Historic Hebburn Town title win a 'big moment' for South Tyneside
Hebburn Town chief executive Stephen Rutherford has reflected on his club's Northern Premier League title win.
Chief executive Stephen Rutherford believes Hebburn Town’s historic promotion into the National League North has provided a ‘big moment’ for South Tyneside.
A home win against Rushall Olympic was enough to set off joyous scenes from a 3,000 capacity crowd at the Trustmark Group Stadium as the Hornets lifted the Northern Premier League Premier Division champions trophy and celebrated a first ever promotion into the National League North. That is all a far cry from the events of just nine years ago when Hebburn were forced to issue a desperate plea for support as they played out Northern League Division Two fixtures in front of crowds of less than 50 supporters.
Since a rejuvenation of fortunes on and off the pitch instigated by a number of local businessmen getting involved at the top end of the club, the Hornets have enjoyed the most successful period in their history and have reached new heights on a regular basis.
Since 2017, Hebburn have secured three promotions and lifted the Durham Challenge Cup and FA Vase, as well as winning the Northern Premier League East Division two years ago. However, this season’s shock Premier Division title win means Daniel Moore’s side will compete against the likes of Morecambe and Hereford as the Hornets compete at the highest level in their history. Reflecting on the events of a historic afternoon, chief executive Moore was left delighted by the stunning show of support from the South Tyneside public as they set a new club and stadium record attendance by a considerable distance.
He told The Gazette: “I don’t know what to say, I’m a bit speechless - but what we have seen today is what Hebburn and the borough of South Tyneside is all about. We are a little club but we have a big heart. We had 3,000 here today and I think the scenes at the end summed it all up. I’m not emotional yet - but I am getting emotional just thinking about it because when I took this one nine years ago with the owners, this way the kind of thing we wanted to see.
“We thought the FA Vase win was magnificent but we couldn’t have any fans there. To have 3,000 here packing out the stadium, they never shut up, it was excellent. Credit to Daniel, Mark, Carl and the lads because they have done amazing. We are in for a great party because it’s a big moment for the area.”
Stadium plans get green light
The capacity crowd on hand never wavered in their support for Hebburn as they edged closer and closer to a historic promotion with every passing minute. If there were nerves on and off the pitch, they remained under wraps in what proved to be a surprisingly routine afternoon for Moore’s side as they wrote their names into the history books.
The on-field progress only adds to the exciting off-field developments at the club after Hebburn received the green light to make a whole host of eye-catching improvements to their Trustmark Group Stadium home.
A new stand will provide the centrepiece for a stunning development that will see the ground become a central hub for the local community with new seating, terraced areas, new changing facilities, a gym, club shop, hospitality spaces, and a flexible function room complete with a balcony overlooking the pitch. A new FIFA Pro‑certified artificial main pitch and a dedicated 3G training pitch will be installed and there will be major improvements to car parking facilities and a new access point will be created.
The plans were given the go-ahead by South Tyneside Council's Planning Committee last month and news is awaited over when the construction work will get underway - but there is no doubt this is an exciting moment in the club’s long and proud history. With so much excitement, Rutherford is hopeful the recent trend of increasing attendances will continue when the Hornets take their place in the second tier of the non-league pyramid next season.
He said: “The phrase is if you build it they will come isn’t it? We’ve built it on the pitch, it’s been fantastic. We had a sell-out crowd and even if we could get half of that every week it would be great. I know we are up against it with the professional clubs Newcastle and Sunderland and then South Shields and Gateshead on our doorstep but this what we can do and hopefully we can go on from here.”
Magnificent moment
The possibility of a South Tyneside derby with neighbours South Shields remains alive after the Mariners narrowly missed out on landing the National League North title on Saturday following their defeat at Kidderminster Harriers.
Ian Watson’s side are now focusing on a play-off semi-final with either Scarborough Athletic or Buxton at the 1st Cloud Arena next Saturday that can take them within 90 minutes of a possible promotion into non-league football’s top tier - and Rutherford has thrown his support behind the Mariners despite conceding a derby clash would be ‘a magnificent moment for South Tyneside’.
He said: “Wouldn’t it be great for South Tyneside? A South Tyneside derby in the National League North. But look, we wish them all of the best because I know they didn’t get over the line today but we hope they get over the line in the play-offs now. If not, it would be a magnificent moment for South Tyneside as a whole.”
Your next football read: Sky Sports release damning Newcastle United footage v Arsenal that left Bruno Guimaraes raging