The Supersonic Seventies Show came to Middlesbrough tonight for a feast of glitz, glam rock and glitter.
About a third of the 100-strong audience dressed up in Seventies’ costumes for the show in The Crypt at Middlesbrough Town Hall including the Loftus girls.
Janey Bombshell and Mark Keen entertained the crowd with their renditions of Queen, ELO, the Osmonds, David Essex and popular songs from Saturday Night Fever and Grease.
A “safe haven” for boozed-up clubbers or vulnerable people who have lost their friends in Middlesbrough has been provisionally approved by council chiefs.
Plans drawn up by Middlesbrough Council for a “drunk tank” for revellers who have had too much to drink were approved at a meeting yesterday.
The centre would be based at 48 Albert Road, next door to Barracuda in the centre of the town’s nightlife. It would be a place for partygoers to recover from the effects of binge-drinking and also a site for vulnerable people.
The facility would be open between 11pm and 5am on Friday and Saturday nights and also be open at other key drinking times such as Sundays before Bank Holidays, Christmas and New Year and university freshers’ week.
At other times the site would be a “meeting and advice centre”.
A report by Jonathan Bowden, commissioning manager public health and wellbeing at the council, said the facility should bring a “wide range” of benefits including easing pressure on health services and reducing crime.
Cllr John McPartland said he supported the “positive” and “great” application 100% and was satisfied that residents in Central Mews would not be negatively affected by the centre.
“I am very much in favour of it and I wish it well,” he said.
The facility would also provide a base for the Boro Angels, volunteer street pastors who provide help to drinkers on Saturday nights.
The centre, which is currently offices, would be staffed by two clinically-trained staff, two substance misuse workers, a security worker, and a receptionist and administrator.
Any objections have to be raised by October 27.
The planning committee unanimously approved the application subject to any objections. Chairman John Cole said the decision could not be made yet but the committee could be “mindful to approve it”.
Police are appealing for information regarding a suspicious incident in a Middlesbrough shop.
An unknown male, pictured, tried to confuse staff when giving him his change at the One Stop shop on Norfolk Place in Berwick Hills on Friday, October 10.
Whilst no offence actually took place, police believe this man is also responsible for a similar incident which occurred in July at One Stop on Kings Road in North Ormesby and also at Ernies News on Kings Road.
Three boys have been arrested for throwing missiles at vehicles in Middlesbrough.
On Thursday night 16 vehicles - mostly taxis - were targeted as they waited at traffic lights on Ormesby Road near Pallister Park between 8pm and 11pm.
Police have received numerous reports of youths throwing items at moving vehicles putting road users in potential danger as well as causing damage over the past few months.
This has often taken place at various locations along Ormesby Road and in the Park End area and to a lesser extent around Albert Park and in the Ladgate ward.
Police have been working with partner agencies for months to deal with the issue - including the introduction of a dispersal order, proactive high visibility and also covert patrols, and the use of mobile CCTV and camcorders.
Officers have also been working with local schools and have arrested some identified suspects and have also taken some individuals home and sent letters to parents.
Detective Inspector John Wrintmore said: “We have attempted to send a strong message to parents or carers to take appropriate measures to prevent young people becoming involved in such behaviour.”
He said on Thursday night there was an “unacceptable and concerning series of such incidents”.
Three juvenile males were arrested and remain in police custody as neighbourhood officers and detectives work together.
“We are determined to take all necessary measures to ensure road users and the local community are not subjected to such mindless criminal acts,” he said.
“I would appeal anyone with any information regarding this or similar events taking place to contact the police. These actions are nothing less than criminal, which means those caught will be prosecuted and will be subject of a criminal record.
“They are also putting vulnerable individuals in danger.
“The message is if you get involved in this type of behaviour - expect to be arrested.”
A man is in intensive care with a serious head injury after being found unconscious on a Stockton street.
The 37-year-old man was found in Lawrence Street at around 4pm on Tuesday, October 14.
It is unclear at present how he was injured.
The man is currently in intensive care at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.
Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact PC Rich Brocklesby on Cleveland Police’s 101 number.
The nights are drawing in and it will soon be time for the winter wardrobe.
Autumn is here and our photographers have been capturing some great shots around Teesside.
Our readers too have been sending us their snaps in familiar autumn shades.
We've put some of the best into the gallery above and will add to it throughout the month.
You can follow us on Instagram and share your best pictures with us there or via Facebook and Twitter .
A teenager who sexually groomed a 13-year-old girl on Facebook has been spared jail after a judge said he was convinced he wouldn’t do it again.
Judge Simon Bourne-Arton QC told Michael Guest he had been “grossly immature and naive” in befriending the girl who the defendant had asked to meet for sex.
The judge suspended an 18-month sentence on Guest for two years at Teesside Crown Court today and said he would be supervised in the community.
Guest, 19, of Scarborough Street, Thornaby, pleaded guilty to a charge of arranging or facilitating commission of a child sexual offence.
Emma Atkinson, prosecuting, told the court that Guest had sent messages to his victim via a social networking website asking her age and whether she had a free house.
She said: “The defendant asked the girl how old she was to which she responded 14 when in fact she was 13.
“Guest declared to the victim that he wished she was older and when she asked why he told her: ‘Because I could do something with you’.”
The court heard messages continued to be exchanged during November last year where Guest admitted he was scared of the age difference and wasn’t going to “risk getting done for rape.”
