Gary Hull Memorial Trophy by Geoff Suniga

The Matchday Programme of Percy Main AFC

THE VILLAGERS’ VOICE

www.percymainafc.co.uk ADMISSION £2

O.A.P/CHILDREN £1

GARY HULL MEMORIAL TROPHY NORTH SHIELDS FC

PERCY MAIN AFC

v 1919 - 90 Years - 2009

FA VASE WINNERS 2015

NORTHERN ALLIANCE LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

SATURDAY JULY 25TH 2015 Kick-off 3pm

- OFFICIALS STU KYLE - KEITH SCOFFHAM - BARRY SWEENEY Programme cover sponsored by The Print People Ltd

Keep i n With y touch our clu b @Pe

percym rcyMainFC ainafc. co.uk

Rob Rodgerson David Edwards Ant Ridley Ryan Laws Rob Watson James Leggett Rob Carr Dwayne Murray Adam Green Chris Laidlaw Redmond Cockburn Ryan McKee Graham Allen Jake Stephenson Dan Sneap Sam Thompson Joe Betts Stu Wright Jack Armstrong Tony Browell Dean Ellis James Mobberley Daniel Nimmins Jorge Bollardo

Manager Richard Nugent

Gareth Bainbridge Ryan Carr David Coulson Jack Donnison John Grey Kevin Hughes James Luccock Michael McKeown Gary Ormston Ben Richardson Jack Walker Chris Bannon Curtis Coppen Gary Day Adam Foster dean Holmes Marc Lancaster Sean McCafferty Denver Morris John Parker Dean Walker

Manager Graham Fenton

Northern e Allianc Football 1890 Founded

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Percy M ain v West A llotmen t 28/7/1 5 7:00p m

Todays match ball is sponsored by Gordon Heal

A Word From The Hull Family It is such an honour that the committee and players of Percy Main FC keep Gary’s memory alive so respectfully each year by holding this memorial match. We are so touched as a family and greatly appreciate the hard work of the committee and players of Percy Main FC in making this day happen.

Well it certainly was a very strong 2014/15 season for Percy Main which is a huge reflection of the eﬀort and commitment of the players, committee and management. It puts the club in an excellent position for the start of the coming season.

It is wonderful to have again North Shields FC taking part in today’s match. Huge congratulations on their victory in this year’s FA Vase final at Wembley. You could really feel the buzz of excitement around the borough in the run up to the final and the result was the icing on the cake. This has really put the spotlight on the great displays of football from our local teams – something we can’t really say about some of our Premiership clubs who could learn a thing or two from our local teams.

We wish both teams well for their respective coming seasons and it is fabulous to see Percy Main FC where they belong riding high in the Northern Alliance Premier Division – here’s to a great season of games. I’m sure my Mum and Dad will be popping along on a few Saturday afternoons to enjoy some fine displays of football and a warming mug of Bovril.

Thank you to Percy Main Cricket Club for the use of the clubhouse for the buﬀet afterwards where all are welcome.

Here’s to a great afternoon of Football in the lovely surroundings of Purvis Park on a Summer’s afternoon. Gary would be so proud.

Paul Hull

From The Main Good afternoon and welcome to Purvis Park for the 2015 Gary Hull Memorial Trophy match played in the memory of The Main’s former treasurer and committee member. This is the 13th occasion that the game has been played and shows that the memory of a man who did so much for local football, not just at Percy Main Amateurs FC, but also throughout North Tyneside for junior and Sunday football, lives long in the memory of those who were fortunate enough to know him and others who have since taken part or have come to watch the match will bear testimony. He was a born and bred Shields lad who lived in the town all his life and the fact that the 2 clubs today are lining up against each other in his memory is indeed the perfect fixture.

The record attendance for the Gary Hull Memorial Trophy games was set in 2003, the inaugural game in fact, when a Northern Alliance Select X1 managed by Shankhouse’s Gary Kirkup and Willie Armstrong from Carlisle City, beat a Percy Main side with ‘guests’ (including the likes of Brian Smith, who will be in the North Shields dug out today, Paul Wilary and the Livermore brothers who promptly signed up for the coming season) by a 3-2 scoreline in front of just over 300, who had come from far and wide, but I have a feeling that today’s attendance may eclipse that figure somewhat!

We would like to firstly welcome Gary’s family who have always attended the game in large numbers, especially his parents John and Joan who have supported our club in all weathers throughout the season and also his brothers John, David and Paul (who will celebrate his forthcoming nuptials later on this year) and their extended family who we hope will be able to make it along today.

A big part of the fixtures and fittings of the day is referee Stuart Kyle who will this year be officiating in his 8th consecutive Gary Hull Memorial Trophy game – he normally worries about whether he will be selected to take part in the game months prior and has practically arranged his summer holidays around the event in recent times. We all like to have our say about officials from time to time, but hats off to this guy (and he has arranged to wear yellow today to avoid any clash with North Shields colours!)

Terry Lloyd who has ran the line during the past 3 games has decided against taking part today, due to his recent lack of match practice, but we hope that he still can make it along to the game – however his replacement will need no introduction, Barry Sweeney, a popular oﬃcial who refereed a lot of Main games last season and who sadly lost his own football mad son Liam in tragic circumstances on the MH17 flight over Ukraine just over a year ago, has stepped into the breach and when asked if he would like to take part, declared that it would ‘be an honour’ Barry is an example to all in the way that he has conducted himself over the past year, putting rivalries aside and using the great game of football to unite the football fraternity. Just what today is all about!

Of course the oﬃcial’s line up would not be complete without Keith Scoﬀham, a former Percy Main player back in the day and another veteran of the Gary Hull Memorial Trophy game, described as a ‘legend’ by Barry and one who is never short of a word or two!

A massive thank you to all at North Shields FC for making up the opposition today and what a year the Robins have had! I don’t think that there will be anybody connected with Shields who were stood here at Purvis Park watching the Gary Hull Memorial match a year ago, who in their wildest dreams would have imagined the incredible success and fame and fortune that the club (and the town) have enjoyed at the end of the 2014-15 season.

Visit us @ www.percymainafc.co.uk

From The Main continued The Vase euphoria has maybe made people forget what a great league season the Robins had as well – newly promoted to the Northern League First Division, North Shields would maybe have been happy to settle for a mid-table finish, but were actually in with a shout of the title until the last couple of games and that’s some achievement for a side playing at its highest level since reforming in 1992 who had the added (and welcome) distraction of the FA Vase run.

