It's the first time Spartans will have visited the Fantastic Media Ground for over a quarter of a century when goals from Danny Day and current assistant boss Steve Nicholson saw Emley win 2-0 in the old Unibond (NPL) League.

The fortunes of both clubs took very different turns since those days when the sides were regular opponents through the 90's and early 2000's, but Emley's rise from the ashes and Blyth's spectacular fall from grace have seen the pair reunited.

The sides met on the Northumberland coast back in October and played out a goalless draw, but the form this season now suggests something different on Saturday, although Spartans posted encouraging wins recently over Bridlington and Grimsby Boro, followed by defeat to second placed Matlock Town, Wednesday's postponement at leaders Redcar Athletic meant that Spartans avoided facing the top 3 in successive games but they sit rock bottom of the league and looking at an unthinkable third relegation in a row.

Third placed Emley meanwhile are hanging on the coattails of the top two with Bradford (Park Avenue) and Dunston now breathing down our necks, but with only two defeats from our last 10 and unbeaten in our last 7 at home and only conceding once, Emley will be clear favourites to win and push on with a promotion push.

Spartans, in a relegation battle with neighbours Blyth Town and Ashington will be desperate for points as they look to avoid a humiliating drop into step 6 for the first time in 32 years.

Should the weather be kind, it will be both teams' first games in February, 2 weeks into the month!

WHO ARE THEY?
Founded in 1899, Blyth Spartans were named by the founder, Fred Stoker, after the Greek Spartan army in the hope that the players would give their all as they went into “battle” on the field of play.

Having played in various league, Spartans joined the Northern League in 1964, becoming champions for the first time in 1972-73, 9 more titles followed, the last in 1987-88 as Blyth Spartans became the most famous name in non league, mainly due to their cup exploits.

They joined the Northern Premier League in 1994 following 10 Northern League titles and duly won the first division and promotion to the Premier, and then promotion to Conference (National League) North in 2006 following their first NPL title, a second NPL success followed in 2017 and another 7 seasons at step 2 before their fall from grace.

They last reached the FA Cup 3rd round in 2018-19 losing narrowly to Birmingham City but are probably most famous for their remarkable run in 1977-78 which took them all the way to the fifth round where they were beaten by Wrexham in a replay, the game drawing over 42,000 to Newcastle Utd's St James' park!

LAST TIME WE MET:
18th October 2025, NPL D1 E
Blyth Spartans 0-0 Emley, Att- 490.

LAST TIME OUT:
Emley 5-0 Brighouse Town (Johnson 3, Dawson, Farrar) NPL D1 E, Att- 451
Matlock Town 1-0 Blyth Spartans, BPL D1 E, Att-873.

HEAD TO HEAD

Previous 5 meetings:
15th March 2005, NPL P
BLY 5-2 EML (Muller, Kenworthy) Att-237

25th September 2004, NPL P
EML 3-1 BLY (Muller 2, Kenworthy) Att-129

18th February 2004, NPL P
EML 1-2 BLY (Thorpe) Att-142

1st November, FAT1
EML 1-3 BLY (Day), Att- 142

14th October 2003, NPL P
BLY 1-0 EML, Att- 376/i] [i]* As Wakefield/Emley.

(ALL COMPETITIONS)
CURRENT FORM: Last 5
EML: L, W, D, W, W
BLY: L, W, W, L,
CURRENT LEAGUE POSITION:
EML: 3/22
BLY: 22/22
GOALS SCORED:
EML: 50
BLY: 30
GOALS CONCEDED:
EML: 30
BLY: 44
TOP SCORER:
EML: Gabriel Johnson (8)
BLY: Benjamin Shodeinde/Jack Faulle (6)
AVERAGE HOME CROWD:
EML: 417 (417 league)
BLY: 619 (619 league).

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

WHEN? Saturday 14th February 2026, 3.00pm
Gates open 1pm

WHERE?
The Fantastic Media Welfare Ground
Off Upper Lane, Emley, Huddersfield, HD8 9RE

View the Emley AFC Visitors' guide

OWW MUCH?
£10 Adults
£8 Concessions
£1 ages 5-11
U5's FREE
Programmes £2

NON LEAGUE DOGS ALLOWED: Yes, on a lead - see visitor's guide for restrictions

Please respect local residents and park safely and responsibly around the village!!