Wey if you’d told me on Friday lunchtime that in 24 hours, I’d be sticking signs up around Croft Park saying ‘No Hearses Allowed’ I’d have thought you’d been spending too much time in kitchens with Liam Henderson. Alas though, the game of Rocket League at Dunston the other night prompted such matters.
As you would have seen already, the clubhouse will be deeing the catering throughout pre-season (with some assistance from us) with a makeshift tent area selling an assortment of fresh bits from Shy’s butchers, hot dogs and a few other bits. For the record, the hot dogs will be in actual hotdog buns. I know, crazy concept, isn’t it? This will also be in place on Tuesday for the Marske and Whitby games. When the season gets underway, we’ll initially have a new catering van, and have guest food vendors in alongside that.
Yesterdays catering was a success, with it making £650 profit for the club/clubhouse which is better than the usual £100 pitch fee from a catering van.
But, some very good news though! And I think were okay to talk about it here as it was openly discussed yesterday so it’s far from a state secret, but a kitchen is FINALLY due to be built in the ground! Planning permission is in and all that jazz and on top of that, a Fan Zone will also be constructed in the ground! I’m expecting the club to come out with something official later in the week with a bit more information, but this has pretty much come about after the last 2 surveys. So finally, supporter feedback is making a change at Croft Park.
As you can see, graphic design is my passion.
Anyway, on with the football. The game itself I didn’t quite get to see as myself and Pieface were a bit busy with the food. However, thankfully the rest of knackers caught most of the game (wey the first half) and it sounded like we spent a lot of the early parts of the game under pressure, which to be fair was expected considering it was a pretty decent Pools side we faced. One of the trialist strikers carved out a good chance for himself but couldn’t get a shot away at goal as he was closed down. Dev’s then played in a near inch perfect ball into his path, but Pete was came out to close him down.
The second half was mainly all Pools, but Blyth had a great chance when Dev’s rushed to keep a ball in play that was almost destined to go out for a throw, manages to play in a trialist who hoy’s in a cross that very nearly ends up in the back of the net.
Hartlepool created a few more chances but nothing that clear cut and the game fizzled out. Probably not the most exciting games of football but the weather certainly didn’t help on that front but, it seemed like it was certainly a much-improved performance from the lads from the last few weeks, with most of them nearly ready for the start of the new season.
As for trialists that stood out, apparently the keeper who featured in the second half had a canny game, not sure if that was Michael Hogan who’s a triallist, or Nathan Fisher who I believe is still contracted at Middlesbrough. A centre midfielder called Harry was apparently impressive, don’t know the lad’s surname so will have to do some digging on that one. Alex Mitchell didn’t feature for some reason, JJ O’Donnell is away on holiday and Lids and Hooper were out with knocks. Macca is till about as well, hobbling along as usual. I’m expecting an incoming to be announced in the coming days as well which should give us a boost going forward.
Anyway, the atmosphere was canny in the clubhouse afterwards and the mood was fairly upbeat. Was nice to finally see everyone after the summer break and have a canny piss up afterwards. Was good to see former Spartan Richard Forster for a few drinks afterwards, he’s absolutely class and always has some interesting stories.
Massive shoutout to Peter Henderson for getting the pitch playable, don’t think we’ll ever be able to appreciate how good a job he does with the limited (and that’s being generous) resources he has. Also a huge thank you to Rhys and all the players for sorting and signing a birthday card for young Cody, he was over the moon with it.