Previously poor performers in the FA competitions, The Robins excelled to not only reach the Vase final at Wembley, but to actually go on and win it after being a goal down as well! Loads of new friends, thousands down at Wembley, folk sporting replica kit, Ultras, an average league crowd of over 400 over the season, a clubhouse in the oﬃng, season ticket sales…. it’s surely onwards and upwards from now on as the club’s knowledgeable committee having seen the folly of their forbears will no doubt invest wisely and run North Shields FC to a level to which it can be sustained, before progression to the next level, that the club’s undoubted potential can be attained.

I enjoyed watching ‘The Middens’ upstairs in Chirton Club on Saturday March 28th – North Shields had just beaten Highworth Town in the second leg of the semi-final of the FA Vase just down the road, while on the same day Percy Main clinched promotion with a 2-0 win in front of slightly less people at Blyth Isababella’s err ‘stadium’ The place was jumping as Shields players, supporters and committee celebrated their achievement, but there was still time and forethought for The Main’s promotion to be acknowledged and glasses were raised in tribute from all those in the bar – a really nice touch and much appreciated.

So therefore, good luck to North Shields for the coming season, we at Percy Main would like to take this opportunity to wish The Robins well and hope that they can follow on and bring yet more success and recognition to the town.

You will note North Shields unusual navy blue strips – they will be worn as a one oﬀ for today’s game before being auctioned oﬀ with some of the proceeds going towards Hope-Louise Feeney, the brave North Shields toddler who has been battling the rare disease, neuroblastoma as her family are now able to send her to London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital for treatment to target the cancerous cells, with new ground breaking treatment called 77 Lutetium Dotatate (or LuDO) for short. Good luck with that and fingers crossed for Hope.

Thanks of course to everybody who has attended today’s game – all proceeds from the gate and raﬄe will go towards the staging of the game in future years. Please remember that the raﬄe will be drawn pitch side at half time, so have your tickets ready!

Finally Percy Main have a couple of friendly games lined up at Purvis Park prior to the commencement of the league season in a fortnight’s time, West Allotment are due here on Tuesday night (July 28th) and Brandon United will make the trip to North Tyneside next Saturday, before the first game of the season, not that away at North Shields Athletic on August 8th.

As always keep an eye on the Percy website for up to date info for news and views and what’s going on at Purvis Park

Enjoy the game today.

View From...The Gaffer What a 12 months it has been. Just under a year ago these two clubs were about to embark on new seasons with high hopes but expectations below what was about to be achieved. We at Percy Main gained promotion back the the Northern Alliance top flight but our achievement was eclipsed but Shields brilliant showing in the First Division of the Northern League and their now legendary Vase win. Here's hoping to another successful season for us both.

For our part preseason has gone well. The squad has remained largely the same with one or two important additions.

What's most important to me for the season ahead is that the players enjoy their football. The previous stint in the Prem was far from that but we now have more experience, more quality, more character and we are fitter.

Our pre season games are tough, with 3 of the games against NL opposition and this gives us the opportunity to beat prepare the style of play we want for the year ahead.

Back to today, we hope that you enjoy the game and the occasion.

Thank you for being part of it.

Visit us @ www.percymainafc.co.uk

A Word From North Shields Chairman Alan Matthews It's good to play against Percy Main in the Gary Hull trophy again.

The recent success at Shields should ensure the biggest gate this fixture has ever seen, and I know Norman will ensure the money is put to good use.

The Robins have never lost a single one of these games, but to say we have only won by the skin of our teeth on a few occasions is a bit of an under statement.

We know we are up against it again this time as The Main have just been promoted back to the Premier Division which makes the rivalry all the more keen. I know a good few people from Purvis Park watched us at Wembley and we are very grateful for that support. Let's hope we return the compliment today.

The ground here is always in tip top condition thanks to the usual loyal band of volunteers, very much like our own at Shields. A great testament to the loyalty of both sets of supporters.

Let's hope today's game is as exciting and competitive as it usually is, let's hope the weather is kind, and let's hope the fridge is full to capacity. If the support is anything like it was at Berwick recently a few new ones wouldn't come amiss.

We all wish Percy Main great success this season in your eďŹ&#x20AC;orts in the Premier Division, but please don't forget we will be trying to win.

It's a great honour to be invited to take part in such a prestigious game, for such a highly respected and remembered person.

Good luck to both teams.

Alan.

Rob Rodgerson Daniel Nimmins David Edwards Ant Ridley Ryan Laws Rob Watson James Leggett Micky Haley Rob Carr Dwayne Murray Adam Green James Mobberley Tony Browell Chris Laidlaw Redmond Cockburn Dean Ellis Ryan McKee Graham Allen Jake Stephenson Dan Sneap Sam Thompson Jack Armstrong Joe Betts Stew Wright Jorge Bollardo

Richard Nugent

Manager

Came in at the midpoint of 13/14 with a wealth of knowledge from around the game through a lengthy period of time playing throughout the North East and also through his line of work

Previous: Cullercoats, Cramlington Town, New York, Easington, Amble, Lindisfarne

Danny Nelson

Coach

Has over 20 years of experience the Northern Alliance and was playing in the league as recently as last season, he is well known among junior clubs in the area and has worked with a number of top professional coaches in the region. He has played for extensive list of clubs in the local area, also founded the team now known as Cullercoats Formica Previous: Proctor & Gamble, Gosforth Bohemians, Cullercoats, Lindisfarne

Dave Addison

Coach

An experienced coach with a lengthy history in the game both from a playing and coaching perspective,brought in during the 13/14 season

Previous: Blyth town U21’s , Morpeth Town ‘A’

Richard Stubbs

Physio

An experienced, committed and fully qualified MSc sports therapist brought in for the 15/15 season who has made a great connection with the club - a fantastic addition to the backroom staff

Previous: Seaham Red Star

Rob Rodgerson

Goalkeeper now in his third spell at the club, vastly experienced playing at the Northern Alliances top level, a vital asset to the team

Previous: South Shields, Walker Central, Cramlington Town

Daniel Nimmins

A talented young keeper who has joined during the close season, another product of Monkseaton Academy

Previous: Wallsend Boys Club, Team North

Ant Ridley

Brilliant left back who can play left wing Quick, strong in a challenge and reads the game well

Previous: Blyth Spartans, Ashington

Ant Ridley Rob Watson

LBLB

24 28

Brilliant left back canwith play over left wing. Former Percy Mainwho junior 300 Northern Quick, in a challenge and Energetic Alliancestrong appearances to his name. reads the game left sided playerwell with a good eye for goal

