[FM13] - Don't bash the bishops! - Durham City

[acidmonkey]

The City

Durham is a City in north east England located to the south of Newcastle and Sunderland and to

the north of Middlesbrough and Darlington, the City is the home of Durham Cathedral which is

designated a world heritage site. The City is the county town for the larger Durham County the

City itself only has a population of 42k as of the 2001 census however the County of Durham has a

population of 500k but mostly consists of rural and farming The City itself is an old city and has been

designated a conservation area and has 603 listed buildings within it.

The city also boasts the third oldest university behind oxford and Cambridge and as such as its

own rowing regatta and all the income that brings. The city only has the county Cricket team as a

successful sporting side with county Durham winning the county championships in 2008 and 2009.

Owing to divine providence of the city’s founding, the Bishop of Durham has always enjoyed the title “Bishop by Divine Providence” opposed to all other bishops who are “Bishop by Divine Right”.However, as the north east was so far from Westminster the bishops of Durham enjoyed extraordinary powers such as the ability to hold their own parliament, raise their own armies, appoint their own sheriffs and Justices, administer their own laws, levy taxes and customs duties, create fairs and markets, issue charters, salvage shipwrecks, collect revenue from mines, administer the forests and mint their own coins. So far reaching were the bishop’s powers that the steward of Bishop Antony Bek commented in 1299 AD: “There are two kings in England, namely the Lord King of England, wearing a crown in sign of his regality and the Lord Bishop of Durham wearing a mitre in place of a crown, in sign of his regality in the diocese of Durham” All this activity was administrated from the castle and buildings surrounding the Palace Green.Many of the original buildings associated with these functions of the county palatine are still to be found on the peninsula.

Every Bishop of Durham from 1071 to 1836 was a Prince Bishop except for the first Norman-appointed Bishop Walcher who was styled an Earl-Bishop. Although the term prince bishop has been used as a helpful tool in the understanding the functions of the Bishops of Durham it is not a title they would have recognised. The last Prince Bishop of Durham Bishop William Van Mildert credited with the foundation of Durham University. Henry VIII curtailed some of the Prince-Bishop's powers and, in 1538, ordered the destruction of the shrine of Saint Cuthbert

The club

As the county’s only successful side is a cricket club, the county is mainly made up of Sunderland

Newcastle and Middlesbrough fans, The club will play this season in the Northern League division

one.

Founded in 1918 and they were admitted into the Division three north in 1921, finishing 11 th of 20

in the first season of league football, they finished bottom the following year but gained re-election

to retain their football league place, finishing mid-table the following seasons (15 th 13th 13th) in an

expanded league of 22 clubs, before a disappointing season saw them finish a lowly 2 nd bottom, the

following year they finished bottom conceding 100 goals and gaining 29 points from 42 games (2

points for a win) they failed to gain re-election in 1928 and were replaced in the league by Carlisle

united, they returned to playing in the north eastern league. Where they had to play the big sides’

reserve teams with the league dominated by Sunderland, Newcastle and Middlesbrough Reserve

sides, the club folded shortly after in 1938 due to financial constraints.

However in 1950 the Club was re-formed and began life in the Wearside league. Before 2 years

later gaining admission to the Northern League where they remained until 2007/08 season always

challenging the top of the pile but never winning the league as drifted between the division one

and division two, finally they won a league crown as in 1994 they won the Division one however

due to ground constraints they were denied promotion, and a few years later they were relegated

two division two, but in 1998 they won the division two title, it then took them ten years including

a runners up spot in 03-04 but in 2007-08 they finally moved a step up the ladder into the Northern

Premier League Division One North where they had the tightest defence only conceding 41 goals as

they took the title on the least day finishing 1 point ahead of skelmersdale United to go within one

promotion of the Conference North, However at the start of the 09-10 season they were informed

by the football league that they would not be permitted to move any further up the pyramid with

their artificial surface, which led to their main sponsor pulling out a week before the season was due

to start. The loss of income meant that almost all lthe clubs players left, and they turned to a local

sixth-form centre to fill the team.

The scratch side lost their first 28 matches and were deducted 6 points for playing a suspended

player under a false name.[ They finally recorded their first win and points of the season on 13

March 2010 with a 2–1 victory over FC United of Manchester and followed that with a 4–3 win in

their next match at home to Whitby Town, although this was not enough to prevent relegation back

to First Division North, finishing the season with 0 points (after the six-point deduction).

The 10-11 season ended with a relatively decent finish of 17th with 48 points from 44 games, undone

mainly by their away form which was a lot of 4 and 5 nil defeats.

The following season they finished 6th and looked likely to gain at least a play-off spot however a

poor financial management meant the club resigned from the league and requested admittance to

the northern league for the start of the 2012-13 season.

The Stadium

The club has occupied as many as five different grounds since its foundation. In their first season

the club played at Garden House Park (near the site of the present county hall), then played for four

seasons at Kepier Heughs before moving to Holiday Park (on Framwellgate Waterside) until 1938.

The club's fourth ground was at Ferens Park, near the Sands area – the club stayed at this ground

until forced to move due to promotion requirements in 1994. The club also gained its largest

attendance ever of 7,000 at Ferens Park, when on November 7, 1957, Tranmere Rovers visited in the

second round of the FA Cup, beating City 3–0.

Presently the club play at New Ferens Park (also known as The Arnott Stadium) in Belmont on the

northern outskirts of the city. This ground was of a very high quality by Northern League standards.

It is not, however, up to Northern Premier League standards and improvements have to be made

for the 2008–09 season. Currently, the ground boasts a 300-seater stand and clubhouse which also

incorporates covered standing room for 600 further spectators. Spectators can also stand around

the pitch as a path has been laid around the pitch. The present Chairman Stewart Dawson plans

to further improve the ground with the addition of new 5- and 7-a-side all weather pitches and a

standing area behind the west goal. Current attendances are estimated to be around the 200 mark.

The stadium was also used as the home of the reserve team of Sunderland until they moved to The

Hetton Centre for the 2006–07 season.

The Game details

Players - 88k

Leagues Loaded - (Top divisions from) - USA, Turkey, Sweden, Spain, Scotland, Russia, Portugal, Holland, Italy, Germany, France, Denmark, Brazil, Argentina, Wales, Ireland, Nire, S. Korea, S.Africa, Poland,. Mexico, Denmark, Czech, Croatia

My Aims

Well my aims are quite simple really, instead of last year’s march around the world, ill only be

loading the top divisions from a few major leagues and down to step 9 of England, The Aims are:

- Build a team good enough to get out of the northern league

- Embark on a journey to get the side into the football league

- Drag the side slowly through the leagues to the premier league never going beyond our

means

- Get a trophy or two along the way.

