Former Newcastle Res star is true footballing scholar

Nov 22 2009 Sunday Sun

“And I’m playing Northern League football against some very strong teams week in, week out.”

Bertram is one of a string of TN players on Northumbria University scholarships as one of the UK’s leading sporting success stories continues to invest heavily in the development of emerging talent.

Former Newcastle United trainees Dean Critchlow and Mark Poolan also study full-time on Northumbria scholarships after signing for TN.

And ex-Sunderland centre half Gavin Donoghue, released by Roy Keane two years ago, is forging a fearsome central defensive partnership alongside England Under-19 international Ross Wilkinson.

“All these guys boast a huge amount of quality and technically they’re head and shoulders above the majority of the players they face in the Northern League,” added Northumbria’s head of football Paul Johnson.

“But it’s the physical side of things which they struggle to adjust to in the early days. Gavin has played for Ireland at Under-19 level and was on Sunderland’s books and his talent is beyond doubt.

“But he lost three teeth after a nasty clash at Marske earlier this season and that kind of thing, however good you might be, can knock your confidence.

“It’s a tough place to learn your trade in this league but if the lads can make the adjustment they become even better players.

“And the opportunity to gain a degree at the same time is invaluable. We are all about giving these guys a chance to stay in football – either as a player or in an off-field capacity.”

TN hosted Whickham at their Coach Lane home yesterday after a gruelling midweek programme which saw the club side travel to Gillford Park in the Cup and the university squad tackle Loughborough in the East Midlands less than 24 hours later.

“A few of us arrived back from Carlisle after midnight on Tuesday and we were on the bus down to Loughborough eight hours later,” added Johnson.

“There’s an overlap between the Saturday and Wednesday teams and it’s my job to make sure we get the balance right.

“Team Northumbria is an open club whereas only students can play in our British University & College Sport (BUCS) matches.

“It’s been a difficult juggling act so far this season as we’ve had so many injuries – I’ve never been able to name the same side twice all year.

“At one point we had 13 players out and that was tough.

“But we’re starting to see the injury list ease now and we’re confident of pushing towards the top eight over the festive period.”