Whitby Town has, since its formation in 1926 has being a non-league club and has barely put one foot forward into the Football League arena. Now with the formation of the Conference North/South it puts the Seasiders two promotions away from that elusive golden carrot.
The club neither has had much success; the furthest reached in the FA Cup is the first round for which they lost their tie at Hartlepool United 4-0 during the 2003-04 campaign. Whilst in 2002 they drew in the same stage (1-1) at home to Plymouth Argyle on to lose the replay 3-2 at Home Park. The first original tie was screened live on BBC TV.
The Turnbull Ground is centred away from the town centre but in a built up area surrounded by houses and hotels but struggle with finances to bring in quality players.
Club Guide
Team: Whitby Town |
The ground was as I expected it to be as some would put it 'a dump', however it was exactly how I expected a non-league ground to be. I had already at this point of watching football visited Old Trafford, Oakwell and Alfred McAlpine Stadium so wasn't expecting a super stadium.
It cost at the time £3.00 to go and was in about half of a mile walking distance from the caravan park. It was a cold midweek night and a friendly against then League Two opposition Darlington in a pre-season friendly.
Stadium and Pitch: 4/10
Due to the grounds location there are only two sides to this small ground; I sat in the main stand which was an old shed structure with porter toilets as facilities. The food was reasonable and tasted better than what you would find at some Football League grounds.
At the other side of the pitch was a small all-seated stand which looked like it had been built only in the previous five years or so; but looked adequate.
Thankfully the main stand has been knocked down and now re-built (see picture) at a cost of £350,000 and won an award for 'Best new stand...' in 2006.
Despite its facilities it was a nice little ground and situated in the best part of North Yorkshire; it is a ground that I would like to visit again.
Programme: 2/10
Having being a pre-season friendly Whitby Town only produced an A4 sized sheet naming players of the two teams; nothing to write home about.
Performance and Result: 3/10
Darlington road away back to the North East with a 5-0 victory under their belts. Although not for Town's efforts who made every attempt to get into the game and create chances.
The visitors had fielded a full strengthen side and dominated as goals flew in, three goals were scored in the first half (21, 31 and 44 minute), whilst a further two were added (57 and 62 minute) in the second half.
One comical moment in the game was to the goal left of me when Town were on the attack a Darlington defender blocked a shot, but the ball whizzed up into the air and flew over the goal and smashed though a bathroom window which was positioned directly behind the ground.
The game was always going to be difficult but didn't help matters when the sea threat came in late on in the game; it made conditions difficult and could barely see the opposite stand because it - the troubles of being a coastal town.
Atmosphere: 1/10
Whitby Town rarely see a good attendance and a sell-out which bares heavily on the atmosphere; for which there were non.
Overall: 10/40
:: Previous Visits to Turnbull Ground ::
- 31.07.2002 - Whitby 0-5 Darlington (friendly)