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21 January 2008 Consett push for glory in FA Vase replayConsett AFC are calling on fans to support their team in their continuing push for FA Vase glory. The Steelmen made the 740-mile round trip to play Poole Town in Dorset last weekend, and came away with a 1-1 draw after extra time. Next week, they hope to go one step further when the match is replayed at Belle Vue Park on Saturday, January 26. Although it was a seven-hour drive each way, the 70 or so Consett fans who made the trip at the weekend were rewarded with a great performance and a fantastic weekend. Chairman John Hurst said: “It was absolutely brilliant, but we definitely had the better of it. It was an excellent game – a real cup tie. Their goalie had an outstanding game, whereas ours had not a lot to do. But they are a good team. We hadn’t played for a fortnight and I was a bit worried we might tire at the end of 90 minutes, but they did brilliantly and worked hard, and we had three gilt-edged chances in extra time that we would normally expect to see scored. “The people we met were lovely people. As soon as we’d got to our hotel, we got a phone call from one of their directors. They made us feel very welcome.” There were an estimated 70 Consett fans in the total crowd of around 440 on Saturday, and Mr Hurst is hoping that Consett people will come out in force next Saturday and beat that total. He said: “It’s our most important game since last season’s Durham Challenge Cup Final, and it would be great to get a crowd of about 500 people there to support the team. Newcastle are playing away, and Sunderland have no game, so for Consett people who want to watch football on Saturday, it’s the only choice!” Tickets cost £5 and £3 for concessions and kick off is 3pm. For more information contact John Hurst on 07932 715 383.
1 October 2007 70s Soccer legend to speak in ConsettFOOTBALL LEGEND Frank Worthington is to be guest speaker at a sportsman’s dinner in Consett in November. The former Leicester City, Leeds United, Sunderland and England striker will be the guest of honour at a sportsman’s dinner at Consett Civic Centre at 7pm on Thursday, November 1, to raise funds for Consett Football Club. Top comedian Mick Monroe will also be appearing, and tickets cost £30, which includes a three-course dinner. To buy a ticket or reserve a table for ten people, contact organiser John Hurst on 01207 581600. John said: “I’m delighted that we’ve managed to get Frank to come and speak to us. He’s well known for his flamboyant style on and off the field, but a lot of people have forgotten that he once played for Sunderland. He’s got a reputation as a tremendous after dinner speaker, and there will be many people, not just in Consett, but all over the North East, who will want to hear him. It’s for a good cause, and I’ve already had a lot of interest for tables.” He began his career as a forward for Huddersfield Town in 1966 before playing for Leicester City, Bolton Wanderers, Birmingham City, Leeds United, Sunderland, Southampton, Brighton and Hove Albion, Tranmere Rovers, Preston North End and Stockport County. Worthington played into his 40s making 757 League appearances and scoring 234 goals. He also played in the United States with Philadelphia Fury and Tampa Bay Rowdies, South Africa, Sweden and in English non-League football. Worthington won eight caps for England in 1974, scoring two goals. As well as for his sideburns and Elvis Presley impressions, Worthington is remembered for scoring one of the goals of the 1970s while playing for Bolton v Ipswich on 21st April 1979. With his back to goal at the edge of the 18 yard box, he controlled the ball with his knee, flicked it over his head, turned and volleyed it past the keeper. For more information, please contact John Hurst on 01207 581600 or 07932 715 383. 21 September 2007 Consett AFC keep prices low for FA Cup tieConsett AFC officials have decided to keep their prices to the FA minimum for the forthcoming FA Cup tie against Workington. Consett will charge only £5 for adults and £3 for children and concessions even though their opponents charge as much as £10 for a home game. The Consett Committee hopes that fans will appreciate the gesture and turn up in big numbers to cheer the Steelmen on. Consett Chairman John Hurst said: “It’s a huge game for us and it would be easy for us to milk it financially, but we’ve decided to keep the prices to the minimum allowed by the FA so we can encourage lots of Consett fans to turn up and cheer their team into the next round. We might lose the opportunity for short-term financial gain, but it’s more important for us to get behind the team and urge them on to continue our good cup run.” The FA Cup Second Qualifying Round tie takes place at 3pm on Saturday, September 29, at Belle Vue Park, Ashdale Road. It is Consett’s