Spennymoor Town Football Club

In my last blog of the season I would first like to congratulate  all the Spennymoor Town Academy Managers and coaches for their efforts throughout the season it is a very hard and demanding job and you all deserve tremendous recognition. I would like to pay tribute in particular to Paul Cooper and David Ross from the U17s who had a fantastic season winning the league and cup double and also providing some very exciting talent that have played a part in the 1st teams successes this season and also Dan Newall and Chris Lownds for an excellent season with the U16s who came 2nd, losing 1 game all season.

When we reflect on the season as a whole I think we can all look back with enormous pride and satisfaction on what we have achieved both on and off the field. Records have been broken, Crowds are going up, the ground is improving all the time and most importantly with the success of the Vase it makes life easier for the directors to generate sponsorship and make the club a force to be reckoned with in the coming years. The success the team has had would not have happened without the dedication and hard work of The Chairman, Board, Committee, Bar Staff, Steve Lawson, Leitchy, Kenny and Reg, all the other volunteers and especially the tremendous supporters who have backed us throughout the season.

This was for you!!!!.

The amount of games and length of the season has been a real test both physically and mentally on the players and to achieve what they have is great credit not only to their undoubted quality as footballers but there desire to win things.  We have had some remarkable games that spring to my mind and i will share just a few that stick out for me.

Bedlington away when we scored 6 was probably the best football we played all season with some outstanding individual performances topped off with brilliant finishing.

Bridlington Town away was a real tough opening game in the vase and we were simply unplayable in the 1st half and really sent out a message to the teams in that competition,  I felt that game gave the players the belief that it could be our year in the vase.

Darlington at home – obviously we were disappointed with the result after playing ever so well 1st half but seeing the ground filled to capacity was a great sight and a record crowd watched the game.

Guernsey away – To fly to an away game at this level of football is virtually unheard of and to play a team of the quality of Guernsey in front of 4500 supporters and dominate throughout was a real highlight of the season it was a very professional and excellent all round team performance.

Guernsey home – after the brilliant away display the worry for me was that players and supporters already thought we were at Wembley and the unusual KO time of 5.30pm to allow for live broadcast back to Guernsey meant another special night at the Brewery field. It wasn’t the greatest spectacle but when Stevo scored the decisive goal the dream was achieved.

Tunbridge Wells – what an occasion to take 5000 Spennymoor supporters to a sun drenched Wembley stadium and win the vase was a dream come true for us all and to top it off with a civic reception and see so many thousands of people waiting for us at the town hall will live long in my memory and to achieve it with this group of players and be the 1st Spennymoor team to get to Wembley made it even more special.

A massive part of our achievements this season is down to my backroom staff, Gav, Glen, Andy and Baz who have been instrumental throughout, we have been together in the good times and bad throughout the season when people have doubted us and come back stronger and more determined as a group. They deserve every credit on an outstanding season and if it wasn’t for them we would not have had half the success we have enjoyed. I would also ilike to thank Ash who has assisted Andy and been part of our family for most of the season and to Scotty who has stepped in to Physio when Andy has been away.

Finally it goes without saying that when a season ends players will inevitably leave the club and we thank them for all their efforts throughout their time at Spennymoor, each and every one of them has played their part in the team’s progression over recent seasons and we really do appreciate it and wish them every success in the future.

Lawsey, Speedy and Deano were all offered new deals before the away game in Guernsey but declined the offer that was put to them, the chairman met with them again the week before the Vase Fianl and the players still wanted to keep their options open until the end of the season which was their prerogative. After our victory against Benfield in the league cup we felt as a club that we would withdraw the offers that were on the table and let them move on enabling them to get sorted out quickly.  A real bonus is the fact that we have managed to tie down Titch, Leon, Lewis, Mase, Peaks and Rudds this is fantastic news for the club and hopefully they will reproduce the form they have shown since they have been at the club in the next 2 seasons.

All the very best,

Jay.

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Since the Guernsey fixtures it doesn’t seem that we have had time to draw breath with so much going on both on and off the field. To reach Wembley for the very 1st time in the clubs history is a tremendously proud moment for myself having been part of this club on and off for 25 years. You do not realise the true extent of reaching the vase final until you get there as the publicity and hype is unbelievable and certainly puts us in the public eye, which can only be good for attracting new sponsors and supporters.

The backroom staff and players have been fantastic all season and we wouldn’t be in 3 cup finals and 2nd in the league if it wasn’t for them. We are going to enjoy the occasion on May 4th but there is only one thought in everybody’s minds and that is to bring the trophy back to Spennymoor.

We have had an unbelievable season so far but we all know that we haven’t won anything yet and we certainly don’t what this to be a season of runners up trophies. We have another four weeks of hard work before we can have a well-earned break and hopefully look back on a truly remarkable season.

As I write this blog the day after the Ashington game which I thought was a superb team performance from us and on another day we could of won by four or five but you have to give credit to Ashington who played there part in a fantastic game of football to watch and just goes to show what a very strong league we play in with the quality of players in their team.

With Darlington only needing a point which looks likely to come on Saturday they will be crowned League Champions, I for one will certainly applaud them as I know how hard it is to win a league and to do it with over 120 points is a phenomenal achievement. The run they have been on since the turn of the year has been extraordinary and regardless that we have been playing catch up with games the winners of any league are the most consistent

Over the season and who gain the most points so credit to Martin and his players on that. I for one will never forget the three games against them as the atmosphere was unprecedented at this level of football and a great experience. I think we have built up a healthy rivalry that will hopefully flourish over the years and I wish them well next season.

