By Brian Bennett

Ashington could potentially clock up the miles if they make progress in the early stages of the Emirates FA Cup and Isuzu FA Trophy.

The draws were made last week and for the opening two rounds in both competitions, the Colliers were pulled out of the hat as the away team on each occasion.

In the Cup, Nick Gray’s side will travel to meet Ebac Northern League first division outfit Shildon in the extra preliminary round which will bring about a repeat of last season’s contest at the same stage which the Woodhorn Lane side won 4-2. If they overcome the Railwaymen, the Wansbeck side will then face the winners of the Birtley Town v Beverley Town clash.

Meanwhile in the Trophy, Ashington will take on Garforth Town in West Yorkshire and if they are successful will travel to Cheshire to face Runcorn Linnets.

Colliers’ assistant manager Liam McIvor said: “I know the first two rounds are drawn but to be honest it’s one game at a time as far as we are concerned. It would have been nice for our fans to have had a game at home but it is what it is. Shildon’s campaign starts earlier than us and it’ll be a hard tricky game because they will have commenced their pre-season training programme probably two weeks before us. We’ll be looking to hit the ground running, but we’ll also be trying to have a look at them (Shildon) or gather some information about them that’s for sure.”

McIvor said about the Garforth clash: “They (Garforth) are in the same league as us – but it’s another tough fixture on our travels.”

Ahead of Ashington’s first warm up game away to North Shields on Friday (July 11) McIvor said: “Things are going well with our pre-season workouts and the lads have had a good week with a fourth session in eight days. It’s been Intense and hard for them with plenty of running but also a lot of ball work and we’ll continue that this week ahead of our first friendly away on Friday. North Shields have had a couple of games already and it’ll be a very good test. We played them last season, they are a very good side and we’ll know what to expect. Brian Smith is a very good manager and he’ll have a team who are well organised, well drilled and whose fitness levels are high. They have a lot of talented players so it’ll be a great test for us. However, it’s all about fitness for the lads and although friendlies are friendlies, you obviously want to win the games. For manager Nick Gray and myself it’ll be good to see a couple of our new lads in action and see how they react to playing a high-quality team.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Nick Gray has admitted that after a season he wished to forget, he considered his own future as boss of the Woodhorn Lane based outfit.

The Colliers secured their status in the East Division of the Northern Premier League on their own merit when they won 1-0 at Bradford Park Avenue in the final game of the last campaign.

However, Gray said that in a season which he didn’t enjoy and which was the most challenging in all of his years in management, he contemplated about his next move: “I have always loved football,” he said, “But last year was the hardest and toughest campaign I have experienced and I had to think personally about myself as to where I was mentally. My late father and family have always been my biggest supporters. I’ve never been a quitter, and it was one of those situations whereby I felt I hadn’t done myself or the team justice for the club. The supporters were unbelievable and the people behind the scenes were fantastic even in tough times, but I’ve got to be honest and say that I didn’t enjoy it. You’ve got to enjoy football and last year as a group we didn’t do that – although I learned from it.”

He continued: “This year we’ve got to be on the front foot and look forward to the beginning of the season. I want players who are going to be hungry and who want to be here. Where we are as a club, we’ve always got a lot of competition at this level with teams along the doors and where we are financially as a club, we’re down the pecking order. So players come here and see what the ambition of the club is and how we are going forward. Those are the positives and we’ll be a close tight knit group this term where the standards will be far better.”

He went on: “We certainly do not want to dwell on things from last year – you can’t live in the past, but you can change the future. The biggest challenge to the players is that it we have got to learn (from last year). People who know me know that I give my all and I wear my heart on my sleeve. I still think I’ve got a lot to offer in football, but I’m pleased to get the last six weeks out of the way because the close season is certainly not my favourite time.”

He added: “People have seen a lot of teams declaring signings and friendlies and you’ve just got to trust people – that’s a big thing. My message to supporters is that I’ve always had teams that play attractive football, but we are not going to sign someone for the sake of it – any newcomer has got to improve the squad. They have also got to be the right people – not just ability wise – but have the right attitude.”

He concluded: “In management, I’ve never relegated a team. Even at Seaton Delaval and Whitley Bay as well as in my ten years with Morpeth we improved every season. People can tell if I’ve won or lost a game and that’s what I want to instil into my players – it’s got to hurt them to get beat. I can accept defeat but it’s how you get beat and giving of your all.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Jake Orrell said at the weekend that he is looking for a fresh start and is ‘buzzing’ about signing for Ashington.

