Saturday 14 September 2024

Middlesbrough SC - The Acorn Centre


Middlesbrough SC
Heythrop Drive
Middlesbrough 
TS5 8QB






Ground Number: 1344
Saturday 14th September 2024
Middlesbrough SC 1-3 Sherburn Village
Sunderland & District Over 40's League Premier







THE SUNDERLAND & DISTRICT OVER 40'S LEAGUE

The Sunderland and District Sunderland Mill View Social Club Over 40s League is an Amateur Football League for men over the age of 40 in the Sunderland and surrounding areas. The league was founded in 1999 and currently has 72 teams competing across five divisions. These range from Richmond Town down in North Yorkshire to Woodhorn Lane in Ashington as the furthest north side. Games are played at 10:30 on a Saturday morning, making a good potential double for groundhoppers. A variety of grounds are used from basic pitches to proper football grounds. I spent a couple of hours researching the league one afternoon, all of the information is to the best of my knowledge and was subject to the FA Full Time site holding the correct information.


CLUBDIVISIONGROUNDNOTESVISITED
Bedlington UnitedDivision TwoGallagher ParkMulti-Pitch Complex 
BillinghamPremierStockton Riverside College  
Billingham The StationDivision ThreeHigh Grange  
Blakelaw SC JuniorsPremierLeisure United BlakelawBasic 3G 
Blyth & Forest Hall Flying ScotchmanPremierLeisure United BlakelawBasic 3G 
Blyth TownDivision FourGateway ParkBlyth Town FC? 
Boldon Colliery Old BarrelPremierBoldon CA Sports Ground  
CatchgateDivision ThreeAnnfield Plain Park  
ConsettPremierConsett Academy  
CSSC Newcaste Darsley ParkDivision OneBlue Flames Sporting ClubMulti-Pitch, some railed 
Darlington DRSMDivision TwoLongfield Academy  
Darlington DRSM 2ndsDivision ThreeLongfield Academy  
Dubmire ClubDivision OneLeyburn GroveMulti-Pitch Complex 
Durham CountyDivision ThreeEsh Winning Cricket ClubSemi Enclosed Park 
Easington CollieryPremierEasington Welfare Park  
FC United Of NewcastlePremierThe Langdale CentreRailed PitchYES
Ferry Greyhound VauxPremierDean Bank Recreation GroundSemi Enclosed Park 
HartlepoolDivision FourGreatham Sports FieldSemi Enclosed Park 
Hartlepool Cricket ClubDivision OneGrayfields Recreation Ground  
Hartlepool Jacksons ArmsDivision TwoBrierton Sports CentreMulti-Pitch Complex 
Hartlepool TechDivision TwoGrayfields Recreation Ground  
Hebburn TownDivision OneHebburn Sports ClubHebburn Town (back pitch probably)YES
Heighington Bay HorseDivision TwoHeighington Playing Field  
Houghton ComradesDivision FourLeyburn GroveMulti Pitch Complex 
Marden PremierBlue Flames Sporting ClubMulti Pitch, some railed 
Middlesbrough SCPremierThe Kings AcademyMulti Pitch Complex 
Newcastle East EndDivision OneSwan Hunter Recreation GroundMulti Pitch Complex 
Newton Aycliffe The Cobblers HallDivision ThreeGreenfield Academy  
North Shields The Three SailsDivision ThreeCollingwood View Rec  
Pelton Crown InnDivison OneHigh Handenhold Village Park  
Penshaw Catholic ClubDivision OneHerrington Recreation GroundMulti Pitch, some railed 
Peterlee Helford UnitedDivision FourAcre Rigg Social ClubMulti Pitch Complex 
Redcar NewmarketDivision ThreeRye Hills AcademyMulti-Pitch, some railed 
Redcar Old BoysDivision FourKing George V Playing FieldBasic Pitch 
Redcar TownPremierMo Mowlam CentreMulti-Pitch ComplexYES
Richmond TownDivision TwoEarls Orchard  
Seaham Harbour Cricket ClubPremierDawdon ParkRailed Pitch 
Seaton Carew CSCDivision TwoSeaton Carew S&S ClubBasic pitch 
SedgefieldDivision OneSedgefield Community College  
Sherburn Village WMCPremierSherburn Village ParkRailed Pitch 
Shildon AFCDivision OneHackworth Park  
South ShieldsDivision OneHarton & Westoe MWGround with stand 
South Shields BuzzersDivision FourHedworthfield CAMulti Pitch Complex 
South Shields Catholic ClubDivision ThreeBents Recreation Ground  
StanleyDivision TwoLintz Football GroundRailed Pitch 
Sunderland Grindon BroadwayDivision OneHerrington Recreation GroundMulti Pitch, some railed 
Sunderland Grindon SCDivision FourKing George V Playing FieldsBasic Pitch 
Sunderland Humbledon Plains Farm ProjectDivision TwoThornhill School  
Sunderland Ivy LegendsDivision FourWearmouth YAV Cricket ClubBasic Pitch 
Sunderland JetpatcherDivision ThreeSilksworth Park3G with viewing area 
Sunderland Last OrdersDivision TwoNissan Sports ComplexMulti-pitch, potential groundYES
Sunderland Pennywell ComradesDivision TwoKing George V Playing FieldsBasic Pitch 
Sunderland The CambridgeDivision ThreeThompson Park  
Sunderland The Doxford LadDivision TwoLeyburn GroveMulti-Pitch Complex 
Sunderland The Doxy LadDivison FourSilksworth Park3G with viewing area 
Sunderland The PhilladelphiaDivison FourHerrington Recreation GroundMulti-Pitch, some railed 
Sunderland Wear UnitedDivision TwoSilksworth Park3G with viewing area 
Sunderland WearmouthDivison FourWearmouth YAV Cricket ClubBasic Pitch 
The Milbourne Arms HolywellDivision TwoBates WelfareRailed PitchYES
Thornaby TownDivison FourThornaby Academy  
TrimdonDivision ThreeSedgefield Community CollegeBasic pitch 
WalkergateDivision ThreeFossway Recreation Ground  
Washington Athletic YouthDivision FourUsworth Colliery Primary School  
Washington EMS ContractingPremierGlebe ParkRailed Pitch 
Washington JFCDivision OneNissan Sports ComplexMulti-pitch, potential groundYES
WearsideDivision FourAshbrooke SchoolBasic Pitch 
West MoorDivision ThreeWest Moor Community Centre  
West Rainton ShackDivision ThreeWest Rainton RecSemi Enclosed Park 
Whitburn & CleadonDivision OneCleadon Lane New FieldsMulti-Pitch Complex 
Willington Quay SaintsDivision TwoRising Sun Sports Ground  
WingateDivision ThreeWingate Welfare ParkSemi Enclosed Park 
Woodhorn LaneDivision OneHirst Welfare Centre 

