Until very recently, there wasn't a local team participating amongst the six steps of our National League System and then, suddenly, two Redcar clubs triumphantly emerged together, as if by magic!
Redcar Athletic gained promotion to the Northern League Division Two from the Wearside League in 2018 and Redcar Town FC followed suit three years later via the North Riding League.
Athletic then won promotion again, reaching Northern League Division One status at Step 5 in 2021.
So I duly groundhopped both Redcar outfits this season to discover how they are adapting to life in senior Non-League circles.
My first port of call was Redcar Town where I enjoyed a 1-0 Friday night victory against Sunderland West End. An attendance of 193 watched the Northern League Division Two encounter at Mo Mowlam Memorial Park.
I subsequently chatted to Town chairman Gary Wheatley. He told me: "After the COVID disrupted seasons, we secured promotion to this level two years ago based on our favourable points per game record.
Yet truthfully, the side was certainly not ready for the step up and our structure off the field was thin to non-existent.
"Nevertheless, a committee was formed - at last bringing vital club stability. Rather than 'boom and bust', we are focusing upon sustainability by targeting younger home produced players.
Denne historien er fra December 03, 2023-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
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Denne historien er fra December 03, 2023-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
SHAKERS REVEL IN MAKING HISTORY
DAVE McNabb says Bury's FA Cup heroes are proud to be writing their own chapters in club history.
WILCOX: WE FEEL COMPLETE WITH WIN
RUSS WILCOX'S verdict after watching his Gainsborough Trinity side outmuscle and outplay their hosts was that it was \"probably our most complete performance\".
CRACKER BY KABIA TOPPLES TUDORS!
ASSISTANT boss Stewart Yetton said his Truro City side were good value for their win over table-toppers Hemel Hempstead Town.
BRAKES PUT STOP ON BORO BATTLERS
SEPARATED only by goal difference before kick-off, these sides remain neck and neck in the embryonic table after playing out 90 minutes in the October sunshine that was a great advert for the division.
BOSS COTT'S GOT A REALLY GOOD THING WITH ROVERS
STEVE Cotterill hailed Forest Green Rovers’ first class performance as they produced a spirited comeback to topple fellow high-flyers Eastleigh at the Silverlake Stadium.
SKIPS STEER HEED'S SHIP
GATESHEAD captains of the past and present are playing a lead role in helping the National League club move on from the departure of FA Trophy-winning manager Rob Elliot.
FA CUP PREVIEW: SWEET! 'DREAM' DRAW IS CHANCE OF OUR LIFETIME
DAVE NORTHFIELD says minnows Biggleswade FC were like 'kids in a sweet shop' when they drew out York City in what he describes as the 'draw of a lifetime'.
PARKER'S HEART IS STILL AT HOME
FORMER England right-back Paul Parker has revealed he would never completely rule out a return to management – but says he would only do so for one of his beloved local clubs.
LOCALS RALLY TO REBUILD BRIDGE
WHEN committee members at Bamber Bridge set out to raise £30,000 to protect the club's future, they were apprehensive about the response they'd get.
RUTHLESS BEES FIND THEIR FEET
ASTERLING second-half performance resulted in league leaders Barnet brushing aside a Boston United outfit that led at the interval through Keaton Ward’s early strike.
