Clawed their way back to create future filled with hope

Mileson League Cup win at Hebburn Town and a 5-1 hammering of Ashington in the Northumberland Senior Cup.

West currently sit just below mid-table in Division Two but are just seven points from the top six.

New signings have impressed, and joint-manager Jay Bates believes the future is bright for the club.

“I’m confident with the squad and the players we have which is a balance of both youth and experience that they are happy to play for West Allotment and the management team.

“We have players experienced in playing in the Northern League now playing for West Allotment in Gilberto Chapim, Dean Walker and club veteran Ian Dunn.

“We have added the likes of Jack Errington to the squad, who has played in Division One and spent time at Burnley, and Shane Donaghey, who was at Newcastle United academy and Wigan Athletic and has just returned from playing in Sweden with guidance from Sven-Goran Eriksson.”

“We also have two very good goal scorers in Matty Hayton and Michael Baxter.

“Both lads have been offered bigger money to play elsewhere, but they are happy to play with mates and be around people who want to go places.

“The reason I believe we have come together on the pitch is that the lads actually are mates. The lads we have added and players that were already at Allotment, they have all gelled well as a unit.

“They are playing well as a team and all want to win and do well together.

“We have had great feedback from members of their club with a few of them commenting that we could challenge comfortably within the league above.

“So next season, our focus will be to challenge to be promoted.”

That comment shows West Allotment Celtic, the club that was almost condemned to closure, are putting their troubles behind them and moving on to a brighter, more positive future. West Allotment Celtic’s junior team