Good Value in The Far Corner

There are plenty of contenders for my favourite football book of all time but there is a clear winner for the one that I have re-read more than any other.

Harry Pearson's The Far Corner is the author's story of his travels around grounds in his native North East of England during the 1993/94 season.

To me it deserves every superlative ever given to it and like many other people I've often wondered whether there would ever be a follow-up.

The Farther Corner is the answer to that and although its publication has been delayed by this year's events it will be gratefully received when I do get my hands on it.

The Northern League provided the main focus of the original book and, at a time when it was still relatively affordable and easier logistically to watch Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough, the author has since said (in an interview with Mundial) that looking back it was perhaps the lowest ebb in the fortunes of Non-League football locally.

Harry was in melancholy mood after a visit to once-mighty Willington and pondered at another point how so many clubs had shown the resilience to survive in an area continually battered by economic storms.

Survive they have, however, and thrived in many cases as people seek out a cheaper, more enjoyable matchday experience.

In common with so many clubs all across the UK there has been a big fundraising drive over the past few months and an astonishing response from supporters (of the clubs themselves and the game in general).

Having hopefully now come through the curtailment of the 2019/20 season, attention is now slowly turning towards a 2020/21 campaign that may yet look familiar in terms of its length and spectators being allowed to watch.

Season ticket offers that I have come across in the North East so far include £25 at Middlesbrough Women, £35 for an adult at the re-born Newcastle Blue Star (of the Northern Football Alliance and whose classic black-and-white kit is selling very well) and a discount of £15 for Sunderland season ticket holders from the current campaign at Seaham Red Star.

Game Of The Week: Durham WFC v Aston Villa Women

The top two teams in the FA Women’s Championship meet at midday on Sunday with five points currently separating Durham from league leaders Villa.

Whatever the outcome of this particular game it has been another season of progress for the Wildcats, who are unusual in the top two tiers of the English game in not having an affiliation to a men’s club but who mounted a promotion challenge last year in addition to pushing Chelsea very close in an FA Cup tie that attracted over 1,600 to New Ferens Park.

If you’re planning a visit then what I like about Durham is that admission prices (£6 Adults, £3 Concessions and £14 for a family of four with no increase on the turnstiles), the cost of food and drink at the ground and all the relevant information about getting to the ground is easy to find on their website.

FA Cup Showcase For North East Duo

This coming weekend sees the competition reach the First Round stage with League One and Two clubs entering the fray and looking to negotiate their path into the Third Round while a number of Non-League sides will be aiming to cause an upset.

An unusual feature of the draw was that one team received a bye because of the expulsion of Bury from the EFL and, therefore, from the cup as well.

Perhaps the only positive to come out of that situation was that the bye went to the lowest-ranked team left in the competition, Chichester City, and with it the First Round prize money of £36,000, from which they have promised to make a donation to the new Bury FC.

Two clubs with big games this weekend offer hope of a brighter future should the Shakers rise from the ashes.

National League North Darlington head to League Two strugglers Walsall in confident mood thanks to some good recent form and also pleased to see the name of the famous old club back in the spotlight, seven years after having to start again in the ninth tier of English football.

Manager Alun Armstrong told The Non-League Paper: "Although it's a non-pressure game, it's a huge opportunity for the club and ourselves to get Darlington on the map a little bit."

Prices at Walsall for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday have been reduced to £12 for Adults, £6 for Concessions and £15 for a Family ticket.

Meanwhile, having been demoted to the National League North for financial irregularities (and been perilously close to going out of business altogether), there is a positive vibe around Gateshead FC at present with new owners and some good results on the pitch.

An excellent article on These Football Times tells how a supporters group was instrumental in saving the club and there is an added bonus in a high-profile cup tie against League Two Oldham Athletic at the International Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Admission prices have been reduced to £12 Adults, £7 Concessions and £4 for Under 16's with Under 12's free with a paying adult.

North Sunderland FC

My visit to Seahouses didn't coincide with a game at North Sunderland FC of the North Numberland League but it was a pleasure to see the Seafield Sports Park ground looking immaculate on Thursday evening ahead of the new season.