MAP OF THE CLUBS
PREMIER - DIVISION 1- DIVISION 2 - DIVISION 3 - DIVISION 4

 

PREVIOUS WINNERS

SEASPREMIERDIV 1DIV 2DIV 3DIV 4
2008-09Norton & StocktonBlackhall HardwickSunderland Hylton CWHartlepool Raby ArmsEasington CIU
2009-10Sunderland The Times InnBlyth TownSunderland OddiesEasington CIUSunderland The Times Inn
2010-11Millstone RangersNewcastle Blue StarRobin Hood MurtonEsh Winning CricketSt Mary's College
2011-12MardenDarlington Shuttle & LoomWearmouth Urban PrintzSt Mary's CollegeRichmond Town
2012-13Marden (2)Hebburn TownBillingham TownSteelsBoldon Colliery
2013-14Sunderland Steels Kings BrosBillingham TownSt Mary's CollegeWearmouth CWWallsend Winstons
2014-15Marden (3)Penshaw Catholic Club   
2015-16Marden (4)Sunderland Wearmouth CollieryThornley Harry's BarSunderland HPFPNewcastle East End
2016-17Marden (5)Sunderland Hylton CWWallsend BCNewcastle East EndFC Burnmoor
2017-18Marden (6)Blyth Masons ArmsSt Mary's CollegeFC BurnmoorHartlepool Jacksons Arms
2018-19Marden (7)St Mary's CollegeDubmire ClubSunderland Wearmouth CollierySunderland Hall Farm
2019-20CANCELLED    
2020-21Ferryhill GreyhoundSherburn VillageSeaham Harbour CCForest HallNewcastle Blue Star
2021-22Ferryhill Greyhound (2)ConsettNewcastle East EndNewcastle Blue StarWest Moor
2022-23Ferryhill Greyhound (3)Easington CollieryNewcastle Blue StarShildonHoughton Comrades
2023-24Ferryhill Greyhound (4)Blakelaw JuniorsWashingtonSunderland Pennywell ComradesSunderland The Cambridge

