Episode 5 Late Kick Off North East and Cumbria

On tonight's Late Kick Off, it's been a massive night at the Stadium

of Light. We reflect on Sunderland against West Ham. Could Gatdshead be

heading for a return to the Football League? And Late Kick Off examines

the future of grassroots football. Good evening. We live at thd BBC

Newcastle studios to reflect on a huge night. We are in the company of

the Middlesbrough defender George Friend, John Oster, and as dver

Simon Bird of the Daily Mirror is here to provide journalistic

insight. If you have any qudstions, get in touch tonight through

twitter. Keep those video t`ped archive requests coming in, we have

some magic for Newcastle and Sunderland fans later on. And it is

Sunderland where we start tonight, at the Stadium of Light. A lajor

setback, beaten 2`1 by West Ham United. Here is the reaction of Gus

Poyet. I need to analyse if I pick the right team, how we playdd, I

thought we played very well, one of the best that home, it is nhce that

everybody can see it on TV, sometimes, because you can only see

the result. It does not matter what the manager says because yot cannot

see by yourself. More chancds, more shots, it was clear, but thdn we

lost. Which is the thing we were looking the most, to win thd game

somehow. Sometimes, teams know how to win, and West Ham is one of them.

It does not matter how they play, they get a couple of goals `nd that

is it. What was the thinking in keeping Adam Johnson on the bench?

He changed things when he c`me on. I'm trying to use him in thd best

way we can. The more spaces that there are, the more influence he

has. It would be very easy to say that he would play next Monday, I

hope you don't at me why I did not keep him on the bench, at the

moment, I don't have a crystal ball. We're not going to give up. That is

what the team showed today. If the team had not had the attitude and

the determination, then it hs my fault. If I see them like today

being the best team, playing the best football and trying to win

that is what we are all abott, so we want to go right to the end. It is

not a pretty picture for Sunderland, they are four points from s`fety.

They do have a game on hand against West Bromwich Albion, but only 2

points at home, the worst home record. Sadly, you know what they

are going through, you have been relegated from the Premier League

with Sunderland. Gus Poyet said they were the better team. Would you

concur? Definitely. I've not seen every game at home, but I d`re say

they've played better than that In the final third day did not have

that cutting edge, leaving @dam Johnson on the bench was a big

mistake for me. Looking back in hindsight, he will rue that

decision. There was an anxidty and silence in the first half, going

back to when you experience it, is that understandable? When you

concede early, I think it w`s the ninth, 10th minute, and it had to be

Andy Carroll. It is difficult, when used concede early goals like that,

getting the fans on your site. They were pretty quiet for the fhrst

half, did not really help that the lads on the pitch did not ghve them

much to scream about but thdy were still in the game, and you would

have liked a little bit mord from them. Simon has rushed from the

Stadium Of Light to join us. What Adam Johnson the big surprise, not

starting? Exactly, he is ond of their better players, one of their

top scorers. You would expect him to be in a home line`up but he was

not. It turned into a disastrous night. Sunderland have got one point

from their last six games. They ve got to do it now. The thing that has

annoyed me about them is thdy have not given themselves a chance in

games. They have rallied for the last 25 minutes and everybody goes

away thinking the next game will be OK but they have been to note down

`` 2`0 down. One point from six having beaten Newcastle in the

Derby. You have been relegated before, along with John. On a run

like that, how difficult is it to play that and turn round? Rdally

difficult. The manner of thd manager dictates the feeling around the

training ground. It is important he comes in and he is positive. I'm

sure he will be because thex have some difficult games. What ` story

it will be if they could do it. They are up against it. We will get some

reaction now. Joining me now are Pete six men who writes for a

Sunderland website. That was a big blow, that defeat. It was, `nd it

leaves us with very few gamds left. It is another must win game that we

cannot win. It makes it verx difficult for us now. You'rd part of

the team that got relegated, can you see the same thing happening again?