Previous: Blyth Spartans, Ashington Cullercoats

James Mobberley

Outstanding former Team North defender who has been courted by several Northern League clubs. Strong, reads the game well and has good pace, a real asset to the club

Previous: Team Northumbria

Micky Haley Rob Watson

CB LB

27 28

Made a very switch Former Percysuccessful Main junior withfrom over midfield 300 Northern to defence a few seasons ago, won Energetic both Alliance appearances to his name. the & young player of the 09-10 left player sided player with a good eye year for goal

Previous: Blyth Town, Bedlington Terriers Res, Cramlington Blue Star, Cramlington Town Previous: Cullercoats

James Leggett

The linchpin of the defence who played for Percy Main as a junior during 2005-06. Loves a maisy run up the pitch! Fantastic communicator who keeps team spirit at a maximum

Previous: Cullercoats

Tony Browell

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Generalâ&#x20AC;? - Long serving commanding centre half, returned to the club after a spell at North Shields, Previous winner of Players Player of the Year. An experienced individual who is a great influence on the younger members of the squad Previous: North Shields

Rob Carr

His nickname of Vidic probably tells you all you need to know. His dominance in the air makes him a huge presence in both boxes. He’s deceptively quick and confident with the ball at his feet

Previous: North Shields Christ Church

Dwayne Murray

Joined the Main following a spell as captain of Heddon having previously plied his trade in the Northern League with Ryton. Pacey and strong in the tackle whilst having composure on the ball, equally comfortable in midfield or defence Previous: Heddon, Grainger Park, Ryton, Westgate Lionsraw

Adam Green

A summer signing from Cramlington Town who has been hugely impressive. He has pace and power in abundance and is more than capable of taking the ball past the opposition, a player who has all of the tools to develop into one of the best fullbacks in the league

Previous: Cramlington Town, Morpeth Town ‘A’

Chris Laidlaw

Exceptional footballer with electric pace brought in as a winger however after a brief stint as a striker he has proved more than capable in hitting the back of the net

Previous: Cullercoats, Cramlington Town

Redmond Cockburn

Versatile individual who can play anywhere across the midfield or defence - has a huge engine and an eye for a killer first time pass. Has filled in as captain and took to the role effortlessly

Previous: Blyth Town, Shankhouse

Dean Ellis

Strong workhorse of a midfielder originally signed in the summer of 2009. Previous Young Player of the Year who factors into the Army and Engineers teams at fullback

Previous: Royal Engineers, Army U23â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Bedlington Terriers Res

Ryan McKee

Talented young midfielder who always seems to have time on the ball. Has a huge future if he continues to progress at the current rate

Previous: Blyth Town U21â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Graham Allen

Spent most of 13-14 with Chemfica having previously enjoyed success with Cullercoats He is energetic, relaxed on the ball and fits the Percy Main mould exactly

Previous: Newcastle Chemfica, Cullercoats

Ryan Laws

Came through the Whitley Bay junior setup, Ryan has a bright future ahead of him and is a great prospect. Made a very successful switch from left fullback to central midfield

Previous: Whitley Bay Boys Club

Jake Stephenson RW Dan Sneap

CM 28

A young midfielder in his- first season Pacey, skilful and direct a wide man in Senior football He has natural alreadyability shownwill thatgive he has the commitment whose fullbacks quality aand torrid timeto play at this level. Shows maturity under pressure and has fitted into the squad perfectly

Previous: Whitley North Shields U17â&#x20AC;&#x2122;sShields, Cullercoats Bay, North

SamArmstrong Thompson Jack

ST CM

24 18

An Aintelligent young attacking forwardmidfielder who holdssigned the ball during up well the and is close an excellent season, finisher. a great prospect A fantastic with signing a big season ahead of him

Previous: Edinburgh Previous: Napier Forest University Hall

Curtis Miller Dan JackSneap Armstrong

ST CM RW

19 28

AAn raw talent inwho from the Alliance Pacey, skilfulbrought and direct - a holds wide man intelligent forward the ball 2nd up well division. Quick, strong, natural finisher signing with whose natural ability will give fullbacks and is an excellent finisher. A fantastic real hopes of becoming a proven goalscorer a torrid time for the Main

Previous: Isabella Whitley Bay, NorthUniversity Shields, Cullercoats Previous: Blyth Edinburgh Napier

Joe Betts

You will struggle to find a more naturally gifted footballer. A huge asset to the team who can turn a game around whilst making it look easy

Previous: Washington, Bedlington Terriers Res

Stew Wright

A striker with pace and strength in the air that will trouble defenders. His work rate and Northern League experience will be invaluable to the team

Pervious: Cullercoats, North Shields, Morpeth, Seaton Delaval

Jorge Bollardo

A known goalscorer for clubs throughout the Alliance Having spent time working away recently he is returning to full fitness and will add experience and firepower for the run in Previous: Killingworth, Shankhouse, Walker Central, Ryton, Seaton Delaval, Forest Hall, Bedlington Terriers

Steve Hart Sam Thompson

ST ST

39 24

Hugely experienced forward who the has ball played in the An intelligent forward who holds up well Alliance two decades. HeAhas great feet and few and is anfor excellent finisher. fantastic signing can link play as well as he does. As always holidays and weddings will limit his appearances but when available he will have an impact on and off the pitch CullercoatsNapier University Previous: Edinburgh

#AMF

Against Modern Football – or so the saying goes. The growing movement, as its title describes is currently gaining momentum among the fans of the nation’s non-league clubs, with great assistance from the internet and social media and having been pioneered by those who have previously been avid fans of big city Premier League clubs, but have now become disillusioned by the ‘elite football’ of the so called Top League and the big business that it has all sadly become.

By that I mean Sky TV and its riches, the often £50+ plus match ticket prices, that people now seem to take for granted (and often for a ‘restricted view’ seat) rip oﬀ, poor quality replica kit, changed on an all too regular basis with named (and often hated) sponsors names emblazoned on the front which no one would want to be associated with (see a club not far from here), extortionate refreshment pricing, sterile atmosphere at all seater stadia, where loudly supporting your team is often discouraged by overzealous stewarding, or somebodies granny in the next seat complete with tartan rug and flask, with the threat of ejection and or loss of season ticket should anyone be perceived to be enjoying themselves or making too much noise.

