Match Preview proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print
Date: Wednesday 1st January 2020
Venue: Craik Park, Morpeth Common, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2YX
Kick Off: 3pm
Competition: Northern Premier League Premier Division
Highlights: Highwaymen TV
The Highwaymen welcome Whitby Town on New Years Day as they look to preserve their unbeaten home league record.
History
Whitby joined the Northern League for the first time in 1893 only to return to the Cleveland Amateur League two seasons later. They returned to the Northern League in 1899 and won the Second Division the same season.
After World War One, the town of Whitby had two clubs, both playing in the Scarborough and District League, Whitby Whitehall Swifts and Whitby Town. Ever conscious of Whitby’s more illustrious past, the two clubs in 1926, decided to amalgamate as Whitby United. The new club was admitted into the Northern League and the club’s name was changed to Whitby Town in 1949.
In 1983-84, Whitby came to national prominence when they came back from two goals down to beat Halifax Town 3-2 in the FA Cup first round proper. They were beaten by a late penalty at Wigan in the following round. The same season, Whitby reached the quarter finals of the FA Trophy for the first time losing to Dagenham in a replay.
The Club came from behind in the Northern League race, winning the Championship in style from neighbours, Billingham Synthonia, before completing an amazing “double” by winning the FA Carlsberg Vase at Wembley, beating North Ferriby United by 3-0.
The following season, 1997-98 saw continued success at the Turnbull Ground when the Club won the UniBond League First Division Championship by a margin of 7 points at their first attempt as well as beating York City 3-0 in the final of the North Riding Senior Cup to become holders for a fifth time. Whitby again reached the final of the NRSC in 1999 only for York to gain revenge by winning 4-2. In the 1999-2000 season, the Seasiders finished 12th in the UniBond Premier League and were beaten finalists in the President’s Cup, losing over two legs to Trafford after a penalty shoot-out.
The 2001-2002 season saw Whitby finish in a disappointing 15th in the league but got to the FA Cup 1st Round for the 7th time, only to lose out to Plymouth Argyle after a replay, 3-2. The first game was at the Turnbull Ground in front of the BBC Match of the Day Cameras.
After more than four years at the helm, the popular Williams and assistant Dave Campbell, were replaced by ex-Guisborough Town boss Chris Hardy, assisted by Lee Bullock, in December 2015.
In his first-half season, Hardy steered the club aware from relegation danger, before getting to work on his plan to guide the Blues to the Conference North. He brought in a number of talented young players from his former club, Guisborough Town, and set about putting together a side that would consolidate their place in the Evo-Stik Premier, first and foremost, before going on to challenge for silverware.
The Blues, in the end, blitzed those expectations. A successful season, that saw Whitby spearhead the Evo-Stik Premier table for a good three months, saw the Seasiders eventually tail off in the league, finishing sixth, just two points outside the play-offs.
Cup success was to follow as planned, however. A fantastic run in the North Riding Senior Cup saw Guisborough Town, York City and Middlesbrough all fall to Hardy’s side, before a final showdown Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium with Pickering Town. Whitby were forced to come from behind, after a stunning Nick Thompson strike, but duly obliged, with Dale Hopson equalising just after the break, before Mikey Roberts added two goals in quick succession to ensure a 3-1 win and a sixth North Riding Senior Cup success.
Last Match
Morpeth travelled to the Flamingo Land Stadium on Boxing Day to face Scarborough but left emptyhanded as the hosts won 1-0. Carl Finnigan went closest to earning a point when his effort hit the crossbar.
Whitby Town faced league leaders South Shields on Boxing Day and inflicted a defeat on the Mariners. Paul Blackett opened the scoring for Whitby before the lead was doubled through Alex White. South Shields pulled a goal back on 83 minutes but Whitby held out for the win.
Managers
Chris Hardy: Appointed in December 2015 when he left local rivals Guisborough Town. Signed an improved contract earlier in 2019 taking him through to the end of the 2020/21 season.
