In his day he was one of the best known Centre-Forwards in the North East. Prior to the late 1970's, he was rated as the best Centre-Forward who ever played for Blyth Spartans. He was an artist in ball control, body-swerve and other important essentials.

George joined Newcastle Utd after the 1914-18 war. He didn't get a lot of first team chances, but certainly made his mark with the reserves in the old North Eastern League, being a prolific goal scorer every season (his best tally of 60 league & cup goals in one season). This was enough to attract the scouts from Huddersfield, Sunderland and Everton. George would however not move, he explained "There was no end product to football in those days".

George joined Blyth Spartans in 1922 from Newcastle Utd. He maintained his scoring touch, scoring 136 goals in his five seasons with the Spartans (1922-27). In his first season at Blyth he helped them to finish Runners-up in the North Eastern League, and reach the 3rd Rd proper of the FA Cup, where they lost to 1st Division Stoke City 3.0. They had defeated two League clubs in the previous two rounds (Gillingham & Ashington).

George retired from football at the end of the 1926-27 season. However as he lived local (Whitly Bay) he often attended Blyth games, usually as a guest of the club. George died on Sun 27th March 1977 aged 83.

The season following his death, Blyth had their finest ever FA Cup run, along the way they beat Stoke City, avenging their 3rd Rd defeat of 1923.

I am now 37 years old and live in Texas. My favourite memory of Blyth was the Debenhams Cup Final against Wrexham.

Earlier that year, I was eleven and one of the 10,000 stuck outside of St James Park, after sneaking too Newcastle without my mam knowing.

Anyway, I remember saving my pocket money for weeks to buy a ticket, which cost a pound, and was available from McElroys Sports Shop. Well, we won 3.2 on the night and the thing that sticks in my mind the most, was standing in Newsham about 15 minutes after the game, still able to hear the singing.

It's definately a fond memory. Some of the facts may not be correct, buts thats how I remember it. One of the greatest nights of my life.

Croft Park commemorated the opening of its new flood lights with a friendley against Sunderland. The lights were switched on by the Mayor of Blyth.

Although this game was billed as the opening, Blyth had in actual fact played three games under the new lights. So who were their first visitors under the floodlights. The choices are: 1/10/66 v Stockton (FAC 3q) - 8/10/66 v N.Shields (FAAC) - 10/10/66 v Whitly Bay (NL) - 24/10/66 v Ferryhill (NL).

Its also worth noting some of the Sunderland players that night, who turned out. Rep of Ireland international Jimmy Hurley, Colin Suggett, Bobby Kerr and Billy Hughes (the latter two being members of Sunderlands FA Cup Winning team against Leeds Utd).

Following Blyths epic FA Cup adventure in 1977-78, my dad bought me the "Blyth Spirit" album as a souvineer to cherish , after all when would they get to the 5th round again.

The album was produced by BBC Radio Newcastle, and contains match commentary and player interviews, not to mention the famous zip-a-dee-doo-dah.

It's odd that in the 70's, vinyl was the only way to capture sporting moments, as video was in its infancy, and only the wealthy could afford it, CD's & DVD's weren't even heard of. The other alternative was tape cassettes, once again the format was undecided (2 track or 8 track) which one would dominate as the popular choice, only time will tell. Whats ironic is that now vinyl is defunct, I no longer have a record player to play the Album on anymore.

When Brian Slane scored the opening goal for Blyth Spartans in the 1st qualifying round of the F.A Cup, at "Dean Street" Shildon, little did we know that it was to prove an unforgettable season, as Blyth Spartans battled their way to glory. Eventually bowing out of the FA Cup in a 5th round replay against Wrexham at St James Park, in front of over 42,000 people (it was estimated that between 10 to 15 thousand spectators were still locked outside as the game started).

The Full Story........

In my mind probably the most famous Blyth game of all. After holding Boston at their place on the Saturday to a 1.1 draw, we brought them to Croft Park for the replay, scheduled to kick off at 2pm on a Wednesday afternoon. As I remember, virtually the whole of the shipyard work force were given the afternoon off, however the management refused to let the Foremen go. 8,398 spectators got into see the game.

The game was a thrilling cup tie, with Blyth trailing 2.4 with 10 minutes to go. Talk about great come backs ?, this was the greatest. Goalscorers that day were Hogg 2, Gair 2, Weatherspoon. Our reward was a home draw against Torquay of the Third Division (South).

Following the classic against Boston Utd in the first round, we were drawn at home to Third Division(south) outfit Torquay Utd. I remember when the draw was made the newspaper headlines read "From the palm trees of Torquay to the shipyards of Blyth".

The result however went against us, on the day Torquay were just too good. Torquay eventually went out of the cup in the 4th round and finished 8th in their league. Torquay played in gold shirts with blue sleeves that day, this was the first season they had played in their new (now familiar) colours.

A packed train from Blyth arrived at a crowded Ilkeston station, as I walked through the station I overheard a porter say "they'll not be going back with smiling faces tonight!".

Blyth were kicking downhill for the first half on a very sloping pitch, which helped us to a 4.1 lead at half time. I remember Linacre was outstanding on the right wing. Goals from Langlan 2, McHale, F.Turney & Linacre gave us an impressive win.

On the way home, Ilkeston station was deserted, Not a porter in sight.

We met Hartlepool in the next round, losing 1.0 at Croft Park in front of 10,168 crowd. Cup over for another season.

"SWEET REVENGE" against a team , who's directors had stated that "the league that Blyth played in (North Eastern Lge), was not good enough for Sunderland Reserves".

Blyth outplayed them, goals coming from A.Smith (3), Robson (2) and Laverick.

A wonderful result !.

The most fearless goalkeeper Blyth ever had. The most abiding memory, was the outstanding display at Wrexham during the FA Cup 1st Rd proper in Nov 1959. Blyth lost 2.1 despite a heroic performance, time after time Harry dived at the feet of the Wrexham forwards usually on the end of the penalty area. One Wrexham supporter complained of 'blatant obstruction', but this was Harry's party piece (he was injured many times as a result of this). At the end of the game, Ugolini, the Wrexham keeper (Italian International), ran the length of the pitch to shake Harry Mills hand.

Harry Mills was a local lad whose dream was to play for Blyth. This was fulfilled in the 1946-47 season. In March 1948 he was sold to Huddersfield for £850 (record transfer fee for Spartans at the time) making 147 First Division appearances. In December 1955 he moved onto Halifax Tn(24 Third Division games) and then rejoined the Spartans in July 1957. He retired from football in March 1962.

The saying "Blyth Spirit" has been used on a number of occasions, to describe how much grit determination and will too win has been demonstrated by Blyth players during games were the odds have been against them.

One such game I can recall, where this could be applied was in a Northern League game against Murton. Blyth played for fifty four minutes with nine players and eventually won the game 3.2 when the Murton keeper was sent off on 85mins, with the score 2.2. Blyth's Pyle scored the resulting penalty for the win.

The Blyth players sent off were S.Plaskett (alleged swearing) after 16 mins, and G.Hays (hand ball) after 36 mins.