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After a promising pre-season, the real business begins this Saturday with the start on a new Northern League campaign, when newly promoted Horden CW are the visitors. Ironically, Horden’s last game in Division One was also at Bedlington, when a 1-1 draw consigned the County Durham side to relegation in the final game of the 2006-07 season.
The squad assembled over the close season period has given renewed optimism in Bedlington ranks that the club can begin challenging for honours again, after three difficult seasons as they first fought for existence, then sought stability in very difficult conditions.
It is a tribute to Terriers Chairman David Holmes for the remarkable transformation off the pitch. The place is almost unrecognisable from the shambles he inherited in the summer of 2006. Financial stability has gone hand in hand with putting in place sound structures to ensure the administration of the club is now second to none. Welfare Park itself is now gradually receiving the type of overhaul it has long needed. Spectators should already see the difference for themselves this season, but this is just the beginning of an ongoing process of upgrading facilities at the Terriers ground.
The return of the former management duo Lowery and Perry to the Bedlington hot seat in November 2007, initially raised eyebrows around the non-league scene, but after taking some time to stabilise matters on the pitch, they are slowly beginning to work their old magic in assembling a squad which has made many sit up and take notice. The proof, of course, will be in the pudding in terms of subsequent results in the coming months, but certainly there is just cause for renewed optimism in Bedlington these days.
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