Local on our Vase opponents
www.themikes.co.uk took the opportunity in the build up to our FA Vase 3rd Round tie at Whitley Bay to seek out a local follower of our opponents.....
"Last season I was stuck for a match to go to, Sunderland had no fixture and Gateshead were away so I had a look in the local news paper and decided to go along to watch Whitley Bay play Nantwich in the fa cup.
Whitley Bay is a seaside town and are nicknamed the seahorses, the ground is called Hillheads , my first impressions were its a bit delapidated but its a ground with great character as I have found out a proper football ground.....one main stand (seated) the rest of the ground is uncovered.
There is also a great clubhouse which gets full on matchdays and the locals are a friendly bunch, I thoroughlly enjoyed my first match at the bay and went back pre season when they played Gateshead in a friendly....went into the clubhouse and got talking with some bay supporters.....they won the fa vase and had it on display.....one of the bay supporters took my photo with the vase , the match itself was all Whitley Bay , Gateshead had just been promoted but Whitley took them apart in the first half.....two quick goals put them firmly in control and I was very impressed with the standard of football they played , Gateshead rallied in the 2nd half but bay held on to win 3-2.
A couple of weeks ago I went back to watch them play Alsager in the fa Vase , I went in the clubhouse again and the same bay fans were in and welcomed me back ,the game itself was all Whitley but they found it difficult to break down a resolute Alsager defence ,it looked like going to a replay but bay scored two in the last ten minutes to go through.
Whitley have some really good players that could play at a much higher level , there is always loads of goals when they play they just go for it ! What i have seen the goalkeeper has been linked with a move to Sunderland, they look solid in defence, some very good midfield players....one they call the Hillhead "Maradona" think they call him Robinson, and upfront there is Lee Kerr who always scores important goals....they get good support with 5-600 crowds, I always enjoy my visits.....sure you will.
ps the pies and bovril are great ..........
Regards Bill
Bill is a regular user of www.walsall-mad.co.uk where he posts under the name redhugh