Badge kissing foreign footballers who make up the vast majority of the Premier league, with no heart, who care not a jot and earn far more in a week than you and I earn in a couple of years and the stifling of youth football as top clubs seek to gamble and appoint from overseas, rather than concentrating on developing their own talent – while the game at grass roots level struggles for a pittance with long established clubs and leagues going to the wall on an almost weekly basis. It’s not right is it?

You get my drift?

As well as Gary Hull’s many local football connections in North Tyneside, he was also a diehard NUFC season ticket holder in the Gallowgate End (or whatever it’s called now) who last saw the black and whites defeat Manchester City 2-0 courtesy of goals by Alan Shearer and Craig Bellamy on January 18th 2003, while far more importantly on the same day, Percy Main lost 1-0 at Harraby in a Northern Alliance Premier Division match at their Edge Hill School base in Carlisle, the self-dubbed ‘Bernabeau’ by Harraby’s dedicated and now sadly departed secretary and great football enthusiast Mike Little. We debated the high and low lights in the Gunner that day for a while after meeting up post matches.

Gary has both the Percy lion and the Newcastle crest on his headstone in Tynemouth Cemetery – I wonder what his thoughts would have been if he would have still held his

#AMF continued ticket today, come the latest situation at St James, he would have had plenty of material for his popular ‘Toons Eye View’ column that he used to pen for each Percy Main programme, that’s for sure!

North Shields have been one of those who have benefited from many of the former St James faithful who have now ‘seen the light’ and quite a few banners which adorn the boundary fence of the ‘Curva Nord’ bear the ‘AMF’ logo. It’s all come at the right time for Shields following their first season back in the Northern League First division since 1988, which resulted in a magnificent fourth place finish and also bear in mind that Graham Fenton’s lads were well in with a shout of the title right until the last couple of games.

Added to that of course, the much documented FA Vase run, which resulted in the club’s Wembley appearance and fabulous victory over Glossop North End on May 9th, all of which resulted in North Shields average league attendance reaching the 400 figure last season, for the first time in many a long year. Even during the clubs latter successful (on field) years in the Northern Counties East League during Appleby Park’s last couple of seasons, the club could not attract anywhere near that figure, bar the odd game. That impressive figure will surely improve yet further, if the club manages to progress as it has done in recent times (witness the 5 – 6, 000 Shields fans, including a healthy contingent from Percy Main who travelled to ‘the smoke’ for the Vase final).

Other Northern League clubs such as Marske United have their own bunch of noisy fans – ‘The Chicken Run Collective’ as they are known, both sets of likeminded fans who mix freely in the bar and on the terraces and support their sides lustily and without a hint of trouble.

Football mad folk who have been used to forking out hundreds of pounds for a season ticket to watch football whenever Sky TV dictates have come to realise that for a fraction of the price, a few local convivial pints can be had with like-minded folk, a walk to the ground and back, sometimes accompanied children can get in for nowt, while decent entertainment can be had along the way, with good bonhomie on the terraces, not just at home but away games as well, with often a pint to be had in the ground as well – just like it used to be.

Added to that, the fans can relate to the players and vice versa – as the tracksuited North Shields squad and management popped into the Spring Gardens with the FA Vase for a few pints with the Ultras, while posing nonstop for photographs and chatting to the fans as one. I think everybody in Shields has had their photo taken with that cup!

I can’t see Manu Riviere nipping into the Strawberry after the game for a pint of ‘Radgie Gadgie’ and a natter, can you?

Hopefully as time progresses, more will see the light and stop pumping all of their hard earned into so called ‘top level’ football, wake up and smell the coﬀee. Stop moaning about Mike Ashley, Lee Charnley and their cohorts at Newcastle and elsewhere, hurt them where it counts in the pocket and just don’t go. Walkouts and boycotts are pointless, they have your money and if anything it is giving them even more publicity.

Support your local club – always a warm welcome, decent football and a sense of belonging for many!

18 Norman de Bruin

Yesterday, today and tomorrow Percy Main AFC Rewind to just over a year ago, Percy Main Amateurs had finished bottom of the Northern Alliance Premier Division table with only 4 league wins all season and had deservedly been relegated to the league's middle tier, a division which had taken the club 5 long seasons to get out of prior to Jason Ritchie's totally unpredictable Wimbledon style 'Crazy Gang' promotion side of 2010. It wasn't where we wanted to be and there were those who maybe wondered if the club would have to endure another extended spell at the lower level.

There were whispers at the end of the 2013-14 season that Stocksfield, whose coaching staﬀ were to depart for Team Northumbria were on the brink and if so, their demise may have led to a respite for Percy Main’s Premier Division status – this ultimately proved to be not the case, although Stocksfield did start last season, but didn’t make it out of August, playing only 3 games and throwing the division into disarray early doors to the ire of all.

On reflection, although it wasn’t welcome at the time, relegation 12 months prior was no bad thing – it gave us the chance to start again at a lower level, albeit with the bulk of the previous season’s talented but perhaps underperforming squad and build slowly for the future. Sometimes you need to take a step back to take a step forwards and this was one of those times, or so it turned out.

The Presentation Evening last June, bore no trophies (other than the usual individual awards) but spirits were high, with the usual high jinks much in evidence from the bulk of the playing squad. Chris Hunter had perhaps surprisingly decided to call it a day after only a few months as joint team manager and Danny Nelson (initially described as a 'cocky get' by Coach Dave Addison) had joined the team management, brought in by Richard Nugent as long time pals and football allies.

Preseason training was tough, but well attended and well received. The friendly games also started well, there were away wins at Alliance Premier Division sides Gateshead Rutherford (1-0) and Wallington (7-3), but we were brought back to reality by a home defeat against league new boys Lindisfarne CP and it wasn't going to be the last that we'd see of the former Tyneside Amateur league side. Richard wrote in his programme notes for last season's Gary Hull Memorial trophy game that the side were the best prepared that he'd seen during his time in football and how his words were to come true.......

continued ———> 19

Unlike other managers and coaches that the club has had of late, come preseason, the current incumbents did not boast of imminent success, superstar players turning down big money deals to sign for Percy Main, promotion, top 4 finishes, thrilling cup wins and all manners of glory which ultimately fell flat, they just got on with the job in hand, which made me wonder if this just might be our year?