The midfielder – who will turn 28 later this month – put pen to paper last week after joining the Woodhorn Lane set up following a spell of five years with fellow Northern Premier League East Division side Consett.

Orrell – who lists Blyth Spartans, Spennymoor Town, Hartlepool and Chesterfield amongst his former clubs – said: “Ashington have always looked like a good club from the outside so I’m excited about the start of the season – in fact I’m buzzing to be fair. I’ve had a couple of seasons now where to be honest I haven’t really enjoyed my football as much so it’s a case of pressing the reset button. Consett weren’t getting the best out of me and I wasn’t performing as well as what I could which was frustrating. Consequently, I’m looking for a fresh start. I’ve worked with the manager Nick Gray before when I was on-loan at Morpeth Town from Spennymoor and he’s a good bloke. He showed plenty of interest in wanting to sign me and that was good enough.”

For non-league players, the opportunity of playing on the hallowed turf at Wembley Stadium would rank as being the distinct highlight of their career. Orrell was no different after Consett reached the final of the FA Vase in the 2019/20 campaign.

The showpiece was against Hebburn Town but was deferred until May 2021 due to COVID.

Gateshead-born Orrell was hoping to savour the occasion – but unfortunately things didn’t quite pan out the way he had dreamt about as he recalls: “We were winning the game but 20 minutes into the contest, I went up for a header, got an elbow to the head and was knocked out. I was stretchered off – it was the first time I had ever been knocked out and of all places it was at Wembley!” Hebburn went on to win the game 3-2.

However, Washington-based Orrell – who runs his own barber shop- added: “The occasion itself was mint from driving in then going into the changing rooms where the Consett logo was on the floor. We also had our names on the back of our tops – it was class. However, the worst thing about it all was that because it was during COVID, there were no fans allowed and my wife and all of my family were watching it at home.”

Ashington manager Nick Gray said: “The squad is slowly and surely coming together and I’m really happy with the signings. I knew a couple of weeks ago that there was a possibility that we could get Jake onboard. I pursued it and Consett – through their chairman Frank Bell – were very good about it. Once I met Jake, we were both on the same page and he was looking to recharge his batteries and looking for a fresh start.”

He continued: “I had Jake on loan at Morpeth when he was at Spennymoor. He’s a very creative midfield player with the ability of making that final pass in the final third and has an eye for goal. I think we lacked a bit of creativity in midfield last season, and he’ll certainly add that. He wants to get on the ball and be brave and I know he will become a crowd favourite.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Jay Hornsby is delighted about returning to Ashington – stating that he has got a bit of unfinished business to conduct.

The 26-year-old defender was first to arrive through the doors for the start of pre-season training on Friday and said: “I’ve changed a bit but I’m over the moon to be back. If I’m being totally honest, I think I’ve got a bit of unfinished business. When I left six years ago, no-one knew what was going on at the club but I was always looking forward to coming back if I got the opportunity so I’m delighted to start again. I spoke with manager Nick (Gray) on a few occasions and I knew that I wanted to come back to Woodhorn Lane. Now I’m itching to get going.”

He continued: “When I left Ashington – my home town club – I always followed their results because I wanted the club to do well. When I was with Heaton Stannington last season, I knew what the stakes were when near the end of the season the Stan had to draw the game to stay in the East Division of the Northern Premier League. In that match I had just returned from injury. I came on with about 30 minutes to go and in the first five minutes I got another knock and ended up doing a stint up front! The Stan won the game but I saw the other results and was over the moon when Ashington stayed up as well.”

The injury ruled Hornsby out of the final of the Newcastle Flooring Northumberland Senior Cup against Morpeth Town at St James Park – which the Stan won after a penalty shoot-out: “I had played in the previous rounds but was not involved in the squad so I didn’t pick up a winner’s medal,” said Stakeford-based Hornsby who is a facilities manager for a property management company, “Nevertheless it was great to be amongst the group and a good experience at SJP – even though I’m a Sunderland fan! I did the warm-up and was knocking the ball around during the half time interval then afterwards celebrating the win with the rest of the lads.”

