JANUARY

The year started with the launch of the Keith Howlette memorial trophy, to be held in August for the first time. The Northern Alliance side sign striker James Tose who started the season at Annan Athletic. Midfielder Mike Holliday is diagnosed with a bout of pneumonia.
Young forward Mark Worrall has a good month, as he scores 5 goals in Northbank Reserves' 7-1 win over Carvetti and he then scores his first Northern Alliance goal, at Murton. The Murton game ends in a draw but Northbank win two other games, at Easington Colliery and home to Lowick in the League Cup.
Northbank Reserves win all four games in the month. The 3-1 victory over Penrith Rangers sees normal centre-half Barrie Stevenson deputising in goal.

MARK WORRALL-   good month for the striker

FEBRUARY

Details are announced of a shirt sponsorship draw to be held in June. Northbank decide to ban all of their players from wearing bladed boots with effect from the start of the 2006/7 season. Northbank under 12s girls win their first-ever match when they beat Ex-Servicemens 2-1 at the Sheepmount.
Northbank under 9s have a keen contest ongoing for leading scorer between hot-shots Jason McMullen & Craig Thompson.
Northbank Reserves are thrown out of the Mason & Freeman cup after fielding a player-Tavis Couling- who was ineligible to play, in the game at Ullswater. Long-serving Northbank member Ian Monkhouse passes his driving test amidst panic on the roads of Cumbria. Northbank's Alliance game at home to Murton is cancelled at short notice when the visitors' team coach is involved in a collision.
Northbank under 13s progress to the semi-final of the Tesco cup.
There are only two Alliance games in the month, with a win at home to Walker Central but a defeat at Newcastle University. Northbank Reserves win three out of four games in February but suffer an incredible 6-5 loss at home to Wetheriggs Reserves.

No more L's for "Monky"

MARCH

The month begins with Northbank's second Sporting Dinner with special guests Alan Ball and John Stiles. The evening is a great success and £160 is donated to Eden Valley Hospice. Northbank under 13s lose on penalties to Warwick Wanderers in the semi-final of the Tesco cup. The under 12s reach the semi-final of the County Cup after beating Seaton 3-1.
Northbank under 12 girls win their second match of the season when they beat Stanwix 2-0. The senior side offer a work placement to Carlisle United YTS player Rob Bainbridge, who is to be released by United at the end of the season. Only three Alliance games are played in the month with defeat at home to Newcastle University but a win over Murton. An incredible 17 minutes of added time against Carlisle City sees a 2-1 lead turn into a 3-2 loss. Northbank Reserves have only one game in March and it is an important 2-0 win at Carvetti with two goals from Martin Coulthard.

ROB BAINBRIDGE-  on work placement from Carlisle United

APRIL

Northbank under 14s move into the final of the CG youth league cup by beating Denton Holme, and the squad also travel to Clacton over the Easter weekend for a football tournament, where they lose in the final. The under 12s reach the County Cup final after a dramatic penalty shoot-out against Workington, they had lost on penalties a few days earlier against Harraby Catholic Club in the league cup.
Northbank A under 8s reach the final of the Solway Classic in Silloth, but they are unlucky to lose to Girvan Youth. Northbank Reserves are promoted to Divison 1 of the Westmorland League as they win all three games in the month.
Northbank under 12s are confirmed as champions of the CG youth league. In the Alliance, Northbank beat Percy Main, Team Northumbria, Ponteland & Walker Central but lose disastrously by 5-1 to Carlisle City in the semi-final of the League Cup.

Under 14s set off for Clacton-on-sea

MAY

Northbank under 14s win the CG youth league cup at Brunton Park when they beat Yewdale Pegasus 2-1. Northbank Reserves are crowned champions of Westmorland League division 2 after a 1-1 draw against second-placed Burneside and the final game sees a 2-2 draw at Windermere SC Reserves.
Northbank under 12s lose 1-0 to Upperby Park in the final of the County Cup. Northbank 1970 under 12s, in their last-ever game, win the Newlaithes tournament at Rickerby Park. The Alliance side play 6 games in May and win four of them to end the season in a creditable 5th place. The senior player of the year award is given to Robbie Short with the Reserves' trophy going to Barrie Stevenson.

