Northern League: Sunderland West End resignation a sad moment for non-league football on Wearside

Committee member Darren Liddle believes Sunderland West End’s decision to resign from the Northern League marks another sad moment for non-league football on Wearside.

Almost seven years have passed since West End secured a historic promotion into the Northern League and they have secured two top ten finishes in Division table and narrowly avoided relegation during their other two completed seasons during that time.

However, the pressures of competing in the sixth tier of non-league football and their ongoing search for a new permanent home have forced a decision nobody at the club really wanted to take. West End are now preparing for their final game as a Northern League club as they host FC Hartlepool as Ford Hub on Saturday - and Liddle is hopeful there will be a big send-off for the home side.

He told The Echo: “We are hoping for a big crowd this weekend with it being the club’s last game in the Northern League and we had one against Sunderland RCA on Bank Holiday Monday so that almost had a feel of the last game about it too. It’s obviously a sad time for the club but it’s also a sad time for the area because Wearside is losing a Northern League club just weeks after Farringdon Detached resigned from the Wearside League.

“But it’s so difficult to keep a club going in the Northern League and it has become just to hard to keep things going. It wasn’t an easy decision for everyone at the club to take but it was one we had to in the circumstances. This isn’t the end for Sunderland West End because the juniors and women’s side of the club will continue and we will continue working hard in the background to secure a home of our own - but it has been a pleasure to be a Northern League club and hopefully, one day, Sunderland West End will be back.”

Achievement

There have been some big moments for West End during their time in the Northern League - and Liddle was part of the management team for what he believes was possibly the biggest achievement of the last six seasons.

He said: “I look back at the FA Vase tie against Garstang and going down there to get a win in our first ever tie in the competition. That has to be the standout for me because when we were trying to get into the Northern League, playing in the FA Vase was also a big target that we discussed. So to go down there and get a win was a memorable moment for everyone involved.”

Fixtures

Friday - Billingham Synthonia v Prudhoe YC Saturday - Billingham Town v Park View AFC, Alnwick Town v Darlington Town, Boldon CA v Chester-le-Street Town, Esh Winning v AFC Newbiggin, Newcastle University v Yarm & Eaglescliffe, Redcar Town v Jarrow, Ryton & Crawcrook Albion v Durham United, Seaham Red Star v Grangetown Boys Club, Sunderland RCA v Tow Law Town, Sunderland West End v FC Hartlepool

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