The Northern Echo SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2011 Local Heroes YOUR WEEKLYGUIDE TO GRASSROOTS SPORTINTHE NORTH-EAST FA honour Eric’s dedication Grassroots Memories BY JOHN PHELAN 50 years ago

WEST Auckland slugged it out Nick with Penrith in round three of the FA Amateur Cup. The first game at Penrith ended 1-1. Loughlin Albert Clapperton netted for the hosts and Allan Douglass SPORTS EDITOR levelled. A crowd of 1,949 [email protected] turned up for the replay at twitter.com/loughlinecho West Auckland which ended 2- 2. Jack Curtis and Stan RIC Powell this week Skelton scored for West, was honoured by the Robert Watson and Albert Football Association Clapperton for Penrith. The after clocking up 50 second replay at Carlisle saw E years service to the Stan Skelton put West sport. through, while Ferryhill lost 3-2 Born in Thornaby, and now living at Hitchin Town before 5,023 in Yarm, Powell is one of football’s fans. Ronnie Heslington and unsung heroes. He has clocked up Bobby Kilcran scored their thousands of miles scouting for goals. Whitley Bay drew 3-3 some of the country’s biggest with Wimbledon at Plough clubs. Lane. Terry Bosanko, Jimmy This week he was a guest of Hodgson and Terry Bell were Middlesbrough, where boss Tony the scorers for Whitley. The Mowbray presented the award. replay at Hillheads was also a Mowbray said: “It is a fantastic draw 2-2 but in the second achievement for Eric, to reach 50 replay Wimbledon won 6-1. years of devotion to football at all RICHARD R Dinnis of levels is a truly brilliant Clitheroe, Lancashire, wrote to achievement. Eric and his family Bishop Auckland in February must be very proud.’’ and asked for a trial. The Next month Newcastle United former England Grammar will pay tribute to Eric when he will Schools player then played be a guest at St James’ Park centre-half for Bishop in a 6-1 courtesy of assistant manager win against Durham City on John Carver. Saturday, February 26. In 1977 He said: “Eric is an amazing Dinnis became manager. man, he loves football with a passion and has travelled the 20 years ago length and breadth of the country in all kinds of weather for me at my IN THE Northern League, various clubs. Shildon manager Nick Jay “He has a great knowledge of the criticised his team’s lack of game, and I trust his fantastic discipline after their lost 3-1 to judgement. Many youngsters owe top of the table Gretna and their opportunity in football to this slipped deeper into relegation man.’’ trouble. Shildon took the lead Powell worked as a scout for the through Doug Grant but late Harold Shepherdson, scouting Gretna equalised through Paul and filing reports on opposition O’Hagan. They added two teams for Boro. more goals in the last ten He spent 11 years with Everton, minutes through O’Hagan and working under the great Harry Andy Nelson. Catterick, and Howard Kendall. One of the best remembered FITTING TRIBUTE: Eric Powell receives his award from Middlesbrough boss Picture: GOFFY MEDIA players he tracked for the Toffees was . He was playing schoolboy Willie Maddren who was spotted Powell spent a lengthy period at Tommy Miller before he signed at part of the country, to monitor football in Newcastle in the early playing for Haverton Hill Boys. Manchester City, following Portman Road. footballers at every age and level , 60s, when Powell signed the Darlington full-back, former Howard Kendall from Everton, and He has also worked for Carver and I would do it all over again. youngster as a schoolboy. Newcastle and Hartlepool player then working for his close friend at Newcastle, Leeds and Sheffield “Everton was a magical period of Husband went on to play in over Paul Arnison was signed by Powell Alan Ball, and owner United. my life, I formed some wonderful 160 games on , from for Everton as a schoolboy, after at . Powell said: “I have had a friendships with people like Harry 1964, scoring 44 goals. And Boro he trailed the youngster during his He has worked as a scout for wonderful career, it has been a Catterick, Alan Ball and Howard supporting grassroots sport fans can thank Powell for one of games for English Martyrs School Colin Suggett at Ipswich, tracking privilege to devote my life to the Kendall – fantastic human beings Ayresome Park’s all-time greats – in Hartlepool. youg Shotton-born game. I have been sent to every who I loved dearly.’’ www.tonyblairsportsfoundation.org