Fans boycott Blyth's FA Trophy exit
Blyth Spartans have just about hit rock bottom.
Dumped out of the Northumberland Senior Cup by Northern League Newcastle Uni last Thursday night, the green and whites then exited the FA Trophy last Saturday.
With a fan boycott of the match taking place, only 385 went through the turnstiles at Croft Park to see Stephen Thompson’s first half double put Stockton Town into the next round.
130 of those had travelled up from Teesside.
Spartans’ supporters have been increasingly frustrated after a summer of little activity in the transfer market following relegation left Nobby Solano waiting for potential targets while new boss David Stockdale has been left to pick up the pieces.
A lack of communication from the owners and fears for the future of the club have been cited as reasons why many regulars opted to go elsewhere last weekend – and they didn’t do so lightly.
Blyth find themselves rooted in the NPL Premier relegation zone with six defeats in their opening 11 games and this weekend’s visit to Leek Town, in 18th spot, already has the look of a six-pointer about it.
Manager Stockdale has been very honest and straight-talking since taking on the role and has come out and consistently asked the young and inexperienced players to stand up and be counted. The former Premier League goalkeeper talks a lot of sense and repeated his call for passion from the side after describing the performance as ‘huff and puff.’
“It’s just desire. My first three things – and I say it every week – are hard work, commitment and desire,” he told BSAFC TV.
“I asked for energy and we had it for maybe five minutes and played some decent stuff out from the back. It gets to a certain point and we don’t take care of the ball, we don’t want it, and then we spend the rest of the time trying to get it back,” said Stockdale, who was frustrated by the player’s lack of footballing knowledge.
“For me it’s simple things and I’m not sure it is for them. I’m going to have to go textbook academy football and what they teach them. We’re going to have to do really simple things that kids understand,” an exasperated Stockdale continued.
“My appeal to the fans is that it’s going to take time and it’s going to be horrible. We’re going to have to go simplified and it might be route one football because that’s all they understand until we get a chance to get a bit of quality and rearrange the squad.”