Crook Town 3-1 Seaham Red Star, Saturday 14th October 2023

Crook Town 3-1 Seaham Red Star, Northern League Division 1, The Sir Tom Cowie Millfield, att. 312

Time is nearly upon us. Or me, at least. The legals are going through and I’ll soon be moving to the Pennines. How many more Northern League games will I ever see, with a plethora of new non-league grounds to visit in the West Yorks/Greater Manchester area? Thus, I plump for an old favourite, Crook Town. It’s that or Darlington in the National League North, and their football was abysmal when I saw them a fortnight ago. It’s a no brainer, which is lucky.

Millfield is easily in my top 3 of Northern League grounds. Two sides are built into a natural hill and you can easily imagine the place holding 10,000+ as it did in the glory days of the 1950s. Presently, two sides are grassed over (did they once hold terraces?) but there’s still a large terrace behind the near goal as you enter. These days, they have picnic tables on top. Today is gloriously sunny...but also cold. Typical north-eastern, even when the sun’s out it’s chilly. Having lived down south many years, I’m there in coat and scarf. I chat to the only other scarf-wearing fan in the ground, a lady of similar age. She’d have her gloves on too, she adds, if her son hadn’t already nicked them for himself. Meantime, there are still the usual types in their shorts. What is it about these people?

To the right is grass banking. ‘Please keep off the grass’ is emblazoned on each floodlight pylon. Are they trying to legally protect themselves in case an idiot slips on the bank? As it is, the only way to the top of the bank (and therefore enjoy a better view) is to keep ON the grass. Mind, few do, as the majority of the crowd are on the terrace or in the main stand.

As the terrace swings round the pitch, the refreshment kiosk divides it and the main stand. ‘Only Foods and Sauces.’ Brilliant. It’s right up there with Ryton’s ‘The Scran Van’. Big choice too, none of which I took up. Then the Main Stand, a traditional structure with a pitched roof immaculately painted. A floodlight pokes through the roof (and impedes visibility) but who cares? They don’t make ‘em like they used to!

Today I grab a beer from the social club (near the entrance) and find an unused picnic table to perch my ale on. Before long I’m joined by a couple of others, one man and his carer (true). We chat throughout the half and it’s a genuine surprise when the ref blows the half-time whistle. Time has flown. While they go off for a tea to warm up, I circumnavigate the ground, taking care TO KEEP OFF THE GRASS. I pass the obligatory non-league dog and have a good stroke. He’s a friendly chap.

Second half, I start on the terrace under cover. I’ve nipped into the social club to visit the gents and it’s very busy. I feel like half the crowd is in here to warm up. No-one is anywhere near finishing their pint as I leave to find the teams already out. Crook, halfway up the league are hosting strugglers Seaham Red Star. Within 15 minutes it’s one-all, as Crook’s lead lasts all of 2 minutes. Time ticks by and with 3 mins left and the draw looking likely, Crook throw on The Big Man. A free kick is punted from the centre spot, The Big Man holds off a defender and hooks home. Seaham attempt to respond but are picked off on the counter for 3-1. The fans from the social club are now grouped at the back of the terrace chanting about the glory of their Crook heroes. It’s a fine way to end.

The Damage:
£7 ent
£1 programme*
£3.80 Stella Artois (pint)
= £11.80

*which I lost, probably dropped on the floor when I took my coat off to get in the car. I wouldn't mind, but the last time I was here, they'd ran out. I'll never own a Crook Town FC programme!

Seaham Red Star 7-2 Chester-le-Street Town, Tuesday 27th July 2021

Seaham Red Star 7-2 Chester-le-Street Town, Friendly, Seaham Town Park, att. c.80

Just as if a tree falls in a forest and there’s no-one there to hear it, does it make a sound…if I don’t have any physical proof of my visit to this friendly, did I attend? In my rush to leave the house, I forgot my phone, so no pics today (I’ve added one from a game last season). Still, could be worse – the other nite I forgot my phone, so I couldn’t locate Birtley’s ground, though I did come across a dog track I’d never heard of.

So, at least I knew where Seaham’s ground was and it’s one of my Northern League favourites. There’s half a terrace behind one goal with a tree laden boundary opposite. The Main Stand sits to the left of the terrace, in the terraced half, old, basic and with the requisite stanchions, while a small terrace with cover sits on the other side. Adjacent to the Main Stand lies a large pavilion containging the changing rooms. Having stood near the dugouts in the first half, a deluge near half time had me seeking the covered terrace on the other side.

Despite a high scoring game, (1st division Seaham leading Chester-le-Street 4-0 by half time, including a cracking free kick into the far top corner), my highlights were twofold; a dog had strayed into the ground and a couple of blokes, recognising it belonged to no-one, rang the number on its collar. In this (Coronavirus) age, the owner must have been a relieved man, with dognapping in predictable ascent as the demand for these 4-legged companions has gone off the scale. When the owner arrived and whistled his dog, it shot off, tail wagging like mad. (I think it was a red setter, but whatever, it was a beautiful thing).

