Midland League
1958/1959 season
After the North Eastern league came to an end after the withdrawal of the reserve sides of Newcastle United, Sunderland and Middlesborough, this left many clubs leagueless.
A number of the Non League sides in the North East decided to join the somewhat geographically unsuitable Midland League. There were rumours at this time that the club were seeking to join the Scottish League, but this was firmly denied by the Directors.
Ashington made the move to the Midland League along with fellow North Easterners North Shields, Blyth Spartans, South Shields, Horden Colliery, Consett, Stockton and Spennymoor United. The rest of the League was made up of the famous and the less well known as now football League side Peterborough and Conference side Scarborough mixed it with the likes of Goole Town, Denaby United and Skegness Town.
Ashington were managed by the former Newcastle United centre-half Dave Davidson. Before the season Ashington made a number of good signings as former York City skipper Ernie Phillips signed for the Colliers. Another ex-York player John Linaker was signed from Crewe with Oliver (Gateshead), Moore (Everton), Newton (Hartlepool) and Beadnall (Southport) also added to the squad.
The move ‘South’ though proved to be a good one – at least on the field – and the next two years were to be arguably the Colliers best ever. The League was a quality competition that contained nineteen sides. However this was the era of the redoubtable Peterborough United, who, sweeping all before them, dominated the League. Ashington’s first game of the competition was a trip to London Road to face Peterborough. Before a 10,000 crowd the Colliers were thrashed 6-1.
The Colliers side that day was:
1. Moore
2. Phillips
3. Bell
4. Newton
5. Smith
6. Beadnell
7. Linacre
8 Davison
9. Morton
10. Cummings
11. Oliver.
Just a few days later though the Colliers demolished Skegness Town at Portland Park 7-0 before a 5,000 Portland Park crowd. Grantham Town were beaten 1-0 away and later on 6-3 at Portland Park. More victories continued and by Christmas the team was joint top with the inevitable leaders Peterborough United. By the seasons end the Clubs expectations were exceeded when they finished runners up to the unbeatable Posh. The goal difference in the League was a staggering 125 for and 40 against.
Below is a programme from a top of the table clash with 'The Posh' at London Road. Click on the image for full size.
1959/1960 season
One year later things were nearly as good with a third placed finish behind Champions Peterborough United and runners-up South Shields. Ashington were the first side to defeat the Posh in almost two years when the London Road side were defeated 2-1 at Portland Park.
Despite these two fruitful seasons, the travelling costs were proving to be a crippling liability and along with the other North East sides, they all resigned from the Midland League to form a new Northern Counties League. These resignations had unfortunate repercussions for the rest of the Midland League, for they in turn now had insufficient teams and as a result, the league suspended operations for one season.
Peterborough United were elected to The Football League. They immediately came top of the Football League Division 4 with a record number of goals. Their forward, Terry Bly, still holds the record for the number of goals scored in a season for Division 4.
Programme from Ashington v South Shields, 1959.