biggest game since last season’s 3-2 Durham Cup Final win over Chester-le-Street. Former League club Workington now play in the Blue Square Conference North, three levels above Consett in the English football league pyramid. Consett have so far played three games in the FA Cup – two preliminary rounds and one qualifying round. In 270 minutes of FA Cup football, they have scored 18 goals and conceded none. They beat Team Northumbria 11-0 away and Darlington RA 4-0 at home, before an impressive 3-0 win against Ossett Town of the Unibond Premier Division – two divisions above Consett – on September 15 at Belle Vue. The Steelmen dominated the first half but only had a 31st minute Mattie Moffat penalty to show for their efforts. The spot kick was awarded for a wild Kung Fu challenge on Steven Brown by Ossett keeper Skiba and had to be retaken after Steven Johnson's first attempt had been saved by Skiba, but only after coming off his line. Consett killed the game with two goals in a minute on the hour mark. John Clark's left wing cross sailed over the keeper and into the net to double Consett's lead, then moments later Johnson set up Moffat to drill the ball home from eight yards. 26 July 2007 Consett to play Sunderland in last-minute friendlyConsett AFC has secured a fantastic treble by arranging a last-minute friendly with Premiership neighbours Sunderland. And club officials are calling on local fans to pass the word round to make the match on July 31 a big occasion. Chairman John Hurst said: “We’ve been trying all summer to pull this off, but we thought Sunderland had slipped from our grasp until they phoned and offered us the match on Tuesday night. It’s late in the day, but it’s too good an opportunity to miss, so we’re asking all fans to help publicise the game. We’ve already got Newcastle coming for a friendly so this will be great for the red half of the town. We had nearly 800 last season for Newcastle, and it would be great to see Consett fans, whatever their allegiance, out in force for both these games.” The match will take place at 7.30pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at Belle Vue Stadium, and Sunderland have promised a side made up of a mix of Academy and reserve players. Consett had already arranged two major friendlies at Belle Vue Park as part of their pre-season warm-up. The Steelmen are to face Hartlepool United on at 7.30pm on August 2 and then line up two days later against Newcastle United at 3pm on August 4. Entry to all games is £5, £3 for oaps and concessions, and accompanied children under 16-years-old get in for free. Consett’s pre-season got off to a great start on Tuesday, July 24, with a 5-1 victory over Whickham. New signings Mattie Moffat and John Clark were both on the scoresheet along with Steve Johnson, Mark Patterson and Ian Robson. For more information, contact Chairman John Hurst on 07932 715 383. 14 July 2007 Consett to play Newcastle United and Hartlepool UnitedConsett AFC has pulled off two major friendlies at Belle Vue Park as part of their pre-season warm-up. The Steelmen are to face Hartlepool United on at 7.30pm on August 2 and then line up two days later against Newcastle United at 3pm on August 4. Chairman John Hurst said: “We’re delighted to have secured fixtures against both these teams and we’d be delighted to see a full house for both fixtures. Both games should be a stern test for Consett, but we hope we can get two good results and get our season off to a tremendous start.” Entry to both games is £5, £3 for oaps and concessions, and accompanied children under 16-years-old get in for free. The Hartlepool friendly was agreed as part of the deal that took Consett’s top scorer Michael Mackay to the Victoria Ground in February. Mackay is expected to feature on his first return to Belle Vue in a Hartlepool side that will be made up of 50% first-team players. Consett officials will present Mackay with his Top Scorer and Player Of The Season awards at half-time on August 2. Meanwhile, club officials are hoping for a repeat of the huge gate for last year’s Newcastle Utd friendly when an estimated 800 fans turned up to watch Consett go down narrowly 1-0 to a talented Newcastle reserve team, featuring Republic of Ireland international Alan O’Brien. Newcastle are expected to bring a similar XI this year. Consett will be likely to unveil new signings Mattie Moffat, Liam Bramley, Rob Story, John Clark and David Turner in the two friendly matches. There will also be exhibition matches featuring Consett YMCA Juniors’ teams in the half-hour before both games. Other pre-season matches include away games at Esh Winning (July 21) and Annfield Plain (August 6), as well as a home game against either Tayport or Ryton on July 28. A friendly against Harrogate RA that was planned to take place on August 4 is expected to be rearranged for an alternative date.
