WITH SUPERMAC AND SPANDAU.. MIRROR MEN WATCH NON-LEAGUE GOLD
As a Toon legend and myself watch delighted North Shields fans jump around singing: ‘Wembley, Wembley,’ one reminds us all: ’Nee touching!’
SUPERMAC breaks into laughter at a wisecrack from the terrace that sums up watching football in the coronavirus era.
As North Shields’ monster No.9 target-man Dan Wilson smacks in their third goal, his second, to win this FA Vase tie, the fans start to dream.
“Wembley, Wembley!” they sing, jumping around with their facemasks on. “How man, nee touchin!” someone shouts, as thoughts of a more raucous huggi ng cel ebra t i o n , potentially spreading the lurgy, are scrapped!
M a l c o lm Macdonald (with Mirror man Simon, left) points to the
Nor th Shi elds Quality Butchers Stand of fering second- half shelter from a squall over the mouth of the Tyne.
“I feel pride that the club has jumped through so many hoops to get crowds back,” says the striking legend, who banged in goals for fun for Newcastle, Arsenal and England.
“But this place could be packed out today. FA Vase day always pulls in a big crowd. We could get another 400 in, if the rules allowed.” Macdonald is club president of the Robins, second in the Ebac Northern League, founded in 1889, the second oldest in the world behind the Football League.
“I love it here. Reminds me of playing for Tonbridge on my way up,” he said.
Paying punters are still shut out of the pro tiers of football, but they’re back, to vivid effect, lower down the football pyramid.
It’s £7 a ticket to get into Daren Persson Stadium – sponsored by the local funeral director – but for that you get football that is very much alive. It’s half the price of a Premier League pay- per- view game, but worth the emotional investment.
With fans in, there’s noise, proper tackles and goals. North Shields won the FA Vase five years ago and they’d love a cup run again.
“I lost there with Newcastle and Arsenal, and it took until 2015 with Shields to be a winner,” joked Macdonald. “We’re the only outlet for supporters to watch live games now. I think, if we can do it safely, so can the richer clubs up the pyramid.”
There is also anger and important political points to be made. Supermac said: “Our maximum gate is 150, reduced by our local FA. Our average gate is 320.”
Chairman of 26 years Alan Matthews said: “We’re £600 down per home game and the bar takings are slashed. And, at this level, there are no bailouts from the Government or Premier League.” Commitcommitment,
‘This place could be packed with another 400’
We are £600 down per game with no bailouts
tee man Bob Scott, in the club bar closed off by virus rules, said: “The inconsistencies baffle us. Why is the Royal Albert Hall opening for 3,500 people indoors, while we can only have 150 outside in the fresh air?
“We are all-ticket now. Everyone is tracked and traced. It’s taken endless meetings.”
Newcastle midfielders Sean and Matty Longstaff, both local boys boys and regulars, pay £100 for a season ticket, and Matty is here watching from the grass bank on his weekend off.
During the summer, Mr Scott revealed as he checked tickets on the gate, the players donated their pay pool to the NHS. An unrecognised gesture. And you’re not talking millionaires here. “They’d like to be though,” he joked.
Victory in the bag and it’s soon back down to earth as Scott locks the goalposts to the railings.
A quick inspection of the facilities and the club takes to Twitter about a minor setback.
“A huge thanks to the supporter who has broken our brand new water heater in the outdoor gents’ toilets. More money to be thrown down the drain to repair the heater,” the tweet said.
Maybe if they get the nod from the Northumberland and Durham FA for a few more fans, they’ll be able to pay for a new one soon.