Gurney Street To Host Monkwearmouth Final
Sunday 30 March

Five Sign On to Bolster Squad
Saturday 29 March

Seniors Through To Monkwearmouth Final
Sunderland Ryhope CW 0-1 New Marske
Saturday 22 March

NEW MARSKE are through to the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup final after a closely fought contest at Sunderland Ryhope this afternoon. In a game of few chances between the Wearside League's top two, Sean Mackin's strike proved decisive and it's New Marske who can look forward to their first final of the season against Annfield Plain in May.

League Cup Semi Final Travel

A coach is being arranged for those wanting to see the League Cup semi-final tie at Whitehaven on Saturday, 12th April. The cost is £5 per person. If you would like to book a place on the bus, please contact Laura Carver.

Wearside Fixtures Are Plain Crazy
Editor's Blog - Friday 21 March

THE WEARSIDE League have released fixtures for the remaining two months of the season. And for leaders New Marske who have played considerably fewer games than their nearest rivals, it's a pretty hectic run in. After Saturday's Monkwearmouth Charity Cup semi-final against Sunderland Ryhope, New Marske must play 14 league games plus a League Cup semi final in the space of 40 days. Put another way that's a game every 3 days. In a crazy April schedule the team are expected to play every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday bar one.

In defence of the Wearside League, they cannot be blamed for fixtures postponed due to the weather, nor the success New Marske have enjoyed in numerous cup competitions which contribute to the hectic finale. But for a league to adopt a system that produces fixture lists on an ongoing basis throughout the season rather than a complete list from the outset seems strange. That system has yet to bring together the League's current top two sides in a league fixture. Bizarrely the two teams must meet twice in the space of six days in April. And if you count this weekend's cup encounter that's three times in little over three weeks!

Consider also that the Wearside League's computer has drawn New Marske to play eleven consecutive fixtures (8 league, 3 cup) away from Gurney Street. The last game played on home soil was the 5-0 win over Willington late January. The next one is still over a fortnight away, a full 72 days later resulting in the club waiting for much needed income.

One final anomaly surrounds when the season ends. If you study the remaining fixture program in full you might notice that New Marske's final game of the season will be played on Wednesday 7th May (home to Whitehaven). There's no game that night for closest rivals Sunderland Ryhope and Hartlepool who end their campaigns three days later on the following Saturday. Let's hope it's all academic by then and New Marske have the title sewn up.

Boro Star Opens Westgarth's MUGA
Saturday 8 March

MIDDLESBROUGH'S ENGLAND under 21 defender David Wheater performed the official opening of Westgarth School's new MUGA earlier this week, together with teacher Ian Main who has coached football at the school for over 20 years. The multi-use games area, costing in the region of £120,000 was made possible thanks to some serious fund-raising by the school and will be available to primary school children throughout Marske and New Marske.

Among those attending the opening were children from Westgarth School, many of whom play for New Marske SC's junior football teams, school governors, parents, contractors and representatives from New Marske SC, including Secretary, Paul Green.

Below: David Wheater and Ian Main opening the MUGA as some of New Marske SC's junior footballers look on.
Bottom: One for the mantelpiece to keep the kids away from the fire. David Wheater struggles to stay awake in the company of New Marske Secretary, Paul Green. And who chose those curtains?

Club Looking For Young Footballers
Friday 1 February

NEW MARSKE juniors are on the look out for youngsters to take part in Under 7's football next season. Training will get underway this month between 7pm and 8pm on Friday evenings at Bydales School. This section will be coached by Shaun Williams and Lee Magor. For more information, please contact Shaun on 01642 517741 or 07783 781 949 (m).

Sports Club Unveil Gurney Street Plans
Sunday 27 January

NEW MARSKE Sports Club are to apply for planning permission to bring Gurney Street up to Northern League standard. The Club is currently consulting with local residents and the local council and hopes to get the go ahead for the ambitious development which will see the installation of floodlights and covered seating and standing.

