A - is for Ali Dia & Attendance's.
o Ali Dia. Back in 1995 under the management of Peter Harrison, a foreign player was introduced to English game through the luxurious surroundings of Croft Park.
Ali Dia became Blyth's first ever coloured player, albeit for a brief appearance as a second half sub. Dia never figured again but later went onto become quite infamous after his brief appearance for Southampton (again as a sub that was later substituted ) against Liverpool in the Premiership. He did reappear on the local Non League scene with spells at Gateshead & Spennymoor.
Rumour has it, he turned up at a training session early last season ?.
o Attendances. Crowds did improve since moving up to this level with some of the games in the First Division attracting crowds of 450/500 to 600. The were equally high in the early days of joining the Premier League when interest was high and result reflected our high league placing. Naturally since our fortunes took a nose dive, so have the attendances. However despite being down to hard core 300-400 die hards, a good run of results often sees the figure grow.
Having said that Blyth are still easily the best supported team in North East Non League football.

B - is for Bondie, Budgie & Bedlington.
o Bondie. Crowd favourite Richie Bond, 007's slight of foot and sheer carefree style of play delighted fans, scorer of Blyth's first ever goal in the Unibond.
o Burridge, John … well its all been said before, but Budgie had a major influence on our time in the League so far.
o Bedlington Terriers. Major benefactors of the clubs step up on the Pyramid. Once the players have either passed their sell by date or found the travelling, too much they have traveled up the Spine Road to revive their ailing playing career.

C - is for Centenary, Congleton, Colwyn, Chairman, Coventry Spartans & Charlton.
o Centenary. Blyth Spartans Football Club celebrated its 100th year whilst in the Unibond League. Not the kind of season that you would have wanted but it was eventful none the less.
o Congleton. The Lancashire side provided the opposition for our first ever game in the Unibond, a 1-1 draw at Croft Park.
o Colwyn Bay. Our longest haul in the League and Blyth have never won at Colwyn, managing only the odd point here and there.
The 98/99 away game summed up the trouble Blyth have in Wales. 0-3 down by half-time was bad enough. Throw in, three players rushed to hospital by 3 separate Ambulances before half time, and you think twice about spending almost 10 hours on a coach to take in the delights of North Wales.
o Chairman. At present, the club appears to be taking a break from having a Chairman. Jim Telford & Mike Mitchell have both held office with degrees of success over the past seven years.
Although Mike held it over two spells after a brief Chairmanship from Ernie O'Keefe !.
o Coventry Spartans. Thanks to marriage to a Blyth lass, Mark Wilkinson & several friends have taken to following the Spartans (mainly at away games - obviously) from their Midlands base. An intriguing show of support for Blyth.
o Charlton, John. Son of Big Jack, John's appointment surprised most people but he has steadied the ship bringing in a crop of talented young players who refreshingly are more interested in playing for the club than playing for the money. John's insistence on good ability, a strong work ethic and the correct attitude has led to a brighter future. His coaching prowess has given the Spartans their best Trophy run for 14 years.

D - is for Dunn.
o Dunn, Harry. Harry was brought in as manager for our first season in the Unibond to replace Peter Feenan (whom having gained promotion, albeit via second place was deemed unsuitable for the task ahead). Already popular from his time as a player, he brought the First Division Title to Croft Park at the first attempt and cemented himself into Blyth's history books and hearts of the Blyth fans.

E - is for Emley & Erratic
o Emley. A tiny little Yorkshire village, but a club that has a knack of finding players and turning them into a good side. Blyth only won once won at Welfare Park, a ground that has/had its canteen in the car park outside the ground.
o Erratic is the word to sum up Blyth's form in the Unibond, when we've had a good team we have competed with the best but when we've been poor boy, have we been punished by the best sides.

