Other Leagues
Ashington AFC's history in Minor North East Leagues
Ashington AFC were formed in 1883 and despite their minor status entry into the FA Cup competition was reported as early as 1887. Whilst Mickley FC has been referred to as the Oldest Club in Northumberland - also being formed in 1883 - the distance between the birth of the two must have been months or weeks! These early years of competitions produced many long forgotten names and this first reference to Ashington's involvement recorded that in a qualifying round the team were matched against Weetslade.
By the 1891/92 season Ashington AFC were running a reserve side although the first team had yet to reach a level high enough for which League entry was possible. In January 1892, the Colliers defeat the reserve side of Northern Alliance Club Rendal Swifts - the sides first defeat for two seasons. The season saw matches against Blyth, Sunderland Albion and Shankhouse (in the Northumberland Senior Cup) but the support was always small. In a match against Hebburn Argyle away, the Colliers lost by seven goals, handicapped as they only had ten men starting and that was reduced to nine during the game due to an injury.
The local association did however use the Ashington player, Waldock, in a trial game for the County Side.
A bold attempt to increase their status was made for the 1892/93 season, when an entry into the three-year-old NORTHERN ALLIANCE was made. Alongside the likes of Newcastle United's and Sunderland's second strings, the season finished with no honours - although fellow newcomers Blyth finished as runners-up.
The club only lasted in the League for one season as the Club ceased its activities, but after a large meeting it was decided to bring the club back. The meeting was a great success and a large committee was voted in. The first competitive game for the club in the EAST NORTHUMBERLAND LEAGUE was played at Cambois at the venue of a local flower show. A 'large gathering' saw the Colliers draw 3-3 after going in at half time 2-0 up. The club continued in the East Northumberland League up to the 1901/02 season, winning the Championship in 1897/98 and three consecutive wins in the Northumberland Minor Cup.
The Colliers then decided to re-join the NORTHERN ALLIANCE LEAGUE alongside local rivals Blyth Spartans and the unlikely sounding New York United for the start of the 1902/03 campaign. The first game in the league was played away to the railway team of Gateshead N.E.R., on the 6th of September, ending in a 1-2 defeat. However, gates were increasing as well as the population and the side had a few quality players including Harvey, signed from Bristol Rovers. Ashington then defeat Hebburn in their first home game thanks to a first half goal. With Sunderland and Newcastle removing their reserve sides, this allowed the Non-League sides to fight it out for honours and in 1905/06 the Colliers finished runners-up to Willington Athletic. The Colliers then finished 5th in the 1908/09 season, although they had been as high as third at one point. During the season Bumphrey left the club to join Birmingham City and in the Summer of 1909 the Colliers moved to Portland Park. The Colliers then finished runners up in the league again in the 1910/11 season but strikes caused attendances to drop and a £47 loss on the season was made even though the Colliers sold Joseph Potts to Hull City for £50. A decision was also made so that gatemen would be paid in future, since committeemen objected to missing part of each game. One year later the runners-up spot was retained. After so many years in the backwaters of football, the Colliery team were at last making an impression in the region, but always with strong competition from near neighbours Blyth Spartans.
The club then built a grandstand holding 1,000 and at a cost of £340. Newcastle United spoilt the opening party with a single goal win. On their travels the team won 8-2 at Blaydon Haughs, but lost at Blyth - before an 380 record gate - in the FA Cup. Overall things were looking up as the season saw the Colliers win the Northumberland Challenge Bowl for the first time and when May 191 arrived, Ashington were crowned League Champions. Then Ashington joined the North Eastern League before the outbreak of World War 1.
After spells in the Football League and Midland League the Colliers joined the NORTHERN COUNTIES LEAGUE for the start of the 1960/61 season. This was a shortlived competition that lasted only two seasons, uneventful at least for Ashington although the latter - the 1961/62 campaign saw the Colliers once again through to the FA Cup First Round, losing 4-1 at Chester City.
English FA Cup Chester 4 - 1 Ashington 04-11-1961
After another spell in the North Eastern League the Colliers joined the WEARSIDE LEAGUE for the 1964/65 season. After only one season the Colliers switched to the NORTH REGIONAL LEAGUE, a competition that had been reserved almost exclusively for the reserve sides of the local Football League teams.
1965-66 N REG 32 15 8 9 70 55 38 6/17
The Colliers then joined the Northern Premier League, but costs were too high and the Colliers were back in the NORTHERN ALLIANCE in 1969/70 before finally joining the Northern League.