Having lived down south for many a year and being accused of being a Geordie, it was nice to be back amongst solid Durham folk today…chanting ‘you’re just a soft f***ing Geordie’ at the Spartans centre half with a tendency to go down in the 2nd half. Yes, Darlo were on the road and over the ancient boundary of the Tyne and into Northumberland…where their folk problies don’t like being called Geordies either (Blyth not being Tyneside).
Darlington were/are my 2nd team. If I’m not sure of the tense, I’ve lived in London a quarter of a century and Dulwich Hamlet are my local team, while I also see Clapton CFC wherever possible. Back in the day, I used to love a trip to Feethams (still the best Football League ground EVER), if only to put a sense of perspective into following a mid-2nd division side (Barnsley). However bad the football was at Oakwell, it was worse in the 4th division at Feethams. These days, Darlo can only dream of the 4th division (and Feethams). Having gone out of business and been revived by the fans, it’s been a hard slog. The George Reynolds’ white elephant of the Darlington Arena has been bequeathed to local rugger buggers Mowden Park (how can they afford to run it if the football club can’t???) while Darlo are now sharing a virtual park pitch with the other rugby team on the edge of town. Could be worse, and it was – they could still be playing 8 miles away in Bishop Auckland.
Blyth Spartans, meantime, have never played at a higher level. Their highlight was a cup run in 77/78, a 5th round replay defeat against Wrexham in front of 42,000 at St. James’ Park. These days there’s pride in having 4-figure crowds in each of their 3 home games and today was no exception – over 1,500 there today, including around 250 away fans. Croft Park is an excellent venue for this level too. A tall, if squat Main Stand straddled the halfway line and there weren’t many seats left there. Behind both goals stood steep terraces of about 8 steps, with cover helping the atmosphere. Opposite the Main Stand is a larger terrace which tapers off at each side, while some kids stood on a hillock just outside. Why pay when you can see both ends for free? (I don’t know if it was good or bad to see a couple of them wearing their Spartans green and white striped shirts, considering they were depriving their club of a few extra pennies. I’ll go with good. Replica shirts aren’t cheap.)
For Darlo, they’re on their way back (sort of). National League North, or division 6. But 3 matches in, 3 defeats. And it was obvious to see why today, with a static defence stood staring while 2 crosses from Blyth brought 2 free headers. 2-0, but a lifeline for Darlo before half time when a turn and left footed shot hit the far corner. Further hope was the half time substitution of centre half Lexus Beedon, less a footballer and more a character from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. On came ex-Blyth winger Jarrett Rivers and the Quakers gained their reward for 2nd half domination when another sub, Andrew Nelson, forced home on the rebound after his header came off the bar.
Previously, I’d been enjoying the gallows humour of the fans. Inbetween telling Blyth their support wasn’t much to write home about (I’m paraphrasing), the home side woke up when they went one up. ‘Sacked in the morning’ they taunted former Spartans manager Alan Armstrong, to which the Darlo reply came ‘You’re nothing special, we lose every week.’ Factually true thus far this season, but possibly not what the players want to hear. At 2-0, it was a round of ‘we’re f***ing s***, we’re f***ing s***, we’re f***ing s***’ followed by ‘how s*** must you be, it’s only 2-0’. We are 4 games into the season, but if ever a quote summed up what it’s like to support none of the Big 6, it was the Darlo fan arguing with his mate. ‘I hate Darlo and I support them.’
The Damage:
£12 ent
£2 programme
= £14
The Tunes:
BBC 5live
BBC6 Music (Craig Charles’ Funk and Soul Show)
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