By Brian Bennett

On the upstairs wall inside the clubhouse at Ashington Football Club, a mural depicting three all time greats from the area – Jackie Milburn, Jackie Charlton and his brother Sir Bobby Charlton – is prominently displayed.

After hearing of the passing of Sir Bobby, Ashington chairman Brian Shotton opened the doors at Woodhorn Lane and stood poignantly viewing the mural.

“Three years ago when we had the mural installed, one of them (Jackie Milburn) had already passed,” said Brian “Now sadly, all three have left us – but the mural will serve as a lasting legacy and I’m proud to acknowledge that we do pay tribute to ‘football icons’ at this football club.”

Ahead of Ashington’s clash against Pontefract Collieries on Saturday, a book of condolence was opened for Sir Bobby; a minute’s applause was held before kick-off and apart from asking supporters to wear something red, the Ashington team played in red tops.

Secretary and programme editor Gav Perry collated a superb Sir Bobby tribute programme with a cover photo of the great man himself kicking a football in the back streets of Ashington whilst their were tributes from Brian Shotton, manager Ian Skinner and former England and Durham cricketer Steve Harmison.

“Sir Bobby was from Ashington and everyone knows the area which we live in,” added Brian, “Even though I never actually met him (Sir Bobby), it was an emotional week. On Sunday we discussed a few things including how we were going to pay tribute to Sir Bobby and to be fair it was an idea by Ian Skinner that we should change our strips. Then we had to try and get our hands on a red kit so it was all hands to the pump to get things sorted out in time for the game.”

Brian said the week in general had been a busy one: “Personally I’ve just taken on a new job and have been training which is my priority but I had a lot of work to do with the football club especially in the evenings,” he said, “My wife Nicola knows how much time I spent last week – not just for Sir Bobby but generally on the club itself as we find our feet in a new league.”

Ashington won Saturday’s contest 2-1 but Brian said: “I didn’t see a lot of the game to be honest and I missed our second goal because there is always a lot going on off the pitch. However from the bit of action which I did see, Pontefract are clearly a good outfit and there was nothing between the sides. It looked like it was a blood and thunder game of football which is what people like to see and it was a good win for us.”

By Brian Bennett

On a day when Ashington FC paid tribute to the memory of Sir Bobby Charlton, defender Si Jakab firmly believed that he and his team mates did the town proud following their 2-1 win over Pontefract Collieries.

The 23 year old – who linked up with the Colliers from North Shields – revealed that the players were given a special message. He said: “Before the match, the management team told us that the best thing we could do for the memory of Sir Bobby Charlton was to win the game and to make not just the team but also the town of Ashington proud – and I thought we did that.”

He continued: “The game against Winterton where we won 4-0 was quite helpful and it was a shame that our clash at Sheffield FC was called off. When I woke up this morning (Saturday) there were already a lot of games off in the region and although our surface was really heavy I felt our game only went ahead because we’ve got a lovely ground and people who look after the pitch.”

Jakab – who was born in Budapest in Hungary – began to play senior men’s football with Consett where he spent two years and was on the substitute’s bench for the Steelmen in the final of the 2019-20 FA Vase at Wembley when they finished runners up to Hebburn Town. He then signed for Sunderland RCA before moving along to North Shields: “Whilst I was with Shields last season I picked up an injury – ironically against Pontefract – and was ruled out for the remainder of the campaign before I came to Ashington,” he added.

Sunderland-based Jakab is enjoying his football at Woodhorn Lane: “I love the team and everyone is quite welcoming to me which is always nice,” he said, “I was playing on the right when I got into the side but now I’ve moved a little bit more towards the centre. Because of the unfortunate injury to Nathan Buddle today I had to switch into the middle – but that’s a positive for myself knowing that the management team trust me in whatever position they ask me to play.”

Saturday’s win propelled Ashington into a mid table position and Jakab added: “It’s always tough when you go up a league and we need to get used to it. We’ve got loads of new players including myself in the squad but I feel we have built team morale and have got some momentum going. Basically on our day I believe we are capable of beating anyone – we just need to be ‘at it’ from the start.”

He concluded: “We’ve got some tough games and long travels coming up – but I’m looking forward to them.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington manager Ian Skinner admitted that the departure of Damen Mullen from the club is a ‘part of the job in football management which isn’t very nice.’

Mullen left the Woodhorn Lane club at the end of last week and Skinner was quick to praise the midfielder: “Damen is someone who I have known personally for a very long time,” he said, “I coached him as a young player and I consider him to be a personal friend. Whenever he played for us this season he never let us down and one performance which sticks out was when we went to Cleethorpes at the end of September. We had all of those suspensions and Damen played in a back three. However he has found minutes difficult to come by and he’d probably argue that on those occasions when he played well, that he should have stayed in the side. We decided to go with alternative teams which we thought on the day would stand us in better stead to get a result.”

