Spartans write a fresh chapter in their history
Dec 18 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal
FAMED FA Cup warriors Blyth Spartans are planning a hot reception for the Premier League millionaires of Blackburn Rovers after their latest giant-killing exploits lined up another dream day in the club’s 109-year history.
When international stars such as Paul Robinson, Roque Santa Cruz and Morten Gamst Pedersen run out at Croft Park for the plum third round tie on January 5, it will be the first time the 99-year-old ground has hosted a side from English football’s elite division in a competitive match.
The game – to be beamed out live on TV by Setanta – is expected to net the Northumberland club a £200,000 bonanza, and provide an occasion to rival the famous FA Cup fifth round clash with Wrexham at St James’s Park in 1978.
To add extra spice – if it were needed – Blackburn yesterday appointed Sam Allardyce as their new manager. At the start of this year Allardyce was the manager of Newcastle United.
Blyth was buzzing yesterday after super-sub Ged Dalton, 18, ensured the dream home tie with Blackburn Rovers by scoring a late winner against Bournemouth in Tuesday night’s nail-biting replay.
A capacity crowd of 4,200 is expected for the 8pm kick-off on Monday January 5, but with Rovers already claiming their allocation of 1,000 tickets about a quarter of the fans in the ground on Tuesday night face disappointment.
Setanta are paying Spartans £160,000 to screen the game live, and with other income such as potential radio commentary fees and sponsorship, the club hopes to make about £200,000 from the tie. Jubilant Blyth Valley MP Ronnie Campbell – president of the Spartans Supporters’ Club – led a spectators’ charge on to the pitch at the final whistle on Tuesday, grabbing club chairman Tony Platten in a bearhug to celebrate the stunning victory.
Yesterday Mr Campbell said: “It was a brilliant night and this is another huge milestone for this club. I cannot ever recall us playing a side from the Premiership or the old First Division, so this is history in the making.
“It will really lift the whole town because everyone is buzzing today and they will be going around with their green and white colours on until January 5.”
Croft Park stadium manager and club board member Steve Ord said: “There was never any doubt that everyone connected with Blyth Spartans wanted to see a Premiership club run out at Croft Park. That will be a fantastic reward for our hard-core support of between 450 and 500 supporters.
“Bournemouth only brought 70 supporters last night but Blackburn have already said they will be taking their allocation of 1,000 tickets. We will be taking steps to ensure that our most loyal supporters get tickets. We are all simply euphoric today at the prospect of a top flight club coming here in an FA Cup tie. We will never forget 1978 but this is a new chapter for us, and an equally historic one.
“Croft Park is 100 years old next year and what a way this will be to start its centenary.
“There is a massive gulf between the Premier League and where we play, but players like Santa Cruz will not be used to our playing surface and the atmosphere here, so winning is not out of the question as far as we are concerned.”
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Page 2: Goal hero feeling 'a bit star-struck'
