We would like to introduce you to former Redheugh player Paddy Atkinson.  Below is his bio in his own words:

“Best move I ever made as a kid was to Redheugh Boys Club – they were like my 2nd Family”

“

Brought up in Whickham I was asked to join Redheugh Boys club at the age of 13/14. I knew of their history and players they coached so I couldn’t say No.

On my first visit I met some wonderful people Evan Bryson, Terry Ritson, Alan Blackburn, Alec McPherson, Tommy Leonard and Micky Hughes. You could see they had installed a respectful, hardworking and a winning mentality within the club. You could feel it every time you entered the premises, with cups on show and memorabilia from x players for all to see.

I remember playing with some great lads in the team, managed by Terry Ritson. Fantastic players with outstanding ability who wouldn’t fail to make it to the top in today’s modern game, with the likes of Alan Lamb, Ants Cullen, Gary Wright, Alan Dowson, Paul Barrett, Graeme Jones, Paul Dent, Billy Irwin and many more.

What sticks in my mind was playing in the Ayr International Tournament, where we played against schoolboy teams from many league clubs. I think we played Chelsea Boys in the final of the tournament and we never looked out of place with the talent we had. We won the Sedgefield Tournament which was a great achievement in itself, with so many good teams participating and won the league and cups for our age groups for many years.

We trained twice a week and everyone turned up as the club was like a 2nd family to everyone. Seppi did the warm-up. Military style and who can forget his wall stand, with bent knees 45 degrees for 2 minutes to strengthen the legs up. He would call you out if you didn’t do it right, it was pure agony Ha Ha Ha, before going outside in the school yard for the rest of the training session.

Players stayed until closing time, as it had table tennis tables, pool tables, a snooker table and tuck shop. Everyone wanted to win at everything as Redheugh boys club simply bred winners.

I remember coming to the boys club just about every night to play doors with the sponge ball in the school hall area. I was determined to beat the masters of the game Alan Lamb, Paul Barrett and Graeme Jones (Bonna). If I beat them, they would be down the next night for revenge, to win.

It was while at the boys club I started getting scouts from different league clubs knocking on my door. Newcastle Utd (Peter Kirkley) Sunderland, WBA, Sheffield Utd, Middlesbrough and many of the other players did too.

In the school holidays I would go on trials. At 13/14 (which wouldn’t happen now) I met up with Alan Shearer, Barry Wilson (Wallsend / Cramlington Boys), Alan Scur (Wallsend Boys) and Paddy Conway (Montague boys) at Central Station. We would travel to West Bromwich Albion, sharing digs during the trial period.

We all used to meet up again on the Newcastle Utd trials where I got the X52 bus from Whickham via Dunston where Paul (Gazza) Gascoigne used to get on. I’d walk up to St James Park with him as he was a Redheugh Boys lad, before getting the makeshift van/minibus to the Benwell training ground. The trials at Newcastle were a bit bland as their strategy was to sign big physical lads (ie Davie Halam) so Shearer and Wilson ended signing for Southampton and I went off to Sheffield Utd to sign school boy forms.

At 16, the legend Ian Portifield persuaded me to go to Sheffield Utd. I left school in May 1986 and went off to live in Sheffield in June 1986 to start my apprenticeship.

We had a decent team at Sheffield Utd playing in the Intermediate League. It included, Clive Mendonca, Chris Marsden, Mitch Ward, Dane Whitehouse and Simon Grayson. We ended up winning the league title in the first year, competing against a very good Newcastle Utd side who had Gazza, Joe Allen, Paul Stephenson, Kevin Scott, etc who ended winning the FA Youth Cup.

I went on a month’s loan to Hartlepool Utd to get physical experience before returning to the club, only to find out Manager Ian Portifield had left for Chelsea. Things at the club started to change when Billy McEwan took over. Players had to buy own food, military training sessions, running and long ball style. The legends of the club Keith Edwards, Peter Withe, Kevin, Arnott, Ken McNaught, Colin Morris, Peter Beagrie all wanted to leave and transferred out.

Results didn’t go Billy’s way so Danny Begara took over for a short spell before Dave Bassett came in. Bassett got me and Clive Mendonca in a room and basically said, “I want to bring in London players as they understand my philosophy and what I want but I will find you both new clubs.”

Clive went off to Doncaster then Rotherham and I went off to sign for Hartlepool Utd (1988) in the 4th Division (the 2nd Division as it’s known today).

Bob Moncur, John Craggs & Pop Robson were the management team at Hartlepool Utd and my first game as an 18 year old was V’s Lincoln City @ home as great lad Andy Toman was injured. I scored 2 on my debut. You never forget the feeling scoring on your debut in front of home fans. It what you dream of as a kid.

We had a good FA cup run that year and I was picked for the 2nd game V’s Bournemouth who were two Divisions above us. I remember Brian Honour scoring to make it 1-0 before Bournemouth scoring a dubious penalty to make it 1-1. I hit the post in the last minute and could have made Chairman John Smart 500,000 in TV revenue as we would have played Man Utd at home in the next round. Something he reminds me of even today, Ha Ha. We lost the replay 4 or 5-1…

We had some decent players in the team, Paul Baker, Rob McKinnon, Brian Honour, Joe Allon, John Tinkler, Russel Doig, Keith Knobbs, Tony Barratt, etc.

On the way to an away game V’s Cambridge Utd 6.00 am in the morning, I was travelling with Paul Baker and Rob Mckinnon and had a car crash. We hit black ice and a tanker. I cracked a bone in my leg and couldn’t play for 8 weeks. I lost my place in the team to a great lad Joe Allon.

With no car, I started travelling in with new signings Alan Lamb and Don Hutchison my old Redheugh Boys pals. Bob Moncur left the club and Cyril Knowles came in who eventually fell ill and passed away.

I remember my contract coming to an end and the club was being investigated by the Inland Revenue. The club couldn’t offer long contracts and offered me 3 months. I knocked it back as players weren’t getting their wages and signed for Gateshead FC in the Conference for Manager Dave Parnaby.  (1990/91).