Update: The club have contacted me to say that they host AFC Newbiggin on Saturday (3rd August) at 5pm in the Stephen Carey Cup Final.

Remembering Sam Bartram And More Friendly Snippets

The name Sam Bartram is synonymous with Charlton Athletic, a statue of the man who played 579 times in goal for the Addicks between 1934 and 1956 standing proudly outside The Valley.

But his roots were in the mining communities of the North East, being born in South Shields and having played football in Boldon before being spotted by Charlton scouts.

And Boldon CA will host South Shields for the Sam Bartram Cup on Thursday 18 July, 7pm, with admission to the game priced at £5 Adults and £3 Concessions.

Farsley Celtic have three home friendlies scheduled, including a visit from Rotherham United on Tuesday 16 July.

Admission prices will be £5 Adults, £3 Concessions and free for Under 13's.

All home friendlies at Newport Pagnell Town, of the United Counties League, are priced at £2 with a bumper crop of seven matches throughout July.

Slimbridge AFC welcome Bristol Rovers Under 23's to Thornhill Park on Friday July 5 and also have home friendlies scheduled against Gloucester City, Weston Super Mare and Yate Town. 

Admission to each is priced at £5 Adults, £3 Concessions and Under 16's free.

Flat Caps & Dogs Welcome

Two Non-League matches well worth publicising on Saturday 23 March take place at Spennymoor Town and West Didsbury & Chorlton respectively.

Spennymoor entertain Alfreton Town in National League North and will be celebrating the region's industrial heritage on Miners' Day.

Lady Elsie Robson (wife of the late Sir Bobby) will be the guest of honour while there will also be a memorabilia display and a collection for the Friends of Durham Miners' Gala.

Supporters are encouraged to wear flat caps and admission prices have been reduced to £10 Adults, £8 Concessions and £3 Juniors (accompanied Under 10's free).

In the North West Counties Football League the call has gone out from West Didsbury for people to bring their dogs along to Brookburn Road for the visit of Padiham and bring the record for the number of four-legged friends at a game back to Manchester after Maltby Main attracted 78 to their ground last season.

There's always Football for a Fiver on offer at West but bring your dog along next week and you will qualify for the Concession rate of £3.

Hartlepool Say Thanks & ‘C’ England In Salford

It hasn’t been a season that will stay long in the memory for Hartlepool United supporters with the club firmly placed mid-table in the National League and having undergone an unusual round of managerial musical chairs earlier on in the year when Richard Money came in as boss, briefly swapped roles with director of football Craig Hignett and then left the club altogether.

But the bigger picture is that the club is still there at all, hopefully providing a force for good within the local community.

Last season's fixture against Wrexham was designated as 'Save Pools Day’ amidst the crisis engulfing the club and as a thank you to supporters from both teams prices for the meeting on Saturday 23 March have been reduced.

It will be £10 Adults, £5 Concessions and £2 for Under 16’s.

Hartlepool's Luke James meanwhile will be part of the England C squad who take on Wales on Tuesday 19 March at the Peninsula Stadium, home of Salford City FC.

England C is the team drawn from players outside of the Football League, giving them the chance of winning caps and pulling on the Three Lions shirt.

 

A number of those who have had that opportunity previously have gone on to play in the Football League and Premier League.

 

Watford striker Andre Gray is one such player. He appeared six times for England C while with Luton Town.

 

Current boss Paul Fairclough has been in charge since 2003 and has managed to constantly refresh the nature of the squad with young players, not just from the National League but from the divisions below and see how they fare in a different environment, something of interest certainly to prospective new clubs at a higher level.

 

An excellent article by Matt Badcock in The Non-League Paper recently highlights how the England C team has evolved over the past few years to take on a more ambassadorial nature, representing the Football Association at home and abroad.

 

Admission to the game against a Wales side drawn from the ranks of clubs in the Welsh Premier League, will be £10 Adults and £5 Concessions, payable at the turnstiles on the night.

Non-League Night At Durham Women FC

A perfect opportunity for the many followers of the non-league game in the North-East to catch an extra match next week as Durham Women FC host Sheffield Ladies in WSL2 on a Thursday evening, 22 February at 7.30pm.