A balmy August Saturday saw North Shields begin life back in the Northern League First Division with a 2-2 draw against Crook Town, a result which would look a bit strange come the end of the campaign as Crook Town finished up bottom of the pile by some distance as the money had apparently dried up along with the subsequent predictable players exodus. The Main got off to an unusual winning start, although it took Gareth Armstrong's injury time strike to see off a plucky Newcastle Chemfica side who perhaps felt aggrieved at having nothing to show for their efforts at the end of the day.

The wins kept coming, 12 months previous we had lost our first 5 games in desperate fashion which ultimately cost us our place in the division, this time around the had swung and we won the first 5 in some style as well and although the winning run was brought to a halt by a 0-0 draw at Wallsend Boys Club towards the end of August, the scene was set for our first championship winning side since 1998-9.

For some reason the cups weren't to our liking and we went out if the League cup, Northumberland Senior Benevolent Bowl and the Combination cup at the first time of asking to Northbank Carlisle, Red House Farm and Wallsend BC (AET) respectively in rapid succession. A first league defeat and an uncharacteristically poor performance followed at Birtley St Josephs, while AFC Newbiggin upset the applecart with a 2-1 win at Purvis Park to give us a bit to think about.

The month of November also marked the passing of committee member Norman Rodgerson, or 'Old Norman' as he was aﬀectionately known. Norman was the eldest of 3 generations at the club, father of treasurer and past player and manager Bob and grandfather to goalkeeper Rob, now there's some years’ service given to PMA by those 3. Norman was a lovely fella, who would never sit still despite being told too by all, such that he wanted to do his bit despite his age and various ailments. He never a bad word to say about anybody or never had one said about him, just his presence alone has been sadly missed, mind it is easier to get the beers in these days!

continued ———> 20

The festive month was good as we won games and scored goals with the notable highlight being the 4-0 win at Wooler, which silenced the famous ‘Wooler Ultras’ on the far side along with the fantastic knife and fork fayre laid on at the Angel Inn after the game. The Christmas Night out was a blast as the playing staﬀ were tasked with purchasing and wearing an 'outfit' from a charity shop for no more than a tenner, some snappy dressers and rascal outfits were spotted while Joe Betts possibly shaded the contest. Photographs are available....

The New Year came in with a great 5-2 win at Cullercoats at Links Road, when we'd been 2 down during the early stages and ample revenge was gained a fortnight later when Birtley were despatched 4-1 at Purvis Park and it looked as though the title was ours to win, or so the experts sagely pointed out. An extraordinarily dry and mild winter meant that happily postponements were far and few between, but February saw 3 straight defeats against Newcastle University and Hexham in the league and at Lindisfarne (0-3) on what was probably our worst performance of the season, (admittedly with players missing) in the semi-final of the Bill Gardner Trophy.

The season's defining moment probably came on March 7th away at Newbiggin who had to win to further their own promotion aims. The home crowd were partisan and the weather was horrendous with a strong end to end wind which spoilt the game and favoured Newbiggin in the first half, who went in at the interval with a slender 1-0 win courtesy of John Bone. Stewart Wright, spotted as a spectator at the Lindisfarne game with a bag full of cans of Fosters for inspiration and not long back from his lengthy sojourn across the world, had a great game for The Main that day and scored our third in a crucial 3-1 win, Ryan McKee in spectacular style and Joe Betts as the other counters.

On March 28th, the day when North Shields were victorious over Highworth from the Hellenic League at the Darren Persson Stadium to incredibly reach the FA Vase final and a day out at Wembley, Percy Main were also making headlines, but in far less salubrious surroundings as Blyth Isabella were beaten 2-0 to clinch promotion, strangely the celebrations seemed somewhat muted as maybe the real prize was still to come.

The following Saturday and with the biggest crowd of the season inside Purvis Park, The Main had to beat Wallsend BC, who themselves were in with a decent promotion shout to clinch the title, there were still 3 games to play mind. Typically Wallsend raced into a 2-0 lead and it appeared that the champagne would have to be put on ice, but a Sam Thompson goal in the second half gave us hope, McKee scored a screamer and Steve Hart netted an absolute peach which will long live in the memory pf those present to win the game and clinch the league championship for The Main - exciting stuﬀ indeed!

continued ———> 21

It then came to light that despite following procedures, Lindisfarne had inadvertently played an ineligible player in the cup semi-final against us and it was decreed that the game should be replayed. Without going into too much detail, this was a unique situation which we as a club felt strongly about, even though a replay would have benefited Percy Main and given us a realistic chance of more silverware, so after checking that we weren't breaking any rules, (and to the amazement of some) we withdrew from the competition on principle. This earned us many compliments from fellow member clubs of the Northern Alliance, a letter of praise from Clive Oliver, CEO of the Northumberland FA and the Northern Alliance Sportsmanship 2014-15 award which was dished out at the league’s AGM in June.

The season was played out, the trophy was presented and Percy Main are back in the Premier division. A lot of beer was drunk! An end of season Beano in Durham was a great success and enjoyed by all (even if there was a police escort back to the railway station after an impromptu busking session in the market square) as was the 2015 Presentation Night, particularly a group of well turned out Percy Main footballers, who drunk a strange cocktail of Teachers whiskey and red wine from the First Division trophy. The biggest cheer of the night though was the award of the Clubman of the Year award posthumously to Norman Rodgerson – if ever the shield was well deserved, then this was it.

Welcome sponsorship was attained as ADS Aircon came on board and the team will sport the company's logo on both home and away strips, while ground hoardings and programme adverts have been secured.

The end of season cup finals held at Purvis Park were once again a great success (mind there were only 11 this year!) with many accolades gained from the participating leagues and clubs about their football experience and a few quid in the bank to help along the way. Strangely enough and unlike other seasons, there were no doors kicked oﬀ their hinges, club oﬃcials nutted, crying children left and forgotten about, toilets smashed up, on field brawls with pugilists pints in hand (never spilled a drop either) although a rather portly fellow from Hazelrigg did fall through the dressing room floor...

So what of now and the future? The team is back in the Premier division, where it belongs say most, the team organisation is looking first class thanks to Richard, Danny and Dave and after years of hard work and with the help of others the club is finally looking to progress with the long awaited and much needed refurbishment of the pavilion. It's going to take a lot of time, a lot of money and a lot of hard work. It won't be easy but things are moving and all in the right direction.

Fundraising events to date include a Race Night in the cricket club on a date to be confirmed, The Middens will perform at the same venue in October (tickets at £4 each are on sale now) More to follow, keep an eye on the club's website 22 for up to date info.

New beginnings....