Paul Lord with championship trophy

JUNE

The Northbank shirt draw is won by PSI Plant Hire Ltd and they become senior shirt sponsors for the 2006/7 season. Northbank continue to arrange coaching sessions for young goalkeepers, led by Carlisle United's Adam Bradley. The club part company with Northern Alliance manager Stuart Darlington and advertise for a replacement. The search begins for a new pub base after the decision is taken to leave the St. Nicholas Arms.
Northbank A under 18s are launched and they are coached by Alisdair Wilson. James Tose leaves Northbank to become joint-manager at Harraby Catholic Club.

2006/7 shirt sponsor

JULY

Mick Galloway is appointed as first-team manager with assistance from Clive Heaney. Northbank launch an exciting draw to win a new Suzuki Swift for just £1. A new pub base is found at the Near Boot, Whiteclosegate. Trialist Baboucarr Johm arrives at the club, having just moved to Maryport from the Birmingham area, and he scores in his first game as Northbank Reserves draw 3-3 in a friendly at Langholm. The senior team's friendlies result in a 1-1 draw with Cockermouth and a 4-2 defeat at home to Penrith United. The game against Gillford Park has to be postponed at short notice.
The Northern Alliance fixtures computer gives Northbank four successive home games at the beginning of the season. Assistant manager Clive Heaney is admitted to hospital with a blood infection. Centre-half Ally Lang decides to leave the club, and joins Gillford Park. Northbank Reserves spring a real shock when goals from McKenzie and Worrall earn a 2-1 win at Northern League Penrith.

BABOUCARR JOHM- joined Northbank after moving from the Birmingham area

AUGUST

Long serving player Mark Butler, and goalkeeper Jack Twentyman, become the next to move to Gillford Park. Midfielder Mike Holliday decides to sign for Carlisle City. The final pre-season friendly sees a 5-2 win at Pirelli.
Northbank host a junior football tournament over two days at Lough Farm. Tom Brocklebank is appointed captain of the Alliance side with Neil Thorley as vice-captain and the new season starts with home wins over Shankhouse and Blyth Town. This is followed by defeat against Harraby Catholic Club and a 2-2 draw with Heaton Stannington. Two men are sent off as Northbank crash 3-0 at Carlisle City.
Carlisle Spartans win the Keith Howlette memorial trophy held at the Sheepmount. Northbank junior player Jack Fleming fractures his skull after being hit by a golf club.
Northbank Reserves start their Westmorland League campaign on a winning note with a 3-1 victory over Appleby.

Lough farm tournament

SEPTEMBER

The CG youth league season starts with a 3-0 "derby" win for Northbank under 18s over their A team counterparts. In the under 8s derby, Northbank beat the 1970 side 5-3. Georgia Smethirst, from Northbank under 10s girls, scores 5 goals against Carlisle City. Northbank under 18s A win their first-ever game, 2-0 at Longtown.
Northbank begin to sell metal badges and key-rings emblazoned with the club logo. Ex-Premiership referee Jeff Winter is booked to appear in the 2007 Sporting Dinner along with comedian Josh Daniels.
It is a bad month for the senior side, with three defeats and only one win, at Ashington Colliers. Northbank Reserves lose all three league games in the month but win 5-0 at Kendal United in the Westmorland Senior cup.

JEFF WINTER-  booked to appear in 2007 Sporting dinner.

