Home tie a great Spur for Marine
WHEN Len Shackleton, the Clown Prince of Soccer, played for Newcastle on a day the SJP pitch had been cleared of snow - leaving a fourfoot pile round the track - he produced one of his audacious tricks.
With United leading by a goal, every time Shack got the ball he would flick it over the snow mountain for a throw-n.
The time it took an opposing player to clamber over and retrieve the ball meant the clock was running down towards the final whistle.
I was reminded of Shack’s snow-go manoeuvre this week with Marine’s fairytale FA Cup tie against mighty Spurs in the news.
During my time as Gateshead’s owner we played at Marine quite often and their ground, still basically the same today, was unique. It only had room for fans on three sides.
The far touchline was a row of back gardens and ball boys were designated to stand in each to throw the ball back when it went out of bounds. Even so a bit of time was wasted.
The only gesture to modernisation is a thinroofed standing area running like a snake in front of the gardens.
Now there is talk that because of corona the tie might be switched to a bigger league ground.
What a great pity that would be. It would take away the very essence of the FA Cup, its romantic David v Goliath reputation heightened
by eighth-tier Marine facing Premier League giants.
Marine want to let in 1,600 supporters to their 3,185-capacity stadium but know many more would be supporting them from afar.
Go on, keep romance alive. Jose Mourinho would love a visit!