Blyth Spartans - A tale of redepmtion

[DanRolls94]

Blyth Spartans - A tale of redemption

First time I've been on this forum for a few years. Finally got into Football Manager again and thought i'd share the experience as for the first time ever I've found Fifa a lot more fun which is sad as I've always held FM way over Fifa.

I'll probably do a weekly update depending how many hours at work I have, should Also point out i'm using an edited database to Level 8. I also added the old Setanta Shield in as the 'Skrill League Cup' just for the fun off it. I've edited the club (Blyth) to make the current situation as realistic as possible, including adding the 60K debt and edited the wage budget the re-meaning wadge budget. For some reason Hartlepool United are set in the game as a parent club, even though there have been some links in the past in real life, I wouldn't really call them a parent club at all. If anything i'm making a bit harder for myself however I like to play the game as realistically as possible.

I did think at first of putting it into a sort of story format but i'll see how this goes. I'm not bothering with a club information thing at the start, surely you can find that out for yourself if your that inserted.

Hope you all enjoy

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[DanRolls94]

Prelude

January 5th 2009. A day that will never be forgotten by any Blyth fan will ever forget in a hurry. The day non-leagues most famous giant killer almost got Premier League Blackburn Rovers, and with a ?400,000 windfall from the cup run that saw wins over Shrewsbury & Bournemouth, the future couldn't look any brighter for the Spartans. Blyth had fought gallantly to come back to earn a draw against Whitby Town way back in the 2nd qualifying round, and thrashed the Seasiders 5-2 in the reply. After an away win against Buxton, Blyth faced Sheffield FC in the 4th QR and it was super sub Shaun Reay who made the difference for Blyth as they eventually ran out 3-1 winners. The reward for that was tie against Shrewsbury town at home, which took only 30 seconds to get its first goal coming from Spartans Shaun Reay. After a hard fought 0-0 draw on the south coast at Bournemouth thanks to hero Mark Bell, it was super sub Ged Dalton who scored in dying minutes of the reply to set up the time, and guarantee himself a place in Spartans folklore.

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However, things weren't all that great in the league, in fact Blyth were stuck in the relegation zone. With a bit of money being splashed Spartans managed to claw there way out of it after beating the league leaders Southport 1-0 at home. Sadly this was not enough for Manager Harry Dunn to keep his job, and was not offered a new contract at the end of season.

Mick Tait was the man who was given the job to use the Cup money and be the man to take Spartans to the Conference. After a good initial start to the season, Blyth began to trip up frequently and by the half way mark in the season they were back in the bottom half of the league. Unlucky to be knocked out of the FA Cup & FA Trophy however, Spartans managed to finish higher than the previous year but not by much, and late in the season were humiliated the Senior Cup local rivals Ashington in extra time.

The following year with a new look team, Blyth started reasonably well in the league. But it all came to a crashing halt after Spartans were crushed 5-1 in the FA Cup by Vauxhall Motors, to the embarrassment of everyone associated with the club. The announcement shortly followed that the board were having to make cuts to playing budget to account for the loss of income from the cup, stating that Cup run money from 2008 had gone.

However, Mick's side of only 15 players began to play some of the best football fans of this generation have ever seen. At one stage only being beaten 3 times in almost 30 games. However by February Spartans form came to a stop after losing to bitter rivals Gateshead in the FA Trophy, the club limped through the rest of the season finishing just outside the play off's.

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But in the May of 2011, the board refused to give in to Mick Tait's budget demands and subsequently didn't sign a new contract and was released. To the dismay of the fans, Steve Cuggy the Whitley Bay assistant manager was hired. Although on paper assembling a good squad, it did not come through. Key players were injured and some just didn't jel, others were still even loyal to the previous Manager. His reign as Manager ended in December of that year with Spartans 12 points away from safety.

Tommy Cassidy the former Northern Ireland player came as Manager, but only made the situation worse. Cassidy was well passed his sell by date, and didn't have an impact at all. After a 1-0 home defeat to Gloucester in March of 2012, Blyth Spartans were relegated for the first time in there 113 year history.

