Spennymoor United 1963-1964 Season.

Standing: Jack Flanagan (trainer), Alan Iceton, Graham Defty, Peter Joyce, Robert Ellen, Alan West, Bryan Berryman, John Brown
Sitting: Brian Morris, Jimmy McGeorge, Harry Bell (Manager-Coach), Derek Fawell, Kenny Banks

The photo was included with an article written by Norman Ackland in 'Charles Buchan's Football Monthly' from July 1964. The article reads as follows:

SPENNYMOOR YOUNGSTERS AIM FOR THE TOP

If Spennymoor United can keep their present youthful side together they will soon be on top of the amateur world in County Durham.

Their 1963-64 team - by far the youngest and probably the most promising in the Northern League - fought through from the first qualifying round of the FA Amateur to the fourth round proper.

It was just their bad luck to come up against the experienced Barnet men in one of their most devastating moods.

The average age of their players is only 22. Goalkeeper, Robert Ellen a product of the famous Hylton Colliery Juniors is 20. Graham Defty, a powerfully-built rightback, very quick on the turn, is only 19, and his partner, Bryan Berryman, one of the most consistently good defenders in the North East, is 21. The 23-year-old captain and right-half Alan Iceton has been with the club since they reverted to amateur status four seasons ago. He sets an example to the rest of the team by keeping himself in the very pink of condition. Cente-half, Peter Joyce, a tough 22-year-old miner is known locally as the "Charlie Hurley of Spennymoor", and Alan West, the same age, is an attacking wing-half of great promise. Brian Morris 21, is a very speedy winger and an accurate shot with a knack of taking uncommonly accurate corner-kicks. His right-wing partner. 28 year-old Jimmy McGeorge is a natural ball-player. Centreforward Derek Fawell 19, has had his ability already recognised and played for the F.A. against the Army at Catterick. Inside-left Kenneth Banks 18 - the youngest player in the team - has represented Durham County Grammar Schools and Durham Youth XI. His outside partner John Brown, 23, from across the Scottish border, gained representative honours while serving with the R.A.F.

Yes, the accent is certainly on youth in the Spennymoor team, much to the joy, no doubt of their manager Harry Bell (Middlesbrough and Darlington). He is a qualified F.A. coach who played more than 300 matches at wing-half in First Division Soccer between 1944 and 1955. Jack Flanagan who has gained many honours in the St John Ambulance Brigade, has been the Moor's trainer for many years.

Founded in 1901, Spennymoor played in the Northern League for a few seasons then became semi-professional and joined the North Eastern League. They rejoined their original competition when turning amateur again at the start of the 1960-61 campaign.

Their ground, surrounded by a Council estate, holds 5.000 (2.000 under cover). Chairman J. Smith is an ex-Barnsley and Plymouth player. Treasurer C. Courtley has been on the Committee for 15 years, and Honorary Secretary R. Hutchinson, who joined the club in 1938, has the unique experience of being Secretary while the dub were in the North Eastern League, the Midland League and now the Northern League.