BLUE STAR CAN SHINE BRIGHTLY
AMBITIOUS Newcastle Blue Star are making big noises in the North East Non-League game
– and that was before the discovery of a World War II bomb in the foundations of their home ground!
In the Step 7 Northern Alliance, Blue Star’s Denton Road ground has undergone a major transformation over the last three years. Local businessmen Steve Best is spearheading a drive to allow his club to follow the example of the likes of South Shields and Morpeth Town.
The immediate target is promotion into the Ebac Northern League and the recent completion of a new changing room facility and the installation of new floodlights have taken them closer to meeting ground grading criteria.
However, it was during work on the foundations of their floodlights where the club encountered an unforeseen problem, but one that given their closeness to the River Tyne and former Vickers munitions factory, should not have been as big of a surprise.
Owner Best told The NLP: “When they were digging and preparing for the floodlights to be installed, they were putting some huge excavations in and they found a World War II bomb.It was unbelievable, it felt like a story that had to be told.
“We had plenty of people come to the ground to take a look at it. It’s not live, it’s either been hollowed out or it has been detonated in the past.
“It’s a German bomb, and it’s hopefully going to go into our trophy cabinet. It could be our first piece of metalwork in there – but hopefully not the last!”
With the unexpected addition to their trophy cabinet now in place, the focus has now turned towards on-field matters.
Ahead of Saturday’s trip to Prudhoe Youth Club, Blue Star were sat in third place in the Northern Alliance’s top tier after winning six of their opening eight games of the season.
Excitement has spread and their recent 5-1 home win against North Shields Athletic was witnessed by an impressive attendance of just under 650.
Best said: “Because of the was the economy is, people aren’t prepared to spend or don’t have the money to spend on watching the top end of the game. They want football on a Saturday afternoon, so why not come to a mirrored club to what is happening at Newcastle.
“Newcastle United is what it is, I still love the club, but, for us, we feel like we have the same beliefs Newcastle United had when I fell in love with the club.
“The players are close to the supporters, the club was the heart of the community and it gave back what you wanted from it. That is what we want to do and will do at Blue Star.”
Although Best has released significant funds into the club during his three-year ownership, he insists sustainability is the key as he looks to deliver Northern League football to the West End of Newcastle for the first time in over 60 years.
“There are a lot of very good, historic clubs in the Northern League and we want to be seen as an ambitious, progressive, forward-thinking football club.
“Our fanbase can be a driving force, we aren’t stupid because we know that will push us further.
“We have a business model, it has to be sustainable, we want the doors open every day of the week, and the supporters will be key to ensuring that happens for a long time to come.”
History may have given an unexpected threat to the development of Newcastle Blue Star – but now they are determined to enjoy an exciting future.