[FM10] Acidmonkeys Red and white Army! (formallythe story of Crook Town F.C.)

Crook Town A.F.C. is a football club based in Crook, England. The club is a member of Northern League Division Two and play at The Millfield Ground.

Brief History of Crook Town A.F.C.

Crook joined the Northern League in 1896 and first won the Amateur Cup in 1901 beating Kings Lynn 3 - 0 at Ipswich after a 1 - 1 draw at Dover Court in Essex.

In 1913 Crook toured Barcelona to help establish football as the main sport in the region of Catalonia instead of bullfighting. Feeling was so high against this that King Alfonso of Spain who had hoped to attend the three games but couldn't do so because of the attempts on his life.

Crook man Jack Greenwell organised the tour and went on to become the first English manager of Barcelona until the mid thirties when he took over the Spanish national side until the civil war. He managed Peru in 1938 which capped off a remarkable life for the son of a miner!

There were two further successful tours to Barcelona during the 1920 -21 & 1921 - 22 seasons.

Front page news in 1928 was The infamous 'Crook Town Affair' where several players and officials were suspended for making illegal payments to amateur players.

Crook became a semi-professional club during the 1930 - 31 season as Crook F.C. and reached the third round of The F.A. Cup for the only time during the 1931 - 32 season. Centre forward Colin Cook scored a remarkable 72 goals that season.

The 1936 - 37 season saw Crook revert back to amateur status and became Crook Town.

The 1945- 46 season saw Crook Town become Crook Colliery Welfare.

1949 Crook reached the semi-final of the Amateur Cup losing 3 - 0 at West Ham to Romford after a 2 -2 draw at Roker Park.

In the early 1950's gates of 10,000 were the norm for cup ties. The highest recorded gate was17,000 plus v Walton and Hersham in a 0 - 0 draw. That season Crook were involved in the first non league cup tie to be shown live on TV on a Saturday afternoon. It was a 3 - 1 win at Romford in front of a 13,000 crowd.

Crook won the Amateur Cup in the 1953 - 54 season playing in the longest cup final ever v Bishop Auckland with 200,000 in attendance over the three games. The final scores for the three games were 2 - 2 A.E.T. at Wembley, 2 - 2 A.E.T. at St. James Park and 1 - 0 to Crook at Ayresome Park.

Crook played Derby County during the 1955 - 56 season and after a 2 - 2 draw at Millfield they lost 5 - 1 away.

1958 - 59 Crook were League champions and Amateur Cup winners beating Barnet 3 - 2 in the final at Wembley.

1961 - 62 Crook once again won the Amateur Cup beating Hounslow Town 4 - 0 at Ayresome Park after a 1- 1 draw at Wembley.

1962 - 63 Crook had a two match tour of Norway. A South Norway XI were defeated 4 - 3 but lost 3 - 2 the next day to Vikings.

1963 - 64 Amateur Cup winners beating Enfield 2 - 1 at Wembley.

1964 - 65 Crook beat Carlisle 1 - 0 in the F.A. Cup but lost 1 - o to Oldham Athletic.

In 1976 Crook became the first English club to tour India playing six games. A gate of 100,000 watched Crook play the Indian national side and lost 1 - 0 in 90o temperatures.

Well im expected to finish mid-table but to be honest the squad ill be lucky to stay up

Season 2009/2010 - Northern League Division Two

Season 2010/2011 - Northern League Division One

Season 2011/2012 - Unibond Division one North

Season 2012/2013 - Unibond Premier Division

Season 2013/2014 - Conference North

Season 2014/2015 - Blue Square Premier

Season 2015/2016 - Blue Square Premier

Season 2016/2017 - Nationwide Division Three (Renamed Football league back to early 2000 names)

Season 2017/2018 - Nationwide Division Three

Season 2018/2019 - Nationwide Division Three

Season 2019/2020 - Npower League One (renamed them to next seasons names)

Season 2020/2021 - Npower Championship

Season 2021/2022 - Npower Championship

Season 2022/2023 - Premier League

Season 2023/2024 - Premier League

Season 2024/2025 - Premier League

Season 2025/2026 - Premier League

Season 2026/2027 - Premier League

Season 2027/2028 - Premier League

Season 2028/2029 - Premier League

Season 2029/2030 - Premier League

Season 2030/2031 - Premier League

Season 2031/2032 - Premier League

Season 2032/2033 - Premier League

Season 2033/2034 - Premier League

Season 2034/2035 - Premier League

Season 2035/2036 - Premier League

Season 2036/2037 - Premier League

Season 2037/2038 - Premier League

Season 2038/2039 - Premier League

Season 2039/2040 - Premier League

Season 2040/2041 - Premier League

[b]Records:

[/b][i]Highest Attendence[/i] - 131169 v Burnley
[i]Biggest Win - 13-0 v Swindon
Biggest Defeat - 9-0 v Sunderland
Games without losing - 74

Most League Apps for Club - [/i][i]Tom Kindley[/i][i] 625
Most League Goals for Club - Charlie Keeling - 261
Youngest Player - Chun Kit Lam - 16 Years and 20 Days
Oldest Player - Andy Liddell 39 Years and 184 Days
Highest Transfer Fee Paid - £67m Paulinho
Highest Transfer Fee Recived - £40m Claudio
[/i]