We had some great lads at Gateshead, Derek Bell, Peter Harrison, Keith McNall, Paul Doolan, Tony Robinson, Rob Hulse and Neil Leonard.

After scoring on my Gateshead debut at the International Stadium, Dave Parnaby left 2/3 games into the season. Tony Lee came in and made it clear he wanted to bring players in from his Northern League winning side Billingham Synthonia, so I left to play for Barrow FC under Manager Ray Wilkie. (1990/91).

I used to travel across to Barrow for training with Ray Wilkie and the other players twice a week. What I great bloke Ray was. He loved his football and knew just about every player in non-league within the North-East. He won the FA Trophy at Wembley and the club had a buzz about the place.

I remember scoring one of my first goals against Gateshead FC in the local derby with Simon Smith in goal. Think we won 1-0 that day. Micky Farrey who is a good friend of mine from Whickham kicked lumps out of me that day Ha Ha but was nice to get the winner. I got a thigh strain and not one physio could make it better, so I went to see Redheugh’s old school physio Tommy Leonard and he put thigh right within 10 days. Magic fingers with his little fire in the physio room. Ha Ha.

Then Ray Wilkie took ill and passed away. It was one of the saddest days in football losing such a great man of his stature. The club changed overnight. Players were starting to come from Liverpool under Manager Jonny King and the North East players like Danny Wheatly, Paul Doolan, Paul Campbell, Robbie Vincent, Keith McNall, Gary Messenger all left. I was travelling to Barrow on my own and it was a long slog in the winter months going across to the lakes twice a week.

Manager Jonny King was good bloke, (a bit of a Liverpool gangster) who knew everyone and could get you anything you wanted and the players were top lads but I was getting a bit fed up at this time.

So many managers at such a young age. I just wanted to be settled at a club and enjoy my football again like I did at Redheugh Boys Club.

Alan Cook who was Ray Wilkie’s Assistant Manager at Barrow took over at Workington FC and signed all the North East players and X Barrow players. A few of the lads got in contact with me and asked if I wanted to sign to save travelling to Barrow. I signed for Workington (1993) playing in the Unibond Prem Division.

The ground was an old league ground and looking at pictures today the ground hasn’t improved much Ha Ha. But travelling with the boys again Paul Doolan , Paul Campbell and Danny Wheatley in his left hand drive car (which was something else by the way) lifted my spirits.

Playing for Workington was probably the first time in a lot of years where I was enjoying my football again. Playing well consistently again, no pressures and scoring goals. It was then a few scouts came to watch and there was specualtion Crystal Palace and Birmingham City were watching games. Not sure how much that was true but I then got a phone call at work from Newcastle Utd manager Kevin Keegan.

I thought it was one of the lads making a prank call as that was the norm in the football banter world. But after eventaully believing him he asked if I would come on trial so they could have a look. 1st game away to Liverpool at Anfiled, meet at St James for the coach and don’t be late he said. How could I say No.  So off I went.  (1994).

I remember the Anfield sign walking down the tunnel stairs , “This is Anfield” and the pitch was like a carpet. I was playing up front with Alex Mathie and was brought down for the penalty and game finishing 1-1. I couldn’t believe I was playing in the same side as legends, Kevin Brock, Scott Sellars. What great players who could keep the ball for fun. My next game was Everton away at Goodison and the games kept flowing after that. The reserves played at Gateshead Stadium and my most memoral game for the reserves was V’s Man Utd. Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Gilespie were all playing and Newcastle signed Gillespie after the game. I curled one in from 25 yds drawing 3-3.

Jeff Clarke (top bloke) was the Reserve Team manager and he kept me updated on comments from Keegan. Kevin was ruthless if players didn’t perform. He fell out with Jason Drysdale and Steve Guppy so he asked me if I could play full back in one game. I’d play anywhere so said yes and that’s how I became a full back at the age of 24.

I eventually got the call from KK. He told me, quality was so high with million pound players coming in so I’d never get in his first team. The standards were so high but he liked my hard work and commitment so wanted me to continue to play in the reserve team to set example on a non contract basis. We agreed terms per game, so I could keep my job, train when I could at Maiden Castle and play in reserves. Crazy agrement but it worked for me.

Kevin Keegan then fell out with the FA as they wanted the reserves to play 10 games at St James but he had just paid millions on a new pitch. He wasn’t going to be told what to do by the FA so he scrapped the Reserve Team. All players didn’t play much game time so most of them left; Huckerby, Armstrong, Mathie, Hooper, Hottinger, Papavasalou, Holland, Brayson, etc. I had calls from Raith Rovers, Leyton Orient, Ipswich and York City.

I met with all clubs. York were playing in the 1st Division and the terms were right, an hour down the road so I ended up signing a 3 year full time contract with them.  (1996).

I played at York City for 3 seasons with some great players, Paul Stephenson, Gary Bull, Steve Tuthill, Rodney Rowe, David Rush, Graeme Murty, Richard Creswell, Johnathan Greenining , Darren Williams, Dean Keily, Paul Barnes, Paul Baker, Alan Pouton. Some of them went on to play in the Prmiership.

Then York started to sell the best players, Greame Murty to Reading, Richard Creswell to Sheff Wed, Johnathan Greening to Man Utd, Dean Keily to Bury, Paul Barnes to Burnley, Paul Baker to Torquay, Darren Williams to Sunderland. We struggled in the league for the next two seasons and even a riot kicked off at Brighton. We had to play behind closed doors after the season ended and win to stay in the 1st Division. We won 3-1 but it was tough for everyone as the club wouldn’t spend on quality players and the Manager Alan Little who was a great lad was eventually sacked.

Mick Wadsworth was the manager of Scarbrough FC and called me up in Malia during the summer break to join Scarbrough FC. They had just lost in the 2nd Division play off finals and had some good players at the club. Jon Kay, Gary Bennet, Richard Brodie, Chris Tate, Jamie Hoyland, Wayne Bullimore, Neil Campbell, so I joined them. (1999).

