UniBond League North Division One

Apr 21 2008

Evening Chronicle

NEWCASTLE Blue Star will play in the UniBond League Division One North next season after all.

Only a few weeks ago they made the shock announcement that they had applied to the UBL to be relegated back into the Arngrove Northern League First Division, citing long journeys as the reason for the decision.

But yesterday they were readmitted following a meeting of the UBL Management Committee in Cheshire.

Nobody from the Kingston Park club was available for comment except to confirm that they had made a U-turn.

Since stunning the North East local football scene by applying for relegation to the Northern League, Blue Star’s fortunes on the field have improved considerably.

Paul Baker was appointed to succeed Tommy Cassidy as manager, and Saturday’s defeat at the hands of FC United of Manchester was the first in eight games, seven of which were won.

However, the Manchester outfit were convincing winners as they fight to win promotion into the Premier Division.

“They had everything to play for and we were playing our fourth game in eight days,” said director of football Bob Morton.

“One or two lads played with niggling injuries and we held them almost to half-time, but they won easily in the end.

“There were some tired legs in our side, but the attitude of the players was superb.

“On the day the best team won but it was the end of a very demanding week for us.”

Newcastle Blue Star complete their first season in the UBL when they visit Harrogate RA on Saturday, but before then they host promotion hopefuls Curzon Ashton at Kingston Park on Wednesday night.