[b]League History:
Year    | League                              | POS| PLD| W  | D  | L  |  F |  A | Pts|
[/b]2038/39 | Barclays Premier League             | 1st| 38 | 29 |  7 |  2 | 87 | 23 | 94 |
2037/38 | Barclays Premier League             | 1st| 38 | 26 |  8 |  4 | 80 | 30 | 86 |
2036/37 | Barclays Premier League             | 1st| 38 | 26 |  9 |  3 | 72 | 21 | 87 |
2035/36 | Barclays Premier League             | 1st| 38 | 30 |  6 |  2 | 91 | 18 | 96 |
2034/35 | Barclays Premier League             | 1st| 38 | 24 |  9 |  5 | 68 | 21 | 81 |
2033/34 | Barclays Premier League             | 1st| 38 | 27 |  9 |  2 | 86 | 18 | 90 |
2032/33 | Barclays Premier League             | 1st| 38 | 26 |  9 |  3 | 75 | 28 | 87 |
2031/32 | Barclays Premier League             | 1st| 38 | 29 |  9 |  0 | 89 | 21 | 96 |
2030/31 | Barclays Premier League             | 1st| 38 | 33 |  5 |  0 | 98 | 24 | 104|
2029/30 | Barclays Premier League             | 1st| 38 | 32 |  5 |  1 | 89 | 26 | 101|
2028/29 | Barclays Premier League             | 1st| 38 | 23 | 10 |  5 | 71 | 38 | 79 |
2027/28 | Barclays Premier League             | 1st| 38 | 24 |  8 |  6 | 78 | 38 | 80 |
2026/27 | Barclays Premier League             | 1st| 38 | 24 | 10 |  4 | 89 | 34 | 82 |
2025/26 | Barclays Premier League             | 1st| 38 | 24 | 10 |  4 | 73 | 34 | 82 |
2024/25 | Barclays Premier League             | 2nd| 38 | 24 |  4 | 10 | 80 | 48 | 84 |
2023/24 | Barclays Premier League             | 6th| 38 | 19 | 10 |  9 | 66 | 41 | 67 |
2022/23 | Barclays Premier League             | 5th| 38 | 17 |  9 | 12 | 68 | 68 | 60 |
2021/22 | Npower Championship                 | 1st| 46 | 31 |  6 |  9 | 108| 45 | 99 |
2020/21 | Npower Championship                 |10th| 46 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 74 | 70 | 62 |
2019/20 | Npower League One                   | 2nd| 46 | 26 | 12 |  8 | 90 | 60 | 90 |
2018/19 | Nationwide Division Three           | 1st| 46 | 35 |  9 |  2 | 128| 43 | 114|
2017/18 | Nationwide Division Three           | 5th| 46 | 20 | 17 |  9 | 74 | 48 | 77 |
2016/17 | Nationwide Division Three           | 8th| 46 | 19 | 13 | 14 | 70 | 62 | 70 |
2015/16 | Blue Square Premier                 | 1st| 46 | 33 |  9 |  4 | 97 | 33 | 108|
2014/15 | Blue Square Premier                 | 2nd| 46 | 27 |  7 | 12 | 103| 48 | 88 |
2013/14 | Blue Square North                   | 1st| 42 | 24 | 13 |  5 | 77 | 49 | 85 |  
2012/13 | Unibond Premier                     | 1st| 40 | 25 |  9 |  6 | 68 | 29 | 84 |
2011/12 | Unibond League Div 1 North          | 2nd| 42 | 25 | 11 |  6 | 78 | 43 | 86 |
2010/11 | Northern League Division  One       | 1st| 42 | 24 | 15 |  3 | 72 | 36 | 87 |
2009/10 | Northern League Division Two        | 1st| 38 | 22 | 11 |  5 | 52 | 26 | 77 |

Best of luck. I had an aborted career with them - they're a good little squad if you know how to handle them.

Best of luck. I had an aborted career with them - they're a good little squad if you know how to handle them.

unfortunatly with SB's updates the players are randomized every time

Also chosen them as ive been to a few of their home games as its where my aunt lives

2009-10 Transfers

Well with no money and amatur contracts only i had to drag in a decent chunk of players, to finish a squad what with most of the players in the squad being under 16.

| Date               | Person             | From               | Fee                 | 
|  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|  
| 10.7.2009          | Price, Jack        | Whickham           | Free                | 
|  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|  
| 10.7.2009          | Kay, Michael       | Sunderland         | Loan                | 
|  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|  
| 10.7.2009          | MacDonald, Scott   | North Shields      | Free                | 
|  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|  
| 10.7.2009          | Hunt, Christopher  | North Shields      | Free                | 
|  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|  
| 11.7.2009          | Rayner, Jordan     | Barrow             | Free                | 
|  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|  
| 16.7.2009          | Abrahams, Paul     | Free Transfer      | Free                | 
|  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|  
| 20.7.2009          | Taylor, Gavin      | Stokesley          | Free                | 
|  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|  
| 21.7.2009          | Rattle, Jon        | Seaham             | Free                | 
|  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|  
|                    | Total              |                    | £0                  | 
|  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|  

July Update:

Well this month it was all about the friendlies as i got the squad pieced together, and got a tactic working around them as the base, decided to go with a 4-5-1 as i have a general lack of Decent strikers.