OCTOBER

Northbank under 14s beat their under 14s A counterparts 4-1 in the CG youth league. Both Richard Fiddler and Mark Stevenson are sent off as Northbank Reserves lose 4-1 at leaders Kendal County. In the next game, Barrie Stevenson is dismissed in a 1-0 defeat at Burneside. Alliance team regular Chris Morrow jets off to Thailand and China and is not expected back until next year.
Alliance captain Tom Brocklebank completes the Cumbrian Run in 1 hour 47 minutes. The lucky winner of the Suzuki Swift is Robert John Harding from Walton. Northbank are found guilty of breaching FA rule E20 following an incident at half-time in the game at Carlisle City. The club are fined £150, £100 suspended for 12 months.
Northbank under 18s play an enjoyable 2-2 draw with Crown Newlaithes. The under 16s 1970 team are top of their table for part of the month. Both sides have a player dismissed as Northbank under 18s draw 2-2 with Carlisle City.
The Alliance side have an unbeaten month with wins over Peterlee and Rutherford (League cup) and draws at Wallsend & Ponteland.

Robert Harding presented with his keys after winning the Northbank car draw

NOVEMBER

Mark Stevenson scores twice for Cumberland FA under 18s as they win 3-2 at Kendal. Northbank begin to monitor the progress of 3G pitches. Striker Mark Worrall leaves for Gillford Park. David Alexander scores on his debut for Northbank Reserves but they go out of the Westmorland Senior Cup, to Appleby. Northbank under 14s score 87 goals in their first 9 games of the season.
Northbank under 10s 1970 girls are voted team of the week after gaining a fine 3-3 draw with Crown Newlaithes. The senior squad is strengthened with the additions of Gary Sanderson, Leighton Ullyart & Johnathan Barnes. Northbank under 10s beat Gillford Park 4-1 in a game played in a thunderous downpour. The under 14s beat Pirelli 5-4 in the County Cup.
www.northbankfc.co.uk has been visited by people from 34 different countries. It is a poor month for the Alliance side with defeats at Newcastle University (0-2), Blyth Town (0-2) and Easington Colliery (0-4).

Northbank crash to defeat at Blyth Town

DECEMBER

Northbank Reserves reach the quarter-final of the Westmorland Benevolent trophy with a 2-1 win over Sedbergh. Matt Little, from the under 16s, starts training with the senior squad before unfortunately breaking his arm. Kendal Town Reserves cancel the Westmorland League game on the Saturday morning, and are deducted 3 points by the league committee.
The senior side win a thrillingv County Cup tie at Keswick. The game finishes 4-4 after 90 minutes but Northbank come out on top, 6-5 after extra time. The under 14s move into the semi-final of the County Cup after winning on penalties against Carlisle City. Max Brown, from under 8s 1970, has a good month as he scores 9 goals in 2 games.
Penrith United request 7 days notice to speak to manager Mick Galloway and assistant Clive Heaney and permission is granted.

With Northbank's game rained off at lunchtime we trekked down the M6 to the World Group Stadium, formerly known as Southend Road (pictured above). Penrith were entertaining Marske in Northern League Division 2. Penrith were sitting second, 6 points behind leaders South Shields, whilst Marske were mid-table but with games in hand.

Marske's line-up included centre-half Craig Winter, son of Jeff- speaker at Northbank's sporting dinner in March. He is an imposing centre-half built in the traditional no-nonsense mould. The kick-off was preceded by the minute's silence for Remembrance day along with a tribute to the death of  a long-standing Penrith member.

Marske always seemed to have the edge in the first half and played some neat football. Penrith keeper Holland had to stretch to claw away a header from under his crossbar.

Marske were backed vociferously by a small but noisy band of supporters and they were nearly stunned when Michael Reed's shot clipped the crossbar.

The big defender, second right, is Craig Winter (son of Jeff)

Marske went ahead 5 minutes before half-time when a  thunderous 30-yard shot rebounded off the far post and was tapped in by a forward close to goal.

Penrith rallied for a spell after half-time without seriously threatening the Marske goal. The visitors sealed the game with two goals in the last 10 minutes before Robertson headed an injury-time consolation for Penrith.

Penrith's early promise is beginning to fade and they do seem short on numbers, manager David Heslop was one of the named substitutes. Marske were impressive and I suspect that they will be in contention by the end of the season. Manager Charlie Bell has his side well-organised and he was an entertaining character on the touch-line.