Named as assistant manager to Andy Toman at Bishop Aukland. Good luck Guccy and thank you for all your hard work with the youth team which unfortunately has been set back by years.

Good luck Guccy. Nice lad, bought me a pint once after a Swindon Supermarine v Oxford City game in the late 90s. Then ironically years later I reffed a Hartlepool v Lincoln under 16 game at Owton Manor. He was manager of the U16s and I mentioned the Oxford game and he remembered it.

Tragic that the club now doesn't have a youth team.

It'll be a tough season for them. The Metropolis are in turmoil, so I hope the new management Team are given time to turn it around. FTR as long as we don't get relegated this season, this was looking on the Cards.

He's still involved as youth team coach but it's a collaborated team of youngsters with the College of F.E.

Its the way it is these days, you either dont have a job or have 3 jobs

The Metropolis picked up their 1st point under the new management team today. Team played with heart and passion against a top of the table North Shields.

Pleased for you Bishop, sad to see BAFC bottom of the league, hopefully not for long. How is it, there were 150 at your game , yet some other games had crowds of over 200, I thought 150 was the max.

Its because those teams (like Thornaby and Northallerton) are not affiliated with the Durham or Northumberland FA.

The Durham FA are absolutely clueless and I actually think they want to see clubs (especially grassroots) die.

all county fa,s are useless. they actually class grass roots football as spennymoor or farsley celtic in my area.

Thanks. That explains it then, thought it was a national thing rather than down to individual FA's. Shame then that clubs in Durham, like Easington , Willington , Esh etc, still cant get 150 through the gate, even during these times, when the local pro clubs are playing behind closed doors. In saying that, the weather these last 4 or 5 Saturdays has been shite, and thats putting it mildly.

Football wise things are looking up for the Bishops but I think it will take a few months to turn the team around. The dead wood are leaving and being replaced by players with passion.

Off the field the 150 allowance is disappointing. The bar/catering hut are losing much needed matchday revenue which the club needs. Also it's disappointing for away fans. 15 tickets. The North Shields match would have had circa 500 as they usually bring a decent support. The last home game against West Auckland would have had approx 600. Again West only got 15 tickets. Again the problem with 150 means after the 15 tickets for away fans, then after ST holders are catered for there's hardly any tickets left for non ST Holders. Problem here is will the non ST holders come back when restrictions are lifted?

Bishop usually average 250 in a ground that holds 2004. So 300 could easily social distance and the club would gain much needed matchday revenue.

It's frustrating, but that's the rules.

Northern League attendances are compiled differently by each club. I know for sure Redcar always count season ticket holders among attendees whether they attend or not, I'd imagine a few more do the same as it just makes it easier plus makes the clubs look more popular.

I'm glad to see Consett, Hebburn and Billingham Town calling out the restrictions. Especially since the Lancashire FA have basically said there is no need for further restrictions. I have a theory however, for a large amount of time Birtley Town were forced by Gateshead council to play behind closed doors with no reasoning given. I think the local councils threatened the local FA's into these restrictions with the hope the Northern League would pull the plug.

As for the Bishops, I heard a rumour that a few of the new signings didn't want to play? Including proflic forward Craig Hutchinson.

I heard a few players from the Hartlepool area caused a bit of dressing room unrest

I've heard them there rumours and seen them there alledged players take to the pitch. I don't know what happened behind the scenes, so would be happy for a PM from someone in the know.

All I've heard is that during the summer Bishop Auckland recruited a few players from the Teesside area and for some reason they no longer want to play.

Kris Summers, Jamie Davis and Craig Hutchinson have departed. All three have played for Billingham Town and will almost certainly know each other well.

michael raynes is actually doing something similar at stockport and playing for ashton united as well. plenty of goalkeeping coaches do a team in the day time and then go to part time clubs evening sessions.