Crook 2-2 Crook Res

Ok not what id call a thrilling game as it was VERY obvious that the players are of poor quality and arent used to the tactics there were a couple of small signs that we are picking it up but it took finall moments to burst into life as the ressies scored on 89th min and we scored in stoppage time to salvage a draw.

Real Academia 1-0 Crook

And off to Peru we went we got completely ouy played but it was a good money making and fitness exercise we did threaten once or twice but we managed to hold it and keep it relatively tight till the 87th min and they got the breakthrough

Alay 2-1 Crook

And we went to Kyrgyzstan to play Alay we expected more from this game as we thought we would get it as we took a lead in the 19th minute, Alay leveled 10 mins later and it was a even game till cooper was sent off after the break which put us on the back-foot, and Alay got the winner in the 74th minute to condemn us to another defeat and i yet to grab a win

Hanham 0-0 Crook

BAck in england and a few games i should win, to hanham and we dominated early play which was made even easier in the 30th min when Hanham were reduced to 10 men, but we just couldnt get a breakthrough as hanham parked the bus and we were restricted to distance

Patchway 1-1 Crook

Another game i was expecting to win but it just hammered home the poor quality of the squad, we did take the lead and there were flashes of quality but i think we are ready for the first league game next month and we stand a chance when we play Brandon, We took the league in the 65th min only to lapse at the back in the 78th for the leveler.

i had a intresting start to the season got first 2 games played, so hopefully the august update isnt too far off

Also forgot to mention ive given myself the aim of football league in 10 years

Good to see realistic pre-season friendlies in Peru and Kyrgystan

[thinly veiled defense]why not? Crook have played barca a few times, and were the first club to play in India [/thinly veiled defense]

that and i just picked large rep sides foreign and didnt take any notice of the country till after id played them lol, (i thought Academica were in spain and alay was greece)

my own fault and i took a MASSIVE hit in the finaces to play them making less money than i had spent

I just got the title... I'm ashamed of myself

Good career anyway acidmonkey, best of luck in the league

lol....

cheers Sax, im definatly going to take more notice where i go for friendlies next summer as im "trying" to play realistically as possible

Spreading the Crook Town word!

Lots of British teams toured all over the globe before the First World War. Swindon Town went on a Latin America tour in 1912 to Argentina and Uruguay.

"1976 Crook became the first English club to tour India playing six games" - not that old!

Granted the Barca games were pre-war

Forgot to mention i set myself as Sunday-league footballer, hopefully ill get a couple of months played while i watch the sunderland match tonight

August Update:

Brandon 1-2 Crook

well we had the most possesion but we were outshot 7-3 most of Brandons shots coming from distance and in the last 5 or so minutes, we got lucky after the break as we took the league when Brandon defender Preston put through his own net but the goal was coming then and it was a deserved lead, on the hour it was all square as Brandon won and scored from the spot. only for Left winger Murray to clinch the win 4 minutes after the Equalizer and give us what i would say a slightly deserved victory as i think we just about edged it.

Crook 3-1 Whitehaven

Well we went behind five minutes in as Howarth scored to give whitehaven a lead after that it was one way traffic but we took untill the 50th minute to get ourselves back into it when Rose stabbed home after a goal mouth scrable as we managed to to start gaining more momentum, and the result was more in our favour when Cooper managed to score from the edge of the area, at 2-1 and with 75mins gone i decided to try and protect the lead, and we sealed the win when we broke and Rose was hacked down in the area, Price stepped up to seal a 3-1 win in the 86th min from the spot.

Thornaby 0-1 Crook

in a game we were expected to lose we managed to nick by sitting back and hoping for something on the break. and we were under heavy pressure from the start, but we survived till half time which im content with, and was hoping to get a draw but as thornaby pushed forward in the second half, we broke from a Thornaby corner and Abrhams managed to head home for a undeserved lead, we also had a fair number of scares in the second half and we were lucky to come away with the win:

League Table

September Update:

Crook 1-0 North Shields

An even game was edged by me, slightly disappointed as i was expected to win more comfotably where the game was even in shots and everything else , and i thought we were heading to a 0-0 draw untill the 89th minute when we broke away and Rose managed to score from a 1-on-1, making it 4 wins on the trott still could do with a few more players to strengthen the side but i dont think it will happen.

