1977-78 was indeed the year of the minnows, as no fewer than six non-league teams battled their way through to the Third Round proper. Blyth Spartans and Enfield were the only two non league sides drawn together, which was an unlikely pairing, especially in view that it was the Third Round. Still, it was a chance for Blyth to gain revenge for an Amatuer Cup Semi-Final defeat back in 1972.

Enfield travelled north with an awesome reputation in Southern football, having beaten League opposition in the previous round, with something to spare. Spartans themselves had a reputation which was second to none in both League and cup, and had accounted for Chesterfield in the previous round. And so the scene was set for a battle royal between the two non-league giants.Spartans were parading their two latest recruits in Kieth Houghton and Alan Shoulder, as the game kicked off in front of 5,095 expectant fans. Enfield were looking good as first Beker and Bass missed golden opportunities, as the Isthmian continued to press forward and dictate the game. However, in the second period Blyth brought on Steve Carney in an effort to bring much needed punch up front. It certainly had the desired effect as Spartans came more and more into the match. Terry Johnson missed a golden chance for Blyth when well placed in goalmouth melee, while Keith Houghton hit the bar with a thunderous drive. Blyth wer

e not to be denied when, from a short corner taken by Dave Varty, Alan Shoulder leaped into the air to head home a glorious goal - sending the Spartans fans into raptures of delight. It was Alan Shoulders first game in a green & white shirt.

Blyth were now the only non-league side left in the competition. The fourth round draw paired Spartans with Second Division Stoke City, at the Victoria Ground. Once again it was a chance for Blyth to exact revenge, in 1923 Stoke had travelled north to Croft Park for a Third Round encounter, winning 3.0 (Stoke at the time were a First Division club). On the day of the match, Spartans took 56 bus loads of fans down to the Victoria Ground, only to be told that the pitch was waterlogged, and the match was off. A new date was fixed, but yet again the weather had intervened. Finally, on the 6th February, the game got the nod. It was a Monday evening so only one thousand die hard fans made the pilgrimage to the Potteries.The pitch was extremely soft as Blyth ran out to a great reception from the fans. Ten minutes into the game Terry Johnson had put Blyth one goal to the good, could Blyth hang on ?. It stayed that way until half time. In th second half, Stoke came out with all guns blazing and ran Blyth ragged for a time. Viv Busby equalised, which was closely followed by Stokes second goal, scored by Garth Crooks. City were now running the show, and it seemed only a matter of time before Blyth conceeded more goals. However, Spartans dug deep into their reserves to find new strength. Blyth came more and more into the game and gained a free kick. It was taken by Ron Gutherie, who directed the ball into the defensive wall, only for the ball tohit the post. Alan Shoulder then hit the ball onto the other post, which then fell kindly for Steve Carney to bury tha ball home, 2.2. Then with only two minutes remaining, Spartans pressedthe Stoke defence, the ball broke loose to Terry Johnson, who let fly a venomous half volley from 12 yards, leaving the Stoke keeper Roger Jones helpless, as the net bulged.

And so the celebrations began on what has to be "Blyths Finest Hour". A match that will live on in the memory forever, it truly was Blyth Spirit.

The fifth round draw paired Spartans with Wrexham, who had beaten Newcastle Utd 4.1 in a fourth round replay. And so the most unlikely North East derby ever, never materialised. Come the first game at the Racecourse ground (Wrexham), the town of Blyth was virtually deserted as the "Green Army" lay siege to Wales. The BBC match of the day cameras were there to capture the action. The Beebs very own signature tune was replaced for the day with the Spartans very own version of "Zip-a-dee=doo-dah" with the kind permission of Walt Disney productions. Meanwhile Blyth Coach Jack Marks had not forgotten his famous bottle of "Speed Oil", a Scottish liquid used to fortify members of the team before each major cup tie. The lads would certainly need it on a cold and frosty ground.

Not long into the game Terry Johnson took advantage of a bad backpass by Wrexham defender Alan Hill, to neatly slip the ball through the legs of keeper Dai Davies, and the dream was on. Wrexham came close to scoring on a few occasions, but as the game wore on they were becoming extremley desperate to find the net. However, the Blyth reargaurd supremely marshalled by Ronnie Scott and Tommy Dixon held firm - "Thou shalt not pass".

As the game came to its conclusion with whistles from the crowd, Wrexham gained a corner, which in actual fact should never have been awarded, as Tommy Dixon played the ball off Bobby Shinton. The first corner was gathered cleanly by Spartans keeper Dave Clark, but referee Alf Grey ordered a retake, which once again was gathered safely. However the corner flag was giving trouble in that it refused to stand upright in the ground. And so referee Grey ordered another retake. This time as the ball came over Dixie McNeil rose to power home a header to level the scores at 1-1. Such drama, another 60 seconds and Blyth would have become the first non-league side in modern times to reach the Quarter Final. Later that evening referee Alf Grey admitted his big mistake to the media, and apologised to Blyth fans.

And finally to St James Park (Newcastle) on the evening of February 27th 1978, the night when Wembley came to St James Park. That night only half the turnstiles were open around the ground. However, half an hour before kick off, it was announced that most turnstiles had been closed. Crowds were standing 10-15 deep, around most of the ground, a great many of them genuine Blyth fans, who couldn't see their heroes. It was estimated that 10-15,000 were locked out.

However, 42,000 lucky enough to see the action were treated to a super game of football from beginning to end. Spartans belied there Northern League status as they took the game to Wrexham. Dave Varty deputising for the injured Eddie Alder was having a splendid game. It was the Welsh wizards however that took the lead against the run of play. A penalty was awarded by Alf Grey for alleged pushing by Ronnie Scott on Dixie McNeil (another controversial decision). Graham Whittle easily converted from the spot.Although a goal down Blyth were playing inspired football and were lucky not to score on a couple of occasions. Wrexham went into a 2-0 lead when Dixie McNeil hit home a beautiful volley . The Spartans were unmoved as they kept battling away. The second half was virtually one way traffic as Blyth lay siege to the Wrexham goal, somehow the Welshmen hung on. In the 83rd minute Terry Johnson recieved the ball in the penalty area, and blasted home a splendid goal, which brought the house down. A crecendo of noise came cascading down the terraces, the sound was deafening as fans willed and prayed for the equaliser. It never came, but on the final whislte the whole crowd rose to applaud the Spartans for a magnificent effort. As Peter Jones said in his commentary for the BBC " I have seen many memorable scenes on a football grounds, but not many would beat this. Its taken them such a long time to get here, but my word there going to remember this night. They will remember it forever". Yes a very emotive night it was for all of us, including coach Marks, who was weeping like a baby.

As for Arsenal, well they will have to wait for another day.

The receipts from the Newcastle game were a staggering £41,421.95p, of which Blyth's share of the gate was £14,610.84p. Altogether Spartans made £40,000 from the entire run, with most of the money being spent on ground improvements. Blyth finished runners-up in the Northern League, but had the consolation of winning the League Cup, the Senior Cup and the Debenhams Cup, not bad for one memorable season.

Blyth Spartans squad of players for the season was as follows; Rob Carney, John Waterson (capt), Ian Mutrie, Tommy Dixon, Keith Houghton, Ronnie Scott, Micky Daglass, Terry Day, Alan Shoulder, Eddie Alder, Terry Johnson, Dave Addison (no photo), Dave Clark, Ron Gutherie, Steve Jones (no photo), Dave Varty, Steve Carney. Player manager - Brian Slane, Coach - Jack Marks, Physio - Pat Smith.

by Stan Watson