south_tyne

Way back to Preston in the 19th Century. Then there was Sunderland in the '50s who were known as the 'Bank of England Club' due to their excess spending. Then in the 1960s the two most sucessful teams were Spurs and Burnley. The latter had the infamous Bob Lord putting money in, local butcher made good, and causing controversy. I think you are probably right. In days past you simply didn't know what was really going on at a football club. Now in the Sky Sports News generation we demand data and facts 24/7 and seem to be able to find out every last detail about our clubs. The Gretna story is a fascinating one but ultimately sad in the way it ended. One man's money in the form of Mr Mileson, one man's drive and ambition too. It was never sustainable though as the support just wasn't there. Interestingly Mileson also provided sponsorship of the Northern League for many years until his passing. The non-league game has numerous examples going back years... Colne Dynamoes and Rushden and Diamonds to name but two. Heck we can even go back to Bishop Auckland, the kings of 'amateur' football in the 1950s. Serial Amateur Cup winners, Bob Hardisty and co were paid vast amounts through the 'money in the boots' system. The goalie of that famous team, Harry Sharratt, travelled from Bury to County Durham each Saturday because the money was so good. Goes to show that rich owners and big wages have always made the football world go round, at every level of the game. Human nature is nearly always just to follow the money.........

Magical morning!!

...... and it gets even better!!! 68-9

Ireland are bowling beautifully. Murtagh has just been totally on the money all morning. Cracking start!

Ireland! Ireland!! Ireland!!!

Cheers. That advice is really useful. With them being plastic, I've been worried about damaging the models by using some of these paint-stripping products, so it's useful to hear that it can be done. That's maybe even a better idea. My railway would be extremely hard up so I doubt there would be the funds available to repaint stock. I might just try and remove the decals, or simply fade them, before doing a little patching and re-lettering. I think it will be a case of trial and error.

Thanks Ade, I hadn't thought of that so will give it a go.

Looking forward to listening to the test match today. Historic day for Ireland and I'm really chuffed that they are getting this opportunity and importantly that it is at Lords. Given their rapid progress recently, Ireland more than deserve this. Playing better teams, on a regular basis, in all forms of the games, will only improve the standard and grow the game in the country. Ireland have produced some fantastic players over the last couple of decades and hopefully more opportunities to play at a decent level will mean that players stick with playing for Ireland and also stop England from stealing the best players. The ultimate goal must be to be granted full status by the ICC and to grow the infrastructure of the game and widen the playing base in the country. Sounds like the weather is going to be cracking too! More like Perth or Kingston than rainy old London!

Just after a bit of advice folks. I've acquired a few second-hand wagons at a knock down price. They are kit-built, mainly Parkside, and finished in GWR colours. I'm not a GWR modeller so am wondering about the best way to go about refinishing them. I will be using them as stock for my fictitious light railway, as if they were bought second-hand from the Great Western... much like in my world! So, if I was to completely repaint them, would I be best to strip the existing finish and start again? If I was to do this, what is the best method? Alternatively, I am tempted just to remove the GWR transfers and branding, before adding my own lettering amd weathering. This should be easier, and probably more true to what would happen in real life as the light railway company would hardly be flush with money? Again, if I were to follow this approach, what is the best way to remove transfers? I appreciate advice that anyone is able to offer and apologise for asking what are probably very basic and simple questions. Many thanks, Dave

Just a quicky to say I have successfully tracked down a copy through the Moseley Railway Trust. They were so helpful in providing assistance and I couldn't recommend them more highly. They also have a range of other interesting titles available so I will be back for a couple of other publications in due course. Thanks for the heads up @Dava

Agreed. There are good owners, bad owners and some indifferent ones. Sadly there are too many rogues around though. One of the things is that it comes down to the age old debate about what a club actually is. Is it the owner? The players? The fans? The infrastructure? The community? Are the current people involved simply custodians of a bigger thing, passing through and handing it on? Where does the history fit in? Are Gateshead the same club as in 1930, having twice been reformed? I don't think the supporters "own" the club but they are "stakeholders" (I normally hate that phrase but it does seem to be apt here) in whatever the football club actually is. I invest in a season ticket every year and, whilst I know way expect to be involved in any decision making, I feel that my opinion, and that of the supporters as a collective should be heard.

With a wage like that he could fly them in from his favourite takeaway in Cardiff!

This has definitely been the case at Gateshead over the last couple of years.

It will have been 2 when trying to complete in the National League, but probably 3 now given our demotion and slashed budget.

OK, I accept that wages at non-league level have increased but it isn't across the board and isn't very sustainable. I'll talk about my club because I know a little about it... at Gateshead over the last few years the average salary has been around £500-600 a week. That's a good wage for this part of the world..... however..... They are professional footballers. It is always a one-year deal. There is no job security. It is a short career. You couldn't get a mortgage given the contract. You will be looking anxiously to the end of the season all the time, worried about getting a new deal. Granted you're living your dream but it is far from glamorous or long-term. Our too earners have been paid about £1,000 a week - still not a massive amount given all the above caveats. This season, given our enforced demotion and significantly reduced budget the players won't be on anywhere near that too bracket. Obviously there are the Salford Citys of this world who pay megabucks, but it isn't the norm. I remember seeing them at Spennymoor about 5 or 6 years ago and the rumour was that Danny Webber was on £800 a week... in the NPL! Things have moved on to Adam Rooney levels now..... But I doubt that boom translates to other local clubs such as a Stalybridge Celtic (as just one example). Then look what happens when a club does over-reach itself, there is another local example in Hyde and even Stockport as a fallen giant. Someone with more local knowledge may say I am talking rubbish though! Again in the last few years we have lost players to other local semi-pro clubs. Players can earn more by having a part-time contract at Spenny, Darlo or Blyth and then having another part-time job on the side, often in coaching or fitness. This also means you are better prepared for life after football by having career options and experience in the bag. That is a better option than being a 'professional footballer' at Gateshead. It's easier on the lifestyle too, particularly family relationships, no travelling to Torquay, Dover, Eastleigh etc. I'm playing devil's advocate a little but the non-league game is not awash with money and the life of a player at National League level is not a bad of roses. I'll stop waffling... sorry everyone

