NOBODY enjoyed a game of football more than Tony Monkhouse. In fact when he was a teenager he would often play two games on a Saturday, "I would turn out for the school team on the Saturday morning and then play outside right for Frosterley in the Crook and District League on the afternoon," said Tony.

"Norman Wright lured me to Wearhead and I had a couple of seasons up there before I came back to Frosterley where Tommy Whitfield, an Evenwood player, invited me to have a trial with Evenwood in the Northern League."

The lion-hearted defender from Upper Weardale never looked back and devoted his career to the small South West Durham village club making over 500 appearances for Evenwood, 1958 -1975.

"There were a few seasons when I not only did not miss a game but I never missed a training session as well. When I worked at Wolsingham Steelworks as soon as my shift was over I was in my van and off to Evenwood to train."

Tony trained and played hard, enjoyed the craic and a few beers after the game.

When his playing career was over he managed Evenwood for a few seasons, and then had a spell as manager of Consett before he took the manager's job at Northern League Spennymoor United.

"A lot of people thought that I was making a mistake, a country lad going to a town club, but I enjoyed it. I always said the same things to the lads before they went out, 'Work hard but enjoy the game, and if you can help me to enjoy the game, all the better," added Tony.

He did well, thirty years ago, 1986-87, he took 'Spenny' to third position in the Northern League Division 1 and to an FA Cup 1st Round meeting at home to Division 4 Tranmere Rovers, managed by flamboyant Frank Worthington.

On the way they had beaten Tow Law 0-2 away in Qual. R1 (Fowler Foster), Tony's old club Evenwood 0-5 away in Qual. R2 ( Foster 3 Haley Gill), Peterlee 1-0 at home in Qual. Rd 3 (Mohan) and Gretna 2-0 at home in Qual.Rd 4 (Fowler 2).

Tony added: "Sometimes before a game I would take the lads to a little place called White Wings near Spennymoor greyhound track for a light lunch of poached egg on toast. However for the Tranmere game the committee took over and they took us to Hardwick Hall for lunch. I didn't know what to expect and got a shock when I saw Dennis Foster with half a pan of chips on his plate, that wasn't in the coaching manual."

Moors' full back Mark Irwin also recalled the build up to the game.

"We really took this game seriously," said Mark, "the club adopted a professional approach and took us for a pre-match meal. Tony stressed the importance of putting in a good shift on the pitch, but to enjoy the occasion as well. I thought we matched Tranmere; they may have had a bit more quality on the ball, but we were never overrun by them."

Spennymoor had a great start when Barry Fowler put them ahead after 23 minutes, but Ian Moir equalised from the spot after Mick Heathcote handled in the box. Two minutes later, Mark tackled Tranmere's Steve Mungall in the box. "I thought the tackle was fair and he went down easy, but the ref pointed to the spot," added Mark. Moir converted again.

Early in the second half, Mark made amends when he went on a great run down the left wing and crossed the ball, Paul Bryson stepped over it leaving Ian Mohan with a simple tap in.

Nine minutes later though Ian Moir pounced on a loose ball to complete his hat-trick and put Tranmere 2-3 ahead.

Spennymoor fought hard to draw level and Tranmere player-manager Worthington came on for the final 15 minutes.

Right on time a header from Spennymoor sub Arthur Graham was heading for the net only for the visitor's keeper to tip the effort over the bar, leaving Tranmere 3-2 winners.

Tony added: "The lads fought hard and did us proud. Stephen Storey, who was injured, might have made a difference, but we conceded three bad goals.

"Frank Worthington joined us all in the bar after the game and later we were both interviewed by a local radio station. He never tried to be clever or talk down to me – he was a great lad."

Spennymoor: Davison; Gill, Irwin, Mohan, Heathcote, Sheekey, Gilroy, Bryson, Fowler, Foster, Mason, sub Graham.