I still think the ball is in the court of Sunderland, they h`ve some

important home games against Cardiff, Swansea, West Brom, but

they are making it harder every week. We have a game against Spurs,

we could be seven points adrift It is important we start picking up

points especially at home. They do seem to up their game against better

teams. They have a lot of them in the next few games. Can thex stay

up? If they beat the better sides and don't beat the sides around them

they will not. They need to focus on picking up points against Everton

and Spurs but they need to beat West Brom and Swansea. We will bd

relegated if we don't win two of those games, and I think we are

anyway. Doom and gloom at the Stadium Of Light. Not surprhsing,

because they have to play four of the top six next. If you were going

into training as a Sunderland player, what would be your belief

levels with those fixtures? I don't think you can have any idea, it will

be a massive task. But what you have found is when it played big themes,

they have raised their game for some reason. Tonight was a massive game

and a massive three points `nd they did not produce the same kind of

energy levels. It is quite bewildering. Not much to chder about

in the north`east. Newcastld at Southampton. Alan Pardew sahd it was

a performance that they would have to make sure never happens `gain.

Where do they go from here? There is a lot to prove, including the

manager's reputation. Who knows where they will go next season. It

will be a huge upheaval in the summer, they need a lot of players,

key positions to be filled. Many players are playing for thehr

futures. A lot of the guys who have not really produced, certainly, not

scoring in ten out of the l`st 4 games is a terrible statisthc. They

have a lot to prove. It seels like the season is peeling off rdally

badly. They will experience fan anger if they are not careftl. We

will be there on Saturday. They need to see a reaction after those bad

defeats. They do. They will not put up with it. 50,000 people are

turning up every week, they will not put up with this season peeling off

like last week. It is not good enough, and I sense there is a bit

of focal anger coming out of Newcastle fans, and if they don t

put up a good performance, some people will start hearing it on the

pitch. Negative for Newcastle and Sunderland but after a barrdn run,

winning weekend for Middlesbrough. GOALS ROUND UP one

Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka praised his side following

their 2`2 draw at Huddersfidld Town last Tuesday, Boro took that form to

Brighton, but didn't break the deadlock until the second h`lf.

Danny Graham capitalised on a mistake by Gordon Greer, setting up

Albert Adomah to score his 02th of the season. Brighton should have

levelled from the penalty spot 2 minutes later. Jessie Lingard's shot

found its way to Solly March, who was brought down by George Friend.

Up stepped Leo Ulloa, only to blaze his spot kick high over the bar

Boro have struggled to hold on after going ahead in recent games, but

Danny Graham made sure of the win with four minutes left, to secure

only their good to see Danny Graham amongst the

goals again. How important was that after the run new have been on?

Looking ahead to building for next season. It was really important

we've not been great away from home this season, so to pick up three

points away at a team like Brighton, chasing for the play`offs,

it was a big game for us, and we are delighted to get the points. With

the new manager settling in, are some players trying to provd

themselves to him? I think definitely. You should be doing that

all season, but perhaps bec`use the play`offs are getting furthdr away

from us, it is important to play for your place and also the fans. We

cannot move on without talkhng about the penalty, the giving awax that. I

think everybody here will agree it was definitely not a penaltx. You

still claim it was not a file. John was not agreeing with you. Dverybody

was delighted to see it go over the bar. None more than myself. We

needed that bit of luck, because in recent times, recent games, we have

not had much luck, we are w`iting for it. To see it flying ovdr the

bar gave us that little incdntive to get the final goal and rounded off a

really good performance. Yot did tell me to say you have scored for

Middlesbrough since you werd last on. Correct. Here is the rest of the

action. Carlisle boss Graham Kavanagh said

March would be crucial for his side's chances of survival, with

four games against their relegation rivals. Three goalless draws and a

defeat later, the Cumbrians are lurking in the League One drop zone.

They hosted fellow strugglers Shrewsbury on Tuesday, lookhng to

score at home for the first time since February. Reece Brown did his

best to get on the score shdet, hitting the bar early on. The

defender struck the woodwork again not long after, but the Shrdws held

on for a much`needed away point That result made the trip to

Tranmere at the weekend a rdal six pointer.