Show a match ticket, season ticket or programme from a local non-league club to gain admission to New Ferens Park for just £2.

A special offer is also in place for Brighton & Hove Albion season-ticket holders and members who can watch the WSL2 game against Oxford United on the same evening for just £1. 

Hartlepool United FC

Pools have featured on the Affordable Football pages before with reduced prices for games at Victoria Park but it has usually been as a rallying cry ahead of a big six-pointer at the foot of League Two.

They may be a division lower these days but there is plenty of optimism in place as Craig Harrison's side slowly put together a promotion bid in the National League.

Fans seem to be enjoying the opportunity of seeing some new grounds as away supporters have been travelling in good numbers and the club want to recreate the positive atmosphere at home this weekend.

Tickets for the match against Aldershot on Saturday have been reduced to £10 Adults, £5 Concessions and £1 Under-16's and if you buy in advance you will get the same prices for the visit of Halifax Town on Tuesday 21 November.

And, they may hope it is their only season in Non-League football but that won't stop Hartlepool hoping to lift the FA Trophy at Wembley on Sunday 20 May.

Tickets are on sale for the third Non-League Finals Day, which combines both the Trophy and FA Vase showpieces, priced at £25 for Adults, £10 Concessions and just £1 for Under-16's.

Fiver Football at Hartlepool United

Hartlepool United were under no illusions about how tough life in the National League was going to be after their dramatic relegation from League Two last season and August provided confirmation of that, defeats against Dover Athletic, Maidenhead United, AFC Fylde and Bromley making it a baptism of fire for new manager Craig Harrison after he made the step up from The New Saints.

Loyal supporters made long trips to Maidenhead and Bromley but the shorter journey to Guiseley on Bank Holiday Monday finally delivered some cheer with a hard-fought first victory of the campaign.

Maidstone United are the visitors to Victoria Park this coming Saturday and, to thanks fans after a 'frustrating month', the club have reduced prices to £5 Adults and £1 for Under-16's, prices which apply to travelling supporters as well.

Keep an eye out for your local club this weekend to see if they are doing any offers for the international break.

Premier League and EFL season ticket holders who head to Chorley on Saturday for the National League North game against York City can watch for the concessionary price of £9 while Bath City are offering £8 admission to Bristol City and Bristol Rovers season ticket holders as they take on Welling United.

League Cup: Queens Park Rangers, Newcastle United

Two things certainly worth mentioning about the upcoming third round of the League Cup with a special occasion being marked at Loftus Road and reduced prices at St James’ Park.

Queens Park Rangers were a third division side when they won the League Cup in 1967, beating West Bromwich Albion 3-2 in a thrilling Wembley final, the first in the competition to be staged at the venue as the Football League sought to increase interest among top-flight clubs by also offering a place in Europe for the winners.

A Guardian article from 2012 tells the story of a famous fightback by the R's, capped, implausibly, by a man named Lazarus.

To mark the upcoming 50th anniversary of that triumph, QPR have made tickets for the game against Sunderland on Wednesday 21 September available at just £6.70 for Adults, Over-60's and 18-21's. Under-18's are priced at £5 with accompanied Under-8's free.

Agreement from both clubs is needed to make ticket offers for cup ties and the above prices apply to Sunderland supporters as well.

Tickets must be purchased in advance to qualify for the reduced prices.

In the North East, meanwhile, Newcastle United have reduced prices for their tie with Wolves on Tuesday 20 September to £10 Adults and £3 Concessions, a good move to capitalise on the positive vibes that have been generated by Rafa Benitez and both his and the club’s attempts to re-engage with its supporter base.

Again, buy in advance for the reduced prices.

Back in Town! Darlington to Host Newcastle and Sunderland

Darlington 1883 are preparing for the new season when the Quakers will be playing in a hugely competitive National League North after their third promotion in four seasons was achieved in April when they lifted the Northern Premier League Premier Division title.

Often described as a 'Phoenix Club', followers of Darlo, a supporter-owned club, see themselves as a continuation of Darlington FC and the official website states 'the club was formed in 1883 and has over 125 years of history'.