Kids, Fancy Yourself As An MC?
Thursday 17 January

NEW MARSKE Sports Club is offering budding MC's a chance to show off their skills and maybe raise some funds for the Club at the same time. We're proposing an open mic/decks night at the Club where youngsters aged between 13 and 18 get the chance to mc or dj. We might even get some up and coming mcs to vote on a winner who will pick up a prize. Fancy it? The event is being organised by Under 16's coach, Darren Burns. For more details, please contact Darren on 07947 528 143 (m).

Sports Club Looking To Raise Membership Numbers
Thursday 10 January

THE SPORTS Club are launching a recruitment drive in an attempt to raise the number of Club members. The Club is open to all but in particular it is hoped that parents of youngsters playing for New Marske junior football teams will become members. As well as being able to use all the facilities, members are entitled to vote at the club's Annual General Meeting. The annual membership fee is just £3 per person, per year and £1 for OAP's. To join the Club, please enquire at the bar and support us if you can.

The web-site will be launching a social page in the near future promoting all that our club has to offer.

New Direct Links to TJFA Pages
Thursday 17 January

APPARENTLY IT'S just too much trouble for some of our visitors to locate their particular page of interest over on the TJFA's web-site. To make your life easier we've added a link on each junior section's Info page that will take you straight to the relevant page of the TJFA website. So you can now access results, league tables, fixtures, grids and top scorer tables for your division with a single click of the mouse. Just click the division hyperlink under General Information on your Info page. If it's not too much trouble, that is.

Web-site Launches Interactive Service
Tuesday 8 January

IN A blatant attempt to keep our web-site one step ahead of the competition, our Where To Find Us page has been upgraded to a fully interactive service incorporating Google Maps*. The new service should prove particularly useful to visiting clubs who can now obtain directions to our venues from any location. In addition to highlighting our own venues, we will be able to mark any location on the map, e.g., opposition venues, which will allow parents to obtain directions for away fixtures without the need for coaches to plot the route.

As well as route planning, visitors can view maps zooming between street and terrain level, and view satellite imagery. The new service is very easy to use but for those not familiar with Google Maps, the Where To Find Us page provides full instructions. If you have any suggestions for locations to be mapped or how we might further use this service, please send an e-mail to webmaster@newmarskesportsclub.co.uk

* To make use of this service, JavaScript must be enabled and supported by your web-browser

Sports Club Open For Business As Usual
Monday 7 January

DESPITE RUMOURS to the contrary, the New Marske Sports Club committee is keen to stress that the club is open and trading as normal. Following the festive period the club will revert to the following opening hours during 2008:

If you would like to book the sports club for your special event our licence permits us to open from 10.30am through to 1am. For further details please contact Margaret on 01642 479808.

2007: A Cracking Year for New Marske
Monday 31 December

IT WAS the year when the awards just kept on coming. In June the Club were awarded the prestigious title of TJFA Club of the Year at the annual presentation evening held at The Tall Trees. The presentation was made to Club Secretary, Paul Green and a party of club members and coaches by Middlesbrough FC's then Commercial Manager, Graham Fordy. At the same event the Under 13's received the 4th Division runners-up trophy by Middlesbrough FC's Academy Director, Dave Parnaby.

There was recognition too, for coach Andy Williams who was named North Riding Coach Of The Year and went on to represent the North Riding County FA region in the FA's search for the Grassroots Coach of the Year. The junior section continues to grow with additional teams at under 8 and under 9 age groups and an under 15 girls team.

Perhaps the biggest transformation has been seen at senior level after the team formerly known as Carlin How transferred to Gurney Street to compete as New Marske. At the end of a year in which the club were awarded FA Charter Standard status, New Marske sit comfortably at the top of the Wearside League after going undefeated and winning all but two league fixtures. And the good form continues in cup competitions where New Marske still have their eye on three trophies. In recognition of his work in non-league football, manager Monty Alexander was shortlisted for Coach/Mentor of the Year in the Evening Gazette's Sports Awards.

All in all the future looks pretty bright for New Marske SC. Let's hope 2008 proves just as successful.

