Perhaps inconsequential in the great, small-grinding scheme of things but tonight marked the end of a football era.
The six remaining clubs in the Crook and District League, the last “local” Saturday competition in that cooling hotbed between Tyne and Tees, agreed unanimously that it should fold.
Once every town, large or small, seemed to have its own “district” league. When they talked of the Stanley and District they meant not the relative metropolis of West Stanley in north-west Durham but the wind-blown village above Crook.
There was a Seaham and District, a Spennymoor and District, memory murmurs even a Coundon and District. It may not be an overestimate – anyone got an old Durham FA handbook? – to suggest that the county had 20 district leagues.
The Crook and District League was formed in 1956, until quite recently had two divisions embracing places as far west as Alston, as far north as (West) Stanley and as far south as Darlington. Several well-contested cup competitions die with it.
At tonight’s meeting, two clubs indicated that they would seek membership of the Wearside League third division, one was undecided and the other three said they would fold. The valiant battle of league officials like Maurice Galley and Clem O’Donovan is at last ended. It’s all very, very sad.
*Speaking of the Wearside League, word arrives that Peter Maguire – chairman for 33 years – is stepping down. “I no longer have the energy” he says. It may not in truth be said that we never had a cross word during my 20 years as Northern League chairman, but we had precious few. A long and happy retirement, Peter.
Dutch treat – but who’s the goalie?
*Recalling the formative years of the Durham and District Sunday League in the 1960s, the blog a few days back made a note of the Durham Press team, wondered how many were card carrying NUJ men and whether team manager Jim Pearson really could have been the future Everton man.
It brings an email from Dave “Jock” Rutherford, five times an England amateur international, who somehow also found himself among the Press gang. Different Jim Pearson, says Jock – this one managed the Thomson Newspapers distribution warehouse and was mates with Bob Moreland, the Evening Chronicle’s affectionately remembered non-league man.
Wonderful character, remembered for the sharpness of his elbows, Jock played for half the clubs in the Northern League. Well into his 40s, he appeared alongside his son Paul – later with Falkirk – for Willington.
Alongside several other old England men – Billy Roughley, Michael Barker, George Brown – he also had a couple of cross-border seasons with Queen of the South.
Paul went to live and work in Holland where his dad, then pushing 70, visited in 2010. Paul’s team had a crucial semi-final and were short of a goalie. Jock volunteered. “I was awesome” he recalled.
And the unfortunate injury to the opposing striker? “I had to come out of the box to challenge this huge Dutch feller and just happened to catch him with part of my arm. He lay there absolutely poleaxed.”
Queen of the South had another cross-border influx 20-odd years ago, many of them former Ashington men. It brought one of football’s most memorable quotes from Palmerston Park PA man Alex Wilson: “I just hope they don’t mind being called English bastards when they go up north. We get called that and we’re from bloody Dumfries.”
*Hard upon last Friday’s rapturous report of cricket at Westerdale – North Yorks moors – yesterday’s blog noted that a horse of the same name was out tonight in the 7 58 at Hexham. Same race, so was Norse Reiver – a long shot in which the eternal Ken Thwaites, also on the boundary at Westerdale, has equine interest.
It’s coincidental that more racing news should arrive full pelt. At Carlisle last night, Mr Ian White – esteemed president and former secretary of Penrith FC, – won the tipping competition with four winners out of four in a multi-bet inexplicably known to aficionados as a Yankee.
He wins a morning on the gallops with a leading trainer, dinner for two at the next meeting and whatever rich reward the Honest Joes of northern Cumbria poured into his pocket.
It seems prudent, therefore, to seek Mr White’s advice on the 7 58 novices hurdle at Hexham. “Short odds, but you can’t look beyond Roccovango” he suggests.
Off at 33-1, Westerdale is fifth in a nine-horse race. Norse Reiver – “never a factor, tailed off” – is ninth. The easy winner? Roccovango at 5-4.
*The incorrigible Mr White also reports that a horse called Rishi was last the evening before. “I trust it’s an omen” he says.
Grass Routes 