Gillford Park 0-2 Crook

Well this game went much easier than i expected with a relativly comfortable game, it was massibly helped with Gillford goinf down to 10 men in the 38th minute after a shocking tackle on Abrahams who had to be carried off, Loanee full Back Michael Kay managed to score the resulting penalty and it was all one-way traffic after that, we didnt make it safe till stoppage time when Rose headed home from a breakaway cross in the 90+1th minute

Crook 2-2 Jarrow (Jarrow in on Pens) (Durham Challenge cup)

Well we only have outselves to blame after we demolished Jarrow in the game but we didnt have a finishing touch as Murray scored in the 79th minute only for Jarrow to level in the 89th min after we gave away a spot kick and Jarrow forced extratime, again we took the lead as Murray grabbed a second in the 97th minute but Jarrow agrain pegged us back this time scoring in the 102nd minute, we pushed forward for a third but we just couldnt get the goal, and we were forced into penalties, Abrahams missed his final kick and we were eliminated 5-4

North Greenford 0-0 Crook (FA Vase)

An even game where neither of us could force a replay i initially thought we were going into extra time for the second game in as many weeks, only for it to announce a replay, shots and possesion was fairly even and we were dragged into a replay at millfield

Crook 3-1 Gillford Park (Brooks Milleson cup)

Well i thought it was going to be another draw in the cup as i pummeled Gillford but just couldnt get the goal again, and off into extra time we went with only one sub as Rose went off injured in the 73min followed by cooper in the 84th minute leaving me with only the one substitute for extra time, and after the Durham challenge cup i didnt fancy going to pens, finally we got the breakthrough in the 93minute as we went ahead when abrahams headed home a corner, the game was over and all but safe in the 111th minute when we made it 2-0, gillford pulled one back in the 2nd minute of stoppage time only for us to take kick off and steamroller up the park for 3-1 in the 3rd minute of stoppage time.

Jarrow Roofing 1-1 Crook

How we drew is totally unknown to me we were completely outplayed in all aspects of the game 12 shots to 4 and Jarrow took the lead in the 75th minute, and i thought it was going to be first game i lost, however with virtually the last kick of the game we managed to level the game but after 6 games we already have a decent lead in the league

League Table

September update still a good start bit gutted with the cups though

How come you didn't go with Sunderland Ryhope CA?

Decent start really, shame about the cup but still looking good in the league. How early does the FA Cup start for your side then?

How come you didn't go with Sunderland Ryhope CA?

Decent start really, shame about the cup but still looking good in the league. How early does the FA Cup start for your side then?

Dont know something about ryhope being other side of sunderland and me having seen a few Crook games

not sure about the FA Cup though guessing it will be VERY soon though

Nice run of results there.

I played a friendly against Barcelona on my Crook save - only lost 1-0 to their almost full strength squad.

im going to "try" and organize a friendly game next summer with them

im going to "try" and organize a friendly game next summer with them

I was in Northern League Div1 when they accepted a friendly - maybe SI have coded in their special relationship

Nice solid start in the league.

Football league in 10 years, Thats 5 promotions if i'm not mistaken. A tough challenge you have set there, but best of luck with it.

October Update

Crook 1-1 North Greenford (crook win on pens) (FA Vase Qual rnd)

a once sided game in which we forced Greenford to take shots from distance, but it was Crook who took the lead this from the spot after MacDonald was felled in the area, he dule steped up to give us the lead, we managed to keep Greenford to shots from distance only for one to fly into the net, as they equalized on the hour, full time and extra time came and went without more goals and we went to spot kicks, first 4 were scored by both sides, Greenford missed number five and i had a chance, only for Taylor to belt it over the bar, luckily Greenford missed their sudden death kick, Smith made no mistake and it sent us into the 1st round

Crook 1-1 Holsworthy (FA Vase 1st Rnd)

In a game we were expected to lose by a wide margin we managed to hold our own but we knew a goal was coming, 56th min and holsworthy took the lead in the 56th minute, as a well worked move resulted in my keeper flapping at a cross and holsworthy scoring, after the goal and we suddenly sprung into life and absolutly battered their goal, but it took until the 81st mintue to get the equalizer and force another replay.

Holsworthy 1-2 Crook (FA Vase 1st Rnd Replay)

three FA Vase games back to back seemed weird but we got on with it, we flew out the blocks and battered the Holsworthy goal from the off and got the deserved opening goal after 7 minutes when a ball over the top was run onto by Abrahams who slotted home after that Holsworthy battered us as we seemed to just think we had won despite 83mins still remaining, at the break we still led, but in the 51st minute it was 1-1 and it looked like Holsworthy would run away with it, but watts had a stormer between the sticks and we looked like it would end up in extra time and those dreaded spot kicks again, only for Rayner to score in the stoppage time to send us into the 2nd round of the FA Vase

Crook 2-1 Markse Utd

well back to the league and we were expected a more comfortable win than this but overall the game was quite even and there were no annoyences when we went 1-0 down in the 56th minute, but it only took ten minutes for winger Rayner to level, and a further ten minutes for MacDonald gave us the lead in the 71st minute and Markse didnt look like getting a leveler.