A Word From Our Chairman Pete Bainbridge Good afternoon and welcome to Purvis Park for the Gary Hull Memorial Trophy to celebrate and remember a man who dedicated himself to North East grassroots football (and what a game it has the potential to be). This year both teams come brandishing their spoils for the season after a very successful year. Thankfully in a season where the black and white contingent up the road brought shame on the North East once again both Percy Main and North Shields can be proud that we oﬀset that failure with true Geordie passion.

Percy Main enjoyed a fantastic season albeit in the Northern Alliances middle tier to bounce straight back to where we belong in the Premier Division, it was a joy to watch how the team fought for each other and pushed towards the eventual league win and subsequent promotion having been routed firmly at the head of the pack from day 1. With further strengthening to the squad throughout the close season I’m sure the 15/16 season will prove to be another great year for The Main.

North Shields cemented their name firmly in the history books when they brought the FA Vase back to the North East once again, I’m pleased to say that the Percy Main committee including myself made the trip down to Wembley and what a day it was. The lads in red did NE29 proud when they fought their way to victory and hoisted the Vase in the air in front of the thousands of travelling fans. It’s safe to say that the victory in the cup took the spotlight oﬀ what was also a great run in the Northern League where they remained contenders for the top spot until the closing weeks. Lets hope this season brings the club further successes - could this year be a year for the double……No pressure lads!

I hope everyone has an enjoyable day, don’t forget to pick up a famous Percy hotdog they do a good job at soaking up some of the gallons of ale that is bound to be supped!

Pete

North Shields Ultras, Modern Times This thing of oursâ&#x20AC;Ś. On encountering the infamous North Shields Ultras for the first time, some misinformed individuals may form an ill conceived notion that they are an unruly rabble, best avoided. I saw an accusation on social media (a hotbed of strong opinion, usually generated by inadequate social misfits) alleging "most of North Shields support are Newcastle supporters on banning orders".

There undeniably a number of NME, Gremlins and even Bender Squad aďŹ&#x192;liates in our number. Â They will tell you calmly, quietly, about the "battle of Ferry Mews", or the visit by Stoke City, but only if you ask them. They don't glorify events. They will also tell you they sometimes came second. Not every fracas ended in glorious victory.

Times have moved on for these lads though. CCTV, long banning orders, longer prison sentences and heavy fines, coupled with marriage and the responsibility of raising their children changed the focus of a group of lads, who many will be surprised to learn, are articulate, intelligent individuals. Hard working men with strong loyalties to their friends and family and a strong belief in looking after "your own".

By their own admission, these lads aren't angels, but they have nothing to prove, so they aren't looking for a row these days. They mix freely with other Ultras every weekend, everyone is welcome to join the fun, without fear of intimidation or ridicule. These lads and their peers are the inspiration behind a rapidly growing interest in non-league football.

At one time (in the none too distant past) the non league football supporter was perceived to be a little eccentric, probably with poor dress sense and somewhat poor personal hygiene however, people who never imagined getting their football fix on the terraces of non-league football, are turning to their local team in their droves. Disillusionment with the Sky sponsored professional game, with the mercenary, prancing prima donnas, with corrupt, dishonest chairmen and owners and media hype, is fuelling a huge shift in loyalty.

6000 travelled from the North East on 9th of May 2015, and enjoyed the best football experience of their lives. As well as Shields, Marske United were there in numbers, Percy Main had a good turn out, Walker Central sent a mob down, all to get behind the NE29 heroes, and who would have thought it, they saw a North East team win at Wembley......again!

"You support Newcastle young'un?"

"Don't be daft yer radgie. I'm Shields me!"

Wise words!

Percy Main Amateurs FC - The Gary Hull Memorial Trophy, how the match came to be played. 1968 it was, September 1968 in fact, when I took my first steps into the big wide world (well Collingwood Infants Junior School, reception class in Oswin Terrace, North Shields, that is).

It was at this educational establishment that I met a certain Gary Hull, a class mate who was a couple of months older than me and we would make our way school bound every morning escorted of course by our ever loving mothers, who soon became pals themselves.

Obviously I remember very little about those formative days, except the odd bit of tomfoolery in the class, football in the yard etc and a right fuss about somebody or other who had landed on the moon, a little later which entailed, collecting all manner of “free inside” things from inside cereal boxes and school projects about rockets, lunar landscapes etc!

I still have a class photograph, including a very smart Gary, standing proudly in the back row resplendent in a quite natty bow tie!

We both progressed through Collingwood with all the carefree existence of a happy childhood and onto the nearby Norham High School, to which Gary lived in a house which looked out onto the school field itself.

The High School was an entirely diﬀerent kettle of fish for Gary and me. There were a lot of strange faces, there was homework which had to be completed in time on pain of death, with hard exams, there was rugby and fights in the playground to which the whole school would seem to converge to urge on the pugilists, There were teachers who called pupils by their surname, more interestingly, there were star jumpers, flared trousers with patch pockets, platform shoes, the Leazes End, Sham 69, Madness and the Specials.

We left in 1980 and went our separate ways, Gary towards Swan Hunters, the Tyne shipyards and later Domnick Hunter Ltd, while Northern Gas held my destiny and we saw little of each other during the next few years.

Around about the mid 90’s I went to watch an Alliance First Division game at Percy Main and saw a bloke running the line in his wellies, but this time without his bow tie. “That’s Gary Hull” I thought and wondered what he was doing running up and down a muddy line at the then Village Ground on a Saturday afternoon when he should surely have been at St James Park or in the pub. And why was there not a proper linesman, in full black kit, with a pencil down his sock, who would’ve answered the

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all knowing wags on the touchline, while running sideways down the line and might’ve even known the rules?

We nodded and exchanged brief pleasantries and I made my way. I have no idea what the score was nor indeed who the opposition were, but I remember getting a match programme, a tradition which Percy Main Amateurs have managed to maintain to this day, despite often very trying circumstances!

Gary wrote a column for many years, entitled “Toons Eye View” which was his sort of satirical look on what was going on at Newcastle United and it was probably the best bit of reading in it to be honest, often containing controversial views, some ribbing of a certain team from Wearside who play in red and white, with some colourful language which clearly hadn’t been vetted by Mrs Joan Hull, his former school chaperone!

Some years later when informed by concerned Percy Main fan, King of the North Shields Aggro Boys and 1970’s Leazes Ender, Jeﬀ Sharp, that Gary was signing oﬀ his column on every issue with the slogan “Haway the lads” that this was in fact the Sunderland version used - Gary was aghast and all future columns were correctly ended with the Geordie “Howay the lads” epitaph.