F - is for F.A.Cup, Finances, Frickley & Fines.
o F.A.Cup. It is more than a co-incident that Blyth twice made the 1st Round of the F.A.Cup, within a couple of years of playing at a higher standard. Bury & Stockport County found out that Blyth were no push over as Blackpool found out in that gallant 3-4 defeat.
o Finances. Life in the Unibond was always going to stretch the clubs finances to the limit. Rumours continually persist about the size of the clubs debt. It is not only the club's finances that have been stretched, but also the supporters. While home fans objected to the inevitably price rise, fans who have travelled to away games are often asked to fork out £5.50 to £6 by clubs, and some charge up £1.50 for their programme.
o Frickley Athletic, surely have the worst ground in the Unibond. Set behind streets of South Elmsall, it still look like they are struggling to get over the collapse of the mining industry and looks like the land that time forgot.
o Fines, we've had plenty of them for indiscretions ranging from turning up late for away games, playing unregistered players to poor discipline.

G - is for Goalkeepers, Gainsborough Trinity & Gamble.
o Goalkeepers. They say goalkeepers are a special breed and during the 7 years spent in this League, we have certainly come up against some characters. Not to mention the ones we have had.
o Gainsborough. The venue for Blyth first game in the Premier League, thankfully Spartans form at Nethermoor has been excellent since that 0-4 hammering.
o Gamble, John. Gambo was a hugely popular as a player and influential in out 1st Division season as subsequent years but his step up into management was over within the year as Blyth battled against relegation.

H - is for Harrogate, Harkus & Hyde.
o Harrogate Town, scene of wild celebrations as Blyth snatched the 1st Division Title. The crowd was almost all Blyth fans, with a good 200 or so travelling south. The final whistle saw a joyous pitch invasion as the fans hailed their hero's.
o Hyde United, the games have all been quite eventful but the events at the end of the 3-4 defeat at Croft Park in 99/2000 season, lead to both clubs being hauled over the coals.
The actions of quite a few people that day were unacceptably shocking.
o Harkus, Steve. Harky joined us from South Shields where had made a bit of a name for himself as a prolific goalscorer. After slow start, the goals just flowed, from what proved to be one of Harry Dunn's best signings. Very strong on the ball and a clinical finisher, Harky scored both the goals at Harrogate to win the Title. He scored in 11 successive games that season in his total of 19 goals in 20 games.

I - is for Injuries.
o Injuries. Every team suffers the lost of players from injuries, but despite the run of the mill injuries, we have suffered badly with bad ones suffered by our centre forward. Jon Atkinson was out for a year after his horrific knee injury in a pre season friendly, despite recovering he never looked the same player and soon departed these shores for the USA. Glen Robson was just making his mark when he suffered a broken leg at Runcorn. Robbo was out for a year but has returned looking just as sharp and eager something that Aky looked to have lost, you always felt he was going to collapse in a heap at any moment. The strikers injury jinx, goes as far back as the Bury Cup tie when Steve Pyle was denied a part in the glory by an injury he could not shake off.

J - is for Jones.
o Jones. The surname shared by 2 player during the Unibond years with differing degrees of notoriety. Midfielder Jason Jones scored the 90 minute plus, winner in that great 4-3 comeback win at home to Great Harwood in the 1st Division. A crucial win that maintained the winning run that eventually landed the League title. Steve Jones, was entrusted with keeping goal as Budgie's successor after he eventual, bit the bullet and concentrated solely as Manager. However, Jonesy's, Dracula-eqse fear of crosses cost us dearly. Halifax Town snatched a last gasp, scarcely deserved, winner in an Trophy tie replay draw with the then runaway Conference leaders.

K - is for Keith Fletcher & kick off.
o Keith Fletcher, brought to the club by. Superb talent, but only when he wanted to play. One of the most gifted players ever to play for Blyth, quick thinking and even quicker feet. Problem was though, the team often carried him for 85 minutes, and then he would spark into life and be devastating for five minutes.
o Kick Off. Although Blyth had changed, there kick off time, to back to the traditional 3pm a number of years before our Unibond adventure. It was, as a direct result of the Northern League feeding the Northern Premier that made Spartans changed their kick off time from the 3.15pm start then preferred. The reason for which escapes me at present, but I recall being informed of the reason, some years ago.

