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Blyth Spartans fans to stage BOYCOTT FA Trophy fixture at home to Stockton

Blyth Spartans fans are to stage a BOYCOTT of their FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round fixture at home to Stockton Town on Saturday.

Blyth’s Green Army have urged supporters to stay away in protest against the current management and direction of the club.

The decision to boycott hasn’t been taken lightly but they need to do this, to show how concerned they have become regarding the club’s governance, decisions affecting the team, and overall club operations under the new ownership led by Irfan Liaquat.

The boycott stems from dissatisfaction aimed at the club’s hierarchy, particularly focusing on issues like player recruitment, the team’s performance, and a perceived lack of communication or transparency.

This has been made worse after the team’s relegation from the National League North and right now, look like a side who could be playing 8th tier football next season.

A drop in attendance numbers has been highlighted, with it the right time to stage this protest and send a message to the club’s management about the fans’ discontent.

The decision to boycott has been debated among fans, some felt it’s necessary to show their disapproval, while others might feel conflicted about not supporting the team during matches.

Such actions by fan groups can lead to several outcomes, from negotiations between fan representatives and club owners to policy changes, or in extreme cases, further escalation in fan protests.

The immediate impact might be on matchday revenue and atmosphere, but long-term effects could influence how the club is run or even changes in ownership or management if the pressure continues or intensifies.

This boycott is not just about missing one game but a call to action, for a larger movement within the fanbase to demand accountability, better management, and have a say in the future direction of the club.

STATEMENT:

Morning all,

Firstly I’d like to say a quick thank you to everyone that’s reached out to myself or any of the lads within the last week or so.

I’m sure that you can understand that we’ve all been bombarded with several suggestions and ideas ahead of this weekend, and we’ve had plenty of people asking us to arrange ‘official’ boycotts and or protests, while also being asked by some to try and prevent a boycott or protest taking place and encourage people to still attend home matches.

Ultimately though across the entire fanbase, it’s very clear that we all have a lot of concerns about the running of the football club and the direction in which it’s going.

Thanks to the feedback and questions provided by yourselves though, we have now been able to present the football club with a written and formal set of questions – to give them an opportunity to address supporters concerns. We expect these to be answered in person, at a public and open forum that is set to be scheduled within the next few weeks.

Until an Open Forum and AGM is organised though, many of us simply feel like we cannot bring ourselves to attend home games until the issues between the football club’s hierarchy and supporters have been addressed – and that some pressure does need to still put onto the football club to ensure they take supporters concerns seriously and address them in a timely manner.

To demonstrate the seriousness and urgency of the matter, we are advocating that supporters boycott this Saturday’s home game against Stockton Town.

Instead of attending Croft Park this Saturday, we encourage supporters to continue to support grassroots and local football by attending another local game. You can find plenty of games across the Northern League and Northern Alliance taking place this weekend, should you choose to search one out.

A group of us will be heading up to support Robbie Dale’s Blyth Town side on Saturday, who take on Tow Law Town at Gateway Park – and you’re more than welcome to join us. Some of you have probably ventured up there in recent times or been involved in junior football with Town at some point, so you’ll know how welcoming the likes of Jeff and Sandra Orr and Scott Douglas etc are. Plus, you’ll get to see King Rob strut his stuff once again.

For some this may some like a bit of a drastic step and for others, simply boycotting is not enough. We respect everyone has different opinions on the matter and even for ourselves, this is a difficult course of action to take. Blyth Spartans is in our blood and the idea of actively missing a matchday at Croft Park is a strange feeling.

However this is a course of action we feel as though we have to take. False promises have been made, supporters, former players and volunteers have all been disrespected and the football club have maintained a wall of silence for months – and now is the time to take action.

Cheers,

Dan Rolls

Cosignatories – Michael Soulsby, Dan Hume, Matt Justice, Jack Morton

Blyth currently sit 20th out of 22 clubs in the Northern Premier League – Premier Division, in the relegation zone, with 9 points from 11 games played, 2 points from safety, after the 2-0 defeat to Basford. The manager David Stockdale didn’t hold back.

