A famous old non-league name has returned to the Northern League this season: Newcastle Blue Star. Having reformed in 2018, the former FA Vase winners (1978) last season won the Northern Alliance and thereby gained promotion back to where they’ve mostly been. The original side went out of business in 2009 following an inability to pay off a loan intended to pay for improvements to former ground The Wheatsheaf, though the extra travelling costs associated with playing in the Northern Premier League can’t have helped. However, the current incarnation are thriving.
Having re-formed, Blue Star now have a fantastic home in Scotswood, one of the best grounds in the Northern League. Two stands of seating, actual terracing and a giant marquee housing a bar and outside picnic tables. One corner even offers balcony views with clever use of the containers parked underneath. No wonder they’re getting crowds in excess of 200 in the second division…and I can only see them increasing.
The branding also helps. It’s black and white stripes everywhere, as Scotswood is in the heart of the west end of Newcastle (not that my satnav found it very easily, re-routing me back onto the A1 and forcing me to double back, having come from the south). The club badge is reminiscent of The Magpies last great renaissance under Kevin Keegan’s playership, the black and white stripes forming the background to the iconic blue star, showing a silhouette of Newcastle, including the Tyne Bridge. Newcastle Blue Star (the team) have an identikit kit and there were shirts everywhere. There is no doubting their supporters’ true allegiance…over half the answers in the match programme alluded to Newcastle United. Still, I’ll not bear a grudge.
Tonight’s opponents, Chester-le-Street United, are also an interesting proposition, all students of the Park View Academy and thus all 19 years old or younger. They’re obviously well coached, with superb passing moves, but, as befits a young side, they lack the physicality and the nouse of old pros...and Blue Star maybe have half a dozen of those, including a centre half who knows exactly where to position himself to break down the youngster’s moves. Thus, a promising start (the visitors took the lead with a direct free kick, passionately celebrated) eneded with a 3-1 defeat as promotion chasing Blue Star took control in the second half.
Having missed kick-off (see earlier satnav issues) I parked up next to the ground. As you enter the through the turnstile, you’re met with a programme hut and refreshment kiosk. To the right is a massive marquee housing the bar. Again, there’s no doubt who the reak team around here is, as ‘UNITED’ is written in huge letters in front of the big screen. Tho hang on...who’s that on telly? It’s Man United, playing Crystal Palace in the league cup. Nobody is watching. I await my turn, some kids wanting sweets, and grab a San Miguel for the action.
I’ve missed no goals and take a pew under the balcony. How does one get up there? (I figure this out second half, as I pass a staircase). A la Hebburn...and South Shields...a great view. However, most of the crowd...and the buzz...is outside the marquee, as numerous picnic tables afford a view from the halfway line. I perch my beer on the safety barrier and watch and entertaining first half, United (!?) taking a surprise lead with that free kick.
At half time I start a leisurely stroll around the environs. After the picnic tables there are toilets…then a small stand of 2 or 3 rows of seating. Continuing stanchions along this side perhaps hint at extensions to come. Big plans! Behind the goal, there is no terracing and the perimeter fence is tight to the touchline. This continues around to the far side where The Alan Smith Stand dominates the halfway line, 6 rows or so of seating in a dark, atmospheric enclosure. The dugouts are either side of this stand, thus considerably into either half. The other side of this stand has a small (metal) terrace, very sparsely populated tonite, before I reached behind the goal...and more stanchions perhaps awaiting ground improvements, before reaching the balcony corner again. All in all, a really, really smart ground with the potential for further improvement. Behind the Alan Smith Stand meantime is another beautifully enclosed football pitch. All, in all, a really pleasurable place to see football...even if one doesn’t care much for Newcastle United.
And what did I see? A second direct free kick scored, kids having a kickabout right behind the net (is that allowed?) and the United keeper fumbling in the 3rd from a cross. Oh, and it was far easier going home...I ignored the satnav to find myself ‘gannin’ along the Scotswood Road’. Though sadly, there’s no Blaydon Races anymore.
The Damage:
£5 ent
£2 programme
£4 San Miguel (pint)
= £11
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