Match Information
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Newcastle Blue Star 2-3 Hallam
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Saturday 31st August 2024
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Kick-off: 3pm
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Where: Denton Road, Scotswood, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear NE15 7HB
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Competition: The Emirates FA Cup First Round Qualifying
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Attendance: 601
As someone who started following football in the 1970’s, for me the FA Cup continues to be the world’s greatest knock-out competition. But nowadays, the ongoing mystique lies within Non-League clubs trying to battle onwards to the competition “proper” attracting intense sports betting.
So I love to watch as much action across the qualifying stages as possible. In this year’s Preliminary Round, I saw Mousehole vs Willand Rovers amidst a picturesque fishing village in Cornwall. Then approaching my First Round Qualifying Round viewing, I had a couple of choices for a new ground.
Consequently, I ended up 500 miles north of Mousehole for what I believed was the top tie of the round.
Upwardly mobile Newcastle Blue Star hosting the team possessing the world’s oldest football ground - Hallam FC. I wanted to discover for myself the incredible progress Blue Star have made since re-forming in 2018.
During that period, they’ve transformed a basic field into an excellent Step 5 Non-League stadium in the city’s West End whilst climbing from the Northern Alliance to the Northern League Division One at Step 5 of the National League System. Home crowds are very good too.
Looking back, the original Newcastle Blue Star were members of the Northern Premier League when they folded in June 2009 due to mounting debts. Probably their best ever achievement was winning the FA Vase Final at Wembley Stadium in 1978 beating Barton Rovers 2-1 before 16,391 spectators.
In addition, I recall a Wearside League encounter in April 1985 where Blue Star persuaded former England international Trevor Brooking to make a one-off appearance for them at their old Wheatsheaf Ground against Coundon Three Tuns FC.
I understand Brooking, aged 36 at the time, was reportedly paid in the region of £500 plus return plane tickets to the North-East. An audacious failed bid was also made to sign George Best!
On a personal note, I visited the Wheatsheaf on Saturday 11th April 1998 in the four years which featured Blue Star changing name to RTM Newcastle FC. It was part of a weekend away for me accompanied by a former girlfriend.
On the Friday night, I was at the newly opened Stadium of Light to see Sunderland 2 QPR 2. Meanwhile, it was snowing so heavily for the Saturday fixture that my ex decided to stay in the warmth of our hotel.
I took the Metro railway out to the Wheatsheaf located right next to Newcastle Airport as RTM beat Guisborough Town 2-1 (attendance 60). Although I still remember the disappointment of no match programmes being available on the day in an era when printed versions were unequivocally expected at all Non-League clubs.
Bringing the story right up to date, I set off on my 500 mile round trip to the revitalised Blue Star with unbridled FA Cup fever gripping my thoughts.
Ground Description
I really liked this set-up because it has a true home-made feel to it contrasting to many other recently built mainly prefab grounds. There are two bars including the Sir Bobby Robson Lounge sitting at the apex of a hill leading down to the entrance.
Inside, two seated areas on opposite sides of the pitch are entitled ‘The Alan Smith Stand’ and ‘The David Walton Stand’ respectively. Plenty of covered standing is in place and an unusual elevated hospitality section hovers above the well-stocked club shop
Programme Details
‘THE BLUE PRINT’ was on sale at £2 for 28 pages.
Contents incorporated an editorial welcome, Northern League table, manager’s notes, Blue Star’s FA Cup journey, match preview, two different player interviews, the season so far, half-time quiz, sponsorship news, focus on Hallam FC, fixture list, youth team photos, Sir Bobby Robson Lounge updates and the squad list.
The Match
Immense excitement! The traditional ‘Blaydon Races’ song blared over the tannoy prior to kick-off adding to the sense of occasion. Playing in local favourite colours of black and white stripes, Blue Star raced into a two goal lead via Connor Oliver (12 minutes) and Sean Reid (15 mins).
Loud goal music embracing “We are the children of the night” lyrics was subsequently broadcast. This galvanised a large number of young fans behind the goal with one of them banging a drum to enrich the energetic atmosphere.
Football odds were thereby heavily stacked in Blue Star’s favour and it remained 2-0 by half-time. Yet all of a sudden, Hallam mounted a monumental comeback through Danny South 2 (52, 65 mins) and Calum Ward (82 mins).
Ward’s dramatic headed winner sparked wild celebrations among the 100 away supporters displaying an extremely long flag declaring the club’s nickname of ‘THE COUNTRYMEN’.
However, their spirited rendition of “Que sera, sera, whatever will be will be, we’re going to Wemb-er-lee…” seemed somewhat optimistic in the First Round Qualifying!
Overall, a healthy attendance of 601 was helped by the fact Newcastle United weren’t on home Premier League duties until 24 hour hours later versus Tottenham Hotspur.
The People
Blue Star’s enthusiastic media team of Dan Tracey and Ben Cuthbertson gave me a warm welcome.
Dan entertained everyone courtesy of some lively public address announcements throughout the game whereas Ben was diligently taking matchday photos pitchside.
*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Tony Incenzo*