He said: “I can’t protect the guys anymore because simply not good enough. I was just trying to make excuses again. When do you become young and then when do you become older, experienced if you don’t learn?

“As you can tell, I’m picking my words very carefully because I’ll never just pick individuals out. But I said honestly in the changing room that anybody can come up to me next week and leave the club because I cannot stand there and try and try and try and say things and try it the hard way, shout, try it the nice way.

“If you’re not gonna do it, then that’s no problem. And I actually like them all as people and that’s what I said. It’s not personal, but a few of you are. You need to find your level and maybe this ain’t it.

“And It’s about rejigging the squad as such, or I hate to say overhaul because look, I don’t want to be totally unfair when they’ve been put in a situation they shouldn’t have and then I’ve got to again, I keep saying time, you need time because I’m not just going to go out and get somebody the same ilk, just to change personnel. It needs to be somebody who can do it at this level and at least steer us safe because we are staring at relegation.”

Interviewer Mark Carruthers: “And I know supporters listening and will hear that and they’ll think the same. Obviously the crowd here today wasn’t great, but you’re going to need them more than ever.”

David: “Look, yes, I do, I do and that’s why I went to speak to them after. But I can’t control them and their frustrates and sometimes they’re gonna disagree with what I say, that’s fine, but I’m like I did today, I spoke to them because they deserve me to go and I didn’t explain, I just thanked them for coming because I knew that people had stayed away. If we could get it rocking, it’d be great. But if we’re not putting it on the pitch, what’s the point in having it rocking?

“And it’s a vicious circle because we need to prove to the fans, which I said weeks ago, which we started to in a couple of games, why are they going to come and watch that? Because I’m struggling watching it because people don’t listen.

“People aren’t wanting to do the dirty hard stuff and it’s the Northern Premier League. I’ve played in, well, the old, old style, but I’ve played at this level. I know what it is. It’s blood, sweat, tears, kick it. It is better than that. But that’s the at the minute, it summed up when two of my oldest players are sprinting back from a counter attack, and you can say what you want about people playing, everyone can run, everyone can tackle, everyone can head it, some not very well, but you can still do it. If you ain’t giving me them, it doesn’t matter if you’re Harry Potter. Sorry, I nearly swore then, but I’m just getting very.

“I’m new as well, I’m inexperienced, which everybody knows, but also honest. But the point is the mentality. So if I can get the importance, that’s all It’s going to be this week. It don’t matter who I put on the pitch. If people have got the mentality to do It right, we’ve got a chance.”

Here’s the Twitter reaction as Blyth Spartans fans are urged to stage a BOYCOTT of the FA Trophy fixture at home to Stockton…

@HeedFan: It’s sad its had to come to this. I wish you well. No fan wants to turn it’s back on ye team and the lads playing but their comes a time, when you have to make a stance.

@anthscurfield: Good luck lads. Had our differences in the past but it’s sad to see Blyth in this situation. Keep fighting

@MitchTapner: Don’t blame the fans at all. Drastic action is needed at the club.

@cwhiteman92: Irfan out, Howard out. @Blyth_Spartans

@SamsBUFC: Can’t say I’m well informed in what’s going on at Blyth behind the scenes but I hope whatever it is you’s can get it sorted. I thoroughly enjoyed both of my visits North to watch Banbury and wish you all the very best for whatever the future holds

@jok1r: Trouble is that as we aren’t a league club they think the fans somehow don’t ‘care’ as much. Beginners mistake. At this level if anything we care too much, that goes for all non league. If Irfan & Howard can’t wrap their heads around that then they need to, and soon! #HowayBlyth

@PhilSpencerCFC: Sad days, hope you get things sorted 👍

@LynnoJay: Fair play lads, hopefully you’ll get this mess sorted out soon 🙏🏻

@PortDan1121: Love this boys. All the very best.

@MccourtIain: Well written and well said. I admire you for putting your head on the chopping block. It’s certainly how I feel. I’m right behind you, as always. We now need to take over with you at the helm. We’ll not be there on Saturday. Best wishes.

@darlo10: Hopefully get some clarity soon and start getting back to nln

@MasonFo54845345: All the best lads been listening to ye pod throughly enjoyed listening to it hope it goes well

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