Blue Star Duo Are Promoted!

Newcastle Blue Star have appointed former Middlesborough player Dean Gordon and and ex-Stoke star Mark Birch as their new management duo.

Director of football Bob Morton states " We thought it would be safer to keep the job in-house.
"The problem with looking outside is you don't really know the person until you put them in the environment. And if they don't fit it's too late.
"These lads have enormous experience in the game and respect from the players. When you have somebody on the pitch who can communicate directly with the players it's an advantage."

Gordon, 36, has a wealth of experience as a former Crystal Palace and Boro player. He has also played for the England under 21's 13 times.

Birch, 34, played at Football League level with Stoke City and Carlisle, as well as Gretna in Scotland and Southport in the Conference.

The two will be responsible for team selection and tactics and will be assisted by Bob Morton from the dug-out.

Morton said he realised some people might say that the pair will favour themselves when it came to selceting the team. But he added: "If I picked the team I would pick them. They are two top class players."

Morton believes the player/manager formula will work well for them next season and that there is no reason why they cannot have a top four finish.

"We were playing positively at the end of last year and the team was in high spirits, lets hope we can continue where we left off."

Condolences to FC United

Blue Star would like to pass their condolences onto all involved with FC United, in particular the friends and family of Fred Garner who sadly passed away following the fixture between the two teams on Saturday.

As a mark of respect Blue Star will be holding a minutes silence before the game against Curzon Ashton tomorrow.

Thank you FC United

Newcastle Blue Star would like to say a big thank you to all the FC United fans that travelled up to Kingston Park on Saturday to attend the game. Following feedback on the day I understand it was a great day out for all (despite the result for us!) and the FC United fans played a huge part in that. They helped create a fantastic atmosphere before, during , and after the game.

We hope that the two teams get to play one another next season as all involved with Newcastle Blue Star would look forward to welcoming the supporters and officials of FC United back to Kingston Park.

News Flash!

Blue Star have had confirmation that they will continue to play football in the UniBond First Division North League next season 2008/2009.

Saturday 19th April
Kick off 3pm
Kingston Park Stadium – directions to the ground can be found on our website in the stadium section.

Facilities at the ground
The FC United supporters will be catered for in the West Stand;

• Three cash turnstiles will be in operation at the West Stand
• Due Dieci Italian restaurant featuring happy hour until 7pm whereby pizza or pasta is only £4.95
• Fast food concession
• Concourse bar

All open from 1pm

The Blue Star supporters will be catered for in the East Stand;

• Tickets can be purchased from the ticket office, entry to the ground is via The Hiding Place

• The Hiding Place sports & lounge bar, offering light bites & drinks

Ticket Prices
Adult                £6
Concession       £3

Match programmes       £3

The Hiding Place sports & lounge bar (situated in the East Stand) will be showing the Blackburn V Manchester United fixture live on the big screen from 5.15pm.
ALL SUPPORTERS WELCOME.

Fabulous Baker boys make it three wins in a row
Evening Chronicle, Monday 7th April, Malcolm Pratt

Manager Paul Baker reckons Kingston Park is 'buzzing' after watching his side wrap up three consecutive wins at the weekend.

Originally, Baker was brought in as coach to Tommy Cassidy, but no sooner had he arrived then the club announced that they were leaving the UniBond League Division One North after just one season.

Cassidy, with ambitions to continue managine higher in the pyramid, left and Baker was temporalily put in charge.
These games resulted in a draw and two narrow defeats against top opposition but, since being made permenant boss, Bakers squad has responded magnificently.

He said " It would have been easy for the lads to throw in the towel, since the future for them is so uncertain.
" Naturally, some will want to stay in the UBL and will not fancy playing in the Alngrove Northern League - but to be fair, they have given their all.
" We are playing great stuff and everybody is enjoying being involved.
" Our fans are loving it and of course thre wins on the bounce is a help."

After defeating Radcliffe Borough 4-3 and Mossley 5-1, Blue Star maintain the momentum at Lancaster City on Saturday even though goals were not so plentiful. Two, though proved sufficient.

Mark Sheeran took his tally from three matches to seven and leading goal scorer Lee Novak was also on target before David Roston threw Lancaster a lifeline.

Baker added " They came at us early in the second period, but we soaked up the pressure and towards the end were again on top.
" Dean Gordon and Mark Sheeran both hit the woodwork and we passed up on one or two other reasonable opportunities - but I'm not complaining."

Kingston Park Business As Normal

Following the damage caused by the bad weather over the bank holiday weekend Blue Star are happy to announce that business will be going ahead as usual on Saturday for their home fixture against Mossley, however all spectators must watch the game from the East Stand. Kick off 3pm. Tickets will be available to buy on the day of the game (adult £5, concession £3, junior £1).