Tranmere at the weekend a rdal six Rovers had best of the earlx

chances, Jake Cassidy hitting the post before the break. Six xears

after making his debut for the club, striker Gary Madine returned to

Carlisle after coming in on loan from Sheffield Wednesday, following

a spell in prison. He had the best chance for the visitors, but

couldn't keep his shot down. A miserable March for the Cumbrians

now means they are without ` win in eight games.

Pools received a boost going into this game with the news that in`form

midfielder Jack Barmby will be staying at the club on loan until

the end of the season. Bradley Walker tested Scott Brown in the

Cheltenham goal in the first half. Pools had another good opportunity

after the break. Jack Compton had a free header in the box, but he could

only send the ball wide. Pools' season appears to be running out of

steam, and they fell behind when Jermaine McGlashan netted from close

range 16 minutes from time, after Darren HOlden failed to cle`r David

Noble's cross. York City have gone from thd threat

of Conference football to Ldague Two play`off contenders in just over a

year under Nigel Worthington. John McCombe had the home side's best

chance in the first half, hdading just over the bar. Billy Ked showed

great technique, and rattled the York crossbar with this strhke from

25 yards. The York boss prahsed his side's work rate as they held on for

a point, their ninth clean sheet in ten games. The Minstermen drop out

of the play`offs, but only on goal difference.

Gateshead came from behind to beat Aldershot on Tuesday night. James

Marwood's goal late in the game sealing a 2`1 win, and Gary Mills'

side left it later on Saturday, JJ O'Donnell scoring the winner in the

dying seconds against Braintree That win moved Gateshead up to third

in the Conference, their highest position of the season so f`r,

giving them a chance of rettrning to the Football League after a 54 year

absence. As mentioned, it's 54 long xears

since Gateshead last played in the Football League, but as Matt

Raisbeck reports, a welcome return might not be too far away.

It's been an exciting season for Gateshead Football Club.

With a play`off spot within their grasp, it's make or break thme for

Gary Mills' men. Over half a century since they

regularly hosted the likes of Crystal Palace, Notts Countx and

Oldham, Gateshead are in with a realistic chance of returning to the

Football League. It's now almost five`and`a`half

decades since Gateshead failed to be re`elected to the Football League,

an old`fashioned system where club chairmen voted on who would be part

of the 92 clubs. It really came as a shock. The first

I heard about it was when the Evening Chronicle was delivdred I

was waiting at the door to find out what had happened, and my ndxt door

neighbour beat me to it. He came out and said, "I think your teal's just

been kicked out of the leagte." That's how I heard about it, which

was devastating naturally. During the 1950s, Gateshead were playing in

the lower divisions of the Football League, but they also enjoydd some

fine moments in the FA Cup, including a quarterfinal tid against

Bolton in 1953. At that timd they had a very, very good side.

Throughout the early 50s thdy were one of the best sides in thd north,

just missing out on promotion a few times. In those days only one team

went up. After that, it bec`me a struggle through the latter part of

the 50s, so I don't have too many memories of big wins or big games.

After falling out of the Football League, the club unsuccessftlly

tried to join the Scottish League. Gateshead's decline continudd ` even

Redheugh Park fell into disrepair. The club was eventually liqtidated

in 1973. Gateshead's future looked bleak

until former Sunderland Vice`Chairman Wood took over in

2006. The family has followed Sunderland

and Gateshead, but my preference right from the beginning has been

Gateshead, so that's my first love. We lost probably two generation of

support between getting kicked out of the league and getting to where

we are today, because they had a rough time throughout the 70s and

throughout the 60s and 70, but certainly there is enough potential

here to get the crowds back. They turned professional fotr years

ago, and now the appointment of former York boss Gary Mills has

aided Gateshead's resurrecthon. Well, obviously he deserves all of

the credit, because he's done a tremendous job. He's widely

recognised as one of the best managers certainly in non`ldague

football, and I think he wotld be one of the best managers, or he will

be one of the best managers in the Football League. You can sed why

when you work with him. Verx talented manager.

The Chairman's dream of a rdturn to the Football League could ydt be

realised, but can the club survive promotion?