The messages were found by the victim’s step-dad to whom the defendant begged not to contact police in fear of “ruining his life”.
Andrew Turton, defending, said the court was talking about a “very immature 18-year-old” who was “very similar” in age and maturity of his victim.
He said: “He is frightened of his own shadow. He has never had a relationship and spends most of his time at home with his parents.
“He never lied about his age and it was a two way conversation.”
The court heard how Guest, of previous good character, had traits of autism and sent the messages to gain “self confidence.”
Judge Bourne-Arton told Guest: “Over a number of weeks you exchanged messages with a then 13-year-old. They were increasingly explicit and referred to meeting for sexual intercourse.
“On the face of them they were a determined effort by you to meet her for that purpose however, you are in any view grossly immature and grossly naive. In terms of your social skills and experience you are a closer age to your victim.
“I am satisfied that you would not be in the position socially, and you are not mature enough to even begin to have sexual activity with her.”
A dedicated fundraiser has done it again - raising more than £27,000 for a charity close to her heart.
Judy Kitching’s CornShed music and beer festivals have this year raised £27,500 for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).
This brings the total Judy has now raised to more than £227,500 - all of which has gone to good causes since the first festival took place in 1986.
“We are so proud to present GNAAS with the bumper cheque,” said Judy, who was awarded an MBE last year for her services to charity.
“We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported us - our wonderful volunteers, sponsors and incredible donators who have all helped towards raising this fantastic amount of money for such an important and worthy cause.”
The CornShed was born when Judy wanted to say thank you to the staff at the ITU in Middlesbrough General Hospital after her husband Jim died following a fall at their farm.
What started with borrowed tables and chairs, the festival’s 300-strong following has developed into a two-day music event and separate beer festival which attracts thousands of people each year.
This year, Judy and her daughters, Martha Kitching and Annie Stather, along with son-in-law Matty Stather, hosted the music festival in June and the beer event, in conjunction with Cleveland CAMRA, in September.
To mark its success, a presentation evening was held at the farm this month. GNAAS presented Judy with a model helicopter in honour of her team’s achievements in aid of the charity.
Judy, a former French teacher at Hustler School, in Middlesbrough, said: “In 28 years, the music festival has come a long way and has evolved into a packed two-day event with the add-on of a beer festival taking place in the last three years. I have a fantastic team that come together from all over the UK to turn the farm into a music venue and we could not do it without the help of so many.”
Mandy Drake, head of fundraising at GNAAS, said: “Judy’s enthusiasm is infectious. She puts an incredible amount of work into these events and she always gathers a huge amount of support. Since its humble beginnings, the festival is now firmly on the music calendar and attracts more than 1,000 people to its remote location. That’s a credit to Judy and her team of volunteers.”
A businessman who illegally imported products for bodybuilders has been spared jail.
Christoper Foster’s Yarm home and business premises at Advanced Systems in central Middlesbrough were raided by the police in March last year after the Border Agency intercepted two parcels addressed to him.
He is now facing a Proceeds of Crime investigation as authorities seek to claw back ill-gotten assets.
The 48-year-old was told by Judge Howard Crowson on Friday that the law was there to protect the public from unqualified suppliers of drugs and medicines.
Prosecutor Paul Cleasby said that they contained bottles and glass phials of a Class C drug and medications only available on prescription which were used by bodybuilders to strip off fat and develop muscles.
Foster admitted to investigators that he was not a qualified pharmacist and that he did not have authorisation to stock the products at his home or his work premises in Linthorpe Road.
He said that one item was an anti-cancer drug which he intended to use, and that he would have sold other products.
Mr Cleasby said: “There was a large quantity of substances found at his home address and at his work premises.
“It is clear that he has a commercial interest in selling such products.”
Foster said that he could not recall the exact dates he had ordered the products online.
A police officer detailed the contents of one parcel and Foster said that it was a fat stripper which he bought for £8 a bottle.
He said he would not have imported it if he had been aware that it was a Class C drug.
Foster said that he had sold substances on his website.
Mr Cleasby told the judge: “The law is there to make sure that only registered people are there for the distribution of these substances.”
Nigel Soppitt, defending, said that Foster was trading in an open way and that two earlier shipments had been intercepted by the Border Agency and they were passed on to him by the Agency.
Mr Soppitt added: “To his mind they had gained some legitimacy, but the third parcel was stopped.
“He has done this in the open and has taken many, many steps to ensure that this is legitimate, and he has failed.”
He said that Foster now faced a Proceeds of Crime case in April next year, and his bank accounts have been frozen and the sale of his house has been stopped.
Judge Howard Crowson said: “The danger is when people who are not qualified dabble in medicines and drugs.
“The reality is that you were dealing for profit in some drugs and some medicines which require people to be qualified.
“I have concluded that the public do not require you to serve a sentence immediately.
"You were operating in an open way which gives credence to your account that you thought you were doing no wrong.”
Foster, of Glaisdale Road, was given a 15-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, and 200 hours' unpaid work.
He pleaded guilty to attempting to possess a Class C drug Clenbuterol with intent to supply, possessing it with intent, and possessing medicinal products Anastrozole, Clomiphene, Letrozole, Tadalaphil and Tamoxifen with intent to supply them.
Defender Dael Fry capped off a sensational week by grabbing a last-gasp equaliser for Boro’s Under-21s in a pulsating 3-3 draw at Reading.