Blue Star Vs Curzon Ashton Abandoned!

Unfortunately due to extremely high winds at Kingston Park on good Friday Blue Star were given no other alternative but to abandon the game for health and safety reasons.

The re-scheduled game is due to be played on Wednesday 23rd April at Kingston Park, kicking off at 7.45pm.

Tickets priced at:
Adult £5
Concession £3
Junior £1
Available to buy on the day of the game.

PETER BEARDSLEY SUPPORTS BLUE STAR!

Blue Star Sports Mans Dinner

When: Thursday 5th June 2008
Where: Kingston Park Stadium

Speaker: PETER BEARDSLEY MBE - A black and white hero for the modern generation
Compere: Greaeme Forster
Plus; entertainment from a live comedian, yet to be announced.

Peter is a renowned English former footballer of the 1980's and 1990's. He once set a record transfer fee in the game and represented his country 59 times between 1986 and 1996, once as captain.

A product of the famous Wallsend Boys Club, Beardsley was released by his hometown Newcastle United but he found his way back there in 1983 after sucessful spells with other clubs.

Beardsley was an instant hit with the Newcastle supporters, scoring and setting up spectacular goals. However, Beardsley left Newcastle in 1987 only to return in1993.

Beardsley scored a total of 119 goals for Newcastle, making him the top goal scorer at Newcastle in the 1994/95 season.

Come and meet the Toon legend and hear him re-tell some intersting stories...!

Tickets: £35 per person / £350 per table

Please phone club secretary Jim Anderson (07929272657) for tickets and further detials.

VALENTINES DAY AT DUE DIECI, ITALIAN PIZZERIA RISTORANTE
Ist floor, West Stand, Kingston Park

Due Dieci is the perfect choice to take your loved one for a traditonal, romantic Italian meal on Valentines Day. As we all know the Italians are famed for their passionate personalities and Due Dieci is no exception. Diners will be offered a selection of aphrodisiac cuisine to make this special night one to remember.

Starters
Zuppa del Giorno         £3.95
Homemade asparagus & sweet corn soup
Formaggio di Capra         £4.95
Grilled goats cheese, served on toasted ciabatta with crisp parma ham & pesto
Piatto Due Dieci         £7.95
A sharing platter with deep fried potato skins, calamari, garlic mushrooms, & chicken wings
Ostriche d'amore         £9.95
Six fresh oysters to share

Main Courses
Agnello con Polenta         £11.95
Grilled rump of lamb, served witrh garlic polenta & roasted vegetables
Pollo Prinipessa         £10.95
Oven roasted chicken supreme stuffed with fresh parmesan cheese, served in a wild mushroom cream sauce
Branzino con Finocchio         £9.95
Baked seabass cooked with fennel, artichokes, & spinach

Desserts
Torta di Fragile         £3.95
Strawberry delice served with cream
Torta di Profiterole         £3.95
Profiterole chocolate torte
Gelati         £3.95
Selection of ice creams & sorbets

Please note that the full a la carte menu is also available.

Due Dieci will be open from 12 noon until 2.30pm & 5.30pm until 10pm on Valentines Day with happy hour until 7pm (during opening times).

To book please phone:
Due Dieci - (0191) 214 2848
Guiliano - 07968897571
Giacomo - 07807382413

Tommy Cassidy Talk-In
LIFE AT NEWCASTLE UNITED IN THE 70’S

D.O.B 18/11/1950

Tommy joined Newcastle United in1970 and played at the Toon in midfield for a total of 10 years (until 1980). Tommy made a total of 170 League appearance’s (plus 10 as substitute), scoring 22 goals. In fact Tommy features in Newcastle’s top ten League Cup appearance’s in 4th position with a total of 19.

Honours:
1973          Anglo-Italian Cup winners
1974          FA Cup runners up
1974 &75   Texaco Cup winners
1976          Football League Cup runners up

Tommy made his debut on 7th November against Southampton, down at the Dell at only 19 years of age. Unfortunately Southampton won 2-1.

Tommy rates his lowest point at Newcastle as getting relegated in 1978 and his highest as reaching the cup final in 1974.

Tommy played under 4 managers; Joe Harvey (1962 – 1975) Newcastle’s longest serving manager, Gordon Lee (1975 – 1977) the man that sold Supermac, Richard Dinnis (1977) Newcastle’s shortest spell at manager but guided Newcastle to the UEFA Cup, and Bill McGarry (1977 – 1980) regarded as a strict disaplinarian. And alongside many Toon legends including; centre-forward Supermac (Malcolm McDonald 1971 – 1976) a phenomenon of the seventies & a man hero worshipped on Tyneside.

