Longtime Spartans fan David Gourley chats to us about his memories of the Northern League glory days and FA Cup runs, and his Spartans related hopes for the future.
First memories from Spartans and first hero/favourite/idol player in a green and white shirt?
First memories are mid to late 70s standing on the ash bank or pushed down to the wooden fence at the front for a busy cup game the atmosphere was amazing, but really started appreciating the great players as I got a bit older in early 80s,I was probably spoilt for choice with the outstanding Les Mutrie, Paul Walker one of the best all round midfielders I have ever seen play for Blyth, Tommy Dixon always on his toes ready for a battle, Terry Johnson hard as nails, Steve Pyle rarely missed the target, but overall I will pick Dave Clarke he was quite simply outstanding in goal.
How are you feeling about the team at present, and what are your expectations for this season?
Team at present is unfortunately relying on too many young players which is not right, having said that most are giving a good account of themselves but it is unfair to ask for that all season. We were too slow to act in Summer, a new manager with experience at this level should have been brought in with assistant and left to negotiate with existing players and then build a squad ready for this league with good, experienced players.
Sounds simple but the chances are we would have had a decent start which was essential after relegation to restore some enthusiasm and excitement going into new season but Instead we got a PR disaster wasting a lot of money on a manager and a revolving door of trialists who were nowhere near the required level and then the season started our worst fears were realised. Escaping relegation is current hope but it’s already looking doubtful unless things change fast.
You’ve of course been coming to Spartans for some years now, what got you hooked back in the day?
I first came to Blyth with my Dad as a young lad and for about 12 years we only missed a handful of games home and away. When my Dad was at work I would travel on my bike from Forest hall to meet him at the ground, we stood with the same group of fans every game they were fantastic times, for me it was just watching Blyth, passion, pride, my green and white bukta strip.
The feeling when team walked out for a FA Cup or Trophy game and your heart missed a beat and we knew we had a chance of beating any team , it was amazing and that to me is what Blyth is about and it never leaves you.
All time Spartans XI and why you’ve chosen them?
Dave Clarke,John Waterson, Steve Carney, Tommy Dixon, Michael Liddle, Harry Dunn, Paul Walker, Mick Dagless, Steve Pyle, Les Mutrie, Robbie Dale. Subs – Peter Robinson, Terry Johnson.
All outstanding in their own right ,best non-league goalkeeper, solid back four with no fear, midfield and forwards would terrorise any team but most of all every single one of them just knew what it meant to put on that green and white shirt.
How you feeling about Stockdale as manager? And where does the team need to strengthen?
I think it was possibly a bit too early to decide but maybe we had no other options as we didn’t seem to advertise job for whatever reason.
He comes across as honest and wants best for the club which I admire especially after last few months but unless he has firm agreements with the owner and football director on ambition for signing players required I fear he could be left on his own under some mounting pressure, early interviews were all about “change if needed” and last interview was more “stick with us” I just hope I am not reading too much between the lines.
We need changes now on the pitch ,basically still need to strengthen in all positions and a good clear out of players who are just not good enough or quite simply just turning up, I actually still can’t get my head around how much we have disintegrated since Boxing day, it’s virtually impossible to do what we have done, when you think it can’t get worse it does so Stockdale will need to be a messiah to save us.
What would you say you love most about a Spartans matchday, and what keeps you coming back?
On a matchday I generally love the whole day as Croft park full of amazing memories from being a young lad, you get older but your dreams and hopes for Blyth never fade. Now I have Ellen with me its great and she will openly admit she just adores Blyth Spartans , I did tell her you will love it or hate it as its different at non league level and sure enough she loved it!
To have another generation of our family supporting Blyth makes it even better. We have made great friends and still see and talk to people I stood with 45 years ago with my Dad, Croft Park is a special place with special people and that should never be forgotten.
What do you think the club needs to do improve and strengthen its relationship with fans off the field?
The only way I see the relationship being improved now is the owner and football director to openly speak with the supporters about the past 4 months of turmoil and explain honestly what they were trying to achieve and what the plan is for the rest of the season. The longer this lack of communication goes on the more difficult the situation will become.
I have openly discussed with the owner, on the plus side he listened to my questions where others ignore you, but I didn’t get any answers to my questions probably because it should have been Steve Howard answering them. Irfan did say he wants the club to be a success just the same as the fans so now is the time to prove it. Embrace the supporters don’t keep pushing us away.
Best match you ever attended and why?
So many great games, Boston Utd away in FA Trophy when we lost 5-4 with a depleted team,9-1 at Tow Law to win the league, Scarborough away 3-2 win after trailing when super sub Billy Rafferty came on but my greatest games have to be Hull City in FA Cup.
First match produced a 1-1 draw at Hull with les Mutrie scoring for Blyth. The mini bus left from the Masons Arms full so as I was youngest I travelled there and back sitting on a bar stool.
The replay at Blyth on a freezing cold Tuesday night under the floodlights in front of a full house is what Blyth Spartans is all about, how unlucky we were but Les Mutrie and Ray Young scored two of the best goals I have had the pleasure to witness at Croft Park to end in a 2-2 draw, then it was in the car down the A1 finally losing 2-1 at Elland Road ,Leeds after extra time, a long drive home but what a team.