Expectations were high from the previous season and pre season was good. I expected a good season ahead but how wrong was I. What I saw in 12 months you could make a movie from it. Ha Ha.

Mick Wadsworth was a top coach but had his own style of management. He liked to put winning quotes on the dressing room blackboard, told players not to wear Predator boots as they weren’t worthy to wear them or wear England sports wear because we hadn’t played for England. Players who weren’t in the squad didn’t like him so stood in their underwear in winter hoping to catch the flu so didn’t have to travel to away games. Players wages bounced each month as the club had financial difficulties. Mick Wadsworth tried to strangle a player after the Hartlepool Utd game (Wayne Bullimore) for wearing Predator boots and missing an easy chance, injuries/operations weren’t getting paid and players had to travel in cars to away games. Wow.

Mick Wadsworth ended up having a breakdown and sacked before moving on to Colcshester, Southampton and Newcastle Utd under Boby Robson. Colin Addison came in (what a funny bloke) as we couldn’t win a game even though we were playing ok. Colin moved me into midfield and brought in a few new faces, Tony Park GK, Nathan Jones, Paul Robinson, John Trewick. We won the next 6/7 games and looked favourites to stay in the league. I remember playing at Hull City away Easter Monday, a local derby and there were 30,000 there. Then the unimaginable happened, a football story that would stay in the minds of football fans forever. GK Jimmy Glass scored in the last minute (94th minute to be exact) for Carlisle Utd, survived relegation and sealed Scarbrough FC’s fate into the Conference League. You couldn’t make it up.
I needed a groin operation and the club wouldn’t pay for it so I had to go through the FA to pay for the surgery. A long winded process seeing 2/3 sports specialists who kept giving me an injection and telling me to rest. I decided to see Newcastle Physio Derek Wright and he diagnosed my condition in 5 minutes and put my name forward to a surgeon who conducted the operation within a week.

I rested for 3/4 months, but Mick Tate kept asking me to go to Blyth Spartans as they were near the bottom of the league. I kept knocking him back as I wanted to make sure the groin was right. I’d seen too many players rush back and end up going back in for surgery. I played for Mick the last 10/12 games of the season and we won all of them with some great lads Ian Chandler, Micky Farrey, Stevie Stewart and Ian Dixon. What a top bloke Mick Tait was and all the players loved playing for him. The club was decent and I enjoyed my time there as a player but Mick Tate quit at the end of the season as couldn’t get on with the Chairman.

(2000) I got a phone call from John Connelly, Ian Scott, Warren Pearson from Queen of the South in Scotland so I signed, playing up there for 3/4 years. My time at QOS was unbelievable. A great set of lads GK Andy Goram, Jimmy Thompson, Andy Aiken, Steve Bowey, Peter Wetherston, John O Neil, Derek Lyle, etc. We were well looked after as the club gave us a club people carrier to travelin, free hotels to stay over and decent win bonuses if we beat local rivals like Stranraer. The club hadn’t won the league as champions for 50 years or won the Bells Scottish in 56 years. We won them both and the papers were calling it “The Geordie Invasion.” Ha Ha.

At 32/33 I wasn’t playing enough so I was asked by Ian Scott who took over from John Connelly to take the QOS Reserve Team. I thought I’d give it a go. My first steps into coaching / management. We won the league and cup the first season in the reserve league but it wasn’t the same as playing. I was not travelling up to Dumfires with the North East players as when the 1st team was away the reserves would play at home so it become a bit of a chor travelling to Scotland on my own. I decided to look for a caoching role in the North East.

I met great lad John Watson at Durham City and I helped him with the team for a couple of months but they kept asking me to play. I played a 5/6 games but playing in front of 3 men and a dog at Brandon Utd away on a cold January Tuesday night made my decision easy to hang up my boots.

I applied for the Newcastle Benfield FC job in the 1st Division Northern League and got offered the Assistent Managers Job. Paul Baker took on the Manager role which I was happy about, as it was my old team mate from my Hartlepool Utd and York City days.(2005). Together, we won the League Cup, got the quarter final of the Vase and 3rd round of the FA Cup. By 2008/09 we won the Northern League, League Cup and Cleater Cup. We had some great players in the team, Kevin Leighton, Jonny Brown, Shaun Bell, Karl Baston, Steven Buzzeo, Mark Atkinson, Adam Scope, Andy Grainger GK, Stephen Young, Tony Chilton, Alu Banguara, Paul Anthony, Ian Graeme.

Paul Baker left in Jan 08/09 season, so I took over as interim then permanent manager. I suggested Tom Wade come in as assistant as he was looking for a football job and we worked together until Tom left to go to Blue Star. I was solely running the team and kept asking Chairman Jimmy Rowe (top bloke) for an assistant. He told me Tom Wade had left Blue Star, would I take him back. I said bring him back as joint manager. He can deal with team affairs, wages and I’ll concentrate on the coaching. It worked, we won the league that year.

Paul Baker came back in for a 2nd spell but I moved on to Bedlington Terriers as I had moved up to Northumberland when I got married.

I was at Bedlington Terriers with Keith Perry & Tony Lowery (2 top blokes) for a few seasons (2009/2011) and always remember a billionaire (Bob Rich) coming into the club asking to take the team to Buffalo USA for game. We went over for 10 days and the BBC made a documentary.

Ex-Toon legend Tommy Cassidy then asked me to go to Blyth Spartans as 1st Team Coach (2012). Tommy’s budget was slashed by a few quid so top players started to leave to join clubs paying big money. I remember the first pre season training session and we had 8 players. Tommy Cassidy was sacked without explanation which he took badly as he was a well respected legend of the game. I was asked to take over so I took the managers job for 3-4 months but the conditions, working relationships and budget was challenging, for example I paid £1,000 for a player (Craig Hubbard) out of my own money. The club gave me a cheque for £500. I had to ask the player to pay me back £30 a week out of his own wages to make up the shortfall. Tom Wade asked to join the club and Tommy cassidy kept asking who he was when he kept turning up for training. I was aware what he was up. The chairman appointed him as my assistant without my say so but decided to give it a go as worked together before. I found out he was meeting players & having meetings behind my back so I resigned.

