By Brian Bennett

It’s probably a rare occasion – if ever at all – that the manager of a winning team will look sombre when he conducts his postmatch press conference – but Ashington FC joint head coach Richie Hill unfortunately did following his sides 3-2 win over neighbours Morpeth Town at Craik Park on Tuesday night.

After Wilson Kneeshaw’s early opener for the Colliers, the Highwaymen went into the interval 2-1 ahead with a trialist striker on the mark twice.

But in the second period, a brace from substitute Eddie Thomas secured a 3-2 for the Woodhorn Lane outfit.

However, Hill said afterwards: “I’ve got mixed emotions really. We did a lot of good things tonight but it’s all been tarnished with a knee injury to Connor Thomson whom we expected big things from this season. He is a big part of what we are all about and it was just one of those freak injuries where he fell. We don’t know the full extent (of the injury) as yet but he was taken to hospital and was having an X-ray.”

Of the workout, Hill said: “The game was everything we wanted it to be. It was tough and very competitive and I thought we got off to a really good start by scoring a merited goal through Wilson Kneeshaw. Morpeth then equalised and very much dominated the rest of the first half and asked lots of questions of us without the ball and about our general shape and they deservedly went 2-1 in front in stoppage time.”

He continued: “At half time we regrouped and talked about what we needed to do to be able to deal with their threats but more importantly to have a stamp on the game ourselves. I thought the players who came on for us in the second half were excellent and we had a lot more success – and were rewarded with two fantastic goals from Eddie Thomas who is new to the club. After that I thought we managed the game well and saw it out quite comfortably. However right now, I’m thinking about one person – Connor Thomson – and our thoughts go out to him and his family and I just hope his injury is not as serious as we thought.”

Ashington AFC would like to welcome their newest and final member of the 2024/25 management team: Emily Robertson.

Emily has been appointed as the team’s new Sports Therapist and will be working closely with Andy and Richie on improving the teams overall sports injury and rehabilitation side of things.

Emily will lead the way providing on pitch treatment to injured players both on match days and in training, and she will also be responsible for putting methods and interventions in place to aid with injury diagnosis and overall, player rehabilitation.

Emily is a graduate of Northumbria University and has a degree in Sport, Exercise & Rehabilitation. She also has a wealth of additional qualifications in her field that make her a perfect fit for the football club.

Emily has previous sports therapy experience working with clubs in the Northern League, Northern Premier East and Northern Premier league Premier Division.

Joint Head Coach Andy Coyles said: ‘We are delighted to bring in an individual of Emily’s qualities and expertise. She has an array of qualifications and experiences that will certainly improve the teams overall sports performance department. Over the last two seasons that i have been here, the team have experienced a number of injuries that i feel have hindered us in being able to put a consistent squad together on a week by week basis. Consistency is key if wanting to do well in the league this season, so we are delighted to bring Emily to the club, who has a fantastic reputation in sports injury and rehabilitation. I have spoke to a number of players who have worked with Emily over the last few seasons and every single player praised and applauded her for the level of professionalism that she brings and the enthusiasm and passion she has towards the game’.

Emily will join up with the team tonight away to Morpeth Town.

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC joint head coach Richie Hill deviated from his usual practice when he took a glance at the Northern Premier League East Division fixtures which were released last week.

The Colliers start the season proper with an Emirates FA Cup tie away to Shildon on August 3 but the following week on August 10, they will again be on their travels when the curtain goes up for the league programme which has pitched them against Ossett United.

Ashington’s home games begin the following midweek (Tuesday August 13), when league newcomers Bishop Auckland visit Woodhorn Lane then it’s a trip to Garforth Town.

Hill gave his reaction when he said: “There was a bit of a buzz about the place at training last week and a little bit of excitement as to who we are going to play. To be honest, I never read too much into fixtures – I never look too far away from the next one and I think this league is not going to be any different this season to what it was last term. It doesn’t really matter who you play because every match is potentially a tough one and if you’re not on your game, you’ll get beat.”

He continued: “We played Ossett towards the back end of last season when they had just changed their management team. We won 2-1 but their league position didn’t really mirror their actual performance because I thought they were very good on the day. They were a very hard team to play against and I’m not expecting anything different this term. We’ll naturally do what we need to do and do our homework by getting a couple of reports on them. It’s a tough place to go. I’ve been there three or four times in the last three seasons and every game is a tough one. They tend have a team full of hard working honest players and they make it very difficult for you to have your own way so I’m not expecting anything different. I’ve got one eye on our midweek friendly at Morpeth because that’s important but my main focus is on Shildon in the FA Cup because that’s not going to be an easy game and we need to make sure our lads are really prepared for that.”

He went on: “Beyond Ossett we have an exciting clash in prospect at home against Bishop Auckland on the Tuesday and then another away game at Garforth – a new team that have just recently been promoted. I don’t think there will be any easy games in the league home or away and its all about how we prepare and how we play on the day. What I do know is that we’ll be as thoroughly prepared as we possibly can be.”

On August Bank Holiday Monday, Ashington travel to face Dunston UTS whilst they visit Heaton Stannington on Boxing Day.

