I think Swansea will probably finish about 5th or 6th this season and Cardiff will do surprisingly well finishing mid-table. Newcastle will struggle again facing yet another relegation battle but will be strong enough to remain in the top flight. I don't see Sunderland doing much better: making new signings and performing well in pre-season friendlies is one thing but that doesn't necessarily translate to success. Realistically, they'll probably finish above Newcastle but that's not saying much. I think Palace and Hull will be relegated along with Aston Villa. Moyes will continue Fergie's leagcy at Man U who are my pick for the title. Man City, Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea and, of course, Swansea will be in contention for Europe. Those are my predictions anyways.

Met Beardsley a few times back in the day and was an absolute gent. Remember going to the training sessions in 1994-96 in Durham.

Just thought I'd post a quick round-up of today's results from around the region.

Premiership
Sunderland 0-1 Fulham

Championship
Middlesbrough 1-1 Blackpool

League One
Carlisle United 0-4 Coventry City

League Two
York 0-0 Hartleppol

Scottish Division Two
Berwick Rangers 4-0 Queens Park

Conference Premier
Gateshead 1-2 Barnet

Evo-Stick Premier Division
Marine 1-1 Spartans
Whitby Town 1-1 Ilkeston FC

Evo-Stick Division 1 North
Darlington 1883 2-0 Warrington Town

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Darlington RA 4-2 Newton Aycliffe
Thackley 1-3 Guisborough
Glasshoughton 2-3 Jarrow RBCA
Colne 1-1 S Shields
Brighouse 3-1 Seaham RS
Ashington 9-0 Pontefract
Dunston UTS 4-1 Pickering
Garforth 1-4 Shildon
Crook Town 4-2 Billingham Town
Morpeth 6-0 Liversedge
Billingham Synfonia 4-0 West Allotment Celtic
Spennymoor 2-1 Sunderland RCA
Team Northumbria 2-1 Whitley Bay
Albion Sports 2-0 Nth Shields
Hebburn Town 2-2 Barn'wick
Penrith AFC 3-1 Newcastle BBP
Marske 3-1 Consett AFC
Tow Law 0-5 West Auckland

(17 Aug 2013, 9:35 pm)AdamY wrote Just thought I'd post a quick round-up of today's results from around the region.

Premiership
Sunderland 0-1 Fulham

Championship
Middlesbrough 1-1 Blackpool

League One
Carlisle United 0-4 Coventry City

League Two
York 0-0 Hartleppol

Scottish Division Two
Berwick Rangers 4-0 Queens Park

Conference Premier
Gateshead 1-2 Barnet

Evo-Stick Premier Division
Marine 1-1 Spartans
Whitby Town 1-1 Ilkeston FC

Evo-Stick Division 1 North
Darlington 1883 2-0 Warrington Town

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Darlington RA 4-2 Newton Aycliffe
Thackley 1-3 Guisborough
Glasshoughton 2-3 Jarrow RBCA
Colne 1-1 S Shields
Brighouse 3-1 Seaham RS
Ashington 9-0 Pontefract
Dunston UTS 4-1 Pickering
Garforth 1-4 Shildon
Crook Town 4-2 Billingham Town
Morpeth 6-0 Liversedge
Billingham Synfonia 4-0 West Allotment Celtic
Spennymoor 2-1 Sunderland RCA
Team Northumbria 2-1 Whitley Bay
Albion Sports 2-0 Nth Shields
Hebburn Town 2-2 Barn'wick
Penrith AFC 3-1 Newcastle BBP
Marske 3-1 Consett AFC
Tow Law 0-5 West Auckland

Less of that 1883 bulls**t

We are Darlo
We are Darlo
We are Darlington FC
F**k the Football Association
We are Darlington FC

See Anth Smith has resigned as Heed Manager

(19 Aug 2013, 5:21 pm)fozzovmurton wrote See Anth Smith has resigned as Heed Manager

The Chronicle elaborate further on the story:
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/foo...th-5748770

Gateshead FC manager Anth Smith resigns after home defeat to Barnet

Gateshead boss Anth Smith has sensationally quit just one week into the new season, leaving assistant-manager and former Sunderland team-mate David Rush in temporary charge



Gateshead boss Anth Smith has sensationally quit just one week into the new season, leaving assistant-manager and former Sunderland team-mate David Rush in temporary charge.