Paul Jenkins’ side travelled to the South-east hoping to bag a sixth straight win - but trailing 3-1 with 10 minutes to go, it looked like Boro’s young guns were set for defeat.
However, Callum Cooke pulled one back in the 80th minute before Fry gave the Teessiders an unlikely point, going clear through the middle of the pitch and coolly chipping the Reading keeper.
The late drama capped off a remarkable few days for the 17-year-old, who signed his first professional contract at Boro earlier this week having been part of the Academy since the age of seven.
In a game that saw Boro lose both Lewis Maloney and Tom McAloon to injury, Reading took an early lead on eight minutes when left-back Shane Griffin fired home.
But Emmanuel Ledesma - given a start alongside Luke Williams in the starting line-up after Bradley Fewster and Bryn Morris were both absent following England Under-19s duty - equalised moments later with a stunning volley.
All square at the break, Reading turned the screw and restored their advantage on 49 minutes through Tarique Fosu-Henry, before Dominic Samuel put the Royals into a commanding position.
But there was still plenty of drama to come, as Callum Cooke smashed home from 15 yards to set up a grand finale, before Fry sparked scenes of ecstasy on the Boro bench.
Now unbeaten in six games, Boro’s Under-21s travel to Gateshead in the cup on Wednesday before a Tees-Tyne derby with Newcastle United the following Monday.
Teesside’s James Arthur is collaborating with producer Rymez for a new single.
The Saltburn-raised X Factor winner said he was excited to work with the producer on the single Kryptonite due to the diversity of his work - such as the production on Wiley’s Heatwave which was debuted at number 1 on the UK Singles Chart in August 2012.
James, 26, said: “Having heard and loved Rymez’ work and hearing how diverse he can be, I was excited to get a chance to work together.”
Rymez said: “I had been wanting to work with James for a while due to his unique voice and his style.
“For me as an artist and producer I have wanted to show my spectrum of music and how diversified my production is.”
The single gets its first airing tonight on DJ Target’s 1Xtra show before being released on Sunday.
In September James topped a fan poll to be named the ‘best ever X Factor winner’.
The 2012 winner of the show clinched the title by 11,000 votes in the Radio Times poll which saw more than 500,000 votes cast.
Speaking recently about James, his X Factor mentor Nicole Scherzinger mentioned his mixed fortunes since his win.
The 36-year-old said: “He’s called me and been down about it, but he’s not giving up.
“I won’t let him give up. James is a fighter and is ridiculously talented.
“The cream always rises to the top.
“We all make mistakes and everything happens for a reason.
"Sometimes we just gotta get checked. It’s called growing pains.”
GAIZKA Mendieta has revealed former Boro boss Steve McClaren and chief executive Keith Lamb made a 3,000-mile trip to Rome in a bid to entice him to Teesside.
The midfield star signed for Boro in 2003 and enjoyed a successful four-year stint in the North-east, winning the Carling Cup in his first season at the club.
Going on to make 62 appearances and scoring four goals for Boro, Mendieta has retained an affection for Teesside after making the move from Lazio.
And the Spanish maestro, who became one of the world’s most expensive footballers after Lazio signed him from Valencia for £30million in 2001, revealed McClaren and Lamb travelled to the Italian capital to persuade him to move to England.
“The chance to come to England arose in a way I didn’t expect”, Mendieta told MailOnline.
“Steve McClaren and Keith Lamb, the chief executive, turned up at the training ground in Rome. They told me about the new project they wanted to build.
“I told them I would think about it but, after a little time, I thought, ‘why not?’.
“I wanted to be part of their plans and help them make history — which I did.”
Action Images / Darren Walsh
Mendieta has fond memories from his time on Teesside and has tipped Aitor Karanka’s Boro to return to the Premier League this season, having been impressed with how his compatriot has fared since replacing Tony Mowbray.
“Bringing in Aitor Karanka was an achievement and I think he is building a bright future for the club,” he said.
“I hope for the best for the club and I would like to see them either qualifying automatically for the Premier League or competing in the play-offs.”
BORO have history on their side tomorrow as they look to protect an impressive winning record at Brighton.
The Teessiders have won on their last two trips to The Amex and drew the first, extending a record that has not seen Brighton beat Boro on the South Coast in 24 years.
The last time the Seagulls did get the better of Boro was during a 1-0 win in 1990 - but the current Brighton boss Sami Hyypia has played down the importance of such statistics.
He told The Argus: “I didn’t know that and I don’t really care about statistics about what has happened.
“Two years ago we went to play Munich and Leverkusen hadn’t won there for 25 or 30 years.
“People were asking before the game how I was feeling about not having won for ages there.
“I said statistics are not important for me, what you do on the pitch on the day is the most important thing, and we won 2-1. Statistics are there to be broken.”
Jimmy Griffiths/Griffiths Photographers
Boro travel to Brighton looking to extend their six-match unbeaten run in the Championship - and Aitor Karanka’s side have not tasted defeat away from The Riverside since the 1-0 setback at Leeds United in August.
And former Liverpool defender Hyypia believes Boro will be among those challenging for promotion come the end of the season.
“They are a good team. I think everyone expected them to be thereabouts”, he said.
“It doesn’t worry me to play against good teams. It’s a good challenge and a chance for us to show that we can be better than the best teams in this league. I look at it as another opportunity to show what we can do.”
Karanka has no new major injury concerns with Jonathan Woodgate, Damia Abella, Rhys Williams and Mustapha Carayol the only players on the sidelines.