On New Year’s Day, the Colliers entertain Dunston UTS then host Heaton Stannington on Easter Monday.

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC prepare to go into their final trio of friendly matches against Morpeth Town, Workington and Spennymoor Town next week with joint head coach Richie Hill saying he is not only looking forward to the clashes but is also excited at the prospect of facing what he describes as being stern challenges against clubs higher up the footballing pyramid.

The Colliers had scheduled warm up games last week against Blyth Town and Seaham Red Star respectively both fall victim of the weather but Tuesday’s match away to Whitley Bay at Hillheads got the green light where the Wansbeck side 2-1.

Hill said: “Andy Coyles and I discussed at length how we wanted the pre season programme to look and we felt we needed a nice balance between Northern League opposition and opposition from leagues above because it’ll be a good opportunity to see where we are at. Not being disrespectful to the teams we have already faced or were due to face but the three games against Morpeth Town, Workington and Spennymoor Town will present extra tough challenges. We’re looking forward to them; we’re excited about them and confident that we’ll be competitive. They will really test our discipline without the ball and our shape – but that’s what friendlies are all about.”

Hill added: “The weather has a habit of surprising and disappointing us. It’s something which we can’t control but we’re in the heart of the summer and already we’ve had games called off! It was disappointing because we needed these games to get minutes into the systems of the players; trial new ways of playing and also for new players to start to forge working relationships with our established players. That’s so when we begin the season, we are well drilled and well organised and people are very familiar with the way we want them to play.”

Ashington’s remaining list of friendlies reads: Tuesday July 23 – Morpeth Town (away 7.30pm); Saturday July 27 – Workington (home 3pm); Tuesday July 30 – Spennymoor Town (home 7.30pm).

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC’s management team have confirmed the appointment of Sean Brett as an analyst.

Joint head coach Andy Coyles said: “We have built a really good management team but it’s no longer Richie Hill, Jamie Tunstall, Gary Ormston, Lee Barrass and myself – it now includes Sean Brett who is going to be our new analyst. Sean has operated at Team Northumbria – when they were in the Northern League – Newton Aycliffe and Newcastle Benfield as well as working and operating alongside myself with England Universities.”

He continued: “It’s quite important that there is someone who is genuinely passionate about the position as an analyst – and Sean is that. His role is certainly going to help us especially looking in advance at opposition performances and being able to analyse them, break them down and allow us to design training sessions based around their strengths and weaknesses.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington completed their third warm up game of pre season with a 2-1 win over Whitley Bay at Hillheads on Tuesday night.

The victory prompted joint head coach Richie Hill to speak highly of the challenge from the coast outfit: “It was an excellent work out and I think both clubs will have gained a lot from it,” he said afterwards, “We needed this game to get some minutes into certain players who had been away on holiday or recovering from injury and it was a really lovely exercise where we were asking the lads to play in a certain way.”

He continued: “At times I thought we did some good things and our two goals were fantastic but it was just a little bit frustrating that we conceded a goal at the end. However, to be honest Whitley Bay were knocking on the door in the last couple of minutes and our ‘keeper Dan Staples made one very good save. It is something which we need to work on over the next three weeks to make sure it doesn’t happen in the games at the beginning of the season. Overall though, I was very pleased and I thought it was a really, really good challenge.”

Skipper Karl Ross put the Colliers ahead just before the half hour mark following an excellent move and low cross from Jordan Summerly.

On the hour, a defence splitting pass from Cyril Giroud created a one-on-one opportunity for Connor Thomson which he finished superbly well to double the lead.

Two minutes from time, the Seahorses pulled a goal back when former Ashington player Luke Parkinson netted with a header from a corner.

By Brian Bennett

Ashington have been handed ‘tough’ away ties in the early stages of both the Emirates FA Cup and Isuzu FA Trophy competitions.

In the FA Cup, the Colliers will travel to face Ebac Northern League first division side Shildon in the extra preliminary round on Saturday August 3 with the winners hosting West Auckland or Bishop Auckland.

In the FA Trophy, the Wansbeck side face a lengthy journey to take on Congleton Town in the preliminary round on Saturday August 24. The victors will have home advantage as they play Wythenshawe in the first qualifying round.

Ashington FC joint head coach Andy Coyles gave his reaction when he said: “They are two very good but tough draws. We have been a tad unlucky. I believe it was our football secretary Gav Perry who told me that out of 170 plus teams, only 28 get to play an extra preliminary tie and we are one of those! However one of the plus points is if we progress it is not only good for team morale but also financially good for the football club.”

He continued: “Shildon are a really tough outfit – they were only two games away last season from joining us in our league and they have a really good, well skilled, well qualified and experienced management team. The winners will have the incentive of a home tie against West Auckland or Bishop Auckland and that will be an interesting fixture because I think West – who I was impressed with after they beat us 4-2 on Saturday – will give Bishops a really good run for their money.”

