HORNETS SEEK TO STING IN TOP TIER
...but the Lang Jacks will have it all to do
THEY are separated by just over 12 miles but, in reality, Northern League Division One rivals Hebburn Town and Whickham are worlds apart.
Both clubs were promoted from the league’s second tier last season but their summer business has shown that they are facing very different challenges.
New investment has allowed Hebburn manager Scott Oliver to make a number of high-profile signings, including South Shields trio Louis Storey, Graeme Armstrong and Luke Sullivan and three-time FA Vase winner Lee Kerr.
Whickham boss Robin Falcus faces a more challenging summer as he looks for valuefor-money from his signings.
Working with a budget based entirely around bonuses alone, Falcus led the Lang Jacks to an unlikely promotion last season and he admitted that he will have to rely on finding young, hungry prospects, rather than the established players that his Hebburn counterpart has added to his squad.
“We are coming on the back of a brilliant achievement by getting promoted and we deserved to do that” said Falcus.
“Now, we have to keep the spirit that led us to promotion going throughout the summer and into the new season because it will be challenged.
“We need to strengthen if we are to stay up and we are under no illusions, we know we have a young group and we will have to add similar players.
“We have tried to bring in players but we can’t get anywhere near what other clubs are offering them.
“We have a solid core, we are hardworking and we will bring in players that we know will buy into what we have at the club.
“We have brought in one new player but we are still waiting on the league to confirm the registration.
“Everyone will pull together and if we can’t bring more in, we will just get on with it and put in a huge effort as we always do.”
Appeal
Hebburn manager Oliver has worked in similar circumstances.
The South Tyneside club were heading towards the brink of closure in early 2017 and put out an appeal to the local community for support.
That appeal was answered by a consortium of local businessmen and they have overseen a restructure of the club and a refurbishment of their facilities.
The impact has spread to the pitch and Oliver is now able to attract big-name Northern League players.
The latest addition is two-time FA Vase winner Andrew Stephenson, who joins from current Northern League champions Marske United.
The Hornets manager is unsure if he will add another “big-hitter” to his squad, as much as he would like to do so.
“It’s hard to say if more will come in” said Oliver.
“I think the owners are sick of me because as a manager you always want one more.
“It’s hard because you have all sorts of players on the phone, some are big-hitters and they are saying they want to come.
“We have good players here already so I have to be careful.
“I can’t assure everyone a place so it’s a balancing act.
“I’ve had one day off, I’m not complaining, though.
“The owners have backed us, maybe we are a year ahead of schedule but we are here, so why not go for it and see what we can achieve this season.”
Just one point separated Hebburn Town and Whickham on the final day of last season as they rounded off successful campaigns.
Success will be defined by very different acheivements at the end of the coming season.