About the writer

Andrew Griffin was born in Newcastle in 1944 and has spent most of his life within a pebble’s throw of the River Tyne. Andrew, a teacher by trade but writer and historian by inclination, has written many plays and books with a regional theme.

His formative years were spent in Whitley Bay during the town’s heady days as a seaside resort and he remembers Tynemouth long sands and Collingwood’s monument as favourite childhood haunts. It was years later, when Andrew, as a North Tyneside guide, became aware that very few people knew about the life and times of Cuthbert Collingwood.

The book is intended to revive the memory of a forgotten hero. Andrew, and wife Pat, moved from Tynemouth to Alston in Cumbria – from the mouth to the source of the Tyne, and more recently moved back to Northumberland and is living in Shilbottle near Alnwick.

Adrew Griffin, author of Cuthbert Collingwood, the Northumbrian who saved the Nation

Andrew Griffin's latest book is the amazing story of the FA Cup giant-killers Blyth Spartans in the 1977-78 season. The NE mining town, and the country at large, were entering the 'Winter of discontent' with strikes, social unrest and some of the worst weather for decades. Out of the gloom came eleven Geordie non-League footballers who with their brand of skill and humour captured the nation's hearts. Match of the Day was given over to their game 5th Round FA Cup match against Wrexham and the viewing public saw Blyth Spartans on the verge of a place in the last eight of the world-famous competition. Wrexham equalised (controversially) and the non-leaguers finally bowed out in a replay at St James' Park - home of Newcastle United - in front of a record 42,000 spectators.

Andrew interviewed players and fans and 'Two Wins from Wembley' captures the atmosphere of life in the Northern League and the those heady days before the Premiership when Blyth's only two foreigners came from Consett and Bishop Auckland in County Durham.

Two Wins from Wembley
Blyth Spartans' Historic FA Cup Run 1977-78

by Andrew Griffin

140 pages packed with black and white photographs

ISBN 0-9548698-1-8

Published by Mouth of the Tyne Publications.
November 2006. To order the book see here

Foreword by Sir Bobby Robson CBE