As soon as this fixture was announced, I was going to it. I’d not seen a game at West Auckland’s Darlington Road before, and what with their unique history I was determined to put that right. A famous old name in north-east non-league football, West are famed for winning the 1st World Cup – an international invitational event in Turin, where, in 1909 and 1911 a bunch of coalminers beat the likes of Juventus (1911). And not by the odd goal, either – they beat Juve 6-1!
Fast forward over a hundred years and West are playing in the annual Northern League season opener, the Cleator Cup, traditionally played between the winners of the league and league cup. Of course, this being the Age of Coronavirus, it’s slightly different. It’s the leaders of the league last season when the season was expunged (Hebburn) against the last team to win the league cup, 2 years ago, West Auckland.
I expected a busy crowd. Football fans have been denied live action for months. Indeed, the night before, Newcastle took 3,000 fans to Doncaster for a friendly. So I was disappointed at a crowd of roughly 180 (official figure: 271. Where were they all? The social club?). I wasn’t the only one, as I overheard a couple of older chaps in front of me discussing same. I thought I recognised one – it turned out to be former World Cup referee and Northern League chairman, George Courtney!
I remember nearly 40 years ago he refereed one of my games, as the school he was headmaster of (Ox Close, Spennymoor) lost to the mighty Broom Cottages (Ferryhill). Actually, I can’t remember who won, but I do recall him describing their pitch as ‘looking like Wembley’. It was, indeed, a very good pitch. Later on, my dad and I would receive complimentary tickets to games he’d referee our side Barnsley, as my dad knew his mum. Reds fans will be surprised to learn he awarded us 2 penalties in one game. I say surprised, as their view is blighted by an appalling decision not to send off John McClelland in a cup game at Dirty Leeds. George obviously hadn’t received the recent memo re: sending off the last man. Mind, we never had tickets for that game.
Darlington Road, or ‘The Wanted Stadium’ is just behind the front street and is a simple, but grand little ground. As you come through the turnstiles at one corner, a raised terrace of a couple of steps lies behind the goal. On the far side is the social club, which looked a decent size but I never went in. Adjacent is a small covered terrace and next to this is the Main Stand. Both structures were resplendent in black and amber.
The other 2 sides were enclosed, but had no terracing. Near the corner flag a mobile refreshment vehicle did brisk business. Looking at the boundary wall gave an idea of the incline of the pitch, or, as I heard one elder say ‘it slopes in 4 different directions’. This was hard to disagree with, looking at the pitch. It was a wonder the players could keep control of the ball, given the surface.
It was a good game, with Hebburn (newly promoted to the Northern Premier League Division 1 East on the back of the last 2 incomplete seasons) always edging it, despite going behind. West put in a cross and although the defender was only a yard or two away, his raised arm made a penalty decision easy. 1-0 half-time, but within 10 minutes of the second half starting, it was 1-2, the second a well struck free kick. A late goal sealed the game, pleasing the Hebburn contingent in the Main Stand who I was sat near. Let’s just say one woman made some noise!
Afterwards, George Courtney led the presentation of the trophy, wishing Hebburn all the best in their new venture, sorry to see them leave the Northern League…but there’d always be space for them should they wish to return (as often happens with these ‘ambitious’ teams). Oddly, despite being members of the Northern League since 1989, they go up having never won the league. Perhaps last season was their chance.
£6 ent
= £6
The Tunes:
BBC6 Music (Jamz Supernova / Gilles Peterson)
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