Christmas Raffle Winners

Winners take your ticket to the Sports Club bar to claim your prize.

Middlesbrough FC Issue "Scout" Warning
23 October 2007

MIDDLESBROUGH FOOTBALL Club have issued a warning regarding a man posing as a club scout contacting children offering trials. Chris Goodwin on behalf of the Club has sent the following letter to all Headteachers:

Dear Headteacher

I have received a call from John Barry at Middlesbrough Football Club who has just received a phone call from a very concerned parent in Redcar. A man called the home of a primary aged school boy saying he was Mark Thompson, a scout for Middlesbrough Football Club and he invited the boy to go for a trial for the Boro. The boy transferred the call to his mother and then the man ended the phone call quickly.

Mr Barry has confirmed that there is no such person on the Scouting Team at the Club and that the Club would not approach children direct in this way as there are strict protocols which the Club's Scouts must follow. Scouts from the Club would only liaise with Team Managers to whom they would always show their ID.

Therefore, please could you make children and parents aware of this concern and inform them that if any child is approached in this way and if parents do have any doubts about this they can contact Mr John Barry at the Club on Tel 01325 722222.

Michael Maidens
21 October 2007

MICHAEL MAIDENS, the young Hartlepool United midfielder who died in a car accident on Friday night was a former New Marske Junior.

Toni Saunders, one of the founding members of New Marske Juniors, recalls Michael playing for New Marske Juniors alongside his son, Joe. "Even though I now live in Wellingborough, I have many fond memories of our time on Teesside and particularly of my time coaching and as founding Chairman of New Marske Juniors. I am sure Michael will be sadly missed. I would like to offer my families deepest sympathies to Michael's family and if you would be so kind to pass on our condolences to his family, I would be most grateful."

Hartlepool's game with Swansea yesterday was cancelled as a mark of respect for the 20 year old from Skelton, whilst a minute's silence was held prior to a number of New Marske junior fixtures on Sunday. All at New Marske SC offer their condolences to Michael's family.

New Marske Seniors Awarded Charter Standard
21 October 2007

MORE GOOD news for the Sports Club with the announcement that the Seniors have been awarded F.A. Charter Standard status. The Charter Standard Scheme is the Football Association's best practice guide that sets standards of coaching and administration for all clubs outside the Football League and Premier League.

New Marske Juniors have held this status for some time and are currently in the process of applying for Development Standard status.

"So that's How they turned it around"
3 October 2007

NOT SURE if anyone noticed but there was a pretty impressive full page spread in the Sports Gazette recently commenting on the "staggering transformation of New Marske from Wearside League whipping boys to pole position pace setters". If you missed it and want to read the article in full, click here.

Sports Club Celebrate Coveted Awards
3 October 2007

UNDER 9's COACH Andy Williams is presented with a commemorative trophy in recognition of being named the North Riding Coach Of The Year 2007. The presentation was made by the North Riding FA's Honourable Treasurer, Mike Birt who was a guest at the Sports Club last Sunday. The evening which included entertainment by local band, The Beer Pigs was arranged to celebrate the Sports Club's achievement of being named TJFA Club of the Year 2007.

In recognition of that achievement, New Marske Sports Club Treasurer, Debbie Green is presented with a commemorative trophy by Iain Cheall of club sponsor Ace Engravers (below).

Ever Thought of Becoming A Referee?
2 September 2007

REFEREES PERFORM a vital role in the game, and with the growth in the popularity of football, the demand for match officials is increasing. To meet the growing demand, the North Riding County F.A. is committed to recruit and retain more men and women referees and to support them throughout their careers. Anyone can become a referee, and all have an equal opportunity to be as successful in officiating as their ability allows.

For more information click here to visit the North Riding County FA's web-site.

Gurney Street: A better setting for football will be hard to find
Editor’s Blog – 30 August 2007

AS A lifelong holder of a Middlesbrough FC season ticket / red book / plastic card, I’ve never had much time for watching non-league football. And when I did I tended to watch the other team from Marske in the Northern League.