MY VISIT

Part of my reason for taking an annual trip to the North East is the Sunderland Over 40's League. This had provided me with some great games on the past few times that I had seen a game in it and there was also the opportunity to visit an unusual ground. The people were as friendly as ever and it was a good opportunity to make the most of my time on my weekends away. The number of really good grounds were running out so initially I selected South Shields v Penshaw Catholic Club followed by a game at Boldon Colliery and I booked accommodation with that in mind. However, I then changed my mind and decided to go to the FA Cup game between Stockton Town & Marine. I needed a new game and selected Redcar Old Boys v Washington Athletic in Division 4 as the website said it was being played at Guisborough Town. I contacted the league and although it took a couple of days, a guy called Ally Wilson came back to me saying that it was most likely the pitch next door. As this was not on Futbology as a separate ground and neither team had social media, I decided against it and looked for something new.
I spent a good few hours mapping out all of the clubs on a Google My Map and checking the location of all the grounds that were hosting games on Saturday. Seven choices within commutable distance initially, they were whittled down to three where the away team had social media. It was good that the away side got back to me fairly quickly to confirm that my choice was good to go and so this was decided on Monday night that I'd be going to Seaton Carew CSC v Willington Quay Saints in Division 2, this won out over Middlesbrough SC v Sherburn Village in the Premier Division and Trimdon v West Moor in Division 3. But as is often the case at this level, venues change regularly and this proved to be the case with the Seaton Carew game, moving to somewhere less accessible on public transport which wouldn't give me as much time in Stockton as I'd have liked. So, another change was decided on Friday night to go to the Middlesbrough SC game. That too suffered a change of venue and although basic, it worked out in my favour as it was a quicker journey to Stockton.
 From my game at Boro Rangers last night, I walked the hour or so back to my room, stopping at Wetherspoons for a nightcap. It was pretty quiet for a Friday night, but at £2.39 a pint of Strongbow, you can't complain. I spent an hour watching Corrie and typing my blog before going to bed at midnight. I woke at 6 am but didn't get out of bed until 8 as there was no rush. I had a shower and caught up on things as well as buying the bus ticket I needed for £6 which would do me until I needed to go to Newcastle. It was a walk to the bus stop near Wetherspoons then a 20-minute bus to near the Acorn Centre. I popped to a shop for a bottle of Irn Bru before getting to the ground ten minutes before kick-off. It was fairly easy to find the game I needed and it was a basic but pleasant place.
Middlesbrough Supporters Club to give them their full name were 9th in the table. Their shirts were decent, better than the proper Middlesbrough team in my opinion. They were on a run of three straight defeats, their only win being an exciting 4-3 at Easington Colliery. Sherburn were in mixed form, in their last three they'd drawn 1-1 against Blyth & Forest Hall Flying Scotsman, lost 3-0 to Marden and beaten Washington EMS 4-1. Sherburn were on top, their skilful grey-haired left winger crossing for Neil Waters to slot home from six yards. Middlesbrough were level within a minute, a right-wing cross deceiving the keeper and going straight in. There was a bit of a minor scuffle between the players which the ref handled well. On 27 minutes a good corner from Middlesbrough and the header hits the bar. The game faded from there on but on 55 minutes Sherburn retook the lead when Craig Coates latched on to the through ball and rounded the keeper. Completing the scoring on the hour was Neil Patterson, heading home a left-wing cross.
THE GROUND 

THE ACRORN CENTRE is a basic multi-pitch venue with no spectator facilities. It has multiple pitches which are well kept. There is lots of parking and it's well served by buses from Middlesbrough and Stockton. 
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