THIS IS a picture of Newton Cap FC in the late-1930s. They competed in the two blues of Bishop Auckland and played on the batts, or on a field by the river.

They changed in the Toronto colliery stables - the door behind them has a horseshoe on it.

The picture has been sent in by Alan Johnson, of Shildon, whose father Jimmy is the first player on the left of the front row. Jimmy also played for Stanley United around this time. Jimmy, wearing boots that were two sizes too big, scored the only goal of a cup final for Stanley United at Arsenal's Highbury ground. He was presented with his medal by the Queen Mother.

Newton Cap FC must have been quite good, because second from right on the back row (next to the goalkeeper) is Carl Straughan, a defender who also played for Bishop Auckland, with whom he twice won the FA Amateur Cup. His first taste of fame was in 1935, when before a crowd of 23,325 at Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough, the blues were held to a 0-0 draw by Wimbledon. The replay was in front of 32,744 at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge, and the Bishops won 2-1.

Straughan's second cup final was in 1939, in front of 20,200 at Roker Park, Sunderland, when the Bishops beat Willington 3-0 after extra time. Playing alongside him that day was a 20-year-old from Hetton called Bob Paisley, soon to be signed by Liverpool...