2013 I went back the Newcastle Benfield as a coach under a great lad Steve Bowey. I remember beating the mighty Spennymoor away and getting to the quarter finals of the Vase with Bowsa and Gareth Macalindon.

2014 I was asked to apply for the managers job at Whitley Bay as legend Ian Chandler had resigned. I intially took over from Leon Ryan but found out Chan had left as his coach had been bullying players. Paul Macalduff the chairman just wanted success back on the pitch and bring attendances up even though I was given a low budget. With great coach and funny lad Paul Johnson as my assistant we created a great dressing atmoshphere with some great lads. Peter Watling, Adam Shanks, Chris Reid, Chris Mac, Michael Laws, Sam Norris, Alex Kempster, Andy Jennings and had a great cup run in the FA cup in our 2nd season. Gates were increasing again, 800-1000 fans. We were the only Northern league club left in the FA Cup. I remember playing against Matlock and we drew 1-1 away. The replay was 3-3 but played with 9 men from 60 mins and extra time eventually winning on penalties. The atmosphere was electric and players / fans still talk about that game today. We got beat off Chorley from Conference North 3-2 next round and we would of got a Conference team in next round if we had won.

2016 I moved on to Bedlington Terriers for a 2nd time as manager for 2 seasons before moving onto Killingworth FC in the Alliance 2018 as 1st Team coach with Mark Rooke & Nathan Beckham as manager. We won the League 3 times, Beneveland Bowl and League Cup. Great times.

I still do coaching now at Killingworth today (2024) with some great lads. Richie Mitchell, Stu Purvis, Derek Bell, son Liam Bell, Coach Gar Collier and Mark Rooke.  I also spend time on my Friday Nights Sports Show on Koast Radio 106.6FM. We will cover the Northumberland Senior Cup final from St James Park in May.

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Thank you Paddy for your fantastic words and photos.  We wish you all the best for the future!!  All at Gateshead Redheugh!

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Those were the first words spoken to me by Evan Bryson.

I was brought up on Saltwell Road before moving around the corner to the bottom of Hyde Park Street where Evan lived, about 10 doors up on the other side. I used to see him leave his house after tea time in his blue van, a van I am sure many young players have been dropped off in, at their
homes after attending the club.

I eventually joined the club in 1975 and remember my first game was against Ouston in a friendly. I had always played in midfield but Evan said I was to play centre back which came as a shock but it was from that moment that I played all my career at centre back, thanks to Evan.

I have very fond memories of being at Redheugh boys club, I played so many games it’s difficult to remember them all but I do remember the characters there, fond memories of Evan, Tommy, Mr Mac, Seppy, and Terry Ritson to name but a few. I also remember Tommy’s three bar electric fire in his treatment room, he never put it on if we had been beat, ha!

I played three seasons at Redheugh, playing with some marvellous players and I can honestly say they were some of the happiest days of my life. I played in sides with such great players like Dave Hodgson, Leon Gill, Terry Proud, Jimmy Boyle, and many others, too many to name. We won cups, leagues, and County cups, beating most clubs in the region.

In 1978 I joined Gateshead F.C. along with a few other Redheugh players as there was a tie up between the two clubs. At Gateshead I enjoyed three great years and learned a lot from the senior players there, players like Jim Pearson, John Connelly, John Tudor, Terry Hibbitt, and Bob Mcleod and others. Gateshead played in the Northern Premier League which was a tough league and a great experience.

During my time at Gateshead FC a few professional clubs were watching me play and around the 1980 season I signed a short term professional contract with Nottingham Forest. Ray Wilkie drove me there and introduced me to Brian Clough, a legend of a man. I did not settle there and returned at the end of the season to Gateshead FC. At the start of the pre season training in 1982 I then had a trial game for Newcastle United against Hartlepool United which we won 7-1 (I think). I did well and there was going to be a follow up but in the meantime I had promised to go on a tour of Belgium a few days after the game.

A former player of Gateshead, Kenny Ellis, arranged a tour to Belgium to play a couple of friendly games as he had done the previous season. The team consisted of some Gateshead players and some out of contract professional players, a good mix and good players. We set off on the Saturday morning by bus via Dover and settled in Belgium late Saturday night. Kenny had arranged two games, Monday night against La Louviere and Thursday night against Royal Charleroi Sporting Club, both Division two clubs. If my memory serves me right, I think we drew both games. After the game in Charleroi I was called into the boardroom and offered a two year contract and agreed to sign for Sporting Charleroi. Also signing was a team mate of mine from Gateshead called John McGinley, a left winger.

We returned to Gateshead on Saturday night and John and I were back on a flight to Brussels on the Monday morning to start training Monday night, what a turnaround! Charleroi City is in the French speaking area of Belgium and is a bit like Newcastle, the stadium at the top of the City, bars and cafes in the middle, and bars and nightclubs at the bottom along the side of the river, and to top it off the team played in black and white stripes! Home from home.

I quickly established myself in the team and in the second season signed a new two year contract and I was made captain of the team which I took as a great compliment as there was some good Belgium players in the team and I felt honoured being a foreign player. At the third season we managed to get promotion to the Belgium Premier league via the play off system, we needed to win the last game at home to win promotion which we did 1-0 and I remember the stadium erupting in noise at the final whistle, some beers were drunk that night I can tell you.

I will never forget playing my first game in the Belgium Premier league as it was on my birthday, the 14th August, and was away at Club Brugge on a hot summer Wednesday night. The front three players for Brugge were Jan Ceulemans, Mark Degryse, and a French player called Jean Pierre Papin. We drew 0-0 and I got man of the match, a super birthday present.

