Famous Players from Ashington
Sir Robert Charltonb. Oct. 11, 1937, Ashington
Bobby was born in Ashington and on April 21, 1970, he became one of the very few players to have appeared in 100 full international matches, and from 1957 to 1973 he made a total of 106 appearances for England. He played forward for Manchester United from 1954 until he retired in 1973. Sir Bobby survived an airplane crash (in Munich, Feb. 6, 1958) in which eight Manchester United regulars were killed. He played on the English national teams that won the World Cup (Jules Rimet Trophy) in 1966 and the European Cup for 1967-68. When he finished playing he managed Preston North End (1973-75) and was later director of Wigan Athletic Football Club. In 1984 he became director of Manchester United football club.
Jack Charlton OBEb 1935, Ashington
"Big Jack", as he is affectionately known throughout the game of football, is a football legend. Jack won 35 caps for England, playing alongside Bobby, better known to Jack as "Wor Kid". Jack was also part of the side that lifted the 1966 World Cup for England at Wembley as the English defeated West Germany after extra time.
Jack's career started in Ashington, but he signed for Leeds Utd in 1952 and spent 21 years with the club, scoring 70 League goals for them - not bad for a centre half. He also won FA Cup; League Cup; Fairs Cup and League Championship Winner's Medals with Leeds and Footballer of the Year Award in 1967.
After leaving Leeds he managed Middlesbrough from 1973-77, guiding them to the 1974 Second Division Championship by a record margin of 15 points. He then managed Sheffield Wednesday from 1977-83 and Newcastle from 1984-85.
He went on to become the most successful manager ever for the Republic of Ireland Football Team. In 1988 he took Ireland to the European Championship Finals in Germany and the 1990 World Cup Finals in Italy where they were beaten by the home team after reaching the Quarter Finals. Jack was made a Freeman of Dublin in 1994 to honour the credit he had brought to the national side.
He resigned in 1995 and now concentrates on his many after dinner engagements, where he is reckoned to be one of the finest sporting speakers in the country and also his favourite sport of fishing.
Programme from the Jackie Charlton Testimonial at Portland Park in 1973
'Wor Jackie' Milburn
(b. Ashington, 11th May 1924 d. Ashington, 9th October 1988)
John Edward Thompson Milburn was known as "Wor Jackie" and played football for Newcastle United between the years of 1943-1957. He scored 199 goals in 395 League and Cup appearances and was an FA Cup Winner for Newcastle 3 times in 6 years in 1951, '52 and '56. In the 1956 Final he scored the second fastest ever goal in a Wembley Cup Final, after only 45 seconds.
When he finished playing he tried his hand at managing and was the manager of Ipswich Town between Jan 1963 and Sept 1964. After leaving Ipswich he returned to Tyneside becoming a respected journalist for the News of the World, covering United's fortunes for over 20 years.
When he died , due to cancer, his funeral was given nationwide media coverage when the whole of Newcastle came to a standstill. Jackie was made a Freeman of the City, and a statue on Newcastle's main thoroughfare recognises his achievement to the region. His ashes were scattered over the Gallowgate end of the pitch at St James Park, where he had scored so many of his goals. There is a statue of Jackie in Ashington main street.
Other Players from Ashington to play in the Football League.
Many players born in Ashington have made grade at Football League level. Below is a list of some of the current and retired professional footballers from NE63 -
Goalkeepers
Kevin Carr (Newcastle United)
Jim Potts (Port Vale and Leeds United)
Ron Routledge (Burnley and Sunderland before coming back and playing for Ashington)
Chris Adamson (West Brom)
Defenders
Dave Walton (Crewe, Derby County, Sheff Utd, Shrewsbury)
Martin Taylor (Blackburn and Birmingham City)
Cecil Irwin (Sunderland - Cecil came back to play and manage Ashington!)
John Milburn (Leeds United & Norwich City)
Jimmy Adamson (Burnley)
George Prior (Sheffield Wednesday and Watford)
Sid Hutton (Newcastle United)
Bob Whitehead (Newcastle United)
Tom McLain (Sunderland and Northampton)
Ray Blackhall (Newcastle Utd and Sheffield Wednesday)
Attackers
Billy Gray (Chelsea, Notts Forest and Burnley)
Andy Smailes (Newcastle, Sheff Wed, Bristol City)
John Elliot (Notts County)
Neville Black (Newcastle United)
Ken Prior (Newcastle United and Millwall)
Ashington players who went on to play in the Football League
Apart from those players who made appearances for the Colliers in the Football League, a number of players have played at Portland Park before moving on to the professional game. The list below is just a few of the players who went on to appear in the Football League:
Goalkeepers
Tommy Rigg (Middlebrough, Watford and Gillingham)
Gordon Mason (Sunderland)
Defenders
Stan Milburn (Leicester City)
Eddie Ramsey (Lincoln City)
J Rutherford (Tottenham Hotspur)
Billy Hogg (Sheffield United)
Jack Hindmarsh (Sheff Utd, Burnley and Notts County)
Copper Reed (Burnley)
R Ferguson (Chelsea)
Attackers
Bobby Cummings (Newcastle Utd and Darlington)
Ray Henderson (Middlebrough and Hull City)
Jimmy Randall (Derby County, Bradford City & Bristol City)
Ron Harbertson (Darlington, Lincoln and Wrexham)
Jack Dryden (Newcastle Utd, Sheff Utd and Burnley)
Jim Brumphrey (Birmingham City)
Joe Bell (Middlebrough and West Ham)
Arthur Bolton (Sunderland)
Cyril Brown (Brentford, Sunderland and Rochdale)
Bobby Farrington (Bradford City)
W Turnbull (Manchester City and Chesterfield)
E Joice (Everton)
J Moore (Barnsley)
W Banks (Liverpool)
R Jefferson (Leeds United)
Famous Ashington Players
Below is a list of players to play at Portland Park since Ashington joined the Northern League and have impressed the most.