Nick Gray said: “Jay is a player who I have admired for five or six years – in fact since he was at Ashington the first time. I’ve always kept a record of what he has been doing and I’m delighted he has come back to the club. He’s the type of player who I know what I’ll get from him. He’s hungry; he’s a winner; he’s good in the dressing room and on top of all that he’s also a good player so I’m really pleased to get him on board.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington manager Nick Gray has pinpointed ‘commitment’ as being a major ingredient ahead of the upcoming new campaign in the East Division of the Pitching In Northern Premier League.

Speaking minutes before his squad reported back for pre season training, Gray said: “I’m really pleased with the way things are going because I’ve kept the players at the club who I wanted to stay. I think the key thing from last year is the commitment. We know what the league is about, we know what the travelling is and we know there are going to be local games. We have to got be 100 per cent committed because last year was a learning curve for all of us – it was disappointing for everyone, the club, the players and the supporters and we want to make this year a memorable one. People who know me know what I’m all about. I’ll always back my players and they will know what I need from them and if they do that, then we’ll be fine.”

He continued: “Squad wise it’s all about being patient. I’m looking to bring new players in before the start of the season and we are having a look at some promising young lads – but they have got to deliver in the training sessions and the friendlies. From a manager’s perspective, pre-season is the second worst time of the year – and it’s getting even worse with what’s gone from the end of last season until now. You can speak to over 20 players; you do a lot of miles and what gets done behind the scenes by a lot of management is hard work. Now it’s about the individuals – the players – as to what they get out of pre-season. It’s about fitness and players getting to know each other – and the lads will be under no illusion as to what I want from them. We’ve got friendlies lined up which obviously you’d like to win – but its not the be all and end all. At this time of the year some players have holidays, so you’ve got to mix and match but it gives you the chance to have a good look at the squad.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington’s newly signed goalkeeper Matty Alexander has said that the lure of stepping up to test himself at a higher level was one of the main reasons behind his decision to sign for the Woodhorn Lane based outfit.

The 23 year-old put pen to paper last week – and shortly afterwards paid a glowing tribute to his former club Alnwick Town.

“I’m buzzing to be here,” said the Newcastle-born stopper, “I spoke to manager Nick (Gray) and his assistant Liam McIvor a few times and what they are trying to build here sounds good to me. I’ve also heard good things about the club and I can’t wait to get started.”

Alexander – who is based in Cramlington – had a four-year spell with Bolton Wanderers as he recalls: “I went down there to do my apprenticeship when I was 16 years old. I got to make two appearances for the first team, with my league debut coming in the home clash against Coventry in front of just under 10,000 supporters. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out for me but nevertheless I have got some great memories.”

For the past three years, the ‘keeper – who stands at 6’ 3” tall – has been between the posts for Alnwick Town and he said: “It’s been great and I can only say good things about them because they are just a brilliant club all round. However, with no disrespect to them, it’s a step up at Ashington and I want to test myself and see how I perform.”

Manager Nick Gray – who has known the stopper since he played for Newcastle City Juniors – said: “Matty has been on my radar for at least two or three years. He’s a good lad, a good size for a keeper, a good age and he’s got great potential. He lives locally and is keen to learn and progress. I’m pleased we have got the signing over the line because there has been a lot of clubs interested in him for a long time. He’s been very loyal to Alnwick Town and we are fortunate to get him.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Duncan Gilchrist

Ashington manager Nick Gray announced a new signing at the weekend.

The Woodhorn Lane boss has brought in Tom Read as goalkeeping coach and is delighted to get him on board: “I’m over the moon,” said Gray, “I think every club at our level has a minimum of four backroom staff. When I came in as manager last year there was only my assistant Liam McIvor and myself and it was a massive challenge for us both. Consequently, I was asking substitutes to warm up the goalkeeper before matches which shouldn’t happen so I see Tom as being a key signing and I’m very happy. Tom has experience with clubs higher up and he’s as keen as mustard.”

Read – born in Wordsley in the West Midlands – is based in Whitley Bay and he said: “I’m looking forward to it. I know Nick and his ambition for the club and I want to bring my experience and my love for the game to Ashington. I have been to Woodhorn Lane and was really impressed with it.”

The 31 year-old is a full time football coach for i2i International Soccer Academy and also works four days a year for the Football Association where he is lead goalkeeping coach for the North on the regional emerging talent programme.

He has also been at West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City and worked with the women’s teams at both clubs.

