Newcastle Blue Star 2-1 Carlisle City, Saturday 4th April 2026

Newcastle Blue Star 2-1 Carlisle City, Northern League Division 1, Scotswood, att. 592

Of all the sides in the Northern League, the one I consider to have the most potential is Newcastle Blue Star. Based in the west end of Newcastle, they have a tidy ground, with a good mix of seating and standing, together with exec facilities. There’s space to expand, if needed, while a massive marquee houses the social club. And, of course, tapping into Newcastle United’s heritage, with their black and white stripes and the blue star logo of 80s’ sponsor, Scottish and Newcastle Brewery.

Since I was last here, Blue Star have built a terrace of 6 steps behind the near goal. The roof is half-constructed, but I snuggle myself under a roofed part, hiding from the cold. It nearly works. The stand on the halfway line to my left is busy, as is the standing area opposite, outside the marquee. Meantime, I love the couple of buildings in one corner, connected by a 1st floor walkway, and housing the best views.

The hospitality arrangements though make this place stand out form the crowd. Although a small bar under the exec bit wasn’t open, the marquee is vast. And you get to ogle signed shirts of Magpie legends such as Keegan, Gazza and Beardsley. Even with a crowd of nearly 600, there was still space to spare in here. (It helped that the food stalls were outside).

The home side went on to win 2-1, a match I’ll mainly remember for the size of one of the Cumbrian players – he was HUGE. Given I only noticed him with about 20 minutes left, he must have come on as sub and for 10 minutes those around me marvelled at his girth. Such a pity then that with his side a goal down, they stuck him up top. The man could barely move.

The Damage:
£5 ent
£2 prog
= £7

Esh Winning 0-4 Carlisle City, Thursday 28th April 2022

Esh Winning 0-4 Carlisle City, Northern League Division 2, West Terrace (Waterhouses), att. 92

FINALLY, in a fraught end to the season caused by fixture rearrangements (an ever-present danger at this level) I have completed all 41 Northern League grounds in the same season, and what a beautiful ground to end it all, Esh Winning’s Waterhouses, AKA the 'WindowsPlusRoofs Arena’. (It should also say ‘and old bus stands’ given the structures down one side of the pitch.) Yes, the scenic Deerness valley is the location for this late re-arrangement, and one advantage of its late season position is that the sun sets that little bit later, allowing a longer view of the surrounding hills and trees. And on the far bank, by the all-seater ‘stands’ that are a couple of sheds with the front removed, there is the sound of the lesser-spotted Thames Estuary groundhopper, as 3 surprisingly young blokes chat about their latest exploits, and staying in the nearby Durham City. Well done those lads.

Without another game on tonite, it’s perhaps also inevitable that I bump into my old History teacher again, for probably the 5th time this season. Standing with his mates, second half, by the bus shelters, conversation turned to completing all the grounds in one season. To their knowledge, November was the earliest it’s been done. These old timers mainly stick to the County Durham grounds, but to be fair to the Northern League, they’re the best ones…Esh, Tow Law, Crook, West Auckland…even Brandon at a push (well, I like Brandon).

Down what looks like a farm track, Waterhouses has a large field for a car park, ample enough for the crowds they get. Another late season bonus is I don’t have to worry about the car getting stuck in the mud. A walk round the ground to the main entrance, and into the ground under a propped cover attached to the clubhouse. A quirky main stand is adjacent to the left, a roof pointing upwards towards the sky, no use if the winds blowing this way. To the right, a small wooden cover and couple of steps of terracing, while the fence carries round behind the goal. Wooden barriers prevent you leaning against the fence (is it that unsturdy?) while a pitch roller lies beyond signs warning against bad language. Try telling the players.

The match itself is a procession, after early resistance from Esh. Carlisle are on their way to a late season run to the Championship, winning game after game in hand on long time leaders Heaton Stannington. I have to admit, by the end, I’d lost track of the score. It finished 4, it could have been twice as many. Well done Carlisle on mission completed and good luck next season in division 1. For Esh, fingers crossed their second off bottom spot doesn’t result in demotion. Waterhouses would be a sorry loss to the Northern League. **

** In the end, Esh were saved by the resignation of Ryhope CW from the Northern League (in the same season they’d won the Durham Challenge Cup; a unique double).

The Damage:
£5 ent
£1 tea
£0.50 Blue Riband
= £6.50

The Tunes:
The Voltarol Years (Half Man Half Biscuit)