Legends lining up for North East derby

Whitby Town have handed their fans an extra incentive to attend Sunday's North East derby in the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League with FA Cup giant-killers Blyth Spartans.

Eleven of the players who turned out in the 1996-97 season, which saw the Blues lift the FA Vase at Wembley Stadium, pictured, earn promotion to the Northern Premier League as champions and take Hull City to an FA Cup First Round replay, will be at the festive fixture.

Skipper Neil Hodgson is joined by ex-Football League players Lawrie Pearson, Mitch Cook and Andy Toman. Alan Martin, Mike Hall, Graeme Williams, Kenny Goodrick, Ian Williams, Michael Williams and current assistant manager Dave Campbell will also all be on hand to meet supporters.

It's been 50 years since the two sides first met and major sponsors the Hart Inn and the Victoria Hotel will also pledging to donate £5 for every spectator through the turnstiles at the EVO-STIK NPL Premier Division fixture once the 300 attendance mark has been reached.

The Seasiders were boosted in the run-up to Christmas last Saturday when nearly £5,000 was raised in the annual Christmas Draw at the Turnbull Ground.

One winner kindly donated their cash prize back to the club in memory of another Wembley hero, Jimmy Mulvaney, who scored for the Blues in the 1965 Amateur Cup Final when they lost 3-1 at Wembley to Hendon in front of 45,000 supporters.

Image courtesy of Neil Thaler

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