Ahead of the new season, here is a little bit of information about the seven clubs who will be joining the Northern Premier League – East Division for 2025/26.

As the season approaches, we will also look to produce a ground guide which will have useful information on all 21 grounds we will visit in the league.

Following back to back relegations from the National League North to the Northern Premier League – East Division, Ashington will face Blyth Spartans in league competition for the first time since the 1983/84 season. In that season, Blyth Spartans won the Northern League Division 1 (but did not take promotion), whilst Ashington finished in 17th place and were relegated to the Northern League Division 2.

The most recent competitive match between the sides was in the Northumberland Senior Cup in the 2014/15 season at Croft Park. Blyth Spartans progressed in the competition with a 3-0 win. Ashington’s last competitive win against Blyth Spartans came in the 2009/10 Northumberland Senior Cup Semi Final at Woodhorn Lane. A 3-2 win with goals from Dunn, Johnson and Blandford secured the Colliers place in the Final at St James Park, however, it wasn’t to be in the final, with a 2-0 defeat to Whitley Bay the outcome.

In contract to Blyth Spartans, Blyth Town have made it to the Northern Premier League – East Division with back to back promotions. Having won the Northern League Division 2 in 2023/24 they finished 5th in the First Division in 2024/25 and had to battle through the play-offs. First of all, a trip to Shildon where Dan Wilson gave Blyth a lead before an own goal from Aaron Cunningham put them two ahead. A goal in the last quarter of an hour from Luke Spaulding wasn’t enough for Shildon to get back into the match. In the play off final, a trip to Newcastle Blue Star awaited. After trailing for much of the second half Dan Wilson converted a penalty in the 89th minute to take the game to penalties. A 4-2 win saw our close neighbours progress to Step 4 football.

We’ve never met Hallam FC competitively before, however, they have a significant history behind them. Playing their games at Sandygate (in Sheffield) which is recognised as “The Oldest Football Ground in the World”. Hallam first entered the FA Cup in the 1950/51 season, and their furthest progression in the competition was to the 3rd qualifying round in 1957/58, a game which say Norton Woodseats win at home 4-1. Hallam have only competed in the FA Trophy on one occasion in 1974/75 where they lost their preliminary round tie 2-1 at home to Worksop Town.

Lincoln United have played in the United Counties League Premier North division for the last two seasons. Finishing 2nd in 2023/24 and missing out in the play-offs (losing their Semi-Final tie against Skegness Town) before being promoted as Champions in 2024/25. Before these seasons, Lincoln were actually part of the Northern Premier League – East Division, but finishing in 18th place in 2022/23 saw them relegated back to Step 5 football. We’ve not met competitively with Lincoln United previously, so we look forward to visiting Ashby Avenue and also welcoming them to Woodhorn Lane this year.

Matlock Town join us like Blyth Spartans having been relegated from the Premier Division of the Northern Premier League, a position in the pyramid they had held since the 2004/05 season. After finishing 4th and 5th in 2021/22 and 2022/23 respectively, their fortunes turned, finishing 15th in 2023/24 and then 19th in 2024/25. Matlock Town are another club who we have not met competitively before. In their FA Cup history, they have been as far as the 3rd Round Proper (in 1976/77) where a 5-1 defeat at Carlisle United meant they missed out on a trip to Anfield to play Liverpool in the 4th Round. More recently, like ourselves, Matlock have reached the 4th Qualifying Round (in 2016/17) where they lost to Altrincham.

Redcar Athletic changed their name from Teesside Athletic in 2010 and competed in the Wearside League for eight seasons. In 2024/25 the won the Northern League Division 1 by a six point margin to be promoted as Champions. Ashington played Redcar Athletic four times between 2021/22 and 2022/23 (in the league), losing the very first meeting (3-1 at Woodhorn Lane) before doing the double over them in the second season. The second meeting of the clubs is one that will live long in the memories of those there on the evening. Trailing 1-0 at half time, Ian Skinner’s second half triple substitution including Jordan Lashley coming on for Luke Salmon. Jorden went on to score all four goals for the Colliers (69′, 81′, 88′ and 90+2′) to secure the 4-1 win and three points.

Silsden AFC were formed in 1904 and currently play at The Office Interiors Stadium in Keighley. They’ve played in the North West Counties League – Premier Division since 2018/19 and were promoted as Champions at the end of the 2024/25 season. Whilst again, Ashington have not played competitively against Silsden, come of our fellow North East clubs have faced them in FA Cup and FA Vase ties, most recently in 2023/24 they beat Newcastle Blue Star, Billingham Synthonia, Redcar Athletic and Newcastle University on their way to the 4th round of the FA Vase, where they eventually fell at the hands of Hallam FC.

So, now we know who the newcomers are to the division, here is the map of all 22 teams in the Northern Premier League – East Division for the 2025/26 season.