Premier fans give the minnows a go

Nov 1 2009 by Steve Brown, Sunday Sun

PERHAPS Gareth Southgate should consider a job in the Northern League.

The former Middlesbrough manager was sacked partly because of dwindling crowds at the Riverside, but average attendances in the world’s second oldest league are currently on the up.

Elsewhere on the North East grassroots scene, Blyth Spartans continue to draw on a strong support base, Gateshead’s plans for a new stadium should increase theirs and though there are lamentable reasons for the slide in Durham City’s following, next season’s likely return to the Northern League should repair the damage.

The reasons for the upward surge are plentiful, and one – the recent failings of our local professional clubs – has not been significantly erased by those clubs’ even more recent recoveries.

For Newcastle, Sunderland and Boro, last season was a pig. Thus a disaffected few spilled towards the likes of Whitley Bay and Ashington, Spennymoor Town, Sunderland RCA and Newton Aycliffe.

This season the ‘Big Three’ are fairing a good deal better, yet are still not without their riders.

Sunderland will take time to shrug off the inconsistency often attributed to newly-formed sides. Boro, while to be commended for finally appointing an experienced manager in Gordon Strachan, ought always to be ashamed at having beaten Southgate with the poisoned chalice handed him, then removed him in such a clumsy and undignified manner.

And though some semblance of stability at – is it still? – St James’s Park is a blessed relief, question marks remain over Chris Hughton and more particularly Mike Ashley.

Only he could promote a good man doing a good job, and leave a bad taste in the mouth. Change the name Mike – and the more interesting thing will be what price he (de-)values history at – but to the people it will always be St James’s.

Like so many other aspects of today’s professional game, this latest abuse by Ashley not so much hints at its disengagement with supporters as slaps them in the face with it.

The still astronomical cost of watching ‘top-level’ football delivers another blow.

Which brings us back – as it has many – to the non-league beat. For disengagement, read a warm welcome on the gate and a clubhouse pint with the star player after the game. For big costs, witness a bargain.

“Watching the region’s big clubs may no longer represent very good value for money, especially for those with a family,” Northern League chairman Mike Amos said.

“A Northern League experience can still be greatly enjoyed for under a tenner – including admission, programme, pie, pint and Bovril.”

And it could be about to get even better.

The Northern League management committee has agreed in principle a marketing exercise – ‘Just give it a go’ – to be ratified at its next meeting a week on Thursday whereby grassroots newcomers could gain entry to three games of their choice. For free.

“The ‘Just give it a go’ suggestion comes in the firm belief that once people make the effort to attend a Northern League match, they’ll be impressed by the hospitality, friendliness and by the standard of football and want to come back for more,” Amos added.

“It seems to me that as a League we should be pro-active, to let people know what’s on offer. Most people will know someone who has tentatively come to a game and found themselves hooked.

“The more the merrier – and, by and large, football at this level is a very merry and enjoyable place to be.”

So there you are. Priced out by the Premier League, appalled by Ashley or bored by the Boro? Subject to approval, just give it a go.