During the evening Beardsley took time out to formally present the club with it’s FA Charter Standard Award. The club have become only the third team in Northumberland FA to achieve the highest honour of Community Club status.

Paul Macpherson, the club’s Academy Director explained: "Community Clubs are those that have a high quality, multi-team (minimum of 10 teams) set-up with excellent social, training and playing opportunities for all.

"All new FA Community Clubs are required to meet FA criteria, ensuring they provide opportunities for players irrespective of age, gender, religion and ability. Clubs must also provide qualified coaches, first aiders and child protection officers."

"As part of achieving this award we have had to put in place a 5 year development plan which for our club, focuses on player development and improving our facilities. With our experienced team of coaches, which is predominantly made up of FA and UEFA qualified staff, our main focus is on individual development.

"Our aim is to produce a steady stream of youngsters through to our first team squad, and hopefully into the professional game. To supplement this process we have this year extended our senior age group to under 19 and introduced a reserve team which will give players aged 16 – 21 valuable experience of senior level football."

"We have also partnered up with professional clubs both in England and Scotland to ensure greater opportunities and exposure for young players. Our flagship team each year is our FA Youth Cup squad which is a superb opportunity for us to put our best players into the view of the professional clubs.

"This year our squad achieved our aim of reaching the first round proper of the competition beating Halifax Town, Scarborough, and Frickley Athletic on the way. In early 2005 we will commence our recruitment process for next season’s FA Youth Cup"

"In the new year we will be formally launching our Community Development Scheme in local schools which will enable our experienced coaches to work with children of all abilities and physical disabilities, as well as promoting girls football in Whitley Bay."

"It is not just players who will benefit in the future at Whitley Bay Football Club. We also have an excellent development programme for coaches who are keen to progress through the FA Learning structure.

"We encourage all of our coaches to be members of the FA Coaches Association and offer financial assistance in obtaining relevant qualifications. We currently have some vacancies for coaches and would be keen to hear from anyone who may be interested in joining our progressive club"

For further information regarding the content of this article, please contact Paul Macpherson at wbfcacademy@aol.com