don’t charge admission and find the money for the pitch hire, strips and officials fees by having raffles, whip-rounds or weekly subscriptions for all those involved. No, what causes clubs to fold is a sheer lack of numbers; sometimes players, but just as often volunteer administrators to be on the committee. Having been involved with Percy Main for 3 seasons now, I can tell you it is an exhausting but richly rewarding labour of love, though the commitment required is too much for people who seek to have a proper social life!!

At the time of writing (September 20^th), most clubs have played 7 or 8 games, as well as a couple of cup ties. In the Premier Division, the pacesetters are Carlisle City, who are the only team unbeaten, with Heaton Stannington just a point behind, having avoided defeat since the opening day when Harraby Catholic Club, another Cumbrian side of great pedigree, won at Grounsell Park in High Heaton. At the bottom, Stocksfield, who are yet to win, are becoming detached, with last season’s champions Ponteland United, surprisingly languishing in a relegation spot.

Having just missed out on promotion in the last two seasons, Amble United, currently unbeaten and 4 points clear in Division 1, seem determined to go up. Surprise packages Wallsend Town are close behind, though they went down by an amazing 8-2 scoreline at home to GosforthBbohemians last time out. At the foot of the table, Cullercoats have had a nightmare start, as have Newcastle East End, thumped 10-0 at home by the University on September 17th; both sides have won 1 game and lost every other fixture.

Division 2 is headed by the impressive Red House Farm team from the Gosforth / Kingston Park border. They have an excellent set up with many junior sides and will be looking to move up the division. Just behind them are gallant Northbank, while at the bottom Cramlington united have been beaten in every game so far. Best of luck to them in turning their fortunes round.

League football is not the be all and end all of the Alliance; cup competitions are massively important. Teams in the Alliance compete in the Kicks Leisure George Dobbins League Cup, as well as a divisional cup; from the Premier Division via the First to the Second these are known respectively as the Challenge Cup, sponsored by Kicks Leisure, the Combination Cup and the Amateur Cup, both sponsored by Pin Point Recruitment. Those who fall at the first hurdle in the League Cup are required to compete in the Alliance’s own repechage,   known as the Charity Cup. As well as this, there is the County FA competition to play in, whether that is the Cumbrian, Durham or Northumberland FA. North of the Tyne, it means the Senior Benevolent Bowl (current holders Percy Main Amateurs FC) for Premier Division sides and the Minor Cup (won in 1920 by, you’ve guessed it, Percy Main Amateurs FC) for the other teams, plus those from the feeder leagues of the Tyneside Amateur, Corinthian and North Northumberland.

By my reckoning I’ve been to 36 of the current Alliance grounds; here’s hoping I can return to tell you of my trips to Blyth Town, Heddon, Forest Hall, Red House Farm, Harton & Westoe, Hexham, North Shields Athletic, Wideopen and, most importantly, Alston, as I complete the full set.