Read recalls one distinct highlight at West Brom: “I got the chance to work with Ben Foster and Tomasz Kusczak on a testimonial match for Chris Brunt and James Morrison and was goalkeeping coach that day at the Hawthorns which was great,” he said.

Read has also served at Telford United and Blyth Spartans and last year was with the Newcastle United women’s set up.

Ashington Football Club is excited to partner with QTS, one of the world’s leaders in global digital infrastructure. Through this partnership QTS will provide invaluable support to our club, particularly in enhancing our positive reach for the benefit of the local community. The generous backing from QTS, along with the outstanding fundraising efforts from our supporters, has further solidified Ashington’s future, considering the longstanding commitment from our existing sponsors. This partnership will significantly boost our ability to contribute positively to the community.

During the 2024/25 season, we launched the “Build The Budget” campaign, which saw incredible support from our fans, local businesses, and personal but generous contributions from members of the club’s board. These efforts were crucial in keeping the team on the pitch and in the Northern Premier League this season. This new partnership with QTS gets us off to a good start in our fundraising for next season, ensuring that we can continue to build on our successes and make a positive impact on the community.

Our Chair, Nicola Sanders-Cooper, remarked, “We are thrilled to have QTS on board as a sponsor. Their support, combined with the dedication of our supporters, local businesses, volunteers, and board members, has been instrumental in adding to the future of Ashington Football Club. This partnership marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the club, and we look forward to continuing our efforts to enhance our facilities and make a positive impact on the community.”

QTS is involved in the redevelopment of the former Power Station site at neighbouring Cambois into a new data centre campus, further demonstrating their commitment to the region. QTS is dedicated to serving communities and we are proud that they have chose to call ours, home!

 “Our partnership with Ashington represents our commitment to supporting the communities in which we live, work and operate in,” said David Murray, Senior Vice President of Community Impact, QTS. “We believe in the power of the football club to connect the community, bring people together to achieve great things, and we are excited to be part of this journey. Together, we are excited about the future both on and off the field.”

Thank you to QTS for their kind support this season, we looked forward to working with their team to make a real impact as a non-profit football club and community hub. Together, we are building a brighter future for Ashington Football Club and our local area.

The FA have today confirmed the round dates for FA Competitions for the 2025/26 season.

The Emirates FA Cup will commence with the Extra Preliminary Round Qualifying on Saturday 2nd August, with the subsequent rounds of the qualifying stage being:

Preliminary Round Qualifying – Saturday 16th August 2025

First Round Qualifying – Saturday 30th August 2025

Second Round Qualifying – Saturday 13th September 2025

Third Round Qualifying – Saturday 27th September 2025

Fourth Round Qualifying – Saturday 11th October 2025

The Buildbase FA Trophy will commence with the Preliminary Round Qualifying on Saturday 23rd August, with the subsequent rounds being played as follows:

First Round Qualifying – Saturday 6th September 2025

Second Round Qualifying – Saturday 20th September 2025

Third Round Qualifying – Saturday 4th October 2025

First Round Proper – Saturday 25th October 2025

Second Round Proper – Saturday 15th November 2025

Third Round Proper – Saturday 13th December 2025

Fourth Round Proper – Saturday 10th January 2026

Fifth Round Proper – Saturday 31st January 2026

Sixth Round Proper – Saturday 28th February 2026

Semi Final – Saturday 28th March 2026

Final – Saturday 17th May 2026

The FA are expected to release the draws for the first two rounds of each competition on Friday 4th July 2025.

Ashington AFC are delighted to announce that we have been successful in securing a funding award from the Premier League Stadium Fund which will enable us to upgrade the floodlights at Woodhorn Lane. Our existing system is currently 17 years old meaning that the ongoing running and maintenance costs are constantly increasing. The installation of a new LED lighting system will reduce our ongoing expenditure significantly.

As part of the grant award, we would also like to thank the Ashington Leisure Partnership who have kindly contributed to the costs of the project.

On receiving the confirmation of the grant award, Nicola Sanders-Cooper, Chair of Ashington AFC said: “We are always exploring how we can improve the facilities and matchday experience at Woodhorn Lane and this is a major step forward for us. The installation of new LED floodlights will not only enhance our facilities and matchday experience but will support the club to be as sustainable as possible for the future.

We are now working with our preferred supplier and aim to begin the works during June.