by Ken Milgate 

Arngrove Northern League 

For the second time in their Northern League history City were crowned champions; ironically, promotion to the Unibond has been dogged as in 1994 by problems off the pitch.

On the first occasion, City were denied their rightful place in the Unibond because the new stadium was not completed in time; membership of the Unibond has been guaranteed this time with the assurance that essential ground work will be completed. 

August 

City bagged all three points at home to Bishop Auckland with a Craig Price-inspired 2-1 victory before returning home from a midweek fixture at Morpeth Town with another maximum return thanks to Keith Graydon’s wonder goal in stoppage time.  A Jamie Clarke double helped City to a 3-1 away win at Sunderland Nissan, and a 1-1 draw at Newcastle Benfield Bay Plastics saw City take over top spot.  A highly entertaining derby at home to Chester-le-Street produced a 4-0 win, Clarke bagging another brace. 

September 

A 2-1 away win at Shildon was followed by a 3-0 home win against Northallerton Town, a match in which Lewis Dodds was a constant livewire and provided the powerhouse in midfield.  City ended the month in League action with a ragged-turned-rugged performance at West Allotment Celtic, all three substitutes contributing to a 2-1 victory snatched in the final ten minutes. 

October 

A single Andy Appleby goal late in the game accounted for Bedlington Terriers at the Archibald Stadium before Billingham Town became City’s next victims on their travels, Steven Richardson and Clarke netting in a 2-1 win.  A scrappy 3-1 win at Jarrow Roofing kept City well in control at the top of the table, but their weaknesses were cruelly exposed and exploited in a home fixture to Consett Town.  Forced to play with only ten men after 34minutes, City produced a spirited second-half performance to earn a goalless draw at home to Billingham Synthonia. 

November 

City stayed a point clear at the top thanks to a controversial late goal at Ashington but were beaten 1-0 at Washington, a game decided by two penalties: Glen Reay converted for the hosts and Ben Starford saved from Tommy English.  A 2-0 home win over Dunston Federation restored City’s fortunes, but manager Lee Collings went public in his need for new blood to refresh the team’s season and title challenge. 

December 

Missed chances and some shameful slagging highlighted a 2-2 draw at Seaham Red Star before a resounding 5-1 victory at home to West Auckland saw recent signing John Toft tap in a cross to give City the lead, the striker going on to complete a double.  The victory allowed City to move within one point of leaders Consett with a game in hand.  In the transfer market Clarke went to Spennymoor Town while Adam Johnston moved in the opposite direction.  City took over the leadership with a first-class performance at home to Morpeth Town.  New signing Johnston notched his first City goal in a 1-0 win at Chester-le-Street, and Richard Smith’s late header salvaged a point at home to Sunderland Nissan. 
 
 

January 

Goals from Johnston and Richardson were not enough as City produced a most abject display at home to Newcastle Benfield Bay Plastics, the visitors scoring four times.  Johnston returned to haunt his former club Spennymoor Town with a hat-trick to keep City at the top of the table, and with both Whitley Bay and Consett Town on FA Vase duty, City took full advantage and opened up a 7-point lead with a single-goal victory at home to Shildon.  A 2-0 away win at Northallerton Town and a share of the spoils in a 4-goal home fixture to Whitley Bay kept City in pole position, their confidence boosted by a splendid second-half performance. 

February 

Richardson scored six in City’s 9-0 success over visitors Washington Town, City’s biggest home League win for ten years.  A memorable Calvin Smith goal hallmarked a 5-2 home win over Tow Law before Richardson scored his tenth goal in City’s last three fixtures with a hat-trick in a 3-1 victory over West Allotment Celtic.  A Richardson brace helped City to beat guests Spennymoor Town 3-1 before a 3-0 win at Bedlington maintained a 9-match unbeaten run, Richardson registering his twentieth goal of the season. 

March 

It took City only 32seconds to take the lead at home to Billingham Town in a 4-1 win and then go nineteen points clear with a 2-1win at Bishop Auckland.  Three goals at home to Jarrow Roofing and four at Billingham Synthonia, Johnston and Richardson both scoring twice, saw City complete a 9-match winning sequence.  A memorable 4-2 midweek win at Consett Town underlined City’s progress since the hosts had dumped City out of the Vase and humiliated them at the Archibald Stadium, Richardson scoring another hat-trick at Belle Vue.  Johnston went one better in a 5-0 win at home to Ashington. 

April 

Both strikers hit the tarket in a 2-1 away win at Tow Law, and City were crowned Northern League Champions when their nearest challengers, Whitley Bay, were beaten 1-0 at the same ground.  City failed to complete a century of goals when they were held to a 1-1 draw at Dunston but reached the milestone with a 2-0 win at home to Seaham Red Star, the victory leaving them one success short of beating Bedlington Terriers’ seven-year record of 101 points, with two away games to play.  City duly recorded the win at West Auckland with a 4-2 win before they forfeited their long unbeaten run in the final match of the season going down 2-1 at Whitley Bay. 

Postscript 

The signings of John Toft and Adam Johnston proved inspired moves by Lee Collings, the latter forming an excellent partnership with Steven Richardson.

The Seaham away fixture apart, City’s team spirit and bonding were hugely instrumental in their success.

Two memorable moments for me were from City’s unsung heroes, but it was often the bench and squad players that provided the key to City’s ultimate success: Ian Davison’s brave and determined touchline challenge for the ball set up the only goal at home to Shildon and Stewart Morris’s two right-wing runs and crosses that pegged back Whitley Bay’s 2-goal half-time lead and forced them into defensive substitutions.

City were an absolute joy to watch on song and just as impressive when they battled to grind out results.

This was a Championship-winning team par excellence and I congratulate all players and support staff for their splendid achievement.

Most of all, I would like to toast Lee Collings and Richie Pitt for their unflinching dedication to and passionate belief in Durham City Football Club. 

15 June 2008