Charleroi played their home games on a Saturday night and there was always a big crowd. One game I was getting my kit on ready for the match when someone put their head around the dressing room door and said to me there was some English guys at the front gate asking me to come out so out I went in my tracksuit and flip flops. There was Evan and Alan Blackburn with a grin on their faces, “Dear me” Evan said, “I thought we would never find you”. It was great to see them and they watched the game, we had a couple of beers, then they went back to Blankenburge where they were staying.

On the 6th August 1984 Sporting Charleroi played Liverpool FC in an 80th anniversary game since the club was formed. Liverpool arrived a few days before the game and we were there to meet their bus when it arrived at the hotel. Who got off the bus first? Only David Hodgson my old team mate.

It was the first time I had seen him in years and we had a good catch up about our times at Redheugh. Needless to say, Liverpool were a top team and they beat us 6-0!!

A youth player who got promoted to the first team squad at 17 years of age was called Phillipe Albert, a powerful young centre half who went on to bigger and better things and eventually signed for Newcastle.

I stayed 5 years in Charleroi then returned to England for family reasons. I still had 1 year left on my contract and this was before the Bosman rule came in so Charleroi would not let me sign for a club unless they got a sizable transfer fee which no one would give. I could not play for a year until the FA and FIFA got an agreement that I could play non league but if a professional club wanted me then a transfer fee had to be paid. I signed for Barrow FC as Ray Wilkie was the manager there and I liked Ray very much. I was at Barrow for around 18 months and we won promotion to the Conference
League but as I now had business interests back in Gateshead I signed again for Gateshead FC where my old team mates were managing the club, David Parnaby and Jim Pearson. Gateshead were in theNorthern Premiere League at the time and we managed to win the league (1989-90) and get promoted to the Conference League.

After playing at Gateshead my career was winding down and I went on to play locally at Whitley Bay, Hebburn FC, and Eppleton.

After I finished playing I managed Hebburn FC and then had a spell as manager at Blyth Spartans FC.

I spent 25 years as a Football agent and now I am a football Consultant working worldwide in the Football Industry, often in China before the Pandemic shut the borders.

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Redheugh would like to thank Peter Harrison for his words and fond memories of Redheugh. We wish you all the best.

“

They say a journey must have a starting point, well my journey started at Redheugh Boys Club one Friday night in 1974.  Never did I know I would play in 4 countries, represent England, play at Wembley on 4 occasions and even return as a football manager!  ALL THANKS TO SEPPY THIRLAWAY!

I believe fate has a huge part to play in our lives and me turning up at Redheugh was just that.  A close friend from my childhood, Ted Cummings, had an Aunty who was going out with Seppy.  On the occasions when I was with Ted at the house, Seppy was there and every time he asked the same question, “when are you going to come and train with us Hodgie?!“.  Well his perseverance paid off and my first visit was on a Friday night and as everyone knows it was in a school yard with flood lights, it was incredible.  I was introduced to Evan, Alex and Tommy.  This was like a professional setup, each had a specific role and all of them set fantastic standards.  I obviously did well in my first training session and was asked to come with the team on the Saturday just to watch the A team play. It seems like yesterday.  There were some good players in the team, Peter Harrison, Jeff Woof, Leon Gill.  I couldn’t wait to get started and I was back on Tuesday night signed up and ready!  The club had a great relationship with Middlesbrough so it wasn’t long before I was joining Jeff Woof, who was on schoolboy forms, on trips down to the Boro.  Unlike Jeff, my father wasn’t allowing me to sign any school boy forms.  I genuinely believe had it been Sunderland then that may have been different!

I must have been playing well, especially in a age group 2-3 years older, because Ipswich, Bolton, Boro and Derby all showed interest.  Ipswich even offering me the chance to leave home and attend school down there!  That was a no go…I found attending school very difficult in my home town (BeaconHill school)!  At the time Bolton also offered 2 years apprentice 2 years Pro which was unheard of in those days, but I never had a good feeling for Bolton so I turned it down as well.  At this time Redheugh were flying.  We were without doubt the best boys club team in the North of England, even though we never came face to face with Wallsend Boys Club, but the end result would prove we would have beating them.  I was then in my second season at Redheugh and all the talk was would we win the treble, and by winning that would mean winning the County Cup.  Decision time was looming, I had to make a decision and Evan Bryson was trying to make it for me.  He tried to convince me not to accept any of the offers and stay with Redheugh for another year.  Being August born mean’t I was still only 15 on leaving school and he was convinced another season with Redheugh would do me more good than harm, and I would be able to play in the County Cup final.  I didn’t take Evans advise and signed for the Boro big gamble, on apprenticeship terms, and turning down possible pro contracts…but I have always followed my heart.  I missed out on the County Cup final, which the lads won, and when I looked at the team photo hanging up on the wall at the new training centre it was spooky because I knew I should have been in that line up.

Well my football Journey was about to commence.  I joined Boro on the 6th of August, ironically it was my birthday, but I had to be 16 to sign apprentice forms.  The sad thing was that Jeff Woof, who had been with the Boro since he was 8 years old, wasn’t signing with me.

I had 2 years to prove myself and to be honest at times it was tough on many occasions.  I would have gladly walked away go back to Redheugh and enjoy myself!  I was on the verge of being kicked out, and when I say on the verge it was probably a understatement!  I’m certain Boro coach Harold Shepherdson (ex England World Cup coach) had made his mind up enough was enough and wanted me out.  My discipline off the field was shocking, same stupid behaviour which caused me issues at Ipswich surfaced again.  I simply didn’t know the meaning of enough is enough.  Having trashed the rooms of my hostel team mates once too often my time was up.  A meeting was called in the away changing room with all apprentices to attend.  Not sure why they were all there but they were.  In the middle of the room was a table with a pair of Adidas boots, number covered up on the back, so it could have been anyone of 15 players.  Mr Shepherdson began with a long speech about discipline and how England won the World Cup, etc.  His voice was getting louder and anger was becoming the tone.  Within a flash, both boots had hit me full on in the face and chest and within seconds there was only me, him and Bobby Murdoch in the room.  Jesus, my days were over, “Redheugh here I come” was in my mind!