To get promoted is going to be worth an extra ?1 million a season in

income for Gateshead. A good proportion of that will be spent on

the squad. Gateshead stand on the brink of

making history, driven by two men determined to put the club back on

the football map. Across Gateshead third in the

league. I heard your chairm`n there say people getting into the Premier

League is the biggest game but getting intothe Football Le`gue ?1

million. That is massive for a club like Gateshead. It is huge, it means

the difference between attr`cting players from round the country, it

is not easy for us to get players to come from the south, up north on the

money that we can afford to pay so that money would be massive to go

towards strengthening the spuad if and when we get into that Ldague

Two. We mentioned the long time Gateshead have been waiting. Have

the club ever had a better opportunity? It is not going to be

easy, but it has to be one of the best opportunities like you say in a

long time. For the club to get there, after 54 years would be

brilliant, you know. It is good for the North East in general, but even

so, it is going to be magnificent. If you can get in the play`offs we

had your manager here, he h`s been this route before, he has won the

play`off final, how important could that be? You need experiencd in

whatever you are doing in lhfe. The manager has been there, seen it

done it, he has the T`shirt, he will know what to expect. He trids to

keep everybody's feet on thd ground and on a daily basis he does little

things that you don't normally get from managers, and he is quhrky in

something as random as taking us something as random as taking us

tenpin bowling. It is the Brian Clough influence, you can't get away

from it Maybe Gus Poyet might have do something like that! Of course,

people remember you playing for three different Premier League club,

signing for Everton, playing for Wales, from the Premier League to

non`league does that show you have as much hunger as your stagd of your

career? Yes, you preesh matd more when you are old, I am getthng to

the latter stages of my carder, you want to play as long as you can as

long as your body allows yot to you, like I say you appreci`te it

more, and you go out and yot never know when your next training session

is going to be,out have to dnjoyment as much as you can. You two were

team`mates at Doncaster, anx secrets to share? Well, it is no secret he

is into his fashion, becausd he is looking very smart tonight. There

was a battle between you two before we came on, I have to veal that Not

revealing who has won. Underneath there is a few tattoos as wdll.

So... Really? He, some people call him the artistic man. He has a lot

under there. Didn't inshire you It doesn't suit me. On a more serious

note. We are talking about Gateshead getting into the lead. They are

starting the same with Sunddrland next season, that has to be good for

the area, the bigger clubs helping the smaller clubs. It is grdat

Newcastle and Sunderland have done that. It is great if the fans could

mix in and get behind Gateshead they are a rare success story in the

North East. If you want to see a winning team, the bigger te`ms

aren't winning at the moment. That is the place to be. We wish you the

west for the rest of the se`son Now, across the country round 1 5

million people play football every But at grassroots level the game has

a serious problem, and to m`ke matters worse, Sport England has

just announced that it's reducing the amount of funding it gives to

the game. Week. We'll be he`ring from former Middlesbrough mhdfielder

Neil Maddison shortly, but first here's a special report frol former

Sunderland and Republic of Hreland winger, and BBC pundit Kevin

Kilbane. Unbelievably, football is no longer

the top participant sport in this country. More people nowadaxs prefer

to run, swim or cycle. Playdr numbers are in decline, and in many

places facilities are shockhng. Junior football still has the

ongoing issue of overaggressive parents, and many still question the

way we coach our kids. Make no mistake, the grass roots gale is in

big trouble Enjoy that game boys? Good. Playing well. Kenny S`unders

is the manager of Woolton FC, which has 62 junior teams. He's l`unched a

campaign to save grass roots football. Grass roots footb`ll is in

massive danger of folding whthin the next five or ten years. There's

massive, massive big problels out there, you know, right from funding

to grass roots coaching, to parents, Respect campaigns. There's lany

many issues out there at thd moment. Although Woolton have addressed the

issue of pushy parents on the touchline, not everybody else has.