- Get into Europe

- Get into the champions league

- Win the Premier League

- Win the champions League

- Dominate English Football.

- Get a new stadium fit for the premier league

This game should keep me going until FM14 comes out! I’ve done a similar job before with Crook

town. But i expect this to be harder. My first aim with the squad is rebuild the staff this year and

bring in people i want, whilst adjusting the side, then i aim to rebuild the team and not have to deal

with Spennymoor or Darlington!

[acidmonkey]

League History

Season   Team             Division                          Pos   FA Cup                    Other
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2012/13  Durham City      Northern League Division One      3rd   N/A                       FA Vase 1st Rnd, Northen Lge Challenge Cup 2nd rnd
2013/14  Durham City      Northern League Division One      6th   N/A                        FA Vase 1st Rnd, Northen Lge Challenge Cup 3rd rnd

[SRL88]

I accept. A club I have played for before .

[deltablue]

Good luck with this.

[Dejay]

Good luck

[Hypanimz]

Best of luck!

[B.W.G]

Good luck with Durham!

[AcidBurn]

Good luck dude, looking forward to this thread.

[acidmonkey]

Thanks, Added what ive got Leagues wise to first post too

[acidmonkey]

may take a while before the appearence of the first update as i keep having my players stolen!

[SnakeXe]

What a thread title. I won't even be annoyed if this beats mine to the best title

[acidmonkey]

What a thread title. I won't even be annoyed if this beats mine to the best title

haha cheers i just like picking the daftest name i could think of

[acidmonkey]

August Update

Durham City 3-1 Consett (Northern Division One)

Consett's match against Durham City will have been a moment Consett's Dan Madden will want to forget as he suffered defeat at the hands of his former club.

Young midfielder Greg Mitchell gave Durham City the lead with a free kick from just outside the area which hit the post on its way past the goalkeeper in the 17th minute. Young striker Jake Ellis doubled Durham City's lead with a real poacher's effort from 15 yards on 43 minutes.

An error from Consett's Marc Walton allowed midfielder Alex Brees to score a nice effort from 17 yards. Experienced winger Mark Eccles pulled one back for Consett after 90 minutes with a nice effort from 14 yards.

Player of the Match: Jake Ellis (Durham City)

Attendance: 235

Guisborough Town 2-2 Durham City (Northern Division One)

Guisborough Town had their midfield to thank on a fine summer's evening at King George V Ground as they showed their strikers how to finish.

Young striker Aaron Mooney gave Durham City the lead with a good header from just inside the six-yard box in the 57th minute. With Guisborough Town staring at defeat, there was controversy as young striker Kye Martey then had a penalty shout turned down.

Guisborough Town captain Richard Chattoe then equalised for Guisborough Town in the 82nd minute with a close range header. Midfielder Richard Carrington put Guisborough Town in front in the 88th minute with a free kick from the edge of the area.

The Guisborough Town fans might have hoped that Carrington had scored the winner but it was not to be. With Guisborough Town already beginning to celebrate, young striker Jake Ellis then scored a tidy finish from 18 yards in injury-time to snatch the equaliser for Durham City.

Better late than never for Durham City and the fans were clearly delighted with Ellis' impact.

Player of the Match: Richard Chattoe (Guisborough Town)

Attendance: 122

Durham City 2-0 West Auckland Town (Northern Division One)

West Auckland Town's match against Durham City will have been a moment West Auckland Town's Evann Graham will want to forget as he suffered defeat at the hands of his former club.

Hutchinson was able to keep his composure to score from the spot after Gardiner gave away a penalty. Young striker Bradley Riley completed the scoring for Durham City with an incisive finish from 14 yards on 74 minutes.

Player of the Match: Paul Hutchinson (Durham City)

Attendance: 199

Durham City 2-1 Newton Aycliffe FC (Northern League Division One)

One of the league's worst defences so far this season continued to struggle as Newton Aycliffe FC lost to Durham City on a wet evening at New Ferens Park.

Durham City finally took the lead when young striker Aaron Mooney scored a well timed close range finish on 43 minutes. Young striker Bradley Riley doubled Durham City's lead with a well timed finish from close range on 50 minutes.

Midfielder Ryland Chilton's 68th minute strike proved the only consolation for Newton Aycliffe FC.

Player of the Match: Aaron Mooney (Durham City)

Attendance: 171

Spennymoor Town 3-2 Durham City (Northern League Division One)

Spennymoor Town's match against Durham City will have been a meaningful one for Spennymoor Town's Lewis Graham as he was able to celebrate victory over his former club.

Young striker Aaron Mooney gave Durham City the lead with a close range finish which was timed impeccably in the 34th minute. Durham City's Sam Nightingale received the red card for a professional foul with 52 minutes on the clock.

Spennymoor Town's equaliser came through Steven Richardson as he seized on Sam Nightingale's mistake to score a penalty. Young midfielder Greg Mitchell then put Durham City in front after 55 minutes with a real poacher's effort from 15 yards.

Richardson equalised for Spennymoor Town in the 68th minute with a nice effort from 18 yards. Full-back Lewis Dodds then clinched a late winner on 89 minutes with a real poacher's effort from 13 yards.

Dodds' impact delighted the fans with his late goal.

Player of the Match: Steven Richardson (Spennymoor Town)

Attendance: 306

Well my tactics still work from FM12, so we have had a good start to the season, it would have been an unbeaten month if We hadn’t let in a late goal against Spenny, We have a brought in 23 players and we are starting to gell really quickly, few injuries and we are screwed thought, we need the league to settle down but there’s only the champions who get promoted from this league so we will be going a few seasons before we get out of the league.

[Dejay]

Decent month

[DodgeeD]

Good luck with this. Would be nice to see more than 3 big teams in the north-east

[acidmonkey]

Good luck with this. Would be nice to see more than 3 big teams in the north-east

Thats the plan but i got to get up a bit!

[AcidBurn]

Pretty good start so far!

[acidmonkey]

September Update

Hebburn Town 0-0 Durham City (Northern League Division One)

After a 0-0 draw at Hebburn Sports & Social Ground against Durham City, a key member of the Hebburn Town side claimed that his team were fortunate to escape from this Northern League Division One fixture with a draw.

Both teams had a number of attempts at goal, which promised much, but the quality of finishing was poor throughout.

Player of the Match: Paul Hutchinson (Durham City)

Attendance: 94

Durham City 4-0 Team Northumbria (Northern League Division One)

Youth was no match for experience on a mild summer's evening at New Ferens Park as a young Team Northumbria team succumbed to a 4-0 defeat at the hands of a much more experienced Durham City side.