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Spartans return to the now 'Evo-stik' Premier Division was a painful one. Mismanagement and complete lack of organisation hindered it from the start, and after being dumped out of the FA Cup & Trophy, manager Cassidy was sacked. His replacement Paddy Atkinson fared no better though, leading Blyth to an 8-1 defeat at Worksop Town, the clubs biggest in some years and were totally out classed local rivals Whitley Bay in the Senior Cup. By March, Atkinson had left the club upon more budget cuts, interim Manager Tom Wade came until the rest of the season to steer the club away from the relegation battle, but the home campaign ended in front of just over 250 fans. With the crowd at its lowest in over 10 years, almost no money available to spend, what will it take for Blyth to once again become a force in non-league football?

 

[DanRolls94]

June & July 2013/14

Pre-season

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Being a supporter of the club this was made easier, although the squad is young it does have some great potential in areas and could be in the mix for the play offs at the end of the season. After sorting out a few fixtures and looking at some new players, I made a few changes to the backroom staff. Sadly I couldn't get that many big name pre-season friendly's so I ended up facing the best the Northern League had to offer in Spennymoor and recently promoted Darlington.

Assistant Manager - Chris McCabe
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Chris 'Tadge' McCabe signed for Blyth back in 2004, and was part of the the treble winning side of 2006. However Chris suffered a horrendous leg break on February 2010, leaving out for a year. Sadly Chris was never the same player after the injury and spent his final few years at Seaham Red Star where he began his coaching career briefly before joining Shildon. He returned shortly after to become a permanent Player/Coach.


Coach - Richard Forster
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Fozzie is another former Spartan from the 2006 side. Former club captain Foz appeared over 200 times for Blyth before joining Whitby in 2008. Fozzie recently finished off his playing career with local Northern League side Washington and will train for his coaching badges whilst at the club.

Tactics
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Will tweek tactics as time goes but for now they seem a pretty solid starting 3. The 4-4-1-1 will become a lot more attacking in some matches to. I do usually prefer a 4-4-2 diamond but with the playing squad at the moment I can't see that really working well.


Transfers In​

Mark Doninger - CAM
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Mark, a former Blyth player was signed from local rivals Bedlington Terriers on a free transfer. Mark is a highly talented box to box midfielder came through the ranks at Newcastle United before being released in 2009 and joining Blyth, however Mark wasn't at the club long and joined Sligo Rovers. After spells with a few clubs in Iceland, Mark came back to England in early 2013 and signed for Bedlington.

Micheal Pearson - RB
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Pearson is another former Blyth player, signed in 2011. However he wasn't given much of a chance in 1st team at the time and was released in January of 2012. Micheal then had spells in the Northern League gaining a vast amount of experience there before being signed by Blyth once again.

Jordan Mellish - CB
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Jordan, another former Spartans was a product of the Hartlepool United youth academy and was originally signed by Blyth in January 2012. Jord gained some valuable experience with Bedlington Terriers in the 2nd half of last season.

Scott Dobie - ST/RM
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Dobie was signed on a 2-year deal following his release from York City. Scott has Premier League experience with West Brom and has played over 100 times in the Football League. Scott can play either as a striker or a right winger.

Matthew Grieve - CB
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Grieve was signed on a free transfer from local side Celtic Nation. Following his release from Newcastle, Matt signed for local side Ashington and formed a partnership with former Blyth player Liam Atkin that was feared throughout the Northern League.

Greg Rutherford (LOAN) - CM
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Greg joins Blyth on 3 month loan from Hartlepool United.

Transfers Out -
NONE as of yet. Few players made available for transfer/loan



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Pre-season results

Blyth Spartans 2-2 Durham City
Blyth Spartans 3-0 Berwick Rangers
Blyth Spartans 2-0 Darlington
Spennymoor Town 1-1 Blyth Spartans
Bishop Auckland 1-1 Blyth Spartans
Blyth Spartans 0-1 Ashington
Blyth Spartans 2-0 Horden CW
Blyth Spartans 1-2 Hartlepool United


Pre-season review
Some ups and downs performance wise but overall the lads showed that they can play some great passing football. Some of the goals we scored were just amazing. However our weakness is that physically our defence can't deal big strong opposition strikers sadly, but hopefully we can improve on that. Some players stood out as big stars who will help lead the team throughout the season.

 

[DanRolls94]

August 2013/14

August

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A slow frustrating month, but some positive signs for sure. 2 wins out of 5 is not what I was wanting but I suppose the team still need time to jel together which I hoped would have been done in pre-season. At least we have scored in every game this month which is good sign, although only scoring 1 goal won't get us anywhere in the league.