But two players who will not be travelling to Brighton are Emmanuel Ledesma and Luke Williams, with both men included in Paul Jenkins’ starting line-up for Boro Under-21s this afternoon.
A caring husband and wife duo from Middlesbrough have been recognised for their efforts within the community.
Retired teachers Geoffrey and Maralynn Pacey, from Acklam, have been running a free breakfast club at the Middlesbrough Community Church on Clifton Street for the past two and a half years.
With an open door policy, the club welcomes anybody who is in need of a good hearty breakfast, regardless of your background or current situation.
Helping those less fortunate every Thursday morning between 9.30am and 10.30am, Geoffrey and Maralynn provide guests with as much cereal, porridge and toast as they want, followed by a cooked breakfast of sausage, hash browns, beans and scrambled egg.
The food is funded by Geoffrey and Maralynn who also receive help from Middlesbrough Community Church and Seedbed Community Christian Trust, which provides funding for grassroot initiatives which are helping the community.
There is also a core team of volunteers at the club, who themselves attend the group for breakfast as well as helping to prepare the food and clean dishes.
Hearing lots of stories about individuals losing jobs, addictions and poor life choices, the couple are non-judgmental and are there to love and support anyone who walks through the door with practical advice, prayer and a sympathetic ear.
Over the last 12 months, the couple have served 200 different people, with an average of 45 guests each Thursday morning.
In recognition of their kind-hearted efforts, the couple’s nephew, David O’Brien, has nominated them in The Gazette’s Community Champion Awards as part of the Community Champion category which is sponsored by Johnson Matthey.
David, 32, from Stokesley, said: “I thought they both fitted the bill for the nomination.
“They are helping those less fortunate and they go out of their way to do that.
“They deserve some recognition for their hard work as they never ask for anything back from anyone.”
Maralynn, 63, said: “We are overwhelmed. What we do is just part of what we are. We just like to help those who have not got what we have. We don’t do it to be recognised. They have become our friends. They are all lovely people.”
Geoffrey, 64, said: “We were quite surprised when we found out we had been nominated.
“We don’t see what we are doing as a massive community effort.
“We think there are more people who are more deserving than us.
“Our reward is the people who come along for breakfast.”
A charity which supports adults with learning disabilities is hoping for token success in this year’s Wish campaign.
The Erimus Centre Association, based in the Cumberland Resource Centre in Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, launched in the 1970s.
Since then, it has provided a day service with equipment and resources which are accessed by about 140 adults.
Those who attend the centre are given opportunities to help them to access work experience and training courses. They are also offered support to help them develop their people skills and transport is often provided allowing them to get to activities.
Staff also offer their support to try and meet the wishes and needs of the individuals in a person-centred approach.
After entering last year, the group used the support it received to fund more equipment and resources.
Richard Smith, of the group said: “Any money we receive from this year’s Wish campaign will be put towards providing equipment and resources again to support people and give them the same opportunities in the community as everyone else in society.”
Every year, The Gazette’s Wish campaign gives away thousands of pounds to not-for-profit groups and organisations.
Every registered group will be guaranteed a share of our £40,000 fund.
The more tokens a group collects, the bigger its share of the prize pot.
Tokens are now appearing in The Gazette. The last token will appear on January 21.
Submissions for tokens will close at 5pm on Monday, February 23.
To help the Erimus Centre Association, send your tokens to: Cumberland Resource, 5 Chelmsford Road, Middlesbrough, TS5 6PH.
A bid by a Yarm restaurant to serve alcohol to more of its customers is facing opposition amid concerns it could lead to a drunken behaviour.
The Purple Pig, a “gourmet burger and grill” restaurant with branches in Yarm and Middlebrough, has applied to Stockton Council to change the rules on how many patrons it can serve alcohol to.
A licensing condition currently restricts the High Street restaurant to serving booze only to customers eating meals, with an exception made for those accompanying the people eating.
However, the wording of the exception states “so long as the numbers do not exceed 10% of the total number of persons in the premises at any given time”.
The restaurant’s managing director Som Emadi has now asked this be changed to “a maximum of 20 people to consume alcoholic drinks without a table meal in the front/bar area of the premises at any given time”.
Members of Stockton Council's licensing sub-committee are to consider the application at a meeting on Tuesday.
Som explained: “The condition is 10%, and it’s very hard to police that. It’s hard to work out if the 10% is being adhered to.
“I don’t really like to have anyone drinking at the moment as it’s not worth the risk. If I have someone drinking and someone else arrives, what do I do, ask them to leave or tell them they can’t have a drink because someone else already has a drink?”
Two objections have been raised to the request, one from Stockton Council’s Environmental Health department and another from a member of the public.
Both objected on the grounds of “public nuisance”, with Environmental Health adding: “The variation is asking for people (50%) to be able to drink without a meal. It is the opinion of Environmental Health that this will substantially affect the balance and turn this premises into a drinking establishment rather than what it is meant to be, a family restaurant.
“Environmental Health has already received complaints regarding behaviour of drunken clients leaving the premises in a noisy manner causing disturbances to neighbouring residential premises.”
They went on to say that, if the variation was agreed, their recommendation would be that the number of customers allowed to drink without a meal would be restricted to a maximum of 20%, or eight people.
The member of the public, Claire Vassallo, echoed the concerns about drunken behaviour around the restaurant, which is close to a “largely residential area” of the High Street.
She went on to describe an incident in which customers leaving the Purple Pig were “urinating in the street” as well as causing “significant disruption”.