Durham City finally took the lead when young striker Bradley Riley scored a tidy finish from 15 yards on 43 minutes. Young midfielder Shaun Walsh doubled Durham City's lead with a good header from just inside the six-yard box on 60 minutes.

Chadwick scored with a header in the 67th minute to extend the lead further. Young striker Aaron Mooney completed the rout with a tidy finish from 14 yards on 72 minutes.

Player of the Match: David Chadwick (Durham City)

Attendance: 126

Darlington 2-0 Durham City (Northern League Division One)

Darlington's match against Durham City will have been a meaningful one for Darlington's Arjun Purewal as he was able to celebrate victory over his former club.

Striker Amar Purewal gave Darlington the lead with an effort from 22 yards in the 60th minute. Purewal completed the scoring for Darlington with a tidy finish from 15 yards on 79 minutes.

Player of the Match: Amar Purewal (Darlington)

Attendance: 1,242

Durham City 2-1 Billingham Synthonia (Northern League Division One)

Durham City recorded a somewhat fortuitous win over Billingham Synthonia on a fine summer's afternoon at New Ferens Park.

Durham City captain David Chadwick got Durham City off to a flyer by scoring a good header from just inside the six-yard box after just one minute. Mooney had no trouble in scoring from the spot when Hirst conceded a penalty. Mooney then had a chance to score from the penalty spot on the 34 minute mark but missed his spot-kick.

Winger Marc Ellison's 70th minute strike proved the only consolation for Billingham Synthonia.

Player of the Match: David Chadwick (Durham City)

Attendance: 170

Durham City 2-1 Colne Dynamos (Northern League Challenge Cup 1st Rnd)

Colne Dynamos' match against Durham City will have been a moment Colne Dynamos' Craig Harbord will want to forget as he suffered defeat at the hands of his former club.

Striker Robert Crank gave Durham City the lead with a good header from just inside the six-yard box in the 11th minute. Colne Dynamos' equaliser came through Liam McManus as he seized on Neil Murphy's mistake to score a fluke goal. Crank scored what proved to be the winner in the 53rd minute with a shot from 20 yards.

Durham City also saw their 65th minute strike questionably chalked off.

Player of the Match: Robert Crank (Durham City)

Attendance: 130

Durham City 2-4 South Shields (Northern League Division One)

Youth was no match for experience on a wet afternoon at New Ferens Park as a young Durham City team succumbed to a 4-2 defeat at the hands of a much more experienced South Shields side.

Forward Mitch Whichelow gave South Shields the lead with a tidy finish from 19 yards in the 18th minute. Young striker Bradley Riley then equalised for Durham City in the 38th minute with a close range finish which was timed impeccably.

Midfielder Greg Mitchell put Durham City in front in the 44th minute with a fine header from point-blank range. Striker Kyle Fores-Chambers then equalised for South Shields in the 59th minute with a tidy finish from 12 yards.

Whichelow then added his 2nd goal of the game with a real poacher's effort from 15 yards on 67 minutes. Whichelow completed the scoring for South Shields with an incisive finish from 19 yards on 70 minutes.

Player of the Match: Mitch Whichelow (South Shields)

Attendance: 175

We started the month well with a good point in Hebburn, but we had chances to win but failed to convert, we followed that up by completely demolishing Team Northumbria, with four different scorers I was starting to think that we would really be motoring when we are completely gelled. Only we were brought back to earth with a bump as Darlington smashed us we held them as long as possible only to fall apart in the second half. We then had what I called on paper as three home bankers and we got the first one, with a solid win over Billingham before my ‘B side got through to the next round, and we did lead 2-1 at the break only for my young side to collapse in the second half hopefully we can string some results together next month

[Dejay]

Another decent month, tough loss to South Shields though.

[acidmonkey]

October Update

Sunderland Ryhope 0-2 Durham City (Northern League Division One)

Durham City took full advantage of their numerical advantage as they beat Sunderland Ryhope 2-0 at Meadow Park.

Sunderland Ryhope finished the game with nine men and were always likely to struggle to get anything out of the game.

Durham City finally took the lead when striker Robert Crank scored a tidy finish from 16 yards on 42 minutes. Crank completed the scoring for Durham City with an attempt which went in off the frame of the goal on 44 minutes.

Joseph Gee's game ended early as he was sent off for persistent fouling on 74 minutes. Things then went from bad to worse for Sunderland Ryhope as centre-back Frederick Boden was back in the dressing room on 80 minutes.

Player of the Match: Jon Cornick (Sunderland Ryhope)

Attendance: 101

Durham City 2-1 Bedlington Terriers (Northern League Division One)

Bedlington Terriers' match against Durham City will have been a moment Bedlington Terriers' Stuart Elliott will want to forget as he suffered defeat at the hands of his former club.

The match began in controversy with Bedlington Terriers seeing a goal disallowed in controversial circumstances. Brayson scored from the penalty spot after Chadwick gave away a penalty. Young striker Bradley Riley then equalised for Durham City in the 56th minute with a header.

Striker Robert Crank scored what proved to be the winner on 75 minutes with a real poacher's effort from 18 yards.

Player of the Match: Shaun Walsh (Durham City)

Attendance: 168

Whitley Bay 0-1 Durham City (Northern League Division One)

A young Durham City side showed that you can win with kids as they came out on top against a much more experienced Whitley Bay team on a mild autumnal evening at Hillheads Park.

Young full-back Lewis Hancock had a chance to score from the penalty spot for Durham City on the 9 minute mark but missed his spot-kick. Durham City's David Chadwick made them forget the miss however by scoring a close range header on 37 minutes.

Both teams had a number of attempts at goal, which promised much, but the quality of finishing was poor throughout.

Player of the Match: David Chadwick (Durham City)

Attendance: 237

Celtic Nation 1-3 Durham City (Northern League Division One)

Goal-friendly Celtic Nation suffered a 3-1 defeat against Durham City on a mild autumnal afternoon at Gillford Park.

Young midfielder Lewis Hancock got Durham City off to a flyer by scoring an effort from 23 yards on 3 minutes. Young striker Bradley Riley doubled Durham City's lead with a shot from 24 yards on 39 minutes.

Things went from bad to worse for Celtic Nation as young midfielder Jon Hitchen earned himself an early bath for persistent fouling on 41 minutes. Ellis scored with an effort from 29 yards in the 58th minute to extend the lead further.

Striker Michael Mackay pulled one back for Celtic Nation after 93 minutes with a well timed finish from close range.

Player of the Match: Jake Ellis (Durham City)

Attendance: 110

Staveley Miners Welfare 3-2 Durham City (Northern League Challenge Cup 2nd Rnd)

Durham City lost this match 3-2 after being reduced to nine men.

