Tag Archives: Croft Park

Blyth Spartans team photograph archive

Posted on October 18, 2023 by Blyth Spirit

Blyth Spartans team photo archive Continue reading →

Posted in Blyth Spartans AFC, Classic Team Photo's, FA Cup, Giant Killings, Green & White Cult Heroes, History, Managers, Players | Tagged Blyth, Blyth FC, Blyth history, Blyth News, Blyth Remembered, Blyth Shipbuilding, Blyth Shipyard, Blyth Spartans AFC, Blyth Spartans badge, Blyth Spartans Munitionettes, Blyth Spirit, Blyth Valley Borough Council, Brian Slane, Croft Park, FA Cup, Football Team, Harry Dunn, Jackie Marks, Non League Football, Northern League, St James Park, Team photos | Leave a comment

Green & White Cult Heroes – Harry Mills

Posted on November 30, 2022 by Blyth Spirit

Every era in Blyth Spartans history has players adored and idolised by the supporters, in the post WWII years goalkeeper Harry Mills was that player. The supporter who went on to play for the club and became a cult hero. Henry Owen … Continue reading →

Posted in Blyth Spartans AFC, History, Players | Tagged Blyth Spartans AFC, Croft Park, FA Cup, Goalkeeper, Halifax Town, Harry Mills, Huddersfield Town, Non League Football, North Africa, Schools Football, War, WWII | 1 Comment

Playing away.

Posted on March 4, 2022 by Blyth Spirit

How many grounds have you seen Blyth Spartans play at? Well known fan, Mark Wilkinson has just clocked up the milestone of watching Blyth play at 100 different grounds. It’s taken him 26 years to achieve his feat and reckons in doing … Continue reading →

Posted in Blyth Spartans AFC | Tagged away games, Blyth Spartans AFC, Coventry Spartans, Croft Park, FA Cup, Groundhopper, Non League Football, Northern League | Leave a comment

The history of Blyth Spartans kits and colours.

Posted on September 10, 2021 by Blyth Spirit

Blyth Spartans are well know for their rather unique green & white striped shirts, while a popular choice for European clubs in this country no other team from the National League upwards currently wear green and white stripes as … Continue reading →

Posted in Blyth Spartans AFC, Classic Team Photo's, History | Tagged 1977/78, Blyth Spartans, Blyth Spartans AFC, Blyth Spartans badge, Blyth spartans crest, Brian Slane, Bukta, Croft Park, Cup Run, FA Cup, Famous shirts, Football history, Football kits, Football shirts, Football Strips, Kits, Non League Football, Sponsors | 5 Comments

Players from the past – Peter Mackin 1908 to 1910 & 1911/12.

Posted on September 5, 2020 by Blyth Spirit

Players from the Past profiles and tells the stories of former Spartans from the clubs birth right up to WWII. Third in the series is… Peter Mackin 1908 to 1910 & 1911/12 The Spartans had already been playing for seven seasons … Continue reading →

Posted in Blyth Spartans AFC, Green & White Cult Heroes, History, Players | Tagged Battle of Arras, Battle of the Somme, Bedlington, Blyth News, Blyth Shipbuilding, Blyth Shipyard, Blyth Spartans, Clapham Orient, Clem Stephenson, Croft Park, Great War, Hebburn, Jarrow, Maddison Street, Newcastle United, North Eastern League, Northern Alliance, Northumberland Fusiliers, Palmers Shipyard, Peter Mackin, Potato Famine, Sunderland, The Somme, Uncategorized, Vimy Ridge, Wallsend, WWI | 3 Comments

The Alan Shoulder story.

Posted on March 27, 2020 by Blyth Spirit

Alan made a name for himself in the legendary 1977/78 FA Cup run which ultimately earned him his move to Newcastle United. Goal scoring exploits aside, given he was a coal miner playing for a town so steeped in mining … Continue reading →

Posted in Blyth Spartans AFC, FA Cup, Green & White Cult Heroes, Players | Tagged 1977/78, Alan Shoulder, Bishop Auckland, Blyth Spartans AFC, Carlisle United, Coal Miner, Croft Park, Debenhams Cup, FA Cup, Green & White Cult Heroes, Hartlepool United, Jackie Milburn, Jimmy Turney, John Waterson, Keith Houghton, Match of the Day, Newcastle United, Non League Football, Peter Withe, Spennymoor United, St James Park, Wrexham FC | 5 Comments

Spartans super fan is still counting.

