That Westoe – a "one-pitch club" as an official of a much more fashionable club once disparagingly described it – should achieve national status.

Yet today, with just three games remaining, the Shieldsmen stand at the top of North One, and on the threshold of promotion to that exalted level.

And if they do manage to achieve it then the foresight of one man will be vindicated. And all those doubters – including myself – should raise their hats to him.

He was Ali McConway, who was captain when Westoe won all but one of their 22 games in the 2000-01 season to take the Durham and Northumberland Division One title in style, and with it elevation to North Two (East).

His prediction made in the summer following that triumphant campaign, was awry in one respect only; he reckoned it was possible to attain National Three status in five years.

That was just too ambitious, and after three seasons without further promotion the lofty No 8 departed for Gateshead as player-coach.

You can bet that if Gareth Nesbit's team, two points ahead of main challengers Hull, do pull it off then nobody will be more delighted than the amiable and gentlemanly Ali, right.

He revealed his vision while unveiling what he called his "Five Year Plan" to members in the clubhouse, and the main thrust that July evening is as valid today as it was then – the need for sponsors to give the club a financial helping hand.

Ali declared then: "Internally, we have got things right, but we have to keep going forward, and need external help.

"Not enough people even know we are here. We are the premier club in South Tyneside, but we need to increase local awareness."

Eight years later, that could be club captain Nesbit or chairman Duncan Murray talking. And it is people like these two, coaches Richard Arnold, Joe Shaw and Russell Winter, livewire ex-chairman John Tighe, and, of course, the players, who have lifted Westoe to the present heights and brought that dream so close to reality.

After two resounding victories in which they posted a total of 128 points against Darlington and Cleckheaton, Dunes Adventure Island-sponsored Westoe have a vacant Saturday before the crunch clash next week against third-placed hosts Sheffield Tigers, who are still very much in the hunt.

Nesbit said: "There are a few tactical things that the coaches want to work out with us, and this break will provide the opportunity.

"At this late stage in the season everybody is fully fit and we have no injury problems. We are all well aware of the importance of the games ahead so we are in good order and well prepared."

Incidentally, the "one-pitch club" jibe was made before the semi-final of the National Intermediate Cup at multi-pitch Staines in 2005 – which Westoe won 18-13.

* The Seconds and Fourths are both in Northumberland League action tomorrow against, respectively, Northern at Wood Terrace and Medicals at Oakleigh Gardens.

* Heartiest congratulations are due to the Colts for the maturity of play and attitude which took them to the Northern regional final of the National Under-19 Cup.

Their 22-3 defeat by a bigger and older Middlesbrough side containing six players with First XV experience did not reflect the evenness of a fine, hard-fought contest.

Many of those at Wood Terrace on Sunday were surprised by the high quality of play served up by both sets of young ones.

Now it is the Under-17s' turn to aim to go trophy seeking at Billingham on Sunday in the semi-final of their Durham County Cup.

* On a less happy note, the Fourth team – deprived of the services of the Colts who were resting in preparation for their big game – had to call off their Northumberland League match against visitors Ponteland on Saturday because they could not raise a side.