BLYTH CUP SPIRIT

The top clubs in the England FA would play six FA Cup ties if they went to the Final. In 1977-8, Blyth Spartans became the third Non-League club by February 27th 1978 to reach the FA Cup 5th Round (last 16) since World War 2.Their first round was played on September 17th and 5 months later they were playing their 11th fixture through 9 rounds.

In this round they could have had a "dream" tie against Newcastle United however the Magpies lost their previous replayed tie to Wrexham. Tough luck for Blyth, but they pulled out all the stops and drew at Wrexham, bringing the Welsh club to the North-east and in this case to St James' Park, Newcastle United's famous ground. 

42,167 came through the turnstiles and witnessed Blyth almost doing it, but they lost 1-2 to the Welsh league club and missed out on an even "plummer" draw against Arsenal in Round 6. The Gunners, of course, went to the final that season and lost to Ipswich Town 1-0. 

Blyth's route to this piece of cup history started with a "not needed" in the Preliminary Qualifying Round. In the Qualifying Rd 1 they beat locals, Shildon 0-3 away. 

Then in QR2 they drew at Crook Town 1-1 and then won 3-0 at home. 

QR3 involved an away tie at Consett, with a comfortable win 1-4 and in 

QR4 there was an away tie at the formidable and famous Bishop Auckland, 0-1. Now into Proper Rds.  

Round One involved at home tie against Burscough from across the Pennines, a 1-0 win. 

Round Two involved a home tie against league side Chestefield, a 1-0 win. 

Round Three took Blyth south to Enfield, a 1-0 win. Six Non-League clubs reached this round: These two, Scarborough, Wealdstone, Tilbury and Wrexham.

Round Four was a daunting tie at Stoke City-no problem with a 2-3 win . 

Round Five was away v Wrexham drawing 1-1 in Wales and losing the home fixture 1-2 at St James' Park.

Ironically Wrexham were very much giant killers themselves, beating Newcastle United in Round Four holding them 2-2 and winning 4-1 at home. They had beaten Bristol City in R3, 3-0, after a 4-4 draw. In R2 they beat Preston 2-0 at Deepdale and in R1 Burton Albion 2-0 at home.

Wrexham had been to the Quarter-Final in 1973-4 and 1977-8 and are now in the National League.

In 1878 Wrexham won the first Welsh Cup. They founded from a cricket club in 1864, making them the sixth oldest football club. They were the third oldest league club and the oldest club in Wales.

Blyth have been to Round 3 previously in 1971-2 v Reading  2-2 and 1-6, 2008-9 v Bristol Rovers 0-1 and 2014-5 v Birmingham City 2-3.