Although we had no toilet facilities, we did have a cold water tap! We then made our way to the Store Field, no wonder we were worn out before we had started to play!! We each paid 6d to play, which meant 5/6d per week. As the referee was paid 10/- (fifty pence in modern money) from the combined two sides, we made a 'profit’ of 6d per game.

 

We played in this League for three seasons - not winning many matches, but making many friends.   There were three or four teams in this League from South Shields, so, when we played those teams, we usually hired a bus from Wilfie Williams, from New Silksworth, and many of the Youth Club members, friends and family would come with us.

 

The first game which we played took place on Saturday, 7th September 1957 at Simonside, South Shields against South Shields'A' and we were beaten 10-0. Our team was Colin Mitchell-Hall, Charlie Thirkettle, Brian Curry, Matty Summerside, Willie Wright, Jim Harrison, Bobby Dormand, Tom Barnes, Stan Jobling, Joe Hibbert and Neil Summers.

 

In those days we didn't have a Physio or a Coach, but we did have Harry Beaney. Harry had a case, which included such things as bandages, sticking plasters and smelling salts. (Perhaps another 'Elf'n Safety fiasco!!). He was very keen and extremely supportive of the whole team members. Harry may not have been au fait with first aid procedures, but if any of our players did receive a knock and saw Harry bounding towards them—they were soon on their feet!!

 

Other players who took part included George Cox, Bill Walker, Alan Lee, D.   Rodgers, George Gillibrand, George Jackson, Aaron Elves, Kenny Nelson, Eddie Oliver, Derek Sleep, George Carlyon, Barry Slee, Anty High, Alan Ridley, Harry Pollard, Norman Richardson, Billy Gibson, George Maclaughlan, Alan Fenwick, Ronnie Bewick, John Ferry, John Stoker, Ronnie Orton, Angus Dawin, William   Moore, John Burgess, Ron Watson, Alan Lee, Charlie Thirkettle, John Harrison, Bobby Dormand, John Baird, Derek Lowden and M. Maddison.

 

Our last game of the first season was on Friday 2nd May 1958 against Roker Meths. I'm sure that their best players must have been away for the F.A. Cup Final (always held on the first Saturday in May) because we won 5-1, with two goals from Matty Summerside, two from Harry Pollard and one from Tom Barnes.