Boro’s links with Spanish champions Atletico Madrid appear to have been further strengthened today after Peter Kenyon took up a role at the Vicente Calderon.
Former Manchester United and Chelsea chief executive Kenyon has been brought in as an advisor by Diego Simeone’s side in a bid to expand their commercial and international presence.
And with Boro chairman Steve Gibson having previously hailed Kenyon’s role in helping the Teessiders forge links with major European clubs such as Atletico, it appears the new appointment can only be good news for Aitor Karanka’s side.
Explaining Kenyon’s influence back in November, Gibson said: “I felt that perhaps I wasn’t getting challenged enough within the club and I just wanted an outsider’s view, someone to come in, have a look and tell us where he thought we could improve, have that debate.
“Peter’s been a great asset in that capacity and, of course, his contacts book is like no other – everybody in football takes Peter Kenyon’s call. Through Peter we’ve been able to set up an excellent relationship with Atletico Madrid, we’ve been able to get a route into possibly the most powerful agent in the world in Jorge Mendes and Peter’s been proactive in doing that.
“We’re also building other links we’re not ready to announce but we see ourselves being part of an elite three of four group of clubs that will help each other.
“Peter’s worked very hard for the club in the last few months, he’s done a lot of air miles.”
Boro chairman Steve Gibson
In November Boro trio Luke Williams, Bryn Morris and Bradley Fewster flew out to Spain to link up with Atletico to broaden their footballing education.
They were joined in Spain by Boro’s Under-21 and Under-18 squads who played friendly matches against their equivalents at Atletico.
Academy manager Dave Parnaby explained: “We are keen to build relationships with Continental clubs to expand our education.
“It’s not just about Atletico Madrid playing Middlesbrough, it’s designed to encourage player and coach development and foster positive public relations.
“It’s a great opportunity for Bradley, Bryn and Luke to sample some different technical and tactical work and their spell over there will undoubtedly benefit them as individuals and players.”
It is not thought that Kenyon will play a direct part in first-team matters at the Madrid giants in his new role.
Redcar and Yarm will be hoping for home comforts tomorrow as they look to maintain their 100% starts to the season.
The Seasiders top Durham and North Two after six consecutive wins, and they will be expected to make that seven as they host Barnard Castle.
But backs coach Richie Young believes Redcar will face their sternest test yet, with the visitors having recruited heavily over the summer.
With Barnard Castle now boasting a number of familiar names from Darlington Mowden Park, Redcar know they must be at the top of their game tomorrow.
Coach Young said: “It’s evenly-balanced from a backs point of view with both teams enjoying the running game, and whoever wants it more on the day will be the victor.”
Redcar will leave selection until the eleventh hour, however, with a number of players facing late availability checks.
“Fingers crossed all will go to plan and we can put out another strong team”, Young added.
“But I’m sure if players need to step up they will be more than capable of producing another win to keep our unbeaten run going.”
In the same division Acklam travel to mid-table Hartlepool BBOB in what should be a tasty local derby.
Meanwhile after a two-week break Yarm will be looking to strengthen their position in Durham and North Three as they entertain Seghill.
The Eagles have been one of the division’s surprise packages this season and have picked up maximum bonus point wins in all but one of their matches this season.
Elsewhere in National Three North, fourth-placed Billingham face a tough trip to Firwood Waterloo.
Chris Hyndman’s side have won their last two matches and could force their way into the division’s top two if results go their way tomorrow afternoon.
Guisborough coach Trevor Edwards is ready to hand a number of his fringe players a chance to impress as they travel to basement boys Sunderland tomorrow.
The Priorymen grabbed the headlines last week with a 55-12 mauling of Stockton, leapfrogging their rivals into third position in Durham and North One.
Despite expecting his side to maintain their three-year unbeaten run at Belmangate, Edwards admitted the manner of Saturday’s derby win was surprising - but urged his side to keep their feet on the ground.
“It was a great result and we played very well”, Edwards said.
“We are now up to third but the big disappointment was losing to Morpeth earlier in the season. We should have got something from that game but hopefully we’ll make those points back.
“We lost at Hartlepool Rovers and then at Morpeth, but since then we’ve worked hard on the training pitch.
“I was confident we would beat Stockton but I didn’t think it would be that score. Our display was exceptional and we put away all our chances.
“At the start of the season it’s difficult getting players back and getting them up to fitness, but now we’re on form and if we played Morpeth again I think we would get something from the game.”
Three wins on the bounce means that Guisborough sit nine points adrift of early leaders Morpeth, and anything less than a convincing bonus point victory at winless Sunderland tomorrow will surely be considered a disappointment.
But regardless of the opposition, Edwards has challenged his side to approach matches with exactly the same intensity and attitude.
“Sunderland are bottom of the league but we’ll go into that game with the same mindset”. Edwards said.
“We will have to make a few changes because some players are unavailable, but I would have rotated some of the team anyway so it’s not a problem.
“If you’ve got a squad of players who are all training well then it’s important to give everyone a chance. It’s good to have that competition and although we may not be blessed with too many numbers, we are blessed with quality.
“We’ve got to keep our feet on the ground and there are plenty of games coming up that need to be won.”
After the derby day thrashing Stockton will be looking to bounce back as they welcome Hartlepool Rovers to Station Road tomorrow. Stockton lie one place behind their North-east rivals - and revenge will be at the forefront of their minds after Rovers clinched a double over them last season.
