Every football fan loves an away day and Ryhope Colliery Welfare manager Gary Pearson knows that when they come around in the Buildbase FA Vase, they’re that bit extra special.
The Ryhope CW fans will be hosts this weekend though, with City of Liverpool travelling to Sunderland as two teams with very different histories meet in the second round.
Ryhope CW was founded back in 1892 by a mining community, whereas the Liverpudlians were formed in 2015 to provide a non-League football presence in the centre of the city.
And with three coaches of Purps supporters already full and a red-hot atmosphere expected at the Ryhope Recreation Park, Pearson expects a special occasion come Saturday.
“City of Liverpool will bring 250 fans and that’s music to our ears financially, but how will our club react? I am really looking forward to it,” said Pearson.
“Liverpool will be over the moon coming up here – the fans and the team have a day out.
“If we get through, we might get a nice away trip for our lads to get a day out. It keeps the season alive.
“I have had a look at them but realistically, that can all change on the day. They have two years of history. They are brand new, so we don’t have much to go on.
“They have risen through the leagues and they have a big fan base. If they do get a ground they can call home, I think they will go from strength to strength.
“Hopefully it doesn’t start on Saturday.”
Pearson is a sales manager during the week and despite being based in Sunderland, he regularly travels down to Hampshire, Devon and Cornwall with work.
Despite this, he rarely misses a game and has a trusted number two in Stuart Gooden for the odd occasions his job keeps him away from the North East.
“Stuart Gooden is my number two, and my older brother’s best friend. We have been together for seven years in management,” explained Pearson.
“He’s a friend and if we were not in football we would be watching it together in a pub.
“I missed a midweek game against West Auckland Town and we beat them 5-1. That was all Stu’s doing – that’s the trust I have in him.
“The last two games I’ve been at, we have been beaten, so maybe I should stay away!”
Buildbase FA Vase history
Ryhope CW have yet to get beyond the second round of the Buildbase FA Vase. They reached the same stage in the 2014-15 and 2016-17 seasons.
City of Liverpool have never competed in the Vase before. Their first Emirates FA Cup journey, earlier this season, ended at the first round qualifying stage when they were beaten 2-1 by Nantwich Town.
Did you know?
The coal pit in Ryhope CW closed in 1966 and in the 1967-68 season, they had their best-ever run in the FA Cup, reaching the first round proper for the first and only time – they lost 1-0 to Workington.
The prize
The winner of Saturday’s tie will progress to the third round proper and earn £900 in prize money.