Staveley Miners Welfare took full advantage of the situation and came home the victors.

Staveley Miners Welfare captain Ryan Damms got Staveley Miners Welfare off to a flyer by scoring an accurate finish on 10 minutes. Young striker Bradley Riley then equalised for Durham City in the 22nd minute with a nice effort from 14 yards.

Midfielder John Seaton then put Durham City in front after 68 minutes with a nice effort from 19 yards. Staveley Miners Welfare's equaliser came through Damms as he seized on Sam Egerton-Wilson's mistake to score a close range effort. Centre-back Lewis Allen then clinched a late winner on 91 minutes with a finish executed with aplomb.

Allen's impact delighted the fans with his late goal. Midfielder Joe Knowlson was sent off for ungentlemanly conduct on 91 minutes.

Things then went from bad to worse for Durham City as Seaton was back in the dressing room on 92 minutes.

Player of the Match: Ryan Damms (Staveley Miners Welfare)

Attendance: 85

Durham City 0-0 Kidlington FC (FA Vase 1st Rnd)

Youth and experience were unable to be separated on a wet afternoon at New Ferens Park as a young Kidlington FC team played out a draw against a much more experienced Durham City side.

Both teams had a number of attempts at goal, which promised much, but the quality of finishing was poor throughout.

Player of the Match: Dylan Purvis (Durham City)

Attendance: 142

Kidlington FC 1-0 Durham City (FA Vase 1st Rnd)

Kidlington FC battled their way to a 1-0 victory in this evenly-matched contest between two hard-working teams.

Forward Cameron Naylor gave Kidlington FC the lead with a close range finish which was timed impeccably in the 32nd minute.

Both teams had a number of attempts at goal, which promised much, but the quality of finishing was poor throughout.

Player of the Match: Johnny Whitehead (Kidlington FC)

Attendance: 100

Durham City 0-0 Newcastle Benfield (Northern League Division One)

Carl Heiniger was the focus for the media as his new club Newcastle Benfield drew with Durham City, Heiniger's former club.

Full-back Tom Darlington had a chance to score from the penalty spot for Newcastle Benfield on the 50 minute mark but missed his spot-kick. Midfielder Joe Roberts' red card for a bad tackle on 55 minutes put Durham City's position under question.

Durham City were often prevented from playing as they wanted to due to the number of fouls committed by their enthusiastic opponents.

Player of the Match: Jevon Hodgson (Durham City)

Attendance: 184

Table after 15 Games

1^st Celtic Nation 32 Points

2^ndDurham 30 points

3^rd South Shields 29 Points

4^th Guisboro 28 Points

5^th Darlington 27 Points

We started the month well with a win over Rhyope, with a Crank Brace sealing the three points, he grabbed another with his strike against Bedlington Terriors to become my second highest scorer with five goals, he needs to continue the form to keep us in touch with Celtic Nation, we had to rely on a headed strike from defender Chadwick sent us into the tie with Celtic Nation knowing a win would put us joint top of the league and we dominated the cumbrians and we took a 3^rd minute lead to give us the upperhand and Celtic never got back into the game as we got a couple more goals to give us a 3-0 lead Celtics goal came in the final moments to take our clean sheet away which left me disappointed. Stavley sent us crashing from the cup as they scored in the 91^st minute to win a even tie 3-2. Kiddington held us to a draw despite us being the better side just, but when we went to the Oxford village we slipped to a 1-0 defeat. We ended the month with a goalless draw against Newcastle Benfield in a tie that could have went either way we still stay in touch with Celtic at the top.

[deltablue]

Good luck staying in the battle.

[acidmonkey]

Good luck staying in the battle.

I'm going to need it there's a lot of good sides in the league (for this level)

[Fabio MVP]

Good luck.

[acidmonkey]

November Update

Shildon AFC 1-3 Durham City (Northern League Division One)

A young Durham City side showed that you can win with kids as they came out on top against a much more experienced Shildon AFC team on a cold and wet evening at Dean Street.

Striker Robert Crank gave Durham City the lead with a real poacher's effort from 17 yards in the 19th minute. Young striker Bradley Riley doubled Durham City's lead with a placed shot on 21 minutes.

An error from Shildon AFC's Justin Keegan allowed midfielder Greg Mitchell to score a shot from 21 yards which found the back of the net via the goalpost. Veteran striker Gary Bull pulled one back for Shildon AFC after 82 minutes with a close range finish which was timed impeccably.

Things went from bad to worse for Shildon AFC as young midfielder Lee Burrell earned himself an early bath for persistent fouling on 84 minutes.

Player of the Match: Greg Mitchell (Durham City)

Attendance: 122

Dunston UTS 5-4 Durham City (Northern League Division One)

Both teams served up a game to remember as Dunston UTS came out on top in this 5-4 goal-fest.

One pundit commented that this match should be taped and shown to any doubters of the beautiful game.

Young midfielder Shaun Walsh gave Durham City the lead with a tidy finish from 13 yards in the 19th minute. Young striker Aaron Mooney doubled Durham City's lead with an effort which hit the inside of the post before crossing the line on 24 minutes.

Striker Billy Greulich pulled one back for Dunston UTS after 31 minutes with a real poacher's effort from 17 yards. Riley scored with an incisive finish from 19 yards in the 33rd minute to extend the lead further.

Midfielder Jake Schmidt pulled one back for Dunston UTS after 42 minutes with a fluke goal. Greulich equalised for Dunston UTS in the 53rd minute with a tidy finish from 11 yards.

Greulich then added his 3rd goal of the game with an incisive finish from 17 yards on 86 minutes. The Dunston UTS fans might have been forgiven for thinking that their side would be happy with just the winner but the scoring wasn't over.

Riley equalised for Durham City in the 87th minute with a shot from 22 yards out. Better late than never for Durham City and the fans were clearly delighted with Riley's impact.

Schmidt clinched the winner on 91 minutes with a real poacher's effort from 15 yards. Schmidt's impact delighted the fans with his late goal.

Player of the Match: Billy Greulich (Dunston UTS)

Attendance: 116

Durham City 2-1 Norton & Stockton Ancients (Northern League Division One)

Durham City taught Norton & Stockton Ancients a lesson at New Ferens Park this afternoon.

Hutchinson scored from the penalty spot after Stocker gave away a penalty. Striker Robert Crank doubled Durham City's lead with a fierce shot on 47 minutes.

Durham City also saw their 49th minute strike questionably chalked off. Young striker Will Hulse's 86th minute strike proved the only consolation for Norton & Stockton Ancients.

Player of the Match: John Seaton (Durham City)

Attendance: 152

Ashington 2-2 Durham City (Northern League Division One)

Jack Pounder was the focus for the media as his new club Ashington drew with Durham City, Pounder's former club.