Northallerton 1-1 Crook

Again another relativly even game but this time the result reflected the play as we played out a boring score draw, we took the lead in the 19th minute from the spot, Northallerton scored in the 80th minute as i was setting us up to try and hang onto the win but we did little more than play out for a draw

Crook 1-0 Seaham

Well again we had an even game however again we managed to egde a goal sooner or later im going to be on the receving end of the game, but in the 53rd minute Seaham were reduced to 10 men after denying a goal scoring oppertunity and we managed to score the spot kick and hold onto the 3 points

Crook 1-0 Hebburn

Freakishly enough anouther 1-0 win, another even game in general and another penalty, i seem to get all the luck here and its bound to run out, MacDonald scored the goal in the 35th minute and we look like we have good chance to be in the shake-up at the end of the season if we keep up this luck

Sunderland Ryhope CA 2-1 Crook

Well what can i say about this? everything happened on the half hour and then nothing, for the rest of the game, we managed to take the lead after 31 minutes, but in the space of three minutes Ryhope had leveled and took the lead, despite us pushing forward we couldnt convert and that was it finally a defeat

League Table

Well top after 3 months quite happy, game in hand and a four point lead

well the fact im only amateur isnt helping as teams are coming in and trying to buy my better players and they just leave we get no money

How does one buy an amateur?

buy i mean Sign

November Update

Crook 0-0 Darlington RA

We were quite lucky to only be 0-0 at the full time whistle as we were comprehensively outplayed again, this time we only mustered one shot on target, so I’m happy that we kept a clean sheet and held it to 0-0 possession wise it was pretty even but we move on

Crook 0-0 Northumbria

Again a 0-0 and that’s 3 games without a win, and we played MUCH better this time out than previous two we did have chances we could have won it but so could Northumbria, but I’m happy with the clean sheet and not to lose

Rustington 1-2 Crook (FA Vase)

Another cup game and this time its the 2nd round of the FA Vase, not as deserved a win as i would have hoped but we are through, we took the lead in the 8th minute as Macdonald rifled home from the edge of the area, it was 2 after the 29th minute when Abrahams cut inside from the wing and slotted home, Rustington had pulled one back after smith fouled wright in the box, Wright then stepped up to slot home from the spot. 2-1 and im in the 3rd round

Crook 1-0 N.Shields (Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup)

An even game in which if anything we were slightly edged out by North shields, but it was us who got the all important goal, But in the 17th minute The Shields keeper came and flapped at a cross which left Eyre the opportunity to slot home into the empty net, and we made the Quarter finals,

Crook 3-1 Stokesley

Back to league matters and we finally got a win, our first in 4 games, which helped keep us just above the second and third placed sides, Well we went ahead from the spot when in the 12th minute we were given the opportunity to take the lead, Buck made no mistake and despatched the ball into the bottom corner of the net, MacDonald kept up his scoring run in the 34th minute when he headed home a free-kick from the right hand side to make it 2-0. Stokesley pulled one back to make it close when they scored int he 46th minute through Adamu, who managed to poke home from a goalmouth scramble We made the game safe in the 88th minute when Macdonald was fouled in the box and scored the resultant penalty which was our SEVENTH penalty this year :o

Newcastle Benfield 4-1 Crook (Brooks Mileson Cup)

Well we got hammered we didn’t get beat we got absolutely tanked, out played in all areas of the pitch by a team in the league above us, they were 3-0 before half an hour. Which is when we managed to stem the flow a little. Number 4 game in the 77th minute, before short scored our consolation goal in the 87th minute

League Table

December Update

Birtley 1-2 Crook

Quite an eventful game as we kicked off December with a good solid win on the road, in the 8th minute penalty number one was awarded with MacDonald despatching the ball home, with us taking the lead. 27th minute and penalty number 2 is awarded this time to Birtley who turned it over the bar to help us hang onto the lead, Birtley then levelled in the 71st minute only for the Birtley to jeopardize their chance of a point, when they were reduced to 10 –men and we made it count when MacDonald grabbed his second of the game when he headed home after 85th minute

Crook 0-1 Alvechurch (FA Vase)

outplayed from start to finish not quite sure how we managed to keep it down to 1-0 to be honest we had 5 shots in total, compared to Alvechurch’s 15 possession was also massively against us 40%-60% hopefully when I’m playing teams of step 9 level I will have better players.

Crook 2-1 Whickham

Well back to league and a good solid win for me 20 shots in total from us and we took the lead in the 31st minute when MacDonald scored from a left wing cross, they did level 2 minutes later but it was against the run of play, we peppered their goal for the rest of the half and well into the second half and we finally got our deserts in the 72nd minute when Murray gave us the winner

Newton Aycliffe 1-1 Crook

an even game and a deserved point I feel , Newton took the lead in the 39th minute from a well worked goal, we eventually got what we deserved in the 50th minute when MacDonald levelled the game and gained us the point, my full back was given his marching orders after a second yellow and we kind of hung on for the point towards the end

Guisborough 1-1 Crook

Another draw and we are looking likely to throw away the large lead we’ve had at the top as we are starting to stutter in the league, and again we had to come from behind when Guisborough went ahead in the 59th minute we levelled the game in the 71st minute when Rayner cut inside and rifled home

Crook 1-0 Washington

An even game in which we managed to edge it and claim three points pity it only took us till the 80th minute to get the goal needed for three points, when Campbell managed to head home a Rayner corner, it gave us a 6 point lead at the top of the table heading towards new year.

Crook 0-0 Brandon

Another even game but we had much more of the ball and we were unluck not to come away with the three points as we saw alot of the ball but we just couldn’t get the required shots in to claim the win, Markse also won so that chopped our lead to 4 points, heading into January.