Starting in goal, Eddie Nesbitt was considered one of the best goalkeepers in the Northern League during his Ashington days and was part of the team that reached the FA Amateur Cup semi-finals. A brave keeper, Eddie had spells at Hartlepool, Blackpool and ended his career at Bedlington. Current goalkeeper Paul Simpson has won two ANL Division 2 Titles and a Craven Cup at Ashington as well as a Northern Alliance League and Cup double with the reserves. Simpa was voted player of the season in 2004 after conceding only 28 goals in the League.
Over the years Ashington have had a number of quality defenders. In the late 70s/early 80s Brian Pilkington was a fine right full-back for the Colliers and was voted 'player of the year' in 1980 before his move to North Shields in 1982. Another full-back who impressed during his years at Ashington was left sided defender Vic Hillier who was part of the Ashington team in 1974 that reached the semi-finals of the Amateur Cup.
In the mid 70s the central defensive pairing of Jimmy Harmison and Tommy Dixon was one of the best in the Northern League. Both ended up at Blyth Spartans although Jimmy returned to Ashington in 2003 to become assistant manager. His son Steve Harmison, also a defender, broke into the team in the mid 90's but quit football to concentrate on cricket. Now Steve is a regular in the England Test and one day sides and is one of the most feared pace bowlers on the planet. He was ranked the worlds best bowler after the tour of the West Indies where he took a career best 7 wickets for 12 runs at Sabina Park.
In recent seasons Ashington have had a number of quality defenders. Northern League legend Marc Irwin, a former Gretna, Tow Law and Blyth defender captained Ashington to the Second Division Title in 2000/2001 and at 40 is still playing! Left back Jeff Pogson was considered one of the best full-backs in the ANL and as well as being a great defender, Jeff found the net on a number of occasions including a 35 yard thunderbolt against Newcastle United at Portland Park infront of over 1,500 before making the move to Blue Star. He was part of the defensive unit that conceded only 28 League goals in 2003/4 as Ashington romped to the Second Division Championship forming a formidable back four line-up that included Darren Timmons, Lee Picton and Ashington legend Lee Anderson who has been at the club through thick and thin for over 10 years!!
In the midfield Ashington had a number of top class performers. The one and only Arthur Lumsdon was a silky midfielder with an eye for goal. He played for the Colliers in the 70's and 80's before moving to Bedlington and Bishop Auckland, returning to Ashington in 1985/86. Another impressive attacking midfielder was John McGinley who made his debut in 1979. He was an instant hit with his powerful bursts down the left flank and went on to play for Sunderland, Bradford, Rotherham, Hartlepool, Licoln and Boston.
Although Tony Lowery played less than a full season at Portland Park he was still good enough to impress Ron Atkinson who took the midfielder to West Bromwich Albion. He then went on to play for Walsall and Mansfield Town before returning to play in the North East for Gateshead and Blyth. Now joint manager at Bedlington Terriers.
In recent seasons midfielder/striker 'super' Greg Peary has been a fans favourite scoring a number of important goals for the Colliers before retiring in 2004. In the last few seasons Ross Atkinson, Mark Campbell, Jon Sunderland, Alex Lawson and Ian Herron have all impressed as the Colliers have established themselves in the First Division of the Northern League.
The Colliers have had some legendary strikers over the years. Billy Wright put the 'fear of God' into defenders and goalkeepers alike during his years at Ashington and Whitley Bay. He even had a spell as manager after hanging his boots up. Billy scored a boat load of goals in the Northern League and was part of the side that reached the last four of the FA Amateur Cup in 1974.
Another black and white legend was Brian Pringle who from 1973 to 1981 was a prolific goal-scorer. The legendary 'Pringle for England' was a customary shout from supporters in the 70's and Brian had his testimonial against Blyth Spartans in 1981. Brian joined Ashington after spells at Berwick Rangers and Hartlepool United and was a folk hero at Portland Park until he returned to his first club Alnwick Town in 1981. The newspaper article below is a match report for the game between Ashington and Willington which ended 4-0 to the Colliers thanks to a hat-trick from Pringle.
Click on image to see full sized article. Thanks to Paul Pringle for this image.
Another striker who had no problems finding the net was Ian Mutrie who had two great seasons for the Colliers before moving to Blyth in 1981.
In more recent seasons Steve Robson proved to be a fine signing from Consett. During his spell at Ashington he scored a load of goals including 30 in the ANL Division 2 Championship winning season of 2000/2001.
During the last few seasons one striker in particular has banged in goal after goal. Alan Hogg has scored over 100 goals in 3 seasons despite some bad injury problems. Hoggy is deadly in the penalty area but his goals range from penalties to tap-ins to 30 yard stunners to screaming free-kicks. His 35 yard free-kick at Whitley Bay in 2004/5 was voted goal of the season. 'Feed the Hogg and he will score' is a well known chant throughout the Northern League!
In late 2004 another Hogg was signed up. Paul Hogg (no relation to Alan) was signed from League Champions Dunston Fed and his partnership with Alan proved to be a huge success. Paulo scored his first goal for Ashington against Whitley Bay at Portland Park with a sublime 25 yard chip over the goalkeeper to seal a 2-0 win. A powerful striker who is strong in the air, Paul has all the qualities to become an Ashington legend