During and at the end of that foreboding meeting in December many of us knew there were only a few possible outcomes. Either there’d be a rich individual who would appear as a white knight and promise us the earth, we’d wind down and our town would lose a cherished sporting institution with a rich history, or we’d all have to knuckle down and do some hard and serious work to fundraise. The formative portion of the fanbase went on to constitute INSSA, knowing it would be a challenging and up-hill struggle but one which we no less welcomed as a vastly preferable alternative to losing something we all love. That was never an option.
Then came the first meeting between INSSA and the old NSFC committee, an event which left us with far more questions than answers. It was at that meeting however that INSSA set out its vision for an improved and secure NSFC with a long-term and sustainable plan to not only avoid impending disaster and survive but thrive too. This wasn’t a wish list. It was a series of common sense-based recommendations and suggestions which we proposed to make the club firmly ground itself in reality and stave off catastrophe. It was greeted largely with silence at worst and tacit, highly restrained enthusiasm at best.
Fast forward to last night at The Robin’s Nest, for a Fan Forum presentation by NSFC to unveil the amalgamation of the club with North Shields Juniors and North Shields Athletic. The presentation was straightforward, sleek and sensible. Three people who very evidently know exactly what they’re doing were able to offer supporters something akin to a full Christmas morning.
This wasn’t magic — it was a manifestation of combined decades of experience, skill and wisdom being applied to our club’s dire situation to not just turn it around but create something amazing.
INSSA members knew and recognized the urgent and immediate need to affiliate to the FSA, as well as to call on our experiences and knowledge to create a model for NSFC which would avert a catastrophe and make it viable. Fortunately our desires and hopes were answered last night in that exhibit of serious footballing and business savvy.
INSSA recognises that this is not a 100 metre race. We are all here for the marathon which will be making North Shields FC the club it can and ought to be again, with a committed and reliable partner and fan base for the new amalgamation.
We’re as excited as everyone about the possibilities this new arrangement presents, and we’re determined to do our part to support NSFC on its journey to success. We already have a considerable skill set within INSSA — civil engineers, experienced third sector fund raisers, a trained journalist, a highly qualified groundsman, people with legal experience and skilled tradesmen — and we appeal to more of our members to come forward and share their ideas and experience. I guarantee every individual will have something to contribute which will benefit all.
It’s now time to forget these last few months and start anew. Let’s work together in partnership and do great things for the love of the club.
We were all asked last night to come together and put differences aside for the club and community and this is what INSSA and its membership will advocate.