Washington 3-1 Crook (Ernest Armstrong cup)

Well we kind of ran out of steam in extra time, we took the lead with an own goal in 29th minute only for Washington to level after 84minutes, like i say we then sort of collapsed in extra time when they went ahead in the 100th minute and they went 3-1 ahead in the 114th minute

League Table

great work and great thread title made me laugh

great work and great thread title made me laugh

thats number two,

come on people its an obvious one

A few draws starting to sneak in recently, I am still sure you can bag promotion though.

January Update

Whitehaven 1–1 Crook

Luckily we got a point here to somehow stay at the top of the league, we seem to be suffering big time for the loss of MacDonald who has left on a free transfer, Birch gave Whitehaven the lead in the 11th minute as Whitehaven attacked from the off, and we were under the cosh for most of the game we did somehow manage to get a leveller in the 31st minute but we rarely threatened after that, 1-1 and Markse close the gap at the top of the league.

Crook 3-0 Thornaby

This was the Crook of old as we comfortably beat thornaby at home, Campbell was a thorn in Thornabys side all afternoon as he bagged a brace, but it was Eyre who opened the scoring after 4 minutes when he crashed home a shot from distance to give us the lead, Campbell made it two when he headed home from a corner, before getting the third in the 62nd minute as he made a surging run into the box before slotting home to seal the three points.

North Shields 2-1 Crook

13 shots to 3 as we seem to be suffering in a bad way to losing our Striker and now our DMC and captain Jon rattle who was snapped up by bishop Auckland on a free, we did take the lead when we were awarded a 13th minute penalty and we held that lead into the second half, But in the space of 4 minutes we were behind as with 48 on the clock North Shields managed to tie up the game after a goal mouth scramble, they then went ahead after 52 minutes when Ryan managed to latch onto a through ball and pus us behind,

Crook 0-0 Gillford Park

a 0-0 bore draw the game said, and it was o true both sides failed to trouble the keepers and the game finished a rightful point was played out which doesn’t help our promotion hopes.

Seaham 1-0 Crook

three games without a win, two without a goal, hopefully we can pull some form out of the bag and keep up with trying to win the league and get promoted, im going to have to go player hunting now though as two injuries and an own goal condemned us to defeat, we were undone by injuries when two of our defenders were taken off, and i was left with two full backs playing centre half, and my keeper managed to turn it into our net to gift seaham the three points,

League Table

Transfers to sort out a flagging squad

| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 31.1.2010          | Livermore, Dennis  | North Shields      | Free               | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 31.1.2010          | Wilkinson, David   | Gateshead          | Free               | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 31.1.2010          | Lucketti, Chris    | Huddersfield       | Free               | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 31.1.2010          | Burey, Bevan       | Accrington         | Free               | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2.2.2010           | Osman, Danny       | Carnegie           | Free               | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3.2.2010           | Barnett, Kwame     | Daisy Hill         | Free               | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3.2.2010           | Taylor, Chris      | Cammell Laird      | Free               | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

Febuary Update

Crook 1-2 Jarrow

Well in what was a quite even game we managed to lose three points because of the ref and linesmen, we went ahead in the 8th minute and felt we could grindout at least a point, But their first goal was a definite offside and even the game said it was a terrible decision, and Jarrows winner was never a penalty with the game saying it was outside the box and the FA staying silent this seriously put the title chance in doubt

Darlington RA 1-3 Crook

Very happy with this game i suppose despite complaining about last games penalties we have been extremely fortunate with them and that was proven when we were given a penalty in the 32nd minute which Kay slotted home, Darlington didn’t look like equalising and we made it worse in the 71st minute when Burey was given the chance for 2-0 from ANOTHER penalty, which he smashed home to all but seal the win and i intended to sit back on this, Darlington made it squeaky bum time when they pulled one back in the 82nd minute, but we put the game out of sight and gave us 3 points in the 85th minute

Marske Utd 0-1 Crook

This was the big one, going into the game it was Crook top and Marske 2nd both on 51 points, so a win was vital, A draw was no good as it left it open to Jarrow leapfrogging both of us to top spot, But we started brightly even having a goal disallowed, but nothing really happened so when the 70th minute came round i went for the point tried to slow the game down and waste the clock, but we managed to nick it when Lucketti headed home a corner in the 88th minute and give us a vital 3 points for getting the title.

Crook 1-0 Northallerton

On a high from the markse game we rounded out the month with a third straight win, we dominated the game start to finish how it was only one nil is beyond me but three points ill take and we still have a one game cushion at the top.

League Table

3 wins out of 4 is pretty good although you will have to keep a look out for Marske in second one slip and they will be level on points.

i know tell me about it couple of bad results and im 3rd and staying in this league

Two monthly updates tomorrow night but dipshit me forgot to take a screeny of march's League table

March Update

Hebburn 1-1 Crook

Well a game i thought we would win easily didn’t go to plan as we wanted and with Markse breathing down our necks we were EXTREMLY fortunate for them to also only pick up a point, we took the lead when Rose was felled in the Hebburn box, and Rayner stepped up and slotted the ball home to give us the lead, we pushed for a second but it just didn’t come and Hebburn got a sniff at goal and they began to push getting a leveller after the break in the 51st minute and that’s the way it stayed till the end, point gained same for Markse meaning we were still 3 points clear.

