Having already been to Crook once this season (albeit a friendly) it was nice to come for pure enjoyment rather than the priority being a groundhop. Millfield is a glorious Northern League ground, and while it’s heyday of thousands may be long gone, Crook still get relatively healthy crowds in the Northern League. As of last Saturday, they had the 7th highest average, 318 (Consett currently have the highest, 543).
Tonight’s visitors, North Shields, are the 4th best supported (358) and brought a number this evening. Oftentimes, you’d be hard fetched to know in the Northern League if there are any away fans in the ground, but Shields fans appeared to take over the Main Stand…or were they just more vociferous in nature? Most of the Crook contingent stood on the covered terrace adjacent, and the general hubbub meant an excellent atmosphere. The vast majority of the crowd, 365, or one for every day of the year, was on this side of the pitch. The wind was up and there was rain in the air, though it mostly held off.
Opposite and behind the goal to the left are grass banks. A couple of teenagers idled behind one goal while perhaps a dozen elders camped on the far touchline. Behind the goal at the turnstile end is probably the biggest terrace left in the Northern League (alongside its covered neighbour) and it was here I stood to take a phone call….and witness the Shields’ equaliser, a flick on from a free kick. This tidily cancelled out Crook’s opener, another header from a free kick.
Half-time came, and I stood in a queue at the ‘Only fools and sauces’ refreshment hut. If only I didn’t detest cheese, the allure of a ‘Black and amber burger’ woulda been tempting…burger, black pudding, bacon and cheese. Yours for four-fifty. Instead, I waited 10 mins for a cuppa, the queue barely moved and I gave up as the players were back out on the pitch. A cosy alternative would have been to have a pint in the social club, but my snobbishness with regard to beer found me wanting.
Another want was a programme. I hung back at the entrance, to take a photo…and missed out on the last programme. Oh well. ‘Apparently you can pick one up online.’ Cheers, but my determination doesn’t stretch that far. Still, though, I did meet a dog dressed in his (black and amber) scarf, and yes, he is a season ticket holder. He didn’t speak for himself, I should add, the bloke attached to his lead told me. You can’t beat a dog bearing the team’s colours at a non-league game.
The second half was a non-event in terms of a competition, as Shields strolled to a 4-1 victory and Crook never threatening. While this leaves Crook firmly ensconced in midtable, Shields are up to 3rd and could yet challenge for the league. Mind, promotion is compulsory these days (or else they’re demoted 2 divisions…to the Northern League 2nd division). Do Shields WANT promotion? I dunno. But I know plenty that don’t, added costs an’ all.
The Damage:
£6 ent
= £6
The Tunes:
Tunes 2011-2019 (Burial)
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