That night we were travelling to Everton to play in the FA youth Cup.  Had it been everyone was fit I wouldn’t have travelled and I’d be gone, but Bobby Murdoch, my coach, made a incredible appeal to keep me until after the game.  Well I will cut this story short, we lost but I covered every single blade of grass at Goodison Park…they had no choice but to go back on there words and keep me!

Well, technically from then on it could only be upwards! I went on to sign pro forms, play over 100+ games for the Boro, win a few individual honours along the way and play for England U21s.

I then left for Liverpool in 1982.  It was the highest transfer that year, £475,000…the other £25,000, which would have taken it to £500k, was mine!

Leaving Boro matched the heartache I suffered when I had to leave Redheugh.  When you’re happy, what else is more important? Even joining Liverpool.  That was my downfall through my career…I always followed my heart and never my head.

So it was going to be the pattern of my career.  Who would demand to leave Liverpool, the best team in Europe by a country mile?  Well, yours truly!!  Knowing I could sign for Sunderland was pulling on my heart strings and 27 transfer requests sealed my deal back home to the club my father and I supported.  Unfortunately this move proved my old boss, Joe Fagan, right.  His last words to me after trying to convince me to stay at Liverpool when I told him I had signed, were “you have just made the biggest mistake of your life”.  Somehow he may have been right, but only on the football aspect.

Well from Sunderland came Norwich, Xerez, Sheffield Wednesday, Sanfrece Hiroshima (Japan), FC Metz (Swansea on loan), then at 31 I retired.  Enough was enough!!

Well, I can look back on 2 league titles, 3 Milk Cup wins, 3 Charity Shield medals, 1 European Cup winners medal, 1 England U21s winners medal and 1 runner up Milk Cup medal with Sunderland.  Add to that 450 games in management (with Darlington FC), several manager’s awards and reaching Wembley as a manager…and still involved within football having travelled the world…worked in South America and lived in Argentina, having inbetween wrote a best selling book about my life in Football…and all this is thanks to Seppy Ted Cummings and Redheugh boys club!

1984 u14s Cup Presentation to Redheugh by David Hodgson at Gateshead Stadium

Thank you Redheugh Boys Club for sending me on an amazing journey!
David Hodgson

“

On behalf of everhone at Redheugh we would like to thank David for his time and kind words.  We wish him all the best for the future.  THANK YOU.

DAVID HODGSON – STATISTICS:

Playing Career:

• Redheugh Boys Club:  1974
• Middlesbough:  1978-1982, Games 125, Goals 16
• England U21s:  1980-1982, Games 7, Goals 3
• Liverpool:  1982-1984, Games 28, Goals 4
• Sunderland:  1984-1986, Games 40, Goals 5
• Norwich City:  1986-1987, Games 6, Goals 1
• Xerez:  1987-1988, Games 14, Goals 0
• Sheffield Wednesday:  1988-1989, Games 11, Goals 1
• Metz:  1989-1992, Games 38, Goals 0
• Swansea City:  1992, Games 3, Goals 0

Management Career:

• Darlington:  1995
• Darlington:  1996-2000
• Darlington:  2003-2006

Honours:

• Liverpool:
  • FA Charity Shield Winner:  1982
  • First Division Winners:  1982-1983, 1983-1984
  • European Cup Winners:  1983-1984
• Sunderland:
  • Milk Cup Runners-up:  1984-1985
• England u21s:
  • UEFA U21s Football Championship Title winners:  1982

We are delighted to introduce you to Paul Bryson.  Paul started at Redheugh and went on to have a fantastic 38 years in the game.

Below is his great track record:

• Redheugh Boys Club:  1977-1981
• Tow Law FC:  1982-1985
• Gateshead FC:  1986
• Spennymoor FC:  1986-1988
• Eppleton FC:  1989-1994
• Dunston UTS:  1995-1996
• Chester-Le-Street:  1997-2001 (UEFA B Coach badge earned in 2000)
• Birtley FC:  2002-2003
• Consett FC:  2004-2005
• Birtley FC:  2005-2007
• Head of Football for Gateshead College:  2002-2014 (UEFA A Coach badge earned in 2006)
• Sunderland FC u18s Coaching:  2015

We asked Paul to write some words about his time in the game:

“

I joined Redheugh Boys Club in 1977 when I was 13 years of age. I was representing Gateshead boys and some of the players asked me to join the club and said you will really enjoy it.  They were not wrong I had 5 years of my best footballing days at the club.  I loved every minute of it as it provided me with great memories, opportunities, meeting fantastic people and making lifelong friends.

I met Evan Bryson, Alan Blackburn, Alec McPherson, Tommy Leonard, George Alberts, Terry Ritson, Micky Hughes and Dennis Washbourne.  They collectively showed excellent values of Respect, Humility, Discipline and Hard Work.  All traits that I have took with me since leaving the club whether it be in playing, managing or coaching.  I will be forever grateful to all of them.
We trained Tuesday and Friday nights at Rose Street School before playing our games on a Sunday for the u14s.  I loved the training and comradery that much I used to train other nights with the older age groups too.  We used to train with Zeppy first (im sure all players will never forget your backs to wall and legs at 90 degrees) Zeppy was great disciplinarian.  After our fitness work we would play game on outside tarmac or if weather was poor we would play 1v1, 2v2 with soft ball indoor.  It was struggle to get us out of the building as we loved being there.

My first game for the u14s was against Grainger Park.  I was playing centre forward and was fortunate enough to score 6 in a 10-3 victory.  Dennis Washbourne was our manager.  He always encouraged myself and the team and wanted us to express ourselves.

That season we won every game which was a great achievement.  We had some outstanding players in the team of which 5 went on to be apprentice footballers at professional clubs.  Early in my Redheugh days I was asked to sign schoolboy forms for Middlesborough FC when I turned 14.

I was very excited with the opportunity and would go to Middlesborough during school holidays while still training and playing for Redheugh.  Whilst I enjoyed Middlesborough I did not fulfil my potential while I was there and got released at 16.  The Middlesborough youth team consisted of Tony Mowbray, Darren Wood, Steve Tupling and Michael Harrison who was a good friend and also from the boys club.

