Welcome to my blog about Blyth Spartans AFC.
It’s a football club steeped in history, a club FA Secretary Ted Croker once called:
“the most famous Non League football team in the world”.
There have been some great players, famous games and some truly memorable times throughout the club’s long history.
This blog will feature some of those players, the epic games and historic events in an attempt to give the proud history of Blyth Spartans an online presence.
Its history to be proud, one to be remembered and never forgotten.
Hope you enjoy.
Blyth Spartans AFC - making history since 1899 
Hi there,I noticed on Weymouth FC forum that you are looking for a photo of Peter Guthrie,well I have the same photo as is on the programme in one of the posts responding to your request. The photo is in glorious black and white only I’m afraid,the reason I bought the photo was that my young (then) son is sitting against the wall behind Peter.If you would like a copy then just respond with your email address to the email below and I’ll send as an attachment,Regards,Alan Appleby.
very enjoyable read , a lot of time and effort. One of the better blogs !
Correct, appreciate the kind words.
Not a lot to be proud of in Blyth – lived here all my life and the best is all behind us though I will never forget those exciting days as a young lad waiting for the FA cup draw being announced.
Not sure how I got your blog while reading up on Tenerife, but at least I know where to come for a reminisce as I approach early retirement. Just been in York and spoken with several old football pros who would relate to the massive achievement of the Spartan warriors nearly 40 years ago!
Maybe I will access this link again in Los Cristianos next Year and see if anyone has thoughts on why Blyth remains in the doldrums. Pretty sure a school prefect could organise job fairs and skill training and competitions and work experience and sponsors and exhibitions – I have seen nothing at all in this regard despite the millions paid to the political classes and anthropologists that seem to stifle any hint of ambition in the town.
I go to many similar towns that never had the benefits Blyth had in terms of job training and natural coastal features yet they seem to attract holidaymakers or employers that fund the development of the townsfolk – Blyth just slides away into the abyss. I think the rise and subsequent demise of the Spartans illustrates the pattern of the town and we will never improve unless we learn from history lessons as outlined so admirably above.
I have a friend who writes as superb blog about living in Tenerife:
http://redqueenmusings.wordpress.com/
There’s us a link on get excellent blog so maybe that’s how you ended up reading about the once mighty Spartans
Very interesting blog. Have you come across any info about my great-grandfather Mark Lawton? He was player, then manager, of Blyth between the wars (front row, 4th right http://www.pinterest.com/pin/191684527866057315/). His brother Bill was the trainer – far left in flat cap.
Hi Northumberlandia, hes in a blog im working on about past mansgers of the club, coud yo give me some info on him havent been able to find our much on him,
Any chance you coukd email thag old team photo, never seen it before, my email is:
blythspiritgu@gmail.com
Cheers
Can we use this in our Stoke fanzine please? Full namecheck etc.
Cheers.
Duck magazine
Of course provided there’s credit given and a plug for the blog feel free
Hi Graeme, Gary Oates here, you may remember me from when I used to come to games with Sproaty. I’ve seen you a few times before the games since then and had a quick chat. I firstly must warn you that our good home run may be coming to and end as Sproaty has moved back up to the North East from Nottingham, he’s in Whickham and he is threatening to come back to a game soon.
Anyway my reason for contacting you is that since lockdown I decided to catalog and tidy up my Spartans programmes and to try and increase my collection. Main interest FAC and Amateur Cup and league programmes from 49’s and 50,s. I still have large gaps in my collection and was wondering if you yourself or you know anyone who may be willing to part with some of my needs. Would be grateful if you could put me in touch with anyone you can think of. I could supply a wants list if that’s necessary.
I’ll say hello if I see you Saturday or any other game.
Cheers
Gary
Hi Gary. I know a couple of people who will have the programmes your looking for but won’t they part with them, your best bet is to check the auction sites such as Ebay and there are a good few programme selling sites that may have them.
Hi cheers for response, I have picked up a few programmes from eBay etc and looks like I will have to keep trying! Sproaty still hasn’t been to a game yet!
I reallu loved your article on Bill Fenwick of January 30, 1913, which I found today. I am from the Netherlands and at the moment studying the the period of nine years that his brother Alfred Leslie Fenwick was trainer at Enschedesche Boys. Do you have more information on him (for example birth date, birthplace, date he died, place he died), or pictures. Do you have the contact details of Colin Brown so I could contact him? Hope to hear from you. Regards, Tijs Tummers
FOR CLUB HISTORIAN –
I collect squad/team photos with irish fa internationals, would it be possible to send an image of 1919 team with Sam Irving
Thanks
ken
Ken I’ll have a look and see if I have a 1919 team photo
Hi Graham, my brother and I have started doing some podcasts about the Spartans. You may have seen us on Spartans Chat and Green Army. Would you be willing to be interviewed.?
Many thanks
Scott