He continued: “Damen was getting frustrated with his lack of game time and wants to play as much as he can. We had a couple of conversations and it probably came to the point whereby it was in his best interests to look elsewhere to play more regular. It’s the part of the job in football management which isn’t very nice – sitting down and having those conversations – but the interests of Ashington FC have got to come first and friendships put to one side. Damen will be a big miss because he was the ultimate professional if you like. He never caused any problems; he was always on time; he was a great trainer; he was good in the dressing room and he’s as fit as he’s ever been.”

Meanwhile on Sunday it was announced that Declan Bisset has left the club to try and gain regular first team football elsewhere with the club “wishing him the best of luck for the future.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner – delighted with his sides 2-1 result over Pontefract Collieries at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday – has dedicated the win to the memory of the late Sir Bobby Charlton.

Skinner – a relative of the family – said afterwards: “Sir Bobby was a real humble and no fuss gentleman and wouldn’t have wanted us to wear red or to have a minute’s applause for him today but I thought it was right – and I’d also like to dedicate our victory to him.”

He continued: “For me, it’s a well done to Ashington Football Club and a thank you to them for asking supporters to wear red; to hold a minute’s applause and arrange a book of condolence. All of those were nice little touches and it was good to see the town turn out in his memory.”

By Brian Bennett

After Ashington climbed up to mid table in the Pitching In Northern Premier League’s East Division following a 2-1 win over Pontefract Collieries on Saturday, manager Ian Skinner revealed that it was a ‘collective management decision’ – to make slight alterations on the park – which paid dividends.

Within minutes of making the changes, the Colliers romped into a two goals lead with Craig Spooner and Wilson Kneeshaw on target and the boss said afterwards: “As a management team, we got our heads together and decided to alter one or two things. Sometimes they work for you and sometimes they don’t. Today they have and helped us to get a positive result. It was a collective management decision – but it’s the players who carry out those instructions.”

Skinner continued: “I was delighted with three points at home because we probably haven’t won enough games at Woodhorn Lane this season if the truth be known. It was a difficult but great occasion too as we paid tribute to the late Sir Bobby Charlton. The public turned out; there were lots of red around the stadium and a fantastic minute’s applause was held. Sir Bobby was a true humble gentleman – and to win in front of our fans and some people who may have been visiting the ground for the very first time was great. We talk in this league about needing to put positive runs of results together because it moves you up the table relatively quickly and today we replicated what was a really good performance and good win at Winterton.”

Skinner reflected on the first 45 minutes: “With all the rain we had, the pitch was challenging,” he said, “Consequently, the way we try and play was always going to be difficult on that surface and we needed to do all of our best work as early as we could before the pitch cut up and got a little bit worse. I thought the opening half was pretty even and pretty uneventful with not a lot of chances. Pontefract got into some good areas and have put some good balls into our box but we defended really well and a 0-0 score line was probably a fair reflection of a first half where we sussed each other out a little bit.”

He added: “Second half I thought they (Pontefract) started a little bit brighter than us and were maybes in the ascendancy – and that’s why we made the changes. Almost immediately we fashioned two fantastic opportunities for Craig Spooner and Wilson Kneeshaw to score then we had a spell where we were in control and should have added more. I thought we had a really strong case for a penalty on Connor Thomson followed by a fantastic move where we have played the ball inside to Connor (Thomson) and he’s hit the post. Another good move – albeit at 2-1 late in the game – and Craig (Spooner) has hit the woodwork. But it wouldn’t be Ashington if we didn’t make it a little bit exciting and fair play because it was some finish for their goal by Adam Haw. The ball has dropped to him and he’s put it right into the top corner and that obviously leads to a little bit of a un nervy end to the game – but we saw it out and I was delighted with the three points.”

He went on: “When you break it down into simple terms and go through our 1-16, I think we had lots of players who had a good game and if you have that, it means you tend to win games of football matches and I think that was true today. I don’t want to single anyone out because I think there were eight or nine lads who were excellent. Now we’ve got to put the result to one side; work hard in training this week and prepare for our away trip to face Grantham on Saturday.”

By Brian Bennett

Connor Thomson was happy on Saturday night after he excelled on his debut for Ashington in their 4-0 win over Winterton Rangers.

After linking up with the Woodhorn Lane outfit on loan from Morpeth Town, the 27 year old striker went straight into the Colliers side for their important clash in North Lincolnshire – and made a sensational impact by scoring the opener early in the contest and later adding a second!

“As a debut it couldn’t have gone much better and I’m over the moon,” said Newcastle-born Thomson, “As a forward especially, you want to make an impact – either by scoring or claiming an assist – so for me to get a goal after six minutes gave me that confidence to crack on. My second from the spot was a pressure penalty – but you have to back yourself and I’m glad it went in. I took penalties for Morpeth last season and it’s something I like to do – so hopefully I can keep it up.”