A few seasons later and disillusioned about the professional game, I joined the committee of North Shields FC, then a Wearside League club with Northern League ambition and busied myself on a Saturday at Gardner Park. I could walk from my place to the ground in about 5 minutes, it was handy.

Being a gasman, meant I was often on emergency call and if that fell on a Saturday when Shields were away, then I found myself unable to go to the game for fear of being called out and having to attend urgently to some reported smell of gas somewhere. If Percy Main were at home, I’d head down there instead; it was a bit further away, but not much more than 5 minutes in the car and there were generally hot drinks on oﬀer and things like crisps and chocolate. Sometimes they’d even be in date!

Gary would be in the canteen and we would exchange friendly hostilities, while debating both clubs progress – and sometimes the lack of it! The soup was always nice, despite it being the powdered, add water stuﬀ. Any criticism was always met with “Look I’ve bloody well been up since 6 this morning making this soup!” Aye whatever………

I remember seeing how proud Gary was at the final home game of the 1998 – 99 season; Percy Main had been crowned Northern Alliance First Division champions the week previous, following a season’s long battle with eventual runners up Coxlodge and the Championship trophy was on display at the entrance to the ground.

continued —————->

Gary was as proud as a peacock and rightly so, regaling all who were interested with the tales of how it had been won. It was great to see and probably for the first time in my life, I came to realise that this is what real football is all about, people who worked hard for their club doing a variety of generally unseen activities and giving up countless hours of their time, not the overpaid, strutting, ignorant and cocky millionaires from all around the globe, who are what the Premiership is apparently all about.

In 2002, with work becoming more prohibitive, I decided that I had had enough of being part of a football committee with all of the commitments and obligations that came with it and decided that I’d do other things on a Saturday afternoon.

One day I went to see The Main play an Alliance Premier League game against Winlaton Hallgarth. It was pretty a dire contest in fairness in which Percy were 1-0 up, only to typically concede 2 late goals. It wasn’t good viewing and the team went on to finish second bottom of the table that season only to escape relegation, because the Division 1 runners up Proctor and Gamble didn’t have a pitch rail.

Chatting to Gary, he asked whether I was on call. I said no and that I had decided to call it a day.

“Come and join us” he said.

“Not a chance” said I

However, following more drink induced badgering by Gary and Bob Rodgerson in the nightspots on Tynemouth over the coming weeks and months, the rest is history!

Good committee men in the Northern Alliance and any league for that matter are hard to come by. There are those who want to tell you where you are going wrong and what you should be doing instead, but aren’t at all prepared to get their coat oﬀ, roll their sleeves up and get stuck in.

There are those who join the committee, but will do nowt, while there are others who simply want the kudos of being part of a club and maybe have a sense of belonging, but again will not actually contribute anything life changing or worthwhile.

Gary was none of these, he was a good guy who loved his football and worked hard for his club. He was the club treasurer, Saturday afternoon tea bar manager, committee man, ace shopper and whatever else the occasion demanded. He was a witty bloke who was good fun to go out with, with Mickey taking going both ways. He could give it out and take it as well.

I remember one Saturday during the summer of 2002, the team were doing a bit of light pre season training on the pitch and the committee were going down the following day to clear what had become a quite overgrown area behind one of the goals.

continued —————->

As the team were doing a few half hearted sit ups in the centre circle, I could see Gary stripped to the waist behind the goal, working away.

I strode across and asked him “What are you doing, we’re coming down tomorrow to sort this”

He replied “I know, but I can’t get down tomorrow, so I’m doing my bit today”

That was typical; others may have just used it as the excuse “well I can’t get down, so I’ll not be there” sort of style. But Gary was a grafter, who did his share, more than his share. Each club has them, some only one maybe, but they are like gold dust, a treasured commodity.

Gary had joined the club in 1993 when Bob Rodgerson and John Humberstone had taken over the reigns of a team at the bottom of the Northern Alliance First Division with 0 wins from 10 games, struggling for players, no money, no committee, no interest and more holes in the pavilion roof than stars in the sky. In fact you could see the stars in the sky from inside the pavilion!

Gary who had previously been in cahoots with Bob and John for may years during their previous forays into Sunday morning football, with North Shields teams the Alexandra and The Gunner, had also been the football secretary at Tyne Boys Club and joined Percy Main with Graeme Marsh, a cigar smoking, whiskey drinking entrepreneur who could sell sand to the Arabs and the foursome worked bloody hard to revitalise the club’s fortunes and get things back on an even keel.

No mean feat really considering, Percy Main do not hire a facility, but own their buildings and are therefore solely responsible for the maintenance, upkeep and bills etc before even starting to worry about the weekly and seemingly never ending match day expense of this, that and the other.

At the time that I joined up, the committee was 10 strong and doing quite well it had to be said.

The club’s Christmas Party on December 14th 2002 in the adjoining Cricket Club was quite a canny aﬀair which was somehow curtailed by a bit of a dust up with some of those who prefer the sound of leather on willow. Much to the PMA committee spouses wrath and horror, including mine who disappeared angrily into the night, closely followed by Gary (with the night’s takings in his pocket), Bob and I before Northumbria constabulary arrived!

To this day I have no idea exactly how it started. The fact that it had followed a disappointing 1-2 home reverse against Northbank Carlisle earlier that day, I think was irrelevant though!

continued —————->

Gary and the club chairman George Mooney were later that week summonsed to appear in front of the Cricket Club oﬃcianados, no doubt wringing their caps at the same time. But of course it wasn’t our fault at all and harmony was soon restored!

A couple of weeks later I saw the end of 2002 and the dawning of 2003 in Sammy Jacks in Tynemouth with Gary his wife Michelle and a crowd of others, while Percy Main’s first action of 2003 saw a narrow 1-0 defeat over in Cumbria at the hands of Harraby CC on January 18th. Gary had actually missed the match as he had been to see Alan Shearer and Craig Bellamy score as Newcastle had beaten Man City 2-0 at St James.

A few of us met up in The Gunner in North Shields on our return and discussed the respective games that we had seen – obviously The Main’s was far more important than Newcastle’s, but we did pay lip service to it. After a couple of beers, we said our goodbyes, Gary shook all of our hands, which was a bit unusual and we wended our way homewards.