Rush has been installed as caretaker-manager and will look to get Gateshead’s first points on the board at Southport this weekend.

Smith, who only replaced Ian Bogie in December, told the players straight after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at home to Barnet that he was going to hand in his resignation.

Chairman Graham Wood then held talks with Smith before announcing that he had no option but to accept the 41-year-old’s resignation.

Wood said: “Football throws up some strange situations, but I have never come across a manager who has resigned just three games and one week into the season.

“There has been investment in the squad during the summer with nine players brought in and the manager had the squad he wanted.

“It’s very disappointing, therefore, that he has decided to resign. Performances and results have been disappointing and we now have to move on and get back on track.”

Smith took the midweek defeat and poor performance against Grimsby hard, and Jake Hyde’s late winner for Barnet on Saturday then deprived the Heed of their first point.

Players of proven ability have under-performed in the opening week, former £275,000 man Richard Brodie being hauled off by Smith at half-time on Saturday.

The 4-3-3 formation, which will now be jettisoned, saw the midfield struggle and an experienced front three impotent while defensive frailties only added to the problems.

It all proved too much for Smith whose only other senior management experience had been in the second division of the local Northern League. Smith kept Gateshead in the top flight of non-league football last season when only one of his 26 games in charge was at home, and the 5-1 win over big guns Luton Town was a famous victory.

With the Wearsider having fallen on his sword, Rush must now galvanise the troops. Rush said: “It’s a funny one for me as Anth is a mate and he brought me to Gateshead, but someone has to manage the club and I’ll be having a clear -the-air meeting with the players.

“They need to know what’s happening. I’ll do it my way and the first thing that will change will be the formation we play and we’ll get back to basics.

“We have got to remain focused and be professional. Southport is the next match and it’s important we take something from the game.”

Colin Larkin gave Gateshead a 32nd-minute lead against Barnet. Keanu Marsh-Brown, however, levelled five minutes later and Hyde hit a superb 88th-minute winner to seal Gateshead’s - and Smith’s - fate.

So that's the first North Eastern managerial casualty of the season. Who'll be next I wonder?

Couldn't understand the decision to appoint him in the first place to be truthful.

When their supposed goal, is to reach the football league, then they need a manager who the players respect and look up to.

No disrespect, but an ex-pro, with just a few league appearances under his belt in one of the worst Sunderland teams for a long time, with a season or two managin Chester le Street wouldn't fill me with confidence as a player.

After reading the match reports, he seems to have lost the players.

Sunderland played well on Saturday, its only the first game so no one should panic

A post on Facebook says...

@lee_ryder
Cabaye did not appear when the players checked out the pitch. ‪#‎nufc‬ ‪#‎mcfc‬ ‪#‎Arsenal‬

Dunno if it's true but if it is.. could he be going?

Big loss to Newcastle
....


Gutted hes left Gateshead, Hartlepool manager to go next?

I liked Bogie. Sure, he had a rough start to last season but they should have persevered given his track record at the club. They hardly improved their position by releasing him.

I hope Newcastle beat Man City, but what are the chances haha!

(19 Aug 2013, 6:04 pm)W179SCU wrote I hope Newcastle beat Man City, but what are the chances haha!

If he goes big loss for Newcastle, bet u the excuse is hes injured (if hes not in the squad)

I hope he doesn't go, i shouldn't really say that as aim a Sunderland suporter.

re Ian Bogie/Gateshead - ex-pro with plenty of professional football under his belt, worked his way up the ladder with Gateshead and had some steady seasons in the Conference.
Think he took them as far as he could.

The next step, would have been someone with similar playing experience, but with some league managerial experience.