That's a yellow card, ref, card him. Yellow card him, ref. He's `n

animal. Give him a yellow c`rd, You're an animal. He deservds a

card. Constantly shouting instruction is counter prodtctive,

but we do want that noise and support, that's what young people

want to be there. A parent wouldn't shout at their child during a piano

lesson, black key, white kex, white key, black key, so what we're trying

to work out is a right level of support for those young people. What

we are doing now is providing the right level of coaching for the

right coach in the right environment. It's a ten year

journey, and I believe we'rd well on the way to delivering a world class

coaching system, and I feel within ten years we'll be seeing the fruits

of that labour. WHile the ctlture of the grass roots game may be

changing, there's still one huge cloud on the horizon. Funding. With

council cut backs and even Sport England cutting its financi`l

support, amateur clubs need to know who's going to help them survive. We

have to get the Premier League, the Football League, we have to get

Governments, Councils, everxone who is responsible for grass roots

football, and can improve grass roots football, we need thel round

the table and we need them round now.

Former Middlesbrough midfielder Neil Maddison now runs the Premidr Player

Football Academy on Teessidd. Here's his take on the subject of

grassroots football in our region. We have ten players, one co`ch, yso

ou get a lot of detail into the players, as much as you can. Go on,

good turns, good turns. Hey guys, that is really good. I think if you

give the players loads of encouragement they respond to it. If

you keep on hitting a player with "That's not good enough," they won't

respond to you. So loads of encouragement and that 1% is can we

be a little bit better at cdrtain things? We understand somethmes that

other people haven't got thd facilities, the equipment wd use.

It's difficult at times. Yot really have to push away from it, OK. Grass

roots football is absolutelx paramount in where we want to go,

and hopefully in a few years time maybe we will be on par with Spain,

with Holland, just how good they have done it. If we can copx them,

so be it. Very topical across the regions, how important do you feel

at the moment the funding for grass roots football? ? For me personally

it's a really important isste and close to my heart, because H came

from Devon, which isn't a particularly hotbed for football, so

without grass roots football I don't think I would be a professional so

it allowed me to move up through the rank, through the leagues and get

spotted, basically. So, yes, it is massively important, and we need to

be getting up there as well on an international level. You look at

some the continental styles of coach, they are way ahead of us if

we get closer to that we might see more success at World Cups. Let us

finish with Twitter questions. Thank you for your response stripdia

Twitter. Some Sunderland colment, Claire says terrible tonight. We

should have had a penalty btt it doesn't make up for the terrible

passes and decisions made. Chris says shocking line up, we are down

now. Pauline says if Sunderland do go down have they the perfect

manager with Championship experience. Yes, he is the perfect

man for the job. He is the hdeal candidate to take them strahght back

up, so I don't think they nded to worry too much if that does come to

that, but he is the perfect man for me. Few Gateshead fans have been in

touch. John says if Gateshe`d do get promoted where would it rank in your

career achievements? It is tp there. Doesn't matter what division you are

in, any kind of promotion is a real achievement, so even though we

achieved something special with Reading, this will still be as good,

you know, because it is least expected of us to get out of this

division. John says would you be good to go in the Football League if

they went up? Leg still goes OK As long as me legs are going, xes,

hopefully. Simon, what changes do you think need to be made at

Newcastle? First the Mike Ashley spelling out what his ambithons are.

They need two strikers which won't come cheap. A creative midfheld e

they have to get that right and spend big money. That is wh`t they

have to do this summer, othdrwise they could be vulnerable next year,

I know they are sitting comfortable in eighth or ninth place, if you

don't find a goal scorer yot can find yourself in trouble at the

bottom. What impact has Crahg Hignett made since he came back to

Middlesbrough. He was doing coaching beforehand, he has been excdllent

since he has come in, he has given us a lift. He has so much

enthusiasm, so, I think he was the perfect candidate and I am so

pleased he is there, becausd he is a great guy.

Thanks to George, John and Simon, and thanks to you for getting

involved via Twitter tonight. Keep your questions, comments and

videotape requests coming dtring the week. Tonight we delve into the

archives to bring you the bdst of Pop Robson. Goodnight.

Robson, what a goal. Robson. Beautifully taken!

Davis again. Goal. Robson.