Crook 2-1 Sunderland Rhyope CW

Good solid win which should help us get going, the surprise was Markse lost but Guisborough won meaning they close the gap but i get to play them next in the hope I can get some daylight, we took the lead in first half stoppage time through Murray and it was coming, Into the second half we got another goal not far into it when Taylor doubled are lead from a corner Rhyope pulled on back in the 63rd minute but didn’t look like levelling, the defining game of our season is next at home to Guisborough.

Crook 2-0 Guisborough

Well i said this would define the season well we are ahead and have a decent lead in the league now 5 points as Markse’s run of form continued and they dropped points again, the action all happened in the first half when we took the lead in the 28th minute through Wilkinson before Rayner doubled our lead and Guisborough had hardly got into the match, the second half didn’t show much promise for them as a solid defensive display helped us claim the points.

Northumbria 1-2 Crook

Was an even game despite the three points we somehow managed to edge this game we took the lead in the 26th minute when Burey gave us the lead, the game was fairly back and forth when Mason levelled for Northumbria in the 70th minute and the game looked like heading for a draw till we gave one final push and won a corner, and veteran Defender got up to head home in second half stoppage time and give us the 3 points

April Update

Crook 1-1 Birtley

well a bit of a disappointment to only draw 1-1 when we could have kept the lead but Guisboro are now the closest challenges as i sit comfortably 5 points ahead, i just need to avoid i don’t drop more points in the last few games and hopefully claim the promotion spot as soon as possible, Wilkinson notched his second in two games when we took the lead in the 16th minute only for Birtley to peg us back in the 35th minute and hold us to the draw

Stokesley 0-1 Crook

a good win if i a bit ground out but its what we needed points are points and i want that title! We got a penalty in the 44th minute which Rayner dutifully despatched to win us the game and sit us 2 points from the title and a win away at bottom club Wickham would get us the league championship.

Wickham 0-2 Crook

Well after the opening 10 minutes you could see this was going to be our day, we absolutely battered them from start to finish, and it was our Defensive midfielder who gave us the lead after the break when Livermore managed to get a shot off which went into the bottom corner of the net and we became champions as wickham barely had an attack, the game was safe in the 82nd when Wilkinson managed to bag another goal as his hot vein of form continued

Crook 3-0 Newton Aycliffe

Well this was unusual we had another penalty, but this time we didn’t score it as Kay put his spot kick wide, and i thought that would be it we would stumble in after confirming the title, but nope we turned the style on a few minutes later when that man Wilkinson popped up to head home and give us the lead in the 26th minute, Burey doubled it in first half stoppage time, before Wilkinson got the third in second half stoppage time, and 3-0 was a fair result i feel.

May Update

Washington - Crook

well the game is worthless for me id like a win in the driving rain but it wouldn’t bother me if we lose as im going up Washington started brightly and took the lead in the 23rd minute only for us to peg them back in the 30th through Rayner which is how it stayed till the break, From either side Washington was the team likely to take the lead at the beginning of the second, and thats what happened on the hour as a shot was rifled home from the edge of the box before the added a third in the 70th minute to put this game to bed

Final League Table

Crook Town Update Season 2009/10

Media Prediction: 7th

Actual Position: 1st - Champions

FA Vase: 3rd Round

Brooks Mileson cup: 2nd Round

Durham Challenge Cup: Quarter Final

Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup: Quarter Final

Well a great season league wise we were exoected to finish 7th as shown above but we got on an awesome run at the begining, which catapulted us to the top of the league, we then built on that and kept going to win the title, we were in danger from mid season for a few months as we dropped points left right and centre, and we 90minutes away from getting pegged down to third. Cup wise we were pretty abysmal and got bombed out in most cup games but the league was the important one

Aims for Next Year

1) Survive Relegation

2) Have a cup run in any of the cups

3) Improve finances

4) Get strength in depth in squad

Brooks Mileson? Wasn't he the chairman of Gretna?

Brooks Mileson? Wasn't he the chairman of Gretna?

yup born and raised in Pennywell, Sunderland

bailed out numerous Northern League clubs because he had a thing for grass roots footy

even set up a trust to help northern clubs in trouble, and promised gaurentee sponsorship of the league for 40+ years, But when he died it seemed the Estate pulled the plug on that

In other news ive been made a Semi-Pro team so im going to whittle down my squad to see who to give a contract too

Well done on the promotion...Onwards and upwards. 8 more promotions and you'll be playing at the Emirates, etc

