IF you're tired of paying a fortune to watch over-paid, under-performing professionals, get yourself along to support your local club in the North Northumberland League,
writes Jon Tait.
The Northern League is planning a new incentive whe
re you can get into three games for free to try out non-league football – while the NNFL is even greater value at nowt to get in, so you can't complain that you haven't had value for money.
Better still, get involved with your local club. They are always looking out for coaches, officials and players – how many professional clubs can you go to and end up having a drink with the players after the game or washing the strips?
The stories of great 1970s clashes, rampant as the Percy Lion, between Rothbury and Alnwick Town Reserves, or Aydon Forest as they were then known, are the stuff of legend in the fire- lit lounges of local pubs.
But the colourful spectacle that will be on display at St James' Park this weekend as Rothbury look to maintain top spot and their 100 per cent record is a far cry from frayed and yellowing black and white snapshots and memories with the thunder of studs on the turf, the smack of boot on leather and the ripple of the net right in your face.
Bedlington Terriers Reserves will be looking to pull away from the lower reaches of the table as they visit bottom side Berwick United Reserves while Acklington Athletic will look to keep their good form going as Berwick Town visit.
Unbeaten Lowick United will look to keep the pressure on Rothbury at the top as Shilbottle CW, keen to remain in contention themselves, visit New Barber Park in what could prove to be a cracking match with plenty at stake.
Division Two leaders Belford make the journey down to Armstrong Park to take on Rothbury Reserves with the form book hugely tipping Johnny Duncan's Blues to take the points but young Peter Angus will have other ideas, while high-scoring Lynemouth will look to keep stretching the net as Embleton WR visit.
Springhill are on the road to a tricky fixture at Alnmouth United and the game between Hedgley and Craster Rovers at Powburn could serve up a decent clash while Boulmer – who've saved their wins for cup clashes so far – will look to put their first three-pointer on the board as Wooler visit.
The Northern League's plan to win disillusioned fans from the North-East's big three is called 'Give it a Go' – so get along to your local side, at the coast or in the hills, and 'Have a Gan'. Create the new legends.