Midfielder Tommy English suffered the ignominy of scoring a calamitous own goal in the 3rd minute. Striker Andrew Bulford then equalised for Ashington in the 25th minute with a nice effort from 10 yards.

Centre-back Paul Hutchinson then put Durham City in front after 41 minutes with a fine header from point-blank range. Ashington's equaliser came through Andrew Johnson as he seized on Craig Armstrong's mistake to score a real poacher's effort from 15 yards.

Player of the Match: Paul Hutchinson (Durham City)

Attendance: 96

Table after 20 games

1^st Celtic Nation 39 Points (1 game in hand)

2^ndDurham City 37 Points (1 game in hand)

3^rd Darlington 34 Points (2 games in hand)

4^th Whitley Bay 34 Points

5^th South Shields 33 Points

Again we hang onto the shirttails of the top side but only down to our inconsistency, we started the month with a god solid win against shilden but again we conceded a late goal when we should have had a clean sheet. We followed it up with a brilliant game for the nuterals as goal fest at Dunston was on the cards for fan but we have only ourselves to blame as we took our foot off the pedal in the second half at 3-2 for some reason and were hit with three second half goals before we got one back it was a disappointing result from our point of view. Bottom club Norton were the next visitors to New Ferens park and were sent home with a beating as we should have scored more but we only managed a narrow win, the final game of the month was a trip to woodhorn lane and we should have travelled back south with all three points but our difficulty to defend set pieces reared its ugly head as we twice blew our lead and it gives me something to work on in training on the two days per week I get the players.

[acidmonkey]

December Update

Durham City 1-1 Bishop Auckland (Northern League Division One)

Durham City fans will have been frustrated by their side's 1-1 draw with Bishop Auckland at New Ferens Park.

Journeyman midfielder Craig Armstrong got Durham City off to a flyer by scoring an incisive finish from 19 yards on 3 minutes. Striker Aaron Taylor equalised for Bishop Auckland after 70 minutes with a close range finish which was timed impeccably.

Player of the Match: Craig Armstrong (Durham City)

Attendance: 183

Billingham Town 3-2 Durham City (Northern League Division One)

Billingham Town's match against Durham City will have been a meaningful one for Billingham Town's Joshua Home-Jackson as he was able to celebrate victory over his former club.

Experienced winger Joel Hartley gave Billingham Town the lead with a good header from just inside the six-yard box in the 14th minute. An error from Durham City's Jevon Hodgson allowed striker Joshua Home-Jackson to score a deftly executed finish. Experienced full-back Neil Murphy pulled one back for Durham City after 53 minutes with a lucky strike.

Dunwell scored with a placed shot from 24 yards in the 85th minute to extend the lead further. Young striker Jake Ellis gave the Durham City fans a glimmer of hope after 89 minutes with a well timed close range finish.

Player of the Match: Rowan Garnett (Billingham Town)

Attendance: 113

Durham City 0-1 Marske United (Northern League Division One)

Marske United put their usual poor discipline to one side as they defeated Durham City on a very cold and snowy afternoon at New Ferens Park.

Veteran midfielder Jonathan Groome gave Marske United the lead with a tidy finish from 12 yards in the 36th minute.

Durham City covered a lot of ground but also conceded far too many fouls, meaning their effort was often for nothing.

Player of the Match: Jevon Hodgson (Durham City)

Attendance: 166

Penrith 1-0 Durham City (Northern League Division One)

Penrith's match against Durham City will have been a meaningful one for Penrith's Mark Baitey as he was able to celebrate victory over his former club.

Experienced striker Anthony Shandran gave Penrith the lead with an incisive finish from 15 yards in the 32nd minute.

Durham City could have had a harder time of it but their opponents seemed keen to waste possession by shooting from long range.

Player of the Match: Michael Goodwin (Penrith)

Attendance: 46

Durham City 3-0 Guisborough Town (Northern League Division One)

A potentially serious injury suffered by Guisborough Town's Simon Parke overshadowed events on what was a breezy afternoon at New Ferens Park.

When Quigley gave away a penalty, Hancock confidently stepped up to score from the spot. Veteran centre-back Craig Armstrong doubled Durham City's lead with a close range finish which was timed impeccably on 76 minutes.

Striker Robert Crank completed the rout with a well timed close range finish on 85 minutes.

Player of the Match: Robert Crank (Durham City)

Attendance: 89

Table after 24 games

5^th Guisborough 42 Points

6^thDurham City 41 Points

7^th whitley bay 41 Points

A poor month for us as bad performance followed bad performance, we started the month well enough with a draw with Bishop Auckland, as we took an early lead at home, but despite dominating the game from start to finish we were hands down the better side only to throw away two points in the 70^th minute and we couldn’t get the winner we deserved. We then travelled to Billingham where we were just edged in a close game our defending was abysmal as three times we gifted them goals but only managed to get two ourselves, the next two games were just poor defeats as we conceded sloppy early goals and failed to cause enough problems to even look like getting the goals needed to get a point never mind a win. But after two postponed games one because of the Cup then another because of a waterlogged pitch it left us sliding down the table with no way of sorting it out, we welcomed Guisborough who were much better the side going into the game but a penalty early on saw us take the lead before two late goals got us the three points as we closed the game out.

[Nobby_McDonald]

Reserved for Trophy history!

If this was my thread, I wouldn't need to bother with this post.

[cerud]

Nice to see lower leagues. What database are you using for this?

[SnakeXe]

If this was my thread, I wouldn't need to bother with this post.

That's our Nobby!

[ashton321]

Decent season so far.

[Fabio MVP]

If this was my thread, I wouldn't need to bother with this post.

Neither should he.

[SRL88]

Love the fact that I read this and I live within minutes of every club .

[acidmonkey]

i do pretty much hence why i went with Durham, should have a January update soon but its difficult month

Neither should he.

Your probably right

[acidmonkey]

January Update

Consett 2-2 Durham City (Northern League Division One)

Rufus Ayre was the focus for the media as his new club Consett drew with Durham City, Ayre's former club.

Striker Marc Walton gave Consett the lead with a well timed close range finish in the 28th minute. Striker Robert Crank then equalised for Durham City in the 59th minute with a close range header.

Crank then added his 2nd goal of the game with a powerful effort from 25 yards on 72 minutes. Walton equalised for Consett after 73 minutes with a shot from 21 yards.

Player of the Match: Robert Crank (Durham City)

Attendance: 103

Durham City 1-1 Spennymoor Town (Northern League Division One)

Lewis Graham was the focus for the media as his new club Spennymoor Town drew with Durham City, Graham's former club.