L - is for Local Derbies, League Cup & Late Kick offs.
o Local Derbies. Where as in the dark days of the Northern League every game was just down the road and North Shields, Whitley Bay, Ashington & Bedlington were our derby games. However, since joining a National League Whitby, Bishops & Spennymoor are our local derbies, but the constantly mutating League Cup has taken the edge of those games.
However, the Unibond League, eventually provided us with the one we wanted our 'real' local derby.
We all know who that's against. all together now…. "5-2, we beat the scum 5-2."
o League Cup. The Unibond League Cup has to be one of the worlds craziest competitions, its qualification process makes the contrived Champions League/UEFA Cup early stages make perfect sense.
The format is: (take a deep breath & pay attention) -
9 groups of 5 clubs compete for the last 8 of one of the League 3 Cup competitions -
9 into 8 does not go so clubs with the best 8 records (i.e. group winners) qualify for the League Cup.
The group winner with the worst record & 7 best runners up qualify for the Presidents Cup.
The 2 runners up with the worst record & the 6 best 3rd placed teams qualify for the Chairman's Cup - easy !!!
o Late kick offs. This has become a common occurrence since joining a National league, due to the distances travelled. For some reason it seems to act as a boost for the delayed team, and provides a good game. I recall a group of us drinking in Boston's bar before a midweek League Cup tie fearing the worst when the team failed to turn up. Could we field a team ? - No worries, Blyth stormed into a 2 goal lead before drawing 2-2. Only last season Colwyn Bay turned up late and took an early lead only to crumble in a 5-2 hammering.
Yet in the 94/95 First Division season, we encountered 2 late starts. Mossley turned up late for a midweek game and were duly hammered 7-1. But that was only a slightly delayed kick off, the Radcliffle Boro' First Division Cup tie took it one step further.
Their very late arrival meant an 8.40pm kick off, and it produced another cracking game that saw Steve Pyle ironically, snatch a late winner in a 3-2 victory.

M - is for Managers, Moving, Marine & Moaning.
o Managers, we have had a few over the years. The harsh facts are that as we entered last season, our 7th season in the League, we were onto our 7th manager.
o Moving, around the time of our highly successful 1st Division campaign, the talk of a possible move from Croft Park filled the local papers. As residents living near by its possible site, South Beach protested in the letters pages. The Rumours gathered pace (as apparent plans for the stadium/complex were being scrutinized and the costs & logistics of the venture were being explored by the council) far quicker than the anticipation of the supporters did. Believing in it when they finally came to fruition, a stance that was to prove inevitably correct.
o Marine, the scousers from Crosby must have the worst record against Blyth, of all the teams we have crossed paths with since joining the league. Marine have never beaten us home or away, the odd draw is all they have to show for their efforts.
o Moaning. Having won a few Trophies, during our time in the League. The one we would with doubt win every season, if it , existed would be the 'Moaners of the Year Challenge Trophy' because this club certainly give us plenty to whinge about. There is plenty of moaners who are only too happy to pay a fiver every week, to then moan for 90 minutes about having wasted a fiver.

N - is for Needle & Newcastle (United & Blue Star).
o Needle, there have been plenty of needle matches over the years. The Gateshead games have often developed into grudge games. Marine are clearly wound up by the fact that they struggle against us. The 99/00 Stalybridge Celtic Trophy game boiled over, especially when the home bench joined in a melee. However, the one match above all other stands out, Hyde United. What went on during and after that game had to be seen to be believed.
o Newcastle (United & Blue Star). United have been more than helpful over the years. Sending a number of sides to Croft Park for lucrative friendlies & the Centenary game. However, a meeting with old enemies from the Northern League days Blue Star turned into a shambles. Having been the scene of Jon Atkinson's horrific knee injury pre season, the Senior Cup tie what equally horrific. How we managed to have 2 players sent off and they only had one I do not know. Quite what they were aiming to achieve with such dangerously vicious tactics is questionable. Some of the tackles that went in, had us jump out of the way and we were behind the barrier, thankfully !.

O - is for O'Keefe, O'Hara & Organisation.
o Ernie O'Keefe, Ernie was brought to the club after an apparent bust up with Spennymoor. Reportedly a Millionaire !, with money to spend. A nice bloke, but after claiming to have bought players with his own cash, questions over his legitimacy grew as the rumours of the clubs dire financial state surfaced.
o Gary O'Hara, joined the club from Gateshead, and was well know to Blyth fans
as the "fat lad at the back" for Spennymoor. A great footballer who read the game superbly (apparently had represented the Republic of Ireland at Under 21 level !).
However, as for fitness, that was another thing, pity he did not read the scales just as the game. Warned about his fitness level before the close of the season, he returned pre season even worse and was shown the door.
o Organisation. The club and its supporters have certainly had to become more organised on a Saturday since joining the Unibond. Especially when it comes to away games, with the supporters leaving for an away game at around 10am, and not returning until about 8.30-9.00pm. Some re-organising must be done to lose a whole day out of your weekend. As for the team, probably an early start, sorting out the kit etc… And then picking up players en-route.
On the odd occasions, midweek games, players have not even turned up (Keith Fletcher).