Recent history has been made away from the town of Darlington itself, at Heritage Park in Bishop Auckland after the much-loved Feethams made way for something slightly less likely to arouse affection among fans.

Known as the Reynolds Arena when it opened in 2003, the stadium, with its capacity of 25,000, was seen for many years as the ultimate football folly,  crowds rattling around inside as Darlington headed towards the foot of the Football League.

But, all credit to Darlington Mowden Park RFC who have strived to make the venue something that the town can be proud of, England’s Senior Women’s Rugby team having played there and the All Blacks having used it as a base for the 2015 World Cup.

And now, Newcastle and Sunderland will send teams to the Northern Echo Arena for friendlies against Darlington on Saturday 16 and Tuesday 19 July respectively as the football club make plans to return home permanently to a site at Blackwell Meadows.

Tickets for both games will be priced at £10 Adults and £6 Concessions (U16, Over 65, Armed Forces and Students). A combined ticket can be bought in advance for £15 Adults and £10 Concession.

Bradford Park Avenue & Newcastle United Honour Donald Bell

Donald Simpson Bell is described as 'Football's Greatest War Hero' after becoming the first professional player to enlist in the British Army and subsequently being awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions, 100 years ago today at the Somme.

Killed five days later, Bell was buried where he fell but his memory lives on with the Professional Footballer's Association buying his medal for over £200,000 in 2010 and handing it to the National Football Museum for display.

Henry Winter's 2014 article for The Telegraph tells more of the story, and of a visit to Bell's grave by a number of notable footballing figures.

And more than 30 members of Donald Bell's family will be in attendance on Sunday 10 July as two of his former clubs, Bradford Park Avenue and Newcastle United meet in a pre-season friendly fixture.

Park Avenue will also depict Bell on their matchday programme throughout the forthcoming season while their new kit, which will be worn for the first time against Newcastle, also carries a tribute.

Admission prices have been reduced to a superb £5 for Adults and £2 for Under-18's for the 3pm kick-off.

West Auckland Town FC

Founded as West Auckland FC in 1893, ‘West’ have a greater claim to fame than most clubs having won the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy in both 1909 and 1911 to become unofficial world champions.

The competition was one of the first international tournaments to be held and while there is some doubt as to why West Auckland were invited there is none at all about their triumphs.

Taking part came at a financial cost and the club were reformed in their current guise in 1912. 

Recent seasons have brought two trips to Wembley for the FA Vase finals of 2012 and 2014.

I’ve not managed to see as much football as I would have liked in the North East but West Auckland, like many clubs in the area, feel familiar to me from Harry Pearson’s brilliant ‘The Far Corner’ in which he documents his travels around the region’s grounds in the 1993/94 season.

Season tickets, if purchased before 1 July, are priced at just £60 Adults and £40 Concessions and these include entry to all pre-season friendlies.

Plenty of these are scheduled, starting with the visit of Willington (who also feature in Harry Pearson's book) on Friday 8th July, Easington Colliery on Saturday 9th and Darlington RA on Tuesday 12th.

Individual pre-season admission is priced at £3 and £1.50

Reduced Prices at Hartlepool United This Week

After their 'great escape' from the League Two relegation zone last season, Hartlepool United are again involved in a scrap for Football League survival with two big home matches this week against their rivals in the bottom six.

Hartlepool are currently one place and four points above the drop zone although postponements mean they do have games in hand on all of the teams around them.
Stevenage (currently 19th) are the visitors on Tuesday night before Yeovil (21st) make the long journey north on Saturday.

As they did for some crucial fixtures last season, Hartlepool have made the decision to reduce admission prices late in the day in a bid to boost the numbers coming through the Victoria Park turnstiles.

That means adults will pay £12 and concessions £6 for each of this week's games with chief executive Russ Green telling the official club website: "Our fans have stuck with us through some testing times and we want to make sure we reward them for that loyalty and help them out during busy periods like this."

Both offers are open to away supporters as well.

Saturday Update: A Good Day For Jeff & Hartlepool!

Hartlepool United's potential 'Great Escape' from the League Two trapdoor is well and truly on after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Mansfield Town on Saturday afternoon, a result that had Jeff Stelling in raptures as plenty of videos on social media have been showing over the past few hours!

