Consett chairman Bell ringing out endorsements ahead of Vase Final showdown

By Mark Carruthers

 

CONSETT v HEBBURN TOWN

CONSETT AFC chairman Frank Bell is something of a visionary.

A positive, enthusiastic, forward-thinking individual who acts on his promises and delivers on a regular basis.

His ambition for his beloved club has taken them from their old Belle Vue home, where echoes of the past somehow remained part of their present, to a new purpose-built stadium that is the heart of the town.

All of the vision and drive has come from Bell, who has pushed the Steelmen forward with learned business acumen and careful investment.

Despite that positivity – and it does come in abundance – even the Consett chief can’t bring himself to imagine the full-time whistle signalling that his hometown club are FA Vase winners.

The County Durham club face Northern League rivals Hebburn Town in the 2019-20 Vase final tomorrow afternoon and Bell will be a nervous onlooker from the Royal Box at Wembley.

This is – as anyone connected with the club will tell you – his dream for Consett as a football club and for the town as a whole.

BRINGING JOY: Consett playing at Wembley will be a proud day for chairman

Vase defeats in the past have stung, promising runs have been ended in cruel fashion – but not this time.

“I think it’s the best medical pill we could give to everybody in Consett after everything that has gone on,” explained Bell.

“The pressure is on us to deliver it and give something back to the community for everything we have been through over the last 12 months.

“I have thought about it a few times, that full-time whistle going, and I keep trying to stay busy because there is an awful lot to do.

“I try to keep active; I try to keep my mind off it.

“I don’t mind saying, every time I think about it, the emotions are incredible.

“I won’t need a packet of paper hankies in my pocket if it happens, I will need a whole box of them! It would mean so much, it would be one of the proudest days of my life, after my wedding day and my children being born, and getting my new Labrador puppy!

“This will be a proud day for me, for the club and for the town.”

Motivated

Whatever the result, Consett will get another crack at the FA Vase next season.

The Football Association’s decision to curtail the season ended what looked like a promising push for promotion into the new Step 4 division.

Frank Bell

Consett were listed as a reserve club for promotion as part of a restructure of the National League system – but the confirmation that Shildon, Stockton Town and their Vase final opponents Hebburn have applied to fill the three spaces means they will be a Northern League club again next season.

Bell is already determined to deliver further success in the league and cups and planning is already underway to build on the success of their maiden Wembley appearance.

“I am extremely motivated to ensure the club does an honourable thing by bringing some success to Consett.

“We will target promotion in the league, and we will look to have another good go at the FA Vase. It will be a really big push and deliver the opportunity for the supporters to get to Wembley next year.

“It will be tough, but we have done it this year, and we can do it again,” he added.