Flanker Joe Green replaces Wayne Brown in the Stockton starting line-up while Rob Graham replaces Steve Thornton.
In Yorkshire One Middlesbrough are boosted by the return of fly-half Simon O’Farrell for their home match against Old Brodleians.
Boro limped to a drab 17-3 defeat at North Ribblesdale last weekend and find themselves eighth in the division, 14 points off the early pace set by Doncaster Phoenix.
But the return of O’Farrell is a welcome boost for Ian Heslehurst’s side, as they look to return to winning ways and climb the table.
Stockton Town can further increase their Wearside League lead with a win at Annfield Plain.
Closest rivals Easington don’t have a game this weekend, so a Town victory would move them nine points clear at the top of the table.
Annfield Plain are third-bottom but go into the match with confidence boosted after climbing out of the basement in midweek with their first league win of the campaign, a 3-2 success at Ashbrooke.
Stockton manager Micky Dunwell has a full complement of players to choose from as top scorer Chris Stockton and Scott Meehan are back available after missing last week’s 6-0 Shipowners Charity Cup cruise at Seaton Carew.
Redcar Athletic play host to Boldon in the second round of the Shipowners Cup for the right to visit Stockton Town in the semi-finals.
Redcar’s injury list is showing the green shoots of recovery to go along with the team’s much-improved recent form as both Chris Bivens and Liam Wood have a chance of being involved in the 2pm kick-off.
Lee Blackburn is not as fortunate in terms of fitness news as he is out with a broken foot.
Wolviston are at home to Sunderland West End in the league, fresh from rallying from a goal down in their last game to maul a Harton and Westoe side which finished with eight men on the pitch 5-1.
Chris Burton scored Wolviston’s equaliser after they had fallen behind and David Johnson scored the Villagers’ second from the penalty spot.
Wolviston then took over after Harton’s Gary Dodds was sent off.
Nathan Summersgill got their third, Burton added his second and Wolviston’s fourth and Andrew McGirr sewed up the scoring in the final minute after two more visiting players were sent off for second yellows.
Billingham Town top scorer Joel Callender is out of tonight’s Northern League Division Two encounter at Northallerton.
Callender will not be risked as his knee ligament injury is taking longer than expected to heal.
Stephen Hodgson, Aiden Cattermole, Harry Taylor and Nick Matthews are all available for selection, as is Stephen Jackson following the completion of his one-match ban.
Gary Redman and Daniel Ballantyne will play their last Town match before missing next week’s home game against Tow Law through suspension.
Town’s home fixture against Northallerton in March may also be brought forward to a Friday night depending on how attendance numbers go this evening.
Former boss Michael Watson takes temporary charge of Billingham Synthonia at home to Durham City in the club’s first Division One outing since the resignations of manager Lee Tucker and assistant Mark Scott.
Tucker decided to step down after growing increasingly frustrated with Synners’ crippling injury list.
“It was almost tantalising never having enough players available to field your best team,” Tucker said.
“The weekly calls and texts to find out that you had so many players out became quite draining.”
Tucker, 43, will continue to manage Norton George and Dragon in the Stockton Sunday League and has not ruled out a return to non-league management in future.
Guisborough will try to make it five games on the trot without defeat at Celtic Nation.
Recent signing Damien Stevens is a doubt and Luke Bythway - last week’s scorer in the 1-1 draw with Penrith - and Dan McWilliams are unavailable.
Joint top scorer Anthony Hume returns, as do Peter Bulmer and Liam McPhillips.
Marske are second in the top flight table with a game in hand as they head for Newcastle Benfield.
The Seasiders won a nail-biter 3-2 at Ashington on Tuesday night with goals from Jamie Owens, Craig Gott (penalty) and Sam Garvie as they improved on last Saturday’s 3-3 home draw against 10-man Bedlington.
“We were diabolical in the second half against Bedlington and should never have thrown away a two-goal lead,” said Marske manager Carl Jarrett. “Ashington was a lot more like it. The lads put everything into it.”
High-flying Norton welcome Stokesley to Station Road in a second tier derby between sides who had contrasting midweek fortunes in the Ernest Armstrong Cup.
Norton destroyed Ryhope 4-0 despite making a raft of changes, while Stokesley lost 8-7 on penalties at Thornaby after extra time failed to separate the sides.
The Ancients will revert to their first choice line-up as well as the 4-5-1 formation which has proved so effective since they were beaten in the FA Vase by Holker Old Boys.
Matty Crossen has rejoined Stokesley and will keep his place in central defence after starting against Thornaby, who aim for a sixth successive win at Darlington RA.
Thornaby have pulled off a coup by signing Craig Ruddy on a month’s loan from Shildon and the winger goes straight into the squad tomorrow.
Returning England Under-21s star Ben Gibson can’t wait to pull on the Boro red tomorrow - but warned Brighton will be a difficult nut to crack.
Gibson has returned to Teesside after helping Gareth Southgate’s Young Lions to victory over Croatia earlier this week, booking their place in the European Championship finals next summer.
But there is no rest for the centre-back, as he travels with Aitor Karanka’s team to Brighton looking to heap further pressure on the Championship’s top two.
“It’s really good to get back to Rockcliffe”, Gibson told the club’s official website.
“I did a small cool-down session to recover from my games with England and to make sure I’m alright for the weekend.
“I watched a bit of training and all the lads look fresh. I think the break came at a good time.
