Morpeth play in the Northern League and don't want to move any higher because of all the travelling involved says their chairman Ken Beattie. However the standard of that league is quite high given over the past eight years one of the teams playing in the FA Vase has come from the Northern League.
"We’re happy to play in the Northern League because it’s derby matches
and I believe in strong local leagues,” says Beattie, who has served
his club as player, manager, president and chairman, as reported by Chronicle Live.
“If you get into
the EvoStick (the Northern Premier League) there’s a lot of travelling
to Manchester, North Wales and places like that.
“In the Midlands there’s not the same amount of travelling when they go to a higher league, and that’s the issue that’s got to be addressed. Unless they can sort that out they’re going to struggle to get teams to move up to the next level.”
Beattie has been involved with the club for nearly 50 years first as a player and latterly as chairman.
“Ken’s done a fantastic job for the club,” said manager Nicky Grey.
“He doesn’t want to be in the royal box, he wants to be pitchside.
“It’s nice to be able to pay him back with a day out at Wembley.
“The Northern League’s got a fantastic record in this competition and we’ve got to try and keep it going. It helps all the Northern League teams because our opponents know they’re going to be in for a tough game."