Re Cabaye - It was only a matter of time. Great footballer on his day, had a poor season last year. It came out a while back about his depression and how the club supported him through it. However, he was bought to sell on.
The plan was probably to get a few more quid than £10m - interesting times, especially with the influence he holds in the squad in a World Cup year.

(19 Aug 2013, 6:04 pm)W179SCU wrote I hope Newcastle beat Man City, but what are the chances haha!

Not good I reckon.

A draw would be overly optimistic.

I expect a major humbling tonight, maybe 3-0 or 4-1 to Man City.

I'll say it now, I don't think Anth Smith will be the only North Eastern manager to go by the end of year yet alone the end of the season!

Squad.. ill get killed if anyone else knew i was posting Newcastle news haha

Krul; Debuchy, Taylor, Coloccini ©, Yanga-Mbiwa; Tiote, Gutierrez; Ben Arfa, Sissoko, Gouffran; Cisse

SUBS: Elliot, Dummett, Anita, Marveaux, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi, Shola Ameobi

Sorry but your bench is poor

Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany ©, Lescott, Clichy, Navas, Fernandinho, Toure, Silva, Dzeko, Aguero

SUBS: Pantilimon, Negredo, Milner, Kolarov, Garcia, Nasri, Rodwell

I have to go for a 3-0 City win.

(19 Aug 2013, 6:17 pm)Michael wrote SUBS: Elliot, Dummett, Anita, Marveaux, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi, Shola Ameobi

Sorry but your bench is poor

Agreed. Obertan and the Ameobi boys are there but no Adam Campbell or Remie Streete? Two lads that are highly touted, need the experience, and could potentially shine. Same goes for Gael Bigirimana.

Campbell is on loan at Carlisle.

Apparently Bigirimana hasn't appeared much in pre-season either.

(19 Aug 2013, 6:24 pm)Andreos1 wrote Campbell is on loan at Carlisle.

Didn't realise. I've just read that he came on as a half-time sub in Carlisle's 4-0 defeat to Coventry. I hope he gets a few goals for them before his one-month deal expires.

Campbell, Alex Gilliead and Remie Streete seem to be quite highly rated as prospects. I hope Newcastle actually do something with them unlike Michael Chopra.

Hasn't started well for Newcastle 2-0 down already - 25 mins gone
Silva & Aguero scored.

Newcastle down to 10 men - Steven Taylor sent off

Not going well, Steven Taylor was abit of an idiot their

Update 3-0 - Toure

4-0 - Nasri

Not a good night...

(19 Aug 2013, 7:26 pm)Michael wrote Hasn't started well for Newcastle 2-0 down already - 25 mins gone
Silva & Aguero scored.

Newcastle down to 10 men - Steven Taylor sent off

Not going well, Steven Taylor was abit of an idiot their

Update 3-0 - Toure

4-0 - Nasri

Not a good night...

As I said earlier, it was always going to be a humbling defeat.

The players who didn't perform well last season are probably going to do the same this season. Change was needed and it didn't come. Hopefully, this will light a fire under Kinnear to sort out some new players but I won't hold my breath.

I've read some comments criticising the pessimism of Newcastle fans. Yes, a trip to Man City was probably going to end in defeat, but 4-0 is still embarrassing.

Relegation battle, here we come!

He needs to buy and quick but man city was brill... everyone should be scared of playing them.. even the likes of united,chelsea

Unless something changes drastically regarding new signings (it won't), I might as well give my predictions for the next two Newcastle games.

The next game is at home to West Ham which sees not only the return of Nolan and Carroll but the addition of apparent summer transfer target Stewart Downing. I don't see things going well so I predict a 2-1 win to the Hammers with Carroll scoring.

After that, it's another home game with Fulham as the opposition. Another transfer target appearing in the form of Darren Bent. However, I see this going slightly better ending in a 1-1 draw.

Re-Gateshead

I was surprised to see Smith appointed last December. He only managed two teams beforehand, Chester-le-Street Town and then Gateshead's reserve squad.