U16 National Champions:

In my second year at Redheugh I was an U15 and I represented the U18 B team.

We played in the Jarrow and District League.  This was excellent for my development and very challenging playing 3 year up.  The team was ran by Alec McPherson who was a great guy and character.  Mr Mac as we called him was great to play for and his enthusiasm rubbed off on the team.  Again we were very successful winning the league and cup double.

My granddad played a big part in my development.  He worked with Alec at Redheugh Iron and Steel works, a place where I worked later mainly thanks to Alec for recommending me. My granddad would love watching myself and Redheugh play.  Wherever we played he would be there in rain, hail or snow watching quietly in the background.

From the age of U16 (1979-1982) I played for the U18 A team which played in the North Durham Junior League.

Evan Bryson was our manager.  Evan was a great guy.  He had a good eye for a player.  He was very protective of his own players.  He wanted us to enjoy, work hard and express ourselves when playing which was a theme throughout the club.  We had 3 very successful season winning lots of silverware.  We had the great experience of the Ayr International Tournament in 1980.  It was a great experience getting to the semi final only to lose to a controversial goal against Hearts u18.  In 1981 I represented to the Durham County Boys team.  This again gave me a fantastic experience.  The team was managed by Alan Watson who I have kept in touch with from all those years ago.  We reached the semi final of the National Gillette Cup.  We played Merseyside County at Sunderland’s Roker Park.  We drew 2-2 AET then travelled to Tranmere’s Prenton Park for the replay.  We drew this game 3-3 AET and won in penalty shootout 5-4.  I was fortunate to score in shootout.  We then played Suffolk in the Final at Ipswich’s Portman Road.  This was a fantastic occasion and game.  We won the game 4-3 in a thrilling encounter.  The occasion was made even better by Sir Bobby Robson presenting us with the trophy!

My playing footballing career after leaving Redheugh was in the non league.  I played for 25 years and loved every minute of it.  My clubs included Tow Law, Spennymoor, Gateshead (only for short period due to work commitments), Eppleton, Dunston, Chester-le Street (player manager) Birtley (player coach) and Consett (player coach).

Birtley:

Over my time of playing I was very fortunate to be involved with good successful clubs.  A few highlights were playing for Tow Law against Bradford City at Valley Parade in the first round of the FA Cup.  Also at Spennymoor we played Tranmere at the Brewery Field in the first round of FA Cup.  Tranmere were managed by the legend Frank Worthington.  We gave a good account of ourselves only to lose 3-2.

My spell at Eppleton where I played for 5 year were really enjoyable.

We were very successful and I enjoyed playing for the manager, Stu Sherwood.

In 1997 I took the player manager role at Chester–le-Street.  This is when I first started to think about coaching.  I took my Preliminary badge and really enjoyed it.  I then looked to complete my level 2 before completing my UEFA B Licence in 2000.  I started to work part time for Sunderland in 2001.  The coaching commitment still allowed me to play part time for Birtley and Consett before retiring in 2007.

I was offered the full time role of Head of Football at Gateshead College in 2002.  This was the best decision I have ever made.  I had 13 great at Gateshead working for Alan Snowdon who was the Head of Sport.  Alan was very influential in my coaching career and I will be forever grateful to him.  We took the academy from 20 students in my first year to 160 when i left in 2015.  We grew the department so we could cater for Elite, Development and Participation players.  The Elite team was really successful winning National Leagues and Cups.  We also helped players get back into full time football namely Chris Basham of Sheffield United and Adam Reach of Sheffield Wednesday.  During my time at Gateshead we had 40 students that signed for professional clubs and a further 60 went onto American Scholarships.  The link with Gateshead College and Gateshead FC became stronger.  It was excellent for the students as they had a realistic opportunity to sign professional as Gateshead were full time playing in the National League.

As well as coaching the U18 I also coached Gateshead Reserves.  We had excellent FA Youth Cup runs in 2011 and 2013 beating Preston, Wrexham, Doncaster and Tranmere on the way.  Gateshead Reserves won the Durham Challenge Cup in 2011 beating Dunston in the final, and the Central League Cup in 2013 beating Mansfield 2-1 at Field Mill.

I was fortunate to coach The England College National team from 2005-2013.  This was a great experience. I also became a FA coach educator and coach mentor.  This gave me opportunity to go back into clubs like Redheugh and Cleveland which I really enjoyed.

I had been working with Sunderland part time and the opportunity to go full time came along in 2015.

The opportunities are more now with the Elite Player Performance Plan in place at professional clubs.  I started in the youth phase but now have progressed to the profession phase coaching the u18s.  Over the years it has been excellent having a little part to play in Jordan Henderson, Jordan Pickford, Martyn Waghorn’s and many other players’ development.

It has been a long but very enjoyable journey.  It has filled me with great memories, met great people and i have made lifelong long friends.  Many Thanks again to Redheugh.

Regards and forever grateful,
Paul Bryson

“

We would like to thank Paul for his brilliant words and allowing us to publish his personal photos.  We wish him all the best for the future, all the best Paul!!

Below is Colin’s story in his own words along with some of his personal photos:

“

Redheugh Boys Club,

When I was in the fifth form at school my mum and dad were looking for a football club for me to play for. My mums cousin (Uncle Joe), who was a Barber on Tyne Rd.  Uncle Joe was also the father of Tommy Robson (that would make Tommy my half cousin), who had just signed for Northampton Town from Redheugh Boys Club.  Uncle Joe took me to the boys club where I met Evan Bryson, Tommy Leonard and Alec McPherson.

