North Shields v Marske United

Daren Persson Stadium @ Ralph Gardner Park

Northern League Division One

January 3 2015

Ground No 163

 

 

 

TALK about chalk and cheese. There were easily as many people in the queue to get in at the Daren Persson Stadium when I arrived hot foot for my second game of the day as there were in the entire ground at Washington v Birtley in game No 1 of the afternoon.

Unlike my earlier visit to Washington, it was obvious where this ground was situated. The floodlight pylons were visible from the road, the tiny car park was full so there were plenty of vehicles parked by the side of the road and there was a steady throng of people heading in the same direction.
 

And the line of people waiting to get in for this battle of the Northern League title contenders had trebled by the time I'd got to the point of handing over my six quid at the gate.
 

All of this triggered one chilling thought: They were bound to have run out of programmes by the time I got to the point of being in a position to buy one.
 

Sure enough my fears were realised. Now, not getting a programme at a match is as big a catastrophe for me as eating curry being outlawed or being shut in a room with Hugh Grant.. I can't lie, it's a big deal.
 

Fortunately Marske United, my local team having lived in the village for almost ten years, did me a massive favour. Their 4-0 trouncing of a side that hadn't been beaten at home for 16 months not only sent me home happy but also led to one frustrated home fan heading off in such a hurry and no doubt so stung by the way his side's proud home was being dismantled that he left his programme behind.

Needless to say (after first asking around the nearby fans if anyone could lay claim to it or was willing to part with it) I gave it a good home.
 

Daren Persson Stadium @ Ralph Gardner Park (to give it its full title) has been home to the former FA Amateur Cup winners since 1997 and is a compact ground, enclosed by a wooden fence with a wooden 100-seat stand on one side and some covered areas on the far side.
 

The 'Curva Nord' terracing on the left as you walk in is home to the club's Ultras, but even they were no match for Marske's vocal band of travelling fans on this occasion.
 

The stadium has been nicknamed The Morgue since a sponsorship deal with Daren Persson funeral directors, the United fans ensured it was very much alive and kicking inside the ground.
 

Accompanied by a drummer, they were in fine voice throughout and, I know I have an affinity to Marske, but "Let's all do The Poznan" after every goal as something special. The team was a credit to its fans and the fans were a credit to their team.

The attendance was announced as 452 which created an electric atmosphere and despite being down to ten men after 15 minutes against a good side on top form, the Robins gave it a good go in the second half.

They fashioned some decent chances and provided us with the miss of the century when sub Denver Morris managed to somehow managed to divert the ball into the hands of Seasiders keeper Robert Dean when you'd have put money on my mum, 81 years old with a replacement hip, scoring.

By all accounts the North Shields fans were extremely hospitable to the visiting supporters before the game and in Northern League terms, this had 'big match' written all over it. A very enjoyable visit. Especially since I managed to get hold of a programme!