Match Information
-
Washington 1-4 Billingham Synthonia
-
When: Saturday 14th September 2024
-
Kick-off: 3pm
-
Where: The Northern Area Playing Fields, Stephenson Road, Washington, Tyne and Wear, NE37 3HR
-
Competition: Ebac Northern League Division 2
-
Attendance: 97
I previously visited Washington on 15th April 1995 as part of a Northern League groundhopping weekend whereby I also saw games at Prudhoe Town, Alnwick Town, Bedlington Terriers, Shotton Comrades and Tow Law Town across a frantic Easter period.
On that occasion, ‘Washy’ drew 1-1 against Crook Town (attendance 474) at their much-loved Albany Park headquarters. Alas, a devastating fire totally destroyed changing rooms there in 2009 forcing Washington to move away.
Following a nomadic experience, they are now settled at The Northern Area Playing Fields. So a new ground for me and I duly set off early on the 500 mile round trip. My phone navigation system originally advised it would take four and a quarter hours.
However, two severe hold-ups on the A1 because of crashes and a long diversion at Sandy roundabout meant the journey actually took five hours and 50 minute.
Therefore I didn’t reach my intended destination until 10 minutes before kick-off. Incidentally, Washington itself is a town embracing 67,000 residents in the Sunderland district.
Ground Description
Located at the far left hand end of Leisure United’s Sunderland Washington Hub which opened in November 2019. The overall complex contains several football and rugby pitches plus a café bar and meeting room.
The separate Non-League Step 6 graded arena used by Washington in the Northern League is enclosed, railed and floodlit. It incorporates prefab accommodation of a 50-seater grandstand and covered terracing for a similar amount of spectators.
Dressing rooms and Washington’s designated clubhouse are inside the main building next to spacious car parking provision.
Programme Details
A homespun duplicated effort was entitled ‘THE WASHY’. It sold at £1.50 via the entry gate. Contents included an editorial greeting to the club’s new head coach Carl Thorp, a match report, history of opponents Billingham Synthonia, clubhouse news, sponsorship details, fixtures, women’s team update and the relevant line-ups. A limited number of colour programmes were available until they sold out and were superseded by black and white versions. Furthermore, up to date printed teamsheets were distributed free of charge at the bar.
The Match
Having just avoided relegation last season, Washington were struggling again in seeking their initial League win of 2024/25. They forged ahead courtesy of a Godwin Williams bullet header in the 26th minute.
I was pleasantly surprised to hear ‘Papa's Got A Brand New Pigbag’ goal music pumping on the public address system. Then three lads banging a drum behind the goal burst into a spirited rendition of “Washy FC – The Blue Army…”
At this stage, anyone enjoying live betting knowledge might have favoured the homesters. But football betting is never easy and Billingham Synthonia stormed back to deliver four second half goals with two apiece featuring Jake Stott (63, 90+4 mins) and Ryan Appleby (66, 88 mins).
I had to laugh when one of the Synthonia substitutes was warming up by performing energetic high kicks adjoining the touchline and a tiny boy in the stand repeatedly shouted: “You do know you’re kicking nothing!”
The People
Washington club secretary Bryan Tomlinson gave an extremely friendly welcome and I was really pleased he saved one of the colour match programmes for me. A vital addition to my extensive collection of groundhopping memorabilia.
Bryan said: “Washington spent 12 years playing out of town due to an arson attack on our Albany Park base. We hosted games at the Nissan Complex, New Ferens Park in Durham and the Ford Hub in Sunderland while work was being completed on our current venue where we arrived in September 2022.
“Boro Rangers were our inaugural visitors attracting an attendance of 335. Although we lost 1-2, we were finally home and it was a wonderful achievement by Mark Gibbon our chairman and the other hardworking volunteers to make it happen.
“The club has more than 50 junior sides aged six years upwards. The ultimate aim is offering a pathway to first team football for both our men and ladies.
“Northern League victories are very difficult to get this season. In fact we have struggled for a few years yet we’re building slowly. Off the pitch things are just about in place for us to progress on it.
“What we didn’t need was a sequence like last season. The weather was so bad that from September onwards we only managed to play two home games. Many fixtures had to be held at the Ford Hub in Sunderland. It cost the club financially in a big way with lost revenue and the expense of hiring the facility.
“Even so we’re survivors. The band of volunteers we possess are simply the best I’ve ever encountered. They live and breathe the club. Once we eventually find a winning formula nobody will deserve it more than this group.
“As for myself, I became involved in 2018/19 starting off as match day secretary. I took over the full time secretary role last year replacing Lee Holmes who was another stalwart in getting Washington home.
“It has been the proverbial roller coaster to say the least but I can’t see me going anywhere else. Everyone here regards us all as family and family stick together through everything.”
*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Tony Incenzo*