In the wake of back-to-back away wins at Morecambe and Oxford, Hartlepool decided to cut prices for the game to a maximum of £12 for adults and were rewarded with a gate of 4,166 with 317 travelling up from Mansfield making it 3,849 supporting the hosts.

3,289 had attended the last Saturday home fixture against Burton Albion, 3,129 of them home fans.

Cambridge are next up at The Vic, on Saturday 28th March, more offers in the pipeline?

Big Game, Small Prices At Hartlepool United This Weekend

Two excellent away victories in the space of four days, at Morecambe and then Oxford United, have sparked hopes of a great escape for Hartlepool United who looked dead and buried at the foot of League Two when Ronnie Moore took over as manager before Christmas.

But the experienced former Rotherham United and Tranmere Rovers manager has got a number of teams (including Tranmere) very worried about an upturn in form that sees Hartlepool just four points from safety ahead of Saturday's home game against Mansfield Town.

And to try and boost the attendance and atmosphere at Victoria Park for the 3pm kick-off, ticket prices have been reduced to £12 Adults and £6 Concessions for seats and £10/£5 for the terraces.

Sportingly, the offer applies to Stags supporters making the journey up and tickets are available up until kick-off.

Affordable Footy at St James' Park, Elland Road and Carrow Road This Week

Some good opportunities this week to watch competitive matches in big grounds, especially welcome if it is half-term where you are.

Newcastle United host Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup at St James' Park on Monday and admission for the 7:05pm kick-off is free. The two sides met at the same quarter-final stage of last season's competition and attracted a crowd of 2,506 through the gates.

Tuesday afternoon sees Leeds United host Sheffield Wednesday at Elland Road in an Under-21 fixture that kicks-off at 1pm. Admission is priced at £3 for adults and £1 for juniors.

Norwich City continue their policy of playing attractive Under-21 fixtures under the lights at Carrow Road and with free admission for all supporters. The Canaries host Manchester City on Wednesday at 7pm. Previous games against Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester United have attracted a total of around 30,000 through the gates.

Supporters are advised to claim their free tickets in advance to avoid queues while an optional donation can be made to support the work of the club's academy.

Away from the main grounds there is also free football at Leigh Sports Village as Manchester United Under-21's take on Everton on Tuesday evening with a 7pm kick-off.

Hartlepool United Repeat Cut-Price Ticket Offer

Having kicked off their ownership of Hartlepool United FC by offering reduced price tickets for the festive games against Oxford United and Morecambe, TMH 2014 are offering further discounts for the January fixtures against Cheltenham Town and Plymouth Argyle.

The club were pleased with the 4,000+ gates they attracted over Christmas and have announced that the two matches (Cheltenham this Saturday and Plymouth on 31 January) will be priced at £13 each for adults and £7 for concessions with a joint ticket covering both games costing £20 for adults and £10 for concessions.

Chairman Peter Harris told the official club website: “We have said all along that the fans can play a huge role in our fight for survival in League Two and we are going to need them more than ever in the second half of the season."

A New Start At Hartlepool United

New owners, a new manager and (hopefully) a new start for Hartlepool United after a whirlwind couple of weeks at Victoria Park

FA Cup defeat at the hands of Blyth Spartans and a relegation battle at the foot of League Two have made it a miserable campaign to date with two managers having already departed the club.

But this week has brought some fresh optimism as Aberdeen-based owners Increased Oil Recovery have ended their 17-year association with HUFC by selling the club to TMH 2014 Limited.

New chairman Peter Harris has made clear he wants to 'fully embrace and acknowledge the efforts of the supporters and we want them to engage with us with the aim of always doing what is best for Hartlepool United.'

And the first instance of this is a ticket offer covering the home games on Saturday 20th December against Oxford United (which will be Ronnie Moore's first match in charge) and Sunday 28th December when Morecambe are the visitors.

Tickets for these games are available at just £10 each for adults but, if purchased in advance, a ticket covering both fixtures will cost just £15.

Those who have already bought tickets for the game can also claim a refund from the Ticket Office by returning their full match ticket.