Full-back Dylan Purvis' red card for a vicious foul on 41 minutes put Durham City's position under question. Young striker Bradley Riley gave Durham City the lead with a deftly executed finish in the 65th minute.

Striker Steven Richardson equalised for Spennymoor Town after 77 minutes with an attempt which went in off the frame of the goal.

Player of the Match: Jamie McClen (Spennymoor Town)

Attendance: 129

Newton Aycliffe FC 1-4 Durham City (Northern League Division One)

One of the league's worst defences so far this season continued to struggle as Newton Aycliffe FC lost to Durham City on a cold and wet evening at Moor Lane Park.

Durham City captain David Chadwick gave Durham City the lead with a good header from just inside the six-yard box in the 26th minute. Forward Eddie Hazell then equalised for Newton Aycliffe FC in the 33rd minute with a deftly executed finish.

Midfielder Greg Mitchell then put Durham City in front after 36 minutes with a deftly executed finish from close range. Chadwick added his 2nd goal of the game with a well timed close range finish on 84 minutes.

Striker Robert Crank completed the rout with a real poacher's effort from 14 yards on 91 minutes.

Player of the Match: David Chadwick (Durham City)

Attendance: 100

Team Northumbria 2-3 Durham City (Northern League Division One)

Youth was no match for experience on a cold and wet wintery afternoon at Coach Lane Sports Ground as a young Team Northumbria team succumbed to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of a much more experienced Durham City side.

Striker Robert Crank got Durham City off to a flyer by scoring a close range finish which was timed impeccably on 2 minutes. An error from Team Northumbria's Shane McNicholl allowed midfielder Joe Roberts to score an incisive finish from 18 yards. Fisher scored with a well struck effort from 26 yards in the 12th minute to extend the lead further.

Things then went from bad to worse for Team Northumbria as experienced midfielder Danny Richmond was back in the dressing room on 59 minutes. Young striker Bari Griffiths pulled one back for Team Northumbria after 62 minutes with an accurate finish.

Griffiths put Team Northumbria back in with a shout on 84 minutes with a real poacher's effort from 10 yards but it was too little, too late.

Player of the Match: Bari Griffiths (Team Northumbria)

Attendance: 91

West Auckland Town 1-2 Durham City (Northern League Division One)

West Auckland Town's match against Durham City will have been a moment West Auckland Town's Evann Graham will want to forget as he suffered defeat at the hands of his former club.

Centre-back Tony Hallam gave West Auckland Town the lead with a nice effort from 12 yards in the 43rd minute. Midfielder Joe Roberts then equalised for Durham City in the 57th minute with a well struck effort.

Young striker Bradley Riley scored what proved to be the winner on 64 minutes with a placed shot.

Player of the Match: Joe Roberts (Durham City)

Attendance: 115

Durham City 2-1 Hebburn Town (Northern League Division One)

Durham City won a hard fought battle against Hebburn Town on a crisp winter's afternoon at New Ferens Park.

Young striker Bradley Riley gave Durham City the lead with a real poacher's effort from 12 yards in the 23rd minute. Hebburn Town's equaliser came through Stuart Nicholson as he seized on Craig Armstrong's mistake to score a penalty in off the post. Midfielder Joe Knowlson scored what proved to be the winner on 57 minutes with a real poacher's effort from 16 yards.

Player of the Match: Joe Knowlson (Durham City)

Attendance: 150

Durham City 4-0 Sunderland Ryhope (Northern League Division One)

Sunderland Ryhope's match against Durham City will have been a moment Sunderland Ryhope's Daniel Sanders will want to forget as he suffered defeat at the hands of his former club.

Journeyman midfielder Craig Armstrong got Durham City off to a flyer by scoring an incisive finish from 12 yards on 4 minutes. An error from Sunderland Ryhope's Jon Cornick allowed young full-back Lewis Hancock to score an effort which was deflected on its way in. Durham City also saw their 45th minute strike questionably chalked off.

Fisher scored from the penalty spot after Price gave away a penalty. Fisher completed the rout on 86 minutes with an incisive finish from 11 yards.

Player of the Match: Paul Hutchinson (Durham City)

Attendance: 129

Table after 31 Games

1^st Darlington 64 Points (1 game in hand)

2^nd Celtic Nation 58 Points

3^rdDurham City 58 Points

4^th Guisborough 57 Points

5^th Whitley Bay 57 Points

A Long month for us with 7 games played, we started the month averagely with difficulty holding onto leads, as a Crank brace gave us the lead with less than 20 minutes to go however we managed to throw it away counting this as two points dropped as far as I’m concerned. It happened again at home to Spennymoor when despite seeing Purvis sent off we managed to get the lead in the 65^th minute and it was deserved but we threw it away as well as Spenny equalised with 13 minutes to go for another 2 points dropped.

Next up was a visit to Newton Aycliffe, and in a miserable winters day we managed to finally click into gear, as despite the stats saying it was a relatively even game we took our chances well and headed home with the three points after notching 4 goals, We followed that up with three points against Northumbria Uni, we raced out the gates grabbing three goals in the first 12 minutes but despite going down to 10 men that seemed to spur them on and they got two goals in quick succession, I thought we were going to throw this away too, but we held on for another three points.

In a windy game in west Auckland we had a solid fight on our hands as we struggled to get a foothold in the game and went into the break behind, and it didn’t look good for us, However in the second half we turned on the gas, finishing the game with 63% of the ball, and it was enough of the ball to get us two second goals and the three points. Despite being second best to Hebburn we still got the three points as goals either side of a hebburn penalty saw us come out on top as we continued our good form, In a wet afternoon we finished the month with a great result as we took apart Sunderland RCA, its going to be a difficult month next month though with visits of Darlington and Celtic Nation

[acidmonkey]

February Update

Billingham Synthonia 0-0 Durham City (Northern League Division One)

After a 0-0 draw at Central Avenue against Durham City, a key member of the Billingham Synthonia side claimed that his team were fortunate to escape from this Northern League Division One fixture with a draw.

Durham City had a number of attempts at goal but their profligacy meant they didn't score as many as they maybe would have liked.

Player of the Match: Joe Appleyard (Billingham Synthonia)

Attendance: 89

Durham City 3-1 Darlington (Northern League Division One)

Darlington's match against Durham City will have been a moment Darlington's Arjun Purewal will want to forget as he suffered defeat at the hands of his former club.

Striker Nathan Fisher gave Durham City the lead with an incisive finish from 18 yards in the 12th minute. Experienced midfielder Neil Murphy doubled Durham City's lead with a nice effort from 22 yards on 34 minutes.

An error from Durham City's Lewis Hancock allowed young midfielder David Taylor to score an incisive finish from 18 yards. Things took another bad turn for Darlington as young midfielder Jordan Rimmer somehow managed to find himself dismissed before half-time.

