The Senior Cup what is it ? and who wants it !

I have personally thought for some time that the Northumberland Senior Cup is a competition we can well do without, not because of the recent abysmal performances against Ponteland & West Allotment but for a variety of other reasons !.
Many supporters (and some personnel within the club) have lost interest in it and I can only ever recall seeing I decent Final involving Blyth (v. North Shields a few year ago when Nigel Walker ran the show). Usually it is played out in front of a few hundred people at St James Park, if the Final stays there (which I doubt, don't bet against the nearby Rugby Ground at Kingston Park !)
The farce of the presentation of the medals in front of the official parties on one side of the pitch with the crowd on the other sides doesn't help either. It will look even sillier in a massive new ground.
Spartans officials made enquiries, probably about 10 years ago, about opting out just as Newcastle United had done for years at a time and then hey presto !
The Black & Whites rejoined the competition the very next season-very convenient don't you think ?.
Certain NFA officials, at least two & probably three, seem intent on having a go at us and one especially shot himself in the foot recently. Complaining in writing to the Unibond League (by passing the club) about the "attitude" of the clubs supporters saying he couldn't possibly consider coming back or bringing anyone else etc. etc. to a game.
Strangely the same man walked into the boardroom prior to a League game, very soon afterwards as an NFA 'big wig' !. Perfect evidence for our defence and the less we have to do with these people the better !.
Sadly another aspect is the refereeing and often officials in the minor leagues (vital to the grass roots football) are nonetheless not up to it. The Newcastle Blue Star fiasco recently was a perfect example with the then captain Michael Farrey, not exactly a soft touch, claiming it was the worst, and unprotected, intimidation in his 16 year Non League career.
I understand Spartans made informal enquiries again about not entering the Senior Cup recently, the dark murmurings from the NFA man were that they would veto our entering into the F.A.Cup!. Strange then that our neighbouring Durham F.A. allow both Sunderland and Gateshead to opt out of their Challenge Cup, apparently for a fee, without jeopardising those clubs F.A.Cup aspirations !
Finances permitting, our immediate future appears to be in the Unibond League and associated Cup competitions and of course the hoped for, glory run in the F.A.Trophy and potentially the financial gain from decent progression in the F.A.Cup. We can do without the Northumberland Senior Cup and all it entails.
If Gateshead can avoid their local competition why can't we ??.
Go for it Blyth and if absolutely necessary sign "A" team & Juniors on Unibond forms and enter them in the Senior Cup.!

Ken (ex Clipboard).