He went on: “The Congleton game in the Trophy is quite a nice one for me. It’s the town next to Alsager where I spent 13 years of my life so I know the area – and the team – well and they did themselves proud in getting promoted last year. I think it’s a distance of 191 miles from Ashington – but we’ll do what we normally do. Last year we travelled really well as a team and a lot of our better results were on the road so I’d like to think we can keep that mentality and that attitude with again the incentive being a home tie in the next round. However it now feels real – it feels as if the new season is upon us and it’s exciting.”

By Brian Bennett

The deadline for ‘build the budget’ is rapidly approaching – and Ashington FC joint head coach Andy Coyles has stressed the importance of the campaign from a management perspective.

Coyles – who was quick to acknowledge and thank the fans who have already supported the campaign – said at the weekend: “The ‘build the budget’ drive is extremely important. Our initial job management wise was to try and recruit the best possible squad that will excite supporters and allow us to play quick attacking free football – and we feel we are only one or two players away from achieving that. However with the squad we have assembled, we realistically need the community and everybody to come together to help us and keep this group of players together. We feel that if we can do that, then serious exciting times lie ahead.”

He continued: “The group togetherness is unreal at the moment. It’s a real good group but obviously we need everybody to pull together and help us to be where we need to be come the beginning of August.”

Anyone interested in pledging support to the ‘build the budget’ should click on the following link:

BUILD THE BUDGET

Ashington AFC can now confirm that following yesterday’s statement from Brian Shotton, an interim structure has been agreed to continue to take the club forward and continue in the direction Brian has been leading the club. Gavin Perry and Nicola Sanders-Cooper who are both currently directors of the club will take on co-chairperson roles. They will continue to work closely with all members of the board to ensure that Ashington AFC remains a central hub in the local community.

Gavin commented: “I started following Ashington AFC regularly at the start of the 2003/04 season at Portland Park and instantly become hooked by the atmosphere and community spirit. After two seasons of watching and volunteering, I knew that this was a club that I wanted to have more involvement with and at the start of 2005/06 was elected to the committee.”

“It is an honour and privilege to able to take up this new role alongside Nicola in what will be my 20^th season of ‘behind the scenes’ involvement at Ashington AFC.”

“Brian has not only been a fantastic Chair to the club, but also a very close friend and I can only hope that Nicola and I can continue with the immense progress Brian has achieved to this point.”

Speaking of her appointment Nicola said: “I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to take on the role as interim co-chair alongside Gavin Perry at our football club, despite my relatively short tenure on the board. My involvement at the club still remains on focusing on commercial development and strategic direction with the aim of creating a sustainable financial future for the club.”

“Brian, your dedication, tireless efforts and accomplishments as chairman, over the last 6 years are truly commendable and you have set a high standard for us to follow.”

“While I acknowledge the challenges that lie ahead, I am confident that with careful planning, execution and staying true to our values the club can achieve further significant milestones.”

Ashington AFC is run on a voluntary and not-for-profit basis and the board are grateful for all of the volunteers who support with enabling the club to continue to progress. If you are interested in supporting us on the next stage of the journey, then please do get in touch with us on football@ashingtonafc.com and we would be happy to have a conversation with you.

After nearly six years of serving as the chairman of Ashington AFC, the time feels right for me to relinquish this responsibility.

Throughout my tenure, I have dedicated myself to the progress and development of the club, and I am proud of the strides we have made together.

From initial survival to progressing with a league cup win, and culminating in a historic promotion in 2023, our journey has been remarkable from the position we were in. When I returned to the club, I vowed we would progress, even if it meant taking a step back to move forward, and that was very much the case.

Navigating the challenges of the pandemic further tested our resolve, but we emerged stronger, ready for the future.

Ashington AFC is in my blood. From when my Grandad took me to Portland Park in the early 90s as a child I’ve always loved this club. While I am stepping down as chairman, I am not leaving the club altogether. I will stay on as a director and continue to contribute to the ongoing success. My full time job at the neighbouring Hirst Welfare, another vital community asset like the football club, is demanding as it navigates an important phase in its own history. This role requires my full attention and commitment, which I can no longer balance with the responsibilities of chairmanship at Ashington AFC.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has played a part in the last six years, particularly Ian Skinner, Alan Brown, Gav Perry, Brian Robson, and all others who have contributed to our success. Special thanks also go to the players and management who have been instrumental in our achievements.

And to my wife, Nicola, who has been my rock and unwavering support throughout this journey. Her encouragement, patience, understanding, and own commitments to the club have been instrumental in allowing me to fulfil my role as chairman. Without her, none of this would have been possible.

I would also like to thank you, the supporters, whose backing both financially and vocally has been crucial. Without your support, we would not have achieved what we have. Additionally, I extend my gratitude to our sponsors for their continued support and contributions.

The club now possesses all the tools needed to succeed, and I am confident in the abilities of our board members to steer Ashington AFC towards even greater achievements.

The club will be announcing new leadership in due course, but rest assured, it is in the very capable hands of the board as we head towards another exciting season.

Thank you for your unwavering support during my time as chairman. It was a dream for me, and I hope I have left a positive mark on the history of the club during my tenure.

I am excited to see what the future holds for Ashington AFC.

See you on the terraces.

Brian Shotton