Blyth Spartans players urged to play for pride

Jan 5 2009 by Dave Black, The Journal

BLYTH Spartans players were last night urged to do themselves and the town proud in tonights FA Cup date with destiny.

The famed cup giant killers take on Premier League Blackburn Rovers in a dream tie to kick-start the centenary season at their Croft Park ground on the Northumberland coastline.

Last night club officials urged the 3,500 home supporters in the 4,200-strong crowd to roar their side on and create an intimidatory atmosphere for Rovers manger Sam Allardyce and his squad of highly-paid stars.

And they were contemplating the prospect of a dream trip to nearby Sunderland if they win after the 4th-round draw gave them the opportunity of a visit to the Stadium of Light.

Frost-protection covers were on the Croft Park playing surface yesterday, but Spartans officials said there was no chance of the eagerly-awaited third round tie being cancelled because of the weather.

The Spartans will make their own piece of history tonight by hosting a side from English footballs top division for the first time ever in a competitive match.

But they could also enter the record books by becoming the first non-league side to knock a Premier League team out of the FA Cup.

Last night Spartans officials said the main message to the players was to enjoy the occasion and play well enough to hold their heads high.

Chairman Tony Platten said: Reaching the third round of the FA Cup and hosting Blackburn Rovers means Christmas has come twice to Blyth this year. Tonights game is a big return for all the hard work behind the scenes in recent years.

There is a lot of gloom around the country at present, but this has brought a smile to everyones faces. The whole country seems to be rooting for us.

I have read that Sam Allardyce wants to rest some of his poor, overworked senior squad, and I had to chuckle at that when most our players will be out at work on the day of the game.

I know quite a few vociferous ex-Newcastle United fans will be sitting near the dugouts tomorrow night and will be letting Sam know what they think. If you analyse the game, using whatever system you like, we dont stand much of a chance but this is the FA Cup. The Sunderland draw is about as good as it gets, but clearly we need to keep our feet on the ground for another 24 hours and see what happens. We have Mackem supporters here at Croft Park now with big smiles on their faces.

For our players the Blackburn game will be the high spot of their careers and I dont think they need any more of an incentive to play well. About five of our lads come from County Durham and have an affinity with Sunderland, so it would be great for them if we managed to do it.

Blyth Valley MP and Spartans Supporters Club president Ronnie Campbell, said: We are making history with this tie, but the players are standing on the brink of much greater history if they can win, or even get a draw.

The crowd will be right on top of the Blackburn players tomorrow night, and they will not be used to that. It is up to all of us to create an atmosphere which intimidates and unsettles them, and that can be done.

The game is the talk of the pubs and clubs in the town and there is a great feeling about it.