Cramlington-based Thomson added: “I only knew a few of the lads beforehand but I loved every minute of my first game. I was delighted with the win even though we should have had scored more to be honest. I was looking to go on and get a hat trick but my legs started to give way a little bit and that’s why I came off – but I’ve scored two and I’m happy with that.”

Ashington FC coach Ritchie Hill said of Thomson: “He’s what we have needed and he made a great introduction. Connor just gives us a bit of everything. He’s strong; capable of winning headers; he’s quick and very direct and he’s previously played with Dan Maguire and Wilson Kneeshaw at Blyth Spartans so that helps. He just wants to play and he’s buzzing which is important. The management team at Ashington have been trying to get someone in to give us a bit of help at the top end of the field and Connor is a good fit. More importantly he’s a good lad and he’s fitted in well with the group.”

By Brian Bennett

Wilson Kneeshaw was named as the ‘Player of the match’ in Ashington’s 4-0 success over Winterton Rangers on Saturday – but the striker brushed the individual accolade to one side insisting that the overriding aspect was helping his side to a crucial victory.

Kneeshaw netted one goal and claimed three assists but he was also thwarted on several occasions by home ‘keeper Nathan Popple: “Obviously I have scored one and have assisted so I’ve helped the team,” he said, “I was disappointed that I didn’t get a couple more but the main thing today was coming away with the three points in what was a good performance. Now we can hopefully kick on and start moving up the table.”

For Darlington-born Kneeshaw, after receiving a pass from Nathan Buddle, his lay off which led to the opening goal from Connor Thomson took him back to his time with Blyth Spartans and Gateshead: “The three of us just linked really well,” he said, “I’ve known Connor from my days with him at Blyth and Gateshead so I know his game and what he’s about as a player – and the same goes for Nathan. I was happy for Connor to get off the mark and start his loan spell at Ashington with an excellent performance. He’s come in and brought something to the team straight away and obviously if I can assist and help with that then it’s really good.”

The 29 year old admitted that he has benefited by a change in mentality: “For my goal I was happy with the finish,” he said, “I changed my mentality over the past couple of weeks not to get down with myself because its been easy to do that in the past so I’ve been really trying to focus if sometimes things don’t go my way. Reflecting now I can look back on today’s game and say I probably should have scored in the first period but I got one in the second half – a left footer into the bottom corner – so I can’t complain.”

By Brian Bennett

One swallow doesn’t make a summer. Similarly one victory doesn’t define a season but Ashington coach Ritchie Hill is looking for Saturday’s 4-0 drubbing over basement side Winterton Rangers to kick-start the Colliers’ campaign.

Two goals from debutant Connor Thomson and one each from Wilson Kneeshaw and substitute Ben Williams saw the Wansbeck outfit claim three precious and well deserved points in North Lincolnshire as they look to climb away from the lower part of the Northern Premier League East Division table.

Hill said afterwards: “In the light of recent results it was a much needed win – and I thought we did it in style. The lads trained really well last week and they’ve converted it into a really good performance away from home. The final score was 4-0 but on another day it could have been seven, eight or nine. It was a pressurised game and we are happy but we’ve got to be realistic and not get too carried away. The important issue now is our game against Sheffield FC this coming Saturday because it’s imperative that we back up today’s result and kick on.”

Hill – who is based in Darlington – was delighted with Ashington’s opening as they took the lead in the sixth minute through Connor Thomson: “We set up really positively and I thought our first goal was brilliant,” he said, “I was wondering if the second (goal) was ever going to come because we had good chances and we needed it to settle us down. Winterton had a couple of moments but when we eventually got the second, the side grew in confidence and were really good. It was an important stage in the contest when Connor (Thomson) converted from the penalty spot to make it 3-0 and to be honest when the ball hit the back of the net, it was game over.”

He continued: “It’s been very frustrating for us and I think some of our performances have deserved more but results are what it is all about at the end of the day. We started the game today one point ahead of Winterton and defeat would have seen us in serious trouble. If you go unbeaten for three or four games, you leapfrog teams then all of a sudden you become connected with the sides in the place off places so it’s all about trying to put a run of results together. It’s an old cliché but we’ll take one game at a time. Today was important and a clean sheet was brilliant because the last time we didn’t concede was in the Emirates FA Cup against North Shields – and that came on the opening day of the season at the beginning of August.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner said his side ‘lost their way’ during the 4-1 defeat against Stockton Town at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday.

