Newton Aycliffe FC’s oldest supporter, Charlie Bussey, is ready for a new season at Moore Lane. The octogenarian was so keen to get his season ticket that he paid for it at the end of last season.
With the humour that has made him so popular at the Club he joked, as he handed over his money, “If I don’t make it, raffle my ticket!”
Charlie rarely misses a game, home or away, & followed the team as far as Camberley in Surrey last season. On the rare occasions when he can’t get to a game Charlie relies on Facebook, not that he’s taken to social media himself.
His son Michael, who lives in Birmingham, follows the team on Facebook and passes on match news to his dad. Newton Aycliffe FC have commenced pre-season and played a friendly against Rotherham side Maltby Main last Saturday. Charlie was on hand to receive his ticket from club chairman, Allan Oliver.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw with last season’s top scorer, John Campbell getting Aycliffe’s goal. The team now play 3 games in a week as they prepare for the season. An away tie to Brandon on Tuesday 19th July is followed by home matches to Darlington RA on Thursday 21st and Northallerton on Friday 22nd. That game is the annual Frank Swinburne Memorial Trophy game, honouring the popular club stalwart.
Aycliffe then welcome recently promoted Spennymoor Town on Tuesday 26 July (ko 7:30pm). The Moors are now two divisions higher than Aycliffe in the National League system & will be a very tough test for Peter Dixon’s team. Peter has brought some new faces to Moore Lane for the new campaign.
The first competitive game of the 2016/2017 season will be the FA Cup on 6th August where Aycliffe have been drawn away to Washington. Usually the FA Cup starts on the second Saturday of the season and teams play two league games before the cup match, however, this year the FA have decided to start a week early.
Season Ticket application form are available from the Club’s website www.newtonaycliffefc.co.uk The tickets cost £100 for adults, £60 concessions & include free admission to all home friendlies.
Alan Oliver (left) with Charlie Bussey