2 April 2007 Consett withdraw UniBond applicationCONSETT AFC have decided not to move up a league because of uncertainties over their ground.Consett AFC officials have withdrawn the club’s application to move up to a new UniBond Northern Division One because they still don’t know where they will be playing over the next two years. And they are also concerned about spending money to get the current ground at Belle Vue up to standards demanded by a league that is not certain to go ahead. Arrangements to move to a new site at Berry Edge have still not been agreed with the Council. There were also concerns that the proposed new UniBond division would not take place anyway. It is thought to be at least four teams short. Consett AFC officials were reluctant to pay a minimum of £7,000 to get Belle Vue Stadium up to standard, when they would not know until at the earliest April 3 –possibly not until mid-May – if their application was successful, especially as they could be moving to a new ground within two years. Acting Chairman John Hurst said: “It’s a big disappointment to all at the club, but we’re in limbo at the moment, and until we’re certain about the future, we’re staying we’re we are. There are too many grey areas. It could be that next month they tell us it’s a non-starter.” The proposed move would have meant travel to away fixtures possibly as far as Colwyn Bay. Players would have to guarantee they would be free for long journeys on Saturdays and Wednesdays. Mr Hurst said: “We’ve got a year to get organised now. The priorities for next season are to know where we’re playing, to set up an executive board from local businessmen and sponsors and to finish in the top three!” 8 February 2007 Consett say farewell to goal machine MackayConsett AFC are saying goodbye to their top scorer after club officials decided they wouldn’t block his dream move to a League club.Michael Mackay, who has scored 43 goals for Consett this season, was transferred to Hartlepool United yesterday (February 7) for an undisclosed sum. Consett’s Acting Chairman, John Hurst, said it was a hard decision for the club and its fans, but felt they couldn’t jeopardise such a good career move for the 24-year-old striker. He said: “He’s a really nice lad and we didn’t want to see him go, but morally we couldn’t stand in his way. He said he was happy at Consett, but it’s the chance of professional football, and we understand what that means. “Michael’s been fantastic at Consett; he knows where the goal is and you can’t coach that. We’ve got to try our best to replace him and the manager knows to do that he’s got to bring in a jewel. We just want to thank Michael for all he’s done at the club in the last two seasons and wish him well for the future.” Consett have negotiated a ‘sell on’ clause in Mackay’s new 18-month contract, which will see the Northern League outfit bagging 10% of any future fee paid to Hartlepool for the player. Consett initially tried to strike a deal that would see the striker they bought for £1,000 last term from Durham City return to Belle Vue Park on loan for the rest of the season, but Hartlepool want to see Mackay in their first team squad within the next couple of weeks. Instead, Pools’ Director of Football Chris Turner has offered Consett manager Kenny Lindoe his pick of the Hartlepool fringe players to come to Consett on loan for 28 days, while he searches for a new striker. Hartlepool have also agreed to bring a first-team squad to Belle Vue Park for a pre-season friendly next season. Mackay said moving from Consett was a difficult decision: “I’ve really liked it at Consett in the last year and a bit. Consett have a good chance of winning the treble, there’s a good committee up there and the fans have always stuck up for me when Kenny was giving me stick for not passing.” “I’ve told Kenny that if it doesn’t work out at Hartlepool, I’d love to come back.” Mackay, who is working a few days’ notice at Birtley Leisure Centre, turned down a move to Darlington in the last week because the contract offered was just until the end of the season. Stockport County were also interested in the prolific striker, who has scored 82 goals in 70 games for Consett. He was previously top scorer in the Arngrove Northern League First Division with Durham City. He is the first Consett player to move directly from Consett’s first team to a League club since the 1960s. 29 November 2006 Consett prepare for the eight daze of ChristmasCONSETT AFC are offering Christmas jeers not cheers after a fixture pile up has left them with eight home games in 28 days.And club officials in the town not best known for its clement weather are expecting to be swapping their turkeys for tractors as they battle to keep the Belle Vue pitch in condition with three games in a week over Christmas. Consett AFC Secretary Ian Hamilton said: “We’re going to have to cancel Christmas in Consett. Starting on November 29, we have eight home games in 28 days. I know people will be saying ‘think of the revenue’, but I say ‘look at the pitch.’ “In the close season, we spent an awful lot of money on our pitch, because it had become an embarrassment, and at the start of the season everyone remarked on how well it looked. God only knows what it will be like at the start of 2007.” Consett AFC have home league games with Newcastle Benfield, Northallerton, West Auckland, Whitley Bay, Bishop Auckland and Horden between now and Boxing Day, with an FA Vase Third Round game against Causeway Utd on December 9, and a League Cup tie with Whitley Bay again on December 6 thrown in for good measure. Christmas joy will be strained to the limits as club officials and volunteers are expecting to be working on Christmas Day and Boxing Day to prepare for the 11am Boxing Day tie against Horden, a mere 68 hours after playing Bishop Auckland at 3pm on December 23. That game breaks the record however, as it is due to start 67-and-a-half hours after the table-topping clash against Whitley Bay, an evening kick off on December 20. In the midst of this run, Consett have one only away fixture – against Ashington on December 12. 31 October 2006 Stormin' NormanA FUNDRAISING NIGHT featuring soccer legend Norman Hunter raised almost £5000 for Consett AFC. And the club is already organising its next fundraiser – the annual Christmas party in December.The former Leeds United and England defender was guest of honour at a sportsman’s dinner at Consett Civic Centre on Thursday, October 26, to raise funds for the Arngrove Northern League club. The final total is expected to be around the £4,800 mark. Norman spoke for about 45 minutes about his playing career at Leeds Utd and England in the 60s and 70s. His recollections included missing the tackle that allowed Poland to qualify for the 1974 World Cup at England’s expense, being sent off for fighting with Francis Lee in front of the Match of the Day cameras, and other stories about Leeds colleagues such as Jack Charlton, Billy Bremner and Gary Sprake. Halifax-based rugby league player and comedian Lea Roberts also went down well with the crowd of over 200 people, and there was an auction and a raffle as well as a three-course dinner. Organiser John Hurst said: “It was a brilliant night and thanks to everyone for coming out to support the club. Norman and Lea have both rung up since Thursday to say what a great night they had and to thank everyone, and that just echoes the comments I’ve had from local people attending.” John is now organising the annual Consett AFC Christmas Party on December 2 also at the Civic Centre, Consett. Tickets cost £18 and include a meal, a disco, and live music from the band Hazard. To buy a ticket or reserve a table for ten people, contact John Hurst on 01207 581600. John said: “It’s a different atmosphere at the Christmas Party, it’s very popular with couples, and it’s the perfect way to get in the Christmas mood.” 22 September 2006 70s Soccer legend to speak in ConsettFOOTBALL LEGEND Norman Hunter is to be guest speaker at a sportsman’s dinner in Consett in October.The former Leeds United and England defender will be the guest of honour at a sportsman’s dinner at Consett Civic Centre at 7pm on Thursday, October 26, to raise funds for Consett Football Club. Top comedian Lea Roberts will also be appearing, and tickets cost £30, which includes a three-course dinner. To buy a ticket or reserve a table for ten people, contact organiser John Hurst on 01207 581600. John said: “I’m delighted that Norman is coming to speak to us. He’s well known for his nickname – Norman “bites your legs” Hunter – but fewer people know that he’s actually a local lad from Gateshead. He’s a tremendous after dinner speaker, and there will be many people, not just in Consett, but all over the North East, who will want to hear him. It’s for a good cause, and I’ve already had a lot of interest for tables.” Norman Hunter first played for Leeds United in 1962 and made 724 appearances for them, scoring 21 goals. He won League, FA Cup, League Cup and Fairs Cup medals at Leeds, and also played in the 1973 Leeds team that was unexpectedly beaten by Sunderland in the FA Cup Final. Norman Hunter also played for England 28 times, and was a member of the 1966 World Cup winning squad, although he's probably best remembered for failing to win a straightforward tackle in the move that led to Poland's goal in their infamous 1973 draw at Wembley that blocked England's path to the World Cup Finals. In 1974, he was the first player to receive the PFA Players’ Player of the Year Award. 31 August 2006 Consett AFC hoping to repeat FA Cup historyConsett AFC are going into Saturday’s FA Cup Preliminary Round with their sights set on reaching the First Round proper for the first time since 1996.The Steelmen face Rossendale Utd of the Unibond League First Division at Belle Vue Park, Consett, at 3pm on Saturday. If they win, they are drawn to play Gateshead away on September 16 in the First Qualifying Round. Consett AFC Chairman, Derek Nichols said: “It would be fantastic for the town if we had a good cup run this year, and we’ve never been better placed to do it. More than 1,000 fans came to watch us against Mansfield and people still talk about that day. It’s ten years on, but there are a lot of similarities with the Cup run of 1996, although arguably the squad is better now. But we’re happy to face whoever we’re drawn against and do our best.” In 1996, Consett won through five qualifying