Ashington AFC in the Northern League: 1970-1980
1970/71
After spell in numerous leagues in years previous, Ashington finally joined the Northern League for the start of the 1970/71 season. The Colliers started their first campaign in the NL with a trip to another newly admitted club, Consett. An 800 crowd saw Consett lead at half time 2-1 despite the Colliers netting first through Malcolm Robson on 20 minutes. Ashington outside right John Pattison equalised early in the second but Consett went on to win 6-2.
Ashington won their first League game at Portland Park, 2-0 against local rivals Blyth Spartans with Malcolm Robson of Lynemouth scoring both. By November 14th Ashington had gone 7 games unbeaten before going down to a shock defeat at Stanley United 4-2. The Colliers goals scored by Hickman (own goal) and Lawrie Gaines. At the end of the season the Colliers had finished in 11th position out of 20 with Evenwood Town crowned as Northern League Champions. Other good results during the season included good home wins against Shildon (7-4) and Willington (5-0) as well as a 2-1 victory away at Blyth Spartans to complete a league 'double'.
1970-71 NORTH 38 14 10 14 71 72 38 11/20
1971/72
Ashington started their second season in the NL poorly with a bad early run including embarrassing 1-5 home defeat against Willington with Malcolm Robson on target again. By the end of the season the Colliers had only won 8 games and finished third from bottom in the table with only West Auckland Town and Stanley United below the Colliers. A few god results included away wins at Bishop Auckland (5-0), West Auckland Town (5-1) and Stanley United (7-0). The Colliers home form was dismal, winning only 4 matches at Portland Park all season. At the top, Spennymoor united won the title finishing 9 points ahead of Blyth.
1971-72 NORTH 38 8 8 22 47 68 24 18/20
1972/73
Ashington made the trip to champions Spennymoor on the opening day of the new season (Saturday, August 12th) and took a shock lead through Les Mutrie in the 47th minute. Unfortunately for the Colliers Reilly equalised and Mulligan headed a Reilly cross past Colliers keeper Eddie Nesbit to gain an undeserved win. On September 9th the Colliers went down 2-3 at Ferryhill Athletic with Malcolm Robson and Les Mutrie on target for Ashington. A much-improved season from the previous campaign ended with the Colliers in 9th position. Good results included a 4-1 home win against Whitby Town and away wins at Stanley United (5-2), South Bank (3-0) and Evenwood Town (2-0).
1972-73 NORTH 38 14 10 14 51 45 38 9/20
1973/74
Good runs in both the Northern League Cup (losing the final 1-2 against Tow Law Town with Brian Pringle the Ashington goalscorer) and more impressively the FA Amateur Cup (losing the Semi Final replay against eventual winners Bishop's Stortford) overshadowed what was Ashington's best League campaign since joining the NL as the Colliers finished the season in 8th. Good results in the League included a 6-1 home win against South Bank and a 1-0 win against eventual champions Spennymoor United. With Spennymoor and Blyth finishing the season on level points, a Championship play-off game was played to decide the League winners with the venue - Portland Park. Spennymoor Utd won 2-1 and were declared Champions.
1973-74 NORTH 38 16 6 16 60 56 38 8/20
1974/75
The Northern League, with sponsorship from Rothmans, introduced three points for a win for the new season, but on the opening day of the season (Saturday, August 17th 1974) it was Consett who took away the three points from Portland Park after a convincing 6-2 victory over the Colliers, who scored through Ian Watts and Tommy Waugh. November 9th saw Ashington draw 2-2 at Evenwood with goals from Waugh and Steve Rutter. The Colliers finally finished 9th with memorable wins at home to Evenwood (5-1) and Durham city (3-0) as well as a great 2-1 victory at Spennymmor. The Colliers also got revenge over Consett for that opening day thrashing winning 4-1 away.
1974-75 NORTH 36 13 11 12 73 61 50 9/19
1975/76
By the end of the season Ashington had been defeated in the NL Cup final again, this time going down 1-2 against Bishop Auckland at Croft Park with Ian Crumplin the Colliers goal-scorer. In the League though the Colliers finished in their highest position since joining the Northern league, finishing seventh thanks to good victories such as 4-1 at home to Horden CW, 5-2 at South Bank and 3-0 at Billingham Synthonia. Blyth Spartans won the title, finishing just one point ahead of both Willington and Spennymoor Utd.
1975-76 NORTH 38 18 4 16 60 52 58 7/20
1976/77
On Saturday, September 25th Ashington looked at beaten side away at Evenwood Town 3-1 down with only 8 minutes remaining with Robert Liddell netting for the Colliers, before late goals by John Armstrong and Michael Wall levelled the game with a final score of 3-3. The Colliers also drew 3-3 at home to Blyth Spartans with Pringle, Ayre and Harmison on target for the Colliers. In an exhibition game at Croft Park, Blyth beat a Rest of the League XI 4-2 that included Colliers men Jimmy Harmison and Brian Pringle. Ashington's most memorable results by the end of the season included home wins against West Auckland (7-0), Penrith (5-2) and Willington (4-0) with good away wins at North Shields and Bishop Auckland (both 4-1) as well as a superb 2-1 victory at local rivals Blyth Spartans. Unfortunately for Ashington, they were deducted 2 points.
1976-77 NORTH 38 17 8 13 84 61 57 * 9/20
1977/78
The 77/78 season was a mixed season for Ashington with the team finishing a disappointing 6th from bottom after having 9 points deducted. On Saturday, January 14th two Steve Taylor goals weren't enough to get Ashington a point at Bishop Auckland as the Colliers went down 2-3. Good results in the season included home wins against Ferryhill Athletic (6-0) and Evenwood (4-1) with good away victories at Evenwood (3-0) and third placed Whitby Town (5-1).
1977-78 NORTH 38 15 7 16 56 54 43 * 15/20
1978/79
One of Ashington's best seasons in the Northern League ended with the Colliers finishing in third position, behind second placed Bishop Auckland and Champions Spennymoor United. The Colliers ended the season only 5 points from the top in what was a hugely successful season for the Colliers. Good wins at home to Evenwood (7-0), Willington (6-2), Bishop Auckland (4-0), West Auckland (4-0) and Shildon (3-0), with the Colliers only defeated twice at Portland Park during the season (Penrith 1-2 and Whitby Town 2-4). Better away form might have seen the Championship come to Portland Park, but the Colliers did achieve some success on their travels including wins at Tow Law (3-0), Evenwood (3-1) and Horden (3-1). The Colliers ended the season on 76 points, three ahead of Crook and 7 ahead of Blyth.
1978-79 NORTH 38 23 7 8 79 47 76 3/20
1979/80
Drybroughs were now sponsors of the NL for the start of the new season. By the end of the season Ashington had finished 4th from top, but well behind Champions Blyth. The Other teams in the top 5 that season were Spennymmor (runners-up), Horden CW (third) and Crook Town (fifth). Ashington defeated Blyth Spartans 2-1 at Portland Park with Pringle and Mutrie on target for the Colliers. Other good home results included wins against North Shields (6-1), Shildon (4-0), Willington (4-0) and Durham City (3-0). Away from home Ashington had good wins at Penrith (5-1), Willington (6-1) and Consett (3-1). The Colliers finished the season on 71 points.
1979-80 NORTH 38 21 8 9 88 53 71 4/20