Monday January 20th 2003 was a miserable day, one of those dark, dreary winter ones in which the rain seemed incessant. I was due to be working near the back of Newcastle Airport, but found myself rained oﬀ and parked up in a lay by, wishing the weather would improve. My workmate and I listed to Metro Radio and the traﬃc news warned of an accident on the A1058 Coast Road which was causing huge tailbacks and gridlock.

Just before 12 noon, my mobile rang. It was Bob who told me the news that Gary had tragically been killed in an accident on the A1058 this morning.

I couldn’t believe it, how could this be possible? I’d just been speaking to him a couple of days ago. Reality set in and the next few days were a bit of a blur.

There was a huge turnout for his funeral a week later in Christ Church, North Shields, among the mourners were Northern Alliance Chairman George Dobbins and League Secretary John McLackland, who have themselves both now sadly passed on, while current and former players of the club, other league oﬃcials, workmates, school pals, you name it packed the place to its rafters.

A selection of players and The Main’s committee, including myself and Bob carried Gary on his last journey that day, something I have never done before, but I will never forget it.

Rather than flowers, donations were collected and a fund established. It was decided to hold a “Gary Hull Memorial Trophy Match” at the end of the 2002 – 03 season and a rather splendid cup (not dissimilar to the FA Cup was purchased) along with medals

for those taking part, while a post match buﬀet fit for a King and which would’ve fed the 5000 was provided..

The game on Saturday May 31st 2003 was between a Percy Main and Guests X1 and a Northern Alliance Select X1 was a rip roaring success and a fantastic tribute to Gary and although there was no oﬃcial attendance taken, it was thought that there were around 300 in Purvis Park who all contributed to making the day so special.

continued —————->

Club secretary, Len Renham. produced a superb colour programme for the occasion, which featured a head and shoulders photograph of Gary on the cover, a “Toons Eye View” column and written tributes by myself, Geordie Mooney, Bob, Graham Marsh, Michelle and of course his family, which was a bargain at a quid a shot and sold out quickly.. There is a framed copy which is on display in the pavilion, which has stood on the wall over the years and is admired to this day.

Gary wasn’t noted for his own football prowess, though Bob’s column did acknowledge that he had once netted a hat trick, in between the jumpers on a family day out at Plankey Mill, heady stuﬀ indeed!

The Percy Main side was bolstered by ex players Robbie and Denis Livermore who had cut their teeth as youngsters at Purvis Park, but had long since moved into the Northern League, while Brian Smith, a towering centre half with Whitley Bay partnered Tony Browell in defence and bustling centre forward Rob Herman also returned to figure for his former side.

The Northern Alliance X1 was managed by Gary Kirkup of Shankhouse and Mark Wilson of Carlisle City and boasted an impressive line up of players from a variety of Northern Alliance sides, this was to be the basis of the side which would represent the league in the national inter leagues competition;

West Allotment – Darren Tyler, Martin Graham, Scott Duncan,

Cramlington Town - Martin Coleman

Bedlington Teriers A – Andrew Carr, Andy Watson

Shankhouse – Peter Snowdon, Graham Craggs

Ponteland United – Darren Naylor

Carlisle City – Carl Thompson, Craig Thompson, Gary Milne

Northbank Carlisle – Chris Grainger, Ian Grainger

It was a fantastic day weatherwise as well, as the ground was bathed in sunshine and the crowd was shirt sleeved. Once the action got underway, the Alliance side took the lead on 8 minutes as Andy Watson (possibly the man of the match) sped down the left and his cross was headed home by Ian Grainger.

Herman almost equalised for The Villagers with a shot which just cleared the crossbar, before Darren Naylor doubled the visitors tally with a shot which went in oﬀ the post.Both goals had been greeted with polite applause, but those present received the next goal with greater acclaim as Percy Main hit back as Lee Gray, a stalwart of the team for many seasons, played a dangerous ball into the area and with Herman threatening; Scott Duncan sliced the ball into his own net.

Play swung from end to end in the second half, with chances at both ends Ian Dunn, The Villagers top scorer who moved on to West Allotment not long after, nodded just wide for The Main, while Andy Carr and Andy Watson went close for the Northern Alliance.

continued ———->

Craig Thompson restored the visitors 2 goal advantage after cleverly taking advantage of a stray back pass to squeeze the ball home despite the attentions of Duncan Gamble and goalkeeper Ian Hall, but Robbie Livermore despatched a penalty after being up ended himself in the area to once again narrow the deficit, but there was to be no further scoring in what had been a riveting game, played out as a great tribute to Gary Hull.

The cup and medals were presented pitch side at the end of the game by John and Joan Hull, Gary’s wonderful parents, ably assisted by his brothers John, David and Paul to great applause and the game attracted coverage and pictures in the Sunday Sun and star billing in the following week’s News Guardian..

Dad John, as he has done every year since, thanked everybody for the day and made an inspirational and emotional speech, leaving everybody under no illusions of how grateful the Hull’s were to all those who played, refereed, helped out in any way or indeed just came to watch and maybe say “Hello” on what has become “Gary’s Day.”

In reality though, it’s Percy Main Amateurs and football in general who will be forever grateful for the eﬀorts of Gary during his spell at the club. It’s just a pity there aren’t more like him.

The Cricket Club bar was packed to the rafters afterwards and the excellent buﬀet was enjoyed by all, washed down by a few refreshing beers and then we all headed oﬀ into North Shields, the Spring Gardens, Top House, The Gunner, all did quite well as the night became a bit of a blur!

All monies taken on the day from the sale of programmes, gate and raﬄes in the ground and the bar went towards the Gary Hull Memorial Trophy Fund for future years.

Since then the game has continued and has become one of the main pre season football events on the calendar in North Tyneside – Percy Main have played North Shields on 5 occasions and have never beaten their higher ranked opponents, but have come very close from time to time, taking the Robins to extra time at the beginning of the 2006-7 season and losing on penalties a year later.

At the time of writing Cullercoats, Percy Main Tyne (2005) and Heddon have been beaten in the fixture and the cup engraved with the name of Percy Main Amateurs. But the result is not important, the fact that the game has continued in Gary Hull’s memory is testimony to the hard work put in by an individual who will never be forgotten by all of his friends at the club.

Gary’s headstone in Tynemouth Cemetery, North Shields bears the Percy lion emblem and the club mark his passing on January 20th of each year with a floral tribute and a few well chosen words.

Long may the game continue!

Norman de Bruin

Percy Main Amateurs FC

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