Backtrack
Inside story

5:01am Saturday 16th February 2019
NONE who follows Newcastle United could ever forget February 5 1972, the day that Hereford United, of the Southern League, beat the first division Magpies in an FA Cup third round replay. The March issue of The Oldie magazine updates the story.
The great escaper - Hebburn the next stop on the Railroad to Wembley

5:00am Saturday 16th February 2019
THE Railroad to Wembley in 2018-19 has been a course of recurring disappointment, barely offering anxious adventurers the chance to cross the Tees.
Posh comes to shove - the uncharted territory of the St James’ Park executive boxes

5:00am Saturday 9th February 2019
AS unaccustomed as are Newcastle United to the last 16 of the FA Cup, so are the St James’ Park executive boxes uncharted territory to a common or garden column like this.
Every picture...

5:02am Saturday 9th February 2019
AT Heritage Park, appropriately named, Bishop Auckland FC last week opened a permanent photographic exhibition showcasing the club’s uniquely successful history.
Mike Amos: Saluting John Topping’s 25 years service to Durham FA

5:00am Saturday 2nd February 2019
SLIGHTLY delayed because the principal guest had undergone thyroid surgery – “they couldn’t find anyone willing to cut my throat,” he says – a dinner the other night saluted John Topping’s 25 years service to Durham FA, the last 22 as company secretary.
Backtrack: The wizard of Oz - when Aussie Matthews took ten wickets

5:00am Sunday 27th January 2019
WHICKHAM’S windy, almost always is. “Aa’m not gannin’ oot there, aa’ll get blarn away,” says an elderly lady before the gusty, gutsy Ebac Northern League game with Consett.
Gary Forrest, the West Auckland manager behind Newcastle’s tallest building

5:00am Saturday 26th January 2019
THIS is the story of Gary Forrest, chairman of a group of companies recently valued at £1.2bn and manager of West Auckland football club, going OK but worth a few bob less.
Diving licence?

5:02am Saturday 19th January 2019
HITHERTO rather short of memories of the golden age, Bishop Auckland FC’s handsome new stadium will soon be adorned with 17 large photographs of the Two Blues unparalleled purple patch.
Former police inspector Gordon Bacon on honorary degree: 'I had a bit of a wobble on'

5:00am Saturday 19th January 2019
FORMER police inspector Gordon Bacon was appointed OBE in 1998, services to humanitarian relief, last week received an honorary MA degree from Durham University.
The tale of the penalty that went out for a throwing and other stories on the Railroad to Wembley

8:40am Saturday 12th January 2019
MR Nigel Brierley’s true or false quizzes have become a 150-watt highlight of our Railroad to Wembley expeditions.
Where there’s muck there’s usually been Raye Wilkinson – now honoured by the Queen

8:30am Saturday 12th January 2019
HONOURS even, The Times publishes the New Year gongs in their entirety, and in the same titchy print whatever the accolade.
Mike Amos: Not even a broken back can stop Hilda Moses’s passionate support for her beloved Boro

7:00am Saturday 5th January 2019
THE day after Boxing Day, when her beloved Boro had been booed unfestively from the field, may not have been the best time to look in on Hilda Moses.
Pigeon holed

7:12am Saturday 22nd December 2018
The column joins the Saints. It was only a matter of time.
When Christmases really were white and footballers just pulled up their socks and got on with it

5:00am Saturday 22nd December 2018
NEWCASTLE United historian Paul Joannou’s greetings card is redolent of another age – when Christmases really were white and footballers just pulled up their socks and got on with it.
Civic pride

5:52am Saturday 15th December 2018
The Right Worshipful Mayor of Sunderland and her consort have just returned from a pensioners’ Christmas lunch, one of many festive engagements in the civic diary.
New town old boys

6:06am Saturday 8th December 2018
A nostalgic gathering tonight will reunite all 12 members of a record breaking football squad more than half a century after last they played together.
The Railroad to Wembley travels by train but flies with the Lancasters

5:00am Saturday 8th December 2018
THIS is the Christmas Railroad to Wembley, almost a flight of fancy, though things get off to a distinctly unfestive start.
Backtrack: Munich remembered

5:01am Saturday 1st December 2018
BORN out of terrible sadness, the story of the enduringly happy relationship between Bishop Auckland and Manchester United football clubs began a new chapter last week.
Backtrack: Round figures

5:01am Saturday 1st December 2018
TIM WELLOCK, affectionately remembered on the Echo’s sports pages, is the new seniors captain at Barnard Castle Golf Club. Come up and see us, he suggests.
Award winning columnist Mike Amos tells the stories of North-East grassroots sport stalwarts and looks back at the characters that live long in the memory
Sport Columnists
Scott Wilson
Wilson's World
Chief sports writer Scott Wilson takes a look back at the last seven days in sport and picks his chumps and champs of the week.
Paul Fraser
Fraser Kicks Off
Chief football writer Paul Fraser keeps an eye on the region’s football scene and considers whether Newcastle United, Sunderland and Middlesbrough do things right.
Mike Amos
Backtrack
Award winning columnist Mike Amos tells the stories of North-East grassroots sport stalwarts and looks back at the characters that live long in the memory.
Paul Fraser
Fraser From The Fairway
Golf writer Paul Fraser takes a look at the North-East golf scene.
Trevor Oakley
Darlo Diary
Trevor Oakley, 34, has supported Darlington FC for over 25 years, seeing few highs and many lows. Like all fans, he has his opinions; time will tell whether you agree.