Posted on August 23, 2019 by Blyth Spirit

Being a lifelong supporter of a football club often means its becomes part of your family. Events are arranged, even rescheduled to fit in with matches. For some fans certain games can be missed however others wouldn’t ever think of … Continue reading →

Posted in Blyth Spartans AFC, Classic Matches, FA Cup, FA Trophy, History, Managers, Players | Tagged 1977/78, Bath City, Blyth Spartans AFC, Conference North, Croft Park, FA Cup, FA Trophy, Green & White Cult Heroes, Harry Dunn, Jeff Young, Jim Pearson, Match of the Day, Most games, Newcastle United, Non League Football, Northern League, Northern Premier League, Promotion, Supporter, Twerton Park, Unbeaten | 1 Comment

Green & White Cult Heroes – Brian Slane

Posted on April 24, 2019 by Blyth Spirit

Some footballers are synonymous with certain clubs and some are even legends of their clubs. However, a select few transcend even that. Brian Slane is one of those elite people, he was irrevocably involved in a decade that defined Blyth … Continue reading →

Posted in Blyth Spartans AFC, Classic Matches, FA Cup, Giant Killings, Green & White Cult Heroes, History, Managers, Players | Tagged 1977/78, Alan Shoulder, All time goalscorer, Bishop Auckland, Blyth Remembered, Blyth Spartans AFC, Blyth Spirit, Brian Slane, Croft Park, Crook Town, Cup Run, Dave Clarke, Eddie Alder, FA Amateur Cup, FA Cup, FA Cup Fifth Round, FA Cup Giant Killing, FA Cup run, Giant Killing, Green & White Cult Heroes, Ian Mutrie, Jackie Marks, Jimmy Turney, John Waterson, Keith Houghton, Match of the Day, Mick Dagless, Newcastle United, Non League Football, Northern League, Ron Guthrie, Ronnie Scott, South Shields FC, Steve Carney, Stoke City, Terry Johnson, Tommy Dixon, Top Goalscorer, Wigan Athletic, Wrexham Football Club | 7 Comments

The 1977/78 FA Cup run – the complete record.

Posted on May 4, 2018 by Blyth Spirit

For the first time this is a compiled record of the 1977/78 FA Cup run. Match reports and details from every game. In depth player profiles and all the stats & facts from that famous cup run. The stats & … Continue reading →

Posted in Blyth Spartans AFC, Classic Matches, FA Cup, Giant Killings, Green & White Cult Heroes, History, Managers, Players | Tagged 1977/78, Aaron Griffiths, Alan Shoulder, BBC Sport, Bishop Auckland, Blogroll, Brian Slane, Bukta, Croft Park, Eddie Alder, FA Cup, FA Cup Giant Killing, Football, Ian Mutrie, John Waterson, Match of the Day, Ron Guthrie, Ronnie Scott, St James Park, Steve Carney, Stoke City, Terry Johnson, Tommy Dixon, Wembley, Wrexham FC | 16 Comments

Classic Encounters – Wrexham v Blyth Spartans, FA Cup 5th Round 1977/78.

Posted on February 18, 2018 by Blyth Spirit

Saturday 18th February 1978 FA Cup Fifth Round Wrexham v Blyth Spartans The Racecourse Ground, Wrexham. After a fortnight of intense build up FA Cup 5th Round day finally arrived. Sixteen teams remained and the superb win at Second Division Stoke … Continue reading →

Posted in Blyth Spartans AFC, Classic Matches, FA Cup, Giant Killings, History, Managers, Players | Tagged 1977/78, Aaron Griffiths, Afron Griffiths, Alan Shoulder, Alf Grey, BBC Sport, Blyth Spartans AFC, Blyth Spirit, Brian Slane, Croft Park, Dave Varty, Dixie McNeil, Eddie Alder, FA Cup, Giant Killers, Ian Mutrie, Jackie Marks, Jimmy Hill, Jimmy Turney, John Waterson, Keith Houghton, Match of the Day, Mick Dagless, Mickey Thomas, Non League Football, Northern League, NUFC, Players, Racecourse Ground, Rob Carney, Ron Guthrie, Ronnie Scott, Rusell Cushing, Speed Oil, St James Park, Steve Carney, Ted Croker, Terry Johnson, Tommy Dixon, Whiskey, Wrexham FC, Wrexham Football Club | 6 Comments

RIP Jackie Marks – A Blyth Spartans legend.