Transfers IN


Seb Carole
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The former Monaco, Leeds United & Brighton player joins Blyth after a short spell with Skrill North side Guisely on a free transfer. Seb can play on either wing and has a fantastic reputation for his dribbling skills.


Adam Dunbar
The 15 year old keeper has signed a youth contract with and will act as cover for the season.


Transfers Out
The following players have all left on 3 month loans.

Ryan Cummings - Newcastle Benfield
Gareth Ayres - Tow Law Town
James Howarth - Killingworth SC
Ryan Graham - Seahm Red Star.




Blyth Spartans 1-1 Skelmersdale United
Evo-Stik Premier League, 17/8/13

Spartans started the season at home in front of a crowd of 345, and it didn't take long for the first goal as Matthew Grieve headed home from a corner after just 3 minutes. However this was canceled out 10 min's later as Skelmersdale also scored from a corner. A brilliant same from Spartans keeper Misiewicz kept Blyth in game just before half time. The 2nd half so little chances for either side and the game finished 1-1. Plenty of things to improve on for the home side.

MOM: Purewal




Ashton United 1-1 Blyth Spartans
Evo-Stik Premier League, 20/8/13

A very dull 1st half so the home side only real chances but lacked the ability to get past Nathan Buddle. Spartans attacks where spearheaded by Dan Maguire however he was drowned out early on. But in the 65th min' Buddle saw red for a 2nd yellow card. 71 min's gone and Spartans finally got in front after Dan Maguire slipped past the left back to make it 1-0. But with just 3 min's left, Ashton made 1-1 when Connors smashed one home from 25 yards out.

MOM: Maguire




Blyth Spartans 1-0 Whitby Town
Evo-Stik Premier League, 24/8/13

With Nathan Buddle suspended, Spartans faced long time rivals Whitby Town (or the closest thing to a rivalry in this league) whilst still looking for their 1st win. Phil Airey made his 1st appearance of the season at right back, and after an Airey corner was scrambled it fell to Dan Maguire on the edge of the box who curled into to top corner to put Blyth 1-0 ahead. Blyth kept pressing coming close on several occasions but couldn't find that 2 goal cushion. Scott Dobie was taken of with an injury not long after coming on as a sub and straight after that Whitby came close by hitting the post. Blyth however managed to hold on for the win.

MOM: Joe Kendrick



Blyth Spartans 1-2 Droylsden
Evo-Stik Premier League, 27/8/13

A few changes to the side saw a 1st start for Micheal Pearson. However Blyth fell behind after a poor clearance from the keeper and a looping ball was met by the winger who slotted home. However Sonny Andrews broke through the opposition defence and fired home to make it 1-1. On the 70th minute Blyth almost fell behind again when Droylsden broke through again but it bounced of the post. But with just 3 min's to go a poor clearance from Nathan Buddle let to Nat Taylor getting the 2nd for Droylsden to wrap up the win.

MOM: Sonny Andrews


Worksop Town 1-3 Blyth Spartans
Evo-Stik Premier League, 31/8/13

A fully fit Spartans side wen't to Worksop looking for revenge after there 1st defeat of the season. After a quiet 1st half Dan Maguire headed a ball down to Sonny Andrews who latched on to it to make it 1-0 just before the half hour mark. However it was back to square one when Tom Denton converted a cross to make it 1-1. However after a host of chances, Blyth finally made it 2-1 when Mark Doninger converted a rebound in the 88th minute to steal the 3 points, but Nathan Buddle scored a header in 92nd minute to get his 1st of the season and put the game beyond any doubt.

MOM: Nathan Buddle



Player Of The Month - Sonny Andrews
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A big month for the striker on loan from Spennymoor Town, scoring 2 goals in 3 starts and linking up with striker Dan Maguire often looking strong is very positive indeed. Be great if we can get him on a permanent deal although it does look unlikely.

 

[DanRolls94]

September
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Nantwich Town 3-4 Blyth Spartans
Evo-Stik Premier League, 7/9/13

From the kick off proceeded Spartans proceeded to attack from off, with Andrews and Maguire playing some good direct football together looking like they could be a real hassle for the opposition. Maguire was one to breakthrough with just 6 min's on the clock, although the shot was originally saved the keeper managed to make a meal of it and ended up carrying it over the line to make it 1-0. It took until the 70th for Blyth to get another, as Maguire was brought down in the box and Craig Hubbard converted. Scott Dobie then broke down the right hand side and fired home to make 3. Nantwich pulled one back on 83 mins but Andrews managed to make it 4-1 just a minute after from a great through ball by Maguire. Nantwich mounted a late comeback to with 2 quickfire goals however it was to little to late as Blyth managed to hold on for the win.

