Ternent says FA Cup is magic for him

Nov 1 2008 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

STAN TERNENT and the FA Cup go back a long way

Town’s manager will kick-off preparations for the club’s 257th game in the world-famous competition – against Port Vale at the Galpharm in the first round next Saturday – more than half a century after watching his first tie.

Both the home club, Gateshead, and the ground, Redheugh Park, have long gone, but the memories of the match against Tottenham Hotspur remain.

“It was a great occasion,” recalls the 62-year-old, who was born and bred in the North-East town on the opposite bank of the Tyne to Newcastle.

“Funnily enough the place where I grew up was a Sunderland supporting one – it was a strong Catholic village and I think the priests were all Roker Park men.

“But the Gateshead goalkeeper, Tommy Beeston, was a local boy, so my dad and I went along to support the team.

“Tottenham were obviously a big draw – Danny Blanchflower was the star name – and there was a big crowd packed into Redheugh.

“Gateshead were in the old Third Division North, but they had some decent players, and they gave Spurs a good game before losing 2-0.”