MORRIS DELIGHTED WITH OPENING DAY VICTORY

Luke Duden

Redcar Town joint manager Mitch Morris was “delighted” after his sides’ milestone opening day victory over Newcastle Blue Star.

Town earned promotion to Division One for the first time after success in a gruelling end of season schedule that saw them earn the title of Division Two champions, and there was more to celebrate to start the 2026/27 campaign for the North Yorkshire outfit.

Morris’ men, sharing the dugout with co-manager James Smuk, beat last season’s promotion hopefuls Blue Star, who finished just three points short of a play-off spot in the previous campaign, 3-2 in Scotswood.

Redcar twice came from behind to earn victory and got their maiden soiree at step five off to a winning start, with the grit and determination of his side of little surprise to Morris.

“This group is never down. They’re never defeated. To win the league last year we had 10 games in 21 days, it was a game every two days, and we don’t feel we got enough recognition for it. 

“So, we came today and we said ‘we’re going to enjoy ourselves, and do what we’re good at, and the result will take care of itself.’ 

“We had a good pre-season and the lads know what they can do, and when they put their heads together and stick together we know we’re a good team. We’ve just got to keep consistent, and that’s what we’ve got to do now.”

Morris also looked forward to his sides’ challenging trip to Northern League returnees Newton Aycliffe on Tuesday night, in what will prove a huge test against the 2022/23 champions – who suffered relegation from the Northern Premier League East Division last season.

“We go to Aycliffe on Tuesday, which is massive for the club and it’s massive for us, we’re delighted that we’re going to places like that this year.”

(Photo: Redcar Town FC)