An error from Darlington's Arjun Purewal allowed midfielder John Seaton to score a real poacher's effort from 11 yards.

Player of the Match: Neil Murphy (Durham City)

Attendance: 179

South Shields 1-1 Durham City (Northern League Division One)

Bradley Riley played the part of super-sub for Durham City as The Citizens came from behind to claim a draw against South Shields on a wet afternoon at Filtrona Park.

Striker John Campbell gave South Shields the lead with a close range finish which was timed impeccably in the 45th minute. With time rapidly running out, young striker Bradley Riley then scored a placed shot from 21 yards to equalise for Durham City.

Better late than never for Durham City and the fans were clearly delighted with Riley's impact.

Player of the Match: John Campbell (South Shields)

Attendance: 167

Durham City 0-2 Celtic Nation (Northern League Division One)

Celtic Nation continued their prolific campaign with a 2-0 win over Durham City at New Ferens Park.

Experienced striker Mark Anderson got Celtic Nation off to a flyer by scoring a real poacher's effort from 11 yards after just one minute. An error from Durham City's Paul Hutchinson allowed midfielder Dean Douglas to score a real poacher's effort from 10 yards.

Player of the Match: Jack Higgins (Celtic Nation)

Attendance: 154

Table after 35 games

1^st Celtic Nation 66 Points

2^nd Guisborough 65 Points

3^rd Darlington 64 Points (2 games in hand)

4^thDurham City 63 Points

5^th Whitley Bay 63 Points

It’s a ok month for us, every time we get close we chuck it away, a goalless draw in the first game of the month was disappointing as we really should have picked up al three points but we could play for a month and not have won that game it was just 90 minutes of poor finishing on our front, Because we showed the other side of our game at home to table toppers Darlington and we took them apart the red card for the quakers did help id be lying if I said it didn’t, but the finishing on show we could have done with against Synth. But we went back to old ways against shields, we should have won it easily with the amount of possession and the shots we had but we relied on a strike four minutes from time to salvage anything but we still kept in touch with the leaders before the visit of Celtic Nation, who beat us easily and it leaves us three points from the summit still in the hunt for that top spot.

[cerud]

That's a tight top of the table!

[acidmonkey]

That's a tight top of the table!

We are too inconsistent and its frustrating

[acidmonkey]

March Update

Bedlington Terriers 0-0 Durham City (Northern League Division One)

Youth and experience were unable to be separated on a mild summer's afternoon at Welfare Park as a young Durham City team played out a draw against a much more experienced Bedlington Terriers side.

Both teams had a number of attempts at goal, which promised much, but the quality of finishing was poor throughout.

Player of the Match: Jevon Hodgson (Durham City)

Attendance: 91

Durham City 1-1 Whitley Bay (Northern League Division One)

Lee Kerr played the part of super-sub for Whitley Bay as The Seahorses came from behind to claim a draw against Durham City on a wet afternoon at New Ferens Park.

When King gave away a penalty, Hutchinson confidently stepped up to score from the spot. Striker Lee Kerr equalised for Whitley Bay after 56 minutes with an accurate finish.

Player of the Match: Joe Roberts (Durham City)

Attendance: 164

Newcastle Benfield 0-1 Durham City (Northern League Division One)

Newcastle Benfield's match against Durham City will have been a moment Newcastle Benfield's Carl Heiniger will want to forget as he suffered defeat at the hands of his former club.

Striker Nathan Fisher gave Durham City the lead with an accurate finish in the 23rd minute. Midfielder Joe Roberts' red card for persistent fouling on 51 minutes put Durham City's position under question.

The match was remarkable for the number of fouls committed by both teams, seemingly more concerned with disrupting the flow of the game than playing it.

Player of the Match: Jevon Hodgson (Durham City)

Attendance: 102

Durham City 3-0 Shildon AFC (Northern League Division One)

A highly polished performance from the Durham City players saw their team run out 3-0 winners over Shildon AFC at New Ferens Park.

Striker Robert Crank gave Durham City the lead with a placed shot in the 16th minute. Young midfielder Shaun Walsh doubled Durham City's lead with an effort from inside the penalty area which beat the goalkeeper before finding the back of the net via the post on 23 minutes.

An error from Shildon AFC's Gary Bull allowed striker Nathan Fisher to score an effort which hit the inside of the post before crossing the line.

Player of the Match: Shaun Walsh (Durham City)

Attendance: 177

Durham City 3-1 Dunston UTS (Northern League Division One)

One of the league's worst defences so far this season continued to struggle as Dunston UTS lost to Durham City on a fine spring afternoon at New Ferens Park.

Midfielder Greg Mitchell gave Durham City the lead with a shot from 20 yards which found the back of the net via the goalpost in the 31st minute. An error from Dunston UTS' Chris Swailes allowed young striker Bradley Riley to score a powerful effort. Chadwick scored with an incisive finish from 16 yards in the 56th minute to extend the lead further.

Striker Billy Greulich pulled one back for Dunston UTS after 69 minutes with a real poacher's effort from 17 yards.

Player of the Match: John Seaton (Durham City)

Attendance: 159

Table after 40 games

1^st Celtic Nation 77 Points

2^nd Darlington 77 Points

3^rdDurham City 74 Points

4^th Consett 72 Points

5^th Guisborough Town 70 Points

So we stated the month like we did last month with a game where I should have got the three points but again we failed to hit the back of the net, we should have had the three points, before doing exactly the same in the next game of the month it was a disappointing result as it allowed the top of the league move away from us the unbeaten part is good but we needed to sort it out as we threw away the game after leading we need to have the consistency to win the games and I’m thinking of moving to a target man next season but I’m not sold yet.

We moved back to being a poor side against Benfield but also getting the three points which makes no sense but I’ll accept the three points but we still sat too far away from top heading into the double home games, We went into the first against Shildon knowing we should play well and get a win, and we did with three goals without reply we brush aside Shildon to hang onto the top two we then smashed dunston to move back close to the top two but im not getting my hopes up as its all going to come crashing back down like normal.

[SRL88]

Where the **** are Spenny?

[acidmonkey]

Where the **** are Spenny?

10th, dont tell me you now play for them? guy across the street plays for them well hes on loan at ashington

[acidmonkey]

April Update

Norton & Stockton Ancients 1-2 Durham City (Northern League Division One)

Youth was no match for experience on a wet evening at Norton (Teesside) Sports Complex as a young Norton & Stockton Ancients team succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of a much more experienced Durham City side.

The match began in controversial circumstances as Durham City were denied claims by Bradley Riley for a penalty. Fisher was able to keep his composure to score from the spot after Newton gave away a penalty. Veteran centre-back Craig Armstrong doubled Durham City's lead with a tap-in on 32 minutes.