At the time that the boys club was sited within the Teams, before moving to Rose Street school.  I was completely hooked by the place and attended the club at least four times a week.  The club at that time had A, B and C teams all under 18.  I started in the C team, then graduated to the B team.  The B team played in the Jarrow and District League.  Tommy Leonard was the leader of the boys club at that time and he had watched my progress with great interest.  Around this time we were to play a West German side (Westfalia juniors) at Redheugh Park – Gateshead FC’s ground.  Tommy insisted that I play against the German side and I never looked back after that, I was a regular in the a team, and was even selected to play for the Durham County Boys Club under Duncan Gibson for two years.  I look back at that time and the all encompassing memory that the greatest influence on me was Mr. Evan Bryson, who taught me how to conduct myself both on and off the field.

It was at Redheugh that I met my best friend Ian Branfoot (Branny).  We played in the A team at Redheugh together (in a very successful side) as well as in the County side, even winning the Gillette Cup where we beat Hampshire in the final 6 – 1 at The Crystal Palace.

Ian and I even went on to play for England boys clubs together against Wales and Scotland and soon after ended up at Sheffield Wednesday.

It seemed we were inexplicably linked until I went to Sunderland and Ian went to Doncaster Rovers, before once again reuniting again at Lincoln City.

When I was just 17 I was sent for trial at Northampton Town, with Rob Fuller from Wrekenton Juniors.  They wanted me to sign but my mum and dad didn’t want me to go because they thought I was too young.

It was at this time that Redheugh became the junior side of Gateshead FC, the Player Manager of the first team being Bobby Mitchell (the ex Newcastle left winger) who played in the successful Newcastle Cup winning team of 1955.  Branny and I progressed to the reserve side until Bobby Mitchell played me in a first team game against the Newcastle United side which was to include a guest appearance by Jackie Milburn.  The match had been arranged to help raise money for Gateshead FC.  I was then included in the first team and played in the North Regional League which included the reserve sides of Middlesbrough and Sunderland.  It was also at this time that Ian Branfoot and I had a trial for Newcastle.  We played for the Newcastle Juniors team against Doncaster Rovers and both scored in a 2-1 win.  Word came back after the game however that Gateshead wanted too much money for us and believed they had better players in the squad at the time.  My ambition was always to be a professional footballer, but to be turned down by your hometown club was a kick in the teeth.

Soon after however, it was when Ian and I played for England boys club that a scout recommended us to Sheffield Wednesday.  Our trial was a reserve game against Bolton Wanderers.  We must have played well because we were both asked to sign for Wednesday after the game.

As part of the deal in signing for Wednesday we played a game against Gateshead.  The reserve team that day had an average age of 18.  We drew 4-4 and once again Jackie Milburn guest appeared for Gateshead.

When you join a professional club you think you know how to play football but Ian and I had to learn our trade and there was no better teacher than Alan Brown, the Manager at Sheffield Wednesday.  He was one of the first to play 4/3/3 and indeed Wednesday became known as the wingless wonders.  In our first season in 1965/66  Wednesday played in the cup final against Everton.  The same year England won the world cup of course and while they were achieving that we were on tour in Bulgaria.  My first team debut was also against Everton at Goodison Park in the following year.  Alan Brown believed in youth and his coaching was at least 10 years ahead of everyone else.  His handling of young players was exceptional.  Also at this time, Lawrie Mcmenemy who was our coach at Gateshead, had joined the staff at Sheffield Wednesday.  I played several times for the first team over the next two years, playing against great players, but even when you weren’t playing the boss would take you as a substitute or as first reserve to keep you involved in the squad.  In 1968 we went on tour to Mexico and played at the Azteca stadium in Mexico city, we were the Guinea pigs for the England team who were to play in at the 1970 World Cup.  The England doctors monitored us in training because Mexico City was at altitude.  When we came back from that trip we would learn that Alan Brown had taken the job at Sunderland and in turn I was placed on the transfer list.  Jack Marshall took over from the boss and I didn’t get along with him at all.

I followed “the Boss” soon after to Sunderland.

I was still a First Division player and I was coming home to the North East.  Unfortunately, Sunderland was not a happy time for me as we were relegated in the first year I was there.  Sunderland however were great to me, most of the time I languished in the reserve side because the squad were very talented, with youngsters that would go on to play in the 1973 Cup final.  I can remember we once went to play at St. James’s park and turned over the Newcastle Utd first reserve team who were playing regularly in the central League.  While I was there we also played and beat Darlington’s first team in the Durham Senior Cup.  At this time I was even fortunate go on tour and played in the Anglo Italian Cup against Lazio in Rome and Fiorentina in Florence.

I was released by Sunderland and signed for Lincoln City in 1972.

David Hird, the ex Arsenal and Man United player, was the manager.  Graham Taylor was a player at Lincoln City and he was my roommate on away trips.  David Hird was soon however sacked and Graham became the manager.  The club became more professional in its outlook under Graham.  Several new players were signed including Sam Ellis who I had played with at Sheffield Wednesday and Ian signed from Doncaster Rovers.  I enjoyed my time Lincoln until the final season, when early on in the campaign I was badly injured which required an operation.  It was a frustrating time because I only played the last two games of the season and for that reason Graham had to release me.  I was 28.

Graham was friendly with Howard Wilkinson who was the manager of Boston United.  Howard was someone who I played with at Sheffield Wednesday.  Howard was also the FA North regional coach and he said I had to think about my future carefully.  The chairman at Boston was great to me so I signed for them and it turned out to be the best three years of my career.  I moved into Sports Centre Management, as well as playing in a very successful side, and enjoyed my time there before moving back to the North East.

I attribute much of my time in football to my roots.  In my opinion, there is no better club than Redheugh.  Under the guidance of a great man such as Evan Bryson and the Management Team I was provided with the ideal beginning to my career.

Long may such a worthwhile community club last.

Colin Symm

“

All at Redheugh congratulate Colin on his successful career, thank him for his words and wish him All the Best!!!

Colin’s Playing Career

• 1964-1966:  Redheugh BC and Gateshead FC
• 1966-1968:  Sheffield Wednesday – App 19 – Goals 1
• 1969-1972:  Sunderland – App 14 – Goals  0
• 1972-1975:  Lincoln City – App 69 – Goals 7
• 1975-1978:  Boston United – App 92 – Goals 9