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WE have always heralded and highlighted the outstanding success of south-west Durham amateur football clubs in the FA Amateur Cup, especially in the… ....
John Phelan AT approximately 5pm on Saturday, April 18, 1964, the Crook Town supporters in Wembley Stadium rose to applaud their team as they did a lap of honour round the famous pitch while holding aloft the FA Amateur Cup after beating Enfield 2-1 in the final. It was Crook s fifth Amateur Cup success, and their fourth in 11 years. It followed their wins in 1901, 1954, 1959, 1962 and 1964, although the trophy was only won at Wembley in 1959 and 1964. After the final at Wembley in 1954, two replays were needed, one at St James’ Park, Newcastle, the second at Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough, which resulted in a 1-0 win over Bishop Auckland. ....
John Phelan THE top goal-scorers at Crook Town FC, when the club was it s peak in the 1950s, included legends like Ronnie Thompson (32 goals in 1952-53, and 39 goals in 1953-54), Ken Harrison (54 goals in 1954-55 and 23 in 1955-56), before Brian Keating (30 goals in 1958-59) and Seamus O Connell (41 goals in 1959-60). It is easy to forget Peter Duffy, who was top scorer with 31 goals for the Black and Ambers in 1957-58, his only season at Crook. This included a club record seven goals scored in a 10-1 win over Whitby in November 1957. Peter also hit two important goals for Crook at Whitley Bay, 63 years ago on January 11, 1958, in an Amateur Cup 1st Round tie. Crook were 2-0 down to a lively Whitley Bay team when Peter pulled a goal back just before half-time and then hit another in the second half to help Crook win 4-2, Bert Steward and Arthur Gardener also scoring. ....