Young striker Will Hulse's 71st minute strike proved the only consolation for Norton & Stockton Ancients.

Player of the Match: Paul Hutchinson (Durham City)

Attendance: 89

Durham City 3-1 Ashington (Northern League Division One)

Ashington's match against Durham City will have been a moment Ashington's Jack Pounder will want to forget as he suffered defeat at the hands of his former club.

An error from Ashington's Liam Atkin allowed Durham City captain David Chadwick to score a close range finish which was timed impeccably. An error from Ashington's Christian Graham allowed Chadwick to score a header. Striker Andrew Bulford pulled one back for Ashington after 50 minutes with a close range finish which was timed impeccably.

An error from Ashington's Jonny Godsmark allowed midfielder Nathan Fisher to score a tidy finish from 17 yards.

Player of the Match: David Chadwick (Durham City)

Attendance: 167

Bishop Auckland 3-1 Durham City (Northern League Division One)

Bishop Auckland had their midfield to thank on a wet afternoon at Heritage Park as they showed their strikers how to finish.

Veteran centre-back Phil Brumwell gave Bishop Auckland the lead with a real poacher's effort from 12 yards in the 44th minute. Young full-back Lewis Hancock then equalised for Durham City in the 49th minute with a nice effort from 19 yards.

Full-back Scott Redhead put Bishop Auckland in front in the 53rd minute with a tidy finish from 13 yards. Winger Nathan Clarke completed the scoring for Bishop Auckland with a real poacher's effort from 12 yards on 58 minutes.

Player of the Match: Rob Briggs (Bishop Auckland)

Attendance: 124

Durham City 4-2 Billingham Town (Northern League Division One)

Billingham Town's match against Durham City will have been a moment Billingham Town's Joshua Home-Jackson will want to forget as he suffered defeat at the hands of his former club.

Striker Robert Crank got Durham City off to a flyer by scoring a shot from 22 yards out on 5 minutes. Striker Joshua Home-Jackson then equalised for Billingham Town in the 8th minute with an incisive finish from 13 yards.

Home-Jackson then added his 2nd goal of the game with a nice effort from 15 yards on 10 minutes. Striker Nathan Fisher then equalised for Durham City in the 12th minute with an accurate finish.

Fisher then added his 2nd goal of the game with an accurate finish on 55 minutes. Midfielder Greg Mitchell completed the scoring for Durham City with a placed shot on 65 minutes.

It was a superb solo effort and Mitchell looked delighted.

Player of the Match: Nathan Fisher (Durham City)

Attendance: 147

Durham City 0-2 Penrith (Northern League Division One)

Penrith's match against Durham City will have been a meaningful one for Penrith's Mark Baitey as he was able to celebrate victory over his former club.

Veteran winger Neil Wainwright got Penrith off to a flyer by scoring a well timed finish from close range on 5 minutes. An error from Durham City's Dylan Purvis allowed Wainwright to score a placed shot from 22 yards.

Player of the Match: Neil Wainwright (Penrith)

Attendance: 188

Table after 45 games

1st Darlington 88 Points

2nd Celtic Nation 87 Points

3^rdDurham City 83 Points

4^th Consett 83 Points

5^th Hebburn 78 Points

Well we started the penultimate month of the season in great form beating Norton 2-1 when it really should have been a lot more but ill accept 2-1 and the three points it brings, before we smashed Ashington 3-1 at home it gave us an outside chance of winning the league still, only for us to get crushed by Bishop and all but end our outside chances of the title and it means we will have to rebuild and get cracking on next season to try and go up.

But again there was another twist as we took Billingham to the cleaners and despite having to come from behind twice we took all three points and with the results in other games going our way we went into the next game still with a chance of promotion. Only to again throw it away in the following match we were all over Penrith but they got us twice on the break then when my keeper limped off and with no GK on the bench I had to throw in a midfielder between the sticks I expected the floodgates to open, but I was surprised when they didn’t, but for the next game I knew I had to draft in a keeper for the last game of the season but we knew for 100% our chance of promotion had gone

[acidmonkey]

End-of-season Update

Marske United 1-4 Durham City (Northern League Division One)

Marske United, who have one of the league's poorest disciplinary records, suffered defeat against Durham City on a wet afternoon at GER Stadium.

Midfielder Joe Knowlson gave Durham City the lead with a fierce effort from 28 yards out in the 17th minute. Young striker Joseph Cooper then equalised for Marske United in the 39th minute with a tidy finish from 10 yards.

Young striker Bradley Riley then put Durham City in front after 51 minutes with a deftly executed finish. An error from Marske United's Andy Mogwo allowed striker Robert Crank to score a finish tucked away with consummate ease. Centre-back Paul Hutchinson completed the rout with a simple finish from close in on 82 minutes.

Player of the Match: Joe Knowlson (Durham City)

Attendance: 159

Well we finished the season in style, getting three final points on the board, we finished the season as the leagues top scorer, Hodgeson passed a late fitness test to make the game and took his place between the sticks, ill be rebuilding a little I think as we need to tighten up at the back and not throw so many leads away but that all depends on my budgets for next year and how many players I manage to hang onto.

Final League Table

Top Goalscorer

[acidmonkey]

so my team is getting pillaged to the point i may not have any of the starting 11 who finished the last game of the season

[cerud]

so my team is getting pillaged to the point i may not have any of the starting 11 who finished the last game of the season

I always hate that of amateur contracts...

[Lenzar]

Sunderland are actually a Durham side if you take the boundaries to be that of the historical county, which makes sense given those are used for the cricket team.

[Nobby_McDonald]

That's our Nobby!

There's only one of me!

[acidmonkey]

Sunderland are actually a Durham side if you take the boundaries to be that of the historical county, which makes sense given those are used for the cricket team.

I Know, also know people who want us to ditch tyne & wear and return to county Durham

And i expect nothing less from you hobby hoping to start next season tomorrow night

[SRL88]

10th, dont tell me you now play for them? guy across the street plays for them well hes on loan at ashington

It is technically where I am from. I have played for them before though. Durham City & Spennymoor are the two Northern League teams I have played for.

[acidmonkey]

It is technically where I am from. I have played for them before though. Durham City & Spennymoor are the two Northern League teams I have played for.

I'mm wondering if I screwed up something in my research as spenny aren't as good in game as IRL they only a 12th place finish in game but should be at the top!

[SnakeXe]

I Know, also know people who want us to ditch tyne & wear and return to county Durham

No arguments here, we'll happily cut you adrift

[B.W.G]

Very good first season,hopefully the pillaging of your players will stop.