RICH PICKINGS FOR THE SYNNERS

Yesterday, we experienced a glorious evening of football and when we returned to the haven of the Grey's Inn for a final few moments with the "Amble nectar", we pondered on our lads' night out. There was the Red Lion at Bedlington, finding the Dr Pit Welfare Park midst the industrial rows of houses, meeting new friends from the Terriers' committee and enjoying a stonking game of footy with 9 goals.

Bedlington is a mining town with terraced streets and a pub that has been taken over by the multi-millionaire, Wetherspoons. We had dinner in an historic building, the beer was local and excellent, selling at £1.99 a pint. Why pay that when you can throw in a beautifully cooked Angus steak and trimmings for a total of £6.99? (that's almost £7).

Proud of their history, the Bedlington folk had photos of local heroes on the pub walls and who better than one Robert Charlton, a World Football trophy winner whose first cup was won with his local school team Hirst North A. Yes, Bobby, born in nearby Ashington, captained his side to victory in the schools' tournament, as you can see below.

Seven was to prove an unlucky number for the Terriers who lost the Earnest Armstrong Memorial Cup quarter-final to Billingham Synthonia 7-2. I am sorry to say that the score easily reflected the difference between the two teams.

I doubt that if we had been at the "Synners" ground, their committee could not have been 7:2 times more hospitable than the lads from Bedlington's Welfare Park. It would be impossible; we were welcomed with open arms.

The committee members, all wearing their club ties, engaged us in chat, once they spotted our accents and worked out we might be future investors. They told us the tale of Mr Robert E. Rich Jnr (see yesterday's story), a "Trump like" financial whirlwind who passed through their colliery town, a few years ago. Robert Rich was happy to help out the Terriers with investment a few years back but not to bale out the club permanently. Money does not grow on trees you know.

In 2013, after the Rich's riches ran out, the Terriers found themselves owing money to a construction local company, with a winding up order. In debt, the club struggled and has continued to do so.

The Terriers may still play in front of Mr Rich's now unused electronic scoreboard, the team may play on his relaid pitch (actually not bad for the time of year) and the committee may serve healthy snacks from a hut with RICHS emblazened on it, a reminder of past times.

Now with limited finances and unable to attract the best players from the north-east and borders, Bedlington Terriers have been relegated and are dreaming of past glories.

The Terriers' goalkeeper cuts a lonely figure in front of the Rich's electronic scoreboard. Thankfully for the keeper the scoreboard was not working.

So it is back to the normal humdrum of survival in the Northern League Division 2, whilst local rivals, the Synners, march on to the next round of the Earnest Armstrong Memorial Cup, 7-2 winners.

Good on them!