2010/11 Preseason update

Ok im really not optimistic about the season after the pre-season results

 | Date               | Person             | From               | Fee                | 
 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
 | 28.6.2010          | Kay, Michael       | Sunderland         | Loan               | 
 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
 | 2.7.2010           | Buller, Nick       | Appleby Frodingham | Free               | 
 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
 | 3.7.2010           | Matranga, Aiden    | Barnoldswick       | Free               | 
 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
 | 8.7.2010           | Hanson, Christian  | Whitby             | Free               | 
 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
 | 20.7.2010          | Challinor, Dave    | Free Transfer      | Free               | 
 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
 | 25.7.2010          | Forsyth, Jeff      | Northumbria        | Free               | 
 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
 | 27.7.2010          | Spencer, Ian       | Free Transfer      | Free               | 
 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
 | 29.7.2010          | Hughes, David      | Dartmouth          | Free               | 
 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
 |                    | Total              |                    | £0                 | 
 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|  [font=&quot][/font]  

Billingham Syn 2-1 Crook

an average Friendly even game too, but we come away without a win, Billingham took the lead in the 48th minute and continued to push but we did level in the 56th minute When Rayner slotted home from the spot, only for Billingham to take another lead in the 86th minute and we were off to a bad start in pre-season

Penrith 2-1 Crook

This was effectively my B side that got beat here as alot of players made their debuts for us, This time we took the lead when Wilkinson took his chance well in the 32nd minute, which we held till after the break when Penrith levelled in the 67th minute before the took the lead in the 86th minute it was a decent effort but could have been MUCH better,

South Shields 2-0 Crook

This was a funny game, we drew in terms of shots and were slightly behind in possession but the score looked very comfortable for Shields, 19minutes before they took the lead, and in the 36th minute and we were undone by an own goal which gave shields the win

Consett 2-1 Crook

we were done by our own stupidity when Hanson was given his marching orders after 43 minutes, then Consett took the lead in the 63rd minute before we levelled in the 70th before consett when back ahead in the 77th minute, which was disappointing but despite us having more of the ball Consett had alot more chances, oh well we move on,

Bishop Aukland 4-0 Crook

This just outlined the class in the top and bottom of this division and showed how far we need to go to get a second promotion, it took them only 24minutes to be 3-0 up and it was over before it began, they added a fourth in the 54th minute but it was little more than rubbing salt into the wounds.

Crook 0-2 Spennymoor Town

well we ended our abysmal preseason, with another defeat and again we were done in the early stage when we were 2-0 down within the first 12 minutes and we did get a few chances but nothing special

Going to see if i can get a few more loans in but overall i need to hunt out and find a striker who can regularly score

August Update

West Allotment 0-2 Crook

Well we started well when in the 3rd minute when Matranga cut in from the left and rifled the ball under the keeper to give us a lead that at the moment we deserved, Wilkinson nodded home in the 18th minute to double our lead and we deserved the win, it did get very shakey in the 72nd minute when center back Challinor got his marching orders for a rash tackle but we held for the win.

Crook 0-1 Rusthall (FA Cup Qual Rnd)

Well i have no intention of getting anything from the FA Cup except money so i put my second string out with me aiming to keep my main 11 fresh fro the next league. We battled hard and had some chances but ultimately we couldn’t level after falling behind in the 10th minute, well we move on and to the league we go.

Crook 3-1 Tow Law

The game ended up unbelivebly easier than i expected, when cooper gave us the lead in the 8th minute we were off and running, and we only looked like adding to our lead but it took until the hour till we got the elusive second goal when Wilkinson double our lead on 62minutes, he managed to get a second in the 68th minute they did pull one back in the 85th minute but the result was beyond doubt by then

Morpeth 0-0 Crook

An average game in which we were both unable to break down the opposition and the game ended 0-0 but a point is a point and 7 points from the first 3 games im happy with it.

League Table

Dont hold ya breath for monthly updates, cant really be bothered with them so you will get a end of season update instead

Crook Town FC - Northern League Div 1 - 2010/11

Supprisingly we were predicted to finish 3rd by the media where as i was just expecting to finish above the relegation zone

League Table

League Positions Graph

Well what can i say im in complete shock to be honest, we made a good start before hitting the top after 4 games, we did slip to second but once we hit top after 11 games, and we didnt leave it, we did at one point have an 8 point lead and we looked unasailable the it did get closer towards the end but a 1-1 draw with 2nd with only 3 games left sealed the title, we did have a stumble at the end though where the last three games ended up 1-1, but we have 2 consecutive promotions and im suprised about it to be honest

FA Cup - We died horribly in our first FA Cup attempt

FA Vase - we did manage to win one round beating Bewdley but we came undone in extra time of a replay

Brooks Mileston Cup - we made the 3rd of this cup beating Silsden 5-0 in the first round only to crash at Whitley Bay

Durham Challenge cup - We bombed out in the first round which was disappointing as it meant we had no cup runs at all this season

Transfers - A fair amount of players in and out as i knew i had ro re-model the side to mount a serious crack at staying in the league but i had no idea it would be this good

Squad - The lads who created this unbelivable season as you can see i tried to keep a consistant side which i think helped no end.

Key Player Profiles:

Christian Hanson - Playing at Full back he was instrumental in the back four he had a solid pass rate at 65% but in genral he was solid all year round

Alex Robinson - One half of the strikeforce that propelled me out of the division his 14 goals were good as alot of players weighed in with strikes

Kwame Barnett - The other half of the strikeforce who managed 11 strikes

Next Season

Stay up i honestly cant expect a third successive promotion can i?

Well done Acid.