“Brighton are a side who are notorious for playing good football.
“They’ve been unlucky over the last few seasons to not achieve promotion. They haven’t started great this year, but they still pass the ball around well and will be looking to turn their form around.
“It won’t be an easy game, but we’re ready to tackle it and get the three points.”
Former Boro defender Joe Bennett is enjoying a new lease of life at Brighton.
The 24-year-old joined the Seagulls on a season-long loan in August and, so far, it’s looking like a wise move.
Bennett had endured a difficult 2013/14 campaign with Aston Villa and so agreed to try his luck in the Championship with Brighton.
Boro travel to face the Seagulls in the Sky Bet Championship tomorrow.
“I think I’ve started OK and put in some good performances,” Bennett told the Brighton Argus.
“I’ve loved every minute of it, from the first day I walked in.
"All the lads have been fantastic with me, the staff as well.”
Bennett is particularly enjoying the attacking role head coach Sami Hyypia has asked him to fulfil.
“He pulled me into his office just before my first game and said ‘I just want you to get forward really and show what you can do'.
"Obviously you have got to get back as well but just support the attack and even when the right-back is crossing the ball I want you to get in the box’.
“That suits my game. I loved getting forward and I am really enjoying playing at the moment.”
Boro sold Bennett to Villa in September 2012 for £3m - which, it was reported at the time, could rise to £4.25m with add-ons.
“We just got to the point where we felt the money helped our situation," said then Boro manager Tony Mowbray.
“We’ve brought a few players in and while I’m not saying there isn’t any financial pressure, it helped balance the books a little bit."
Mowbray then brought in defender George Friend for £100,000.
A woman who ensures vulnerable people receive the right support in police custody has told of the importance of volunteering.
Dorothy McNaughton, from Billingham is independent custody volunteer.
In her role, she checks on the welfare of people detained in police custody on behalf of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).
She says volunteering is her way of “putting something back into the community.”
Dorothy, who also volunteers as an appropriate adult for Middlesbrough and Stockton MIND, said: “As a volunteer for MIND my Appropriate Adult role assists in safeguarding the rights and welfare of vulnerable young people and adults in police custody.
“My role is to provide support to the individual and facilitate communication between the individual and the police.”
A special event is being held to encourage people to take up volunteer posts with the police.
November 4 has been turned into Cleveland Volunteers Day and local people are being urged to visit a Criminal Justice Volunteer Fair.
Organisations from across the criminal justice sector who are looking to recruit volunteers will be coming together at the event, which takes place in the Clarendon Building at Teesside University.
Dorothy added: “My role within the PCCs office is relatively similar whereby I speak to detainees to check on the conditions in which they are held and their rights and entitlements are being observed.
“I believe my motivation to volunteer is as a result of having good listening and communication skills and having a non-judgmental attitude.
“Lots of people ask me how I find the time to volunteer in the two roles that I do, but it’s easy – I find the time and it is something that I really enjoy.
“I truly hope that the Criminal Justice Volunteer Fair encourages more people across Cleveland to get involved in volunteering.”
The drive is supported by police commissioner Barry Coppinger.
For more information go to http://ift.tt/1DhBKfs or by calling 01642 301208.
Crime has fallen in Teesside - although sexual offences and bike thefts have shot up, according to latest figures.
The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) has revealed recorded crime in the first six months of 2014 has dropped by 2% in our area.
However, sexual offences are up 11% and bicycle thefts are more than a quarter higher than the same period last year.
There has also been an increase in robberies and non-domestic burglaries - with 3% more being recorded in the year to June 2014 compared with the year to June 2013.
Elsewhere, the figures show the most dramatic fall was for the possession of weapons offences - with a 10% drop recorded. Vehicle and drug offences dropped 8% and 7% respectively. Domestic burglary, theft and public order offences also fell.
In total, there were 38,550 recorded crimes in Teesside during the six-month period.
Assistant Chief Constable Simon Nickless said: “We work closely with our partners in Cleveland to tackle both crime and antisocial behaviour and while there are many examples of good practice we are not complacent.
“We will continue to look for ways to improve and respond to new forms of crime including cyber offences.
“We are absolutely committed to protecting vulnerable people and actively encourage the reporting of sexual offences.
“Like many areas in the country we have seen an increase in reporting, including historical cases, and with other agencies and the voluntary sector we are ensuring that we provide the appropriate support and bring those responsible to justice.
“We will continue to work with local residents to identify and tackle local priorities, whilst at the same time target the effects of serious an organised crime and emerging crime types.
“Throughout all of this we will focus on ensuring we provide a professional and quality service to those who report offences to us.”
Across England and Wales, the latest figures from the CSEW show that, for the offences it covers, there were an estimated 7.1million incidents of crime against households and resident adults in England and Wales for the year ending June 2014.
This represents a 16% decrease compared with the previous year’s survey, and is the lowest estimate since the survey began in 1981.
Boro’s Under-21s are targeting a sixth straight win this afternoon as they make the long trip to Reading in the Barclays Under-21 Premier League.
Paul Jenkins’ young guns have recovered from an opening day defeat at Derby in style, going on to beat Brighton, Blackburn, Wolves and West Brom in successive matches to rise to the top of the table.
And last week’s win over Hull in the cup means that the Under-21s will earn a sixth straight victory if they can pick up maximum points in the South-east this afternoon (kick-off 1pm).