Otherwise, it was the other red setter – the Seaham left midfielder – who amused me. Called offside from a long ball, one of his bench shouted ‘That wouldn’t have happened had you not been ginger!’ What did he mean? That he was easy to spot? Or that his gingerness was somehow related to his lack of ability in the timing of his run? One of his teammates said ‘you shouldn’t be offside from there’ (meaning he could see along the line) but perhaps if the midfielder hadn’t delayed the pass… Later, having been deprived of the ball, said midfielder was a bit miffed to be moved to left back following substitutions, and it was noticeable he didn’t look pleased as his replacement came on to score 2. Just be grateful you’re still in the team! (Easy for me to say.)

For Seaham, Northern League stalwarts since 1983, this result augurs well for the season. Red Star have never won the title, but were runners-up in 1999-2000. Maybe this will be their year, which would not be bad for a Sunday league pub side formed in 1973. For Chester-le-Street, it looks a season of struggle, and it’d be worse if they lose their centre forward, tho looked top drawer (at this level). He may have looked cumbersome, but everything stuck to him, he made runs down the channels, and scored 2. Man of the match for me, despite the hammering.

The Damage:
£4 ent
= £4

The Tunes:
Mixmag July 2005 (Gilles Peterson)

Seaham Red Star 2-6 Consett, Tuesday 15th September 2020

Seaham Red Star 2-6 Consett, Northern League Division 1, Seaham Town Park, att. 144

Welcome to ...

I’m up in the north-east for a prolonged period because my aged dad is having a few health problems.  One positive of this is that I’m able to visit places I’ve never been (Tow Law!) and watching sides I’ve never heard of (Sunderland West End anyone?)  Tonite it’s the turn of Seaham Red Star.  Dad is going to bed not long after tea these days…age?  Health?  Drugs?....and so once he’s in bed, I’m in the car and heading north-east.  (Seaham is north-east of Ferryhill.)

Everyone awaits a Seaham free kick.

Unfortunately, I don’t think Google has ever been to Seaham.  I reach the outer edges fine, before Google Maps takes me out of town and a tour of the fields.  So beware entering the postcode of the ground.  Far better sticking in ‘Seaham Red Star’.  It’s heard of them*.  I arrive 15 minutes after kick-off and park up in the rugby club next door.  There’s other cars parked there, but worryingly, a couple of gates.  These had better be open at full-time.  (One wasn’t; I got lucky - I was outside this gate.)

*despite the exotic name, they’re not named after anything vaguely political – though they may share certain views – but after the pub where they were formed in 1973.  A vintage year I’m sure you’ll all agree – I was born.  And for Sunderland fans, the last time they won anything of note.  Perhaps as a nod to the local Superclub, Seaham have come dressed as Sunderland, red and white stripes.  Anyway, from pub team to Northern League Division 1 in 15 years, which isn’t bad.

Miners' lodge banner in the clubhouse.

As I walked to the turnstile (singular) a cheer went up.  Through narrow gaps in the fence I could see the ball in the net at the far end.  Great, I’d missed a goal.  ‘Who scored?’ I asked.  ‘Seaham.  You’ve missed two other goals as well, it’s 2-1 to Consett.’  I didn’t believe the lady taking my contact details for Covid-19, so I asked the bloke who’d took my money.  Yes, it was true.  ‘Well don’t worry, I’ll soon put a stop to that.’  I did.  No more goals followed in the first half.

Inside the Main Stand.

I was recommended a trip to Seaham by the Boro fan I’d befriended at last week’s Tow Law game.  I want an old-style ground, I want terracing, I want a mish-mash of stands.  Yes, Seaham’s was perfect.  A decent sized terrace behind one goal (stretching half the length of the pitch) while opposite, no terracing, but a line of fir trees giving it an authentic enclosed look.  Also, handy for stopping those wild shots.  A small covered enclosure with terracing lay on one halfway line, while a massive clubhouse lay opposite.  I’d have liked a closer nose in as I was impressed with the copy of the old miners’ banner on the wall.  Once upon a time every mining lodge had one and I’m not too young to remember going to Durham Big Meeting under East Hetton’s banner (my grandad's pit).  

Looking towards the pitch.

Next to the clubhouse was a small stand, built in the old style with stanchions, low roof, wooden supports  and built of brick.  Although small, it was quite steep and offered a decent view were it not for my wanderlust.  I spent the first half just past the halfway line, nearest a few from Consett.  I don’t know the ambitions of either side this season, suffice to say Consett are one of the three best supported sides and as such ought to have high hopes.  They demolished Seaham.  After edging the first half, they ran away with it in the second and the score didn’t flatter them.  Mind, I had to question myself on the way home, as Radio Tees gave the score as 2-7.  I’d missed enough of the goals as it was.  Anyway, some of Consett’s one touch play was a joy to behold and totally unexpected from my ignorant knowledge of the Northern League.  Long may they ride.

Fair play to the locals too.  Although not a big crowd, every home substitution was  met with a supportive round of applause for whoever came off.  Perhaps an acknowledgement that although the ability wasn’t there, the endeavour was.

The Damage:

£6 ent
£1 Coca-Cola
= £7

The Tunes:
2^nd half commentary of Middlesbrough v Barnsley (KO 6pm) – Radio Tees

I was ere.

Anderson Shelters or Seaham dugouts?

Looking along the touchline towards the clubhouse

Goal kick in front of the impeccable nets.

The view from the entrance, looking towards the clubhouse.

Seaham Red Star clubhouse.

A small cover opposite the clubhouse.

Turnstile in club colours.