The installation of a new management team means the start of a new era for Newcastle Blue Star and with Marc Nash being the next person to take hold of the coaching baton, there is very little time for him and his team to adapt to new surroundings.
Their appointment was made last Sunday and their first fixture comes around this coming Friday. Add a slew of player departures between these two points in time and it is fair to say that the past few days have been a baptism of fire.
Then again, if anyone can put out such a fire it will be Nash and assistant Anthony Woodhouse. The pair arrive in Scotswood with plenty of successful experience under that belt, the experience that hopefully leads to success within NE15.
While there is no doubt that this hiring comes around in rather unique circumstances, it is not often that the reins are picked up when a team sits on top of the table. At the same time, there are far worse places for the reins to have been left behind.
Going into Friday’s visit of Billingham Synthonia, it is Blue Star who still find themselves top of the Northern League Division Two table. The gap is still at three points and had their trip to Yarm and Eaglescliffe finished on 88 minutes, it would have been six.
Unfortunately, football matches at this and any other senior level are scheduled for 90 minutes plus and after being 3-1 ahead with the clock ticking down, time would run out after conceding three unanswered goals.
It was a bitter pill for both Andrew Bulford as last Saturday’s interim manager and those players involved to swallow. Then again, that is the beautiful game for you - sometimes it has a habit of showing its ugly side when you least expect it.
Now the expectation is to bounce back and give those in charge the perfect welcome to the club. Billingham Synthonia have already served as hosts earlier in the season and after suffering a 3-1 loss on their own soil, they will be keen to exact revenge under the bright Friday night lights.
Something which sets up this upcoming clash rather nicely. A warm welcome goes out to the visiting Billingham Synthonia team and support and for those who lend their voice to the home team in this new era, make sure to bring the noise throughout.