rounds of the FA Cup, before losing 4-0 away to Mansfield Town of League Division 4 in the First Round. They beat Alnwick Town, Harrogate Town, Durham City – who forfeited the game after fielding an ineligible player – and Bishop Auckland, before travelling to Gateshead, then in the Conference. A Colin McLeod goal brought Consett victory against their mighty neighbours and entry into the First Round draw for only the second time in their history, having previously lost 5-0 away to Doncaster Rovers in the first round in 1958. But fans are already drawing attention to the similarities between 1996 and 2006. Not only will they play Gateshead if they beat Rossendale, but current Assistant Manager Davey Hagan played for Consett in 1996, and was a member of the squad that travelled to Mansfield. And in 1996 Stephen Brown scored against Alnwick in the 2-0 victory in the preliminary round, while his 2006 namesake, Steven Brown (no relation), notched one of Consett’s goals in the 5-0 victory over Prudhoe in the Extra Preliminary Round on August 19. In 1996, Consett were the lowest placed team in the English football pyramid to make it into the First Round, and rubbed shoulders with clubs like Fulham, Burnley and Brighton, all with much more illustrious FA Cup pedigree. Chelsea were the eventual winners, beating Middlesbrough 2-0 in the final. In September 1996, Newcastle United were a month away from thrashing Manchester United 5-0 at St James’s Park, the Spice Girls were Number 1 with ‘Wannabe’ and the price of a pint of beer was around £1.70. 22 August 2006 Kids go free at Consett AFCConsett football club is to give free entry to accompanied children at all Arngrove Northern League games this season.The announcement – on the eve of the club’s first home league game against Dunston Fed – comes after 800 people turned out to support the team in their pre-season friendly against Newcastle United. Consett AFC President John Hurst said: “We had a huge crowd for the Newcastle game and the atmosphere was tremendous. If we can get half that for our league games this season we’d be delighted. It’s important for us to build up the atmosphere at the ground, so we’re doing all we can to encourage Consett people to come out in support of their local team.” Consett’s match against Dunston takes place on Wednesday, August 22 at Belle Vue Park, Ashdale Road, Consett. Kick off is 7.30pm and entry for adults is £4. Consett have played two league games so far this season – away at West Auckland and Bishop Auckland – and have won both. 18 August 2006 Consett sign former Feyenoord playerArngrove Northern League team Consett have succeeded where Newcastle United have failed by signing a player from Dutch giants Feyenoord.New signing Michael Brown made his Consett debut against West Auckland on August 12. He came on with half an hour to go as Consett battled to a deserved 3-1 win. But it is a far cry from rubbing shoulders with Robin van Persie or Salomon Kalou, now of Arsenal and Chelsea respectively, as he did during two seasons at Feyenoord from 2003 to 2005. The 22-year-old left-sided midfielder left his native Annfield Plain at the age of 12 when his family emigrated to Australia. Former Newcastle United, Chelsea and Rangers striker Dave Mitchell, who was managing Parramatta Power, spotted Michael’s talent and arranged for a Feyenoord official to watch him train. He was then invited for a two-and-half week trial with Feyenoord, and he followed the lead of Australian star and one-time Newcastle United target Brett Emerton and signed for the Rotterdam club. At the culmination of two seasons at under-19 and reserve level, Michael turned out for Feyenoord against arch rivals Ajax in the 2004 Amstel Cup final, his happiest footballing moment so far. Sadly the day ended with a 3-2 defeat. He was then released by Feyenoord last year when his contract finished. Since then he has been playing for Sydney team, Blacktown City Demons, but decided to try his luck in England when the Australian season ended. Michael had Dutch lessons twice a week at Feyenoord, but has lost none of his North East accent in the ten years since his family left England. He was delighted to have joined Consett at a time when the team is doing so well, and was looking forward to the chance of making his home debut and contributing to extending Consett’s 100% record in their first home game of the season against Dunston Fed on August 23. He said: “From what I’ve seen and heard in the last two games, Consett could do really well. They got promoted last year, so why not push up for this competition? The last two games have proved the way we can play. “Obviously, I came a few weeks late and they already had players signed up, but all you can do is train hard and take your chance when you get it. I’ve been in this situation before, when you’ve got to fight for your place. It’s hard to break in when the team is playing so well, but if you get a chance to play, you’ve just got to take it.”
11 July 2006 Consett
AFC to unite
Consett AFC is calling on the town’s football fans to come together at a pre-season friendly to kick-start the team’s push for the Northern League
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