With Bryn Morris and Bradley Fewster both playing for England’s Under-19s against Belgium on Wednesday, it remains to be seen if Jenkins’ midfield maestro and in-form striker will be fit enough to start this afternoon.
Bryn Morris and Bradley Fewster
Centre-back Dael Fry, who signed his first professional contract at Boro earlier this week, should be in contention and will challenge Kieran Weledji and Jonny Burn for a place at the heart of the defence.
Callum Cooke and Jordan Jones will battle it out for one of the starting berths up front, while Mark Kitching should start along with Bradley and Andy Halliday.
“In the dressing room we’ve talked about keeping the winning run going, and we’ve managed that in the last few games”, Jenkins said.
“The Under-21s is a real football environment for our young players and we’re on a great run. Everyone is enjoying being part of it.”
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Chris was appointed editor of the Gazette in January 2012. He is also a former Gazette news editor. Chris has more than 20 years experience as a journalist and has previously worked in senior positions in Newcastle, Exeter and Nottingham.
BIG RISE IN ANTI-TERROR PROBES
Britain's counter-terrorism chief has warned officers are grappling with "exceptionally high" numbers of investigations as they foil several murderous plots a year.
Amid heightened fears over the influence of extremist group Islamic State, Mark Rowley, who is the National Policing Lead for Counter Terrorism, took the unusual step of revealing details of the scale of the deadly threat that police face.
He said hundreds of suspected terrorists have been arrested so far this year, and that police are taking down more than 1,000 pieces of extremist material from the internet per week, including videos of beheadings, torture and suicides.
FOOTBALLER EVANS SET TO BE RELEASED
Welsh international footballer Ched Evans is expected to be released from prison today after serving half of a five-year sentence for raping a 19-year-old woman in a hotel.
The 25-year-old striker's release will pile more pressure on his former club, Sheffield United, to say whether he will be allowed to play for them again.
Many Blades fans have called for him to be rehabilitated, but almost 150,000 people have signed an online petition urging the Bramall Lane club not to welcome him back.
JIHADISTS MAY FACE TREASON CHARGES
British jihadists who go to fight in Iraq or Syria could be tried for treason, the Foreign Secretary has suggested.
Philip Hammond said such people had "sworn personal allegiance" to Islamic State (IS) and could potentially have committed the offence.
The last prosecution for treason was in 1946, when the notorious Lord Haw Haw - real name William Joyce - was hanged for his Nazi propaganda broadcasts.
LEADERS DISCUSS UKRAINE CEASEFIRE
Efforts to secure the full implementation of a ceasefire in Ukraine are set to dominate a gathering of world leaders in Italy.
David Cameron is among representatives of more than 50 nations in Milan, Italy for the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), including Chinese premier Li Keqiang.
The Prime Minister hopes to use the summit to push for greater international action to deal with the Ebola virus outbreak.
CALL FOR RETHINK OVER POLICE CHECKS
Police spend more time mass vetting the public than monitoring known sex offenders and suspects due to Government failures in scaling back criminal records checks, according to a think-tank.
Some 3.9 million people were subjected to criminal records checks last year, including 843,000 volunteers, according to the findings obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by centre-right think tank Civitas. This represents a small fall from the peak in 2010/11, but is still higher than in 2008/9.
In 2010, Home Secretary Theresa May promised criminal records checks would be halved to 1.7 million.
ANNAN CRITICISES EBOLA RESPONSE
Former UN secretary general Kofi Annan has criticised the international community for its response to the Ebola crisis, as a Royal Navy ship prepares to leave for Sierra Leone to help tackle the outbreak.
Speaking on BBC Newsnight Mr Annan said he had been "bitterly disappointed" that developed countries had not moved faster on the issue.
"If the crisis had hit some other region it probably would have been handled very differently," he said.
'NO IMMUNITY' FOR ASSISTED SUICIDE
A clarification in the law on assisted suicide in the UK does not offer "immunity against prosecution" the Director of Public Prosecutions has said.
Following the case of a paralysed former builder and the widow of a man who had locked-in syndrome, who lost a right-to-die fight in June, Alison Saunders said she was happy to provide clarity on what is "an emotive subject".
Supreme Court justices ruled against Paul Lamb and Jane Nicklinson, wife of Tony who died two years ago, by a seven-two majority following a hearing in London.
POLICE CLAIM 'SERIAL KILLER' ARREST
Brazilian police announced they have captured a man who confessed to 39 murders.
But the man's lawyer said his client was coerced into confessing crimes he did not commit.
Investigator Norton Ferreira in the city of Goiania said police had linked a gun found in the home of suspect Tiago Rocha to the killings of at least six women this year.
POLICE FIND BODY IN ACTRESS HUNT
Police in the US believe they have found the body of missing actress Misty Upham, known for her roles in August: Osage County and Django Unchained.
A woman's body was found in a ravine near the White River in Washington state, Auburn police spokesman Steve Stocker said. Items with Upham's name on them were found nearby.
Officials were waiting for the medical examiner to make a positive identification and determine the cause of death, Mr Stocker said.
HAPPINESS 'INCREASES WITH AGE'
Britons get happier rather than grumpier with age, according to a new survey which reveals we find our greatest contentment at 58.
The research suggests that people in the UK finally manage to get the work-life balance right towards the end of their working lives as they hit a golden age of satisfaction when silver-haired.
The study, commissioned for the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, also found that the age associated with the greatest stress is 35 - as they juggle the pressures of a young family with a demanding stage in their careers.