To hear Tommy’s entertaining accounts on what life was like at Newcastle United during the seventies, come along to The Hiding Place at Newcastle Falcons on Wednesday 23rd January at 7.30pm.

The evening is been compared by Dave Greener and will include an auction item.

Tickets are priced at only £5 per person and include a pie & pea supper. Tickets are available to buy from The Hiding Place sports & lounge bar (open everyday from 12 noon until 12 midnight).

Tickets are limited so early purchasing is recommended.

Please contact: Louise Dickinson, Bars Manager on 07764933295 or Rebecca Chambers, Promotions Manager on 07841500071 for further information.

One game at a time, insists Star's boss

Newcastle Blue Star have gained just one point from their first two holiday fixtures.

However, manager Tommy Cassidy intends to take every game as it comes as he attempts to claim a play-off position in the UniBond League Division One North.

He said: "We have a young squad and perhaps I have been putting too much emphasis on reaching the play-offs and therefore maybe asking too much of the players. We are eighth from top but only four points behind FC United of Manchester, so at just past the halfway stage of the season, we are still in with a shout.

"From now on, we will just concentrate on each game as it comes along and if we can string a few results together, so be it.

"I am here for the long term and looking forward to the future.

"If we make it this season, it would be great, but we will just have to see how it goes."

After being held to a draw by Garforth Town on Boxing Day, Blue Star suffered there first defeat of the season at Kingston Park on Saturday when they gifted Skelmersdale United the only goal.

There did not appear to be any danger but, when the defence failed to clear an innocuous ball, Steven Akrigg was presented with the simplest of chances which he tapped into the net past stranded goalkeeper Ryan Smith.

Former Newcastle United and Northern Ireland star Cassidy added: "It was an absolute gift for them and at this level you cannot give goals away like that."

Blue Star have lost six times this season, but every defeat has been by a single goal.

Director of football Bob Morton said: "We have never been turned over, which is not bad during our first season in the UBL.

"Defensive errors have cost us dearly but the league is still wide open and we have everything to play for."

See a Star at Christmas!

Why not prolong your festive celebrations by visiting Kingston Park Stadium on Boxing Day and cheering on Newcastle Blue Star as they take on league rivals Garforth Town at 3pm.

Currently Garforth lie 5th in the table while Blue Star occupy 7th spot. However, there is only 1 point difference between the two teams and Blue Star have a game in hand! In fact Blue Star are only 2 points away from third spot!

This Saturday; 22nd December sees Blue Star play away at Lancaster (11th in the table), and Garforth take on Wakefield (10th in the table) at home. It’s a close fought battle for the play-off places, so it makes for an exciting Boxing Day game.

With prices as low as £5 for an adult, £3 for a concession, & £1 for a junior ticket, and Newcastle Blue Star being the only Newcastle team to play at home on Boxing Day why not come along and support your local ‘toon’ team this Christmas.

And it gets better…By buying a ticket to the Boxing Day game you are automatically entered into a prize draw to win a meal for two at Due Dieci, the traditional Italian restaurant at Kingston Park!

Tickets can be bought from the Kingston Park ticket office leading up to the game. Ticket Hot-line number: 0871 226 6060. (Ticket Office open: Mon-Fri 9am until 5pm, Sat 10am until 5pm, and Christmas Eve 10am until 2pm).

Alternatively tickets can be purchased from The Hiding Place sports & lounge bar on the day of the game. On Boxing Day The Hiding Place will be open from 12 noon until 12 midnight, with happy hour 4.30pm ‘til 7pm and again at 9.30pm ‘til 10.30pm.

A Star Dinner…

On Saturday 15th December Newcastle Falcons Italian restaurant Due Dieci was filled with the entire Blue Star squad, plus staff and committee who came together to celebrate the festive period.

The evening kicked off with a grand drinks reception followed by a scrumptious three course dinner with a choice of either traditional English or traditional Italian fayre (& of course more drinking!), after dinner there was even a visit from Santa!!, then to top the night off a raffle was drawn with some superb prizes on offer and all proceeds going to charity.

All in all a fantastic night was had by everyone and I would to thank Reverend Ted Walton on behalf of the players, staff, and committee for organising the evening and the huge generosity he showed

Blue Star Vs Bradford Park Avenue

The Blue Star Vs Bradford Park Avenue game which was scheduled to be played on Saturday 15th December at Kingston Park Stadium, kick off 3pm has been postponed due to a frozen pitch. The pitch inspection took place at 4.00pm Friday afternoon and the ground was deemed unsafe by the referee. We await the rescheduled date from the UniBond League and will advise as soon as we hear. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Cassidy is a real star, insists Morton

After watching Newcastle Blue Star defeat Ossett Albion and move to within one point of third place in the First Division, director of football Bob Morton insisted: “Tommy Cassidy is the man for us.”