Yep. I don't begrudge any of them earning what they do in a personal basis. It's a short career and if someone is willing to pay you hundreds of thousands of pounds a week then snap their hand off! The money simply doesn't trickle down through the pyramid and that is where I think change is needed. People have been saying that for decades mind and ultimately the free-market will just do it's thing Not a bad gig if you can get it!

That really puts the scale of your project into perspective!! I hope you manage to sort your DCC issues in due course. Dave

Considering the struggles of so many smaller clubs, many of which we have discussed here, the 'dilemma' faced by Gareth Bale in deciding whether to move to China for a wage of £1m a week is simply obscene...... It's not Bale's fault, someone is willing to pay him and that so why wouldn't you go if you were in his shoes, but it just lays out starkly the contrast between the 'haves' and 'have nots' in the game. My club nearly went to the wall only weeks ago for a relatively miniscule debt and was then sold for princely sum of £26,000........ Mr Bale probably makes that in an afternoon......

Thanks very much for sharing the fantastic photos. Wish I could had been there in person. Next time!

Ha ha There was a time when they used to refer to the 'East Durham Triangle' in North East non-league circles because so many teams had folded, gone bust or disappeared!

The highest reserve teams are allowed in our part of the world is the Wearside League, so they're not allowed into the Northern League. Actually Hebburn Town Reserves won the Wearside last year but couldn't go up. Darlington Reserves also had a spell in there as did Spennymoor. However it's complicated...... Coxhoe became Spenny Reserves but have since gone back to being Coxhoe. Horden changed mid-season to being Darlo Reserves but have now become Darlington Town, a stand-alone club. To further complicate it, there is still a Horden CW kicking around! I think this all goes to emphasis the mess that occurs when second teams play in the 'normal' pyramid. Reserve sides were also part of the old North Eastern League, which folded in 1958. Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Darlington, Hartlepool, Workington and maybe even Newcastle played in the league, alongside semi-pro sides like South Shields, North Shields, Spennymoor etc. Actually reserve sides pulling out was one of the reasons for the league's demise. On a similar point, I know the FA are also not keen on university sides getting too high up the pyramid after the saga with Team Bath a few years ago. Team Northumbria were in the Northern League for a number of years (although I don't think there were any students playing in latter years) and Newcastle University have recently come into NL Division 2.

I think this would be a terrible move. It goes against the ethos of the British league structure. I know it works in Spain, with B-teams in the normal league system, but what makes our 'pyramid' so successful and unique is that individual identity of each club. Letting say a Celtic second team into the Scottish system, or a Man City under-23 team into the Football League instantly undermines that. As a fan of a National League North club I would not want to see the big bits have reserve sides in our league. It would be another example of football pandering to the elite and letting finances rule the game. See the backlash even in the Football League Trophy (cannot remember was it is currently called) as evidence that fans simply don't want it. You even had representatives from our league in your Irn Bru Cup last year! Whilst I think some kind of British Cup, or better still including League of Ireland teams too, would be really interesting, I don't think that is the right format. Mind I haven't got a clue as to how it would be organised or the level of teams you would take from each respective league!

Fascinating project Ragtag, I'll be following with interest. As someone who has a peripheral input in the ABT scheme in my professional life I can assure you that the reopening is going to happen! As ever, the difficulty is in serving Ashington and Bedlington with one service, so interesting to see your proposals! I know you haven't suggested this but I think a return to Newbiggin is highly unlikely but, if you do change our mind, remember.... It's your trainset!!

Couldn't agree more with that. You must be over the moon with how things are moving forward Martin. I'm dead excited to see progress just as a simple bystander, so how you must feel as the lord of this wonderful domain I can only imagine! I know you are having some niggles and problems but please don't get too downhearted. With a project on such a scale as this there will be ups and downs along the way but you will be able to overcome them and iron out the issues in due course. Remember you have the support of so many folk around here! Keep up the good work, you're doing a fantastic job

Thanks Phil. I must admit, I have similar thoughts to yourself with regard to pumping your with chemicals, but in the short-term it does appear to be the best option for me. It is sertraline that I am on too and I feel it is making a difference now that the dosage seems to be right. I would rather be taking something 'natural' but that is a longer-term priority once I have gradually reduced my medication. It's very interesting what you mention about the link between gut health and mental health; I had not heard of that interaction before. On the mindfulness issue, I have found that of great help. There are a number of times when I have been inflicted by severe panic attacks caused by anxiety but some of the mindfulness techniques have helped me to get out of them and, more recently, have very importantly helped me to stop them becoming too bad as I have recognised the early signs that one is coming on and used methods to combat it. Tai Chi is something I have always wanted to try... I think it would benefit me. I might look into it further. Definitely. The support and understanding of those we love and the people closest to us is critical in overcoming depression and keeping the black dog at bay.