But after watching a couple of Carlin How games at Gurney Street last season, and a few pre-season friendlies where the same team now competes as New Marske, I’ve attended every home league game this season - although I can’t claim to have seen every minute of every game, and that isn’t just to avoid the £1 entry fee. Midweek games clash with the Under 11’s training sessions. Last night I only managed to see the last 15 minutes, but that was time enough to see New Marske score three of the four they put past East Durham. And old habits die hard; when I turned up at five to three one Saturday expecting to see the teams warming up, I was surprised to find New Marske trailing 2-1 to Ashbrooke Belford House, having kicked off at half past two.

From what I have seen, the football served up is generally of a decent standard; good to watch with plenty of goals and commitment. Last Saturday, as the sun beat down warmly on Gurney Street, with New Marske four goals to the good against Windscale (and me having arrived on time and seen them all) I found myself looking around. The New Marske woods up ahead, the countryside all around, and to the left, beyond Marske itself, the North Sea stretching for as far as the eye could see. Ok, the clubhouse masked the industry just along the coast, but if there’s a better setting for football than this I’d like to see it.

New Marske Community Web-Site

THE PUBLISHERS of our local newspaper, the Evening Gazette have launched a new website specifically for the people of Marske and New Marske which enables us to to publicise the sports club's events, matches, results, appeals, announcements, in fact anything we wish. And it's free.

If you want anything posting on the site please contact Richard Atwood. Match reports should be limited to around 250 words and forwarded no later than Monday night following a game. Reports will appear in the Grassroots section of the Gazette the following Saturday, and the TS11 (Marske/New Marske) blog page.

The Gazette's award winning blog site has thousands of hits per night and can be found at ts11.gazettelive.co.uk/bloggers/new_marske_jfc or by clicking the TS11 logo from this web-site's home page.

Plenty Going On at the Club

IT MAY be quiet on the footballing front but there's more going on at the New Marske Sports Club than you can shake a stick at. A general knowledge quiz is held each Tuesday (9.30), whilst on Sundays (9.30) there's £100 up for grabs in our Deal or No Deal and pop quiz. In between there's Big Time Bingo each Thursday.

For further details on any of these events please email Garry Barker via entertainment@newmarskesportsclub.co.uk

If you need a venue for your function then we can cater for all occasions. Our room is available for children's parties everyday between 4 and 6pm and we offer free room hire on selected days. If you want a disco we can provide that, too. For further details please contact Margaret on 01642 479808.

New Marske Sports Club Awarded TJFA Club of the Year!

IT'S OFFICIAL! New Marske Sports Club have been crowned Club of the Year! The prestigious title was awarded by the Teesside Junior Football Alliance at their annual awards presentation evening at The Tall Trees, Yarm. The TJFA is one of the biggest junior football leagues throughout europe, catering for teams aged 7 to 18. The 2006/07 season saw the number of teams competing rise to 510 in 47 divisions, with almost 10,000 players registered.

The Club of the Year award was presented to proud Club Secretary, Paul Green and a party of club members and coaches by Middlesbrough FC's Commercial Manager, Graham Fordy.

The UNDER 13's also received recognition when presented with the 4th Division runners-up trophy by Middlesbrough FC's David Parnaby.

...and Andy is Coach of the Year, too!

UNDER 9's coach Andy Williams has been named the North Riding Coach Of The Year 2007 and was nominated to represent the North Riding County FA region in the FA's search for the Grassroots Coach of the Year 2007. Andy travelled to Hull on Saturday where he was up against coaches from the Yorkshire region hoping to win through to the national finals. In not the best of summer weather, each coach had to put a group of youngsters through a training session they had devised themselves, but at the end of the day it was not to be and the coach from the Sheffield County FA was chosen.

Andy can take great pride in reaching this stage of the competition although he is disappointed not to have progressed to the final.

Well done, Andy. Another great achievement for the Club of the Year!

Click here to read more on the North Riding's web-site.