Rebels

Shankhouse Black Watch were the premier football side in Northumberland in 1888.

The colliery club had won the Northumberland Senior Cup in 1886 and 1887 before being beaten in the final by a Newcastle West End side containing a number of imported Scottish professionals that year.

The 'Blacks', along with fellow senior side Morpeth Harriers, led a breakaway from the Northumberland Football Association.

The 'country clubs' from outside Newcastle were protesting at the Tyneside-centric nature of the sport's governing body and the increasing professionalism of the city sides.

Rebels is the story of their ill-fated venture and a history and journey around Northumberland football today.

But Rebels more than just a football book.

It is also a celebration of Northumberland, of our heritage, our history and the game all mixed into one.

It's about rural depopulation, and how the town overshadows the country, and about fathers and sons and generations.