P - is for Penalties & Page.
o Penalties Kicks. For some reason, this much sort after and hotly disputed element of the game became a major dilemma for Blyth in 1998/99 season.
Blyth missed! wasted!, whatever the correct terminology is, for failing in the seemingly easy task of beating a goalkeeper from 12 yards, 16 times during that season. It must have been a club record for failing to score from penalties, I certainly cannot ever recall being awarded as many in one season.
o Page, Don. Pagey came to the club after Stu Young flew the nest, recommended to the club as Stu's replacement but Don found goal scoring hard going. Despite lashing home a cracking half volley at Guiseley in his early days he ended up playing in midfield, but never quite won the fans over. After leaving, he played for several Manchester clubs such as Hyde & Droylsden, and each time it was as their captain. !

Q - is for Quitting & Qualifying rounds.
o Quitting, often seen as the honorable, way out of the hot seat. When done, by John Gamble it was with the clubs best interests at heart, realising it was time for a change. However when offered to Budgie after that Senior Cup Final sham, his ego still refused, believing he could sort the mess out.
o Qualifying rounds. The early rounds of the F.A. competitions have brought mixed fortunes for Blyth recently. Possibly due to the fact, that with the F.A.Cup Qualifying rounds coming so early in the season we are normally struggling to find any kind of form or a settled team.
Therefore, a draw that would be all right coming in November causes problems in early September. As proved over the past couple of seasons, with the early rounds of the Trophy, which has seen a settled side have some success.

R - is for Referees, Relegation & Red Cards.
o Referees. You would have thought that, the higher up the Football ladder you progressed the better the officials would be. How untrue, at times some of the displays of understanding the game let alone the rules leave you in awe.
o Relegation. One of, or if not the most feared word in Football. Our gradual decline in the Unibond Premier League since promotion inevitably led to a fight against relegation. At times it looked, as if our number was up but we pulled clear under a new manager playing good football.
o Red Cards. 99/2000 saw Spartans players be shown the red card an amazing 14 times !, Add to that what must have been nearly 100 yellow card and it is a wonder the F.A. did not throw the book at the club. Emotion got fraught as the club fought off the threat of relegation, but most of then were down to the severe lack of discipline on the pitch.

S - is for Supporters, Sacking, Shoulder & Singapore.
o Supporters. Since joining a National League, away games all over the North West has given people who used to live locally the chance to see the Spartans play. Quite a following has since grown with Blyth regularly attracting exiled from near & far at away games.
o Sacking the manager, is seen as immediate solution to a teams problems. More often or not it does little to put the things right straight away. We have sacked a few over the years, one controversial as he had just landed the 1st Division title, for playing a player when strictly ordered not too. In addition, another for just not being up to the job.
o Shoulder, Alan. Hero from the 78' Cup run, returned to the club as Manager. However, he found life less successful, after a poor start and a defeat in the 1st Qualifying Round of the F.A.Cup he was relieved of the job.
o Singapore. Strangely, such an exotic & distant place has had quite an effect on Blyth's team in recent years. Spartans have lost the services of key players like Stu Young, Jason (money grabbing mercenary) Anisley, Daimen Henderson and Matty Hysen to the lure of big bucks paid for full time footballers in this foreign land.