Finally I would like to wish the Spennymoor supporters who are attending the Vase game at Wembley a safe trip and we are forever grateful that you are travelling in such large numbers to support us!! Make sure you make as much noise as possible for the players as I know it will make a massive difference to them! We have had many unbelievable memories this season but hopefully the best is still to come!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for your support Jay

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First of all it is important not to get carried away on the back of what was an excellent team performance away in front of 4,300 spectators, as its only half time and we still have a  tremendous amount of work to do in the return leg at Spennymoor.

Having watched Guernsey play in previous rounds they are well capable of scoring goals and lots of them! I was really pleased for the supporters who spent good money and lots of effort to watch the game and will hopefully go away with happy memories of what was a fantastic occasion.

I would also like to give special praise to the fans who watched the game back in Spennymoor, it really was fantastic to be part of an historic occasion for the football club.  One thing I have always said is that it is a squad game and each and every player is valued equally, on Saturday it proved right again as both Speedy and Stevo came off the bench to score the goals.

With players excitement there is always  disappointment and it was a horrible feeling in the team meeting on Saturday having to leave players out of the team but they responded well to the reasons and also played a massive part in the win by supporting the team throughout. Hopefully Saturday we have a big crowd to support us and they make as much noise as possible in what will be another very difficult game.

We have a few injuries to contend with so it opens up the door for other players to stake a claim for a starting place and that will happen on Monday in the League cup away at RCA.  Its a very important week of preparation for Gav, Glen and myself but that is what the two of them have given me all season, they have taken us to the next level and I want them to reap the rewards as well as the players..

Finally I would like to thank the Chairman for giving us the best opportunity of  reaching Wembley by being meticulous in the preparation leading up to the game and hopefully we can repay this come Saturday evening.

Cheers Jay

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It’s been a great week both on and off the field for us as a club with the new developments of the ground and the team overcoming Lordswood, Synners and Bermerton to progress to the semi-final of the DCC and reaching the quarter finals of the FA Vase for the very 1st time. Games are coming thick and fast and every one of them is a big game, which is what we want as it shows how far we have come. (I still remember the trip to Bideford in the vase a number of years ago where we couldn’t afford to travel and Brad stepped in to help the club with the Newcastle team coach and hotel for us.).

The support we have had in the vase games especially has been superb and doesn’t go unnoticed by the management or the players.  We are all very focused and under no illusions that we have won nothing yet, even after our tremendous start to the season we must maintain the standards we have set and see where it takes us! I have said it all season that we will need every single player in our squad to be play a part in the coming months as we will be playing two and three times a week so we will have to make sure that every one of them gets minutes on the pitch.  The players have been brilliant and the team spirit is as strong as ever which sometimes helps us get over the line when we are not at our best. I can’t fault any of them for their efforts and commitment and they deserve all the credit that comes there way.

Saturday was probably the best we have played for a while and some of our attacking play in the first half was exceptional. Bemerton were a very strong team with players who could hurt us. The reports we had had was that we would need to work very hard against them if we wanted to go through and I think that was proved exactly right as we all knew we had been in a game by 4.50pm.

I think Gav has taken us to another level with his experience, knowledge in the vase and excellent training sessions he puts on. We have become very close as a management team and long may it continue. Glen is also doing a brilliant job as a coach and has been a breath of fresh air. Monday sees the draw made for the quarter finals so let’s hope we have a bit of luck with a home draw.

On the injury front some bad news, Dan Groves after the game on Monday was really Ill with stomach pains and was admitted into Hospital on Thursday, Dan was in theatre for over an hour and operated on Friday for a twisted bowel and at the same time had his appendix removed. Can we all keep Dan in our thoughts and wish him a speedy recovery!!

Saturday was for you Dan!!

Jay

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After the disappointment of not taking all 3 points against Bedlington last Saturday despite dominating the game it was imperative that we beat Synners.  After the 2 previous encounters with them we knew it was going to be a tough game and so it turned out.

The performance from us especially 1st half was not acceptable, too many times we gave the ball away cheaply and our decision making at times was very poor, if it wasn’t for Deano we would of gone in at half time losing the game. Second half I thought we were better without being anywhere near our best and could of scored straight after the restart with Titch heading just wide and Kallum hitting a tremendous strike off the underside of the bar.

Both teams had chances to score and I was relieved to say that it was us who got the all-important goal which proved decisive and puts another 3 points onto our tally.  Every team hits a sticky patch throughout the season and I believe this is ours but it’s important that whilst we’re not hitting the heights of early season we are still keeping clean sheets and winning football matches which is a great habit and shows what a good side we are. To still be undefeated mid-January is a tremendous achievement from the players but we know we will have to improve our recent performances if that’s going to carry it on. We have some very big matches coming up starting with the 2 this week and we will put teams out who I believe will give everything.

I don’t think the postponements have helped us but it’s the same for all teams so we have to accept and get on with it. We have players who know how to win big games and we are certainly going to make sure we leave no stone unturned in us trying to achieve our goals.

We have a number of concerns with Joe struggling with an Achilles problem, Peaks working away for the forthcoming weeks and Stevo recovering from a groin injury but we have a great squad of players and we will utilise them throughout the remainder of the season.

Jay

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