Last season was very tough for us but our demise wasn't all down to the team and manager. As I'm sure you're all aware, the pitch at the International Stadium had significant problems, forcing us to play "home" matches at other grounds, including Middlesbrough, Carlisle, Hartlepool and even Boston!

Bogie did do well at the club, but I do agree that he took them as far as he could. Indeed our target is to make a return to the Football League, but for me, Bogie never had that aspect/quality to get us there.

As a replacement for Smith, I think Gary Mills would be up to the job. He managed York City when they won their promotion into League 2, so does have experience. Also, AFC Wimbledon's former manager, Terry Brown, is a good candidate. He managed them when they were promoted.

So far this season, we've played 3 and lost 3 and are officially the first club with a managerial casualty for this season.

Things can only get better

(19 Aug 2013, 9:18 pm)Adam wrote Re-Gateshead

I was surprised to see Smith appointed last December. He only managed two teams beforehand, Chester-le-Street Town and then Gateshead's reserve squad.

Last season was very tough for us but our demise wasn't all down to the team and manager. As I'm sure you're all aware, the pitch at the International Stadium had significant problems, forcing us to play "home" matches at other grounds, including Middlesbrough, Carlisle, Hartlepool and even Boston!

Bogie did do well at the club, but I do agree that he took them as far as he could. Indeed our target is to make a return to the Football League, but for me, Bogie never had that aspect/quality to get us there.

As a replacement for Smith, I think Gary Mills would be up to the job. He managed York City when they won their promotion into League 2, so does have experience. Also, AFC Wimbledon's former manager, Terry Brown, is a good candidate. He managed them when they were promoted.

So far this season, we've played 3 and lost 3 and are officially the first club with a managerial casualty for this season.

Things can only get better

Those two are the type of managers Gateshead should be going for.
Whether they are the right men for the job, is another thing - but they have the experience.

On a different note, do you know if Luke Carr has left on loan, or on a permanent basis?

(19 Aug 2013, 10:16 pm)Andreos1 wrote Those two are the type of managers Gateshead should be going for.
Whether they are the right men for the job, is another thing - but they have the experience.

On a different note, do you know if Luke Carr has left on loan, or on a permanent basis?

I think he's on loan but I'm not 100% sure.

(19 Aug 2013, 9:18 pm)Adam wrote Re-Gateshead

I was surprised to see Smith appointed last December. He only managed two teams beforehand, Chester-le-Street Town and then Gateshead's reserve squad.

Last season was very tough for us but our demise wasn't all down to the team and manager. As I'm sure you're all aware, the pitch at the International Stadium had significant problems, forcing us to play "home" matches at other grounds, including Middlesbrough, Carlisle, Hartlepool and even Boston!

Bogie did do well at the club, but I do agree that he took them as far as he could. Indeed our target is to make a return to the Football League, but for me, Bogie never had that aspect/quality to get us there.

As a replacement for Smith, I think Gary Mills would be up to the job. He managed York City when they won their promotion into League 2, so does have experience. Also, AFC Wimbledon's former manager, Terry Brown, is a good candidate. He managed them when they were promoted.

So far this season, we've played 3 and lost 3 and are officially the first club with a managerial casualty for this season.

Things can only get better

Has Joe Tait played yet this season, he was a rock for us last season and was devastated to see him go

(20 Aug 2013, 8:55 am)fozzovmurton wrote Has Joe Tait played yet this season, he was a rock for us last season and was devastated to see him go

He's played in all three of our games so far. One of our main Centre backs, James Curtis, is injured at the minute, so Tait's been stepping in.

I've heard many people say they're disappointed Tait left Darlington.

(20 Aug 2013, 2:02 pm)Adam wrote He's played in all three of our games so far. One of our main Centre backs, James Curtis, is injured at the minute, so Tait's been stepping in.

I've heard many people say they're disappointed Tait left Darlington.

Tait was a rock for us last season, if I remember correctly he was Gary Browns partner in the Centre of Defence.