Posted on July 5, 2017 by Blyth Spirit

Monday 3rd July 2017 brought the sad news that club legend Jackie Marks had passed away. Jackie had 2 spells as manager and was well known for being coach during the historic 1977/78 season which saw the club reach the FA … Continue reading →

Posted in Blyth Spartans AFC, Green & White Cult Heroes, History, Managers | Tagged 1977/78, Ashington FC, Croft Park, FA Cup, Jackie Marks, North Shields, Northern League | 6 Comments

The fallen Spartans of The Great War.

Posted on December 19, 2016 by Blyth Spirit

Blyth Spartans players who served their country were honoured by the club at the town’s Cenotaph during the 2014 Centenary Remembrance of the Great War, yet the name of one former player does not appear on it. This is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Blyth Spartans AFC, History, Players | Tagged 17th Middlesex Regiment, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Battle of Arras, Battle of Gallipoli, Battle of the Somme, Clapton Oreint, Croft Park, Dan Dunglinson, Earl Grey, George Robertson, Jack Nichol, Jack Robson, Leyton Orient FC, Menin Gate, Northumberland Fusiliers, Patrick McLaughlin, Peter Mackin, Richard McFadden, Sir George McCrae, The Footballers’ Battalion, The Great War, The Greater Game, The Somme, They Took The Lead, William Jonas | 4 Comments

Home sweet home, the story of Croft Park.

Posted on October 24, 2016 by Blyth Spirit

Upon formation in 1899 Blyth Spartans may have had a remarkable future ahead but it took the fledgling club nearly 10 years to find a permanent home, using 5 other sites before settling at Croft Park. All bar one of the sites have … Continue reading →

Posted in Blyth Spartans AFC, History, Uncategorized | Tagged Aaron Walton, Arctic Windows, Bates Pit, Beaconsfield Street, Blyth, Blyth history, Blyth Spartans A.F.C., Blyth Spartans AFC, Blyth Town, Blyth Valley Borough Council, Centenary, Croft Park, Crofton, Express Engineering, FA, FA Amateur Cup, FA Cup, Floodlights, Football Foundation, Jim Turney, Lord Ridley, Newcastle United, Newcastle United Reserves, North Pit, Northern Alliance, Northumberland, Northumberland County Council, Playing For Success, Plessey Road, Plessey Wagon Way, Renwick Road, Ridley Park, Spion Kop, Thoroton Cottage, Turney & Wylde, Tynetec | 5 Comments

Green & White Cult Heroes – The Mutrie Brothers

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Blyth Spirit

From Andrew & Nixon Thompson and Davy & Billy Fairhurst of the early 1900’s to George & Josh Pyke and Jack & George Prior of the 1920’s right through to Rob & Steve Carney of the late 70’s and finally … Continue reading →

Posted in Green & White Cult Heroes, History, Players, Uncategorized | Tagged Administration, Appleby Park, Archie Mutrie, Ashington FC, Billy Bremner, Billy Wright, Blyth Spartans AFC, Colchester United, Croft Park, Doncaster Rovers, FA Amateur Cup, FA Cup, Gateshead, Gateshead United, Green & White Cult Heroes, Harry Dunn, Hull City, Ian Mutrie, Jackie Marks, Jim Pearson, Jimmy Turney, Keith Houghton, Les Mutrie, Mick Dagless, Non League Football, North Eastern Amateur League, North Shields FC, Northern League, Northern Premier League, Portland Park, Ray Wilkie, Rutherford AFC, Tommy Dixon | 10 Comments

A tribute to the late great Tommy Orrick.

Posted on October 23, 2015 by Blyth Spirit

Friday 9th October 2015 brought the sad news that one of the most influential footballers of his generation, had passed away. Tommy Orrick’s goal scoring feats rivalled that of any of the famed strikers at the regions professional clubs, however … Continue reading →