T - is for Tait, Telford & Travel Club.
o Tait, Mick. A manager with experience, at last. The future looked bright even though everyone accepted that he was using it as a stepping stone back into League management. Good players brought in, relegation avoided with ease playing good football. However, unknown at the time to the supporters things were not a rosy as it looked. Tait, walked out with a damming rebuke at the club, claiming it had no immediate future. Oh how wrong he was.
o Telford, Jim & Mark. Jim Telford was a forward thinking Chairman who was determined to make Blyth successful and he did have success leaving the club in a better position when replaced than when he had taken over. As for his son Mark, a namby pamby player, he failed to produce the goods on a regular basis which as a midfielder is vital. Good on the ball, but not mobile enough.
o Travel Club. A scheme was set up in the early days of the 1st Division to provide affordable transport to every away game. It provide such a good idea, it evolved into what is now the 'Travel Club'. For a set fee, discounted, you members are guaranteed a seat on the coach to every away game in the League.

U - is Unbeaten & Unattainable.
o Unbeaten. Spartans 11 League match unbeaten run in 94/95 saw Blyth jump from outsiders in the chasing pack, to serious title contenders hitting 36 goals before finally losing a crucial game at Bamber Bridge. Spartans recovered from that defeat to win their final four games scoring 13 times while conceding only 2 to win pip Bamber Bridge to the Title.
o Unattainable. The word to described the place in the Conference that is the aim for every club at this level. Two main reason make this unattainable for Blyth. The state of Croft Park, for starters, it gets further from being anywhere near the required standard every year that passes without any form of improvements. Your lucky if the toilet lights work !.
Moreover money, the one think this club severely lacks. Without a major injection of serious cash there is no way Blyth could afford to compete on such a level.

V - is for Voluntary & Value.
o Voluntary. All the work carried out by club officials and supporters club officials is on a voluntary basis. The club would not have reach this level had these people not been as liberal with there spare time.
o Value. Joining the Unibond inevitably led to a rise in entrance fees, but while Blyth have always tried to keep their admission fees as low as possible, some clubs charge way above the average. Clubs that come down from the Conference charge up to £6- £6.50 entrance fee. While their facilities are obviously, better the poor crowds show who is offering value for money. And face it, what can you buy for a fiver these days.

W - is for Wages & Wilson.
o Wages. Playing at a higher level requires better players and how do you attract these players ?. By offering better wages, it worked for a couple of season, but with out the financial backing and income it is a false economy. How does the wages received by the likes of Henderson, Todd, Young etc.. compare to the pay that Keegan, Forster, Innes, Perry & Pepper etc. receive ?.
o Wilson, Willie. Willie Wilson, the assassin, became quite a cult figure in his time at the club. Defender cum forward, Willie took no prisoners and always gave 100%. The home game against Barrow a couple of years back comes straight to mind when recalling his finer moments.

X - is for Xmas.
o Xmas. The time of year that Blyth's season is quite often lying in tatters. Out of all the major Cups and usually only the lame Senior Cup left to break up the monotony of a league programme that had nothing to offer than a mid table obscurity. However even the Senior Cup is has proved too difficult recently. At least our fight against relegation provided some excitement until the end of the season.

Y - is for Young & Youth.
o Young, Stuart. Stu Young answered all our goalscoring problems when he came to Croft Park, after being released by Scunthorpe. Fast skilful and deadly, not surprising that League clubs came sniffing as the goal flew in. However after resisting the lure of returning to full time football he, took up the offer of big bucks to play in Singapore. Stu made a brief return but looked a shadow of the player that had left two seasons earlier.
o Youth. Manager John Charlton has firmly placed the emphasis on youth in his attempt to get the club back on its feet & build for the future. Although working under strict financial guidelines, because the clubs strapped for cash, he has rightly brought in some great younger players. Players that have a longer 'shelf life', and players that want to play.

Z - is for Zonked & Zany.
o Zonked. A state many Spartans fans find themselves in on the way home from an away game. Faced with at least a 3 hour coach trip, the days alcohol intake catches up with them and within an hour most are zonked out.
o Zany. Each year the Travel Club turned the closest away game to Christmas into its 'Santa Express' where they celebrate the forthcoming festive period. Various festive costumes have been worn over the years on these enjoyable away days.
However, without doubt the funniest moment came on a trip to Bamber Bridge, in 1997. The hilarious sight of a full size pantomime horse trying to get on the coach was side splitting.
But its halftime attempted penalty shoot out in the goalmouth, brought the house down, the home fans joined in the applause as it trooped off the pitch as the players reappeared. It was later to be seen lying crashed out full length on Bamber's clubhouse pool table.!.