Yes, we were gutted he left, but, I think most accept we can't stand in his way in moving back into Professional Football, I think some were hoping we could get him back on loan after Gary Brown got injured lately, funnily enough at Gateshead in Pre-Season, I also think you lot recently added Tony Norman to the coaching staff, who of course was our goalkeeping coach

We have made some encouraging signings, Andrew Johnson and Paul Robinson have come in from Bishop Auckland and Whitley Bay respectively, ex-Boro academy product Paul Weldon has joined and we have a good mix of players who have played for league teams, Stephen Thompson played for Port Vale, David Dowson was at Sunderland Academy and played for us in the Football League, Kerry Hedley played came through the Chimp Chokers ranks, and the rest have all pretty much played at Evo Stik and Conference North Level at some point, while I don't want to be big cocky or arrogant, we will be there or there about again this season

(20 Aug 2013, 2:22 pm)fozzovmurton wrote Tait was a rock for us last season, if I remember correctly he was Gary Browns partner in the Centre of Defence.

Yes, we were gutted he left, but, I think most accept we can't stand in his way in moving back into Professional Football, I think some were hoping we could get him back on loan after Gary Brown got injured lately, funnily enough at Gateshead in Pre-Season, I also think you lot recently added Tony Norman to the coaching staff, who of course was our goalkeeping coach

We have made some encouraging signings, Andrew Johnson and Paul Robinson have come in from Bishop Auckland and Whitley Bay respectively, ex-Boro academy product Paul Weldon has joined and we have a good mix of players who have played for league teams, Stephen Thompson played for Port Vale, David Dowson was at Sunderland Academy and played for us in the Football League, Kerry Hedley played came through the Chimp Chokers ranks, and the rest have all pretty much played at Evo Stik and Conference North Level at some point, while I don't want to be big cocky or arrogant, we will be there or there about again this season

I'm sure Tait would love to go back to Darlington on loan but as I said before, we need him at the minute. Hopefully, Curtis should be coming back though in the next couple of weeks, so maybe.

You're correct in saying that we have Tony Norman now in our Coaching Staff. I've noticed we do seem to be snooping around Darlo quite a lot lately. We've already stole Hatch and Chandler from you a couple of seasons ago and of course over the summer, we've got Tait and Norman on-board.

I'm in no doubt at all Darlington will rocket up the leagues. They're far too good a club to be way down in the Evo-Stik North!

Some familiar faces, some terrible tight shorts and the Barratt Homes Helicopter!

Massive away following and 24k average home crowds in a season we struggled in after selling Beardsley and Waddle. Who said the crowds came when Keegan came back in 92?

part 1

part 2

---------------------------------------------------------









The back end of the 92-93 season with some more familiar faces. Part 6 is good! Part 7 speaks for itself!

(20 Aug 2013, 3:22 pm)Adam wrote You're correct in saying that we have Tony Norman now in our Coaching Staff. I've noticed we do seem to be snooping around Darlo quite a lot lately. We've already stole Hatch and Chandler from you a couple of seasons ago and of course over the summer, we've got Tait and Norman on-board.

What kind of deal does Tony Norman with Gateshead, I went to watch us play down in Farsley yesterday and I am sure Tony Norman was there alongside Gray and Atko.

What is happening at the moment, seems like a bit of a circus at the moment, Anth Smith resigning, then trying to talk his way, the chairman saying absolutely not, to be honest I agree with the Chairman, Smiths position wqs untenable, and if they took him back what's there to stop him spitting his dummy out in future.

Also, what is going on with the ground situation, I thought there was some pretty solid plans in place for a new build on Prince Consort Road, the artist impression I have seen looked nice, I hope that gets sorted soon, especially after last seasons problems having to goto places like Boro and Boston Utd for home games, because I reckon there could come a point were the Conference turn around and say 'we are not having this all the time, go and do one'.

One thing I keep thinking about, how do Gateshead manage to sustain a full time playing squad, they are lucky to get 800 arses on seats on average, is the club being bankrolled. It is not a crticism really(well, it is and it isn't), I only ask this, because our projected average to break even this season is just under 1500, about 1450 I think, even then we will probably not be minted and we are 3 divisions under you