MOM: Dan Maguire
Worked his socks off all game, great performance from the youngster.


Buxton FC 1-1 Blyth Spartans
Evo-Stik Premier League 10/9/13

Within 36 seconds, Buxton managed to get themselves in front with a great team goal that involved a lot of 1 touch passing and a fantastic through ball to make it 1-0. This was canceled out only 5 min's later as Mark Doninger's corner was headed home by Arj Purewal. The game failed to really improve after that due to the state of the pitch, however Spartans keeper Misiewicz pulled of some fantastic saves to keep Blyth in the game and claim a point for the away side.

MOM: Micheal Misiewicz
Brilliant performance to save the day for Blyth


Blyth Spartans 4-1 Stocksbridge PS
Evo-Stik Premier, 14/9/13

Blyth once again started of the stronger side, however a brilliant interception from Arj Purewal when the opposition striker was one on one with Misiewicz the ball managed roll across 6 yard box and Joynes tapped home to give the away side the lead. It was another Mark Doninger corner that was met by Grieve to level the game before half time. Sonny Andrews broke through the defence to fire it straight at the keeper thankfully it rolled away from the keeper and Andrews smashed home from an angle. Purewal got himself a goal after a corner was cleared he shot through the crowd past the keeper and substitute Jordan Mellish also got himself on the scoresheet to wrap it up.

MOM: Mark Doninger


Blyth Spartans 1-1 Chorley
Evo-Stik Premier, 21/9/13

Spartans were dreadful from the start and Chorley made them pay early on when Stephenson blasted past the Spartans keeper. There was no response from the home side and nearly went 2 goals behind if it wasn't for Nathan Buddle. Only after Robbie Dale was brought down early in 2nd half just inside the box, Hubbard scored the penalty to make even. Blyth showed some improvement and nearly got a winner but Maguire squandered chances late on and Robbie Dale dribbled superbly down the left hand side to end up one-on-one with the keeper but offered to pass across the face of the goal and Rutherford managed to fluff it and it rolled wide.

MOM: Craig Hubbard



Blyth Spartans 2-0 Guiseley
FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round, 28/9/13

A bumper crowd of over 900 so Blyth start on the road to Wembley, and it almost started out very well as Mark Doninger ran the midfield from the start. Andrews was played through only 10 min's in to the game but fired it well over the bar, and shortly after Carole broke down the left swung a ball in for Maguire to nod past the post. But it was Maguire who opened the scoring on the stroke of half time when Andrews released the ball for him, he managed to hold of the defender on his back on blast it into the bottom corner. With just 12 min's to go, Maguire was stuck on the left wing and played it back out to Mark Doninger who picked the ball up from 25 yards out and curled it beautifully into to far corner to secure the game.

MOM: Mark Doninger
Sublime effort all day long.

Transfer Updates
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Players In

Ben Pickering
A young left back with some potential signed on a youth contract.

Charlie Smith
Another young singing on a youth deal.

Joe Cooper
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Young RB/CB signed on 1 year deal following his release from Oldham. Joe is good signing and already at a level to play in the 1st team.


Neil Yadolahi
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Another CB, the youngster is formerly of Burnley and has been capped at a youth level for Ireland.


Mansour Assoumani
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First of, what a name. Mansour started of his career at Montpellier making near 50 1st team appearances before leaving the club for a brief spell in Germany. He joined Leeds United in 2008 then had 2 years at Wrexham. Earlier this season he was signed by Celtic Nation where he impressed in his month long spell there being signed on 1 year deal.


Players Out

Damon Mullen
The versatile midfielder was released after an argument with manager Dan Rolls when he asked him to go out on loan to get some first team games

Dean Holmes
Joined Consett on 3 month loan deal.

Monthly Review
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A solid month from a much improved side. Andrews and Maguire are really beginning to link up well which can only be good and hopefully mean even more goals coming our way. I felt we needed to strengthen defensively as the back up players weren't good enough replacements, although that has put us massively over budget meaning that we will have to try and get rid of some players by January. Progress in the FA Cup is always good financially as is an unbeaten run in the league, meaning higher attendances.

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Player of the Month - Mark Doninger
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