A few eyebrows were raised when the Tynesiders parted company with Andy Gowens after just four games. However, the arrival of former Newcastle United and Northern Ireland star Tommy Cassidy has given the club a lift both on and off the field.

Morton said: “Tommy has been an inspiration and our form during his 13 games in charge has been excellent.

“We have taken 24 points out of a possible 39 and over a season that ratio wins championships.

“I know many people questioned out decision to change manager after just four games.

“However, we have been proved right and the way we are going we will be very disappointed if we do not make the play-offs.

“We are an ambitious club and Tommy knows we want to move forward.”

Star Novak shows he has a bright future ahead

We seem to have unearthed our very own star in striker Lee Novak. The ex-Gretna hit man is starting to make a name for him-self as a top goal-scorer.

His hat-trick last weekend against Ossett took his tally to 12 goals so far this season (4th top goal-scorer in the UniBond North League), and at 19 years of age it seems he has a bright future ahead of him.

Novak, a former apprentice at Gretna, has had a very good football upbringing playing for Wallsend Boys Club for eight years as well as enjoying a year at Monkseaton Football Academy.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Gretna, playing for the youth team and reserves where I scored over 25 goals. With Gretna moving into the Scottish Premier League it was very difficult to break into the first team. When former manager Andy Gowens and Bob Morton rang me, it did not take them long to persuade me to join this progressive club.”

Novak added: Manager Tommy Cassidy has been great with me, he has really encouraged me, and being the youngest in the squad, he is always giving me lots of confidence to express myself, which has helped me score my goals this season.”

Lee Novak is a dedicated young player who trains extremely hard and would love to help take Blue Star through the league system.

Novak stressed: “I love scoring goals and I hope the club will gain promotion to the next level as quickly as it can, and hopefully I can play my part by scoring as many goals as I can for the club.

Success For First Sportsman’s Dinner

Friday 16th November saw Newcastle Blue Star host it’s first ever Sportsman’s Dinner after being promoted into the UniBond League. Blue Star still hold an unbeaten home record at Kingston Park, and the venue proved to be successful for the dinner too!

On the night there were over twenty tables, which made for a fabulous night with lots of laughter and atmosphere. Blue Star would like to thank everyone that attended for their support.

The evening kicked off with a three course dinner of smoked salmon, roast chicken, and a trio of chocolate. Hats off to the chef it was delicious, and the service excellent.

After dinner Micky Quinn entertained as the guest speaker, he had everyone spell bound as he re-lived his colourful career telling many a funny tale along the way.

As the night got later and the guests drank more, the entertainment got ruder! It was time for comedian Rudi West, who was fantastic – there wasn’t a single person in the room not laughing out loud.

To finish the night there was an auction which was full of memorabilia from sporting legends past & present including; Jonny Wilkinson, Ricky Hatton, and Alan Shearer to name but a few. The response to the auction was great and the money generated will go towards costs for Blue Star which lets not forget is a part-time football club.

All in all guests and staff alike were extremely pleased with how the night unfolded…bring on the next Sportsman’s Dinner!!

Change of Fixture

Please note Newcastle Blue Star's home game against Wakefield FC scheduled for Wednesday 21st November has been moved forward by one day to Tuesday 20th November. Kick off 7.45pm. This to avoid a clash with the England Vs Croatia fixture.

Sorry for any inconvenience caused.

Alun's a Star

Veteran striker Alun Armstrong, 32, is plotting a return to his North-East roots after going on trial with the Star. However, boss Tommy Cassidy has warned the Geordie hit-man who has a career transfer value of more than £2m - that he must prove his fitness.

The former Newcastle, Middleborough, & Stockport star hasn't kicked a football since leaving Darlington in April & admitted the pace of part-time football has been a shock after making his debut in the defeat to Whitley Bay last week.

"This is my first experience of Non-League football & it's been an eye-opener, " he said. "It's very hectic, the ball spends a lot more time in the air & people are chasing you constantly. They work ever so hard & you need to be fully fit to keep up.
"I spoke to a few pro clubs but I've got a young family & don't want to move my kids any more. I've been traveling up & down the country since I was 18. I've also got a property business going up here."

Tommy said: "Alun's got a great CV but I need to see him train & play. The agreement is that he will have three weeks to prove his fitness because I need to know he can adapt to this level."

Let's watch this space...

News Announcement: Change of Fixture

The Newcastle Blue Star Vs Wakefield FC game due to take place on Wednesday 31st October has been postponed as a requisite to Wakefield's involvement in the County Cup.

The date for the re-arranged fixture is to be confirmed. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.