Something a bit different which has been sitting in the background of the football club for the last year or so has recently been brought up again. There is now an official link between Blyth Spartans and Real Betis, the Spanish football side.
Back in the summer of 2011 a Spartan fan, Simon Needham, came up with an idea of finding a way to link the two green and white sides and now his passion has resulted in an official link, also known as a ‘Peña’ with the Spanish giants. The two clubs now have been sharing news, blogs and photographs to each other and have created an exciting new friendship across Europe.
Real Betis are a Spanish professional club, who play their football in the city of Seville. Their stadium, Estadio Benito Villamarin, holds 50,000 supporters and they are the fifth most supported team in Spain, behind the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Spanish football can often be found broadcast on satellite television here in the UK and is popular with many people due to the style of play. Due to both teams being famously known for their green and white stripes on their shirts, the clubs decided to become linked and form a friendship.
In December 2011, the group of Spartans fans became the first all British/Irish Peña in the UK to become linked with Betis. Trading blogs has become beneficial for Spartans as they have been seen in local media in the city of Seville and will boost the knowledge of the most famous non-league side in the world.
The plan of action in the near future is for at least 3 Blyth Spartans fans; long-time supporters Alan & Ciara McLean, along with Simon to visit Seville and become guests at an invited match, Real Betis vs Celta Vigo in May. Blyth fans will be shown around the club by the Real Betis officials. Plans are still being discussed about hopefully sending a 7 a side football team across to Spain to represent the Peña in a tournament, with the other official Peña’s from around the world.
To find out more information, you can find the official Facebook page “Blyth Betis Peña betica” or visit the online Blyth Spartans forum under ‘Blyth Betis’ on www.welcometosparta.com
Above: Blyth Spartans fans, Chris Ferguson, Kevin Little and Scott Dewhurst along with Simon and his wife Tracy
Best of luck to Simon and others for when they fly over to Spain in May and hopefully, in the summer, to help boost the link further between the clubs!