Blyth's 4,000 capacity Croft Park is hardly 52,000 capacity SJP, and when Spartans used Newcastle's ground back in 1978 they had a full-house of 42,000. Spartans Will Not Face Blackburn At St James' Park!
Blyth's 4,000 capacity Croft Park is hardly 52,000 capacity SJP, and when Spartans used Newcastle's ground back in 1978 they had a full-house of 42,000. That year Spartans lost to Wrexham in the fifth round ... and it was ironic that Wrexham had put out the Magpies in an earlier round.
Blyth Director Ian Evans (talking to the Mirror): "Everyone talks about staging it at St James' like in 1978, but manager Harry Dunn refused to even consider it. First, because our loyal fan base want the game at Croft Park - and everyone who has a ticket stub for the replay is guaranteed admission for Rovers.
"More significantly, he thinks we can beat Blackburn at our own place.
"The TV money has been a huge bonus. This Cup run has earned us money we couldn't have dreamt of a few weeks ago."
Newcastle legend says the minnows can create history by beating Bournemouth tonight, and he believes they will go on to play his former club.