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I'm still finding my way with Ashington (though I picked a pretty good season to start cheering). I'm beginning to notice some names coming up with particular zeal as opponents. Still, I thought I'd ask the forums what their opinion is. Who do you consider Ashington's biggest rival? Who do you love to see the Colliers get one over on? Who do you wince at the most when they come up most short? Who can you always talk your mates into coming to see as it's always a great game?

Just satisfying my curiousity.

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Only 6,983½ km from Woodhorn...as the crow flies!

personally I prefer the spartans games! higher league club that we don't play often, so when we do beat them it is all the more sweeter. Also a big crowd and atmosphere is generally guaranteed. Just got to keep the dealers out of the toilets.

It occurs to me that I probably should have included Morpeth, too, though they're downladder from Ashington.

(One of) The other votes is mine. Want it to show me the results without having to click all the time. Not for any one in particular.

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Only 6,983½ km from Woodhorn...as the crow flies!

Traditionally Ashington's biggest rivals were Blyth Spartans two big Northumbrian towns with decent non league level teams since football began. Ashington's 1980's decline and Blyth's rise has seperated the teams and mellowed the rivalry a bit. Bedlington are the regular rivalry now.

However, there's still something special about Ashington V Blyth Spartans!

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Mark Fitton

I am taking part in the 2012 Great North Run on behalf of the Motor Neurone Disease Association. All sponsorships would be much appreciated, please visit my page at http://www.justgiving.com/Mark-Fitton83

Always has been and always will be Spartans - don't care what league they are playing in.

Terriers are just another local team that we need to beat - like Morpeth, North Shields etc but the Spartans ........... uuggh !!

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shout it loud and proud " I AM NORTHUMBRIAN"

I'd have to agree with you. Up till 1984 when Ashington and Blyth went their seperate ways when the Colliers were relegated it was definately Blyth. Ashington never played the Terriers on a regular basis until 84/85 season in the Northern League second division. Before that the Terriers were a Northern Alliance outfit. Certainly after our relegation meetings between Blyth & Ashington have been restricted to Senior Cup affairs.

The Blyth games were always special, certainly from my time watching and being involved around the club from the mid-70's there were not many derby games I can happilly recall. I only saw Ashington win on enemy soil twice. Usually trips to Croft Park ended in a heavy defeat and the supporters bus windows put out.

The Blyth games were usually a double header over Boxing Day and New Year (which usually meant both Xmas and New Year were spoilt or in danger of being spoiled because there was a good chance they were going to sh@g us). Sometimes if it was postponed they would be held over to Easter.

Maybe apart from the Woking F.A Trophy game in 1980 the Blyth derbies were by far the biggest crowds I saw at Portland Park.
There was one on Good Friday 1980 when Ashington won 2-1, must have been nearer 2,000 in the ground and a load of market stalls collapsed because so many people were standing on them.

I see it is very close at the moment with the Spartans and the Terriers neck and neck but traditionally it has to be the Spartans for me great history between the teams in the past but I have to say how sweet it is to get one over the Terriers now and then.Also Whitley Bay now are becoming a bit of a rival these days aswell what with the Senior Cup games etc in the past.

After being a new recruit to the collier army (been going now for 3 years) the terriers it has to be, however last years senior cup game against the spartans was something special and seeing their motley crew walk out early was a delight.