The Teessiders looked a well drilled and organised outfit – but after going into the interval with the game goalless, Skinner commented: “At half time I was happy. We chatted about one or two things and we talked about being a little bit more positive and playing a little bit more on the front foot but I thought we came out and started really poor and Stockton were brighter than us. Then we lost our way and they scored a really good second goal. We made some changes and tried to push real high numbers up front to just try and steal some territory and pin them (Stockton) back a little bit – and we did that for a little spell only we didn’t really threaten the goal anywhere near enough. We moved the ball too slow and allowed Stockton to get into a low block and credit to them because they worked really hard. After that whether it was a lack of belief that we weren’t going to break them down I don’t know but they (Stockton) scored two goals in the last few minutes which was really disappointing. However all in all, I don’t think anybody can begrudge Stockton leaving here with three points as I thought the best team on the day won.”

Skinner said his outfit did well in a first half which he found to be ‘uneventful.’ He added: “I thought Stockton started the game brighter than us; they were on the front foot and quicker than us and they moved the ball with pace and purpose more than we did. However credit to our lads as we managed to dig in and find a way into the game and the second half of the first half petered out into a sparring match where both sides had the ball for a little while but there weren’t any real great opportunities and I thought it was a pretty uneventful first half.”

Skinner described Wilson Kneeshaw’s late goal as being the only ‘bright spot’ in the second 45 minutes: “To be fair the only bright spot for us to take out of the second half was Wilson’s goal. I thought he worked tirelessly all day and we’ve tried to really work with him, looking for him to run in behind – which is more of his strength – and to use his pace albeit I thought when he did get in behind and took all those extra touches he might have missed the chance which resulted in the goal – but fair play to him. He’s danced inside and danced inside again so I was pleased for him.”

Ashington now have two away games on consecutive Saturdays – against Winterton Rangers and Sheffield FC – and the boss added: “We have got two huge fixtures coming up – they’ll not be easy but we’ll prepare properly as we always do. We’ll study the video footage this week from the Stockton game and review it as a group – but what we won’t do is to fall out with each other. There’s still a long way to go in the season but the sooner we start winning games of football the better.”

Meanwhile Skinner spoke about the updates on four players. He said: “Striker Scott Heslop has chosen to go to Birtley Town and we wish him all the best whilst Oli Thompson picked up an injury at Gateshead hence that’s why he hasn’t been available.  Max Emmerson has been out of action for the best part of two years. He’s getting five minutes here and ten minutes there and I think we’re at a stage with him now where he really needs to go and test himself in terms of playing regular so he’s going to Whickham on a 28 days loan. Charlie Exley – who is suspended for us at step 4 level – can play at the level below us so we’ve allowed him to join West Auckland also on a 28 days loan.”

He concluded: “We are actively looking to possibly bring in one or two players but at the moment it’s difficult to do that.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner admitted after his sides single goal defeat against Cleethorpes Town on Saturday that it was a ‘hard one to take.’

Shortly after half time, Will Annan scored for the Owls then Skinner looked on as his outfit were unable to find the net despite carving out a handful of chances inside the final quarter hour.

The boss said afterwards: “It was a hard one to take today to be honest because I thought from one to 16 we were really, really good. We looked very well organised and limited them (Cleethorpes) to very little. In fact they only had one shot on target and scored and it came from a little bit of an error and Paul Van-Zandvliet is distraught by it. Mistakes are part of the game and at the moment we just seem to get punished when we make them. However, I’m not sure I could have asked much more from the players today.”

He continued: “There wasn’t a lot in the game if I’m honest. First half we had a chance early on cleared off the line and I don’t think they (Cleethorpes) had a shot on target in the first half. After the break, we came out and did okay and were on for what I would call as being a classic away performance whereby we were solid and we tried to play on the counter attack. The mistake led to the goal and they (Cleethorpes) have scored. With 20 minutes to go we changed one or two things to go on the front foot and we’ve dominated possession. We’ve also created some very good chances; their ‘keeper (James McKeown) has made two or three very good saves; we’ve had a couple of scrambles in the box whilst Craig Spooner has hit the bar – and I don’t anyone could have complained had we taken something from the game.”

He went on: “Nobody likes to get beat and I acknowledge that we have lost but I’m not sure the performance warranted a defeat today and its one of them where at the end I said to the lads ‘listen, you’ve performed really well both in and out of possession; we’ve had a plan and stuck to it and on another day we could have won it or at least certainly taken a point.’ If you look at statistics we will have had more of the ball than them (Cleethorpes) and had more shots than them both on and off target – but we just haven’t put the ball in the net.”

For the all round trip of over 350 miles to North East Lincolnshire, Skinner travelled down without nine players and he said: “Nine were out but I’m not using that as an excuse – far from it. The lads who played today stood up and were counted and were brilliant – and it shows the strength and depth of the squad that we have got. Cleethorpes are on a good run whilst we were also on a good run and I thought we deserved something from the game. However sometimes football can be cruel and we’ve been punished for a mistake and we’ll learn by it. We’ll dust ourselves down; train twice this week and prepare for Stockton Town at home on Saturday.”