stakesby arms football club

THE Stakesby Arms Football Club was formed in May 2003, by a core of players who previously played for the First Inn Last Out FC. James Howard, Nick Trott, Dean Abbott, the Headlam brothers Chris and Mike, Paul Owen, Andrew Snaith and Darren Wright were the men that made it all happen. Arms decided to play in Tangerine (despite Ginge's protests on fashion grounds) just because few other clubs played in that distinctive colour.

The then manageress of the Stakesby Arms, Mrs Doreen Carrington, provided money towards the cost of the new kits. Later, local businessman Richard Jackson of Jackson Interiors donated £200 to sponsor the kit and buy other equipment.

The Cleveland League proved a tough task for the fledgling Arms side with a 10-0 hammering setting the tone at eventual champions Lingdale Tavern, though Arms were to have their revenge. A monumental 14-1 hammering at Redcar Mackinley Park dealt a hammer blow to the lads' confidence. Though a 2-0 lead over Annandale Hotel before capitulating 6-2 and levelling three times against Goldsborough only to lose 7-3, showed there was definite potential, not to mention the agonising 6-5 reverse in gale-force Great Ayton. It looked as though Arms were going to break records by losing every game, they were even in negative points after failing to raise a side to visit Grangetown in August. On -3 points, Arms travelled to Brotton on a Wednesday night after dominating the match Arms found themselves a goal down thanks to an early second-half penalty after Howard's foul. But Arms battled on and in injury time, Adam Steele crossed for Dave Webster to power home an incredible last-gasp equaliser and the bottom club had their first point.

More was to follow with a narrow 2-0 defeat in the Semi Finals of the Eileen Hodgson Bowl against local rivals Whitby Fishermens followed by the match of the season. Already crowned league champions, Lingdale Tavern found themselves 4-0 down to the super Arms in half an hour. Despite rallying back to 4-3, Ian Smith's 85th minute free-kick sealed a famous 5-3 victory, Arms first ever win of the Saturday season. New pub owner scotsman Bill Brown came and went with brother and sister team Graham Sutherland and Alison Parkin taking the reins